I doubt you'll ever see proportional representation...in Ontario if was referendum question which went down to defeat...
it was poorly explained and worded imo
Then those who wanted it so bad should have got out and educate people...as McGuinty said at the time he was commenting one way or the other. As far as I'm concerned our process getting mps to the house of commons works just fine here, it's after that get there is where the problems start, imo...in order to have a seat in the house of commons you must get elected.
In proportional representation...if the Greens get 10% of the vote...they get 10% of the MPS...who decides which MPS goes to Ottawa...they are just appointed...like the senate...
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
Then those who wanted it so bad should have got out and educate people...as McGuinty said at the time he was commenting one way or the other. As far as I'm concerned our process getting mps to the house of commons works just fine here, it's after that get there is where the problems start, imo...in order to have a seat in the house of commons you must get elected.
In proportional representation...if the Greens get 10% of the vote...they get 10% of the MPS...who decides which MPS goes to Ottawa...they are just appointed...like the senate...
let's face it ... how many people actually vote for the person and not the party next to their name? ... it's like that anyways for the most part ...
so ... many conservatives won without actually doing one debate or any serious campaigning ... this goes for the ndp as well ...
Then those who wanted it so bad should have got out and educate people...as McGuinty said at the time he was commenting one way or the other. As far as I'm concerned our process getting mps to the house of commons works just fine here, it's after that get there is where the problems start, imo...in order to have a seat in the house of commons you must get elected.
In proportional representation...if the Greens get 10% of the vote...they get 10% of the MPS...who decides which MPS goes to Ottawa...they are just appointed...like the senate...
let's face it ... how many people actually vote for the person and not the party next to their name? ... it's like that anyways for the most part ...
so ... many conservatives won without actually doing one debate or any serious campaigning ... this goes for the ndp as well ...
It'll never fly...who decides who is going to represent them in Ottawa...I know in Windsor West and Windsor Tecumseh the 2 conservative candidates fully participated in the debates even though realistically they were not going to win the riding.
Many questions...
so do we just have an election with no candidates?
after the election they decide the common seats based on percentage of votes?
who decides which members are appointed to the common?
if members of the house are just appointed...well thats not democracy, imo...
I'm happy with how we elect members...I'm just not so crazy about what happens when they get their.
if people want real democracy then we need national referendums on major policy issues
elections are suppose to be the referendum...now all the corrupt bullshitters do is tell people what they want to hear and hope they get elected.
as for the next 4 years...we'll just have to see what happens
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
But with a majority government also comes expectations from the base that Harper has tried to keep happy over the past five years.
"For years, we've kept our mouths silent because we knew it was a minority and we didn't want this hidden-agenda label to come out," said Craig Chandler, a businessman and long-time supporter of the party in its various incarnations.
"But the reason we chose a westerner is because we wanted the Canadian Alliance-Reform agenda, and now that he has won a majority, he won't be afraid to show his true colours."
I still think we will not see this end of safety net that we have here in this country, but it is interesting to see these Reformers are expecting some things to go their way.
I hope Harper is not dumb to go with a Reform agenda because his party will become the Liberals in four years, Canadians want fiscal conservatism not so much for social conservatism.
Will be an interesting four years but I think this election was good because the BQ was decimated and the Liberals can now start fresh and get a new identity for the next go around.
I expect the following Conservative initiatives to be passed by end of summer:
- Long Gun Registry will be gone
- Federal funding for political parties to be axed
- Copyright Act will pass
- New Law and Order bill
But with a majority government also comes expectations from the base that Harper has tried to keep happy over the past five years.
"For years, we've kept our mouths silent because we knew it was a minority and we didn't want this hidden-agenda label to come out," said Craig Chandler, a businessman and long-time supporter of the party in its various incarnations.
"But the reason we chose a westerner is because we wanted the Canadian Alliance-Reform agenda, and now that he has won a majority, he won't be afraid to show his true colours."
