SOCIALIST PARTY USA STATEMENT ON CANADA'S ELECTION (proposed)

By Melvin Little

Michael C. Marino says, "Expulsion's too good fer 'im..."

Monday 24 May 2004

The Socialist Party USA works for universal justice. This is what we call democratic-socialism. Politics is global. This is why the Socialist Party USA must take a stand on the upcoming election in Canada.

The New Democratic Party is Canada's democratic-socialist-party. This is the party of Tommy Douglas, Svend Robinson, Libby Davis, Alexa McDonough, Audry McLaughlin, and Jack Layton. Like many other socialist-parties around the world, the NDP contributed to the progress of their society with the creation of a universal public medical system, the strengthening of labor unions, the expansion of public services, mass public transit, the expansion of civil liberties, the abolition of the death penalty, fair trade (not free trade), opposition to all wars, pro environmental policies, the feminist movement, public university education guaranteed to all, and now with their support to have same sex marriage officially legal and recognized across Canada. The NDP demonstrated that it is THE SOCIALIST voice of Canada.

At the NDP Federal Leadership Convention in 2003, the party elected Jack Layton as their new leader. The party is recommitting itself aggressively to make history. This election could very well mean the formation of the NDP's first federal government. In the past, the NDP participated with the Liberal Party in the formation of coalition governments on the federal level. The NDP also headed many provincial governments in the past, and they are doing well in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba today. Like the Socialist Party USA, many regard the NDP as "the conscience of Canada." Jack Layton's leadership means a turn to the left for the party, and we should be encouraged by these developments.

The Socialist Party USA, therefore, officially endorses the New Democratic Party of Canada in the upcoming election scheduled to take place on June 28, 2004. Our endorsement is a gesture of good will to the most successful electoral movement of the left on the North American Continent. To our Sisters and Brothers in the NDP, we wish you well.