12-13-2005, 11:14 AM
What I dislike most about Harper is his disdain for the Trudeau model of Canada - the unitarist, collectivist/egalitarian, "just society".
The Canada in which I grew up -- as a Quebecois relocated to Ontario -- was a result of this vision of the "just society". Its still part of my vision.
Harper's views diametrically oppose this stance. And the west might want to call Ontarians liberal moonbats for voting red every election, but the truth lies in the fact that the conservatives haven't produced a conservative leader with vision for a long, long, while.
As belief systems radicalize into ideology, polarization occurs. What we need here is moderation.
The conservatives need to make a move to the center. That is where the votes are, and that is where compromises are forged. In practice, however, the conservatives have been growing more extreme recently, and it is unlikely that post-election promises of bipartisanship will quickly reverse historic trends. Us liberal moonbats in Ontario know this! Furthermore, the east's mistrust of the Conservative party is unlikely to be reversed unless and until Harper and his party stage a concerted return to a more moderate center. Indeed, the politics of polarization is the politics of mistrust.
Yes, the liberals have been guilty of polarization, too. Gay marriage as a slap in the face to those evangelical christians buoying up the far right of the conservative party, et al. Well -- let me say a perceived slap in the face, where others might consider it common sense equal rights.
Interesting stuff... Where are all the Red Tories? Show me a fiscally responsible conservative with moderate collectivist views and I would vote for him in a second!
Here's a few reasons from Harper's past, collectively summed up in a Now article illustrating why the conservatives will not get a vote out of me until they have proven that they can put into place an articulate leader with a sound vision based upon the principles laid forth by the forefathers of this country.
So for all the reasons cited above, and above all Harper's ideology -- nicely summed up in a few anecdotal bites by Now's editors, I will not be voting conservative.
Again, this is my personal opinion. Of course, you can be a true Canadian and also an individualist, an evangelical Christian, a supporter of strong provinces or an admirer of the United States. All power to you -- this is a free country and I will by no means stifle debate by discrediting you.
You just won't be getting my vote.
The Canada in which I grew up -- as a Quebecois relocated to Ontario -- was a result of this vision of the "just society". Its still part of my vision.
Harper's views diametrically oppose this stance. And the west might want to call Ontarians liberal moonbats for voting red every election, but the truth lies in the fact that the conservatives haven't produced a conservative leader with vision for a long, long, while.
As belief systems radicalize into ideology, polarization occurs. What we need here is moderation.
The conservatives need to make a move to the center. That is where the votes are, and that is where compromises are forged. In practice, however, the conservatives have been growing more extreme recently, and it is unlikely that post-election promises of bipartisanship will quickly reverse historic trends. Us liberal moonbats in Ontario know this! Furthermore, the east's mistrust of the Conservative party is unlikely to be reversed unless and until Harper and his party stage a concerted return to a more moderate center. Indeed, the politics of polarization is the politics of mistrust.
Yes, the liberals have been guilty of polarization, too. Gay marriage as a slap in the face to those evangelical christians buoying up the far right of the conservative party, et al. Well -- let me say a perceived slap in the face, where others might consider it common sense equal rights.
Interesting stuff... Where are all the Red Tories? Show me a fiscally responsible conservative with moderate collectivist views and I would vote for him in a second!
Here's a few reasons from Harper's past, collectively summed up in a Now article illustrating why the conservatives will not get a vote out of me until they have proven that they can put into place an articulate leader with a sound vision based upon the principles laid forth by the forefathers of this country.
- (1) Has vigorously and actively opposed gay marriage. And would use the Notwithstanding Clause to override the Supreme Court's definition of marriage.
(2) Has called "vile" any comparison between civil rights and gay rights, and voted against including sexual orientation in hate propaganda laws.
(3) Originally supported abortion rights for women, but nowadays characterizes himself as "pro-life," but pledged not to change the law.
(4) The National Citizens Coalition of which Harper was president was originally founded with the aim of killing publicly funded health care altogether.
(5) Only party leader to oppose electoral finance reform ban on donations from big business and unions.
(6) Has suggested that Albertans "should build firewalls around Alberta," including replacing RCMP with its own provincial police.
So for all the reasons cited above, and above all Harper's ideology -- nicely summed up in a few anecdotal bites by Now's editors, I will not be voting conservative.
Again, this is my personal opinion. Of course, you can be a true Canadian and also an individualist, an evangelical Christian, a supporter of strong provinces or an admirer of the United States. All power to you -- this is a free country and I will by no means stifle debate by discrediting you.
You just won't be getting my vote.
