2011 Canadian Election Thread - Page 229 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

SebC · 05-03-2011, 09:12 PM

Honestly, I don't mind it. With the party system and being the opposition, the damage these rookie MPs can do is really quite limited (other than damage to the NDP). Plus, young adults have historically been under-represented in the House of Commons, and these new NDPers are addressing that. They might even bring some fresh ideas, or at least make question period more interesting.

SebC · 05-03-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ark2

That being said, what's the protocol for a by-election? Can only NDP candidates run, or is it open to all parties?

All parties.

Frequitude · 05-03-2011, 09:18 PM

Anyone else hear the giggly girl on CBC radio? I'm not sure what was my favorite part:

a) The discussion about when the first paycheck would be
b) The reporter asking her (maybe her friend) if she was just going to toss that cigarette butt on the ground like that, or
c) Saying her Masters degree would have to be put off for a year or two, only to be reminded that it'll be closer to 4 or 5 years with the majority.

Handsome B. Wonderful · 05-03-2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

Like I said earlier, I think that there are going to be a number of by-elections over the next few years in Quebec. The candidates were running thinking that there was no way that they would win, so you can't really blame them, but I doubt that they all make it through the whole term.

Like I was saying earlier: Rob Anders. It's not exactly challenging to work for a few months each year, sitting in a chair, doing nothing and collecting 157k per year.

Most of these idiots are going to be back bench opposition MPs. I don't think it's going to be very difficult for a bar manager or a student to sit down, shut up, do nothing for 4 years, not get re-elected, and walk away in their early 20s with their house paid for. Manage to get re-elected for another 2 years and you're set for life.

Ark2 · 05-03-2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frequitude

Anyone else hear the giggly girl on CBC radio? I'm not sure what was my favorite part:

a) The discussion about when the first paycheck would be
b) The reporter asking her (maybe her friend) if she was just going to toss that cigarette butt on the ground like that, or
c) Saying her Masters degree would have to be put off for a year or two, only to be reminded that it'll be closer to 4 or 5 years with the majority.

wow! is there a link to this? or is it live?

Slava · 05-03-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

It might be a tough job, but they've got 157,731 reasons/year to stick with it.

Ya, its definitely a pay raise for a kid who was going to work at a golf course for the summer, or the co-manager of a pub.

I just know that a close friend is an MLA and his travel schedule can be ridiculous...back and forth from Edmonton to Calgary. Then as a local elected official you're invited to all kinds of engagements and events. Within the constituency you have case work, and depending on the specific constituency that might be very little, but it could also be a huge amount of work.

That case work (in case you're wondering what kinds of things it would be) is stuff like immigration issues (I'm guessing at the federal level) where constituents need help navigating the system, or likely issues with federal programs where they need help in accessing the programs or things like that.

On top of that now, they'll have party requirements. Meetings, a cabinet portfolio to shadow and critique. Then there are things that the party needs to have done by an MP....and the list just goes on.

Don't get me wrong, there are worse jobs that pay way less. Just saying that there is a lot of work involved. Take note, most of those Reformers who were all about cutting wages for the MPs and getting rid of the "gold-plated pensions" seem to have mysteriously opted back in once they got to Ottawa and realized how much work it was, how many demands the role puts on you and probably how thankless it can be.

Cowboy89 · 05-03-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

Honestly, I don't mind it. With the party system and being the opposition, the damage these rookie MPs can do is really quite limited (other than damage to the NDP). Plus, young adults have historically been under-represented in the House of Commons, and these new NDPers are addressing that. They might even bring some fresh ideas, or at least make question period more interesting.

My guess is they'll be effectively muzzled. The money will keep them there, but if they embarass the NDP too much, ask terrible questions in question period, etc. They will be independents in no time.

SebC · 05-03-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

My guess is they'll be effectively muzzled. The money will keep them there, but if they embarass the NDP too much, ask terrible questions in question period, etc. They will be independents in no time.

Not sure that's much of a deterrent. (Also, I'm not being 100% serious right now.)

SebC · 05-03-2011, 09:43 PM

Worth repeating, because it's on topic right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Lady

By my count at least 4 of these

http://hashtagfail.tumblr.com/

"name on ballot" candidates won.

My apologies if it's already been posted.... just got home from counting ballots.

Mathgod · 05-03-2011, 09:43 PM

metallicat · 05-03-2011, 09:52 PM

The Liberal comeback might not take as long as first thought if these rookie NDP MPs are as much of a disaster as many of us are expecting them to be. Swap the Liberals with the NDP and I would be happy. I'd rather have competent MPs than morons who figured they'd run just for the hell of it.

Mathgod · 05-03-2011, 09:56 PM

Ignatieff was the problem with the Liberals this time around, IMO. In it for his political career, and nothing more. Not ideals, not the people. I would have voted liberal in this election if it were not for their leader.

After 2 debacles in a row, they can ill afford to make another mistake when it comes to choosing their leader.

SebC · 05-03-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

The Liberal comeback might not take as long as first thought if these rookie NDP MPs are as much of a disaster as many of us are expecting them to be. Swap the Liberals with the NDP and I would be happy. I'd rather have competent MPs than morons who figured they'd run just for the hell of it.

Can't be that moronic... they managed to get themselves a pretty sweet gig.

metallicat · 05-03-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

Can't be that moronic... they managed to get themselves a pretty sweet gig.

Except I think this election proved that virtually anything with an NDP banner could win in the province of Quebec. It didn't matter to the voters who they were. The more I think about this, the more I think this was strictly a condemnation of the Liberals and the Bloc rather than an approval of the NDP.

nik- · 05-03-2011, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Except I think this election proved that virtually anything with an NDP banner could win in the province of Quebec. It didn't matter to the voters who they were. The more I think about this, the more I think this was strictly a condemnation of the Liberals and the Bloc rather than an approval of the NDP.

That's exactly what it was. They gained 65 seats and 57 of those were in Quebec, they rolled on promising stuff they knew they'd never have to deliver. They're going to get blown out of the water next election.

The NDP revolution is a house of cards.

That being said, it's still better Orange than BQ Blue ... but that BQ Blue will be back.

SebC · 05-03-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Except I think this election proved that virtually anything with an NDP banner could win in the province of Quebec. It didn't matter to the voters who they were. The more I think about this, the more I think this was strictly a condemnation of the Liberals and the Bloc rather than an approval of the NDP.

I'm saying they were smart enough to put themselves down for $157,731/year and a nice pension, not that voters required them to be smart.

Frequitude · 05-03-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ark2

wow! is there a link to this? or is it live?

It was on AM 1010 at about 6:45-7:00 or so this evening. Hil-ar-i-ous.

MarchHare · 05-03-2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frequitude

It was on AM 1010 at about 6:45-7:00 or so this evening. Hil-ar-i-ous.

It was on As It Happens tonight...I heard it too.

Should be able to stream it from here. It was pretty early in the show, so probably in part 1 or part 2.

http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/

Jedi Ninja · 05-03-2011, 11:10 PM

^ It's at 10:30 in Part 1.

Ark2 · 05-03-2011, 11:10 PM

Just checked out Ruth Ellen Brosseau's facebook (the bartender that went on vacation during the campaign). Under her interests, she has one word, "fame" lol

edit: might not be her legit page