Canadian Federal Election

[lars573]

I'll be voting for the NDP. Like always. I am not a swing voter. Also I don't trust the Conservatives. Harper is a dork who has no clue how to deal with the press. And his caucus is full of whacko blue Tory right wingers. Now Harper has done a fair job of keeping these guys under wraps for 4 years now. But with a majority he might not feel the need to keep these people under control.

Now Maniac there is something you should know about Canadian politics. The best governments we have are minority governmets. They get the most done legislatively. Their accountability is better. And leadership from them is better too. Their lack of a majority of seats means they have to work better and the threat of being voted out means the cabinet has more reason to do a good job. The best possible results from this election would be another minority IMO.

[Ice]

I don't know much about Canadian politics, but it must be nice to vote for more than 2 parties.

[lars573]

The ones Maniac listed were the ones with seats in Parliment. There are over a dozen ones that are officially registered that don't have seats, like the Communits parties (that's right two), and other reguional/special intrest parties.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

The ones Maniac listed were the ones with seats in Parliment. There are over a dozen ones that are officially registered that don't have seats, like the Communits parties (that's right two), and other reguional/special intrest parties.

Yes. I only listed the ones who can realistically win seats in the House of Commons.

Now Maniac there is something you should know about Canadian politics.

Lived in Canada for a long time without being Canadian. Gives you a wonderfully uncluttered perspective on things like America and Canadian nationalism.

I generally agree with the point you've made, but the current government I think can be trusted with a majority.

[lars573]

I'm not ready to trust Harper with a majority. I don't know if I'd trust Layton (NDP leader) or Dion (Liberal leader) with one either to be honest.

Lived in Canada for a long time without being Canadian. Gives you a wonderfully uncluttered perspective on things like America and Canadian nationalism.

I'm not so blind that I can't see how our nationalism works. Quite subtle mostly, it can creep in where you least expect it. Especailly when it comes to dealing with the US. Want to see a Canadians nationalism? Talk to then about the US.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I'm not ready to trust Harper with a majority. I don't know if I'd trust Layton (NDP leader) or Dion (Liberal leader) with one either to be honest.

I certainly wouldn't trust Dion with one, and Layton doesn't seem to have a chance at forming a government any time in the near future. The thing that really gets to me about minority governments are when Grand Coalitions occur, like with the SPD and CDU in Germany.

I'm not so blind that I can't see how our nationalism works. Quite subtle mostly, it can creep in where you least expect it. Especailly when it comes to dealing with the US. Want to see a Canadians nationalism? Talk to then about the US.

It depends where you are, I suppose. In rural Ontario, where I spend/spent most of my time in Canada, the populace seems to be a little more reasonable when it comes to America. The problem I see is that most Canadians will not admit how much they really need America, or recognize this but hate America anyways. It doesn't help that the Canadian media and the Liberal Party like to blame things on America whenever they can. Some countries can safely be nationalist, and some countries need nationalism. Canada needs nationalism (Quebec), but it also needs to know where to limit it (America).

[KarlXII]

What's Canada?

[lars573]

I certainly wouldn't trust Dion with one, and Layton doesn't seem to have a chance at forming a government any time in the near future. The thing that really gets to me about minority governments are when Grand Coalitions occur, like with the SPD and CDU in Germany.

Dion seems to have this carbon tax his ticket. For no other reason than peer pressure. I kid you not. A pro-liberal opinion piece I read a few weeks back said we should have a carbon tax "cause everyone else is doing it." Honestly I vote for the NDP not only cause they fit my views mostly, but like this that permiates the big two.

And yes recent politics isn't the home of coalitions. They did exist in the 60's. The Liberals and NDP formed one.

It depends where you are, I suppose. In rural Ontario, where I spend/spent most of my time in Canada, the populace seems to be a little more reasonable when it comes to America. The problem I see is that most Canadians will not admit how much they really need America, or recognize this but hate America anyways. It doesn't help that the Canadian media and the Liberal Party like to blame things on America whenever they can. Some countries can safely be nationalist, and some countries need nationalism. Canada needs nationalism (Quebec), but it also needs to know where to limit it (America).

Well a lot of the anger and angst is because we are so economically dependant on the US. That anything good or bad that happens there effects us (and Mexico) before most everyone else.