Go Vote!

[gaffer]

Re: Go Vote!

I totally agree that the government should not be pushing family values, as it is not their domain, and like it has been said before, everyones family values are different.

What I see as the biggest thing is bringing some ethics and accountibility to government. Is that too much to ask?

Andrew

[Tuna]

Re: Go Vote!

Like I said, I agree that they shouldn't, but they are, so I guess all i'm saying is....Am I more wrong with being more Conservative than Liberal on the subject? Are they? They should have the same right to NOT want it as those that do. Even though it's not the most "politically correct" side, I (and they) should still have a right to feel that way without "discrimination" right? Unfortunately, that doesn't happen.

Hopefully, the new government will bring some good change.

[kuhli]

Re: Go Vote!

Talking about wanting the government to run the country, here's my read:
__________________________________________________ ________
Daycare

Liberal: You'll go to their daycare, but don't live in a city, too bad you don't get daycare, you work unconventional hours -- forget it.

Conservative: Go where you want for the service you want and we'll give you credit against your taxes.
__________________________________________________ _________
Same Sex Marriage (an issue not everyone agrees upon)

Liberal: Just take it, we've decided that it should be law.

Conservative: Have a free vote to see what the support actually is, only then have the democratically elected people spoken. Oh, and MPs are then accountable to their electorate for what they vote.

I think there's a tonne of room for free votes to determine the actual sentiments of Canadians as compared to driving an individuals agenda down your throat.
__________________________________________________ _________
Gas Taxes

Liberal: We collect them for roads, but...we'll use them for what our cabinet likes.

Conservative: If we collect taxes for a purpose, we should use them for that purpose, otherwise we've no right to the money.

__________________________________________________ ________

Spell it anyway you like it, I believe you'll see more of a spirit of representation and compromise with this government. Not the relentless whipping of a cabinet to drive the creation of laws that we have no idea whether or not the majority agree with. Bring on the free votes, let Canadians speak!

As for Church and government, they have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Nobody and be complacent about that!

[Aleks]

Re: Go Vote!

Redneck is great! I loved it when Klein told bums to get a job! I like that a government can hold free votes! I'm glad there is change, again, I'm not liberal minded or conservative minded but a bit of both, and when one government has had his hand in the cookie jar a little too long, thinks its invincible, and continues to lie about "accountability, honesty, intergrity" etc. I believe its time for change.....I'll say the same thing if the conservatives screw up! Everyone was soooo bent on the tories track record.....that was 13 years ago, and we gave them the boot for that....hopefully they learned their lesson (as hopefully the liberals do now), and not try the same BS!

[Billip]

Re: Go Vote!

__________________________________________________ _________
Same Sex Marriage (an issue not everyone agrees upon)

Liberal: Just take it, we've decided that it should be law.

Conservative: Have a free vote to see what the support actually is, only then have the democratically elected people spoken. Oh, and MPs are then accountable to their electorate for what they vote.

I think there's a tonne of room for free votes to determine the actual sentiments of Canadians as compared to driving an individuals agenda down your throat.

Your assertion of the Liberal position on this is absolutely incorrect. The Liberal government did not just decide to make it law, the courts determined that the existing law was infringing on charter rights... in 8 or 9 provinces if I remember correctly. The Liberals could have either appealed to the Supreme Court (which we can assume would have held up the provincial courts rulings based on their opinion on the matter), or changed the law to reflect what the courts have said. They did the later.

The Conservative proposition to hold a free-vote to see if this issue should be revisited is a rouse. Harper had to say that to cater to the hard right wingers in the party, whose support he needed. He is a libertarian, and I don't get the sense he cares much either way.

In any event, it's not going to change. Even if the vote to open the matter passes, and then assuming the vote to change the definition back to its original man-and-woman definition passes, another court case will then insue. It will take many years to work its way up through the court system, and eventually hit the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will rule that the law is unconstitutional and against the Charter. Then what? Harper has already said he will not use the notwithstanding clause on the issue, which is his only option at that point. So we will end up with what we have now, but will have spent millions and millions of dollars in lawyers and taken years to get there. Its a waste of time and money. Regardless of what anyone thinks on the matter, it's a done deal. It's here to stay.

[Russell]

Re: Go Vote!

I think its crazy that the government should even allow us to vote on weather or not there should be Same Sex Marriage... in the eyes of the government it should be fine, now let each church and justices of the peace decide weather it is right or wrong and if they are going to do the marriage. If your church does not believe in it then fine, with in the views of your church and the like minded people around you this is not a true marriage before god. It goes back to the issues of separation of church and state…

Your assertion of the Liberal position on this is absolutely incorrect. The Liberal government did not just decide to make it law, the courts determined that the existing law was infringing on charter rights... in 8 or 9 provinces if I remember correctly. The Liberals could have either appealed to the Supreme Court (which we can assume would have held up the provincial courts rulings based on their opinion on the matter), or changed the law to reflect what the courts have said. They did the later.

The Conservative proposition to hold a free-vote to see if this issue should be revisited is a rouse. Harper had to say that to cater to the hard right wingers in the party, whose support he needed. He is a libertarian, and I don't get the sense he cares much either way.

In any event, it's not going to change. Even if the vote to open the matter passes, and then assuming the vote to change the definition back to its original man-and-woman definition passes, another court case will then insue. It will take many years to work its way up through the court system, and eventually hit the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will rule that the law is unconstitutional and against the Charter. Then what? Harper has already said he will not use the notwithstanding clause on the issue, which is his only option at that point. So we will end up with what we have now, but will have spent millions and millions of dollars in lawyers and taken years to get there. Its a waste of time and money. Regardless of what anyone thinks on the matter, it's a done deal. It's here to stay.

[Smartiepants]

Re: Go Vote!

