Conservatives To Slash Federal Funding of Political Parties [Update-CPC backs down]

[J pold]

I agree with most in this thread, I find nothing wrong with this. With a looming recession keep money in the hands of your citizens. Not tax them to prop up ineffective party finance.

[flamingreen]

I guess they couldn't find it in their hearts to cut the size of their government down from 38 ministers (up 10 from their previous government). If every little bit counts in these tough times so do their increased salaries, staff and extra expenses.

[FlamesAddiction]

It's easier for the Conservatives to get private funding because they are the party that most appeals to the wealthy individuals and corporations.

[evman150]

Bad for democracy, and a really greasy thing to do by the Conservatives.

I find it hard to believe how people in this thread can't see how this is bad for Canada.

"It's good for my party, who cares about the other parties!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by evman150

Bad for democracy, and a really greasy thing to do by the Conservatives.

I find it hard to believe how people in this thread can't see how this is bad for Canada.

"It's good for my party, who cares about the other parties!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons

Nobody has said that, that is just what you have manufactured so you don't have to deal with anyone thinking that political parties artificially propped up with tax dollars is just wrong.

Maybe you don't like it because your party couldn't survive on it's own and you just care about the free money?

[Ronald Pagan]

I love this board's political bias sometimes.

If the Liberals did a move like this, like capping the share of party funding that you could receive from individuals you'd all be screaming bloody murder.

The savings are so minuscule and the implications are so severe that I can't believe the Conservatives are trying this. This is a Chavez-like move to cripple the opposition all in the name of saving $30 million.

Yup, go Cons go.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Ronald Pagan

I love this board's political bias sometimes.

If the Liberals did a move like this, like capping the share of party funding that you could receive from individuals you'd all be screaming bloody murder.

The savings are so minuscule and the implications are so severe that I can't believe the Conservatives are trying this. This is a Chavez-like move to cripple the opposition all in the name of saving $30 million.

Yup, go Cons go.

Political Bias? You are one of the worst offenders.

[Ronald Pagan]

Yep, because I thought a carbon tax, a policy, was a good idea and that climate change is a serious problem.

[llama64]

Smacks of political manouvering and out right disregard for the welfare of our democratic state.

The POINT of federal funding for parties is to ensure that every legitimate party has a voice come campaign day. The Conservatives are now trying to tilt to table towards their ends and damage their opposition. It's immoral, dirty and very un-Canadian.

If you want to participate in a political system like that, go to America and get the hell out of my country.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

I disagree. This money is dependent on votes, so it is very legitimate. The number of votes * $1.95 = the amount of money.

Only parties able to campaign effectively enough to get people to vote for them get any money.

As I see it, this is a big problem because it doesn't let people vote for who they want... they get to vote for who has the most money because now smaller parties will likely be unable to field a full slate of candidates.

Also, it just so happens that the Conservatives are by far the party that receives the most amount of money from fundraising and private donations.

I see it as Harper setting himself up to win a majority by crippling the other parties ability to compete.

/end rant.

Do you like funding Quebec separatists?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Ronald Pagan

I love this board's political bias sometimes.

If the Liberals did a move like this, like capping the share of party funding that you could receive from individuals you'd all be screaming bloody murder.

The savings are so minuscule and the implications are so severe that I can't believe the Conservatives are trying this. This is a Chavez-like move to cripple the opposition all in the name of saving $30 million.

Yup, go Cons go.

Lol. Just last week I asked another poster who you were. If I'd have waited until this post, I'd have figured it out for myself.

As for the bolded part, the Cons already did this. No need to wait for the Libs to commit bloody murder.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by llama64

Smacks of political manouvering and out right disregard for the welfare of our democratic state.

The POINT of federal funding for parties is to ensure that every legitimate party has a voice come campaign day. The Conservatives are now trying to tilt to table towards their ends and damage their opposition. It's immoral, dirty and very un-Canadian.

If you want to participate in a political system like that, go to America and get the hell out of my country.

peter12 beat me to it, but do you call the Bloc a legitimate party?

And what's with the freak out? Get the hell out of my country? It's my country too, and I happen to agree with the proposal. How about YOU get the hell outta MY country?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ronald Pagan

I love this board's political bias sometimes.

