CALLING ALL CANADIANS

[GirlinContempt]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE VOTE TODAY. Please. It is SO important.
I can't vote, being away from home, and having no proof of residence. It's killing me. I really wish I could get out there to the polls, but, as I can't I've been giving my time to the candidates (above all Jack Layton, NDP leader) here in Toronto.
Just vote. Please.


I fully support the NDP, and encourage everyone to vote for the NDP candidate in their riding, they are the best choice for Canada. Even if you don't agree with my view, still, get out and vote for whoever you think would be the best choice.

Issues:

Health Care
New Democratic Party (NDP): Plan to increase health care funding by over 50%, and would prohibit privatization of health care.
Liberal: Paul Martin cut 25 Billion Dollars from Health Care as Finance Minister, why should we believe anything would change.
Conservative: Have promised increases to health care funding, but when their platform is closely examined, it is shown that the math simply does not add up, and what they promise is basically, bullshit. They also support the privatization of health care, and in a first step toward this would allow Alberta to move to a two-tier health care system, which would start us on a road to the system in the United States, where health care is not a right, it is something you can get if you have a lot of money to spend on it.

Marijuana
New Democratic Party (NDP): Support legalization, including being able to grow marijuana in your home. "in favor of modernizing Canada's marijuana laws, and creating a legal environment where people can enjoy their marijuana in the peace and quiet of their own home, or in a cafe, without having to worry about being criminalized."-Jack Layton, NDP Leader
Liberal: Support Bill C-38, which calls for the fake decriminalization of Marijuana, but not legalization. This means fines for small amounts of possession (under 15 grams), and even harsher criminal charges for larger amounts than are currently in place.
Conservative: Are opposed to legalization. Have stated they would possibly consider decriminalization for VERY small amounts, which would still result in fines, and harsher sentences for larger amounts.

Taxes
New Democratic Party (NDP): Will ensure all Canadians who make less than $15,000 a year pay no federal income tax, and remove GST from family essentials.
Liberal: This hardly needs comment, if you would like to see millions and millions of your tax dollars stolen through more scandal, then the liberals are your choice party.
Conservative: Have promised huge tax cuts, but increased funding along with it. This simply does not work, there is a huge black hole that cannot be explained. Lets also not forget that it was a Conservative government that invented GST.

US War Relations
New Democratic Party (NDP): Oppose star wars missile defense with the United States. Do not support US war efforts, instead believe in peacekeeping through the UN.
Liberal: Already in talks with the US about star wars missiles, support Bush in weaponizing space.
Conservative: Fully support star wars missiles. Would highly support the US in any future war efforts. A conservative government would have sent thousands of Canadians to Iraq.

Abortion/Womans Rights
New Democratic Party (NDP): Fully support a womans right to choose.
Liberal: Fully support a womans right to choose.
Conservative Stephen Harper would allow a free vote on making abortion illegal. The conservatives have numerous candidates who are personally anti-choice, including Mr. Harper.

Gay Rights
New Democratic Party (NDP): Plan to extend civil marriage equality to same-sex couples, while respecting each religion’s right to determine its own definition of marriage.
Liberal: In 1999, Paul Martin voted in favor of a motion to deny equal marriage rights to lesbian and gay families, and has continued to this day to deny and delay equality for homosexuals.
Conservative: Conservative MPs have routinely and consistently opposed equal rights for lesbians, gay men and same-sex couples.

[jakefrep]

1. I'm glad...

you're putting your time where your mouth is. Good Luck! And make damn sure that twerp Harper doesn't become PM.

I'll be watching on CBC tonight.

[GirlinContempt]

2. I wish I could put

my ballot where my mouth is :/

If Harper somehow, someway, managed to become PM, I would lose my mind.

I'll be sitting in Laytons office while the results come in! Eeee!

[jakefrep]

16. Have fun!

It sounds like you'll be right in the thick of things. :toast:

[GirlinContempt]

17. Very exciting and scary

:toast:

[dutchdemocrat]

3. I just called

I just called my mum and she is going to cast her vote for the NDP. She was wavering between the Conservatives for their rape-the-land policies... but in the end... the Union was more important than the capitalist land rapists.