Your assertion of the Liberal position on this is absolutely incorrect. The Liberal government did not just decide to make it law, the courts determined that the existing law was infringing on charter rights... in 8 or 9 provinces if I remember correctly. The Liberals could have either appealed to the Supreme Court (which we can assume would have held up the provincial courts rulings based on their opinion on the matter), or changed the law to reflect what the courts have said. They did the later.

There is one thing I disagree with completely in there, the courts should NOT rule this country. That is something that bothers me immensely. Whatever the government decides, should not be over ruled by the courts. They are there to interpret law. If a law says explicity that same sex marriage is not allowed, then there should be no challenge by the courts on that.

I voted conservative, because I believe more in the government doing less for people. Create an environment where people are protected and given the best possible chance to succeed. After that its on your own.

My 2 cents, feel free to flame.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Go Vote!

I think CBC described it best last night when they said the next campaign starts now as the new order in Ottawa is basically going to dictate what happens next. Conservatives do well they will probably take a majority, do poorley and they maybe out depending on who the next Liberal leader is, or we could have an even more divided parliment, so some very interesting times ahead!!

[kuhli]

Re: Go Vote!

Hey, don't get me wrong...I'm not against it, I'm not for it, I really don't care about same-sex marriage. To me the government's role is to decide whether or not same sex couples can have RRSP and Pension arrangements that are equivalent to what a conventional couple can.

The churches have the right, and have had the right for a long time, to decide whether or not same sex is 'morally' acceptable to them, I've no stance whatsoever on the morality of same-sex marriage, I don't believe I'm entitled to judge!

My feeling is that the fear campaign that the Conservative party of Canada reflects a southern US style religous conservative viewpoint is whooey. I've worked for the party on and off for 5 years and I can tell you that there are wackos, there are wackos in every party, but Joe Conservative is not the least bit religous conservative and very much resents the implication!

My issue is pretty well summed up in the previous comment, the Liberal government under Cretien hid behind the Supreme Court of Canada to create laws by stating that things were unconstitutional or against human rights. Isn't this a very reactionary way of governing? Acting once its too late? And never, ever with the consent of the house!

Why do we elect MPs?

My belief and hope is that the Conservative government will govern with some courage. Bring up issues to Canadians, give them time to prepare, time to communicate with their MP, and vote freely on the house floor to proactively address issues rather than sending them to court.

I can tell you I'll be disappointed if we return to the political methods of the past 12 years no matter who does it!

[mr_barbeque]

Re: Go Vote!

Friday, January 20th, 2006
Michael Moore Statement on Canadian Election


Michael Moore is currently in production on his next movie. As an avid lover of all things Canadian, he has issued the following statement regarding Canada's upcoming election on Monday:

Oh, Canada -- you're not really going to elect a Conservative majority on Monday, are you? That's a joke, right? I know you have a great sense of humor, and certainly a well-developed sense of irony, but this is no longer funny. Maybe it's a new form of Canadian irony -- reverse irony! OK, now I get it. First, you have the courage to stand against the war in Iraq -- and then you elect a prime minister who's for it. You declare gay people have equal rights -- and then you elect a man who says they don't. You give your native peoples their own autonomy and their own territory -- and then you vote for a man who wants to cut aid to these poorest of your citizens. Wow, that is intense! Only Canadians could pull off a hat trick of humor like that. My hat's off to you.

Far be it from me, as an American, to suggest what you should do. You already have too many Americans telling you what to do. Well, actually, you've got just one American who keeps telling you to roll over and fetch and sit. I hope you don't feel this appeal of mine is too intrusive but I just couldn't sit by, as your friend, and say nothing. Yes, I agree, the Liberals have some 'splainin' to do. And yes, one party in power for more than a decade gets a little... long. But you have a parliamentary system (I'll bet you didn't know that -- see, that's why you need Americans telling you things!). There are ways at the polls to have your voices heard other than throwing the baby out with the bath water.

These are no ordinary times, and as you go to the polls on Monday, you do so while a man running the nation to the south of you is hoping you can lend him a hand by picking Stephen Harper because he's a man who shares his world view. Do you want to help George Bush by turning Canada into his latest conquest? Is that how you want millions of us down here to see you from now on? The next notch in the cowboy belt? C'mon, where's your Canadian pride? I mean, if you're going to reduce Canada to a cheap download of Bush & Co., then at least don't surrender so easily. Can't you wait until he threatens to bomb Regina? Make him work for it, for Pete's sake.

But seriously, I know you're not going to elect a guy who should really be running for governor of Utah. Whew! I knew it! You almost had me there. Very funny. Don't do that again. God, I love you, you crazy cold wonderful neighbors to my north. Don't ever change.

Michael Moore

[R_Ethug]

Re: Go Vote!

no comment on that fat bastard who can suck my fat cork

[mr_barbeque]

Re: Go Vote!

hahahaha.... This is a forum isn't it??

[Aleks]

Re: Go Vote!

no comment on that fat bastard who can suck my fat cork

Ryan, you never mentioned you had a prosthesis.......I never knew they were made of cork either, I always thought latex, or medical grade rubber...you know, for the flexibility, a little give.....Cork is also waaayyy too absorbent (I'm sure you can see where I'm going with that....)......Anyways, thanks for the visual


Oh, and micheal moore is a dumbass, but somewhat entertaining.......I certainly wouldn't use him as my political advisor....

[stefan]

Re: Go Vote!

too much cash on car mods, he has been forced to turn to ghetto prosthesis. guess he really is compensating for something.

yeah, mikey moore is a bit of a dumb ass. a friend of mine pointed out that the canadian election act actually states that its illegal for a non-canadian to make statement that could influnce ones vote... but whatcha gonna do.