Canadian Political Polls

[Bryan]

I expect Harper might be willing to call a snap election any day now.

You say this often enough that we could base a drinking game on it.

[jdobbin]

Many here have said the legislation was useless before Harper even voted on it as it cannot be enforced due to it not being in our Constitution. I didn't study Constitution Law so I'm just going on sound bites here.

Pm Harper has stated that Canada doesn't need or want an election.

But if he calls one, he is is brilliant! And very handsome too.

Lol, awe c'mon dobbin...a coalition of socialists and separatists?

Yup. Harper was in bed with them and even tried to overturn an election with them in the worst anti-democratic coup this country can have (according to Harper)

[jdobbin]

You say this often enough that we could base a drinking game on it.

And weren't you among others who said the last election would and could not possibly be called by Harper?

[Shady]

You say this often enough that we could base a drinking game on it.

Exactly. It's all part of his "Harper burned his toast this morning" throw-everything-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks strategy. He also likes to hold the other political parties to a much higher standard than his own Liberals. He's the classic political hack. But he's certainly entertaining.

[BubberMiley]

Do you mean Ignatieff?

[jdobbin]

Exactly. It's all part of his "Harper burned his toast this morning" throw-everything-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks strategy. He also likes to hold the other political parties to a much higher standard than his own Liberals. He's the classic political hack. But he's certainly entertaining.

Coming from the Obama Obsession Syndrome's top poster, it is absolutely hilarious. The absolute over the top, critical at every step, angry and downright silly posts on every little thing Obama does is so funny. Even FOX broadcasters and Rush must think you are a bit...out there in that type of singular thinking. Classic political hackery on the finest scale.

How many times have you been shown to be wrong on these forums and yet like that clown that keeps bouncing back, you come up for more.

Obama burned his toast! Ha! Wonderfully entertaining!

[madmax]

I seem to remember the NDP always doing better in the elections than the polls suggest beforehand.

Yes, it happens nearly every election. I don't know why.

[madmax]

How is it possible to have fixed election terms in a minority parliament situation?

It is a disgrace that the CPC called an election last year against the spirit of their own fixed election law. The Harper Conservatives were not in Jeopardy, were not about to be defeated in parliment and had had 100% support from the Liberal Party in EVERY VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. Yet the opportunistic and unprincipled party QUIT their own government and went to the polls hoping to be rewarded for their cleverness.

How is it possible that when the government was REALLY GOING TO FALL, the Harper Conservatives postponed the vote of confidene and then went running to the apron strings of the GG.

It seems losing power was not in the spirit of the law but calling elections is was good for the Conservative Party and not the country is fine by you and other lapdogs of CPC love ins.

The bottom line is that it is not possible to have a fixed term in a minority parliment unless one creates a coalition with a written agreement not to bring down the government. Otherwise its governance by the seat of your pants and polls.

[madmax]

No, I'm saying Harper is a giant hypocrite.

[Mr.Canada]

It is a disgrace that the CPC called an election last year against the spirit of their own fixed election law. The Harper Conservatives were not in Jeopardy, were not about to be defeated in parliment and had had 100% support from the Liberal Party in EVERY VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. Yet the opportunistic and unprincipled party QUIT their own government and went to the polls hoping to be rewarded for their cleverness.

How is it possible that when the government was REALLY GOING TO FALL, the Harper Conservatives postponed the vote of confidene and then went running to the apron strings of the GG.

It seems losing power was not in the spirit of the law but calling elections is was good for the Conservative Party and not the country is fine by you and other lapdogs of CPC love ins.

The bottom line is that it is not possible to have a fixed term in a minority parliment unless one creates a coalition with a written agreement not to bring down the government. Otherwise its governance by the seat of your pants and polls.

Wow, all this and the Tory numbers keep going up. I guess the Canadian public doesn't agree with you.

[ToadBrother]

Wow, all this and the Tory numbers keep going up. I guess the Canadian public doesn't agree with you.

Look, either Harper broke the spirit of his own law, or the law is meaningless. This isn't an issue of polls, it's an issue of a moronic and meaningless law that doubtless has the effect on Conservodrones of making them nod their heads up and down rapidly in agreement, but functionally, it serves no purpose. Besides, it's merely a law, so even a majority government could dispense with at its whim.