The NDP will do right by the people.

[GirlinContempt]

4. Awesome

thats good to hear about your mother :)

[iverglas]

42. mine too!

And she's 73, and living in a senior cits' building in 905 (that's like 718 to an NYC denizen, I believe; 905ers are the great right-leaning unwashed in the small towns and bedroom communities surrounding Toronto). Her neighbours are mainly lifelong nasty right-wing Conservatives, the ones who actually come out and say anti-choice and anti-gay things. She got tired of them and put an NDP sign on her balcony.

I'm not sure whether my parents voted NDP before the first time I was a candidate or not, but they sure did every time after that. ;)

My nephew turned 18 this winter, and he'll be voting -- NDP -- for the first time. Along with my 905er sister, my Toronto brother, and my Montreal brother, I would imagine; he's too inflexible to consider strategic voting, I'd expect.

And it's almost time for me to go for my shift at the poll. In a secure NDP riding, everybody eat their hearts out.

[GirlinContempt]

45. 905ers are rediculous :P

However, can you BELIEVE what a Green stronghold Peterbourogh is?

[iverglas]

55. university towns

Peterborough is one of the smallest university towns around, and that's one big reason, I'd think: disproportionate influence. And Trent isn't a business-school university, like the one in London, for instance. Environmental studies and Canadian studies and such-like granola on the curriculum.

I'm afraid I'm like our Democrat Party cousins on this one. We've got the NDP; voting Green (except wherever it is in BC where they might win) is just a vote for the local Liberal or Conservative.

Actually, in my own riding a few elections ago, this was literally true. The Green candidate was the Conservative candidate in the next election. The Green candidacy was (and was widely known to be) just a method of splitting the NDP vote.

Speaking of splitting ... yikes, I'm due at the poll in 25 minutes. Have fun tonight!

[GirlinContempt]

56. Cool...

You have fun too!

[Minstrel Boy]

63. Well, yeah. But you know what?

We're going to do well even there.

Hamilton is going orange, and probably Oshawa. And look out for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale. My mom voted NDP for the first time in her life today. That's a big deal. Gordon Guyatt is a strong candidate.

[GirlinContempt]

68. Thats good to hear

[whosinpower]

5. I think we should not underestimate

The anger that Canadians feel towards liberals right now with the sponsorship scandal.

I had an interesting discussion with my nephew just yesterday regarding the elections...he is an avid Harper supporter, and he is angry, very angry at the liberals for corruption. It is something that is pretty hard to deny and in his mind the NDP is not a viable alternative....but I did manage to get him really thinking what he was doing by supporting Harper.

And to that end, he is now totally confused. I reminded him that it was the Conservatives under Mulroney that drove up the deficit even further after promising to pay down the debt....I reminded him that it was the Conservatives that brought in the GST, gave up our sovereign rights with free trade....I reminded him that if Harper had been Prime Minister in 2001, Canada would be right along side the US embroiled in an unjustified war in Iraq.

He is young and was unaware of the Conservative record when they were in power. Now, he is still angry at the liberals, but is not so blindly supportive of Harper.

We finally agreed that politics in general is a sham. "PICK YOUR POISON"

[Hoping4Change]

24. Thanx for speaking to your nephew. I hope cooler heads

prevail. I for one was ready to pop a cork about the corruption and mismangement under Liberals but never in ten thousand years would I vote for Harper. I am somewhat reluctently voting for the NDP, I would have been a more involved supporter had Layton not denounced the Clarity Act which calls for stringent standards to be met should Quebec ever decide to seperate.


And I am now even angrier at Martin than I was a month age for potentially handing gov't over to Harper. He and his cabal of advisors were total idiots and unbelievable arrogent for being so utterly blind to the anger in Canada and calling the election now rather than wait.

[StandUpGuy]

78. Ready 4 some tinfoil ?

I think Martin realized that Chretien had screwed him by taking the third term. He knew the Canadian people would never attribute the Liberal dynasty to him. Even if he was able to rule for another 10yrs, he would always be the guy who carried on the Chretien legacy. He is a Corporate whore at heart and would be particularly chuffed if he had to lose, to lose to the Conservatives and not the lefty NDP which is ultimately who will cause his defeat.

