This online gem allows you to plug in a postal code and receive an analysis of whether your riding needs the boost of strategic voting to oust Harper's Conservatives, or whether the riding is so firmly ABC* that you can vote your heart.
Personally, I'm an avid ABC-ist, to the point that Jack Layton's ads make me cringe. The NDP will never form a national government, and when they try, and I mean alienate-CAW-and-demonize-Dion try, they practically guarantee vote-splitting and a resulting Conservative win. Unless you own stock in sweater-vests, this is bad.
So, why do I dislike Harper? It's not just because I'm generally a pro-choice, pro-same-sex-marriage, pro-social programs lefty. I didn't agree with the old Progressive Conservatives, but I didn't dislike them.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has released The Harper Record, a look at some of our great leader's moves since he's been in office. The Scandalpedia is also an excellent reminder of why we need a change in government.
For a look at the Harper Conservatives' less-then-stellar economic record, check out this article from CUPE.
Personally I'm horrified that a man/cabinet/party which tried to subvert the Constitution might become Prime Minister again. Even after a succession of courts ruled that same-sex marriage was covered by the Charter, Harper's party put forward a motion--thankfully, defeated--to re-open the issue, and re-instate the law making same-sex marriage illegal.
In fact, the election itself has been called in defiance of Harper's own law setting a fixed election date for next year!
So, to recap: Harper is a liar and a hypocrite. He's anti-arts, anti-environment, anti-women's rights, anti-human rights, and anti-rule of law. Even if he were going to save us all a few hundred a year in taxes--which he is NOT--it would hardly be worth the risk of losing the rights and protections for which stand.
* Anything But Conservative. Also check out:
http://www.anyonebutharper.ca/
The Straight slate to stop Stephen Harper