I still think we will not see this end of safety net that we have here in this country, but it is interesting to see these Reformers are expecting some things to go their way.
I hope Harper is not dumb to go with a Reform agenda because his party will become the Liberals in four years, Canadians want fiscal conservatism not so much for social conservatism.
Will be an interesting four years but I think this election was good because the BQ was decimated and the Liberals can now start fresh and get a new identity for the next go around.
I expect the following Conservative initiatives to be passed by end of summer:
- Long Gun Registry will be gone
- Federal funding for political parties to be axed
- Copyright Act will pass
- New Law and Order bill
I agree with you that those initiatives will be passed fairly quickly...I work with several people who hunt and are so glad to know that they'll never have to be bothered with that gun registry again.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
But with a majority government also comes expectations from the base that Harper has tried to keep happy over the past five years.
"For years, we've kept our mouths silent because we knew it was a minority and we didn't want this hidden-agenda label to come out," said Craig Chandler, a businessman and long-time supporter of the party in its various incarnations.
"But the reason we chose a westerner is because we wanted the Canadian Alliance-Reform agenda, and now that he has won a majority, he won't be afraid to show his true colours."
I still think we will not see this end of safety net that we have here in this country, but it is interesting to see these Reformers are expecting some things to go their way.
I hope Harper is not dumb to go with a Reform agenda because his party will become the Liberals in four years, Canadians want fiscal conservatism not so much for social conservatism.
Will be an interesting four years but I think this election was good because the BQ was decimated and the Liberals can now start fresh and get a new identity for the next go around.
I expect the following Conservative initiatives to be passed by end of summer:
- Long Gun Registry will be gone
- Federal funding for political parties to be axed
- Copyright Act will pass
- New Law and Order bill
don't say you weren't warned ... :(
he can now move hardcore right with very little consequence ...
i expect the following before end of summer:
* discontinued funds to non-partisan ngo's that are not in line with ideology (ie. reproductive rights, human rights (palestinian), environment, etc)
* further corporate tax cuts
* gutting of internal ministries such as the environment
he's gotta pay for the tax cuts somehow ... not sure which programs are gonna go first ...
He still is agreeing to increased health care funds to the provinces.
Did some more research on that guy I quoted above and I guess most Albertan Conservatives think that guy is crazy and even most right wing guys dismiss him as an utter wacko.
He still is agreeing to increased health care funds to the provinces.
Did some more research on that guy I quoted above and I guess most Albertan Conservatives think that guy is crazy and even most right wing guys dismiss him as an utter wacko.
we shall see ... i don't expect harper to do a lot of this stuff publicly ... i suspect it will be done via these agencies and such ... he's already shown that he is more than prepared to withhold information so ... he can easily move this agenda without putting anything through the house ...
it's kind of ironic ... despite tripling his seats - the ndp are more useless now then when they were two days ago ...
This is how our democracy works...the liberals dropped the ball on this election...yes I know Harper wanted it...but he could honestly stand up at a podium and say I did not call this election, and he was being truthful. Ignatieff could have waited a year to see if his numbers improved...I really think he wanted to know sooner than later where he stood with the electorate, he found out, now he's going to move on.
A lot of times when you force an election nobody wants...you loose big time...just ask David Peterson.
Besides the liberal ran on tory corruption...jets...jails...and corporate tax cuts all issue I don't think people were interested in...most people I know seem to be concerned about their job, health care, cost of living, the economy their retirement etc..
Now that the liberals have 4 years to find a replacement I suspect that they'll have a better leader in place in 4 years...I've heard Justin Trudeau's name thrown around...
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
He still is agreeing to increased health care funds to the provinces.
Did some more research on that guy I quoted above and I guess most Albertan Conservatives think that guy is crazy and even most right wing guys dismiss him as an utter wacko.
we shall see ... i don't expect harper to do a lot of this stuff publicly ... i suspect it will be done via these agencies and such ... he's already shown that he is more than prepared to withhold information so ... he can easily move this agenda without putting anything through the house ...
it's kind of ironic ... despite tripling his seats - the ndp are more useless now then when they were two days ago ...
