The myth of the Conservative Party, under Stephen Harper, as a well oiled, master chess playing entity, has evaporated. We can all dispense with the lofty strategic adjectives attributed to this Prime Minister, the Conservatives have clearly ran the worst campaign of all the principles. From day one, we have seen a series of gaffes and forced corrections, only amplified by a disasterous habit of self-inflicted wounds. For a man who has spent the last two and half years courting Quebecers, the political tin ear shown in this election has been deafening. Checkers not chess, blunders not brilliance.
Journalism is dead in Canada, anything substantive treated as a novelty, as people simply chase polls, project bias and provide half truths. In this election, you can say anything, hide, without the threat of accountability, comforted in the fact that the attention span is so lacking, little chance for scrutiny. Any conservative that actually still clings to the unsubstantiated frame of "our liberal media" should be laughed at hysterically. I predict right now, any independent analysis of this election coverage will suggest "our conservative media". Book it, bank it, my eyes don't lie.
The Green Party have emerged as a mainstream political player, irregardless of the final election night tallies. The Greens are no longer "fringe", if they fail to elect an MP, it says more about our system, than a lack of support. A refreshing addition to our discourse, even though it further fractures the anti-Harper crowd, a party without the rhetorical partisan baggage, the Greens are here to stay.
Canadians are largely apathetic and dis-interested in our political process. Our leaders have failed to inspire and engage, a real sense that people are choosing the least offensive, rather than investing themselves in a positive choice. Our democracy has seen better days.
The Leafs suck.
15 comments:
The Leafs really do suck :-)
The rest...couldn't have said it better myself.
Liberal media...as if! LOL
I'll go back to saying that it's not just the Greens who have arrived, but a public understanding that the greening of Canada is profoundly necessary and long over due. It's possible that the market restoration that - if not underway - then is at least upsurging today and probably tomorrow, may let the environment creep back into focus for Canadians.
It's altogether too strange however, that upwards of half the electorate allegedly isn't sure what it's going to do tomorrow, but then that observation is poll chasing. I'll be glad when tomorrow's poll is over, I have a book I have to start writing that has been back-burnered by blogging.
I usually agree with everything you say but this time not so much. Did you watch the Flames first 2 games? I hope we haven't committed $7 million to a goalie who has lost it.
Steve,
i would say that Layton has inspired. The NDP trend lines have been steady and growing throughout the election.
Actually anon, I see that as further evidence of voters looking around, rather than some ringing endorsement of 19th century socialism. That's just me though :)
The Leafs haven't won the cup since 67 and the country hasn't had a inspirational leader step forward since 68.
A long dry spell for both the Leafs and the country.
The two seem to work in tandem, don't they?
The Greens have a charismatic, brilliant leader who has boosted their polling numbers. Perceiving the implications of her success (a Harper govt due to her Nader effect) she is confused of late and cannot decide which to betray: her party or her country.
I know some Green supporters (with signs on the lawn etc) who are agonizing over their decision: Liberal or Green.
As much as I hate the FPtP system, it is what we got - and the Greens can only wreck the outcome from a progressive PoV - not shed their fringe status.
As to the smooth talkin' Jack - he is selling out his country for a Broadbent-sized bounce and his party will fade to insignificance in the years to come as is the perennial history of the NDP.
Vote for the progressive most likely to beat the Harper-bot running in your riding.
Perhaps (after Tuesday) we should each take a membership in all three parties and force electoral compromise until we shed this dreadful FPtP system we have saddled ourselves with.
pov
People can attack May all they want, but she is clearly speaking from the heart, and in so doing reacting to some simple realities.
Steve:
I believe it is a little premature to conclude the Green Party has "arrived" as a main stream party.
Let's see what happens between now and the next election, which I believe will be within 12-18 months.
If they manage to maintain their support during that period, which will be during a major recession, then I will agree with you.
lib
She was in the debates, which in and of itself ditches the fringe label.
I don't consider my post and attack on May.
pov
No, no, I was referring to some of the reaction, not what you said- I agree.
What is truly amazing is that - despite the appalling bias in coverage and how pathetic the main opposition party's campaign has been - that so many Canadians are able to see through the bullshit and are still not prepared to consider Harper as worthy: even if he gets a landslide tomorrow, we'll know that it was because of the horrible alternative.
Even if we are apathetic, I have been extremely heartened by our ability not to be sucked in by 'wedge issuing' and the like.
I always wonder, who are these people that support the Conservatives?
In terms of education, the Conservatives receive a huge boost from Canadians with a high school diploma or less, taking 39 per cent of that vote. The Liberals and the NDP each receive 21 per cent."... And there are now hundreds of scientists speaking out against the Conservatives and their ignorance.
The brilliant John Stuart Mill said several centuries ago, "Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative".
Ignoring the eventual consequences of climate change on the economy itself is the height of stupidity.
Post a Comment