Financial Meltdown=Conservative Majority?

Yesterday was another Black Monday on the world's financial scene. Unless you've been under a rock, you may have noticed that Bush's proposed Wall Street bailout plan was narrowly voted down by Congress.

Perhaps, after a glance at their stock portfolios this morning, dissenting members may change their vote. While protesting against the bailout of Wall Street, one of the major complaints was the use of taxpayer's money to finance the mistakes of the rich and ridiculous.

Today it is evident that yes, while the money was going to the financial sector, it very much goes directly towards helping everyday people in their lives. How?

By providing life insurance, mortgages, and secure pension plans. How many retirees living on their investments are now in serious financial difficulty? How many people, having paid into RRSPs and company pension plans for a lifetime, are now left with nothing?

Canadians aren't exempt. No one is. The Americans spread their greedy fingers all over the world, and we are all going to suffer the consequences.

Stephen Harper has been saying that the Canadian economy is strong. He's made the point repeatedly that we are not part of the US. However, our economy is heavily dependent on the exports of natural resources to the States; if they aren't buying, we're in trouble too.

This was evident in the TSX nosedive yesterday. America's migraine is our headache as well.

Now this election should get interesting. The televised leaders' debates are this week, and it's obvious what the hot issue will be. Basically, the NDP, Liberals and Greens have over-promised themselves and will have to seriously reconsider its promises to the public. Since the Conservatives haven't actually released a platform or made any big spending promises, Harper can project himself as the safe choice.

You know, it might just work. If only Canadians would actually watch the debates and take interest in other issues.

Harper is right on many fronts, and not on others. While making good on many of their policies, healthcare has been a major failing. They not only failed to keep their promises from the last election, they directly went against many of them. But that's a whole other post.

Meanwhile, please watch the debate. It should be highly entertaining, and your interest will actually make a difference in this election.