Who to vote for?

[scouterjim]

It is a tough choice. I personally don't care for any of the candidates for PM. I dislike much of what each party stands for. The Conservatives pander to the rich and well to do. The Liberals are afraid of their own shadows, want to destroy the military, and want to raise taxes. The NDP wants to punish businesses and raise their taxes, while pandering to those who feel the government should support them. The Greens would create massive unemployment with their "environmental policies". The Bloc would destroy this country. Independents have no power. What a crappy choice.

[William Ashley]

PEOPLE DON'T VOTE FOR PM ARE YOU EVEN FROM THIS COUNTRY?

What do the candidate in your riding think, how will they represent you, those are the questions you should be asking, its not a democratic vote if they arn't.

Edited April 14, 2011 by William Ashley

[scouterjim]

PEOPLE DON'T VOTE FOR PM ARE YOU EVEN FROM THIS COUNTRY?

What do the candidate in your riding think, how will they represent you, those are the questions you should be asking, its not a democratic vote if they arn't.

I am aware of how it works. Why do you think those four clowns had their debate. They all hope to be PM. They all stink. As to my local candidates, I haven't heard anything from any of them that inspires me to vote for them,.

[Dave_ON]

It is a tough choice. I personally don't care for any of the candidates for PM. I dislike much of what each party stands for. The Conservatives pander to the rich and well to do. The Liberals are afraid of their own shadows, want to destroy the military, and want to raise taxes. The NDP wants to punish businesses and raise their taxes, while pandering to those who feel the government should support them. The Greens would create massive unemployment with their "environmental policies". The Bloc would destroy this country. Independents have no power. What a crappy choice.

Don't vote based on the party or the leader vote on the best candidate in your riding. Read up on their personal views, and stances on issues that are important to you and your community. Are they a long standing member in your community or a parachute in from another area? Have they impacted your community in any way? Yes there are times when individual MP's must tow the party line, but there are also many times when they do not have to do this. Your MP can make an enormous difference in your riding, so base your vote on that. I personally love our current MP in London North Center, Glen Pearson. He's an LPC member but that doesn't really determine my vote, he's done a great job since he was elected and I would still vote for him even if he switched to CPC, or even Green for that matter.

That's the only advice I can offer. If you don't like any of the candidates then you'll have to vote for the rep from the party that you find least objectionable. Better an undesirable choice to none at all.

[scouterjim]

See my previous answer. NONE of the candidates inspire me. I guess I will hold my nose and vote for the one that stinks the least.

BTW, I am NOT a new voter. I have voted in every election for the past 40 years. I have NEVER seen such a poor choice as I have in this election.

Edited April 14, 2011 by scouterjim

[ToadBrother]

See my previous answer. NONE of the candidates inspire me. I guess I will hold my nose and vote for the one that stinks the least.

BTW, I am NOT a new voter. I have voted in every election for the past 40 years. I have NEVER seen such a poor choice as I have in this election.

I think looking for a candidate who "inspires" you is asking for more than anyone can provide. And sometimes candidates who inspire turn out to be less spectacular when they actual hit the ground.

To be honest, I'm dithering back and forth horribly. I despise my local Tory MP, and am deeply unhappy with how the Tories have treated Parliament, but voting Liberal, every fibre of my being screams against that. NDP, ug, I'm not a socialist, but the fact is that if I follow my brain, I want to do my best to prevent a Tory majority, and that means voting NDP because they're the party that got the second most votes in the last few elections.

My heart is telling me to hold my nose and vote Tory, mainly because, on any other day of the week I'm a fiscal conservative and a strong advocate for our institutions. Obviously the problem there is that the Tories themselves have shown damn little respect for our institutions.

It's a conundrum.

[RNG]

I think looking for a candidate who "inspires" you is asking for more than anyone can provide. And sometimes candidates who inspire turn out to be less spectacular when they actual hit the ground.

To be honest, I'm dithering back and forth horribly. I despise my local Tory MP, and am deeply unhappy with how the Tories have treated Parliament, but voting Liberal, every fibre of my being screams against that. NDP, ug, I'm not a socialist, but the fact is that if I follow my brain, I want to do my best to prevent a Tory majority, and that means voting NDP because they're the party that got the second most votes in the last few elections.

My heart is telling me to hold my nose and vote Tory, mainly because, on any other day of the week I'm a fiscal conservative and a strong advocate for our institutions. Obviously the problem there is that the Tories themselves have shown damn little respect for our institutions.

It's a conundrum.

You just described me to a "T". I also don't agree with Harper's tough on crime stuff.

[TimG]

I think looking for a candidate who "inspires" you is asking for more than anyone can provide. And sometimes candidates who inspire turn out to be less spectacular when they actual hit the ground.

Politicians who inspired people in the past would never be able to do it today largely because was is inspiring for one 1/3 of society will alienate another 1/3 and the alienated 1/3 will rush to the megaphones.

The best example is the budget that Paul Ryan tabled in the US. It was a excellent blueprint but you would not know that by reading the spin that gets printed in the MSM (i.e. the tax cuts were only to offset the elimination of loopholes).

Edited April 14, 2011 by TimG

[[email protected]]

Consider a blank ballot vote; it is a valid 'none of the above' option.

