"If you want a progressive [member of Parliament], a New Democrat, one who will fight for change, then you have to vote New Democrat. It's that simple. In order to have the Canada you want, you have to vote for the Canada you want."
-Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada
Two days ago, I became a card-carrying member of the New Democratic Party. If you lived in Canada, you'd probably love the NDP. They're quite a bit more liberal than the, well,
Liberal Party, and considerably more trustworthy as well. Unfortunately, they've never won a federal election, and most people agree that they don't have a shot in hell of ever doing that. Who knows why? Maybe Canadians are dumber than everyone believed.
Anyway, when I got the membership card, I got another card stating the NDP's principles. They called it a "Statement of Principles". Why don't I read it out for you?
· Our society must change from one based on competition to one based on cooperation.
· We wish to create a society where individuals give according to their abilities, and receive according to their needs.
· We believe present human endeavours must become environmentally sound in order to ensure that future generations may have access to an abundant and diverse biosphere.
· Our commitment to the electorate is to be fortright about our long-range goals as well as practical about our short-term political activities.
· Our purpose as a movement is to foster social change toward a more cooperative society. Our purpose as a political party is to develop a public mandate for that social change through giving individuals greater control in the economy, their workplace, and their community.
· Our actions and words must reflect our fundamental faith in the capacity of people to live cooperatively and to work for the betterment of all.
Sounds like a good party platform to me. But doesn't it sound a little . . . familiar? Where have I heard this all before?
Oh, yeah. It's the platform the Republican Party has been trying to pass off as its own. Never mind.