2015 Federal Election Thread

[John Tortorella]

Dont worry you can all vote for me in 10-15 years

Canadian land purchased by canadians only

Education reform to teach about financial knowledge, the human body and personal planning

English or french must be dominate font on external signage/ads

Yea basicically only pure canadians will vote for me. But thats okay. Dont let the country sink until i can finance my own party so I dont have to cater to lululemon...

[Mr. Ambien]

What I meant was that the proposed voter reforms don't go nearly far enough. While this may benefit Canadians there are still a lot of shortfalls in a system like this. If thing were really in the best interest of Canadians the system would be a lot more friendly to independents, and would move our politics further from the "party model".

Sounds like something for the voters to accomplish.

[BeefcakeBo]

Sounds like something for the voters to accomplish.

The voters really can't accomplish this. The political system is broken and elected members no longer represent their own constituents interests above the party line. Not every riding has an independent that is worth voting for, and party members won't be passing anything that puts their jobs at risk.

[Swedish elite3]

Dont worry you can all vote for me in 10-15 years

Canadian land purchased by canadians only

Education reform to teach about financial knowledge, the human body and personal planning

English or french must be dominate font on external signage/ads

Yea basicically only pure canadians will vote for me. But thats okay. Dont let the country sink until i can finance my own party so I dont have to cater to lululemon...

Soooooo where's the gofundme page for this excellent idea?

But in all seriousness if the NDP gets in I think I'll just apply for a work visa and move on down to the states and watch this country crumble. None of them are really great options sadly

[Mr. Ambien]

The voters really can't accomplish this. The political system is broken and elected members no longer represent their own constituents interests above the party line. Not every riding has an independent that is worth voting for, and party members won't be passing anything that puts their jobs at risk.

So basically, no one will. The chance of politicians changing a system that benefits them is less than the voting populace making changes themselves.

[aGENT]

What I meant was that the proposed voter reforms don't go nearly far enough. While this may benefit Canadians there are still a lot of shortfalls in a system like this. If thing were really in the best interest of Canadians the system would be a lot more friendly to independents, and would move our politics further from the "party model".

True independents will never have a major role in governing unless voters VASTLY change their mindsets. That really has little to do with electoral reform (though with good electoral reform, independents do stand a far greater chance of actually getting elected).

As per the link I posted last page, the electoral reform the NDP are proposing would greatly increase the amount of seats that the smaller parties would get though. That would be FAR more representative of voter intentions and wishes.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/electoral-reform-which-party-would-benefit-most-1.2857321

The NDP support the MMP electoral reform system:

Take a guess as to which systems the Libs and Cons support...

Hopefully once people saw the results of the reformed systems they'd get ever more confidence in voting for smaller, more representative parties/independents as well and the change you seek might actually occur!

[Heretic]

Soooooo where's the gofundme page for this excellent idea?

But in all seriousness if the NDP gets in I think I'll just apply for a work visa and move on down to the states and watch this country crumble. None of them are really great options sadly

2nd worst option: Harper and the Cons back in.

1st worst option: A Trudeau running the country again...

[aGENT]

2nd worst option: Harper and the Cons back in.

1st worst option: A Trudeau running the country again...

I'd reverse those but...

[Warhippy]

Soooooo where's the gofundme page for this excellent idea?

But in all seriousness if the NDP gets in I think I'll just apply for a work visa and move on down to the states and watch this country crumble. None of them are really great options sadly

Remind us or fill us in on how the NDP are worth running away from?

You survived Harper.

I survived Harper Chretiens early years Mulroney and a few years of Trudeau. I can assure you, NONE of those are or were great options, barring Trudeau and late years Chretien. And even then, because in the end they put Canada and canadians first even if it cost them in the polls or in the house.

If you fear the NDP so bad, there's the door. because honestly, they'd be hard pressed to do ANY worse than Harper has, Trudeau might or any other manifestation of them combined.

And please, do not mumble "socialism" because that is soooo very tired and old and I am rather tired of the ignorance people display mouthing that without once mentioning how canada is in fact in large part a socialist country.

