Comments on: Gary Doer’s Manitoba

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:13:44 +0000

I didn’t know that Doer had been cowtowing to big business, but I’m not surprised. The NDP was a vehicle for social democracy in the 60’s-80’s, but all over this country, the NDP is just no longer the appropriate vessel for leftists of a socialist nature. Only the NDP in B.C. maintain the colours of a true socially democratic party. I liked the exclaimation of one political science professor at my school who called the NDP “neo-liberal lite.” Brillian, because they continue to advocate capitalism and working completely in a neo-liberal framwork. I hate not having a party that represents my beliefs. At least in B.C. that is a social democratic party that stands up for organized labour, the environment and students all in one. Even Layton, to an extent, has maintained his socialist skin, but I sensed in the last election that he was moving to the right. Do we need a new leftist party? I dunno, but if the NDP becomes the new Liberal party, then they either need to be kicked back in the right direction, or we need to create a new vehicle for our political selves.

By: Andrew MacIsaac

Andrew MacIsaac — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:44:45 +0000

I worked for the NDP during the recent election camapign, canvassing for a variety of different candidates 7 days a week. I truly believe that it was necessary to support the NDP. However, there absolutely must be a critical voice.

If activists communities play dead during NDP stints in power out of fear of the Conservatives then the NDP will simply capitulate to Big Business.

Every candidate I worked for had a heart of gold and you knew they wanted to make great social progress in their communities. However, in our "globalized" capitalist economies governments are held at knife point to do what their hostage takers say or else...the or else in this case is lack of investment, capital flight, job losses, massive and aggressive negative campaigns laucnhed by business lobby groups during elections, etc...

I agree Gary has not a socialist bone in his body. But even if Manitoba did have a socialist premier in every true sense, she would still have to contend with the undemocratic pressures and threats whispered (and occassionally yelled) by big business.

I believe in agitation of the NDP, hand in hand with criticism of the Tuxedo Tories. The real villain here are the capitalist lobby groups and chambers of commerce that threaten governments and elected leaders. We need to show working clas solidarity, activism, and militancy that the government can stand with.

By: Vernon Snidal

Vernon Snidal — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 20:20:35 +0000

I think he has done well for manitoba, you have to take the good with the bad.

By: Rick Battams

Rick Battams — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 19:58:18 +0000

I just didn’t know anything about Gary Doer. As informative as The Toronto Star, which I read, is, there’s tons of information about my country that never comes out. Information that caring Canadians need. Thanks to the author for this informative article. Thanks to CD for staying on the lonely job. It’s so refreshing to find a group of Canadians who say the word ‘capitalism’, who think about it and it’s negative effects and who are not worn down over the years by the indifference of others. I say the word a lot myself. But I fear that I’m not educated enough and, in all instances, informed enough to make my voice a positive contribution to the push to get rid of social injustice and bring about a system that works for everyone. I fear that I might hurt that effort. I keep yapping though. I just don’t what else to do.

By: Abe Rosner

Abe Rosner — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 05:41:32 +0000

Thank you, Cy, and keep up the good fight.