So Monday, January 23rd (tomorrow), is Canada's federal election, somewhat early due to the unsavory scandals the Liberal party has burdened us with recently. This is an election where the race would appear to be quite close if the campaigns and preliminary polls are anything to go by. The Liberals seem to be losing ground as the Conservatives gain it. Though the NDP also appear to be experiencing a moderate boost, probably helped by the exodus of voters from the Liberals.
For reference, here is the msn.ca profile for each of the major parties and their leaders.
So what does everyone think of the election? Any thoughts on the campaigns or debates? What about the parties themselves, any predictions on who will win?
And even if you can't vote, feel free to speak your mind about the election. And for those who can vote but don't plan to, what are you thinking?! Get out there, inform yourself and get involved.
I think that the conservitives will end up winning a minorty government. Of course, if they win, they wont be able to do anything without the support of the Bloc. everyone knows that the NDP will try to help out the liberals, just as they always have. Truly, the BQ could be very important. They would do anything to screw over the liberals, but I'm not convinced that they are eager to help out the Conservitives. Being an albertan, I'm certain that the CP will get most of the votes out here, and, since lots People down east are now buying into the conservatives, I dont see how the Liberals can pull another one out of their ass. I actually Live in Stephen Harper's riding, and it's almost useless to vote for anyone other than him.
SO in Conclusion, Conservative minority, they cant get anything done because of Liberal and NDP opposition, Stephen Harper is a Robot a**hole.
I think the conservatives will win a minority, or at least I hope so. The only way the Liberals will win is if, kind of like last time, people suddenly realize Harper could get a majority, get scared, and switch to Liberal at the last minute. I don't think that will happen enough to give them another win though.
I think a Conservative minority government is the most probable as well, sad as that makes me. I actually wouldn't be so wary of a Conservative government if it weren't for Harper. I've been watching the campaigning and he just strikes me as so smarmy and smug that I can't at all trust him. Even beyond that, I disagree with almost all his social platforms and I dislike the way he and his party use financial incentives to entice the public who may otherwise disagree with their social platforms as I do. Which is a big problem here in the East where most people are too concerned with saving money than where the country as a whole is heading.
Even worse are the Liberals, who I can't see bouncing back this time. Especially not after Martin's desperate and defensive showing at the debates and on the campaign trail. He looks as beaten down as he probably feels, and the party has been licking its wounds too much to properly rally and wage a strong campaign for reelection. I think Harper knows this, and knows that it's going to secure him the win, which accounts for a lot of his smugness.
Personally, I would go with the NDP (the least of the evils), but my fear is that the Liberals and the NDP will split the vote. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it, but still.
I think a Conservative minority government is the most probable as well, sad as that makes me. I actually wouldn't be so wary of a Conservative government if it weren't for Harper. I've been watching the campaigning and he just strikes me as so smarmy and smug that I can't at all trust him. Even beyond that, I disagree with almost all his social platforms and I dislike the way he and his party use financial incentives to entice the public who may otherwise disagree with their social platforms as I do. Which is a big problem here in the East where most people are too concerned with saving money than where the country as a whole is heading.
To be fair, EVERY party tries to buy votes. The Liberals and the NDP are just as guilty, usually more so. Though this time, the Conservatives actually look like they're going to outspend the Liberal platform.
Do you watch The Mercer Report, MikeyG? You'd like it, I think. To quote one of his rants, it's a pretty strange circumstance where the worst case scenario is that whatever party wins keeps every one of its promises.
To be fair, EVERY party tries to buy votes. The Liberals and the NDP are just as guilty, usually more so. Though this time, the Conservatives actually look like they're going to outspend the Liberal platform.
I don't think it's the fact that they try to buy votes that bothers me, it's that it'll probably work. People here are in desperate situations for the most part. Unemployed, underpaid, overtaxed, overcharged for everything or whatever. Then here comes Harper with promises of cutting taxes, increased benefits for parents, etc. A lot of people are going to take any avenue they can to make things financially better for themselves. Which is understandable, I just find myself questioning what the cost will be since the Conservatives are certainly giving with one hand and taking with the other.
Do you watch The Mercer Report, MikeyG? You'd like it, I think. To quote one of his rants, it's a pretty strange circumstance where the worst case scenario is that whatever party wins keeps every one of its promises.
I haven't seen it, but I definately agree with him. I think no matter the outcome of the election, Canada's in for some changes.
- Minority government for Conservative Party; Stephen Harper new PM.
- Paul Martin will step down as leader of Liberal Party.
- All four major party leaders retain their seats.
- One independent victory in a Quebec riding.
- NDP has gained ground in seats; Green Party has gained ground in popular vote.
- Cutie-pie turncoat Belinda Stronach (<3) holds onto her seat.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Then loom'd his streaming majesty From out that wine-dark fog, And spake he unto all our crew: "Go forth, and read my blog."
Just to note- I am always right. Just you see. I got the first 2/3rds right. Now the Liberals just need to win a majority next election and my prediction will be 100% correct....well, not on this forum, but on several others. But that is what is what I'm calling for.
