A Progressive Dilemma.

I AM a dyed in the wool member of the Liberal Party of Canada. This isn’t news, but it bares mentioning as I have recently stopped donating to the Liberals and instead started donating to the NDP.

Why would a partisan abandon his team?

A few things have stood out for me recently…

1. The Liberals have offered tax cuts to compete with the Conservative tax relief (Income-splitting for parents). This is beating the Conservatives at “their own game.”
2. The Liberals have offered no creditable early child care alternative except an enriched child benefit similar in principle to the Conservative proposal. Can you say Conservative Lite?
3. The Liberals voted for C-51 (The Conservative anti-terrorism legislation). I agreed with these measures in the heat of the attack on Ottawa, but sober second thought has made me realize that we are surrendering essential civil rights without a commensurate assurance of real personal security.

On all of these fronts, the NDP has been unambiguous in its opposition to the agenda of the Harper government. At the same time, the NDP won a decisive victory in the Alberta provincial election. Just because the dippers have not been given the reigns of government before does not disqualify them from taking it in the future — despite what the Liberal machine would make you believe.

So? Which party best represents policies sufficiently different from the Conservatives and has the best chance of winning in the next election?

I’m torn.

One day ago, I would have said the NDP deserves all progressive voters unambiguous support. Then today, the party announced they would roll back the Canada Post mandate to eliminate door to door delivery for all Canadians. What cheap pandering! Community mailboxes have been a reality for everyone who has lived in a neighborhood built since the late 80's. What’s so magical about living in a neighborhood that existed prior to endow the resident with a special right to direct delivery? Nothing! This is a reasonable alignment of services.

This postage issue may appear trivial, but it illustrates something very profound. The NDP isn’t above appealing to base politics to win. In the end, they are party of principle as much as the Conservatives or the Liberals.

What should I do? I live in a riding that has no danger of falling to the Conservatives? Do I support the Liberals or the NDP? Maybe the Greens are worthy of consideration?