So, what’s more depressing than a 24 year old unemployed pseod-student? A 24 year old unemployed pseudo-student who has to vote in the upcoming election.
Ok, I admit it, I’m not actually depressed, or depressing. I’m actually feeling quite good after buying some nice clothing today. Normally I wouldn’t be completely enthralled by the trappings of material purchases, but the fact is that I look good in a red shirt and sports jacket. Regardless, I’m faced with a tough dilemma, as is everyone with an ounce of political insight.
It has become clear that Paul Martin is not an effective leader of this country. That is not to say that he does not have the qualifications- he does- or that he doesn’t have the experience- he does. What is apparent though is that he has been unable to cobble together an effective governance of this country. Simply knowing how to run a country is not enough for the Prime Minister’s job…
Which leads us to Stephen Harper… here’s a guy who has a clear platform, an effective bureacracy, and a well established ideological position. All of which is unfortunate because his ideas are duds; lets face it. More spending and less taxes: tried and failed. Tough on crime: tried and failed- see Ontario. In fact, the only parts of his “platform” which are original (ethics czar, free-vote on man on man spooning) are ironically examples of the same sort of short-sighted behaviour which Paul Martin has exhibited: he is cobbling together context-free initiatives to achieve isolated political objectives. And of course he would do it at the expense of our Constitution, and the tattered remnants of Canadian federalism.
Then there’s handlebar Layton. I’ll be honest… his family is really nice. I like his ideological position and I respect his ambition, but if his objective is strengthening this country opening up old wounds (the sponsorship scandal, etc.) is contra-indicated. The fact remains that the NDP, while potentially effective leaders, stand to do more harm than good reaching for that seat until they become a viable Opposition. The simple reason is that until they have their own record and generally accepted position to campaign from, they will continue to depend on “we’re like the Liberals, only better…” and all that does is expose the middle for Harper and his “Common sense, but we don’t like to call it that” revolution.
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