January 26, 2004

Ed Broadbent, MP

It was all a rather dull day until I got the news in my inbox. Ed Broadbent has won the NDP nomination to run in the Ottawa Centre riding for Canada's next federal election to be held sometime this spring. This is indeed great news on many fronts. First for people of Ottawa Centre who will have a member of Parliament with 21 years of experience, impeccable credentials and a team that will be second to none. Second for all Canadians who have missed the presence of a strong progressive voice in their federal politics over the past decade or so and now with Ed onboard and Jack Layton at the helm, may get the opportunity to bring some balance to what has been a government of right, with extreme-right as opposition. Lastly for NDP members and activists, plus all others who have struggled for so long to keep the principals and values of a great nation alive under the most severe attacks by the forces of money and power, and will now probably get an opportunity to see the fruits of their effort.

Although I didn't have the honour to work closely with Ed and ran for the party after his leadership tenure had ended, I have had the pleasure of meeting him on several occasions, attend various functions and participate in discussions with him involved. He has never failed to impress me and I am sure he will continue to amaze other Canadians as well, the way he did for so many years. A prominent political opponent once pulled me aside in a public function to say despite his qualms with our message, he felt Ed was perhaps the best Prime Minister Canada never had. He certainly was and will be again one of the best Members of Parliament we have ever had and after this spring may be a big part of the official opposition. Go Ed, Go!

Posted by Pedram at January 26, 2004 11:25 PM
Comments

Pedram,

With all due respect, I have to disagree with you on some of your comments. A government that is fiscally responsible can't be simply brushed off as "government of right". What the Liberals did was paying down the debts that is accumulated by extensive social programs. How did they do it? They cut back their spendings, of course. What else could they have done it? Or maybe you think paying down debt is something that only "a government of right" does? Let me put it is a different perspective. I don't think a family that adds its credit card debt to live life is financially sane. We shouldn't live beyond our means! We gotta be realistic. We don't live in a world of dreams. It costs to spend, and money doesn't grow on trees. It is a limited resource.

I am sounding like a Liberal apologist!!! But how a government with Chretien at its head could be regarded as "government of right" when even Blaike asserted that Chretien would have made a good NDP member? They were quite progressive in many social matters.

Having said all of these, I have a deep respect for NDP leader. That's why I am gonna find an answer from NDP for a question that popped up in my head after Jack Layton took part in an open-line radio show in Ottawa. He never answered by email. Are you interested in taking this question?

Posted by: WhoMan at January 27, 2004 06:40 AM

Typos and mistakes:

"Let me put it is a different perspective. I don't think a family that adds its credit card debt to live life is financially sane." -->

"Let me put it in a different perspective. I don't think a family that adds its credit card debt to live life is financially rational."

Posted by: WhoMan at January 27, 2004 06:43 AM

Well I am not opposed to debt reduction, but when it comes at the sacrifice of our health care, our education, and our social programs that is when I have a problem. The real problem however is that while Paul Martin was Finance Minister, time and time again he gave billions of dollars of tax cuts to big corporations, while and the same time hacking and slashing at out social programs. The Prime Minister has time and time again chosen his corporate friends over the needs of everyday canadians, and that will continue. In my opinion a government who chooses tax cuts over investment in our communities, and health care and social programs, is a government of the right. Now all the center-left cabinet ministers have been stripped of their positions and have been replaced by center-RIGHT Martin lackeys. Jack is a great leader and will lead a great opposition after the next election.

Posted by: Jesse Hoffman at February 4, 2004 04:15 PM

So now the discussion boils down to whether the purpose of the corporate tax cuts has been pleasing some friends or stimulating the economy.

Posted by: WhoMan at February 9, 2004 07:36 AM