To my regular readers (assuming I have any), you might find this post isn't of interest you, it's about the Canadian federal election.
I've been a Red Tory (fiscal conservative and socially liberal) all my life. In previous federal elections I voted Progressive Conservative. I've even worked on an election and leadership campaign for the party. So when this election was called, naturally I looked at the merged Alliance/PC party as my first choice.
However after hearing comments from various members:
- Rob Merrifield called for third party counselling for women who want to terminate a pregnancy
- Cheryl Gallant on recent amendments to Bill C-250 "The danger in having sexual orientation listed, is that encompasses, for example, pedophiles. I believe that the caucus as a whole would like to see it repealed."
I've begun to wonder if the new Conservative party has a hidden socially conservative agenda. So I decided to ask my Conservative candidate (Ottawa-Centre) Mike Murphy how he would vote on the following issues (assuming a free vote):
- Abortion - If the changes Mr Merrifield proposed were turned into legislation.
- Joint operations with Americans - if the American's ask us to send troops somewhere without UN approval (or a widespread international consensus).
- Gay Marriage - if the "Not Withstanding" clause of the constitution was invoked to ban gay marriage.
- Decriminalization of Marijuana - if the previous bill were reintroduced.
I sent Mike an email on Monday June 7, a follow-up on Wednesday and called his campaign office on Thursday. So far no reply. Apparently, Mike is not interested enough in my vote to call me back. I guess its time to shop for a new party.
Mike you had your chance and blew it.
A followup was posted Mike Murphy replies
Update: Keith suggested in my comments, I ask the other candidates how they would vote. Its not really relevant, we know that the Liberal party views (1. Not interested in legislation, 2. Didn't send troops to Iraq, 3. They will respect the constitution, 4. They were the ones decriminalizing it). Ed Braodbent of the NDP holds views that are even further to the left.
Update: I'm honoured that 64.230.72.227 took the time to accuse me of being a liberal party hack. Its too bad you don't have the courage and honesty to say who you are. You certainly know who I am. All I can tell is that you use Sympatico, that you're in Ottawa and you're modem was on the internet as HSE-Ottawa-ppp236396.sympatico.ca. As for your charge, I'm not a Liberal party hack. I worked for Helen Cooper's election campaign (Kingston) and played a small role in Hugh Segal's leadership campaign. I'm trying to engage in an interesting debate around ideas and all you can do is taunt as if we're back on the school playground. Is this the level that public discourse has descended to?