The NDP in power would mean businesses, the wealthiest and shadiest and the largest corporations would have to pay more. This is an issue how? We're ingrained to believe that holding the most powerful people and the wealthiest to the flames is a bad thing

So they take their business and leave? So what. Canada was built on the backs of people who had the balls to go their own way and forge new ventures. Again, we are now conditioned to believe this is a bad idea.

The NDP in power is almost exactly what this country needs. Not more of the same just in a different colour jacket.

[thejazz97]

The conservatives would do well if Harper would stop screwing up. The Cons could actually do something great for this country if he did. Just saying.

Actually, as long as anyone doesn't screw up, morally or financially, they'd be good for this country.

[johngould21]

James Moore not running, is this 5 cabinet ministers jumping, pushed, or seeing the writing on the wall??

[aGENT]

The conservatives would do well if Harper would stop screwing up. The Cons could actually do something great for this country if he did. Just saying.

Actually, as long as anyone doesn't screw up, morally or financially, they'd be good for this country.

So, as long as Harper did the opposite of everything he normally does like that episode of Seinfeld...?

Yeah, you're right, if he did the opposite of normal, we might actually get some quality governance. I believe the opposite of Harper's normal is also known as the NDP/Green party's platforms

[Warhippy]

James Moore not running, is this 5 cabinet ministers jumping, pushed, or seeing the writing on the wall??

Actually, the total number is around 50 MPs currently sitting that will NOT be running.

A lot of that is now openly attributed to keeping their pensions as a lot have already been reported to have jobs in well placed private sector positions waiting for them and most polls show that a lot of the people stepping down have won their ridings a few times over and seem to be at no risk of losing a race come October

Whether this is true and attributable to Harper being so reviled now that his own party is fleeing, or that MPs are in fact trying to protect their pensions before the new rules take effect is hard to say

But, think on this

It was an open and very subtle loophole that would allow for MPs to retire or step down this year, keep their pensions and then be allowed to run again in another election and add more years to their already pre-existing pension plan. Think on that.

Step down, keep great pension. Run again in 4 years, win and add more without a change to the plan or penalization

[Webster6]

Soooooo where's the gofundme page for this excellent idea?

But in all seriousness if the NDP gets in I think I'll just apply for a work visa and move on down to the states and watch this country crumble. None of them are really great options sadly

The US is going downhill even faster than we are. I wouldn't be so quick to jump ship if I were you.

[aGENT]

The US is going downhill even faster than we are. I wouldn't be so quick to jump ship if I were you.

Damn socialists ruining everything!

[johngould21]

Actually, the total number is around 50 MPs currently sitting that will NOT be running.

A lot of that is now openly attributed to keeping their pensions as a lot have already been reported to have jobs in well placed private sector positions waiting for them and most polls show that a lot of the people stepping down have won their ridings a few times over and seem to be at no risk of losing a race come October

Whether this is true and attributable to Harper being so reviled now that his own party is fleeing, or that MPs are in fact trying to protect their pensions before the new rules take effect is hard to say

But, think on this

It was an open and very subtle loophole that would allow for MPs to retire or step down this year, keep their pensions and then be allowed to run again in another election and add more years to their already pre-existing pension plan. Think on that.

Step down, keep great pension. Run again in 4 years, win and add more without a change to the plan or penalization

Great gig, if you want to do it, it turns out then that it is all about the money. Public service, my *ss.

[Webster6]

The US is soon going to take a knockout blow to their financial markets; which they're gonna have to attempt to recover from. Their debt based fiat currency backed by nothing but promises has helped them build history's largest economy ever. However it's been sustained through the manipulation of inflation, something that will not be able to sustain itself much longer. 2008 was just a corporate problem, a market crash that the taxpayer was robbed through due to the "too big to fails" being bailed out by them. (See: Iceland who imprisoned bankers rather than bailing them out) Sure they paid interest on the debt to the government of which tax dollars paid for. However it's still fracked up that the government would allow it, and then just let them continue business as usual. The corporatists manipulated plutocrats into earning bonuses instead of prison time.

In summary, I don't see the global community continuing to have faith in the US Dollar for very much longer. I have a feeling that another currency will replace it as the world reserve currency. A currency backed by gold.