I think a Harper majority was not expected...I think the NDP has a lot of work to do preparing their newly elected MPS, especially in Quebec where apparently some of the newly elected NDP MP's are not very fluent in French...hehehehe.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
I think a Harper majority was not expected...I think the NDP has a lot of work to do preparing their newly elected MPS, especially in Quebec where apparently some of the newly elected NDP MP's are not very fluent in French...hehehehe.
uhhh ... professor ... ummm ... i won't be able to finish my semester ... i just got a new job ...
I don't think that this is a terrible outcome, for a variety of reasons. First, I think that Harper wants to be in charge, and thus won't do anything too insane about social policy, because he knows that he gets the boot in 2015 (?) if he tries. He's essentially said as much, according to the G&M site today. I know many of you don't trust him, and I'm with you on some topics for sure, but I think that the long term success of the CP is more important to him than a legacy of social conservatism. And if I'm wrong about this, at least we'll fix the mistake at first opportunity.
Second, I think that a 4-year stint in Opposition will help the NDP long-term. The Opposition is the government in waiting, and for them to be effective in that role they'll have to convince people that they can govern, and at least in part that means reasonable economics. They won 100+ seats because of the popularity of Layton, imo, not because 30% of the electorate believes they have any fiscal sense. The next four years is a great chance for them to figure out how to pay the bills; they've never had to face that possibility.
Third, we get a chance to see what Elizabeth May brings to the real show (good on her, surprises me but I like it).
Last, their abysmal performance will force the Liberals to realize that they can't take their position for granted. We won't be at the polls for four years (or whatever the date is) so they don't have to hurry back into election mode. This helps them, if they take the opportunity afforded by time. I have no idea who they'll choose (Justin Trudeau is an obvious pick, no idea if it's a good one but that's not my problem) but he or perhaps she (now that would be different) will have time to settle in and get things back on track. If the NDP and the Liberals get the next four years right then we have three options at the top, and that's a good situation for the country, imo.
Just thought I'd add a final two cents to the thread. I think that this dialogue has been good, and rather more respectful than other ones on this board. Cheers all.
I don't think that this is a terrible outcome, for a variety of reasons. First, I think that Harper wants to be in charge, and thus won't do anything too insane about social policy, because he knows that he gets the boot in 2015 (?) if he tries. He's essentially said as much, according to the G&M site today. I know many of you don't trust him, and I'm with you on some topics for sure, but I think that the long term success of the CP is more important to him than a legacy of social conservatism. And if I'm wrong about this, at least we'll fix the mistake at first opportunity.
Second, I think that a 4-year stint in Opposition will help the NDP long-term. The Opposition is the government in waiting, and for them to be effective in that role they'll have to convince people that they can govern, and at least in part that means reasonable economics. They won 100+ seats because of the popularity of Layton, imo, not because 30% of the electorate believes they have any fiscal sense. The next four years is a great chance for them to figure out how to pay the bills; they've never had to face that possibility.
Third, we get a chance to see what Elizabeth May brings to the real show (good on her, surprises me but I like it).
Last, their abysmal performance will force the Liberals to realize that they can't take their position for granted. We won't be at the polls for four years (or whatever the date is) so they don't have to hurry back into election mode. This helps them, if they take the opportunity afforded by time. I have no idea who they'll choose (Justin Trudeau is an obvious pick, no idea if it's a good one but that's not my problem) but he or perhaps she (now that would be different) will have time to settle in and get things back on track. If the NDP and the Liberals get the next four years right then we have three options at the top, and that's a good situation for the country, imo.
Just thought I'd add a final two cents to the thread. I think that this dialogue has been good, and rather more respectful than other ones on this board. Cheers all.
