Quote:
Originally posted by MarchHare@Apr 20 2005, 08:26 PM
In a purely technical sense, no, my choices aren't just the Liberals, Conservatives, or NDP. I could vote for the Green Party, the Marijuana Party, the Natural Law Party (are they still around?), an independant candidate, etc.
In reality though, if I want my vote to go to a candidate with a chance of winning rather than being a mere statistic, the big three are my only choice. And the fact that I live in Calgary means that the Conservative Party is going to win regardless of how I vote, so it's a moot point anyway.
As for my point about the only options I find palatable are to either vote Liberal or abstain, how would you suggest I vote, given that I don't support the platform of either the CPC or the NDP?
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I can respect that you ruled out the Conservatives because you disagree with their platform.
So, assuming that a conservative will win in your riding, consider that the party you do vote for earns funding because of the number of votes it will get.
Therefore, if you are partial to the Green party policies (as an example), consider giving them a vote. While I dont take the Greens seriously, as I consider them to be more of a lobby group than a true political party, if you think they have some good ideas, use your vote to help fund their goals.
Honestly, I think what will serve your long term interests best is to vote Conservative, even if you feel you have to hold your nose while doing it.
The CPC will almost certantly sweep Calgary, so voting for them wont change the outcome.
But, if the Conservatives manage a significant increase in popular vote, while the Liberals fade similaraly, it would more than likely push the Liberals into reforming themselves.
I have little doubt that the next government will also be a minority. Likely a Conservative minority. The country is just too fractured right now for anything else. Therefore, chances are high that the next government will also be short lived. If Harper ultimately proves to be unpalatable to the Canadian people, then he will be kicked out as quickly as Martin will be.
And in that case, wouldnt you want a re-focused Liberal party stinging from a strong rebuke by the Canadian public running in that election, rather than the same old-same old thinking that Canadians will forgive any transgression?
It is naive to believe that the corruption that plagues the Liberals left with Chretien. If you want to be able to respect yourself for voting Liberal, you need to send them a strong message.