Winter Election?

So the Conservatives & the NDPers have put forth a motion to have a January election. The first item the Tories bring to the media? Same-sex marriage. For those of you who know me well, can someone please explain something to me? It's obvious that they are going to try to ignite some conservative outrage with Canadians that don't agree with same-sex marriage. It's a done deal Canada-wide. It doesn't seem suprising that the Conservatives are already picking a fight with a minority, but do they really think this approach is going to win them favorability with Canadians to succeed in an election?!! Even in life it's always easier to place blame and point out errors instead of coming up with our own platform on how we may do things differently. As far as I'm concerned, same-sex marriage is not a huge issue compared to what other G-8 countries are trying to pull themselves out of. Come on Canada! See past the rhetoric and look at our standard of living compared to the majority our southern neighbors. The real issues: health care, accessible education and immigration. What are the party stances with these issues?

Conservatives: Two-tier system for the insured & un-insured alike. This party would like to give more power to the capitalization of our essential services. Privatization of health care would ensure that the lower income population would have to struggle towards receiving the best health care for example. This party pretty much stands for everything to do with capitalization and privatization. Not to mention the letter written to the New York Post from Stephen Harper to apologize for not entering the Iraq war, this is not my first choice for a Canadian government. Can you see where this would be heading?!!!!! :(

Liberals: At least these guys are willing to fight hard to catch up with Canada's social issues and include the last minority of our colourful mosaic that has been written into law: same-sex marriage. The Liberals also took Quebec to task for 4 years, defending our country's soverenty FOR 4 YEARS, day in day out. My visit to Montreal in 1995, Quebecors told me that all they wanted was control over their immigration and continued support for their social programs. As Canada's 2nd most populated province, they have the power and the Liberals want those votes.

Adscam. In a nutshell: Money flowing from the federal coffieurs into Quebec advertising agencies to help with the election platform in Quebec and lull the people into gradual complacency over a number of years. A crime? Yes! The Liberal Party obviously did not want to touch their campaign dollars or simply, didn't have the money to do the campaigning necessary in Quebec. I'm sure there are other factors in the Gomery inquiry, but the parties have been questioned and the bottom of it has been found out. Can Quebecors forgive? Je me soviens.

Not bowing to the American government is a big plus with me right now. Our federal budget surpluses, trade surpluses have proven our prudent commitment to sustainable growth while 8 years of fiscal recklessness down south looks less attractive. Technically speaking, I don't think we need their huge military industrial complex to "be more secure". We obviously have more tangible security issues to tackle such as poverty and the environment that directly hits Canadians as a society. Just try making our country more secure by replacing those 2 priorities with something like a war on terror instead.

NDP: I personally love Jack Layton. This guy walks the talk. While Mayor of Toronto, he rode his bicycle to City Hall everyday. He is out there with the protestors and dissenters to validate minority concerns. He pushes for more dollars into our health care system. He looks out for post secondary tuition increases/freezes. This party I would like to see as the Official Opposition.

Well, I digress. I will be voting with my conscience & wallet this coming January. A note to those who read this? Please look at the issues that these parties represent. Let's negotiate with our system and shape it with care for ALL!