Quebec voters

[Slim MacSquinty]

I am perplexed by what motivates voters, I was listening to interviews with some Quebec voters who were very concerned about the economy and the "crisis", they were very critical of Harper without having anything tangible to complain about, yet when asked about who they would vote for they said the Bloc without being aware of any contradiction in their thought process. If they were actually concerned with the economy why would they vote for a separatist who will do nothing but cause division in the house of commons?

Chantal Hebert had an interesting comment about the arts funding thing, she thought it was hypocritical of the Bloc to be critical of any drop in federal funding for the quebec culture, since one would have assumed that federal funding to their culture would be dirty money.

[independent]

I am perplexed by what motivates voters, I was listening to interviews with some Quebec voters who were very concerned about the economy and the "crisis", they were very critical of Harper without having anything tangible to complain about, yet when asked about who they would vote for they said the Bloc without being aware of any contradiction in their thought process. If they were actually concerned with the economy why would they vote for a separatist who will do nothing but cause division in the house of commons?

Chantal Hebert had an interesting comment about the arts funding thing, she thought it was hypocritical of the Bloc to be critical of any drop in federal funding for the quebec culture, since one would have assumed that federal funding to their culture would be dirty money.

Put the part about the Bloc being separatist aside. Duceppe is by far the best of the leaders and speaks for them. He understands what is important to them. If he was leader of a national party I would vote for him in a second. The Bloc have put separation on the back burner. Duceppe is clearly the right man for them.

[Slim MacSquinty]

How can the Bloc positively affect federal (Canadian) economic policy? Is Quebec economics different than Canadian, does not Canadian policy affect them the same as, say Ontario?

[Slim MacSquinty]

How can the Bloc positively affect federal (Canadian) economic policy? Is Quebec economics different than Canadian, does not Canadian policy affect them the same as, say Ontario?

[capricorn]

Journalist William Johnson, a keen observer of Quebec politics, was on CPAC tonight speaking about the Quebec vote. He said that because of all the bad coverage Harper's been getting in the Quebec media, a lot of Quebecers don't want to admit openly that they support the Conservatives. That's why a large percentage of Quebec voters say they are likely to change their vote at the last minute. They'll tell pollsters they'll vote for the Bloc but they actually intend to vote Conservative.

The same dynamic was present in 2006 and everyone was surprised the Conservative won 10 seats. The polls at the time showed no such possibility. I expect the same will occur in this election.

As for talk shows in Quebec, they attract mostly sovereigntists and are a hotbed for Harper bashing. Few federalists seem to participate in those shows simply because most of the hosts are have separatist leanings.

[seabee]

Since the beginning of his mandate, Harper has accumulated numerous errors as far as Québecois are concerned. To name a few, from the top of my head:

Increased warfare in Afghanistan, which the majority of Québécois oppose

Attempt to criminalize abortion, while they believe in free choice.

Attempt to abolish gay marriage, while Québec was, in 1977, the third government in the world to make discrimintation on the basis of sexual orientation illegal.

The religious overtones, while Québec, since the 1960s, has relegated religion to the privacy of the home or dedicated public places.

The concept of the "Québécois nation", which is nothing but a nicely wrapped gift box, absolutely empty and with no legal meaning nor any practical application. A fool's gold.

Increased jail terms for young offenders, while they believe prevention and rehabilitation gives better results in the long run.

Cuts in cultural funding, which is a direct attack on its distinctiveness.

The muzzling by Harper of its ministers.

and a few more, which do not come to mind right now.

The Bloc is perceived as a rampart against an attack at Québec's culture. And even Jean Charest, formerly known as "Captain Canada", has openly agreed with that, along with a few of his ministers.

[Slim MacSquinty]

Since the beginning of his mandate, Harper has accumulated numerous errors as far as Québecois are concerned. To name a few, from the top of my head:

Increased warfare in Afghanistan, which the majority of Québécois oppose

Attempt to criminalize abortion, while they believe in free choice.

Attempt to abolish gay marriage, while Québec was, in 1977, the third government in the world to make discrimintation on the basis of sexual orientation illegal.

The religious overtones, while Québec, since the 1960s, has relegated religion to the privacy of the home or dedicated public places.

The concept of the "Québécois nation", which is nothing but a nicely wrapped gift box, absolutely empty and with no legal meaning nor any practical application. A fool's gold.

Increased jail terms for young offenders, while they believe prevention and rehabilitation gives better results in the long run.

Cuts in cultural funding, which is a direct attack on its distinctiveness.

The muzzling by Harper of its ministers.

and a few more, which do not come to mind right now.

The Bloc is perceived as a rampart against an attack at Québec's culture. And even Jean Charest, formerly known as "Captain Canada", has openly agreed with that, along with a few of his ministers.

Criminilize arbortion, end gay marraige, religeous overtones, cultural funding cuts, mussling ministers, apparently fiction plays well in Quebec.

Got any other dirty little rumours you'd like to spread?

[seabee]

«Got any other dirty little rumours you'd like to spread?»

All I did was to inform people about what Québécois perceive the Harper government. And in politics, perception is everything. If the perception is incorrect, it is Harper's job to correct it. If he has not succeeded, it is neither your fault nor mine.

[Slim MacSquinty]

Fair enough, but they are just dirtty rumours designed specifically as character assasinations by conservative opponents.

[independent]

Fair enough, but they are just dirtty rumours designed specifically as character assasinations by conservative opponents.

That is what politics has become.

[seabee]

Fair enough, but they are just dirtty rumours designed specifically as character assasinations by conservative opponents.

Maybe true, but aren't all other political parties doing the same, all over the country? Aren't the conservatives also doing it, as a judge just decided today? If, as seems likely, the CPC forms only a minority government tomorrow, will that not mean that the majority of Canadians, whether in the RoC or in Québec, also believe those "dirty little rumours"?

link to the judge's decision:

link

Edited October 14, 2008 by seabee

[Slim MacSquinty]

I think there is a pretty big difference between the dirty rumour, hidden agenda propaganda and the relatively isolated incident in Toronto. First the Toronto thing was one local candidate (who probably has a showballs chance in hell) who wrongfully accused his opponent of bad attendance. The bigger hidden agenda is a nationwide campaign designed to cause fear amongst voters and involves national media and the full political organization. These sorts of campaigns in the past have been linked to some pretty sinister outcomes. They highjack real debate, encourage mudslinging and create wedges in society which, like separatism, may take generations to heal.

I don't mind debating idealogy, but the hidden agenda and unfounded comparisions to Bush are very much like the question; have you stopped beating your wife?

[seabee]

How do you explain that national media and entire political organization all gang up on one party, if this is really the case.

on this, good night. Communicate with you, if necessary, later.