Federal Election

[Canadian Turbo]

Well perhaps it is time to stir things up with a nice political discussion about the upcoming Federal election. Firstly I am not happy with the timing of the election and feel the result will most likely be the same as last time which I think may hurt parties such as the Conservatives and NDP. I am truley not dedicated to one party as they all have flaws but I really cannot support Harper as PM, I just dont think he has the qualities to run the country and I also am not fond of the idea of going back on the same-sex marriage issue. Canada is a progressive and forward thinking nation and I think Harper wants to keep us in the past but bribe us with a reduction in GST if it would ever actually happen.

I still like to look at my local canidates and not select based on party only but so far I have only seen one sign for one canidate so that is not making the choice easy but I guess we still have lots of time. Overall I think government needs to be run like a business with the best people for the job and they are held accountable, that does not happen and probably never will but I can hope. The other biggest issue I think is the seperation of Church and State which is supposed to be a fundemental part of governmenr yet here and especially in the US that does not happen and this blurs decisions when we are supposed to have religious freedoms.

Anyway feel free to weigh in with any thoughts on the campaign and election.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Federal Election

haha i knew this was coming..

my feelings on it.. i'd love to see a non liberal federal government but yea thats not going to happen and if it does.. it'll be a minority..

honestly this election is a waste of time and money because obviously the liberals are going to win again in a minority setup again.. sigh........

the whole GST reduction thing is sorta a joke..sure it'd be nice but yea lets see it actually happen.. a reduction in income tax would be nice to receive

I have no idea how the liberals can get voted in again tho.. with all the freaking money they waste and all the scandals and scams they pull off..

i agree blair that canada is a forward thinking nation..
IMO we should legalize marijuana and tax the hell out of it! we'd actually be able to pay off national debt that way. the whole gay marriage thing i'm not touching with a 20 foot pole........

[liquid]

Re: Federal Election

There is something about Harper that seems a little off; and that scares me.

However, I think that the Liberals without a doubt have proven time and time again their abundant incompetence. Paul Martin has proven himself to be a farce at the best of times, and the entire Liberal Party has lined their pockets over the years.

The next Government will be another minority that has to side with the NDP to get anything done; and please don't get me started with the NDP as well. Personally I think people in this country really have no idea who to vote for anymore, as it basically seems to be a choice between the lesser of two Evils. Chretien mentioned he would remove the GST, and we all saw where that led ; but at the same time I wonder if Harper can hold to these two big announcements he made yesterday as well.

With that said, I still have to vote conservative this time.

[Kor]

Re: Federal Election

I really think that social (and legal) issues are the most important in terms of how we define ourselves and our country. They have the largest long-term impact. Therefore I am likely to side with the party and person who will represent what I believe is a responsible and forward-thinking social view. For me, such a view focuses on maintaining or improving personal freedoms, improving social tolerance, improving social equality, and reducing problems such as poverty in Canada.

Other issues, such as the relatively small difference in how I would be taxed, do not enter into my decision making process. I won't lie; I generally look down upon anyone who votes based on potential for personal gain. I think that is a selfish attitude which is entirely appropriate for industry but inappropriate when it comes at the expense of others or the future of the country as a whole.

I can't in good conscience endorse many of the current conservative candidates including Harper, based on their party platform and personal viewpoints, which are not in-line with those I have listed above. Therefore I will very likely be voting for a Liberal or (possibly) NDP candidate.

I would prefer incompetent representation of a responsible viewpoint versus competent representation of an irresponsible viewpoint.

[Stonewall]

Re: Federal Election

A cut of the gst will never happen and if it does I bet it will come out of health care. After being in and out of the hospital for the better part of 3 weeks there needs to be as much money pumped into health care as possible.

[Chris]

Re: Federal Election

Well, I am not allowed to vote, but even if I could, I wouldn't know who to vote for! It's another case of 'the lesser of two evils'. I agree with Blair in that the country should be run like a business. Right now the way it's being run seems to be dictated by personal or religious agendas.

[Aleks]

Re: Federal Election

I think anybody who is fearful of a leader they have not actually SEEN lead is a total retard....yes, I said it.......Its an issue of the "enemy you know, vs. the enemy you don't". I don't care what anyone says, I would prefer harper over any of the other candidates, because he speaks what he is going to do! I'm not saying I'm a conservative, in fact I'm more liberal on my views than conservative, but at this point, you're not really voting for parties, just because of what they are demonstrating.....we are not voting to give one party or another power, we should be voting to drive home a point that we won't put up with any more liberal ********, lies, and corruption! All that voting for them has done is basically given them permission over and over again to screw us over. The conservatives have not had a chance to, and if they get elected and they do the same thing, well live and learn right? But at least give it a chance! I'm sooooo frustrated by the current government, I can't believe anyone would consider putting up with it just because harper wants to open up a "DISCUSSION" on same sex marriage.......Is that really a big deal? is it?? an open vote on the issue that likely won't change?? who cares!! at least he's honest about it! And about GST, he's just demonstrated REALISTIC proposals, not vote buying. THats an effective tax break everyone can use! Especially you Ryan, when you buys lots of ****...