So I think he is delivering the election to Harper to screw the lefties in his own party and the lefties that abandoned the Liberals.

but thats is pure :tinfoilhat: I know

Go Jack.

[Hoping4Change]

93. I agree that Mrtin is a corporate whore at heart and has

absolutely no compunction of carrying the corporate flag but I don't think he wants to hand power over to Harper. Maybe its just me but I find Harper a loathesome worm and however much I dislike Martin's corporatism I really don't think he can abide that oily worm either.

For the life of me I can't understand how people other than Alliance freaks abide his anal personality. There are two new solitudes in Canada, those who like the worm and those that don't.

[GirlinContempt]

95. I sorta have to agree

[Minstrel Boy]

6. Thanks for your labours getting out the vote.

It won't be in vain. We're going to have a good night.

[GirlinContempt]

7. It will be an awesome night.

I'm sure of it.
We can't have slid so far into our hatred of the liberals that we would, as a country, go completely against everything we've ever stood for and vote in a Conservative government.


Come on Canada! Progress to NDP! I believe in you!

[Lautremont]

8. Just got back from the booth

having but the X down for the NDP. With the Liberals and Conservatives tied exactly for seats and, in my riding, the NDP and Liberals neck-and-neck, it's conceivable that my single vote could decide the fate of the entire country. Not likely, but it felt like the most powerful vote I've ever done.

I'm frankly on the edge of my seat, and I hope I did the right thing.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

10. Did you vote for Judy Wasylycia-Leis?

[Lautremont]

20. I voted for Martin.

Pat Martin, that is.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

21. Ah. Winnipeg Centre.

Do you know how things are going in Winnipeg North? Is it a tight race between Judy and Dr. Rey?

[Lautremont]

23. Could go either way at this point.

[GirlinContempt]

11. A vote for the NDP

is the right thing, as long as its what you believe.

I can't help but feel elated for you. It must feel great to have done that. The NDP is the best group of people for the job.

[GirlinContempt]

12. Oh wow

I just noticed you're from Winnipeg too! :hi:

[Lautremont]

22. Hi back!

If I could toss your vote in there for you, I would. But I guess that wouldn't be too democratic.

[GirlinContempt]

27. *laughs*`

You're even in my Riding! neato...

Were you in that riding when Sara Malabar ran against Axeworthy? SHe's my sister.

[Lautremont]

29. I was living on the other side of the river then.

But I'd surely have voted for her!

[GirlinContempt]

30. She knew she wasn't going to win

against Llyod, but we put up a good fight, and got enough votes to be reimbursed!

Right now I'm staying in Olivia Chow's riding.

Where in Center do you live?

[Lautremont]

35. Granola Central

Wolsely. A fine 'hood.

[GirlinContempt]

69. Not bad not bad

A solid NDP area

[Fenris]

9. Good luck to all Canadian DUers!!!!

We don't need a right-wing North America! You guy's are gonna keep Harper out of office!:thumbsup:

[GirlinContempt]

13. We don't need a right-wing anything ;)

Down with Harper!

[Fenris]

14. Damn Straight!

:thumbsup:

[GirlinContempt]

15. Whats even scarier to me

about this whole right-wing crap here, is that the Conservatives haven't even released an official agenda...

And people are VOTING for them?!?!

[Fenris]

18. Sort of a "Fuck Paul Martin!" vote, then

That is sad. People never read the fine print and understand what they're really doing. Then one day you wake up and George Bush is running the country.

[GirlinContempt]

26. Yeah

Depressing and scary....

[Hoping4Change]

90. Thanx for the good wishes. And pity us for being put through

emotional trumoil cuz Harper is a Trent Lott wanabe and dead ringer in the anal personality and starched hair department. Oh God please forget about saving the queen and save Canada.
:scared:

[yvr girl]

19. Devil's Advocate

I think Jack Layton is the best NDP leader in a long time, but let's be honest, even in their heyday they've never come close to winning a federal mandate. Unless there is a dramatic shift in Canada (and that can happen - PC's wiped out after BM)I don't see them ever forming a (federal) government. Their role is sh#% disturber. They keep the other parties accountable. They hold a light to Canadian ideals.

