|
Could anyone give us Canadophile DUers a quick lesson in Canadian party politics?
Five parties:
Liberals: Have more seats than the other 4 parties combined in Parliament, Tend to be a centrist party but probably have more progressives than they do conservatives (although close to 35% - 40% of Liberal MPs are homophobic). Have been right-of-centre on fiscal issues, fairly progressive on social issues thanks to Jean Chrétien's iron fist. Like Chrétien's politics but find him very corrupt, perhaps at a level comparable to Brian Mulroney. Probably much like the Democrats, but generally left of the DNC. (although this is based more on leadership, as low-ranking elected officials have less influence in Canada than they do in the U.S...Which can make things a bit dull sometimes...lol)
NDP: A social democratic party and home to progressives and socialists. Currently led by formor Toronto city councillor and left-wing activist Jack Layton. Charismatic and extremely articulate and intelligent. A member of Socialist International and home to many left-of-centre people who are uncomfortable with the entrenchment, corruption, and special interests that characterise the Liberal party. Currently have 14 elected MPs. (out of 301) (Personal interest note: The NDP is pro-Taiwan, being smart enough to recognise that A-bian is more progressive than those red fascists on the wrong side of the Taiwan straight. Prominent NDP MP Bill Blaikie has condemned China for aiming WMDs at Taiwan.
Progressive Conservative: During the days of Brian Mulroney, over 2/3 of the House of Commons was PC. (In 1993, however, so hated were they that they went down from over 200 to just 2 MPs.) Have been through 4 leaders in the past 10 years (I liked Clark and Charest a lot, but am not crazy about Campbell (that bitch was a fucking B.C. socred...How somebody who finished last in a leadership convention won by the comedically inept and corrupt B.C. premier William Vander Zalm got to become Prime Minister of Canada is well beyond me) or MacKay), and still as weak as ever. Ideologically, a couple of them might as well be New Democrats, but some are at least as far right as the Alliance. It was even crazier during the Mulroney years, as the party was a coalition of everyone from hard-right fundie-Nazis to greedy continentalists to leftist Quebec sovereigntists. Only has 12 MPs in Parliament and is planning merger with Canadian Alliance. (Note: Contrary to what Margaret Thatcher may thing, Progressive is not an adjective describing the party: It is actually part of the noun, as the party is a merger of the Progressive and the Conservative parties, much like the Republicans of the late-1910s and 1920s was a merger of Republicans and Bull Moose progressives.)
Bloc Québécois: A sovereigntist party. Generally left of the Liberals right of the NDP, but not monolithically so (Quebec's provincial legislature, in contrast, is monolothically liberal on social issues...Even the retarded separashits). Most Péquistes endorse marijuana legalisation, and they all want Quebec to be independent of Canada, obviously. These people used to be in Mulroney's PCs.
Canadian Alliance: To say that these guys are quite as bad as the GOP is hyperbole: A few of them aren't as backwards as believed, but the vast majority are bigoted, puritanical, and spread their legs for corporate, American, and Christo-fascist special interests. (Of their over 60 MPs, only 2 are generally considered to be socially liberal and none are progressive on economic issues) Their most recent rare moment of conscious was siding with the NDP in support of a resolution endorsing Taiwan's ascension into the WTO. Generally a party of right-wing Western populists. Claim to not be corrupt, but there is reason (based on their pre-CA records of some members) to believe otherwise.
What's the Canadian "version" of the US Democratic Party?
The Liberals.
Is there a Canadian version of the wishy-washy DLC (Democratic Leadership Council)?
Some of the more conservative Liberals. The ones endorsing war in Iraq, bitching about same-sex marriage, and supporting the War on Drugs.
Who are the crazy right wingers? What power do they have?
The Canadian Alliance. They control about 1/5 of Parliament. No real power aside from the privileges they receive as Official Opposition
Who are the not-crazy right wingers (the "Rockefeller Republicans")?
There are a few social liberal fiscal conservative people in the PCs, including former leadership hopeful Scott Brisson. Paul Martin may also be that way. (I pray that Mr. Brisson doesn't go insane when the PC and the CA merege, as I'm not sure many in the CA will like the idea of working with a gay man. Interestingly enough, a high-ranking member of Stockwell Day's personal campaign team back in 2000 is gay.)
Do you have a bunch of think tanks and that kind of crap mucking it up?
We have some, but they aren't as involved as you are.
Anything else interesting for us to know?
I want to build up our military so that we can implement radical policies without fear of American retaliation. But then again, I'm not sure most Repukes will like the idea of 10 states (assuming the territories are treated as a single state and only Alberta usually votes Repuke) that will vote Democratic every election. hahaha...I bet the Greens will turn into a separatist party if Quebec ever becomes a state.
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
