I slept in to 10 AM. This is probably the first time this has happened since the 1980s, so if this the result of election calls -- BRING IT ON, BABY!

Election coverage, too! What won't GenX40 do to get my vote for blog of the year?!?!

We do cheese trays and shrimp rings as well.

I am an American from upstate NY and regularly vacation near Kingston every summer. Two summers ago, I was in Canada during the run-up to the last election. I got hooked. My family got very unnerved when I started talking about who was favored in the Grenville Leeds riding (where our cabin was) and the effects of the sponsorship scandal on the Liberals.

I still need some basic information to follow this new election. My main question, what's the difference between the Liberals, NDP and the Greens? American lefties like myself salivate over Canadian politics--Three left-wing parties? We don't really have any. In America, we would jump on the Liberal bandwagon and hold on for dear life.

Great Question, Phil. All these parties are likely even to the left of the US Green party under Ralph Nader in one sense but also to the right of the no tax and spend, spend, spend Bush administration. But, if we are honest, the Conservative Party of Canada may be that far left of the US parties as well. Here is my quick take:<ul><li>The Liberals are the party now of business and soft leftists. They are not supported by unions really but they do support nationalized health care. Their biggest claim to fame is killing off the deficit for something like a decade now and paying back against the debt. It will be a 50 year job but they have put the Federal government on the right track. The downside is their "right to rule" policy and their ability to convince the largest number of voters and opposition parties as well to agree with them. I know a member of the Liberal cabinet, am related to another and a Dad of a college acquaintance is another so I do not see them as two dimensional evil liars. I think we have done well under them though they have done some very bad things especially the sponshorship scandle. Some would disagree with me which is fine.</li><p><li>The NDP is my traditional party of choice. Generally supported by unions and Ithaca-style hacky-sacky leftist, they are also the party of some of the greatest Parliamentarians we have seen like Stanley Knowles as well as the retired as of today Ed Broadbent. They are the moral backbone of the nation as the majority of Canadians do want better nationalized health care. They have also (like the Liberals <i>and</i> the Conservatives) moved from seriously considering debt financing. Many cornerstone policies of the country started with the NDP or its predecessors. The West of Canada is full of raging NDPers except where it is full of raging conservatives and they may pick up many seats out there.</li><p><li>The Greens are new and never have gained a seat but have strength including here in Kingston. They are somewhat more conservative than the NDP fiscally and say they have a different focus, with the environment being their key component. I have voted for them twice while living in PEI as they had the only candidates I could listen to with a straight face. They may well get a seat in BC and then bang the Kyoto drum louder and harder than we have seen before in the Canadian Parliament. This will be their first election campaign with decent funding due to their 4-5% showing last time.</li></ul>That is just a short comparison. Have a look at their website and ask any questions you may have.

Nice Try, Al.

<ul>
<li>
The Liberals have no ideology per se, except to stay in power, increase that power and judicially syphon off the benefits of that for the old establishment. They are confused with being left because they're giving away things to "poor" people and they're confused with being "pro business" because they work to cement the status quo -- sort of a European model social fascism. The Liberals are massively favored by immigrants because they know some day they'll bring you're sick Mom here from Guyana to be treated by Canadian taxpayers. Ontarians vote Liberal, because to the man and women, we're morons.

<li>
The NDPer comes in two major types: the "oi kick yer face in for ya gov" type and the trustfundarian. The first group is diminishing in power as there really isn't that many poor white Canadians to draw in. The second group, the trustfundarians, are the backbone of NDP power (such as it is). Having learnt nothing from the 20th century, they believe that having a post-graduate education and having sat around at Starbucks agreeing with each other about what needs to be done gives them the right to order others about and generally have lesser minds obey them. NDPers rarely care about non-whites and are rarely joined by non-whites (unless of the oreo- or banana- variety) as they believe rights flow from race; thus, they are consumed by issues of little consequence to immigrants/Canadians of non-pallor. Union _members_ rarely vote NDP, as the Liberals are much better at handing out the goodies and there's little danger of them taxing you so much you can't afford the F350 anymore. Political university students are nominally NDP but rarely have the numbers or energy to make a difference.

<li>
The Greens are an old school, mid-20th century religious party pushing Gaianism, plus a mish mash of policies from across the spectrum. If they ever become a threat to the NDP base, they will be consumed by the trustfundarians.
</ul>

See, there are always plenty of views on that which is.

In fairness, I should describe the CCP:

<ul>
<li>
The Conservatives are primarily old men, people planning or looking forward to be old men, and people who like old men. Though they are thought of -- even by themselves -- as "right wing", in reality they will adopt any policy to the right of Trotskyism if it lets them accomplish their primary objective: controlling the nation's genitalia. 80% of policy announcements during this election by the CCP will concern the use and maintenance of genitalia. They are also against handouts to business and/or citizens (aka (corporate) welfare bums) unless those businesses and/or citizens are hardworking prairie farms and/or farmers.

</ul>

If you could help Nils to understanding using a similar analysis and format you might be able to clear up the whole PEI rotton borough or Disneyland debate as well, David.

Reading that again, I am truly impressed with the accuracy of all that is written above and would be surprised if I did not know I was reading the words of a Newfoundlander.

As told to me by my American cousin(not something I necessarily agree with, but it did make me chuckle);

"Well, to put Canadian politics in terms of American:

NDP = Communist party
Liberal (Paul Martin's) = Democratic Party
Bloc Quebecois = Hugo Chavez's party
Conservative Alliance = Gay Republicans (NTTAWWT)"

*NTTAWWT - "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"

See! Harper vows free vote on gay marriage.

While I wish all parties and candidates well, it would be nice if candidates started with issues which would not wipe 4% off their polling on day one.