Showing posts with label friendly reminders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friendly reminders. Show all posts
Saturday, October 04, 2014
A friendly reminder from your military-industrial overlords
Money to extend and improve the lives of Canadian citizens is never available, and the need for funding precludes any discussion of the benefits of investing in people. But money for war is free and unlimited, and the need for funding is not to be discussed as part of any debate as to our military plans.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
A friendly reminder
Some people who should know better are suggesting that universal media condemnation (as opposed to public involvement on social media) should be seen as the main factor in getting the Cons to climb back down on arbitrary online surveillance. So let's take a ride in the wayback machine.
It wasn't long ago that the Cons sprung a nasty surprise on the country on another issue, and were met with similarly strong and unanimous criticism from the media in response. Does anybody remember how willing they were to change course based on editorial ire in the absence of the same level of public outcry?
Of course, the above shouldn't be taken to suggest all social media campaigns are equally desirable or effective - and I'd think the brilliant #tellviceverything hashtag did far more to move the needle than the more controversial @vikileaks account. But the last thing we can afford is for the public to think it's best off staying out of the way and leaving criticism of the Cons to the opinion pages alone.
[Edit: fixed wording.]
It wasn't long ago that the Cons sprung a nasty surprise on the country on another issue, and were met with similarly strong and unanimous criticism from the media in response. Does anybody remember how willing they were to change course based on editorial ire in the absence of the same level of public outcry?
Of course, the above shouldn't be taken to suggest all social media campaigns are equally desirable or effective - and I'd think the brilliant #tellviceverything hashtag did far more to move the needle than the more controversial @vikileaks account. But the last thing we can afford is for the public to think it's best off staying out of the way and leaving criticism of the Cons to the opinion pages alone.
[Edit: fixed wording.]
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A friendly reminder
Needless to say, there's plenty of reason for confidence if the rest of the election campaign comes down to a contest as to who can best be trusted to strengthen Canada's health care system. But the Libs who are obsessed with replaying their same false grievances so thoroughly debunked in 2006 might want to be particularly careful about reminding Canadians what happened to cause their previous government to fall.
Let's not forget that when the NDP withdrew its support of the Martin government in 2005, it was over a single difference in priorities.
The NDP proposed to strengthen the Canada Health Act as its lone condition for supporting the government through the fall of that year.
And the Libs refused.
So if the question now is who has a track record of fighting for health care (and who's prepared to try to excuse doing nothing about it)...well, the more the Libs want to remind Canadians how they've been out of touch with the priorities of Canadians, the better.
Let's not forget that when the NDP withdrew its support of the Martin government in 2005, it was over a single difference in priorities.
The NDP proposed to strengthen the Canada Health Act as its lone condition for supporting the government through the fall of that year.
And the Libs refused.
So if the question now is who has a track record of fighting for health care (and who's prepared to try to excuse doing nothing about it)...well, the more the Libs want to remind Canadians how they've been out of touch with the priorities of Canadians, the better.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
A friendly reminder
I generally agree with Warren Kinsella's theory that the Cons' plans to ship yet another chunk of Canadian sovereignty to Washington - in exchange for the bare hope that this time the U.S. will stop clogging up the border - should make for a powerful political issue for Canada's opposition parties.
But before anybody tries to claim that it doesn't matter which of NDP or Libs takes the lead on the issue, it's well worth pointing out that the Libs were working on exactly the same project the last time they were in power. And indeed after the last time the Libs campaigned against a trade agreement, they did nothing but expand it once they took power.
So if the Cons' current integration project raises many of the same opportunities used by the Libs in 1988, there's every reason to hope for a different outcome both on the policy itself, and in the party which earns the most benefit from it.
But before anybody tries to claim that it doesn't matter which of NDP or Libs takes the lead on the issue, it's well worth pointing out that the Libs were working on exactly the same project the last time they were in power. And indeed after the last time the Libs campaigned against a trade agreement, they did nothing but expand it once they took power.
