Green Support Surging!



 
Source: http://paulmanly.greenparty.ca/content/conservatives-are-about-be-pummelled-bc-voters-greens-surge-vancouver-island

As a former political candidate I, of course, monitor what is going on politically. Not only does this personally interest me, I am also aware that just one change in policy by some government can wipe out all that I have done to improve our environment, the quality of life, the economy, and our collective future.

I have been aware for some time that here on Vancouver Island (and spreading across Canada to some extent) there is a sea-shift going on. Both the provincial and federal Green Party's are being taken far more seriously. They are capturing the imaginations of many who have not voted for some time (if ever). Elizabeth May and Andrew Weaver have proven this because there the voter turnouts were extremely high. What’s more, many who have voted for other parties are now seriously considering voting Green.

I have heard so many people fearfully saying that they are afraid of “splitting the vote” and thereby letting the current government win again. This is now far from certain due to the growing distaste of Stephen Harper by even strong Conservatives (for some very good reasons). But here on V.I. and the lower mainland electing Conservative MP's are virtually not possible. Today a poll confirms what many of us who have been door knocking already know: especially here on the Island it is firmly a two-way race between the NDP and Greens. In fact, the Green support is fully double that of the Conservatives!

Another recent poll shows that well over half the population is considering voting Green:
http://www.cheknews.ca/chek-point-vote-green-112892/

My take-away: more people are now aware that we cannot continue on our current path as a nation and a world, and understand that only the Green Party offers solutions that boost the economy (small, local businesses), the environment (phase out fossil fuels and replace them with the economically superior renewable energy and especially energy efficiency measures), enjoy local representation(Green MP’s vote according to the wishes of their constituents, not their party whips),improve health outcomes and a Canada that actually works. Many former Conservatives (including me) have or are switching to Green. Green NDP’ers are as well, knowing that there is really only one true Green Party. And the disenfranchised are getting involved, realising that they have the most power: they represent more votes than were given to ANY party in the last election!

I am glad, as democracy has been on life-support for a while now. Without it we will be no better off than are many other nations on earth with despots running the show. NOW we have hope in a more truly representative government, as Greens may very well be poised to hold the balance of power in a (likely) minority parliament!
Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for commenting on this post. Your comment will be moderated before being posted in order to remove spammers.

Popular posts from this blog

Why the NDP has Failed its Supporters

Image
The New Democratic Party has made a vital contribution to both Canada and British Columbia. Once considered to be the "social conscience" of politics, pushing for more progressive policies that benefit workers and the general population. Our national health care system and other notable services came into existence largely through its initiative. As more of us became aware that we utterly rely on a healthy planetary home, the NDP began to include this in its messaging. Eventually the NDP became a coalition of sorts, bringing together its labour wing with its environmental wing. While its labour wing has always been more important for financial and other reasons, many earth-friendly people supported or voted for the NDP, claiming that voting Green was "splitting the vote." As it turns out this is about as true as believing the earth is flat. But it is a belief that has been propagated by the mainstream parties, especially the sometimes acrimonious members of the NDP.
Read more

Reducing homelessness, increasing livability

Image
Simplistic and populist politicians frequently fail to appreciate the long-term consequences of their platform and thrust. Dropping a stone into a still pond send ripples in every direction. Everything is connected and related to some extent; those who have eyes to see will recognise this truth in human activities. I understand the hardships being experienced by increasing numbers of people in the world due to the inflationary effects of higher fossil fuel costs. The ‘ripples’ from their excessive profits have impacted the price of food (largely grown on oil/gas dependent chemical fertilisers, pesticides and other inputs), oil-dependent transportation, and virtually everything else. Now interest rates are rapidly climbing, further impacting those who have limited incomes. In the same way, cities negatively impact the cost of living (and far more) by being car-centric. The physical space to accommodate the automobile takes up valuable real estate that would otherwise be available for
Read more

A Third Approach to the COVID-19 Pandemic; Diversifying our Options

Image
The issue A tremendous amount of fear and anger are presently being felt and expressed in our society over the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of us are tired of the restrictions, especially the lack of easy physical proximity and/or contact, and all of us want this to be over. Those who will not (or cannot) be vaccinated are concerned about their health. Those who have been vaccinated but fear being infected by the un-vaccinated also fear for their health, and believe that if everyone did accept the vaccine the pandemic would finally end. Health authorities and the province are putting a lot of pressure on the un-vaccinated to get the jab. The un-compliant are experiencing a great deal of shaming and shunning. Some of these have become angry (shame often does that) and/or depressed ; some have become militant, organising marches on hospitals and other public sites. This only enrages the public. The battle lines deepen. Nobody is winning this battle. Let’s step back for a moment here.
Read more