my thoughts, a little scattered, on strategic voting

I thought I would gather up my thoughts on Strategic voting.  These are responses that I have made on various Social media, and are unedited or organized.  Simply my gut responses to why strategic voting in wrong.  {Please forgive the errors!}

• When you vote strategically you are voting against something. It’s more negativity in our already flawed system. Vote for what you believe it. Feel good about your vote!! A vote for anything but what makes you feel positive is a vote that makes us all feel worse!
• The platform that I believe in is the Green Party of Canada. They are the ONLY party that actually stands for something, the same thing, regardless of the economic situation, regardless of the ‘ruling party’, regardless of what the other guy is saying’. The platform fits into my lifestyle and I can clearly identify with at least 90% of it on any given day. There is no other party that has a platform that makes it through an election, let alone decades. I will say that I was born and raised a Liberal, but the party now only stands for what the other guys don’t, and that’s not good enough for me. I am proud to vote Green, this will be my third time. I’m a 3-pete. Voting for anybody else just doesn’t make sense. It’s too bad that more people don’t have the courage to do what they believe in.
• Seriously {opponent}, did you just call me negligent? For doing something that I believe in? That is pretty arrogant. I know exactly what is going on in this country, I know the damage that HarperCons have, and will, inflict on our country. All I can do is what I feel is right. Everyone should do what they feel is right. But trying to influence how people vote based on guilt and fear is NOT what a democracy stands for. I know that you think what you are trying to do is the right thing, but pushing it on people for negative reasons can only result in negative outcome. The more people who go out and vote for something they DON’T want can only result in fewer people voting for what they DO want the next time. Think about that for a minute.
• {Opponent}, if you believe in the Green Party then stop talking about the other parties and talk about ours. Get people to vote for the Green Party, not for some other party that does not stink as bad as the Cons, vote for a party that smells great, all the time! Together we can. It’s time, VOTE GREEN!
• You say it is fact, but you say it out of fear. Greens are anything but one-dimensional, and by saying that you have proven that you don’t have the first clue what Greens stand for. We stand for integrity, honesty, truth and hope.
•  {Opponant}, why don’t you just come out and tell us that no other parties are worth voting for, unless they are on of the old school parties. It is truly unimaginable where the country would be is everybody thought like you do. Strategic voting, if it ever could work, could only work if EVERYONE that went out to vote did it. The demographic that is the heaviest voters are over 55 years old. Now, I’m not saying that people over that age do not have computers, or know how to use them (my father is 75 and he does very well indeed, pays all his bills, communicates with all his family, reads news articles and reads party platforms online, but he is the exception!) What I am saying is that the whole strategic voting machine is online, you have to go out and look for it. The demographic that votes in the greatest, and most influential numbers, do not, will not, engage in Strategic Voting. The demographic of people who have access to it online are the same people who DON”T vote! They then go out and vote, in small numbers, for something they don’t want and skew the vote just enough to f@%k it up. It’s not vote splitting that is giving us a Harper Government, it is Vote Abandonment.
•  ‎” We need to get Greens into Parliament” . Well then, stop voting for other parties, and telling other people to vote for other parties, and tell them to vote Green! That is the ONLY way we are going to get Greens into Parliament.
• As soon as someone gets power via FPTP, anything that they said about changing the voting system will be out the window. Even if the NDP form the next government, they won’t touch FPTP, it’s like saying they will give themselves a pay decrease, not gonna happen. Greens need to fight in the system that we have, we have to play the cards we are dealt. Are you suggesting that we just stop playing because ‘it’s just not fair’? The world does not have time for that, we must wake up and act NOW. Not after the next election, NOW> It’s time, Vote Green!

The Most Amazing Speech EVER! (Updated)

For those of you who didn’t watch the Rally in Saanich-Gulf-Islands last night, here is a little wee video that I found on YouTube!  It is amazing!  Elizabeth was ON FIRE!  I have heard her speak many many times, but she topped even herself here!  It is a small little video, but the audio is GREAT!

