VijaySappani.com

This election has put Canada backward on debates on policy and focused more on petty partisan politics, something that average voters despise. There has been little to no debate on foreign policies . Where do we stand on Georgia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, North Korea.  Part of the problem is that this election is about what not to say than what to say and that is forcing candidates and leaders to say little. The other part is that we have tolerated for many years to accommodate politicians who lack vision and knowledge in foreign issues. Most politicians rule by the golden rule of politics: silence, and then those like Ujjal Dosanjh, Glen Pearson, Irwin Cotler who speak up on a variety of issues that are Foreign and has domestic implications get little to no support from even their caucus colleagues.  I will not blame the MP’s for that, I can understand their situation and their perceived need to be silent. It is a system that we have built and the lack of participation from the moderates.

There is no point talking about the Conservatives. I had some respect for their actions in China and Burma, but it has more to do with pleasing Hong Kong Chinese and Japanese voters in Canada than to bring a peaceful resolution to the ongoing human rights violations there. Traditionally Conservatives tend to have some interest in foreign policy and defence. Unfortunately we have half baked pies, whose only mission is to form a majority government and thereby making a mess of our existing system. 

Here is an example. Canada under the Conservatives went on to ban the LTTE and again World Tamil Movement as Terrorist organizations. I will not contest that decision, but I also know that the Conservatives have done nothing to do help bring peace in Sri Lanka. In fact they have refused to even meet and discuss about possibilities with the Canadian Tamil community. There seems to be a complete lack of interest in bringing an resolution to the conflict and the banning has a lot more to do with pleasing it voter base than to actually bring peace in the Island nation.  Canadian Tamils visiting Sri Lanka are now prone to higher discrimination and abuse due to a lack of protection and intervention from the Conservative government and the attitude of the Sri Lankan government.

The Sri Lankan Government has been in control of Jaffna since 1995. Read what Stewart bell has to say about the life of people living there.This is exactly why minority Tamils are fighting against the racist Sinhalese regime and a simple reason that the Tamil Tigers, banned as a terrorist group in Canada and 31 other countries are still able to raise around $50-100 million a year. 

Canada should lead the International community in forcing a ceasefire and bringing a permanent resolution based on our successful federal system. Unfortunately we have a government that lacks vision and motivation towards restoring Canada’s pride in Peace making and armed conflict resolution.

We have political parties that fear offending the radicals in their communities who are the organized bunch and distance them selves from the unorganized moderates, whether that be in the Church or Temple. I have been repeatedly reminded by my friends in the political circles that speaking up against the radicals is a ticket to nowhere for those who want to seek a seat and I can’t disagree with them on it.  Down South, US is going through a metamorphosis of political reform through Obama, but that does not mean he is leading the polls by a mile. In fact there are moments when he is lagging McCain. Politics is partisan, but what is important to see is the number of non partisan people who Obama charmed into the political process.

Canada does not need an Obama to restore principles in our partisan political system and put Canada back on the international map. Canada needs Canadians to take back our country from our politicians and restore pride in our system that was the most respected at a time in the international community.

Canadians need to ask tough questions to our politicians and vote out those who put ambitions ahead of principles, those who refuse to speak up for our values, those who will put their political career ahead of principles.  This is not about partisan politics, but about principled politics. There might be some good Conservative candidates who need to be elected or re-elected, but Canadians can not once again afford to have a government that lack vision.  At a time of uncertainty, Canadians can not trust our lives in the hands of the Conservatives, whose leader govern with a dictator style suppressing freedom of speech within his caucus.

October 14th, lets take back Canada. Get out there and vote for a Candidate who will put your interest’s ahead of theirs. Who will stand up for Canada in the international community and not sit down in front of their master. I am not asking you to vote for one party or another, but I am asking you to come out and vote because rights when not exercised can become privileges. Ask those from Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, China to tell you what it means. Get out on Oct 14th and lets change Canada as Canadians.