I can't believe Jack's gone...

Honourable Jack Layton, 1950-2011


It is a sad day for Canada, as Jack Layton was one of the most rooted, devoted and passionate politicians Canadians have seen in a long time. Regardless of whether you agreed with Layton's politics, his tireless efforts on behalf of regular people were to be deeply admired, and his recent breakthrough in Quebec was nothing short of revolutionary.

In the tradition of Tommy Douglas and Ed Broadbent, you served your country well, Brotherman.

We would be remiss if we did not take this opportunity to state that NOW is the time to consolidate Jack's gains made in recent months and years, and the only way to do this is for all politically progressive Canadians to demand a merger of the New Democratic Party of Canada and the Green Party of Canada.

If PEI can arrange this union at the provincial level initially, then Prince Edward Island will not only be the Birthplace of Canadian Federation, but also the inspiration for Canada's renewal.

Charlottetown Calling... to the far away towns!

Time for Layton and May to have a chat

NDP and Greens see Justin Trudeau on horizon

With the son of Pierre Elliott Trudeau set to lead the federal Liberal Party of Canada out of electoral wilderness, there will no longer be a Dion or Ignatieff to kick around. As a way of consolidating momentum and ensuring that there is plenty of time for a fair and equitable union of the New Democratic Party of Canada and the Green Party of Canada (creating the Green Democratic Party of Canada), followed by an equal or greater amount of time to prepare for an election and ascension to a position of governance, it would be ideal if merger talks could begin this summer, at the national and provincial levels.

If you like losing, consider yourself nothing more than a gadfly in the political process, and enjoy being governed by Conservatives, please ignore the wisdom in this post.

Greens in Canada; NOW is the time for strategic voting

ALL aboard the NDP Express

The surge in popularity of Jack Layton and the NDP party in Quebec and across Canada is a sign of hope in a beleaguered nation. Certainly we don't have troubles on the scale of our American friends and countries far worse off than us, however the "relative strength" excuse masks real pain and suffering in Canada and shortchanges the potential of the nation with the greatest per capita wealth of any country on Earth.

You don't agree that Canada is wealthiest, overall? I'm not just talking about money, but everything that is important to humanity. Starting with material wealth and moving further into complex areas of freedoms and rights, what other nation can match Canada's net total for:

- land per capita
- energy resources per capita
- gold per capita
- wood products per capita
- autos / roads / bridges per capita
- telephones per capita
- computers per capita
- televisions per capita
- doctors / hospitals per capita
- food production per capita
- schools per capita
- fresh air per capita
- free press per capita
- freedom of religion per capita
- rule of law / equality before the law, per capita

Our rights and freedoms stretch from sea to shining sea, and our deep, profound responsibilities wrap themselves completely around the globe, encircling this spinning ball of blue, green and brown fun with hope and inspiration, a yearning for what could be, if only there were an opportunity.

Greens in Canada must examine their local race closely, and if the NDP has a shot and the Greens don't, this will be the election to partner with our Quebecois friends and vote for change. It is a FACT that the NDP has greener policies than the Conservatives or Liberals, by a wide margin, so voting NDP is not choosing a lesser evil, but rather a greater good.

If your Green candidate has any chance of being elected, by all means stay on board, however if that is not the case, then voting NDP still provides a vote for for social change, with the bonus kicker that this time, in the revolutionary year of 2011, Canadian progressives may play a significant role in governing the nation for the next few years, or more.

We'll be fully investigating the benefits of a merger of the NDP and the Green Party after the election, yet for now our best option is to roll with the train that is leaving the station.

All aboard!

Canadian Dream: Sustainable Economy AND Greener Environment

There are two major problems with the shallow, toxic consumer society being fostered upon citizens by multinational corporate giants:

A) Destruction of Earth - Unsustainable industrial activity destroys the very foundations of our food, water and air, and the Green Party has been and is best at addressing these accelerating ecological issues.

and

B) Destruction of Equity - Unsustainable corporate pay scales (plus lack of re-investment, shareholder dividends) destroy our towns and communities by paying workers a less than liveable wage, and diverting dividends and re-investment dollars into extreme executive compensation. The New Democratic Party has been and is the best at addressing these deepening social issues.


It would seem both prudent and wise for all of us to work hard and expedite this merger of the two progressive political forces in Canada. We have been the gadfly long enough, and it is now time to take the reins of power.


Ladies: The Age of Civil Disobedience and Nonviolence is here

Sisters and Mothers, Daughters and Grand-daughters: When you are certain of what you want, take your pots and pans to the busiest intersection in your town or city. These tactics have been successful in previous suffrage and human rights movements.

In the context of the proposed forthcoming merger of the New Democratic Party and the Green Party in Canada, I will proclaim that the initiative will gather momentum and breathe life and energy into the Canadian political landscape, and this will occur because female NDPer's and Greens will form an unbreakable bond and convince their families and friends to support the new major political force in Canada, the Green Democratic Party.



2011 elections, vote strategically; 2012 and beyond, Unite!

As we are now in the thick of a federal election, and with a provincial election scheduled for Ontario this Autumn, in the near-term everyone would be best to consider strategic voting as a temporary tactic. Here are a few links to help you decide who to support:


Join the New Democratic Party of Canada

Donate online to the NDP Party in Canada

Join and/or make online donation to Green Party of Canada