I'm not very pleased, but I recognize that it could be worse. Having a minority government may just be the best thing right now. I just hope Harper doesn't make my life suck.
Kudos to the NDP, with a rise in popularity (but to be fair, it's likely that a lot of that was "lesser of three evils" syndrome) and also the Liberals for putting up a hell of a fight despite the backlash against them and all the mud they had flung their way this campaign.
Harper's not my first choice for Prime Minister, but I guess we'll see how it goes.
Well, let me be the first from south of the border to wish you guys good luck with your new government. There seems to be more common ground between your Conservatives and ours, so I hope our somewhat strained relations can be soothed a bit.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Vive, vale. Siquid novisti rectius istis,
candidus inperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
To mikeyG: How bad will a Conservative Government be in Canada? Us south-of-the-border types don't know Canadian government, and I would love to hear the pros/cons for each.
*sigh* The Bloc Quebecois takes 51 seats in Quebec, including the riding I'm in.
So how long will this government last? 18 months (Like Martin)? A year? 6 months? Hard to say right now. As long as Harper cooperates with the other parties, things should go well. Maybe.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
To mikeyG: How bad will a Conservative Government be in Canada? Us south-of-the-border types don't know Canadian government, and I would love to hear the pros/cons for each.
Bad is very subjective, but to be blunt, the Conservative's view of what Canada should be bears a remarkable similarity to the USA. Privitized healthcare (well, an increased movement towards it), same-sex marriage removed, increased defence spending, preventing decriminalization of pot, etc.
Not all of this is bad necessarily, just not the direction I has hoping my country would head. I don't want Canada to be America; the Sequel. I don't even want it to approach that ideal.
Some of Harper's stances on things are commendable and probably good for the country (whether or not he follows through is of course another issue). But I don't believe he has the same vision for the future I do.
I'm sorry I can't elaborate further on the pros/cons of a Conservative government. Perhaps their information page at CTV.com may help shed some light on their policies.
Since there is a conservative government in canada, it would be ironic if the U.S. elected a Liberal president in '08 and all the liberals would be like, "Well, if you don't like it, just move up to Canada!!"
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Originally Posted by Green Arrow Yes I did, I wouldn't fully disagree with chronoplasam. Perhaps I do deserve toture. But who amongst us besides myself has what it takes to toture me?
Originally Posted by Highroller
Compared to what? I think compared to chocolate ice cream, women, unicorns, and kung fu, the state pretty much sucks.
Since there is a conservative government in canada, it would be ironic if the U.S. elected a Liberal president in '08 and all the liberals would be like, "Well, if you don't like it, just move up to Canada!!"
Ahahahaha, Canadian Migration Pt. 2...That'd ****ing rock.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
TFEian Empire
Owner of Senori's Soul
Friend of RBS, FFFB, 499, Mythos, House Dimir, Rakdos, and Hyrule.
Dictator of
Honestly though, its a minority and you can't exactly rely on the Bloc to support anyone. When you get down to it, the Bloc is fairly socialist, almost as much as the NDP. So the Conservatives are going to have a hard time doing, well, anything. And even though the Bloc may hate Canada, they hate the States more. We're not going down the "US version 2.0" road with this government.
Face it though, the Liberals had to lose this time. It's the foundation of Westminster democracy that when a party screws up that badly, they lose power. That's the whole concept of government responsibility in a nutshell.
Anyways, taking bets on who will be the next Liberal leader. I'm putting my money on McKenna.
I've got Stronach. The major difference between her and Campbell, Stronach ain't conservative, and is more respected. Although I do miss Pierre Pettigrew
Ya know, all in all, even though I would've rather had a Liberal minority, I'm not too disappointed. As someone said before me, this could have been a LOT worse, say, a Conservative or NDP majority? Granted, I would rather have NDP than Conservative, but the NDP would run the country into the ground, end of story. I'll give them 4 years and see how they do, but unless they pull something out of the hat in that time, I'm going to vote Liberal again.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Thanks to Charlie Donaldson for Banner Straight Member of the Gaymers
Here are my potentials:
Frank McKenna
Brian Tobin
Belinda Stronarch
Micheal Ignatieff
John Manley
Allan Rock
My top picks would be McKenna, Tobin and Rock. Even though Tobin isn't really into politics at the moment, he could make a very decent run at it if he got back into the game. Belinda won't win, I'm positive. People are ambivilant about her at best. I have nothing but respect for Micheal Ignatieff, but he's too much of an intellectual to lead the party. He'd be a great cabinet minister though. I don't think Manley can inspire enough of a following.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
For reference, here is the msn.ca profile for each of the major parties and their leaders.
The Liberals under Paul Martin
The Conservatives under Stephen Harper
The NDP under Jack Layton
The Bloc Quebecois under Gilles Deceppe
The Green Party under Jim Harris
So what does everyone think of the election? Any thoughts on the campaigns or debates? What about the parties themselves, any predictions on who will win?
