Yay!

It's ELECTION DAY here in The Great White North, and I can tell you that the Canadian political landscape will never be the same!

The Liberals (LIB), falling rapidly in the polls, are close to being overtaken by the New Democratic Party (NDP), but the Conservatives (CON) are currently the front-runners in the hours leading up to the close of the polls. The Bloq Quebecois (BLQ) are bring up the rear with the Green Party (GRN) and The Marijuana Party (THC) bringing up the rear trailing by a great deal.

Here's what I'm afraid is going to happen --> The CONs will win a moajority government, taking 167 seats in the 332 seat Parliament:

In a move to erase the LIB tax cut (dropping the lowest tax rate for the bottom bracket from 16%-15%), the CONs will drop the GST 1% to 6% and then try to RAISE taxes (this has been their stated plan all along, but no-one has paid any attention to it). If the CONs win a majority government, it WILL happen, whether we like it or not. Corporations will still get their tax cuts, which helps the little guy (like me) not at all, the income tax rate for the lowers bracket will go back up to 16%, and as a matter of fact, we can expect to see taxes go up as much as 6% in the next 5 years. Additionally, you can watch gay marriage and same-sex rights go out the window if Harper and the CONs come to power. I don't know if anyone recalls this, but he was involved with Preston Manning's Reform party before they became the Conservative Alliance Party of Canada...Yeah, those right wing nutbars from Alberta and parts West. The more likely result is that the CONs will win a minority government taking less than 166 seats, and have to make strategic alliances to ensure that they remain in power.

The NDP will hold the LIB tax line (lowest to 15%) but not introduce any more tax cuts, while at the same time beefing up spending on health care and social programs while gutting the mililtary to balance the budget. Johnny Frontline and his soldier buddies wno't be getting new boots for a while, and as for fresh BVDs? Wash 'em in the desert sand boys, ain't no relief coming from Ottawa if the NDP win. They are the outside dark horse to take this election and look to be the official oppositi

The LIBs will do what they have always done. Renege on promises.
Sure, they cut the lowest tax bracket rate to 15%, but that doesn't help me. I'm in the 26% range right now, and knowing my luck I'll be in the 33% bracket before I know it. Supposedly, however, they are going to be lowering taxes across the board over the course of the next 5 years, so the bracket I'm in will drop to around 22% (or 29% if I'm really unlucky). Of course, that's if they can get the measures passed through Parliament without another no confidence vote (if they win).

The BLQ are an outside shot at best. Being a regional partyu (in Quebec only) they ahve no chance of winning power, but do stand a chance at being part of the Official Opposition. Good luck to them.

Remember: Go out and VOTE. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about the crappiness of the government!