Which is More Depressing - Canadian or American Politics?

[angusr]

As an outsider this is my two sentence take on the upcoming presidential election:

The Republican candidate is an unremarkable, if likeable, daddy's boy who should have lost the nomination to John McCain 4 years ago - a Republican who at least is not obviously a crass, manipulative, dishonest, and irresponsible profiteer like many in the current administration. You have several fine men competing for the Democratic nomination, but no one really cares because whoever wins is destined to lose to the well-funded Republican juggernaut.

But at least in the US the Democrats put up a fight and there is public debate. In Canada right now the only debate is within the Liberal party, also known as the Natural Governing Party of Canada. The Liberals look to be set to win their 4th consecutive term easily. Ho-hum, another 4 years of Liberal rule - what else is new? There is no serious opposition, virtually no public debate. The Liberals squat in the center, leaving no room on either the right or left for any other party to emerge. Unless Paul Martin gets caught in a hotel room in women's underpants with an underage, illegal immigrant, Russian hooker there's no chance for the Conservatives or the NDP (and even if he does, the Liberals will probably still form a minority government).

What a sad state poltitics is in these days. Everyone is so cynical - politicians and voters, myself included. Is it possible for a sincere, genuine man to succeed politically in today's world?

 

[xpanda]

It will take a solid unification of the Alliance and PCs before elections will matter again in Canada.

I am curious, what is your take on Paul Martin? I have always liked the man and his stringent approach to fiscal policy, but I am concerned about the fact that we saw very little of him during the course of the Liberal leadership race. It seems as though he was playing it safe by not making public appearances and risking his role as the leader.

 

[angusr]

Paul Martin has enjoyed a long honeymoon with both the Canadian public and the media. No one can deny he was a successful Finance Minister, but I'm afraid I haven't been very impressed with him at all lately. His naked ambition in pushing a sitting Prime Minister out of the Liberal Party leadership was disturbing. Also, your observation that he is playing it safe is dead on IMO; on any remotely controversial issue he hides or takes the most middle-of-the-road, milquetoast position possible. If he has any real vision or ideas they're lost on me. I'm worried that what we have in Martin is just a pro big-business, establishment man all the way.

I'd vote NDP, but Jack Layton makes my skin crawl. If the Conservatives put anyone of any substance at all in as leader I'll vote for them. Barring that I'll vote for the Green party.

You're in Hamilton. Sheila Copps is about to be forced out by Martin - he'll ensure that his man wins the Liberal nomination over Copps in the upcoming election. You may be happy about this, but it's an indication of the ruthless way Martin operates.

 

[xpanda]

I'm quite nervous about Paul Martin as well. I've always maintained that basically he's a Conservative cleverly disguised with a red tie. While my politics have historically leaned in the direction of the PCs, their recent concessions to the Alliance make me decidedly nervous as well. The Reform party's agenda is still laying patiently underneath, no matter how softened Preston Manning or Stockwell Day were made to seem publicly.

This is going to be the most difficult federal election I have ever had to vote in, and part of me wonders if I won't register a spoiled ballot instead. With a Liberal government firmly in place in Ontario, I am afraid of the consequences of voting the same in at the national level. It seems to me that we will inevitably be lining our streets with red carpets for the WalMarts and special interest lobbying groups of this country.

As for Copps, while I think she has been her own worst enemy, in some ways I feel for her. Often left hanging by her own party, she became the national whipping stick on behalf of all Liberals. She does have gonads, though, something that more of our politicians could use.