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This is about the NDP Leadership Convention 2012, and why I think that democracy has failed.
I became a member of the NDP for the BCNDP Leadership race. My partner and I both joined the Party to support our MLA, John Horgan. A man of principle, who listened to the concerns of his constituents and brought forth those issues to the BC Legislature. He didn’t win. Adrian Dix won. Despite strong support for Horgan online. The opposition, the so-called BC Liberals, or the incumbant government, if you prefer, were thrilled. Easy target. Dix maintains a healthy lead in the polls despite his weaknesses as a leader. But that will not last. He will probably end up a conveniently one term Premier, once the Press gets ahold of him, or he slips up by supporting pipelines.
Fast forward to this years leadership campaign. Federal. I received email from every single candidate, thier campaign managers, and random NDP operatives endorsing or supporting one candidate or another. I read many of them, from different candidates. Originally, I was inclined to support Broadbent’s choice. Then, I was impressed in turn by the articulation of Romeo Saganash and Nikki Ashton, very eloquent and able politicians. Many of my friends endorsed Peggy Nash and Paul Dewar. All of these people impressed me with strength and focus on important issues. I decided to support Nathan Cullen. He impressed me by unequivically supporting his constituents on the Enbridge Pipeline to China and tankers on the Northwest coast of BC. He talked openly of electoral reform and strategic voting. He seemed to be able to tap in to social media and had widespread grassroots support (on my friends list and social media websites).
Then, I was not afforded a vote. I was informed, too late, that my membership had expired. I was struck from the voting list because I could not afford to contribute a donation. Yet my partner, who had joined on the same day, with the same money, was still on the list and was able to vote. (He does not blog, nor does he belong to facebook or vocalise his opinions as I do).
That pissed me off. But, it was my own fault for not checking earlier.
Then came the convention. The Denial of Service Attack on the voting process and Mulcair takes it.
I have been reluctant to write this post because of the way that Broadbent and Dobbin have been villified for voicing this opinion, but in my opinion, Mulcair represents a bloodless coup on the last progressive party in Canada. He is reportedly a Zionist, in favour of continuing the useless war on drugs, and sympathetic to Tar Sands and pipelines. That in no way reflects my views, as someone who voted NDP most of my life and joined the Party to have a voice.
I am left to wonder who was behind the DoS attack, and who financed Mulcair’s campaign? Was it Conservatives? They will certainly benefit from this division on the leftCentre.
Stephen Harper smiles tonight, comforted by the fact that democracy is effectively destroyed in Canada. On the anniversary of Vimy Ridge…
I don’t think you were struck from the voting list because you didn’t donate or many people would have experienced the same fate. I’m just really surprised that you didn’t get a call from your provincial office to renew your membership. I know everyone in my house did so.
We’ll see how it all goes. I was a Topp supporter.
Kim Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 9:49 PM
So why was my partner allowed to vote?
I too was a Nathan Cullen supporter.
Nathan felt like a bro’.
He understands the kind of politics progressives are seeking.
Topp moved 2nd to the bottom on my list.
He was booed a bit at the BC NDP convention for continuing to go over time. I thought he lacked genuine presence and was a poor speaker.
I chose to vote online election day, thinking I might be able to help keep Nate in the race.
Even tho he was 3rd, I think that Nathan was the real winner in this election.
The next Sunday Cross Country Checkup had almost every other caller praising him.
Mulcair in his 1st media scrum was great.
The interview with Mansbridge was excellent.
The viewed exchange on stage with him and Libby was mutually affable.
If he becomes a problem in some way, I expect immediate feedback.
Remember what happened to Carole James.Tom Mulcair’s response to the budget was also formidable but…the response to Bob Rae was dumb.Stupid to engage, me thinks.
Now back to the leadership event: I know 2 Nathan Cullen supporters who never got their vote in that day because of the cyber attack.
I waited about an hour each round to get in.
On the twitter feed someone said go the french one, so I did and got in to vote.
Where I live, on SSI.one of our exec members notified us in December about our membership stat.
Even just a $5 would get one a membership.
In January, because I had paid here $10 I checked with the BC office to be sure I was a member.
No response.
At the end of 2 weeks, I just went online and made another donation to be sure I was in.
I keep very active in my local NDP group and I use social media to let my elected officials know my opinion and see my feedback on their actions/words.
I have also set up a local chat cafe/meetup to discuss issues and concerns.
I was very active in the E May campaign too.
Now the Greens need to reciprocate in other ridings.
I was never given a chance to renew my membership either. I assumed I was a member, because I had a membership once and donated regularly every year. But apparently not – you have to actively indicate a desire to be a member. Donating money was not enough. I was pissed. Hopefully the number of people this has happened to (and who have complained) will induce them to make some updates to their donation forms. Or something!