Good post...300 million to make the bloc disappear was worth it!!!!!!
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
I don't think that this is a terrible outcome, for a variety of reasons. First, I think that Harper wants to be in charge, and thus won't do anything too insane about social policy, because he knows that he gets the boot in 2015 (?) if he tries. He's essentially said as much, according to the G&M site today. I know many of you don't trust him, and I'm with you on some topics for sure, but I think that the long term success of the CP is more important to him than a legacy of social conservatism. And if I'm wrong about this, at least we'll fix the mistake at first opportunity.
Second, I think that a 4-year stint in Opposition will help the NDP long-term. The Opposition is the government in waiting, and for them to be effective in that role they'll have to convince people that they can govern, and at least in part that means reasonable economics. They won 100+ seats because of the popularity of Layton, imo, not because 30% of the electorate believes they have any fiscal sense. The next four years is a great chance for them to figure out how to pay the bills; they've never had to face that possibility.
Third, we get a chance to see what Elizabeth May brings to the real show (good on her, surprises me but I like it).
Last, their abysmal performance will force the Liberals to realize that they can't take their position for granted. We won't be at the polls for four years (or whatever the date is) so they don't have to hurry back into election mode. This helps them, if they take the opportunity afforded by time. I have no idea who they'll choose (Justin Trudeau is an obvious pick, no idea if it's a good one but that's not my problem) but he or perhaps she (now that would be different) will have time to settle in and get things back on track. If the NDP and the Liberals get the next four years right then we have three options at the top, and that's a good situation for the country, imo.
Just thought I'd add a final two cents to the thread. I think that this dialogue has been good, and rather more respectful than other ones on this board. Cheers all.
sadly, i would have to disagree ... and i do hope to be wrong ...
similar to how george w. bush could be re-elected ... i think the conservatives can do whatever the heck they want and they will still form gov't as long as we have this current electoral system ... their contempt of parliament, misappropriation of funds to their friends, and lack of accountability should have been enough to derail any political party ... knowing that those things didn't do anything would lead me to believe that nothing will ...
the ndp are less powerful than they were two days ago ... with a harper majority - he doesn't need to answer to anyone ... let alone a party with opposite ideologies ... they are a lame duck opposition ...
the heart of canada is changing ... we must recognize that the social infrastructure that used to define us no longer permeates through everyone ... we are divided ... the only way to change the course that has already been set is to unite the centre/left ... or change the electoral system ...
the ndp are less powerful than they were two days ago ... with a harper majority - he doesn't need to answer to anyone ... let alone a party with opposite ideologies ... they are a lame duck opposition ...
the heart of canada is changing ... we must recognize that the social infrastructure that used to define us no longer permeates through everyone ... we are divided ... the only way to change the course that has already been set is to unite the centre/left ... or change the electoral system ...
I believe all the scarey stuff and cutting will be in his first 2 years in office. How scarey remains to be seen.
The second two years will be more moderate so people will forget his first 2 years and fall for the goodies he'll be promising in 2015 to get re-elected.
Part of me is hoping Justin Trudeau is made the new leader of the Liberals. I know he's young and could stand to gain some more experience, but as the NDP gains last night show, a likable leader goes A LONG way! Having the Trudeau name doesn't hurt either lol.
"Rock and roll is something that can't be quantified, sometimes it's not even something you hear, but FEEL!" - Bob Lefsetz
I believe all the scarey stuff and cutting will be in his first 2 years in office. How scarey remains to be seen.
The second two years will be more moderate so people will forget his first 2 years and fall for the goodies he'll be promising in 2015 to get re-elected.
Part of me is hoping Justin Trudeau is made the new leader of the Liberals. I know he's young and could stand to gain some more experience, but as the NDP gains last night show, a likable leader goes A LONG way! Having the Trudeau name doesn't hurt either lol.