[punked]

Look, either Harper broke the spirit of his own law, or the law is meaningless. This isn't an issue of polls, it's an issue of a moronic and meaningless law that doubtless has the effect on Conservodrones of making them nod their heads up and down rapidly in agreement, but functionally, it serves no purpose. Besides, it's merely a law, so even a majority government could dispense with at its whim.

It isn't a winning issue. You know how I know? Because I don't hear Iggy saying it. He must have polled it and it didn't come back polling well. That guys shapes everything he says around poll numbers. So if it polled well he would be using it. Might also be why he is losing.

[ToadBrother]

It isn't a winning issue. You know how I know? Because I don't hear Iggy saying it. He must have polled it and it didn't come back polling well. That guys shapes everything he says around poll numbers. So if it polled well he would be using it. Might also be why he is losing.

It isn't an issue because it's worthless. Other than consuming some tax dollars in the form of Parliamentary staff and resources, it's a functionless law. It can't apply to minority governments, it can be thrown out by any majority government. It's like a third testicle.

[waldo]

How is it possible to have fixed election terms in a minority parliament situation?

The other parties wouldn't agree to let a minority parliament go for 4 years. Are you guys saying that you support a fixed election term of 4 years even for minority governments?

Fixed election dates prevent governments from calling snap elections for short-term political advantage.

duh! Harper's fixed election legislation doesn't apply to the Opposition and loss of confidence... outside of the fixed election date, Harper stated that he would only go to an election if there was a loss of confidence. Since he did call an election without that expressed loss of confidence... on a pretext of a "dysfunctional government"... Harper didn't respect his own legislation. That suggests Harper either lied about it or.....

[madmax]

Wow, all this and the Tory numbers keep going up. I guess the Canadian public doesn't agree with you.

You can fool some of the people some of the time.

[Shakeyhands]

It isn't a winning issue. You know how I know? Because I don't hear Iggy saying it. He must have polled it and it didn't come back polling well. That guys shapes everything he says around poll numbers. So if it polled well he would be using it. Might also be why he is losing.

What party doesn't base their policy on polls? Perhaps the NDP, which would actually explain alot.

[punked]

What party doesn't base their policy on polls? Perhaps the NDP, which would actually explain alot.

It is true they don't base their policy on polls, they base it on what is right. The Iraq war was pretty popular when it started not so much now, the same is true of the Afghan war. Sometimes it is better for Canada to be right then to be popular.

[Shakeyhands]

It is true they don't base their policy on polls, they base it on what is right. The Iraq war was pretty popular when it started not so much now, the same is true of the Afghan war. Sometimes it is better for Canada to be right then to be popular.

The Iraq War was popular? Where?

no war is or should be popular.

perhaps if the NDP based their policy on what people thought was important, they'd be a serious contender for Gov't. Until then, they have to live with less than 20%.

[punked]

The Iraq War was popular? Where?

no war is or should be popular.

perhaps if the NDP based their policy on what people thought was important, they'd be a serious contender for Gov't. Until then, they have to live with less than 20%.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_opini...nvasion_of_Iraq

Actually the most popular things in Canada which people would go crazy if they lost, CPP, Bill of rights, Health care were all NDP ideas. That some how escapes you? Ohhh it doesn't fit the Liberal Narrative I forgot. The NDP bases their policy on what Canada needs regardless of poll numbers unlike some parties might be why their poll numbers don't plummet as their leader flips and flops with every poll.

[robber88]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_opini...nvasion_of_Iraq

Actually the most popular things in Canada which people would go crazy if they lost, CPP, Bill of rights, Health care were all NDP ideas. That some how escapes you? Ohhh it doesn't fit the Liberal Narrative I forgot. The NDP bases their policy on what Canada needs regardless of poll numbers unlike some parties might be why their poll numbers don't plummet as their leader flips and flops with every poll.

The NDP has had good ideas and continue to have some, but going on about credit card, bank and cellphone fees when we have an economic crisis on our hands is not going to make the NDP a viable alternative. While they are issues that should be looked into, Canadians can see we have far more pending issues. For a national party to be talking about credit card, bank and cellphones fees kinda makes them seem amateurish and not looking at the big picture.