So if the Cons' current integration project raises many of the same opportunities used by the Libs in 1988, there's every reason to hope for a different outcome both on the policy itself, and in the party which earns the most benefit from it.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
A friendly reminder...
...for those trying to pretend that whether the Cons frame gun registry legislation as a private members' bill or a government bill should make a lick of difference in how the NDP handles it.
The NDP's position on the gun registry has always been to allow free votes - including on the Libs' government bill that implemented it in the first place. So merely saying that C-391 is effectively a government bill doesn't change anything in how the NDP approaches the issue.
In turn, in keeping with that long-time party policy allowing for free MP choice, a number of the NDP's MPs have been elected based on explicit promises to vote down the registry. And while it's easy for the Libs to say that MPs from other parties should match their own willingness to break promises on orders from their leader, I'd much rather see the NDP hold itself to a higher standard of trust between MPs and constituents.
Now, none of the above should be taken as approving of the Cons' slimy tactics in seeking to get the bill passed. And it's worth noting that the Cons may well refuse to take "yes" for an answer - as I remain highly skeptical that they'll let C-391 pass in the Senate if it means losing one of their most productive cash cows for the next election.
But history and principle are both on the side of the NDP allowing its MPs to decide how to vote on an issue where both the Libs and the Cons have done their utmost to leave no good options. And if the Libs want to convince anybody to vote to keep the registry, they'll need to try to appeal to the NDP's MPs on the merits rather than demanding that Jack Layton eliminate their ability to think for themselves.
The NDP's position on the gun registry has always been to allow free votes - including on the Libs' government bill that implemented it in the first place. So merely saying that C-391 is effectively a government bill doesn't change anything in how the NDP approaches the issue.
In turn, in keeping with that long-time party policy allowing for free MP choice, a number of the NDP's MPs have been elected based on explicit promises to vote down the registry. And while it's easy for the Libs to say that MPs from other parties should match their own willingness to break promises on orders from their leader, I'd much rather see the NDP hold itself to a higher standard of trust between MPs and constituents.
Now, none of the above should be taken as approving of the Cons' slimy tactics in seeking to get the bill passed. And it's worth noting that the Cons may well refuse to take "yes" for an answer - as I remain highly skeptical that they'll let C-391 pass in the Senate if it means losing one of their most productive cash cows for the next election.
But history and principle are both on the side of the NDP allowing its MPs to decide how to vote on an issue where both the Libs and the Cons have done their utmost to leave no good options. And if the Libs want to convince anybody to vote to keep the registry, they'll need to try to appeal to the NDP's MPs on the merits rather than demanding that Jack Layton eliminate their ability to think for themselves.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A friendly reminder
The Sask Party seems to be hoping that if they keep making announcements about SCN being sold, nobody will notice the fact that there's still a serious risk of the network dying due to the Wall government's neglect. But with all parties still recognizing that the CRTC still hasn't approved the purchase (including a shift from a solely education format to one supported by paid advertising), let's keep in mind what happened when Bluepoint Investment Corp. planned to buy a Brandon station just last year:
(Bluepoint's) last plan to buy a Western Canadian broadcaster...fell through when the CRTC wouldn't agree to rig a future application in its favour, leading to the permanent closure of a broadcasting institution.
Who else is filled with optimism about SCN's future?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A friendly reminder
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friendly reminders
Tonight is the end of the first quarter for 2009 fund-raising. And while the Libs are surely hoping that their shift to the right under Michael Ignatieff will give them a financial advantage, now might be the perfect time to help the NDP keep pace.
And for those in Saskatchewan who haven't yet taken out or renewed an NDP membership in advance of the leadership vote, the deadline for that is April 24. But why not beat the deadline and make sure you're able to vote?
And for those in Saskatchewan who haven't yet taken out or renewed an NDP membership in advance of the leadership vote, the deadline for that is April 24. But why not beat the deadline and make sure you're able to vote?
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