Is it possible the liberals won't rebound? ... what about the ndp moving to the centre? ... I think this is the outcome Jack Layton ... maybe not the tory majority ... now he's got 4 years as the possible government in waiting ... it's up to him to define his party and develop policies that could get him elected prime minister.
The ndp have a lot of work to do in the next 4 years though...
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
the only way for a party outside of the conservatives to form gov't is for electoral reform or a merger ... all layton can do is try and hold harper accountable ...
as for the liberals and justin trudeau ... he said the right thing yesterday ... forget about who's leading ... the party has to look itself in the mirror and recognize the arrogance and entitlement issues it had ... they need to connect back with the people ...
the only way for a party outside of the conservatives to form gov't is for electoral reform or a merger ... all layton can do is try and hold harper accountable ...
as for the liberals and justin trudeau ... he said the right thing yesterday ... forget about who's leading ... the party has to look itself in the mirror and recognize the arrogance and entitlement issues it had ... they need to connect back with the people ...
Any of the analyst and experts don't seem to expect a merger...and I haven't heard any of the big parties talk about reform.
I don't see how a merger will help guarantee success...I would suspect blue liberals would permanently support the tories...the left in the ndp would shift to the green...
In the next election it may be even harder to defeat the conservatives...somewhere between 30-40 seats are being added in Ontario, Alberta and BC.
what I would rather see is laws in place that allow the RCMP to investigate corruption at all levels of politics that allows them to lay charges...and prosecute...then add stiff penalties and strip them of their pension and any other benefits...that will never happen.
To me it doesn't matter who's in charge anymore...their all corrupt...or become corrupt
Harper has said he will not touch health and he is going to honour the health accord...I think to most Canadians thats the big issue.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
As for the leadership of the Liberals...they need a real leadership race with multiple candidates and not another Ignatieff fiasco...I also heard Dominic Leblanc as a potential candidate...they do need someone younger, it might be long rebuilding process.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
Any of the analyst and experts don't seem to expect a merger...and I haven't heard any of the big parties talk about reform.
I don't see how a merger will help guarantee success...I would suspect blue liberals would permanently support the tories...the left in the ndp would shift to the green...
In the next election it may be even harder to defeat the conservatives...somewhere between 30-40 seats are being added in Ontario, Alberta and BC.
what I would rather see is laws in place that allow the RCMP to investigate corruption at all levels of politics that allows them to lay charges...and prosecute...then add stiff penalties and strip them of their pension and any other benefits...that will never happen.
To me it doesn't matter who's in charge anymore...their all corrupt...or become corrupt
Harper has said he will not touch health and he is going to honour the health accord...I think to most Canadians thats the big issue.
i think a merger would make a huge difference ... i see close to 61% of the population voting against a right wing ideology as opposed to a centre or left platform ... my preferred situation would be the right splits ... hard core right ... centre right ... have multiple parties and implement some kind of fair vote system ... that way parties ultimately will always be in a minority situation and have to work together ... i don't like a majority for anyone to be quite honest ...
like i've said - i think we'd all love accountability, transparency and integrity at gov't ... unfortunately, it's been a downward spiral for a long time now and it's not gonna get better ...
If more politicians were like him...maybe we'd all be less cynical...
in my opinion ... i do feel like there are ... i think the first wave of liberal collapse brought that ... guys like gerard kennedy, justin trudeau, stephane dion, ken dryden ... by all accounts, these are people with substantial integrity ...
sadly tho ... that is not the nature of the political game for the average voter ... it's sound bytes, negative attack ads and self-interest ...
Any of the analyst and experts don't seem to expect a merger...and I haven't heard any of the big parties talk about reform.
I don't see how a merger will help guarantee success...I would suspect blue liberals would permanently support the tories...the left in the ndp would shift to the green...
In the next election it may be even harder to defeat the conservatives...somewhere between 30-40 seats are being added in Ontario, Alberta and BC.
what I would rather see is laws in place that allow the RCMP to investigate corruption at all levels of politics that allows them to lay charges...and prosecute...then add stiff penalties and strip them of their pension and any other benefits...that will never happen.
