The NDP aims for the heart of the middle class
The federal New Democrats were quickest off the mark on the ongoing issue of bank-machine fees earlier this year, even drafting a bill against them.
And now the NDP is going after this idea of charging cellphone customers for text messages.
It's a petition campaign — "Stop the Text Message Grab."
Both of these are smart gambits, designed to get the NDP into the fray over who best speaks for the middle class in Canada. This is precious electoral territory, and Conservatives have big designs on those voters, too.
Meanwhile, however, in the current issue of This Magazine, James Laxer has taken another big whack at NDP leader Jack Layton. Laxer has long been a vocal critic of the way the New Democrats have banded with the Conservatives to label the Liberals as the number-one enemy of both.
In this latest essay, Laxer argues that Canada needs the NDP's ideas more than ever these days, but the party itself is too preoccupied with electoral strategy and gains.
Laxer ends his piece on an optimistic note, however: "I haven't given up hope for Jack Layton in all this. Whatever his shortcomings, Layton is by far the most accomplished leader in federal politics today, with a program that makes far more sense for Canadians than the alternatives.... An upheaval could do him good, but don't count on him to start it. That's up to the rest of us."
"by far the most accomplished leader in federal politics today". Really? In what way?
Posted by: Jason Cherniak | July 09, 2008 at 12:46 PM
So, Layton copies David McGuinty with an online petition and gets away with it?
Layton is the worst thing that ever happened to the NDP - he's lost his way.....hate strategy over principle.
Posted by: Sandi | July 09, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Susan - it looks like the nutty fund-a-mental-ists might be getting a hand from the CPC - have a look - leave it up to you to follow up or not. Im pissed if it's true. (Then again I'm pissed at the CPC anyway)
http://canadianbluelemons.blogspot.com/2008/07/is-cpc-giving-email-list-to-christian.html
Cheers,
Lemon
Posted by: Lemon | July 09, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Kudos to Jason and Sandi...I agree Layton has not been a great leader for the Dippers (any more than Howie the Hamster in Ontario)...
Seems Lynn MacDonald - former prominent NDP MP, environment critic and one who is pulling no punches in criticizing Layton and Dippers generally on their strategy re. Dion's Carbon Tax...
Seems to me that Dion and Liz May will be the net beneficiaries come the election...
Posted by: wascally wabbit | July 10, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Well, Mr. Cherniak, to respond to the question you so clearly want answered:
1.) he is not a hard-line neoconservative Bush-worshipper who obstructs action on climate change;
2.) he is not a hysterical separatist;
3.) he does not suck up to or publicly endorse other political parties' leaders simply to give himself a chance of being elected;
4.) he does not force his MPs to muzzle their constituents for months on end in the name of selfish political convenience.
That, Mr. Cherniak, is why he outclasses the other federal party leaders. Layton is nowhere near great, but given the competition ... I'd take him over your precious Dion any day.
Posted by: Andy | July 10, 2008 at 09:44 AM
So, where is everybody's favorite grand-stander Dan MacTeague on this burning issue of vital national, no, INTERnational interest? I would have expected him to be all over this.
Posted by: Imethisguy | July 10, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Hey, if you're looking for shameless Liberal grandstanding, you should be pointing at Garth Turner, not Dan McTeague. At least McTeague makes an effort to serve his constituents rather than solely himself.
Posted by: Andy | July 15, 2008 at 09:23 AM
I guess we will be stuck with this post on this blog until ever last one of you capitulates and supports the largest tax grab in Canadian History
Posted by: bob ward | July 18, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Subject Line : Beat Long Poll Lines with Absentee Ballots from StateDemocracy.org
Many state and local election officials are encouraging voters to use Absentee Ballots to avoid the long lines and delays expected at the polls on November 4th due to the record-breaking surge in newly registered voters.
Voters in most states still have time to obtain an Absentee Ballot by simply downloading an official application form available through www.StateDemocracy.org, a completely FREE public service from the nonprofit StateDemocracy Foundation.
Read More: http://us-2008-election.blogspot.com/2008/10/beat-long-poll-lines-with-absentee.html
Posted by: timothy | October 31, 2008 at 02:50 AM