CanPol: Race to the Finish

[notyoueither]

The thing that would make a difference would be parliamentarians standing up in Ottawa and asking, WTF?

But they don't. We have a scrap of paper and a court system, right? Why should they do anything? The weight is off their shoulders.

[notyoueither]

Our MPs should be keeping an eye on both the courts and the government, but our system got ****ed up.

Instead our governments herd seals in the Commons, and cattle in the Senate. Our courts have taken the responsibility of watching the government, sometimes.

Our MPs are full time employees without a job, without a purpose, except to turn up when the bells ring and count paws.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
so Canada's system is basically two party.. despite having large number of Bloc and NDP?

I had hoped because of the support the other parties got that Canada might not be stuck in the two party mold (although recently it seems like Britain to be stuck in a one party mode)

JM
(and a few other parties)

Federally Canada has essentially two parties that ever have a shot at governing . The bulk of the provinces are the same although there have been periodic NDP governments in some provinces and you also have the one-party situation of Alberta (actually IIRC there are 4 parties with MLAs but only the Conservatives ever govern)

[Richelieu]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Also to be noted is that Canada enjoys the wonderful benefits of being ruled by a Quebecer 95% of the time.



It's been 47 years since a non-Quebecer has led a party to a majority government.

I just got involved in the Conservative Party. They look like they might form a government in the near future so...

[Ben Kenobi]

Welcome to the club Richelieu.

Let's hope Mr. Harper can seal the deal.

[Ben Kenobi]

In 2004 the Conservative Party finished in second place in some Quebec ridings. When you reduce the Bloc vote and increase the Conservative Party vote it is possible to flip these ridings. Do not forget that many polls are suggesting the conservative vote has more than doubled in Quebec. Even in ridings where the Conservative Party ran a respectable third, it is possible for it to come out on top when you double it’s vote and reduce the vote of both the Bloc and the Liberal Party.

Yeah, what I did for my projection is look at the seats that had strong Conservative support, and give them to the Conservatives, if their support has doubled. When you plug in the percentage changes, I tend to pull as much away from the Liberals to the Conservatives as I can, since I figure it is more likely for the federalists to switch brands then it is for the Bloc supporters to vote conservative.

Certainly, their numbers show they are drawing some support from the Bloc, but I'm not convinced their support is quite enough to start getting more then a couple seats in Quebec.

[Flubber]

NYE

I know I am going back a bit but I was wondering where the upset and fury that you predicted about the sex club decision went??

I'cve seen the occasional letter to the editor and a couple of passing references here and there but nothing like the outcry that I believe you predicted. Do you believe that such a backlash is yet to come??

[Asher]

The new Liberal ads are disgusting and shameful to all Canadians.

I'm at the stage where I may just vote, an vote Conservative, just because the Liberal party is showing just how petty they are. That the party is corrupt and criminal is just that much more obvious now.

[Asher]

As a side note, air quality in Edmonton bars is "30 times" cleaner than in Calgary bars.

Edmonton banned smoking in them, Calgary has not.

Edmonton.

[Ben Kenobi]

I've seen the occasional letter to the editor and a couple of passing references here and there but nothing like the outcry that I believe you predicted. Do you believe that such a backlash is yet to come??

A few folks I know have spoken about the ruling, but most folks are pretty much blase about this Supreme Court. They seem to do basically whatever they feel is right, regardless of what most Canadians want.

[Ninot]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
They seem to do basically whatever they feel is right, regardless of what most Canadians want.

Now I'm not lawyer, but I think thats the essence of what Judges are supposed to do: what's right, not neccesarily what's popular.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Ninot


Now I'm not lawyer, but I think thats the essence of what Judges are supposed to do: what's right, not neccesarily what's popular.

That's the kind of basic stuff they don't teach in poli sci.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Flubber
NYE

I know I am going back a bit but I was wondering where the upset and fury that you predicted about the sex club decision went??

I'cve seen the occasional letter to the editor and a couple of passing references here and there but nothing like the outcry that I believe you predicted. Do you believe that such a backlash is yet to come??

Not predicted. Wondered about. I wondered if it could be an issue for the Tories to use. They haven't and, quite frankly, I can't complain about Harper's campaign.

I do believe that there is room to criticize the decision, and it is being talked about. Someone on the radio just this morning was wondering about the combination of sex in public establishments with age of consent at 14...

BTW, was there a particular reason why you wanted to reignite this?

[Asher]

I think his point was everyone else was saying "this isn't a big deal" and you basically made the point that Harper could ride this issue to victory.

Anyway.

Check out this winning candidate:

http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/riding/244#jasondevine

Jason Devine

Party: Communist Party of Canada

Age: 25
Birthplace: Calgary, Alta.

Education: A student at the University of Calgary.
Profession:

Children: Four

Career Background: Is a former Wal-Mart warehouse worker.

Community Activities: Is a member of Anti-Racist Action Calgary.

Political History
Party: Has been in the Communist Party for seven years.

1) 25 with four children(!)
2) former Walmart employee
3) Communist

[Odin]

Judges aren't supposed to care what people want, they are supposed to care what the law says. It's the lawmakers' job to care what people want.