tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120982399236985142.post4989401112735582064..comments2024-02-07T06:48:23.474-05:00Comments on Sudbury Steve May: Are Jack Layton and the NDP Getting Ready to Sell Out Their Values in a Cynical Political Game?Sudbury Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03959184192546029807noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120982399236985142.post-48019185444483632932009-10-06T16:27:40.762-04:002009-10-06T16:27:40.762-04:00If Jack Layton didn't prop up the Harper gover...If Jack Layton didn't prop up the Harper government to get concessions on EI, we would be headed towards a Conservative majority government as we speak. As long as Harper is willing to bend in a minority parliament, the non-Conservative agenda can move forward. Unlike the Liberals, at least the NDP were able to get something for their support. It's far better than the alternative: four years of unopposed Conservative majority rule.Chris KNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14954696074083093304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120982399236985142.post-11211890082434805422009-09-16T22:09:50.376-04:002009-09-16T22:09:50.376-04:00The question I originally asked, "Are Jack La...The question I originally asked, "Are Jack Layton and the NDP Getting Ready to Sell Out Their Values in a Cynical Political Game?", now appears to have an answer. The Globe & Mail reports that Layton has announced his support for the Conservative government until the EI bill works its way through the House and the Senate (which could take months, especially if the Cons drag it out...although ideally such a bill should be passed quickly so that it can be implemented sooner rather than later).<br /><br />Jack Layton, man of zero principles. <br /><br />Well...good for us. More time to organize, and potentially more ex-NDP supporters looking for a Party to vote for which actually stands for something.Sudbury Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03959184192546029807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120982399236985142.post-76689387161555693732009-09-15T09:36:58.889-04:002009-09-15T09:36:58.889-04:00Well, this is surely going to be an interesting we...Well, this is surely going to be an interesting week. While Jack Layton has apparently begun “dialing down” the election rhetoric, making signs that he is ready and willing to support the Conservatives, it looks like Stephen Harper is busy engineering his own downfall. Whether the other parties are looking to compromise or not, it seems that Harper is really aching to go to the polls again.<br /><br />At this time, I can not find the source from which this information came from (I’ve been reading way too much print media these past few days), but it looks like Harper will be adding an unpalatable “poison pill” to the ways and means bill: a motion of support for moving ahead with free trade with Columbia. While the bill itself will not enact free trade, by having to vote to support the notion of free trade with Columbia, it is expected that many New Democrats and Blocquists will be forced to vote against the ways and means bill. The problem is that many in parliament do not support Canadian free trade with Columbia, given Columbia’s appalling record on human rights.<br /><br />So, what Stephen Harper gives with one hand, he takes away with the others. New Democrats will find themselves in a very awkward position on Friday. How far will they go to keep this parliament alive? How many of their own principles are they willing to compromise?<br /><br />Maybe slick Jack Layton will prove to be made of sterner stuff than I think he is. Or perhaps he’ll have a caucus rebellion on his hands.<br /><br />Either way, reports of an election being put off for now are completely premature. Harper wants to go to the polls. He can smell his majority. He’s playing puppet-master, and is doing a pretty good job of it. Let’s see if Jack dances.Sudbury Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03959184192546029807noreply@blogger.com