Uninspired

Published by Toronto Mike on September 20, 2008 @ 12:22 in Politics

canadaWe're less than a month away from a federal election in this country and I find myself completely uninspired. I'm part of that small percentage of Canadians who actually reads the news from Ottawa, gives serious thought to who gets my vote and actually casts a vote, so if I'm feeling this uninspired I can imagine how apathetic the average Canadian is at this time.

Sure, Stephen Harper hasn't been as frightening as some of us may have feared, but his social politics are just too misaligned for me to give him serious consideration. That leaves me with the Liberals, NDP and Green parties. Cast stones at me if you will, but I still don't consider the Green Party a legitimate threat in my riding, and as a fringe party, they too are cast aside by yours truly. That leaves me with the Liberal Party and NDP.

I've voted for our current MP, NDP Peggy Nash, the last two federal elections, but prior to that I supported the Liberal MP in my old riding. This time, Peggy Nash has to deal with a formidable opponent in Gerard Kennedy. Nash vs. Kennedy is going to be a nail-biter.

Both Nash and Kennedy inspire me more than the leaders of the two parties. In particular, I'm going to use this entry to call out Stéphane Dion, leader of the Liberal Party.

Stéphane Dion doesn't evoke an ounce of hope from me. He's completely uninspiring, making Harper appear Churchillian by comparison. I'll never understand why he was chosen to lead this party unless they were looking for someone to throw under the bus while they waited their turn. Dion's complete lack of charisma and absolute failure to motivate voters and energize the old Liberal faithful is the main reason I'm seriously thinking about voting NDP again.

Until Dion is gone, and I'll bet that happens sooner rather than later, his party will be awfully lucky to hold in to a slim minority, and the way I'm feeling, I'm betting Harper gets his majority.

The Liberals are a party without a leader, and without a leader there's nothing to vote for.

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11 Responses to "Uninspired"

Buffalo Boy Mike
September 20, 2008 / 21:59

The complete opposite as we have down here in the States Mike. Come down here and cast your Vote for Obama.

Ajax Mike
September 21, 2008 / 00:40

I think all the coverage of the US election makes it even more obvious this year that our politicians are just so... blah. Not a single one of the leaders inspires me. I can't see myself being 'led' by any of them.

Toronto Mike
September 21, 2008 / 09:48

That's the joke in our family. We're all voting for Obama.

James Edgar
September 21, 2008 / 09:56

Yes it's the american election that has my interest. I think what has me caught up in it is the absolute vitrol that is being spouted by both sides supports but in particular by Republicans. Some of the things on one of the Moptorcycle forums I visit are pretty scary.

Andrew
September 21, 2008 / 10:13

I am in the same boat that you are in. I can't figure out who to place my vote with.

I am uninspired by all the candidates, and I am in a key area. The last election was a difference of a few hundred votes. As of right now, I don't want to vote Conservative, although I can't complain about the job Harper has done, he has angered me with this campaign and his ideals are basically opposite of mine.
Dion is an idiot and I wouldn't want him leader or leader of the opposition.
I don't like the NDP. They make a lot of promises that they cannot possibly fufill.
Green. They are a joke.

AT
September 21, 2008 / 23:49

If it wasn't for Gerard Kennedy, Stephane Dion wouldn't have won the Liberal party leadership. Does that thought play into your decision?

A.R.
September 22, 2008 / 00:12

Dion has thrown some great ideas our way, especially that urban infrastructure fund. He seems to get that our economic and population centres desperately need more investment, and he's not willing to make purely ideological cuts like the cuts to the artistic sectors which contribute to the economy and culture. He doesn't seem to be in favour of draconian copyright laws either.

But indeed, someone more charismatic is needed to take on the Conservative machine. Who wants a majority of Reform party members and Harris conservatives.

Mike from Lowville
September 22, 2008 / 08:42

Mike, you can't go wrong with Peggy Nash. I don't vote for the leader of the country, I vote for the leader in the community. The person that will best represent the constituents of the riding. Looks to me that Peggy was and will be, just that.

I agree with you though, Dion has got to go!

Argie
September 22, 2008 / 16:32

No Mike from Lowdownville, you CAN and WILL go wrong with Nash. She's a simpleton who also a socialist - a bad combo!

I think its hilarious that Parkdale and High Pk are in the same riding. Man that must suck for those Bloor St West types, eh? How can any MP service the interests of people who own a $1 million house and pay almost 10 grand in property taxes while looking after the great unwashed of Bloor & Landsdowne?

The_Voice
September 23, 2008 / 12:37

Yay for Agincourt! I never have to give it a thought because our resident MP has won his Liberal seat by a comfortable majority in ever election, no matter who I vote for!

I'm only bitter because my vote really doesn't matter in my riding, not because he's Liberal. Considering how little people hear about Jim Karygianis, I'm surprised he wins consistently year after year.

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