[punked]

The NDP has had good ideas and continue to have some, but going on about credit card, bank and cellphone fees when we have an economic crisis on our hands is not going to make the NDP a viable alternative. While they are issues that should be looked into, Canadians can see we have far more pending issues. For a national party to be talking about credit card, bank and cellphones fees kinda makes them seem amateurish and not looking at the big picture.

Accept those are the types of the things which caused the crises but never mind that right? Lets not fix the problems which got us here in the first place when the NDP was pointing them out 5-10 years ago. Being right counts.

[Dave_ON]

Accept those are the types of the things which caused the crises but never mind that right? Lets not fix the problems which got us here in the first place when the NDP was pointing them out 5-10 years ago. Being right counts.

It's not the place of the government to regulate private business to the point where they are legislating their profit margin. The first rule of a free market is, an item is worth what the consumer is willing to pay for it. It's not the business of government to limit how much money a business can make, the government's job is to administer public services not meddle in private affairs.

[punked]

It's not the place of the government to regulate private business to the point where they are legislating their profit margin. The first rule of a free market is, an item is worth what the consumer is willing to pay for it. It's not the business of government to limit how much money a business can make, the government's job is to administer public services not meddle in private affairs.

Good thing we don't live in a free market country then isn't it becuase it is the place of the government to protect its people from organizations so big they can crush them. We live in a public/private system where the government has a roll in the market, I am not saying that becuase I support the NDP I am saying that becuase that is how Canada works. Business has its place, although their place is not to exploit the people of Canada or their property for the gain of bisuness only its place is to work with the people of Canada so as bisuness grows Canadians benefit. You can love the invisible hand of the market all you want and I suggest if that is the system you want to live in to pick up and go to a place where the government does regulate like Somalia but here in Canada the government plays a roll.

Edited October 12, 2009 by punked

[Dave_ON]

Good thing we don't live in a free market country then isn't it becuase it is the place of the government to protect its people from organizations so big they can crush them. We live in a public/private system where the government has a roll in the market, I am not saying that becuase I support the NDP I am saying that becuase that is how Canada works. Business has its place, although their place is not to exploit the people of Canada or their property for the gain of bisuness only its place is to work with the people of Canada so as bisuness grows Canadians benefit. You can love the invisible hand of the market all you want and I suggest if that is the system you want to live in to pick up and go to a place where the government does regulate like Somalia but here in Canada the government plays a roll.

I didn't say the government doesn't play a role, regulations are of course required; but that role is not to the extent that the NDP or you apparently are suggesting. Limiting interest rates, fees, surcharges etc. for services rendered is not the business of government. There is absolutely nothing you can say that will convince me of that. There's a reason that communism failed, any price cap set is artificial and is not sustainable based on supply and demand. Whether you want to accept it or not, supply and demand affects all things, setting an artificial ceiling will by pass it temporarily, but reality always comes crashing back. The free market is not evil, big corporations are not evil and all workers are not poor, disabused and disenfranchised. Without large private corporations a good 80% of Canadians would be unemployed.

I'm so tired of this NDP anti-corporation propaganda. It doesn't wash with most Canadians and until they let it go they'll never gain much more support than what they already have. It's time to drop the "evil corporations are out to get us" routine; it demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of the way our economy works. We can't set an artificial ceiling on prices, that model has proven to fail time and time again. Supply and demand will always dictate prices.

If you can't afford the interest rate on a credit card no one is forcing you to use it. You don't get charged interest if you don't carry a balance, if you are carrying a balance then chances are you can't really afford whatever it is you put on the card. Our actions are our own responsibility.

You want a fully government regulated economy? Well there isn't one that exists at present; I'd suggest you move to Russia circa 1980.

[jdobbin]

The NDP has had good ideas and continue to have some

It is funny to see the NDP take credit for CPP. Funny to see them take credit for the Charter of Rights as well when the Implied Bill of Rights preceded their existence in any form as a party. They certainly take credit for healthcare on the provincial front but they should remember that the drive for a national program came from a Conservative by the name of Diefenbaker years before Saskatchewan had a program.