Liberals/Conservatives

[Cartman]

It is often said that when in opposition, the Liberals sound like the NDP, but when in government they act like the Conservatives. We are all aware that the current generation of Liberals continued many of Mulroney's policies and I think we all agree that the NDP offers a very different choice and that at the fed level, this option has been rejected.

I have been to all of the parties' web sites and know what they say, but I wonder sincerely, is there much of a practical difference between THIS generation of Liberals and Conservatives? Are they not identical in terms of economic and social policy? Is it just a difference in brand name?

This is an honest question so no rhetoric please.

[maplesyrup]

I think we all agree that the NDP offers a very different choice and that at the fed level, this option has been rejected.

The above statement is absurd.

If it was rejected why did Martin keep aluding to how similiar the Liberals are to the NDP.

The reality is Liberals get and got the most number of seats because they are constantly pumping NDP policies during elections.

This time it is different however as the government could fall anytime and Canadians will be paying a lot more attention than usual to politics, and not so easily fooled.

At some point Canadians will begin to vote for the real thing.

[Alliance Fanatic]

I'd argue that the Liberal and Conservatives are close to the centre of the political spectrum. The Conservatives usually seek middle of the road policies on gay marriage [civil unions], financial spending, and on Justice the Conservative's want to make sure that the scumbags stay in jail. The Conservatives also want the senate to be democratically elected, this idea has been supported by some premiers, the Conservatives also want to give parliment more power than the Supreme Court Justices.

For example, if the Supreme Court were to make a decision that would legalize some child pornography the Liberals, and NDP would allow it, because 9 unelected appointed judges are always right, were as the conservatives believe that the MP's in parliment should make decisions on issues such as that. The NDP and Liberals also support giving Carla Homolka, Paul Bernardo, and Clifford Olsen the right to vote, were as the conservatives don't believe murderers should be given that right.

At some point Canadians will begin to vote for the real thing. 

Yeah, and I hope the Micheal Ferrier votes for the "real thing" too, because of how similar NDP and Liberal policies are to each other. MS more people were willing to support the CCF/NDP when Tommy Douglas was running it, because he was a leader people could respect. He was socially conservative, yet compassionate towards people. Were as the new leaders are completely the opposite, that is the reason why Saskatchewan voted out every single New Democrat in the province. Because Jack Layton was going on a campaign about how evil social conservatives were, when the reality is most people in Saskatchewan are social conservative, yet compassionate.

[Cartman]

Well MS, I hope you are right and that I am wrong. I really thought that Layton would have been more successful but he did say that this is a long-term project. It seems to me that there are really two choices for Canadians: Conservatives and New Democrats. At least both parties have clear alternative visions. As said earlier, Liberals seem to be Cons. in gov't and NDPers in opposition. Thus far, nobody has argued this. Any takers?

An integration between the Alliance and the PC's seemed natural. I wonder why the current Libs and Cons do not do the same. I would have put the Trudeau Liberals on the left, but I would not want to put the Martin Liberals there.

[Alliance Fanatic]

Actaully I would prefer that we do away with the party system and instead only elect independant MP's. Then once all of the MP's are elected they will choose the Prime Minister, who will then choose the cabinet to run the country. This system would work alot better due to independant votes, and also because we would get real solutions rather than close minded leftist ones.

It seems to me that there are really two choices for Canadians: Conservatives and New Democrats

This system is similar to Great Britians were their is one left of centre party, and one right of centre. I would prefer Canada just do away with the party system and instead elect only independants.

Canada's a close minded leftist country.

[Big Blue Machine]

I think there should only be two choices: Liberals and Conservatives

[takeanumber]

Canada's a close minded leftist country

Not nearly as close minded as Cons.