Why I’m voting Liberal

Besides my already mentioned strategic NDP vote in 2000 I’ve always voted Liberal federally since I was old enough to vote. As a youth coming to voting age, I looked at all the major parties and found the Liberals to come the closest to sharing my political philosophies: sound fiscal management with a social conscious.

I don’t always agree with them. One point of remaining pain is when, as finance minister, Paul Martin exempted student loans from the bankruptcy act, at the same time slashing the education component of the transfer payments to the provinces. I’ve never considered bankruptcy as an option personally for my student loans, but I fail to see why a shady businessperson should have the option and not a starving student.

Still, despite disagreement on issues like student loans, lack of support for the military (important to me as a former Air Force brat) and disgust with the so-called Liberal MPs that voted against same-sex marriage, we’re mainly on the same page policy-wise. I might be a Red Tory were it not for Brian Mulroney’s legacy, and the NDP is just a little too holier than thou for my tastes.

I’m going to get into the Liberal civil war and Martin’s poor handling of Gomery, the last campaign and his time in office in a later post, but in this post I wanted to talk about how why, despite everything, I’m still voting Liberal.

I share the feeling of many inside and outside of the party that some time out of office would be good for the Liberals. The house needs to be cleaned, some rather substantial egos need to be deflated, and, sadly, leadership needs to be changed. I voted for Paul Martin as leader, but this is not the Paul Martin I voted for. That’s another post though.

The alternative is a Conservative government, most likely a minority. The question becomes, can Canada handle even 18 months of Conservative rule? Maybe with a Peter McKay or Bernard Lord as PM, but not Stephen Harper. Try as he might, he just can’t escape his Reform past.

Stephen seems to have learned his lesson from the last campaign, and taken a page from George W. Bush, hugging the centre while campaigning. Remember Dubaya’s compassionate conservatism? Once in office, it was replaced with deficit-financed tax cuts for the rich, along with cuts in services for those in need. Harper is now trying to out-Liberal the Liberals in this campaign, but I have no doubt once in office we would see his true colours.

Having been a volunteer on the periphery of the Liberal Party for a few years and having met some of the players I can tell you two things about this party: it’s cutthroat, and only winning is acceptable. Even if Paul Martin wins another minority, he’s through. This will be his last election. The party members will demand a new leader who can deliver a majority and he’ll have no choice but to resign, giving us the housecleaning we need without letting Harper into office.

I think there’s a lot of good in the Liberal Party. Most members are honest people committed to a vision of Canada that I share. I’m also mad as hell at those few that have acted inappropriately, and I want them dealt with. The RCMP is investigating, and I’m confident that those responsible will see justice. But the actions of a few bad apples don’t tar the entire bushel, and sponsorship isn’t the only ballot-box question. It’s fine to be mad, and I’m mad too, but I don’t believe in cutting off my nose to spite my face.

Given all these considerations, I’m still be voting Liberal January 23rd. And in favour of leadership review at the next convention.

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