Full disclaimer:  I was watching on the live feed at www.greenparty.ca/live and I was so moved after this speech that I hit the DONATE NOW and gave my single largest donation to the party ever.

Watch, and tell me that you don’t get goose bumps on your goose bumps!

http://bit.ly/klG6tk

Here is a better quality video of ‘The Most Amazing Speech Ever!’ http://bit.ly/mx9UNl

Pass it around!

Also see these pictures: http://bit.ly/lzPoE3

Note: I am posting this mostly so that I will always have access to this video, and know where to find it.  It’s that good!

My opinion on Ibbitson’s opinion

In Reference to Globe OpEd found here.

I seem to recall Ibbitson writing a column last fall about this very topic, only back them it was the Toronto area that was going to effect the elusive Harper majority government.  So, what has changed?  Polls, they are the only things that have changed.  But Ibbitson fails to do his homework before commenting on one riding in particular.  Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Ibbitson paints a picture of Gary Lunn in a two-way race, as he is, but fails to correctly identify who the race is with.  Consistently over the past 6 months polls have come back showing that Lunn is indeed in a 2 way race, but not with the Liberals.  The race is with the Greens.  Elizabeth May is consistently showing a neck in neck race with the Minister.  Ibbitson asks the question ‘how many votes will bleed off to the Greens?’.  The real question is how many votes will bleed off to the Liberals, from either side.

Lunn has been pretty much absent from his riding in SGI since he left, a year ago, to go to the Olympics.  Constituents noticed in the fall that he was conspicuously absent from an event where the Prime Minister was in attendance, IN SGI, as well as several other high-profile events.  It has led to some speculation that he will not re-offer in the next election.  This will be a problem for Mr. Harper in BC. 

It’s time to emerge from Harperland and take a look at what our Nation has become.  We were once well-respected internationally.  Not so much anymore.  The world is noticing that we are not quite as friendly, or dependable, as we once were. The only way to correct this is to defeat Harper, and his band of (NOT) so merry (wo)men, one seat at a time.

It’s time, Vote Green, in SGI, and everywhere else.

And there it is again folks, The Straight Goods!

An exercise in educational cut backs

Last night I attended a public meeting at Highland Consolidated School in Westville, Nova Scotia, hosted by the School Board. A very detailed scenario of the proposed 22% cut backs to education was presented and discussed. This exercise was done by our school board at the request of the Dexter NDP Government. The future of our education system is grim, if these cut backs happen. The future of my child, and your children, is at serious risk.

Or is it?

The Dexter Government issued a press release Monday insisting that they have no intention of making the proposed cuts. That they will not devastate the education system of Nova Scotia. That this was simply an exercise to see what the cuts would look like.

Well, I don’t think that’s good enough. Why would the Provincial Government put the School Board, the staff and the parents through this ‘exercise’ for 3 months if they have no intention of making it happen? My thought is that this was one very well executed fishing exhibition.

Our well intentioned school board has prepared a silver platter full of cut back possibilities. The Dexter Government now has all the information on what services our school board deems ‘first-to-go’ in a devastating cut back. This plan is supposed to be a 3 year plan. Mr. Dexter had better be prepared for the voters to reply when he looks for his next mandate.

The presentation is very well prepared and presented. It is critical that the community attend these meetings. It is imperative that you contact your MLA and tell them that no cut back to our education system is acceptable.

We must not balance the provinces books on the future of our children.

Leadership, Voting and other Green stuff!

Hello!

I sit and write today because it’s too hot to be outdoors! The temperature is a sweltering 35☼ in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. (I am from Newfoundland after all, I might melt today!)