The Liberals have been the only truly national party for a long time. (And by national I mean a party that can win a majority, not a party that has a strong following across the country.) I think that they got cocky... absolute power et al. People are angry about the myriad of scandals, but I think that Paul Martin could have withstood the fallout if he had inspired people a little. I live in the West, but 6-8 months ago I heard positive and hopeful comments about Martin. People in BC at least were willing to give him a chance. What new idea has he brought to the table? Over the last 10 years, the Liberals have managed the country, not lead it. People want more.

The Conservatives are a wild card. Are they a kitten that is going to grow into a Tabby or a Tiger? Which faction of the party will win out? I don't think it is fair to equate them with Republicans. There are certain similarities, that's true, but Canada and Canadians are generally speaking, more liberal than Americans. We hold some things sacred. I think that the electorate would let a party tinker with health care for instance, because let's face it, there are problems, but no party in their right mind would try to dismantle it. It would be political suicide.

On the abortion issue, I think that most politicians like it the way it is. We have no laws on it. I don't see any party introducing a bill - who wants to touch that hot potato, when there is no hew and cry to make a change. As for a private members bill, the chances of that reaching a vote, are slim.

On the war. True, Harper was for it. Kerry also voted for it.

If we have anything other than a minority government, I'll be highly surprised. I think that we're in for an interesting and exciting time in Canada. Politicians are going to be forced to work together. They will need to focus on solutions rather than sniping. It will be good for the country. Question Period, however; maybe less entertaining.

I think I can live with whatever happens in Canada today - I just hope that come November, our American friends kick the current weenie out of the White House.

[Hoping4Change]

28. You're being way too optimistic. Harper would change

healthcare to allow private delivery and there are alot of worse scenerios like selling water to the US or using the Notwithstanding Clause to limit minority rights under the Charter. There are just so many things that will be in play.

I don't envision the scenerio of Harper holding the cards as exciting. I see as sickening.


BTW Welcome to DU. Glad you're here. :hi:

[GirlinContempt]

31. Agreed.

Plus as I stated before, I find any party running without an official platform scary.

[Minstrel Boy]

25. "Isn't It Time"

Great NDP flash movie. If you haven't voted, and still don't know what to do, give it a look:

http://ndp.ca/ftp/isntittime/isntittime.htm

[GirlinContempt]

32. Good stuff :)

[iverglas]

50. and don't forget "Ed's Back"!

I've been meaning to post a link to this one, which I finally just got around to watching.

It was originally made as a segment on 22 Minutes, but the CBC got cold feet about it being too partisan.

One of Broadbent's opponents, I think Rick Mahoney (that's MA-hun-ee) squawked about illegal campaign expenditures, but the Broadbent campaign doesn't own the video, it just has a licence to use it.

Ed's the former leader of the NDP, totally unfairly (in my h.o.) opinion blamed for the failure to wrestle the free trade issue away from the Liberals in 1988. He was our biggest asset in the 1984 election, I can say from vast door-knocking experience that year.

http://www.edbroadbent.ca/en/index.php

It's the flashing "Ed's Back" link in the left-hand column. Or go right here:
http://www.edbroadbent.ca/en/eds_back/index.htm
and click on one of the video links.

An example of campaigning Canadian-style, for our southern friends. ;)

[Canuckistanian]

33. Done. Voted NDP this morning.

:D

[GirlinContempt]

46. Awesome! Good show!

[timdoodle]

34. Unfortunately

it seems as if the NDP is going to pull a Nadar on the Liberal party...

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=537199§ion=news

[Lautremont]

37. This is a different sort of election.

Not a simple two-party deal where a simple "Nadar" can be pulled.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

38. Why do I get the feeling you don't understand Parliamentary Democracy?

[Minstrel Boy]

39. Unfortunately

you're not particularly well-informed on Canadian politics.