Now, all this said and done, I love arguments, and I am not eligible to vote!

[R_Ethug]

Re: Federal Election

no vote? how come?

and yea i buy lots of shiz

[Kor]

Re: Federal Election

The conservatives have not had a chance to, and if they get elected and they do the same thing, well live and learn right?

Hilariously, the conservatives HAVE screwed this country over in the past, they just alternate every so often with the Liberals. In fact I would say it was worse. So no, not live and learn.

From a record majority of 211 seats, the Conservatives were reduced to two seats in the election of 1993. Why? Corruption maybe? Do you remember incurring massive debt? Do you remember Bre-X? Airbus scandal? Tunagate? People voted to drive home a point, and now they have forgotten it.

PS: It is vote buying when you promise someone money if they vote for you.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Federal Election

I was going to make mention of past Conservative Governments and their issues but Kor beat me to it. No government or party is perfect, they should be but there are issues with all of them. I do agree that platform and party policies are almost more important then the dollars and cents and that is really why I am not comfortable with any party but Conservatives would nearly be my last choice, even though we live in Conservative country.

I am also exploring the Green party as they have a full party of candidates and had over 600,000 votes last election. I like the idea of not throwing my vote away but letting all the parties know that there are people who are unhappy. I would also like to see this party given some more publicity as I think it is only fair, hence I signed a petition to let their leader join the national debates so we could better make a decision and better represent all the view points.

[liquid]

Re: Federal Election

I personally think that a party is only as good as it's leader due to party lines. The conservatives do have a bad track record, but that was many years ago.... and has basically been largely un-earthed. The Liberal party however has recently shown its incompetance, and I think as time progresses we will begin to discover other issues that perhaps go beyond the Gomery inquiry. As for Martin, he does not have the fortitude to run this country.

As far as politics is concerned; corruption just comes with the job. Most Politicians are Lawyers that have bought their way to the leadership of their respective parties, and are now trying to reap the benefits. We will never rid ourselves of corruption, as that is just a vice that comes with power.... and will always be inherent in Human nature. What I find amazing is that people fall for this pass-the-buck mentality. Like it or not, most people just vote for who they like at the time, and pay little attention to anything other than the issues that each party lobbies for.

As for this idea of progressive humanism, and Canada being a progressive nation.... I'll keep my comments to myself for now.

[kuhli]

Re: Federal Election

Ok...I can't let this one sit. To disclaim, I've been involved as a campaign worker in two nomination races(for a candidate to win the right to be a PC candidate), one federal election, and one run at the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party. In that experience I've learned politics is a difficult pill to handle for those involved.

There are many reasons for this:

1. The media - probably enough said, but the reason this country is poorly governed is at least due in part to media influence. Good candidates can't run because they inhaled or whatever, and the media will be on them 24*7. Many people simply don't want to be in the media's eye, these are people that can do legitimate good for Canada!

2. Wealth - regardless of how the public perceives politics, it will never, ever make you rich. To the contrary, most people forego some of the most profitable years of their life in the interest of making Canada a better place!

3. Lifestyle - how'd you like to spend 5 to 6 days a week away from your family and friends for the next four years!

4. Voter Apathy - people are too lazy, tired or ill-informed to care about the future of their families and friends.

Now I don't expect that this rant will change anybodies mind, but do consider that the people involved in politics take it seriously, make large personal sacrifices and regardless of political orientation -- believe in making Canada a better place.

So while they're walking the dark, cold winter streets of Canada for two months this winter consider for a moment, do they deserve more than the 20 seconds you give to listening to sound-bites on CBC?

[Aleks]

Re: Federal Election

I am also exploring the Green party as they have a full party of candidates and had over 600,000 votes last election. I like the idea of not throwing my vote away but letting all the parties know that there are people who are unhappy. I would also like to see this party given some more publicity as I think it is only fair, hence I signed a petition to let their leader join the national debates so we could better make a decision and better represent all the view points.

You in essence are throwing away a vote....all the people who say "I'll vote against both mainstream parties to show them they suck", all you're doing is creating a bland directionless political landscape, and essentially committing us to another election in a short period because it will be a 3 or 4 way race until there is a majority.....There is too much political instability with power struggles to have too many parties splitting the pot...thats just the way it is..... I personally don't care that the conservatives have screwed us before, I hope they learned their lesson by losing so badly in 1993 (for the record, I was 13 and truly didn't care). Lets give them another chance, or allow the liberals to continue to destroy this country. Have it your way, I'll sit back and watch the whole country implode.....

And Ryan, I'm not a canadian citizen, my PR card isn't up for a few years....

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Federal Election

The power struggle is not a result of too many parties but a lack of a successful party in bringing together this nation and we will probably continue this minority struggle till a leader change or a big scandal. My point was to say that I instead of noting voting at all, becasue I am not apathetic, and not just giving my vote to the current or favorite may help send a message that I am unhappy with all the parties.

[James]

Re: Federal Election

Id say im not going to vote because there are no parties that make me want to vote.....but in reality, Im not going to vote because I'm lazy