To me it doesn't matter who's in charge anymore...their all corrupt...or become corrupt
Harper has said he will not touch health and he is going to honour the health accord...I think to most Canadians thats the big issue.
i think a merger would make a huge difference ... i see close to 61% of the population voting against a right wing ideology as opposed to a centre or left platform ... my preferred situation would be the right splits ... hard core right ... centre right ... have multiple parties and implement some kind of fair vote system ... that way parties ultimately will always be in a minority situation and have to work together ... i don't like a majority for anyone to be quite honest ...
like i've said - i think we'd all love accountability, transparency and integrity at gov't ... unfortunately, it's been a downward spiral for a long time now and it's not gonna get better ...
It may...but there are a lot of blue liberals...just as there are a lot of very left leaning new democrats...I just don't see them merging...I also don't see another right wing party being formed at this time...only time will tell for any of this.
Theses things cycle around...for 13 years before this the liberals ran the country...now its the tories turn...my guess is sometime in the next 5-10 years the liberals will have rebuilt their party and will be challenging for government. If your looking for some socialistic utopia you'll probably never get that in Canada...just don't see that happening.
I'd stated before that I think the country is changed, I've seen it on a smaller scale here...people like me are getting tired of politicians thinking they they can always turn to the taxpayer every time they want to start some sort of program.
If Harper for the most part leaves my taxes alone...leaves health care alone...balances the books in the next 4 years I'll be satisfied.
Maybe we can revisit this thread in 4 years times to see how it all went...somehow for some I don't think it will matter anyways.
soon enough enough we'll be on to the provincial election...that'll be interesting!!!
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
yeah ... like i said ... i'd vote conservative if they were the most accountable and had integrity ... although i am a socialist - i have stated many times the country as a whole is not ... a merger is not to bring forth a socialist utopian agenda ... it is simply the only solution to chart a different course ... as long as there is but one right wing option - we will never get a representative democracy ...
Comments
Then those who wanted it so bad should have got out and educate people...as McGuinty said at the time he was commenting one way or the other. As far as I'm concerned our process getting mps to the house of commons works just fine here, it's after that get there is where the problems start, imo...in order to have a seat in the house of commons you must get elected.
In proportional representation...if the Greens get 10% of the vote...they get 10% of the MPS...who decides which MPS goes to Ottawa...they are just appointed...like the senate...
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
let's face it ... how many people actually vote for the person and not the party next to their name? ... it's like that anyways for the most part ...
so ... many conservatives won without actually doing one debate or any serious campaigning ... this goes for the ndp as well ...
It'll never fly...who decides who is going to represent them in Ottawa...I know in Windsor West and Windsor Tecumseh the 2 conservative candidates fully participated in the debates even though realistically they were not going to win the riding.
Many questions...
so do we just have an election with no candidates?
after the election they decide the common seats based on percentage of votes?
who decides which members are appointed to the common?
if members of the house are just appointed...well thats not democracy, imo...
I'm happy with how we elect members...I'm just not so crazy about what happens when they get their.
if people want real democracy then we need national referendums on major policy issues
elections are suppose to be the referendum...now all the corrupt bullshitters do is tell people what they want to hear and hope they get elected.
as for the next 4 years...we'll just have to see what happens
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/03 ... rs-future/
No real surprise.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
http://www.fairvote.ca/
Quick tid-bit from this article:
But with a majority government also comes expectations from the base that Harper has tried to keep happy over the past five years.
"For years, we've kept our mouths silent because we knew it was a minority and we didn't want this hidden-agenda label to come out," said Craig Chandler, a businessman and long-time supporter of the party in its various incarnations.
"But the reason we chose a westerner is because we wanted the Canadian Alliance-Reform agenda, and now that he has won a majority, he won't be afraid to show his true colours."
