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Pragmatism and compromise. These were the key phrases I recall Obama using as he walked into the White House. Did they work? No! Why? Because to abandon principle in favour of political expediency only plays into the enemies hands, as we have seen. It’s also alienates you from those who put you in power in the first place. People yearn for principle these days, they yearn for honesty and integrity and a government not afraid to risk it all. If Obama had tried his hardest, run on his platform, not given in and stuck to his principles, he may have lost. At least he could have held his head high and said “I gave it my best shot and I didn’t sacrifice anything.” Sometimes that’s all we have in politics. It’s a blood sport and it doesn’t always work out the way we would hope.
So how about Canada? What does the left do in Canada to bring people back to trusting, and believing in us? We don’t compromise one centimeter, for starters. We don’t allow ourselves, because we are afraid of what might happen, to be forced to bankrupt ourselves. Progressives in this country have sat back and allowed a wave of fear and lies to essentially take away so much that we have worked for. But we can’t falter. We can’t give in to temptation and give up our principles. We are far more effective if we offer up a sound program that can compete without abandoning what we truly believe. Harper’s done that and yes, he’s gotten more support. But remember, he still hasn’t amassed the support of Reform, Progressive Conservatives combined. This fact alone should be reassuring.
I think that, on the left, we do get caught up in our moral righteousness. I do not see this as a bad thing. I see having principles and solid ground that you can stand on as things to be proud of. Not everyone is going to agree, but that doesn’t mean we throw out the baby with the bathwater. As progressives we need to come together. We need to help people to look beyond nation states to see a world that is becoming more separated into economic blocks. We need to start focusing on how to best serve not only our people, but also serve the greater needs of our society and our civilization. I do believe that average people care about Afghan detainees and green living etc., but their decreasing take home pay, increasing bills for services and inability to live a life that those before him we able to, are forefront in their minds. Our western society, by and large, has bought into the notion that Corporations are good things (some argue they are actually people) and that whatever benefits the corporate class benefits us all. We haven’t been fighting this war properly.
A note on what some say is a tendency to blame the Liberal Party of Canada. I’m sorry, but what else are we suppose to do. They are divided, ineffectual and Iggy is a lame excuse for a leader. He is suppose to be the leader of the opposition in the house for heavens sakes. He’s propped up Harper’s government more then any other party. He’s continued Dion’s record because he’s scared of an election. What do progressives want from this man and his party. I tell you what I want as a progressive; I want Ignatieff to stand up to Harper and not just pay lip service. I want him to not go behind closed doors and make backroom deals that allow Harper to break promises I want to predict something; a Harper majority isn’t coming. Even if the Liberals crashed and burned I don’t see Canadians allowing Harper an unchecked turn at the tiller of Canada. I admit, I still have faith in the broader public, despite them “electing” him twice.
We on the left need to re-mobilize and focus our energies on a few things in the coming years: 1)fighting to keep medicare at it’s currently watered down universal state and then try to rehabilitate it, 2)giving more money back to people on their pay-cheques so they see that the government isn’t just pissing it all away, 3)stripping bare the lies about corporate tax cuts and how they benefit us all. THEY DON’T, 4)pushing for reform of our political system (new voting system for starters and then reforming the senate and the way in which the house arranges it’s seating plan), 5)reconstitute our social welfare state so that those who are being left behind by corporate welfare have a fair shake at a good life and 6)opening our boarders more to trade, diversifying our economy and stopping the nationalistic finger wagging at the United States that Canadians have been so fond of doing for so long.
These are the things that the left needs to do to realign itself and show the public that we aren’t just here for moralistic, elitist purposes; rather that we want THEM to be treated fairly, honestly, and want to give every economic and social opportunity to those who truly strive for “the good life.” We want THEM, the public, to work with us to to create a just and fair society, and an accountable and TRULY transparent government (do you really believe that Harper only spent 540 dollars in 10 days at the Paralympics?) Personally, I don’t think a culture war is the way to go. I think a socially conscientious movement can win support. We just need to prove to the public that we are serious.
There are some differences between Obama and our current situation in Canads. Obama had Democrat majorities in both the house and the senate. What he should have done was concentrate more on his Blue Dogs rather than cross the floor to the minority Rethuglicans, like Olympia Snow. While he had a majority in both houses he could actually have gotten things done and yes, his blue dogs would have gone along; they too had careers they would have liked to keep. Plus, unlike in Canada, they have more balanced media outfits than in Canada, I mean, besides, Rush Limbaugh, New York Post, and of course, Fox News what other major outfit in the US is preaching the loud far right?
Here in Canada, we have a Far right socon in power who is a master tactician and a media he controls. Most Canadian media outfits here are preaching the far right socon mantra. I mean who is left? Perhaps the CBC and the Toronto Star; the others; Astral, Corus Talk Radio, Global, CTV, Postmedia, G&M, Naturally, the NattyPO & Sun, are far right besides a few token balanced writers or hosts. Yes, we might as well say that at this time, Stevie practically owns the media. It’s no wonder the center has been shifting to the right.
As for Iggy, all saying why hasn’t he brought the Harper gov’t down. My big question; How? The polling numbers reflect Harper teetering within majority territory certainly wouldn’t have allowed for it, nor the Timmy’s crowd who have an obvious fear of polling stations would have once and for all turned out and gave Stevie his majority. With bad polling numbers like that, it would be irresponsible to even attempt it.
Remember Steve’s campaign slogan from the 2009 by-elections? “Action, no elections!” No, not a stupid marketing error; not a stupid copywriting error. Good luck getting rid of him after that. Here’s a video of the slogan; it’s in French, but the language is simple. I can never play it enough.
That was the campaign sign in Hochelaga riding in east end Montreal in by-election of last year. I’m sure the other by-election signs wore the same slogan.
Perhaps we should show more support for the opposition; perhaps when the polling firms call us or there is a poll on line, we should fill them out. As it is, the polling numbers don’t reflect our support for them.
Another point, if Iggy is so weak, and if Harper is that unpallatable, why can’t the NDP poll higher than 20%? Why can’t they be more competitive with Harper and Iggy? They too, have centered themselves over the years.
I’m not willing to chance a Harpercon majority; it’s too frightening to even fathom. Like I said, try getting rid of him afterwards. Remember, Hitler never called subsequent elections after he took office; he killed himself out of office. Somehow, Stevie spiteful doesn’t strike me as teh suicidal type.
Of course we can’t grab his base in Alberta, but we can and must, attempt to get to know and understand the Tim Horton’s crowd in the rest of Canada as they are the majority, before they are completely grabbed by Harper and they go to the polls en masse to put an ‘X’ next to the Con MP.
Logan, I agree with most of your vision. Except 6)opening the borders to trade and discouraging nationalism. Free Trade agreements have been a huge drain on our ability to manufacture our own stuff and our liability legally regarding protecting our industry, jobs and resources. Local procurement contracts will be a thing of the past when CETA passes, labour law and other important areas of national job security will be compromised. The USA is about to sue us, the taxpayers, again because BC has been messing with the softwood lumber agreement, AGAIN, after we won the last dispute, until Stevie H. and Campbell gave it away!
ck, I used to agree with you on holding my nose and voting Liberal, but after seeing Ignatieff’s neo-libertarian coalition with Harper on everything I can’t do it. He will take advantage of Steve Harper’s concentration of power and he will push the same agenda. The NDP? Good question. Why don’t they poll higher? Is it the leader?