So, there is lots going on with the Green Party these days. Some in the news, some not in the news. It’s sad that some of our party members choose to air their grievances in the media, but that’s it when you are grass-roots. I have to be careful of what I say here on this subject, I have, as all federal councillors have, signed a confidentiality agreement, and unlike some, I take it very seriously. I want nothing but the best for the party. Sure we have growing pains, all groups do in their development, but there’s no need to run to the press with it. We should, as a group, be concentrating on the things that will make us stronger. Not the things that will tear us apart.

There are a few who question the leadership of Elizabeth May. I am not one of them. Elizabeth works her butt off for this party, only to be chopped off at the knees by those who see another route for the party. Elizabeth is a well spoken, highly educated woman who wants nothing more than to see the party succeed. She is a well-respected citizen that the media respects. That, my friends, is something that money can not buy. (And for those who claim that you only have the best interest of the party at heart when you go public with your grievance, you are only doing us harm. Makes me wonder what side you are really on!)

So onto the BGM. Voting is on. I am not allowed, by my confidentiality agreement and a resolution passed, to endorse any candidate who is running for Council this year, but I urge you to really think about who is going to be a councillor who will have the best interests of the party at heart, at all times. We need to have a cooperative Council in order to move forward. Yes, we do look for consensus in everything we do in the Green Party, in order for that to happen we have to have people who are WILLING to compromise. Please look at the bios that can be found on-line at the candidates page on the Green Party of Canada Website.

As for the Resolutions, I can tell you how I am going to vote on some very key resolutions that can change the course of the Party. It is completely up to you how you vote, I’m not trying to tell you how to vote, I’m simply telling you how I am voting. It is a very long process that requires much thought and consideration. Again I urge you to think about the future of the party when you vote, and above all, I URGE YOU TO VOTE in this round of Council elections and Resolutions.

Here are some of the motions that I feel are critical:

I voted NO on G10-c01. Council restructuring – This resolution removes the right for Leader to Vote on Council business. I see the leaders vote as an important one. The leader is after all – The Leader. It’s only one vote on Council, the same as any other vote. The Leader should have that right.

I voted NO on G10-c12. Leadership Motion – Allows for a one time only extension of the leaders term and only up to 8 weeks after a federal election. This does not allow enough time to get the ‘house’ in order after a tornado!

I did vote YES on G10-c29. This motion provides for a Leadership Review after any federal election. When you look for this motion online you will see that I have actually endorsed this motion as a member of Federal Council. In order to change the existing constitutional mandatory leadership race we MUST pass this motion. This really in not a big deal, it will simply put into place a system that would allow the membership to speak after EVERY election about the support for the Leader. It will also allow for a more flexible timeline on when a Leadership race is more politically practical.

I voted YES on G10-c30. This motion provides a procedure to appoint an Interim Party Leader to ensure compliance with Elections Canada laws.

I voted YES on G10-d02. Vote to Support Elizabeth as Leader of the Party right now, outright approval. If you vote for this motion you are in fact stating that you, as a member, are satisfied with the Leadership. I have also sponsored this resolution. (Incidentally, look at the first 3 names of sponsors: Frank de Jong, Ralph Benmergui, Adriane Carr. By all insider gossip these are three leadership hopefuls for the future.)

I voted NO on G10-d11. This motion calls for an immediate leadership race, only to defer if there is a Federal Election called in the midst of said race. As a member who fully supports the leadership of Elizabeth I vote NO to this resolution. Also, it would look silly, and politically naive, to hold a leadership race ahead of ANY federal election. This motion, if passed, would hurt our party publicly and politically.

I voted YES on G10-d14. This motion is simply about having the EDA’s in contact with the federal party on a regular basis. It’s a healthy way to remain in contact with the roots of the party.

Please, vote. Vote now. If you have not received your e-ballot please contact webadmin@greenparty.ca . Every vote counts and I want you to be counted!

So there you have it, The Straight Goods, again.

