Quote:
Originally posted by Maritime Q-Scout@May 13 2005, 05:16 PM
As much as you might not want to hear it, in order for the CPC to do well, they need an ALLSTAR leader from Quebec. It'd close the gap from east to west. Until then, a Masters in Economics (for the record only psycopaths would take economics, let alone a masters in it, haha) probably won't be leading the country.
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Quite frankly I think this kind of notion is disgusting and why Canada is in such dire straits politically... We don't like a leader cause he lives in Alberta, and an all-star from Quebec would be more appealing??? You wonder why Albertans hate the East so much, its comments like this. I guess we all have no chance of the centre seat, guys and gals.
Now I'm not attacking you personally here Q, cause you're not the first or the last to say this kind of thing. Imagine the uproar in the US if people came out publically and said they didn't vote for a certain party... not because of what they say, or think, but because of where they live... thats just wrong on so many levels. Think Kerry would've done better if he was a Southern boy? or if Bush hailed from a swing state or Upstate NY? I don't... its simply not an issue, they're both AMERICANS, patriots even, and thats all that matters. Maybe in the primaries, but not in the actual election.
Harper suffered from image issues at first, but I think he's recovered fairly well, and opinion polls on the leaders tend to reflect this. Every leader says stupid things... Harper's "Culture of Defeat" is no worse than Chretien's "I don't like working with Albertans"... only difference is it happened to you.
I think we are facing two very serious issues with Canadian politics:
1. Only 33% of Canadians actually are right of centre and there's nothing anyone can do to change that... and the largest concentration by far is in Alberta. Socially unique from Canadians? thats another thread.
2. People won't look beyond partisan lines when something clearly wrong happens. They rather vote in the Liberals cause the CPC is "evil, rednecks", the Bloc are "evil separatists... how dare they, Canada is perfect", and the NDP is "backwards and ridiculous". That is a problem. I mean if it was a CPC scandal, I'd vote for another party on principle. In Canada, I think there's even more than partisan lines here... I think its very much regional too. I think many Canadians simply dislike the opposite region.
There is a very strong perception in Western Canada that hard working people succeed... so when we see high unemployment in Eastern Canada, and institutions being suckled by our transfer monies, we tend to be annoyed and think, hey, maybe they like it that way, they don't elect governments that cut programs and stimulate the economy like we had to... so what gives?
I mean, its no secret, many universities in Canada are both federally and provincially funded, and if I'm not mistaken, Dalhousie is federally funded... U of C is not. We see that school getting two trips to the dinner table and ours getting one... on our coin, and yeah... we think you guys must love your status...culture of defeat indeed. I don't agree with the wording, i think it was a dumb thing to say aloud, but its a sentiment many understand.
In the East, you guys think Alberta would be worse than Saskatchewan without Oil, and that we'lll be poor overnight if that changes, so we're spoiled brats who should be happy to share, because you guys paid what? to initially create us before the Americans did, and a small period totalling 5 years as a province. Maybe so...
Also, a question for you Q, from one of your previous posts... whats so wrong with fixed elections days and acting like a Republic?