tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post68766294259769099..comments2024-03-28T21:53:50.039-04:00Comments on Half an Hour: A Vote For The LiberalsStephen Downeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-23974325714908787602010-09-21T20:18:46.670-04:002010-09-21T20:18:46.670-04:00Well put argument there. I really hope the policy ...Well put argument there. I really hope the policy analysts at the NDP are reading what you wrote and how you interpreted their change of slogan/message. <br /><br />Maybe there's a better way they can try to appeal to more voters than their current effort that won't leave questions like yours in people's minds.<br /><br />However, despite your analysis, I do honestly believe their heart is in the right place when it comes to being interested in representing the common citizen versus the important, the connected, the wealthy and the corporation. <br /><br />The PCs and Liberals more than adequately represent the interests of those segments of society in our politics.Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-42329051404211950702010-09-21T08:49:17.055-04:002010-09-21T08:49:17.055-04:00Jim, I agree with your analysis. But this doesn...Jim, I agree with your analysis. But this doesn't get to the heart of why this is a mistaken strategy.<br /><br />First, it's an approach that is divisive. It creates an us-versus-them dynamic. It's pretty easy to find oneself (as I have) on the outside of that target group.<br /><br />Second, it appropriates the people's voice. By saying they are "the voice of" the middle class, it fails to respect that these people have their own voice, and that the political party should be listening rather than speaking.<br /><br />Third, by selecting such a large group (the middle class) it is meaningless. By being more inclusive, you actually reduce the sense of identification with the group you are trying to target.<br /><br />Fourth, and related, it is policy-agnostic. We don't know what "the middle class" wants. Probably there is no single representation of that. But worse, we don't know what the NDP stands for when it says it's "the voice of the middle class."<br /><br />Fifth, it plays against rather than with aspirations. People don't vote according to their current status, they vote at least partially according to what they want to aspire to. Someone studying to be a pilot votes for higher pilots wages, even if it makes it harder for him to be a pilot. Saying "we are the voice of the middle class" says that the NDP will be against them should they ever rise to be more than merely middle class. Not a happy thought.<br /><br />On many levels, the Conservatives - who are using much the same strategy - are much more sophisticated (they have some very good marketing people supporting a poor leadership - again, with someone stronger and more experienced at the helm, this would not be a close election).<br /><br />Their marketing to seniors, for example (a) picks out a very distinct and identifiable group, (b) matches their aspirations, and (c) says, not, "you have very little", but rather "you have been successful and we will protect that success".<br /><br />Personally, I think playing one segment of society against another is distasteful. neither party should be involved in setting up the 'battle between seniors and the middle class'. But if you're going to play this game at all, you should do it well.Stephen Downeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06140591903467372209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-59518136061644616602010-09-20T20:03:43.666-04:002010-09-20T20:03:43.666-04:00If you read the NDP platform you'd see they de...If you read the NDP platform you'd see they definitely haven't abandoned the poor.<br /><br />The change in the NDP slogan was probably meant to appeal to a broader voter base* and cast off the stereotype that they are only a party for poor people (i.e. 'welfare bums). I've heard this stereotype parroted many times. It's unfair and unfortunate. <br /><br />*The vast majority of voters would identify themselves as middle class, even if they are actually making wages below the poverty line.<br /><br />As for the candidate in your riding, it's a pity that they didn't respond to you.<br /><br />If they had have, I suspect you might be writing something different than, what seems to me, a well-articulated justification for plugging your nose and casting a vote against the party you don't want to win (in this case the PCs).Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-20855666706404934222010-09-20T19:52:57.701-04:002010-09-20T19:52:57.701-04:00Dear Stephen,
I just read your blog and am sorry ...Dear Stephen,<br /><br />I just read your blog and am sorry you haven't heard from your NDP candidate. We don't have a record in the provincial office of your donation; please get in touch to make sure we get this sorted out - we don't want to cause any problems with your tax credits, etc.<br /><br />On our messaging, more than 80% of New Brunswickers identify themselves as middle class, including those at the bottom end of the income scale. Not many people like being called poor, so the NDP is using the language people use to talk about themselves.<br /><br />I'm sorry we missed your vote in this election, I hope we win it back in future elections.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />Dominic Cardy<br />Campaign Director<br /><br />dcardy@nbndp.caAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11679714.post-69887967207335278892010-09-20T19:30:03.194-04:002010-09-20T19:30:03.194-04:00Thank you for an honest assessment of the options ...Thank you for an honest assessment of the options and issues. I am fortunate enough to have an NDP candidate worth supporting. I wish you did as well.the problem childnoreply@blogger.com