Comments on: Canada’s Political Shift

By: Meredith

Meredith — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 21:21:14 +0000

I definitely agree that one thing it seems we can all agree on, no matter what party affiliation we have, is that corruption has got to go.

This is why, for example, I as a flaming liberal would consider voting for McCain. I definitely disagree with some of his views, but I perceive that he is has the qualities of honesty and integrity that I yearn for from politicians. He is certainly not the only one, but he pops into my mind first when I think about that concept. I guess the point is that weeding out corruption is one issues that would seem to be able to unite this country, and it’s a great discussion for a centrist blog.

By: ford4x4

ford4x4 — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 16:55:14 +0000

Something for our Republicans to bear in mind.

Just the Republicans? I’d say 95% of all politicians at the national level,
regardless of party, are corrupt and/or incompetent. It’s our collective fault for continuing to re-elect them.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 14:50:58 +0000

It should also be noted (as a few other blogs already have) that the Conservative victory has more to do with Canadians’ disgust at Liberal corruption than with their affinity for either the Conservative or Liberal agendas – and that a similar dynamic played out a few years ago along America’s other border when Vicente Fox was elected Mexico’s first non-PRI president in several decades (Mexican voters having become fed up with PRI corruption and incompetence).

Something for our Republicans to bear in mind.

By: john

john — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:49:31 +0000

It’s not even close to a mandate, unless you consider what Bush considers a mandate. I wouldn’t foam at the mouth on this small conservative swing. Most canadians dislike this guy, but much like politics in the states, sometimes it comes down to which guy you dislike less.

By: probligo

probligo — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:47:52 +0000

It is interesting to hear the commentary out of Canada. This for example -

http://catallarchy.net/blog/archives/2006/01/24/canadian-shift-in-power

I like the thought (in the comments?) that Canadian “right wing” would still be far to the left in USA.

It sounds to me not so much a win by the right wing as a bailout by the Liberal Party. I can not help but wonder just what little nasties are going to surface in the next few weeks; little secrets that the electorate knows nothing about.

It is a great pity for me that there are so few governments that have the objectivity and pragmatism to do what is best for their country rather than what is best for their political careers.