Nader couldn't even win 3% in 2000. The NDP is polling 20%, governs provincially and has been the greatest influence for progressive policy on the federal scene. The Liberals and Conservatives are both mired in the low 30s. "Third parties" will account for a full third of the vote today.

Maybe having a party in power called "Liberal" sounds good to American ears, but we can do better.

You'll understand us better if you lay aside your US template.

[timdoodle]

44. Maybe I am confused, but

I thought that the ruling party votes in the PM, and he appoints his cabinet? Can we assume that the NDP and Liberal party will vote for a common PM, or will their fractured vote lead to a Conservative being chosen. Or am I completely off point? Help.

[Minstrel Boy]

47. The leader of the party which has the confidence of the House

will be Prime Minister. It's quite likely to be Paul Martin, with a Liberal minority.

Between them, the NDP and the BQ are likely to win approximately a third of the 308 seats, and neither will support the socially reactionary agenda of the Conservatives.

[timdoodle]

53. But I thought that Paul Martin is a Liberal Party candidate

And it has been written on this thread that the Liberal party is no good...

[GirlinContempt]

58. They aren't really any good

BUT the more seats you hold the more influence you have. So we'll probably end up with another liberal government but enough seats in the BC and the NDP that we can counter the conservitaves, and the push-over liberals.

[iverglas]

59. Liberals

will do almost anything to stay in power. If that means initiating things that the NDP approves of, that's what they'll do, to put it simply.

It has happened, and worked well, several times in the past. There is no official coalition -- no other party holds Cabinet positions, e.g. -- the support has to be garnered and retained on a vote by vote basis. It can be unstable -- although there is no rush to bring down a government much of the time, since nobody really wants an election every 6 months -- but it's sure as hell better than either a Conservative or Liberal majority.

[GirlinContempt]

60. If it ends up too badly...

a no-confidence vote will work wonders :P

[Minstrel Boy]

61. What are you trying to say, timdoodle?

Sorry, but I just don't getcha.

If you want to understand Canadian politics, try to think outside of the duality box of American politics. Because that's where we are.

I'm not a Liberal, and I don't need to support them to stop the Conservatives. Hell, I'm not even a liberal. I'm a socialist. And the NDP is the party of Canadian socialism.

[GirlinContempt]

62. Well..

It SHOULD be the party of canadian socialism, and is slowly making its way back ;)

[timdoodle]

65. I was just thinking

with the Liberal and Conservative parties each polling around the mid 30's, and the NDP polling around 20%, with each MP seat election being a mini-US style election, that the NDP and Liberal split might in fact help the Conservatives on a per seat basis. I would rather have a Liberal MP than a Conservative MP. So that is the rational behind my now heavily ridiculed "Nader" comment.

Secondly, I am an American, and our arrogance has stopped me from learning about the Canadian government. Thanks for all of ya'lls patience and help.

Regards

[CHIMO]

66. If I Might Apologize

For what I would call over enthusiastic NDP supporters. I and many other Canadians are concerned that this might happen.
From the posts it appears to me that some of the NDP are not aware what levers are available to the party in power and how Harper could use them to start dividing the country in order to win the next election.
Hope for the best.

[timdoodle]

67. Thanks

I never like to think that any politician has our interests in mind, no matter what party. I agree that good things can turn sour quick.

[iverglas]

103. ah yes

From the posts it appears to me that some of the NDP are not aware what levers are available to the party in power and how Harper could use them to start dividing the country in order to win the next election.

We're just dim, us NDPers.

Actually, anyone who's followed the talk here in recent weeks is aware that NDP voters, even long-time NDP members and activists (and former candidates) like moi, do consider and engage in strategic voting when called for.

In the Ontario provincial election I voted Liberal, much as it made me vomit, because my local NDP candidate had no hope and the Harris Tories really had to be got gone at all costs. I expect not much better from the McGuinty Liberals, but really, the Tories had to go.

In the 1974 federal election I voted Progressive Conservative, which only those who know a bit of history will know does not mean that I voted for a Mulroneyite or Republican-lite government, because I was in a no-hope NDP riding and I wanted the Trudeau Liberals gone.

