OT: Canadian Federal Election, Jan. 23

Renegade 13 · #1 December 10th, 2005, 03:47 PM

Since there's quite a few Canadians on the forums here, I thought I'd bring this up. However, please DO NOT do anything to potentially offend others, get this thread locked, etc. Please state opinions in a reasonable manner! I'm sure no one will do anything negative, but I have to say it anyways

Ok, so what I'd like is for you to state who you will be voting for and preferably why. I'm making this post a poll, since it seems more people are willing to voice an opinion when all they have to do is click and not type

Feel free to discuss election issues (Health Care, Gun Control, etc) to your heart's content, or to totally ignore this as I'm sure a lot of people will do

However, if you voice an opinion, please be prepared to explain why that is the opinion you hold, since I'm sure people will want to know. Well ok, I'll want to know.

Atrocities · #2 December 10th, 2005, 03:50 PM

VOTE REPUBLICAN!

Renegade 13 · #3 December 10th, 2005, 03:59 PM

And what would Republican be analogous to in Canadian politics? I'm really not that familiar with the American political divisions.

Thermodyne · #4 December 10th, 2005, 04:43 PM

I would think that the date selected for the election would be suspect. At that time of year it would certainly have an effect on the rural turn out. And could also be greatly influenced by weather, preventing people from casting their votes.

But I guess it was a case of necessity, considering the recent activities of those currently in power. Next we�ll be hearing the free Quebec slogans again

Thermodyne · #5 December 10th, 2005, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Renegade 13 said:

And what would Republican be analogous to in Canadian politics? I'm really not that familiar with the American political divisions.

Republican platform used to be for a small federal government with more power resting with the states and as such, low federal taxes. Recently it has been taken over by the religious right.

Republicans were also known to be much less liberal in their views. These days, who knows what you�ll get. It has become a war between the parties with both sides becoming slaves to instant polls, shifting positions faster than Clinton switched babes. [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Cold.gif[/img]

I would like to see a party form somewhere in the middle, drawing moderate members from both existing parties. Then we could return to having our elected officials represent the people, instead of toeing the party line and damning everything else.

narf poit chez BOOM · #6 December 10th, 2005, 06:50 PM

Don't know yet. Not sure I trust any of the major ones, don't know anything about the green candidate.

Grandpa Kim · #7 December 10th, 2005, 10:56 PM

Frankly I don't trust any of them to keep their promises beyond election day. After all their no. 1 job is to get elected and they'll do what ever it takes to accomplish that.

Some comments on the comments to date:

Thermodyne, it seems to me more rural residents would get out to vote in the dead of winter. Not much else to do. And frankly the weather doesn't stand much chance against even a mildly determined Canadian.

I do agree the party platforms shift with the wind of polls. Do these guys have an opinion of their own?

Hmm, "a party somewhere in the middle". To me that would mean a shift to the right. They are all left wing!

Issues: I have only one. Keep your promises! This, however is a losing strat. The last government to come close to this was the Mulroney government and they were crushed in the following election, and I do mean crushed!

All the other so called issues are merely a matter of degree. IE. how much money should be spent on child care, what minor modifications should we make to the health care system. Details, details! Doesn't anyone have a platform that will give me a real choice?

Captain Kwok · #8 December 10th, 2005, 11:06 PM

I voted Green during the last election, probably will again this time.

I think however it will be another Liberal minority gov't and will be back here again in another couple of years.

narf poit chez BOOM · #9 December 11th, 2005, 01:14 AM

Preston Manning had an opinion and look what happened to him.

(Canadian politician that got kicked out of party leadership for 'Not consulting the rest of the party' - Either that or 'Not consulting the rest of the party when proposing a pay cut for MP's for an immediate vote')

Randallw · #10 December 11th, 2005, 01:51 AM

Here in Australia we had an election about this time last year where the opposition lost and a few months later, for health reasons, the opposition leader quit. 6 months after the election he wrote a book basically criticising his own party and pretty much everyone. The opposition foreign spokesman actually came out and said we were lucky they didn't win.