[Mr. Ambien]

The US is soon going to take a knockout blow to their financial markets; which they're gonna have to attempt to recover from. Their debt based fiat currency backed by nothing but promises has helped them build history's largest economy ever. However it's been sustained through the manipulation of inflation, something that will not be able to sustain itself much longer. 2008 was just a corporate problem, a market crash that the taxpayer was robbed through due to the "too big to fails" being bailed out by them. (See: Iceland who imprisoned bankers rather than bailing them out) Sure they paid interest on the debt to the government of which tax dollars paid for. However it's still fracked up that the government would allow it, and then just let them continue business as usual. The corporatists manipulated plutocrats into earning bonuses instead of prison time.

In summary, I don't see the global community continuing to have faith in the US Dollar for very much longer. I have a feeling that another currency will replace it as the world reserve currency. A currency backed by gold.

Couple things.

You're mostly right, however, you skipped over what caused the recession.. artificially low interest rates, government incentives to bypass regulations, supply side economics at work (Keynesian economics on steroids), which is good at creating debt, but in order to sustain an economy grown on such a phony premise, one must keep on the spiked punch bowl, so to speak.

At that point, a recession is necessary to balance that out (I've never seen an economy go from stimulus addicted to saved without major changes), but politicians and the dumb masses are so afraid of the word, they prefer to keep the booze flowing instead of cut the debt financed consumption and indefinitely low interest rates until the rug inevitably gets swept out from under them.

Another thing is, right now there is no currency that can supplant the dollar. The Euro is going to sh** thanks to them insisting on working with Greece, who has not a care in the world about fiscal responsibility. China going to the gold standard wouldn't guarantee stability -- they'd have to stop manipulating their currency, but it would be a good start.

[Mustapha]

You should just give it up. The Liberals are a horrible option this election. Trudeau is doing nothing except riding the family name. Anyone that's buthurt enough to just get rid of Harper should vote NDP. Otherwise you can bet on a Conservative minority again.

That's a nice opinion, but would you mind elaborating on why the NDP is the better choice? All I gave heard so far is a bunch of rhetoric about C-51, which obfuscates the true purpose of the election - to choose the government which most likely to serve the interests of those who elect them. I already know both the NDP and Liberals plan to make changes to bill C-51, so we can put that one to bed.

I follow the policies, not the people. I would like to see Marijuana legalized, as I consider it to be a less harmful recreational drug than alcohol. I would also prefer a lower income tax rate in my earning bracket. The proposed Liberal changes to child benefits would make it easier on my young family. Those policies would directly impact my life in a positive way. I would suggest spending more time asking yourself how the policies of each group could potentially affect you, rather than focusing on the fact that the Liberal leader had a famous PM for a father.

[Mr. Ambien]

That's a nice opinion, but would you mind elaborating on why the NDP is the better choice? All I gave heard so far is a bunch of rhetoric about C-51, which obfuscates the true purpose of the election - to choose the government which most likely to serve the interests of those who elect them. I already know both the NDP and Liberals plan to make changes to bill C-51, so we can put that one to bed.

I follow the policies, not the people. I would like to see Marijuana legalized, as I consider it to be a less harmful recreational drug than alcohol. I would also prefer a lower income tax rate in my earning bracket. The proposed Liberal changes to child benefits would make it easier on my young family. Those policies would directly impact my life in a positive way. I would suggest spending more time asking yourself how the policies of each group could potentially affect you, rather than focusing on the fact that the Liberal leader had a famous PM for a father.

BC already has de facto legalization because of PC's not enforcing current laws. Canna clinics, for example, hire quack doctors to rubber stamp memberships to acquire high quality pot. It's thanks to this it's going to be one of my stops next time I'm in Vancouver.

These are already coming to Alberta, too, we just got a dispensary north of Cochrane a year or two ago, and there's another I think outside the Northeast of Calgary being built or already built. PC's are just singing a tune to appease people who still have some archaic beliefs surrounding weed in one hand, while in the other allowing things in de facto form to progress toward legalization.

There's little Liberals will achieve in BC that isn't already commonplace. So then you have their other policies and abilities, which suck.