Vote splits are important. But the NDP voters really do not carry the entire load on this one. If all the Conservatives in my riding had voted Liberal last night, we would not have an NDP MP today, which we have. And some Liberals in some ridings had voted NDP, those ridings would not have Conservative MPs this morning.

The results were virtually a foregone conclusion for the NDP in my riding yesterday. Had that not been the case -- and had there seemed to be the least chance of the Conservatives getting a majority in the House, which there really was not -- I might well have voted Liberal. The fact that I voted NDP really doesn't mean that I'm a fool.

And the fact that the Liberals are called Liberals really doesn't make them liberals -- even *if* that were a good thing.

[LibertyorDeath]

97. The Liberals are good in the sense that they are not

the Conservatives, they pay lip service to most social programs but

are not busy dismantling them at the rate the Conservative would.

The real left in Canada is the New Democratic Party.

The best things the Liberals have ever done have all been ideas & policies put forward by the NDP.

[yvr girl]

64. Parliaments are a different animal

The leaders of all the parties are already known. Canadians do not vote for PM directly. Which ever party gets the most seats will form the government, and their leader will be the PM. It's pretty simple in a majority situation.

A minority government complicates things. In theory, two parties could group together to make a coalition and form a government (even though another party may have won the most seats.) The Governor General would have to sanction this, and that is unlikely - it would be overreaching. It is more likely that the party with the most seats would form the government, and their leader would be the PM. They would need to build consensus on a bill by bill basis. On some issues X party would support them, and on other Y party. Major legislation is subject to a confidence vote. Meaning, if the government doesn't manage to get the legislation passed, they loose the confidence of the House, parliament is dissolved, and we have another general election. (Paul Martin has publicly stated that he feels the party who wins the most seats should have the opportunity to govern.)

Our last minority government was in 1979. They lasted about 9 months. I believe that they were defeated on a gas tax.

[Canuckistanian]

41. You guys don't have minority governments

Sometimes, they can be a good thing. If Shrub were in a minority government, he couldn't have pulled all the shit that he has. He would have had to consult with a different party over everything.

[CanSocDem]

36. Not to sound 'smug'.....

....but casting a Nader-like vote for the NDP wasn't that hard.

[newyawker99]

48. Hi CanSocDem!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[GirlinContempt]

51. Was it possibly

EASY?

[Nadienne]

74. I must be living in the wrong country.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Hoping4Change]

89. Yippee-yahoo a new Canuck at DU!

Welcome fellow traveller. Have nerves raw thinking about Harper brought you here?

[jakefrep]

94. Welcome!

We lefties have to stick together, no matter what country we're from.:toast:

[GirlinContempt]

96. WHere in Canada are you?

[shreck]

40. Eating ballots

Did anyone eat their ballots?
http://edibleballot.tao.ca/eat.html

[Canuckistanian]

43. The grim faced election matrons would not be pleased...

It's simply not done, not even with a raspberry-cilantro vinaigrette.

[shreck]

54. blew my mind

I came across a story this morning warning the Canadians NOT to eat their ballots and I just had to find out what that was all about. It could make a re-count problematic.

[Canuckistanian]

57. I'll say! Gives new meaning to "Government Waste"

On edit:
Welcome to DU! :toast:

[newyawker99]

49. Hi shreck!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[shreck]

52. thanx

Thank you, very kind of you.

[Hoping4Change]

88. Howdy-do shrek!

Welcome to DU! Glad your here! :bounce:

[Swede]

70. I wil be voting Liberal.

The very thought of the right-wing winning should help many progresives vote liberal.

[GirlinContempt]

71. Or...

NDP :P

The tories can't win. Its an impossibility

[ironflange]

72. For puzzled Yanks: an excellent explanation of minority govts.

http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/politicalcanada/minoritygovernment.html

Check out those links on the right, too.

