Here's what the past two weeks of election rhetoric has sounded like to me: "Blah blah blah blah $$ blah blah $ blah $$$$ blah." all the candidates are beginning to sound like the adults in a "Peanuts" cartoon save for the dollar figures they keep throwing around. I really wish there was some way to have an election that dealt with issues realistically, was devoid of demagoguery, talked about policy instead of cash and was conducted with a modicum of dignity.
During the televised debates the party leaders all assumed personae that under normal circumstances would be humorous. But given that we are engaged in what is likely one of the most important elections in Canadian history, they have become a sad spectacle.
I will forever retain the image of an oily used car salesman whenever I see or hear Jack Layton. His constant reference to "another option" and his smooth, lugubrious delivery was indicative of Jack's highly evolved sales skills. Never mind that most of what he talked about delivering wasn't possible, much less desirable, it was clear that the only thing Jack is interested in today is the power to dictate policy to a minority government. Sure Jack, that's just what Canada needs. We need to transform the rest of Canada into Toronto, so we can disintegrate at an accelerated pace.
Paul Martin, on the other hand was reminiscent of an aging, punch-drunk boxer as he bobbed and weaved before the camera, explaining that his vision of Canada was the only true vision and that a vote for anyone other than the Liberals was a vote against Canada. I'm still attempting to figure out just how voting for an arrogant and corrupt party that has actually stolen money from the taxpayers to further their own ends can be equated with "Canadian values". I'm a Canadian and I agree with very little of what the Liberals deem to be our national values. Clearly the old guy was on the ropes and all that came out of his mouth were cries of desperation, not the least of which was a promise to abolish the so-called "Notwithstanding Clause". Right.
Giles Duceppe, for whom I have a great deal of admiration as a leader seemed really off his game during the debates. He had a harried look about him, like he'd just pulled a double shift at the air traffic control tower during which he drank four gallons of very strong coffee. His only concern was Quebec and he didn't seem particularly interested in Canada. So someone please tell me what he was doing participating in the debates held by the leaders of the so-called national parties, when he is merely representative of a rump party that has less support nationally than the socialists? I thought that his only meaningful contribution to the debate was to keep reminding viewers how dishonest, devious and lacking the Liberals have been as a government over the past 13 years.
Stephen Harper didn't look much like a conservative to me. In fact, he reminded me of a high school principal with his cool, calm and passionless demeanor. The reason he didn't strike me as being conservative (note I use the small "c") was that he was attempting to out promise the Liberals at every turn. Let me ask this: what's wrong with taking our nation from being overly concerned about feeding the poor to a nation that shows the poor how to become prosperous on their own? Or is being poor one of those vaunted Canadian values that all the leaders seem to be talking about so much? a true conservative, Mr. Harper, would be touting a platform of comprehensive tax cuts, which have shown that they actually serve to increase government revenue, rather than decrease it. Lower corporate taxes would allow business to invest in new research and development, which leads to more jobs. a comprehensive tax strategy could put the accounting industry out of business because filing income tax would be so simple and easy. Everyone pays "X"% of their income with no special deductions-- period. That would be a great step in the right direction notwithstanding Paul Martin's fear mongering about being on one's own.
I am excited about this election; don't get me wrong. I am excited about the prospect of having the Liberal Part of Canada, that bunch of pompous, arrogant, over-entitled fat cat kleptocrats kicked out of office to be replaced by a group that will conduct business differently. It's like the classic definition of insanity, to keep doing the same thing while expecting different results. a little change is a good thing.
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