Merger talk and the Green Party

When I was studying Political Science in university, some 20 years ago, the first course was called Canadian Polity 1100. In it we learned about the ideology of the PCs, the Liberals, the NDP, the very new Reform Party gaining momentum… We also learned of other fringe parties that tended to develop and fizzle as they were more like interest groups. I remember it well, as one of my ‘duties” on the Memorial University of Newfoundland Student Union (CSU) was to ratify campus groups. It was the first year that there was a new political group created on campus for many years, and I was the VP responsible for them. I thought then, this is one of those fringe groups, they will fizzle, one issue, etc…

Well, here I am 20 years later, part of the Federal Council for that party! Boy were my profs wrong! And I guess, so was I. ( I’m big enough to admit it! I was at the time the niece of the Liberal Premier of the Province.)

I remember learning all the ideologies of the various parties, committing those to memory in order to regurgitate on an exam. I bet that is an exercise in futility now, if it is even required! The base beliefs of the current 3 big parties is so convoluted and responsive to the politics of the day that no one stands for anything anymore. Except to disagree with the other side! It’s part of the reason the electorate has no desire to participate and voter turn out continues to fall.

Not so long ago the Canadian Alliance/Reform party ate the Progressive Conservatives whole, after Peter MacKay served them up on a platter. Now they are one party, one ideology, undistinguishable from one another. There’s two ideologies committed to memory for not.

Will Iggy or Jack do the same for their parties? It remains to be seen. The political media types who are pouring over any scrap of information trying to turn it into a merger are frothing for more sound bites. Spin doctors are swirling the facts trying to develop some palatable story to feed to the media. In the end it will all mean the two will have to come to some common ground, combine their ideologies, and fold into one another. Again, 2 more ideologies committed to memory for not.

This political climate has provided a unique opportunity for the Green Party of Canada to stand up and do what is right. Offer to voters what they believe in. Not to offer some mangled version of ideology that might be hashed out amongst a hungry group seeking power, for power’s sake. To continue to grow as a party must never mean compromise of principles. Ideologically, it’s what Greens believe in.

It’s time. Vote Green.

Marine Atlantic to get funding, on the Cons terms

Ok, so the common theme here is: when I am poisoned about something I will write a blog post.  Today it is the budget.  While there are many things that the budget failed miserably on, including environment, the arts, poverty, and other things that the ‘big boys’ don’t have to worry about, the funding that is proposed for Marine Atlantic is the thing that really boiled my pee.

According to CBC NL, Liberal MP Gerry Byrne, who represents Humber-St.Barbe-Baie Verte, in western Newfoundland, says “people in his province won’t be happy when they hear where the $175 million promised in the federal budget for the Marine Atlantic ferry service is going.”

No, I guess they won’t!  And neither will any of the Newfoundland natives that return to the province every year by ferry.  Add the tourists, and you’ve spawned a recipe for financial disaster for any business on the island that relies on tourism!

Apparently most of the money will be spent on leasing and retrofitting the two sister ships of a vessel, the Atlantic Vision, that is already in service from Port-Aux-Basques to North Sydney.

As a person who uses this ferry service, at least 4 times per year, I feel confident saying that investing in two more ships that are laid out like the Atlantic Vision is a $175 million dollar mistake.

Having had the opportunity to travel on the Vision a few times this year, I can tell you it is a VERY nice ship.  The decor is lovely, the buffet is delicious and the cabins are beautiful, they even have down filled duvets!  But the Atlantic Vision ferry does not offer the adequate seating or accommodations to suit the budget of most families that would use the service.  Cabins are available and very comfortable, if you are willing to pay the price (130.00/night), adding 260.00 bucks to a round trip.  In the end, if you can not afford a cabin you are relegated to sitting upright in a dinner chair for 6-8 hours, with NO option.  Keep in  mind, seats are scarce.  And the buffet is non-negotiable, you pay a  flat fee, around $15/person, and that is the only option.

 

This could, and will, change the travel plans of those who can not afford to fly to and from the province.  They will not be able to afford to travel by ferry either.

