2011 Canadian Election Thread

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by SeoulFire

I cannot see how you think a minority government offers checks and balances - it basically handcuffs the government and does not allow for anything significant to be done.

That's a great check/balance if you believe that most of the things the gov't might start doing are wasteful and useless, and if it does less new things we'll all be better off...

[Hockeyguy15]

God I hate all of the parties right now...Someone please step up so I feel good voting for you.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by John Doe

Do you reject any coalition or just one with the BQ?

One with the BQ or the NDP is a horrible idea. That leaves a Conservative-liberal coalition as the only possibility... which would be like the Flames and Oilers combining to for an Alberta team... not going to happen.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by flambers

What other side is there....Collition vote is a terrible thought... For the opposition party to side with a separatist party... that boggles my mind.

This election is a huge waster of tax dollars...

Especially when the Liberal's aren't in a great position poll wise right now.

Spending 300 million dollars on a election thats just going to lead to another crappy parliment so that the parties can shuffle leaders is just asinine.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

The Conservatives are going to murder the Liberals on
1) the economy
2) the coalition (i.e. in bed with seperatists)

...two things that strike a chord with the average Canadian.

Are the contempt charges striking a chord elsewhere in the country? Its the only strong issue I see the Liberals as having going for them.

It bugs me to no end that Harper has been able to get away with so much hypocrisy on this. Further reason why we should not make election about who can raise the most money to yell the loudest.


"The opposition has every right to defeat the government but Stéphane Dion does not have the right to take power without an election."

- Prime Minister Stephen Harper gives the nation a lesson in parliamentary democracy from the foyer of the House of Commons (November 28, 2008)


"As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government’s program. We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority. Your attention to this matter is appreciated."

- From a letter to then-Governor General Adrienne Clarkson signed by all three opposition leaders: Gilles Duceppe, Jack Layton and Stephen Harper (September 9, 2004)


http://www2.macleans.ca/2008/11/28/a...t-memory-lane/

Edit: extensive interview with Harper on his proposed coalition here

[Resolute 14]

Our hypocrite is better than your hypocrite. Deal with it.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by SeoulFire

I cannot see how you think a minority government offers checks and balances - it basically handcuffs the government and does not allow for anything significant to be done.

It only handcuffs governments in that they can't everything that they would in a majority setting. If the government drafts legislation that appeals to the majority of canadians and is for the better of the country, I don't see why a minority government should prevent anything significant from being accomplished.

However, a minority government paired with partisan politics is toxic. As long as the "party" is more important than the constituents, it will always be this way. In other words, as long as we put up with our politicians acting the way they do, we get what we deserve.

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by John Doe

It only handcuffs governments in that they can't everything that they would in a majority setting. If the government drafts legislation that appeals to the majority of canadians and is for the better of the country, I don't see why a minority government should prevent anything significant from being accomplished.

Great in theory...

However, a minority government paired with partisan politics is toxic. As long as the "party" is more important than the constituents, it will always be this way.

Here is the reality.

[northcrunk]

Well it is official, the conservative party of canada are the first political party in Canadian history to be voted in contempt of parliament, congrats CPC supporters, you must be very proud today.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by SeoulFire

Great in theory...



Here is the reality.

We can do better. Unfortunately, we get the government we deserve.

[St. Pats]

4 times in 7 years these IDIOTS spend our money. WHY? Not one even token reason for an election. Every single cent should come out of the parties own budget. Taxpayers should not have to pay a single cent to listen to a bunch of useless jerks blather about nothing so they can feed at the trough.

Comeplete and utter horsemanure foisted on us by these lame arsed losers.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Well it is official, the conservative party of canada are the first political party in Canadian history to be voted in contempt of parliament, congrats CPC supporters, you must be very proud today.

It's cute that you think it matters.

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Well it is official, the conservative party of canada are the first political party in Canadian history to be voted in contempt of parliament, congrats CPC supporters, you must be very proud today.

Oh nos! You have shamed me into voting differently! Oh nos!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Well it is official, the conservative party of canada are the first political party in Canadian history to be voted in contempt of parliament, congrats CPC supporters, you must be very proud today.

Absolutely, in fact I just ran around high fiving and knuckle exploding people around my office.

I followed that up by throwing a bunch of kittens in a bag and tossing them off of the roof, then I mooned a plane full of nuns, and bit the head off of a puppy.


I think for dinner tonight I'm gonna boil a lobster to hear him scream

[peter12]

Originally Posted by SebC

It bugs me to no end that Harper has been able to get away with so much hypocrisy on this. Further reason why we should not make election about who can raise the most money to yell the loudest.


"The opposition has every right to defeat the government but Stéphane Dion does not have the right to take power without an election."

- Prime Minister Stephen Harper gives the nation a lesson in parliamentary democracy from the foyer of the House of Commons (November 28, 2008)


"As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government’s program. We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority. Your attention to this matter is appreciated."

- From a letter to then-Governor General Adrienne Clarkson signed by all three opposition leaders: Gilles Duceppe, Jack Layton and Stephen Harper (September 9, 2004)


http://www2.macleans.ca/2008/11/28/a...t-memory-lane/

Edit: extensive interview with Harper on his proposed colation here

A coalition proposed to dissolve Parliament is completely different than one proposed to govern, especially one in which the Liberals had their weakest election ever, and Dion, possibly the most incompetent leader in the history of Canadian politics, was inviting a strong separatist party led by one of Canada's most astute federal politicians, Gilles Duceppe, an inordinate bargaining position and, an almost certain role in governing the country.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by peter12

A coalition proposed to dissolve Parliament is completely different than one proposed to govern, especially one in which the Liberals had their weakest election ever, and Dion, possibly the most incompetent leader in the history of Canadian politics, was inviting a strong separatist party led by one of Canada's most astute federal politicians, Gilles Duceppe, an inordinate bargaining position and, an almost certain role in governing the country.

Harper's 2004 coalition was proposed to govern. Read the letter again, and if you still don't understand it, read the interview.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by peter12

A coalition proposed to dissolve Parliament is completely different than one proposed to govern, especially one in which the Liberals had their weakest election ever, and Dion, possibly the most incompetent leader in the history of Canadian politics, was inviting a strong separatist party led by one of Canada's most astute federal politicians, Gilles Duceppe, an inordinate bargaining position and, an almost certain role in governing the country.

Are you suggesting that in 2004, Harper, Layton and Duceppe were going to form the government just so that they could dissolve Parliament?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by SebC

Harper's 2004 coalition was proposed to govern. Read the letter again, and if you still don't understand it, read the interview.

No, you read the letter again.

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Well it is official, the conservative party of canada are the first political party in Canadian history to be voted in contempt of parliament, congrats CPC supporters, you must be very proud today.

I have nothing BUT contempt for parliament.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I think for dinner tonight I'm gonna boil a lobster to hear him scream

Step 1: Buy a big ol' lobster
Step 2: Boil alive
Step 3: Profit! (umm...maybe- Deliciousness?)