Getting involved…
Okay, so I was inspired to voice my opinion to the powers that be. Here is a copy of a letter that I sent variations of to Lee Richardson, my MP, Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, Stephan Dion, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP, Michelle Jean, the Governor General, and CBC.
I don’t know if it’s overkill, or whatever, but I feel good having sent it.
For the record, I included most of my previous post ver batum in this letter.
To whom it may concern,
The talk of a coalition government in Ottawa is preposterous.
I am a second year University student in Calgary, and I had the pleasure of voting in a federal election for the first time. The excitement of following politics was exhilarating, and though the candidate I voted for did not win, I am proud to have been among the 58% of Canadians that cast their vote on October 14th.
While in October I had hoped to see the headlines announcing “Prime Minister Dion”, to see that headline in December would make me sick. In these times of economic instability, the last thing Canadians need is political instability.
In short, I hope the coalition doesn’t happen.
The opposition claims the Conservatives aren’t addressing the economy. That it lacks a stimulus package. But I’ve read their policy (available at http://www.fin.gc.ca/ec2008/ec-eng.html ), and it would, in fact, act as a stimulus package for the economy. They’re just not calling it a stimulus package. Because if you tell your economy, “I’m giving you a stimulus package”, it sends the message that your economy is so bad that it needs a stimulus package. When people think the economy is bad, they don’t spend money, and the economy becomes bad. It is a self fulfilling prophecy.
Instead, the conservatives want to cut taxes by 31 billion dollars, which will effectively add 31 billion dollars into the pockets of spenders. Which is good for the economy. In fact, it’s the equivalent of a 31 billion dollar “stimulus package.” Well, 30.973 billion now that they’re reinstating the party subsidies.
The liberals, et al. would like to provide a 3 billion dollar stimulus package.
And I don’t know what they want to do to taxes.
This talk of a coalition is ridiculous, and it’s an abuse of an archaic loophole last used in 1926. In fact, that’s the only time it’s been used.
The conservatives need 9 votes for their budget to pass. I hope that 9 MPs vote against their parties to keep the government in, because in times of economic instability, the last thing Canadians need as a nation is political instability.
Before a vote of non-confidence, I think the Conservatives deserve a chance to propose a budget that is acceptable to the country. If it means proroguing parliament to have time to do so, then that’s how it has to be. If the opposition plans on voting the budget down, I think the budget needs to be addressed point by point to determine what exactly the problem with it is. I think the voters deserve some hard work from both sides of this issue to prevent turning the government upside down.
If there is no effort to work together, then this coalition will appear to be an obvious, partisan, inappropriate, and not only anti-Conservative, but anti Canadian undermining of the system.
I hope my voice is heard, and that Canadians are given the government we deserve.
Sincerely,
Kevin Leitch
Anyway, i kind of got a rush writing this, and I wish I didn’t have assignments to work on and exams to study for, because I really could’ve given this some more time and effort. But, alas, the life of a student doesn’t always allow for time to sink into writing the best letter to your politicians. So, I hope this one got my message across.
