"I'm a Lifelong Conservative But I'm Running for the Liberals"

[Kilo_302]

I'm not a fan of the Liberals at all, but this is interesting, especially coming from a former CF-18 pilot.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/maj-stephen-fuhr/stephen-fuhr_b_6302482.html

 

[The Bread Guy]

Don't know who else is running for the Liberal nomination in the riding, but it appears Young JT is keen to have some ex-military folk on the team for the coming election.

Will that translate into a "we know/care about the military" message for the Liberals?  History, actions and (if they win) spending speak louder than words/candidates.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

There is a lot of people who aren't happy with the CPC, but also unhappy with the Liberals and really don't have a choice otherwise. the senate scandal and the handling of it, really tainted them in the one place where they could have held themselves apart from the Liberals.

 

[The Bread Guy]

There is a lot of people who aren't happy with the CPC, but also unhappy with the Liberals and really don't have a choice otherwise.

Good point - I'd be surprised to see former CF types head to the NDP (although it may not be unprecedented - as usual, I stand to be corrected).

 

[a_majoor]

I can remember some service members being supporters of the NDP back in the 80's, but the NDP has moved farther left and I doubt the NDP is a supportive environment for military members being party members or supporters anymore.

 

[Kat Stevens]

Good point - I'd be surprised to see former CF types head to the NDP (although it may not be unprecedented - as usual, I stand to be corrected).

Actually, a lot of my retired or just plain ex army buds have taken a 90 degree sharp turn to the left since getting out, almost laughable in their staunch support for all things orange.

 

[Edward Campbell]

The conventional wisdom is that Canadians "vote their pocketbooks," in other words they vote based on their individual self-interest. Thus a retired fighter jock who disagrees with many aspects of Canadian policy re: defence, especially fighter jets, and veterans will vote Liberal; no problem; he's being consistent with the generally accepted political model.

The CPC hopes that they can craft policies that best (at least better) serve the self interest of millions of suburban voters in and around Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, London, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver ~ there's a whole helluva lot more of them than are disgruntled ex-military folks.

 

[cryco]

You left out suburban voters in Montreal as well. They have pulled me free of the liberal netting I was caught in all my life and running straight for the conservatives.
Self interest is a great part of my equation. I can't say I'm informed enough to vote for the nation's best interest where the military is concerned, employment, healthcare, etc...

 

[Cloud Cover]

To be honest, if Mulclair was the leader of the Liberal or the Conservative party [and he really could lead either one] I would vote for that party. The guy has his **** together. He would fire people until ships get built and planes get delivered. He is not a large management fan, look how small his own circle is. There would be pipelines built because pipelines mean blue collar jobs that pay a lot of taxes to support Indians and environmental causes. Wood that is cut in Canada would be milled in Canada. Cheap, poisonous Chinese junk will not make it off the docks. Our population would grow because having children will not be the financial burden that it currently is. Yes, personal income taxes will rise slightly for some, quite a bit for others. Corporations will be held to account and respect the rule of law, as they currently are not held to a decent standard commensurate with a responsible country. 

He certainly understands and would improve the annoying pocket book issues of Canadians in the private economy [bank fees, surcharges, admin charges etc].

As leader of the NDP, he is not able to stare down the unions. As leader of the Libs or the CPC he could do that and gain a lot of taxpayer respect, in the meantime JT needs to pander and Harper needs to grovel. He is much smarter and more politically savvy than the combined egghead quotient of the party apparatus of the liberals and NDP. He is a frustrated man with the party he currently leads. He could do better elsewhere.

edit to say: CPC will not be getting my vote again unless serious changes occur in very short order, which is highly unlikely.

 

[jollyjacktar]

I agree that he is running the wrong party for my tastes.  He would be my choice if he were a CPC or Lib for sure.  As it stands, I am thinking of this might be the first time I don't vote through choice not lack of opportunity.

 

[Kat Stevens]

The NDP has a long standing record of good leaders in a shit party with loony policies.  Ed Broadbent would have kicked anyone's butt if he were in a less scatty party.

 

[cryco]

what is it about that party that attracts such great leaders? The savior complex?