I still think we will not see this end of safety net that we have here in this country, but it is interesting to see these Reformers are expecting some things to go their way.
I hope Harper is not dumb to go with a Reform agenda because his party will become the Liberals in four years, Canadians want fiscal conservatism not so much for social conservatism.
Will be an interesting four years but I think this election was good because the BQ was decimated and the Liberals can now start fresh and get a new identity for the next go around.
I expect the following Conservative initiatives to be passed by end of summer:
- Long Gun Registry will be gone
- Federal funding for political parties to be axed
- Copyright Act will pass
- New Law and Order bill
I agree with you that those initiatives will be passed fairly quickly...I work with several people who hunt and are so glad to know that they'll never have to be bothered with that gun registry again.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
don't say you weren't warned ... :(
he can now move hardcore right with very little consequence ...
i expect the following before end of summer:
* discontinued funds to non-partisan ngo's that are not in line with ideology (ie. reproductive rights, human rights (palestinian), environment, etc)
* further corporate tax cuts
* gutting of internal ministries such as the environment
he's gotta pay for the tax cuts somehow ... not sure which programs are gonna go first ...
Did some more research on that guy I quoted above and I guess most Albertan Conservatives think that guy is crazy and even most right wing guys dismiss him as an utter wacko.
we shall see ... i don't expect harper to do a lot of this stuff publicly ... i suspect it will be done via these agencies and such ... he's already shown that he is more than prepared to withhold information so ... he can easily move this agenda without putting anything through the house ...
it's kind of ironic ... despite tripling his seats - the ndp are more useless now then when they were two days ago ...
A lot of times when you force an election nobody wants...you loose big time...just ask David Peterson.
Besides the liberal ran on tory corruption...jets...jails...and corporate tax cuts all issue I don't think people were interested in...most people I know seem to be concerned about their job, health care, cost of living, the economy their retirement etc..
Now that the liberals have 4 years to find a replacement I suspect that they'll have a better leader in place in 4 years...I've heard Justin Trudeau's name thrown around...
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
I think a Harper majority was not expected...I think the NDP has a lot of work to do preparing their newly elected MPS, especially in Quebec where apparently some of the newly elected NDP MP's are not very fluent in French...hehehehe.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
uhhh ... professor ... ummm ... i won't be able to finish my semester ... i just got a new job ...
Second, I think that a 4-year stint in Opposition will help the NDP long-term. The Opposition is the government in waiting, and for them to be effective in that role they'll have to convince people that they can govern, and at least in part that means reasonable economics. They won 100+ seats because of the popularity of Layton, imo, not because 30% of the electorate believes they have any fiscal sense. The next four years is a great chance for them to figure out how to pay the bills; they've never had to face that possibility.
Third, we get a chance to see what Elizabeth May brings to the real show (good on her, surprises me but I like it).
Last, their abysmal performance will force the Liberals to realize that they can't take their position for granted. We won't be at the polls for four years (or whatever the date is) so they don't have to hurry back into election mode. This helps them, if they take the opportunity afforded by time. I have no idea who they'll choose (Justin Trudeau is an obvious pick, no idea if it's a good one but that's not my problem) but he or perhaps she (now that would be different) will have time to settle in and get things back on track. If the NDP and the Liberals get the next four years right then we have three options at the top, and that's a good situation for the country, imo.
Just thought I'd add a final two cents to the thread. I think that this dialogue has been good, and rather more respectful than other ones on this board. Cheers all.
Good post...300 million to make the bloc disappear was worth it!!!!!!
