quote:
Originally posted by melovesproles:
[b]What I think a lot of the partisans don't understand is that the public is actually quite pragmatic. Thats why, when the NDP demonstrated they were willing to work with the Liberals to pass progressive legislation, the NDP, was rewarded in 2006 with more voters. For all the shrill Liberal screeching about Layton colluding with Harper, it was clear that the NDP was willing to take a risk to make Parliament pass legislation that helped Canadians. In the last Parliament, the NDP abandoned that approach, and instead spent most of their energy trying to embarrass the Liberals, not exactly a difficult task but not one that made people feel good about Canadian democracy. And so even with a slick and expensive campaign, and a charismatic leader, the amount of people who felt motivated to vote NDP went down. They obviously felt their vote was going to accomplish little more than support more games of chicken in the House of Commons.[/b]
Actually, I disagree that the statement that the NDP "spent most of their energy trying to embarrass the Liberals." The fact is that the liberals embarrassed themselves with no help from the NDP. It was the liberals who did not show up to vote or voted with the conservatives. Folks are responsible for their "own actions" and that is what I teach my children.
If one remembers correctly, the NDP did reach out to the liberals on occasion, and attempt as you suggested "to make Parliament pass legislation that helped Canadians. " This included cleaning up the unclean air act of the conservatives. Initially, the liberals were reluctant partners and poo-pood it and not all that willing to "take a risk to make Parliament pass [progressive] legislation that helped Canadians." Also, the NDP worked with the Bloc and libs no pass "progressive" anti-scab legislation and it was the libs who ended up voting it down, acting unprogressively, and in ended up embarrassing themselves. The NDP didn't tie their hands behind their backs or set their agenda.
I will remind you that each party steers its own course in parliament. The NDP is not responsible for making or not making the liberals look good or bad, or rescue them or not rescue them from themselves.
Not once did the NDP vote against or for legislation that was for or against their stated principles or party policy.
What I did also see during the last parliament is Liberals focusing on "gotcha politics" (such as trying to make hay out of the in/out scandal, Mulroney/Schriber affair and so on) rather than focusing on programs that would be of interest to most Canadians.I would suggest it was this focus of the libs combined with not showing up that lent to an overall feeling of people not feeling good about Canadian democracy. Libs abandoned any claim that they considered Canadians more important than party politics and their winning.
Using your same analogy that was suggested with this statement:
quote:
the NDP, was rewarded in 2006 with more voters
, it appears that in the 2008 election the NDP was rewarded with more seats in the House and an overall increase in 2nd place finishes, and overall increase in NDP candidates gaining over 10% in individual races. The NDP were rewarded with their 2nd best showing since its formation. I wanted it to be better and plan to ensure that the "base of support widens."
The liberals, in contrast, were rewarded with their worst electorial outcome since 1876. And that my friend, has absolutely nothing to do with me and nor do I care.
