New Ideas of the Old NDP

Since I did comment that people are focusing on the NDP name-change policy that will never happen, I have taken it upon myself to, as a favour to the NDP, raise awareness of some other worthwhile policies being debated this weekend at their convention.

Here are some of the highlights, obtained via the NDP mole:


3-67-09 Decriminalizing Recreation Drug Use

BE IT RESOLVED THAT in recognition that the criminalization of the production and use of recreational drugs is socially destructive, the New Democratic Party of Canada will use its political influence in every available forum to begin the process of decriminalizing the production and use of recreational drugs, beginning with the decriminalization of the production and use of marijuana.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada recognizes that issues around drug use are best treated as public health issues.

Ottawa Centre (Riding of NDP MP, Paul Dewar)

This policy shows a rare amount of pragmatism on the part of the NDP. After all, increased recreational drug use among voters is more likely to increase NDP support than a name change ever would.


1-30-09 Democratic Management of Banks & Insurance Companies

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following be added to Section 1.8 of the Policy booklet:

The New Democratic Party of Canada will actively campaign for nationalization of the big five Canadian banks and major insurance companies (including life, home and auto insurance firms), to be operated under public democratic control, with compensation to the former owners in the form of low-interest, long-term bonds; and that democratic management be exercised by an elected council of bank workers, consumers, small business folk, family farmers and the labour movement as a whole.

Thornhill

Nationalizing the banks isn't too shocking by NDP standards. But what I really like about this policy is that the banks would be run by an elected council that includes bank workers, consumers, family farmers, small business folk, and the labour movement. I think watching farmers and small business folk sitting around a table trying to run Canada's five major banks would make for one heck of a reality TV show.



1-31-09 Guaranteeing Domestic Supply and Management of Energy

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following be added to Section 1.2 of the Policy
booklet:

The New Democratic Party of Canada will actively campaign for nationalization of the energy industry, under workers' and community control, to guarantee domestic supply and to furnish the basis to rebuild industry, and to create hundreds of thousands of jobs, especially in renewable energy and mass public transit.

Thornhill

I really think Linda Duncan should take the lead on this one...



5-34-09 Repealing the Clarity Act

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada actively campaign for repeal of the Clarity Act.

Davenport

What an insane idea from a wing nut NDP member that Jack Layton would never consider...what? Oh yeah...forgot about that...



7-26-09 Exploring Merger with Other Political Party

BE IT RESOLVED THAT if this reporting process indicates that the party members and riding associations are open to the possibility of such a merger, the federal party should initiate discussions with the Green Party of Canada to consider a merger of the two parties, possibly beginning with an agreement to work together in an electoral alliance or partnership in the next federal election.

New Brunswick Southwest

Well, now that Elizabeth May has picked Saanich to run in, the Dippers could help out by re-nominating Julian West.


6-29-09 Measures to Ensure News Organizations Serve Public Interest

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following be added to Section 6.8:

Legislation ensuring that media are separated from the corporate world through a form of trust with primary responsibility to report and comment in the public interest.

Winnipeg North (Riding of NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis)

I don't know about you, but I believe it's in the public interest for the media to report and comment on these policies...

Taxe sur toutes les choses

A shocking new poll out today:

The Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey indicates that 30 per cent of respondents nationwide are less likely to vote Liberal in the next election as a result of the party leader's reflections on taxes last week; only 16 per cent are more likely to support the Grits.

The damage was most pronounced in Atlantic Canada and British Columbia, where 44 per cent and 40 per cent respectively were less likely to vote Liberal.

However, the poll suggests Ignatieff's tax talk went down well in Quebec, where 29 per cent of respondents were more likely to vote Liberal and only 10 per cent less likely.

Yes, who would have thought when you asked people if Ignatieff raising their taxes would make them more likely to vote for Liberal, they'd say "uhh...duh...no".Well, except in Quebec where by a 3 to 1 ratio they said it made them more likely to vote for Ignatieff.

There's only one conclusion to be reached from this: it is imperative that the Liberal Party promise to tax Quebecers in the next election. I would suggest a 2% sales tax to be applied only in La Belle Province.

Hell, use the money to bail out the oil sands and this could prove to be a vote winner in both Quebec and the West...