I'm often exhorted to be quiet for the good of the party and no I do not support either of the Liberals or the Conservatives but the New Democrats some even going so far as accusing me of aiding the enemy.
You see I don't like much of this new "pragmatism" I see from the NDP especially as I see it federally and provincially in Ontario. I am told that this is the only way the party can win the government and that folks like me only harm the cause by clinging to the old discredited past.
Today it was my posting of Sudbury Steve's post on the subject of the NDP's tepid, lets wait and see approach to the CETA. Oh I'm told we must wait for the text to be released so we have the facts to oppose the Conservatives with.
This of course ignores the reality that we already know much of what is in the CETA and the enormous amount of evidence regarding the ruinous effects it's siblings such as NAFTA have had on society. Besides we will not see the text until after it has been signed nor will parliament for that matter. It will only come before them for ratification and with the Conservatives and the Liberals fully on board, well that won't end up well for us.
It goes much further than the CETA there are many issues where criticism is responded to in the same manner. Now don't get me wrong there is still much to support in the NDP platform, certainly much more than any of the other parties. I simply feel this new pragmatism is the wrong way to go.
Today, more than in most other times in our history the time is ripe for the NDP's traditional policies. People are waking up to the lie we have been sold by the neo-liberals, they are ready for an alternative, one I see only the NDP capable of delivering.
I also see in Mulcair a capable and intelligent leader even if I disagree with the direction he and Layton before him have taken the party. Yes I am aware of the success the party enjoyed in the last election but have to ask how much of that was based on policy or on Quebecers disillusioned with the Bloc seeing no other alternative, my guess would be healthy doses of both.
In the party's quest to open the front door to more people as it must, they need to be mindful not to push folks like me out the back one. While I fervently hope the NDP forms the next government federally and provincially I hope we don't lose ourselves in the process.
Party is a four letter word, and not the good kind. IMO, all ills that ail us can be traced back to parties. Leaders come and go. MP's come and go. The constant are the parties. The monolithic, controlling, deceiving, self-perpetuating, self-important apparatuses that seek to gain more power, not yield it.
ReplyDeleteI have major issues with the party system as well, however like minded people will always gravitate toward each other and form blocs whether formal or not. I would like to at least try meaningful reform before abolishing them outright.
DeleteThank you. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. I feel I'm being pushed out too. I am about to Tweet the hell out of this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fern I'm getting as much support as not on twitter so all is not lost
DeleteLet me explain what is going on with regards to CETA/Free Trade. It's a terrible issue for the NDP that can only generate bad press for them if they simply oppose it. So they are not opposing it but are instead opposing the details. For supporters it means nothing because at the end of the day they are not going to vote in favour of it and should they form government are not going to start negotiating free trade deals of their own. The change in language is nothing more than politicking meant to get the overwhelmingly pro free trade media off their back and give the pro free trade CPC and LPC as little as possible to attack them with.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert, I understand that however I don't see the party ever getting a fair shake from the media which by the way continues to report that the party opposes the CETA. So I see little gained and the issue too vital for the party to soft peddle but that is an argument we can have.
DeleteMy biggest issue is being told not to talk about it, on that I see no room for argument.
In the end we want the same thing a NDP government.
"Let me explain what is going on"
ReplyDeleteIt's not that we don't understand. It's that we don't agree.
Everytime I despair of the NDP (and my feelings are exactly like yours, Kev), some party loyalist tries to explain things to me. As if the problem is my lack of understanding. Rather than the continuing rightward march towards the supposed centre, which moves ever and ever rightward.
Hi Laura Robert sees it more a case of politicking than policy I see both as concerning
ReplyDeleteTo me Robert sounds exactly like party loyalists everywhere.
DeleteI get too much of that power for the sake of power nonsense We all want to see the NDP form government but at what cost? Besides I see that approach as a losing one.
DeleteTaking a Lib lite approach won't grow the tent, if folks are attracted to that type of platform they'll likely vote Liberal anyway.