And even if you can't vote, feel free to speak your mind about the election. And for those who can vote but don't plan to, what are you thinking?! Get out there, inform yourself and get involved.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
SO in Conclusion, Conservative minority, they cant get anything done because of Liberal and NDP opposition, Stephen Harper is a Robot a**hole.
[Left Play Designs][Coffeehouse][DeviantArt]
Winner MTGS Weekly Sig/Banner Contest
Weeks: 37/85/87/94/135/159/160/226
Even worse are the Liberals, who I can't see bouncing back this time. Especially not after Martin's desperate and defensive showing at the debates and on the campaign trail. He looks as beaten down as he probably feels, and the party has been licking its wounds too much to properly rally and wage a strong campaign for reelection. I think Harper knows this, and knows that it's going to secure him the win, which accounts for a lot of his smugness.
Personally, I would go with the NDP (the least of the evils), but my fear is that the Liberals and the NDP will split the vote. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it, but still.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
To be fair, EVERY party tries to buy votes. The Liberals and the NDP are just as guilty, usually more so. Though this time, the Conservatives actually look like they're going to outspend the Liberal platform.
Do you watch The Mercer Report, MikeyG? You'd like it, I think. To quote one of his rants, it's a pretty strange circumstance where the worst case scenario is that whatever party wins keeps every one of its promises.
I don't think it's the fact that they try to buy votes that bothers me, it's that it'll probably work. People here are in desperate situations for the most part. Unemployed, underpaid, overtaxed, overcharged for everything or whatever. Then here comes Harper with promises of cutting taxes, increased benefits for parents, etc. A lot of people are going to take any avenue they can to make things financially better for themselves. Which is understandable, I just find myself questioning what the cost will be since the Conservatives are certainly giving with one hand and taking with the other.
I haven't seen it, but I definately agree with him. I think no matter the outcome of the election, Canada's in for some changes.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
Loonook = Nothing
Nothing > Jesus
Currently accepting disciples. Inquire within.
ORDER THE CAKE DAMNIT!
- Paul Martin will step down as leader of Liberal Party.
- All four major party leaders retain their seats.
- One independent victory in a Quebec riding.
- NDP has gained ground in seats; Green Party has gained ground in popular vote.
- Cutie-pie turncoat Belinda Stronach (<3) holds onto her seat.
From out that wine-dark fog,
And spake he unto all our crew:
"Go forth, and read my blog."
Kudos to the NDP, with a rise in popularity (but to be fair, it's likely that a lot of that was "lesser of three evils" syndrome) and also the Liberals for putting up a hell of a fight despite the backlash against them and all the mud they had flung their way this campaign.
Harper's not my first choice for Prime Minister, but I guess we'll see how it goes.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
candidus inperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
(Many Thanks R&Doom)
To mikeyG: How bad will a Conservative Government be in Canada? Us south-of-the-border types don't know Canadian government, and I would love to hear the pros/cons for each.
So how long will this government last? 18 months (Like Martin)? A year? 6 months? Hard to say right now. As long as Harper cooperates with the other parties, things should go well. Maybe.
Bad is very subjective, but to be blunt, the Conservative's view of what Canada should be bears a remarkable similarity to the USA. Privitized healthcare (well, an increased movement towards it), same-sex marriage removed, increased defence spending, preventing decriminalization of pot, etc.
Not all of this is bad necessarily, just not the direction I has hoping my country would head. I don't want Canada to be America; the Sequel. I don't even want it to approach that ideal.
Some of Harper's stances on things are commendable and probably good for the country (whether or not he follows through is of course another issue). But I don't believe he has the same vision for the future I do.
I'm sorry I can't elaborate further on the pros/cons of a Conservative government. Perhaps their information page at CTV.com may help shed some light on their policies.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
now begins the thousand years of REIGN OF BLOOD!
Ahahahaha, Canadian Migration Pt. 2...That'd ****ing rock.
Owner of Senori's Soul
Friend of RBS, FFFB, 499, Mythos, House Dimir, Rakdos, and Hyrule.
Dictator of
[thread=43661][/thread]
Face it though, the Liberals had to lose this time. It's the foundation of Westminster democracy that when a party screws up that badly, they lose power. That's the whole concept of government responsibility in a nutshell.
Anyways, taking bets on who will be the next Liberal leader. I'm putting my money on McKenna.
(Many Thanks R&Doom)
Thanks to Charlie Donaldson for Banner
Straight Member of the Gaymers
Frank McKenna
Brian Tobin
Belinda Stronarch
Micheal Ignatieff
John Manley
Allan Rock
My top picks would be McKenna, Tobin and Rock. Even though Tobin isn't really into politics at the moment, he could make a very decent run at it if he got back into the game. Belinda won't win, I'm positive. People are ambivilant about her at best. I have nothing but respect for Micheal Ignatieff, but he's too much of an intellectual to lead the party. He'd be a great cabinet minister though. I don't think Manley can inspire enough of a following.