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
sadly, i would have to disagree ... and i do hope to be wrong ...
similar to how george w. bush could be re-elected ... i think the conservatives can do whatever the heck they want and they will still form gov't as long as we have this current electoral system ... their contempt of parliament, misappropriation of funds to their friends, and lack of accountability should have been enough to derail any political party ... knowing that those things didn't do anything would lead me to believe that nothing will ...
the ndp are less powerful than they were two days ago ... with a harper majority - he doesn't need to answer to anyone ... let alone a party with opposite ideologies ... they are a lame duck opposition ...
the heart of canada is changing ... we must recognize that the social infrastructure that used to define us no longer permeates through everyone ... we are divided ... the only way to change the course that has already been set is to unite the centre/left ... or change the electoral system ...
I think that is just about exactly right.
The second two years will be more moderate so people will forget his first 2 years and fall for the goodies he'll be promising in 2015 to get re-elected.
Part of me is hoping Justin Trudeau is made the new leader of the Liberals. I know he's young and could stand to gain some more experience, but as the NDP gains last night show, a likable leader goes A LONG way! Having the Trudeau name doesn't hurt either lol.
Is it possible the liberals won't rebound? ... what about the ndp moving to the centre? ... I think this is the outcome Jack Layton ... maybe not the tory majority ... now he's got 4 years as the possible government in waiting ... it's up to him to define his party and develop policies that could get him elected prime minister.
The ndp have a lot of work to do in the next 4 years though...
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
as for the liberals and justin trudeau ... he said the right thing yesterday ... forget about who's leading ... the party has to look itself in the mirror and recognize the arrogance and entitlement issues it had ... they need to connect back with the people ...
Any of the analyst and experts don't seem to expect a merger...and I haven't heard any of the big parties talk about reform.
I don't see how a merger will help guarantee success...I would suspect blue liberals would permanently support the tories...the left in the ndp would shift to the green...
In the next election it may be even harder to defeat the conservatives...somewhere between 30-40 seats are being added in Ontario, Alberta and BC.
what I would rather see is laws in place that allow the RCMP to investigate corruption at all levels of politics that allows them to lay charges...and prosecute...then add stiff penalties and strip them of their pension and any other benefits...that will never happen.
To me it doesn't matter who's in charge anymore...their all corrupt...or become corrupt
Harper has said he will not touch health and he is going to honour the health accord...I think to most Canadians thats the big issue.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/poli ... o-now?bn=1
If more politicians were like him...maybe we'd all be less cynical...
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
i think a merger would make a huge difference ... i see close to 61% of the population voting against a right wing ideology as opposed to a centre or left platform ... my preferred situation would be the right splits ... hard core right ... centre right ... have multiple parties and implement some kind of fair vote system ... that way parties ultimately will always be in a minority situation and have to work together ... i don't like a majority for anyone to be quite honest ...
like i've said - i think we'd all love accountability, transparency and integrity at gov't ... unfortunately, it's been a downward spiral for a long time now and it's not gonna get better ...
in my opinion ... i do feel like there are ... i think the first wave of liberal collapse brought that ... guys like gerard kennedy, justin trudeau, stephane dion, ken dryden ... by all accounts, these are people with substantial integrity ...
sadly tho ... that is not the nature of the political game for the average voter ... it's sound bytes, negative attack ads and self-interest ...
It may...but there are a lot of blue liberals...just as there are a lot of very left leaning new democrats...I just don't see them merging...I also don't see another right wing party being formed at this time...only time will tell for any of this.
Theses things cycle around...for 13 years before this the liberals ran the country...now its the tories turn...my guess is sometime in the next 5-10 years the liberals will have rebuilt their party and will be challenging for government. If your looking for some socialistic utopia you'll probably never get that in Canada...just don't see that happening.
I'd stated before that I think the country is changed, I've seen it on a smaller scale here...people like me are getting tired of politicians thinking they they can always turn to the taxpayer every time they want to start some sort of program.
If Harper for the most part leaves my taxes alone...leaves health care alone...balances the books in the next 4 years I'll be satisfied.
Maybe we can revisit this thread in 4 years times to see how it all went...somehow for some I don't think it will matter anyways.
soon enough enough we'll be on to the provincial election...that'll be interesting!!!
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon