MP voting record

[alcina]

I came across this online tool where you can check the voting record for just about every MP since 2006 -- https://www.votes.mp/.

One of the more interesting things I discovered is that, out of 144 bills, Trudeau voted only 81 times -- ie, 56%. Harper is a little better at 61% (105/173). And Tom Mulcair voted 79% of the time (126/160).

So if you use the University of Toronto grading scale, Trudeau is "marginal," Harper is "adequate,", and Mulcair is "Good: Evidence of grasp of subject matter; some evidence of critical capacity and analytic ability; reasonable understanding of relevant issues; evidence of familiarity with literature."

But of course we all know that Harper cheated.

[laundry_queen]

1. That would make a good political ad against the Liberals

Remeber that Jack Layton comment in the debates in 2011 about Ignatieff's voting record? Something about Justin Trudeau is same old...I think would make a good ad.

Here's that debate clip. Trudeau's not as bad as Iggy with a 70% absentee rate...but still.

[alcina]

2. It really bothers me

that, without the last name, there's not much in Justin Trudeau's history to recommend him for prime minister. I actually like some of what he's saying; but coming from the Liberals, I have zero faith that they'll follow through with the more progressive ideas. Choosing JT as leader was just a cynical and calculated move. I don't believe -- as someone recently said to me -- that this is a "new and more progressive Liberal party."

[laundry_queen]

3. I feel the same way

As someone with a business degree and an interest in economics, I actually like the Liberal economic plan more than the NDP's plan (minus the TPP - that deal is shit) but I don't trust JT to follow through. The Liberals have a history of running to the left and then not following through. And I don't think I can forgive his stance on C-51 or the TPP.

But honestly, I'm also disgusted with Mulcair and his campaign. At the very beginning I told my daughter it sounded like he was in the wrong hands, he was being too cautious...not vocal enough, not present enough...and that creepy smile WTF. Trudeau has been far more authentic.

Anyway. I will likely cast my ballot for NDP - although they have zero chance in my riding so I'm tempted to go Green...They had advanced voting today at my daughter's university and she went NDP. Not many NDP signs around here though. Last election the Con won with 85% or something. I was all excited because of the provincial election here in Alberta but not sure it's going to change things much federally.

[alcina]

4. What timing!

Conrad Black's comments (per Joe's thread) couldn't be more timely. Don't I feel great knowing I'm not just jaded and untrusting.

A Liberal government will definitely be better than the horror of the Harper Conservatives, but it will still be a corporate lackey. In a debate I saw the other day regarding the TPP, the Liberal candidate turned on the NDP candidate and said, "How many trade bills has Tom Mulcair passed?" The NDP candidate responded, "How many has Justin Trudeau actually read?" I suspect that's a sadly accurate assessment of JT's true involvement in decision making.