 

 

The Atlantic Vision has also had many issues docking in Port-aux-Basques, N.L. On one occasion it ran aground. On another, its hull was punctured when it hit the dock.  The harbour is simply not big enough to handle the jumbo ship.  There have also been a couple of on board fires in the last year.

 

There are  2 other ships in service on the Gulf, the M.V. Smallwood and M.V. Caribou.  Both jumbo ships in their own right.   They both offer large seating areas distributed throughout the ship across multiple decks. Cabins and Dormitory Sleepers are also available. There are options for everyone’s budget – the cabins provide the most comfort at the highest cost (130.00 for a 4-berth, night crossing) , while dorm sleepers are cheep alternative (~$20.00), and seats are plentiful and FREE! 

 

I have also travelled on both of these ships, too  many times to count, actually.  Having the alternative of a cheap bunk is usually how we go.  There’s no need to pay 130 bucks for a cabin, it’s only for 6-8 hours, and you don’t get a good sleep anyway, cabin, or no cabin.  It saves us $140.00 per visit, which we usually spend in some shops around the Stephenville area.

So, where does that all end?  Investing $175 million dollars in two more ferries that are:

1. more expensive to travel on;
2. not as comfortable; 
3. less reliable;
4. ill-suited to the needs of those tax payers who actually use the ferry service.
5. going to lead to decreased tourism

 

The CBC reports that Federal Transportation Minister John Baird wasn’t available for comment on Thursday evening.  Make no wonder! He wouldn’t have a clue what he was talking about!  I don’t know for sure, but I might just place a financial wager on the fact that he had never traveled to Newfoundland by ferry. 

I don’t know that I have the right answer, but these two sister ships to the Vision are not it.  There MUST be a way to accommodate more than one brand of traveller.  Putting 2 more ships of this caliber on the run between NS and NL will not serve the travelling tax-payer, who is subsidising this service, well at all.

Don’t even get me started on the names that are proposed for these ferries!  The Mila and Brian Mulroney and the Jean and John Crosbie.  Ask most Newfoundlanders and they will most likely say that there are better names for either vessel!  How about the M.V. Newfoundland? The M.V. Labrador?

In light of a possible loss of words in the Anthem, The M.V. True North and the M.V. Strong and Free?  That kind of goes nice with The M.V. Atlantic Vision.  Just please, don’t let them be sister ships to the Vision!

There you have it, The Straight Goods.

Oh my, where to start!

… Prorogation… What a great shelf life this story could have, but not if the Conservatives have their way!

So, Iggy returns home just in time to make a big announcement about the state of democracy in Canada. It’s his big moment, all the cameras are on him… what does he say? “Canadians don’t want an election on this issue.”

What? Are you kidding me? Iggy, you could have made the cons sweat for five minutes at least! The shelf life of the story is getting shorter and shorter by the announcement.

But, the Libs have a new ad campaign set to go tomorrow. A radio and print campaign, a small-budget ad campaign according to the Cons, aimed at keeping the pressure on about prorogation. Yeay! I’m glad that the Libs are doing something! They are afterall one of the two loudest public voices…. (when are the NDP going to take a stand?)

The Liberals campaign is based on Parliament being closed. It begs the question ‘What is Steven Harper trying to cover up?’ States the facts, Harper closed parliament when he was questioned about the detainees, and that it was done under the cover of a New Years Eve, hoping that Canadians would not notice. While strictly speaking this should be seen as an attack ad, still it is a logical question, what is Steven Harper trying to cover up?

Anyway, It didn’t take long for the PMO to respond, and typically downplay the issue. (How is it that pretend they can pretend they didn’t do anything wrong? And not only do they expect to get away with it, they do!) Their rebuttal goes like this:

~Michael Ignatieff, unseen in Canada until Thursday night, when he arrived on a flight from Europe after an extended vacation, has launched a small-budget ad campaign intended to distract attention from his lengthy absence.

