Crisis in Canada

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

There's plenty of ways for groups to get their message out - the taxpayers shouldn't have to finance the aspirations of politicians. It is only a way for parties that can't find support among people to get money.

And this whole thing is just a power grab - the coalition groups' excuse that they think the budget doesn't deal with the economic situation enough is a load of lies. They saw an opportunity and filled the air with hysterics about the budget.

QFT. Even some backbenchers in the coalition parties have been grumbling about it. The Liberals stated during the election that they would never form a coalition with the NDP because of economic policy. The whole seperatist angle is almost unthinkable. How you could paint it as anything but a power bid without regurgitating coalition rhethoric is beyond me.

There are quite a few former Liberal voters who would vote Conservative in another election because of this. According to Canada.com in an article posted today, the Conservatives would have 46% of the vote if an election were held today, and that's probably a solid majority in seats. Almost 70% approved the prorogation, and about 60% believe that the Tories would be the best managers of the economy. Only 37% of Canadians favour the idea of a coalition, and the highest portion of that (50% support) comes from Quebec, mostly people who would vote Bloc.

Elections are in the public interest, so people should pay for them.

Paying for the elections and paying for the politicians to win them are two entirely different things. You should be forced to do the first, but not the second.

If you combine it with bans on various political donations you also curb the influence of business, unions and other special interest groups.

Harper did curb the influence of business, unions, and other special interest groups - I've been saying that for how many posts?

If it is anything like the system we have down here (Which it is by the sounds of it) then the left-wing minor parties, which have no major source of fund raising (Except Unions which are usually attached to one of the larger parties), are reliant entirely upon public funds.

Then perhaps the left wing parties should appeal to their voter base for funds? I mean, you have voters who want to redistribute wealth, so ask for them to redistribute a little more your way.