[GirlinContempt]

73. Thank you

I was looking for something like that

[ironflange]

98. Hey! You're not a Yank!

Didn't you learn about this in school? :evilgrin:

[GirlinContempt]

101. :P yes... I wanted it for the yanks in the room :P

[ironflange]

102. Oh, sorry for that dreadful outburst!

Actually, I did post that for our American buddies. A lot of them were confused by this minority thing, or even our whole system in general.

[Spazito]

75. I am a Liberal supporter but will be voting strategically...

this time and casting a vote for the NDP because they have a better chance to take the riding away from the faux Conservatives who have held this riding for a long time. I hope everyone votes strategically if it will take a seat away from CRAP. If it is close between the CRAP party and the Liberal party and the NDP isn't close enough to challenge either, I hope voters will vote Liberal to keep the seat out of the right wing party's tally.

[GirlinContempt]

77. Well...

That makes some sense...

[Spazito]

84. If there is a better chance for the NDP to take a Conservative seat...

than the Liberals, I would hope Liberals will vote strategically and vote for the NDP in this election and vice versa. If there is no question who will win the riding then one can vote with their "heart". The key is to keep seats out of the Conservative hands. The bottom line is: either the Conservatives will form the minority government or the Liberals will, the NDP is not in play in that sense. I voted NDP even though I would normally vote Liberal because the NDP candidate has a better chance of defeating the incumbent who is a Conservative.

[iverglas]

104. so? did it work??

Did your NDP candidate make it?

Mine did. ;)

[Spazito]

105. It was a hell of a race, sadly, the faux Conservative won but only by

around 800 votes whereas before the guy took this riding handily. I am glad I voted NDP this time even though I am, at heart, a Liberal supporter because I see this as a very strong "shot across the bow" to this guy and his party.

Congrats that your riding was successful in dumping one of the extremists, I am jealous!

[iverglas]

106. oh, no danger ;)

Congrats that your riding was successful in dumping one of the extremists, I am jealous!

The "extremist" that my riding avoided was the Martinite Liberal seeking to replace the previous despicable corrupt slimeball Liberal. No Conservatives for us, ever, thank you very much, and never a cakewalk for a Liberal either.

haha!

[bluestraveller58]

76. Canada votes

As a Canadian I went out this morning and exercised my right to vote for the ONLY party worth voting for:the NDP.
I am convinced that the Liberals(who are really Conservatives)and the Conservatives(who are really Nazis)would/will take our country directly down the wrong path,privatizing and deregulating everything in sight while destroying our public education and health systems in a bid to provide their big business backers with more opportunities to cash in...*ka-ching* Unfortunately,it is a given that one of these crime families will grab the prize.Fortunately,we are probably looking at a minority government.

[gula]

79. Well since my vote won't make the slightest difference

I'll have to decide where my $1.75 will go. As the hours go by I'm becoming more and more torn between the NDP and the Greens. Maybe I'll just cop out by voting for the Marijuana party.

I wish I was in a riding here there actually was a race.

[GirlinContempt]

80. I guess it really depends upon

what you believe in.

[gula]

82. I'm in Gilles Duceppe's riding. eom

[GirlinContempt]

83. Ahhh

Still, your vote will support the cadidate you like best, even though they won't win

[StandUpGuy]

81. If you are 100% sure it won't mean a vote for Harper

Vote for the Ganja it will make you feel Iree.

Besides they'll get more money to run next time if the NDP doesn't force legalization !

B-)

[mzmolly]

85. Crossing fingers for my Canadian neighbors. Keep us posted!

:hi:

[GirlinContempt]

86. Will do...

[PatrickS]

87. Voted Liberal

Not really for Paul Martin but for Liza Frulla. I really like her!

[AntiCoup2K4]

91. For those without CBC on their cable systems

You can track the Canadian results here http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/

Good luck Canadians! Don't let the neocon shitbags get you too!!

[GirlinContempt]

92. Atlantic Canada is coming in!!!

[Swede]

99. Liberals are winng 3 to 1 over the conservatives.

Nice to see Frum squirm on CTV.

[Hoping4Change]

100. That sniveling toad, his name makes nauseous. Why ruin

perfectly good news? Why doesn't that cold wet loathsome thing stay with the other loathsome things in Washington DC.