Jack Layton: Untrustworthy

I have long considered the N.D.P. to be a party of integrity. Even though they often unrealistic policy positions and show a disregard for economics sometimes, I believe that they do so with good intentions and not in any way to mislead. Although I preferred to see Bill Blakie win the 2003 leadership race, I thought that Jack Layton would continue in the honourable tradition of N.D.P. leaders. I even briefly considered voting for the N.D.P. last election.

Jack Layton however has shown that he's not like his predecessors: he's actually a run-of-the-mill unprincipled politician who's more interested in power than sticking to principle. Setting aside his flip-flops on such issues as the Clarity Act, consider his promise of how he'd use his influence in a minority.

Last election, Layton promised that he would use his influence in a minority to ensure a referendum on proportional representation. Nothing less would earn the N.D.P.'s backing for the government.

In April 2005, Jack Layton had his chance. The Liberals needed him to save their government. Jack Layton was saying that they needed to be held to account. Layton could have demanded that his price for protecting the Liberals from immediate accounting was for them to have a referendum on instituting a new, more accountable electoral system. But Jack Layton didn't. Instead, he asked for money. Jack Layton broke his election promise. Jack Layton refused to hold the government to account. He sold his principled stand for accountable government for some cold, hard cash. Just like the Liberals, Jack Layton showed that he'll give away accountable government for some money.

As visions of sugar plums danced in their heads

Happy Christmas, Mr. Speaker! As the Canadian federal election campaign goes on its holiday hiatus, it's time to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

And, just in case you're missing the elections hulabaloo during the break, you can vote on Christmas Day! Your friendly neighbourhood Elections Canada Returning Office will be open on the 25th to help us pursue the democratic process. What a great country, eh?

Our federal party leaders would also like to send their Christmas wishes:

Prime Minster Martin sends his holiday greetings through liberal.ca and www.pm.gc.ca. And, his annual Christmas card shows a fairly nice photo of Paul, Sheila, and sons Paul Jr. and David.

Oh, that Rob Anders. He's such a cad.

Madam Speaker, I have but one question for the Prime Minister: "Do you support homosexual sex marriage?".

I ask this, in contrast to the Prime Minister's known support for "heterosexual sex marriage", "homosexual marriages where the frustrated partners don't ever get it on", and "homosexual sex one night stands".

The Commons has the right to know, Madam Speaker, what is the government's stance on this phenomenon?

Harper and Layton on Martin's Anti-U.S. Grandstanding

Stephen Harper and Jack Layton give Paul Martin a smacking for his recent comment about the U.S.:

First, Stephen Harper:

I always remember when you had the kid who was always name-calling from a safe distance. There really wasn't much risk of a fight, and Mr. Martin reminds me of that kid.

Mr. Martin. He's the kid name-calling from a safe distance. He couldn't throw a punch to save his llfe.

And, even better, Jack Layton:

The fact is, he's electioneering.

He'll say anything to get elected. And whipping up the rhetoric against George Bush is very easy to do. The problem is, he hasn't delivered the goods.

He thinks he can stand up and wag his finger at George Bush and somehow impress somebody, It's time he started delivering results. That would allow Canadians to be able to speak to the world.

Canadians have known that the Liberals will say anything in an election to get elected. I think now the ambassador has discovered the same thing.

Ouch!

Sheer Brilliance from Paul Wells

I think that I think that this may be the greatest article on Canadian politics ever written.

Campaign Propaganda

A couple of quick points:

First, the N.D.P. do the best job of pointing out how the Liberals are using party insiders in their ads. Though, to be fair, they are getting a hard ride out of this when every party uses actors or party activists in their ads.

And second, the Bloc Québécois shows once again why they are the best at pointing out the faults of the Liberal Party of Canada.

I will hopefully post something substantive in the next few days. Definately once exams are done next week, I'll be blogging about the election in full force.

Good grief!

Steve Nease of The Oakville Beaver brings us the funniest political cartoon of the election:

Liberal Scott Reid's Comment

Noise from the Right claims that Liberal operative Scott Reid told the Calgary Herald's Don Martin that Alberta can blow me.

Now, this has come from only one sources and a partisan one at that, so there may be more to this than has been reported. However, for those who ask why the Liberals cannot undo Western Alientation, I serve this as part of the problem.