If the Liberals did a move like this, like capping the share of party funding that you could receive from individuals you'd all be screaming bloody murder.

The savings are so minuscule and the implications are so severe that I can't believe the Conservatives are trying this. This is a Chavez-like move to cripple the opposition all in the name of saving $30 million.

Yup, go Cons go.

Any party can raise money if they do the work and create a grassroots base of individual donors. The Cons have done it with a lot of hard work, where alot of the other parties have traditionally relied on big corporate and union donations.

If I was a Liberal, I would be pretty happy with this move, actually. Their fundraising machine is hopelessly antiquated and is in desperate need of a huge overhaul. This will simply speed the process along by necessity.

The NDP too, have a well-developed and growing donor base. There is also no way that a small fringe party like the NDP should be able to spend near the limit during a federal election.

The only parties this will really hurt are the Greens and the Bloc. Good riddance, I say.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

It's easier for the Conservatives to get private funding because they are the party that most appeals to the wealthy individuals and corporations.

(hint)... maximum donation is $1100 per person and the rules are really, really strict.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by peter12

Do you like funding Quebec separatists?

"I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death to defend your right to say it".

Democracy is about hearing every point of view in equal consideration. It has been determined that the best way to promote democracy in the modern age is to start every party off on equal footing in order to get their message out.

The separatist message is just as valid as any other parties.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by peter12

(hint)... maximum donation is $1100 per person and the rules are really, really strict.

Indeed, and we don't see the Liberal minded people here trashing Chretien for that one, do we?

Frankly, this is the right move. Democracy, at it's core, is a grassroots movement. If your party does not have the ability to gain support from the grassroots, why should the government itself support you?

[llama64]

Originally Posted by 4X4

peter12 beat me to it, but do you call the Bloc a legitimate party?

And what's with the freak out? Get the hell out of my country? It's my country too, and I happen to agree with the proposal. How about YOU get the hell outta MY country?

Yes, the Bloc is a legitimate party. It's as legitimate as the Reform party ever was. Just because you disagree with their platform doesn't give you the right to challenge their validity.

My "freak out" is directed at the Conservative leadership, not the baseline support. Most Albertan's support the Conservatives either due to some odd form of loyalty, or because they believe in the ideals of smaller government, less taxes and all that other good stuff (fiscal conservatism).

Canada has never been a country to be run by elites -- for an example of that look to America. What the Conservatives are doing with this move is adjusting the system to make it easier for the elites to get their policy through at the expense of any other political voice.

Cutting spending is important, but this was NOT the way to go about it.

[DEvans]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Indeed, and we don't see the Liberal minded people here trashing Chretien for that one, do we?

Frankly, this is the right move. Democracy, at it's core, is a grassroots movement. If your party does not have the ability to gain support from the grassroots, why should the government itself support you?

Best comment yet!

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by llama64

Yes, the Bloc is a legitimate party. It's as legitimate as the Reform party ever was. Just because you disagree with their platform doesn't give you the right to challenge their validity.

My "freak out" is directed at the Conservative leadership, not the baseline support. Most Albertan's support the Conservatives either due to some odd form of loyalty, or because they believe in the ideals of smaller government, less taxes and all that other good stuff (fiscal conservatism).

Canada has never been a country to be run by elites -- for an example of that look to America. What the Conservatives are doing with this move is adjusting the system to make it easier for the elites to get their policy through at the expense of any other political voice.

Cutting spending is important, but this was NOT the way to go about it.

I fail to see how it would make it easier for the elites. Look at the liberal party as an example, the last two Liberal Prime Ministers could for all intents and purposes be called elite. I dont think too many average Canadians own steamship lines. If anything Cretien made it more difficult for elite people to gain power or force policy.

[Finner]

The original rule of $1.95 was only brought in SIX years ago under Chretian.

Guess who at the time was drawing the most votes of the Canadian public and who was making the most money from it? The liberals.

This is good, contributions are already capped at $1000 / individual so its not as if several wealthy people can influence party policy. The parties SHOULD be raising there own money, not relying on the public purse. Again it has only been in for six years that we give money to public parties. Before that they raised money through hard work and knocking on doors. It should definitely go back to that.