As if PM Harper doesn’t run and hide sometimes! It’s called vacation. Now, I would have to agree that a long distance reply could easily be arranged in this age of communications.

~The ad campaign renews the Ignatieff Liberals’ claim about a “coverup” of “torture” of Taliban prisoners.

Claims a cover up? Me thinks that the PMO better get with the times. Are they trying to say that top officials in the Red Cross are liars? That someone in Peter MacKay’s office, at the time, just hit delete when the message came in that there was torture going on? Shouldn’t that person be fired? Well, I guess that would be hard, because then you would have to fire everyone who knew the truth. Alternatively you would have to fire the Minister responsible. Peter is not going down for Harper’s stupidity! So we are left with the Prime Minister leading us to think this is something that the Libs made up. Humph….. what an idiot. We’re not that stupid, are we?

~Mr. Ignatieff persists in this attack even though the allegation that torture was covered up represents a direct attack on the men and women of Canada’s Armed Forces.The Ignatieff Liberals like to pretend that their wild allegation bypasses the soldiers who captured and handed over Taliban prisoners — but that’s just not logical.

No Mr. Harper. This is not an attack on the brave men and women fighting for something called DEMOCRACY, this is a pointed accusation of your governments cover up of a serious human rights violation. Why do you continue to try to deflect this? And on the backs of the soldiers you are hiding behind…. shame on you!

~The rest of Mr. Ignatieff’s ad campaign is more of the same — idle chatter that is out of touch with the real priorities of Canadians — including Canadians’ number one priority, the economy.

Out of touch with real Canadians, that’s funny! Real Canadians are concerned about a lot of things… they include unemployment, health care, education, climate change, proroguement, and yes, even social justice! Get with the times, economy is last years story.

What choice are we left with?

Jack is nowhere to be seen, doing a great job of hiding until the dust settles. Not an option in times like these. My vote doesn’t go there.

The Liberals have failed to capitalize on an amazing opportunity to turn the tables on the Cons. COme on Iggy, jump in the drivers seat and take it for a spin, even if you don’t intend to buy it. Telling the Cons they have no intention of calling an election is the worst poker move in the history of Canadian politics! My vote doesn’t go there either.

The Conservatives… well, haven’t you been paying attention? They are so far from getting my vote that I won’t even bother to say it.

Green. I know I’ll vote Green. Vote for the future, the past is a mess.

My First Blog (Updated!)

Hello blogosphere!

This is my first blog. I have never claimed to be a very eloquent writer, in fact, I would say that writing is a weakness. However, a friend has convinced me to start a blog. Let me state openly, my writing style will be just as the name of my blog suggests: The Straight Goods.

Anyone who knows me knows that I ‘shoot from the hip’. I am a no-nonsense girl. Some might even say that I am comical, especially when I am mad! I don’t have all the answers, but I like to explore the questions. I try to be open-minded, but sometimes I can be stubborn. I am a good friend and I have the capacity for forgiveness. I will listen to the opposition, but I will stand my ground when I feel it is warranted.

Above all, I speak the truth as I see it, and I will call you out if I know you are not speaking the truth. In this era of cyber communication there is not much room for ‘mincing’ words, and to be frank, I don’t have time to ‘pretty it up’. I am a married mom, who volunteers in my community, my church and my son’s school. I am a professional, educated, modern, house wife. Doesn’t leave a lot of time for fine tuning what amounts to the truth. (Update: I am now the Atlantic Organizer for the Green Party of Canada! But I’m still doing all that other stuff too, so even less time for things like ‘watching what I say, and how I say it!)

So, I hope that you will read, ponder, and laugh when you find yourself reading The Straight Goods. Be patient, I know that there are those of you who will jump all over me straight away, but I will, none the less, proceed into a world I know nothing about, and hope that I enjoy the ride that it takes me on!

What a great way to start the new year! Happy 2010 to one and all!