Democracy at work in Canada

[Az]

but Paul Martin is still a right-wing dork whose only skill is balancing budgets

I wish we had one of those.

[Agathon]

NYE is right. The Prime Minister is chosen by caucus and can be booted out by the same.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by St Leo
The transfer is perfectly democratic as far as I am concerned, but Paul Martin is still a right-wing dork whose only skill is balancing budgets.

Yes, but this is a good thing. Have you seen the NDP's poll numbers lately. If they play their cards right they could soon be the official opposition.

[Zylka]

Originally posted by St Leo
The transfer is perfectly democratic as far as I am concerned, but Paul Martin is still a right-wing dork whose only skill is balancing budgets.

Great. Our dollar will someday be worth more than 32 cents US again - and we can quit making priority of pleasing Chretien's friends and marrying two men

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Zylka

Great. Our dollar will someday be worth more than 32 cents US again - and we can quit making priority of pleasing Chretien's friends and marrying two men

I thought you were pro sexual deviance in all its forms.

[Zylka]

As a national priority?

Exactly what a *** from Toronto would think

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Zylka
As a national priority?

Exactly what a *** from Toronto would think

I'll report your observations to my wife.

[KrazyHorse]

Re: Democracy at work in Canada

Originally posted by JimmyCracksCorn
As of yesterday, Canada has a new Prime Minister, as Jean Chretien has stepped down.

Paul Martin has taken over as the new leader of the Liberal Party, and has appointed a whole new cabinet, and therefore, Canada has a completely new government. However, not one vote was cast outside of the Liberal Party. And its ultimately up to the new PM to call a new election... when he feels like it.

Democracy at work



(I actually like Paul Martin, I just wish this country was slightly more democratic...)

You're a dumbass.

The Prime Minister is simply the head of the majority party in the House of Commons. All of his power derives directly from the support of his caucus (the composition of which is directly determined by us in 301 ridings across the country at least once every 5 years).

If you want undemocratic then you should talk to Britain where:

a) The same thing can happen
and
b) The monarch has intervened in selecting the formation of minority governments in living memory

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by JimmyCracksCorn


Probably... I just think it would be a bit more democratic if Martin had to wait until AFTER his election to appoint a new cabinet. Because for about a year now Canada will have a completely unelected government.

No we don't. We elected a majority Liberal government ~3 years ago, and we still have one.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by JimmyCracksCorn


Probably... I just think it would be a bit more democratic if Martin had to wait until AFTER his election to appoint a new cabinet. Because for about a year now Canada will have a completely unelected government.

Tell me you don't see how thats wrong?

I do like Paul Martin though, its just that the system is inherently undemocratic.

EDIT: And granted Paul martin appears to be commited to democratic reform. Again, its not the man, its the system...

Any less democratic than the current setup of your electoral college where a vote in Wyoming counts for 7 times as much as a vote in California and where most states operate on a first past the post for the whole state?

[notyoueither]

His electoral college?

[JimmyCracksCorn]

You people are still missing the point. Paul Martin is the PM of this country, and he was never elected. Not to mention he has the right to appoint an entirely new cabinet, which is in no way in the hands of the Canadian public.

Canada has an ENTIRELY NEW GOVERNMENT WHICH WAS IN NO WAY ELECTED BY CANADA.

Exactly what any *** from outside of his right frame of mind would support.

Think about it. Paul Martin is your head of state (essentially) and you NEVER ELECTED HIM!!!

DO YOU NOT GET THIS!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[JimmyCracksCorn]

Re: Re: Democracy at work in Canada

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


You're a dumbass.

The Prime Minister is simply the head of the majority party in the House of Commons. All of his power derives directly from the support of his caucus (the composition of which is directly determined by us in 301 ridings across the country at least once every 5 years).

If you want undemocratic then you should talk to Britain where:

a) The same thing can happen
and
b) The monarch has intervened in selecting the formation of minority governments in living memory

I'm a dumbass??? I'm talking about how exactly what you said is UNDEMOCRATIC.

You seriously don't understand what I'm getting at???

No wonder this country is in such a sorry state of political affairs... people just don't give a ****.

[JimmyCracksCorn]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


No we don't. We elected a majority Liberal government ~3 years ago, and we still have one.

True... but people still voted for the man rather than the party. You can't think if Joe Clark had run for Liberal PM in 2000 he would have got the same turnout.....

[JimmyCracksCorn]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse




Any less democratic than the current setup of your electoral college where a vote in Wyoming counts for 7 times as much as a vote in California and where most states operate on a first past the post for the whole state?

MY electoral college? I'm Canadian...