Vote NDP for the change you want!

[Powdered Toast Man]

On Monday, Canadians will vote for change. I'm writing to urge you to vote for the change you want — change that works for working families.

This time, that means voting NDP. You can trust New Democrats to put working families first. And on Tuesday, NDP MPs will be on the job, fighting for you.

New Democrats have laid out our plan:

We’ll look after seniors and create opportunity for young people.
We’ll stop privatization and make public health care better.
We’ll clean up government and the environment.
We’ll put working families first, where they belong.
With more New Democrats on your side, we can get the job done.

To people considering voting for the
Liberals, I say this:
Paul Martin's Liberals haven't earned your vote. They promised to protect public health care — and didn't. They promised to act on climate change — and didn't. They promised national child care in 1993 — and didn’t do it until they lost their majority and we forced them to. Paul Martin says he's devoted to Charter rights — and then holds free votes on them.

The Liberals promised to be honest, and they weren't. And after five elections and 12 years, the Liberal Party needs a time-out.

To those who've considered voting
Conservative, I say this:
The Conservatives have their priorities wrong. They're all about dimes and dollars — dimes in tax cuts for working families, and big dollars for banks and oil companies. I believe there are more important things to take care of before Canada plays around with tax cuts for the rich.

Most Canadians agree it’s time for a change. And on Monday, they'll vote for it.

Who's going to balance the Conservatives in the next Parliament? Who's going to protect public health care, our environment, our equality rights? Who's going to fight for working families?

Not Paul Martin or his team.

I have tremendous respect for what the Liberal Party was able to do under past Prime Ministers. But Paul Martin's team isn't cut from the same cloth. After this election, they'll be spending their time looking inward, figuring out what they believe — not fighting for you.

In the next Parliament we need strong, principled NDP MPs on the side of working families — who will fight to protect public health care, child care, education and care for seniors.

You know how effective we are in Parliament. Look at our record.

This time, I’m asking all progressive voters to team up with us. To Liberals dismayed with their party today, I say: Lend us your vote. We'll respect it. We'll honour it. We'll act on it.

We’ll balance the Conservatives in the next Parliament.

We’ll see to it that people's priorities are front and centre.

We’ll make sure Parliament focuses on getting results for working families.

So on Monday, vote for the change you want.

On Monday, vote NDP.

Jack Layton
Leader, Canada's NDP

[madguitarist]

Interesting. Here in the US, liberals and democrats are kind of synonymous. I also like that they've drug out the old "tax cuts for the rich" mantra that the democrats are so fond of in the US.

Here's what I've decided about politics here in the US. We need to fire every mother fucker in Congress and absolutely start over. Republicans and Democrats alike are equally corrupted, and as long as we have a two party system, not a damn thing is gonna change. Special interest groups drive most of the legislation. For the most part, as soon as our newly elected representatives reach Capitol Hill, they forget what it is to govern in a manner that not only accurately represents the views and protects the interests of their constituents, but also fits within the realms of common sense and what is ultimately best for the United States. They become special interest whores and completely lose touch with reality. Alright, I'll get the hell off of my political soap box. Sorry.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Canada as a whole is generally much more socially liberal (to use your american term) than the USA. Our Liberal party would probably be considered further left wing than your Democrats even are - and they're considered "centre" on the spectrum here.

For some reason the term "liberal" and "socialist" have been made into political dirty works in the USA. Just accusing someone of being a "liberal" seems to be a surefire way to discredit your opponent.

And to be honest, that's all the Conservatives want to do is cut taxes which would benefit only the richest 1% of Canadians, increase military spending, and create a two tier health care system where if you're rich enough to pay for treatment then you go to the front of the line.

In Canada we ARE a 3 party system (actually more) but the media and most people believe it's only a choice between 2 parties - one that doesn't reflect mainstream Canadian values, and another that's corrupt and crumbling under the weight of their own arrogance.

[BrownBomber]

madguitarist said:

Republicans and Democrats alike are equally corrupted, and as long as we have a two party system, not a damn thing is gonna change.

You hit the nail on the head right there.

On the Canadian side of things I just hope the Conservatives don't get a majority, I'm scared of what Harper will do to health care and the fact he seems to like how the US is doing things is unsettling to say the least.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Michael Moore Statement on Canadian Election

"Oh, Canada -- you're not really going to elect a Conservative majority on Monday, are you? That's a joke, right? I know you have a great sense of humor, and certainly a well-developed sense of irony, but this is no longer funny. Maybe it's a new form of Canadian irony -- reverse irony! OK, now I get it. First, you have the courage to stand against the war in Iraq -- and then you elect a prime minister who's for it. You declare gay people have equal rights -- and then you elect a man who says they don't. You give your native peoples their own autonomy and their own territory -- and then you vote for a man who wants to cut aid to these poorest of your citizens. Wow, that is intense! Only Canadians could pull off a hat trick of humor like that. My hat's off to you.

Far be it from me, as an American, to suggest what you should do. You already have too many Americans telling you what to do. Well, actually, you've got just one American who keeps telling you to roll over and fetch and sit. I hope you don't feel this appeal of mine is too intrusive but I just couldn't sit by, as your friend, and say nothing. Yes, I agree, the Liberals have some 'splainin' to do. And yes, one party in power for more than a decade gets a little... long. But you have a parliamentary system (I'll bet you didn't know that -- see, that's why you need Americans telling you things!). There are ways at the polls to have your voices heard other than throwing the baby out with the bath water.

These are no ordinary times, and as you go to the polls on Monday, you do so while a man running the nation to the south of you is hoping you can lend him a hand by picking Stephen Harper because he's a man who shares his world view. Do you want to help George Bush by turning Canada into his latest conquest? Is that how you want millions of us down here to see you from now on? The next notch in the cowboy belt? C'mon, where's your Canadian pride? I mean, if you're going to reduce Canada to a cheap download of Bush & Co., then at least don't surrender so easily. Can't you wait until he threatens to bomb Regina? Make him work for it, for Pete's sake.

But seriously, I know you're not going to elect a guy who should really be running for governor of Utah. Whew! I knew it! You almost had me there. Very funny. Don't do that again. God, I love you, you crazy cold wonderful neighbors to my north. Don't ever change.

Michael Moore"

[madguitarist]

Oh boy. Where to start? Michael Moore is a total ass. I don't agree with his ideology, but beyond that, he distorts and embellishes (and some would say flat out lies) to the point of making those that support his ideology look bad. He blames the US and its policies for the current war on terror, and I just do not agree with him. This country and its leaders are certainly not perfect, and I'm sure there have been some things that could have been done differently. But this conflict is much more rooted in theology than foreign policy.

I can't pretend to know anything about your current elections or the candidates, but I do know that I'd be concerned about him sticking his fat nose in it. Watch out, or the next Fahrenheit 9/11 may be about Canada and how you're all just a bunch of mindless idiots, which is his opinion of anyone here in the US that doesn't support his viewpoint.

Personally, I think life would be damn boring if we all thought alike. I enjoy a spirited debate about any issue, as long is that debate is always done in a respectful manner. I may regret this, but I'll tell you I'm a conservative, or actually I should say that I used to be since I prefer to think of myself as an independent these days. The terms "Democrat" and "Republican" come with way too many labels and preconceived notions of what you stand for. I hate that. It also seems to mean, at least around here, that you are required to be an enemy of the other side. They seem to think that there can be no compromise. That drives me absolutely bat shit. These dumbass politicians will play their partisan games with absolutely any issue, regardless of how important it is.

I've had great friends that were Canadian, and I've had a great time working in Canada. I know you guys are independently minded (which is a good thing), so if I were you I'd tell Michael Moore to stick it up his fat ass and mind his own business (in a respectful way, of course). Alright, now that I'm worked up I have to go have a Guinness (or maybe several actually).

[spunshuga]

If I'm understanding this correctly the fuckin bullshit cons are leading right now.
I guess everyone I know lied to me and didn't vote ndp.

[Tidyman]

Stephen Harper is our new prime minister, but hopefully it's only a minority Con gov't.

Goodbye, budget surpus. Hello deficit.

I just hope the Libs and NDP get enough seats to keep Bush Jr. in check.

Shout-out to Michael Moore.

Werd.

[mangokid]

the cons are kinda screwed... which is good... despite what many believe... quebequois are quite progressive minded, and the other parties are as well... stephan harper has his balls in a sling, just gotta wait for a new leadership in the liberals, have the NDP gain more momentum... fitting for the time... here is elected by alice cooper

I'm your top prime cut of meat, I'm your choice,
I wanna be elected,
I'm your yankee doodle dandy in a gold Rolls Royce,
I wanna be elected,
Kids want a saviour, don't need a fake,
I wanna be elected,
We're all gonna rock to the rules that I make,
I wanna be elected, elected, elected.

I never lied to you, I've always been cool,
I wanna be elected,
I gotta get the vote, and I told you 'bout school,
I wanna be elected, elected, elected,
Hallelujah, I wanna be selected,
Everyone in the United States of America.

We're gonna win this one, take the country by storm,
We're gonna be elected,
You and me together, young and strong,
We're gonna be elected, elected, elected,
Respected, selected, call collected,
I wanna be elected, elected.

"And if I am elected
I promise the formation of a new party
A third party, the Wild Party!
I know we have problems,
We got problems right here in Central City,
We have problems on the North, South, East and West,
New York City, Saint Louis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles,
Detroit, Chicago,
Everybody has problems,
And honestly, I don't care."