[ToadBrother]

Consider a blank ballot vote; it is a valid 'none of the above' option.

No, it's a waste of a ballot.

[Dave_ON]

Consider a blank ballot vote; it is a valid 'none of the above' option.

What message would that send? To my knowledge blank/spoiled ballots are not tracked by Elections Canada. It's also rather stupid, if you're going to all the effort to get out to the polls you may as well vote for someone. Otherwise why not just stay home and watch Star Trek reruns?

[William Ashley]

No, it's a waste of a ballot.

Don't give someone a chance to tick that, not saying people in EC are corrupt but the deputy returning officers that help run the show are from that previous years first and second place finishing parties (they pick the people) don't leave an unmarked ballot EVER. It gives the chance for corruption to flourish. Even with scruitiners available, it doesn't mean a scruitineer will be able to catch it.

The major parties are known for corruption, it can happen at any time, even during an election.

Its like leaving a bar of gold out overnight in a high crime neighbourhood or an xbox.

Chances might be slim it'd get stolden but it could happen. (both customs/post, and places I have lived have resulting in gold coated products of mine scratched up -- to see if it was pure gold. An unmarked ballot makes it VERY easy to mark by a number of very simple almost unnoticable tricks.

There are better analogies but they arn't fit for this forum.

Don't leave an UNMARKED BALLOT EVER!

Edited April 14, 2011 by William Ashley

[scouterjim]

Don't give someone a chance to tick that, not saying people in EC are corrupt but the deputy returning officers that help run the show are from that previous years first and second place finishing parties (they pick the people) don't leave an unmarked ballot EVER. It gives the chance for corruption to flourish. Even with scruitiners available, it doesn't mean a scruitineer will be able to catch it.

The major parties are known for corruption, it can happen at any time, even during an election.

Its like leaving a bar of gold out overnight in a high crime neighbourhood or an xbox.

Chances might be slim but it could happen.

There are better analogies but they arn't fit for this forum.

Don't leave and UNMARKED BALLOT EVER!

I have done the "spoiled ballot" thing in the past. I check ALL the candidates, that way there is no chance of anybody else using my ballot.

Edited April 14, 2011 by scouterjim

[PIK]

Harper is the only choice like him or not. The libs are in no shape to be running the country, iggy is not ready to run this country and the fact our 1st lady could be a women that is not even canadian or cares to be, because they have been married since 99 and she has never applied, which tells me iggy never had any intentions of coming back here ,untill they dangled the PMO in his face.Jack is a great guy but that is it, if he won ,there is no way he could do what he says he would do. so harper is it, he has come along way since the beginning and sure he is not a open charming guy but who cares,as long as he does a decent job, which he has done and even with the crap that has happened it is no where close to the chretien goverment or mulrooney's. With the debates set up for 3 on 1 and the media reporting every fart, he has stood up well.

Edited April 14, 2011 by PIK

[scribblet]

Totally agree....

I like my conservative candidate, I've known him for a few years and respect him, there isn't another candidate who offers anything for me...

You pick the party that best represents your view, I don't agree with everything the conservatives say and do by any means, but IMO they are the best choice at the present.

[Tilter]

Don't vote based on the party or the leader vote on the best candidate in your riding. Read up on their personal views, and stances on issues that are important to you and your community. Are they a long standing member in your community or a parachute in from another area? Have they impacted your community in any way? Yes there are times when individual MP's must tow the party line, but there are also many times when they do not have to do this. Your MP can make an enormous difference in your riding, so base your vote on that. I personally love our current MP in London North Center, Glen Pearson. He's an LPC member but that doesn't really determine my vote, he's done a great job since he was elected and I would still vote for him even if he switched to CPC, or even Green for that matter.

That's the only advice I can offer. If you don't like any of the candidates then you'll have to vote for the rep from the party that you find least objectionable. Better an undesirable choice to none at all.

If you

Don't vote based on the party or the leader vote on the best candidate in your riding. Read up on their personal views, and stances on issues that are important to you and your community.

Unfortunately the candidate can't always vote the way they want. The party line must be followed or else The or else means they will get booted from the party.

There were many Liberal MP who wanted to Scotch the gun control bill but the ones who voted for it were chucked from the party.

Harper promised freedom of choice for his MPs but I haven't seen too much of that.

I'll still vote CPC--- the other parties make me want to HURL.

[ToadBrother]

Harper is the only choice like him or not. The libs are in no shape to be running the country, iggy is not ready to run this country and the fact our 1st lady could be a women that is not even canadian or cares to be, because they have been married since 99 and she has never applied, which tells me iggy never had any intentions of coming back here ,untill they dangled the PMO in his face.Jack is a great guy but that is it, if he won ,there is no way he could do what he says he would do. so harper is it, he has come along way since the beginning and sure he is not a open charming guy but who cares,as long as he does a decent job, which he has done and even with the crap that has happened it is no where close to the chretien goverment or mulrooney's. With the debates set up for 3 on 1 and the media reporting every fart, he has stood up well.

Throwing a bunch of Tory talking points out there is not helpful. In fact in almost makes me not want to vote Tory out of spite.

[ToadBrother]

If you

Unfortunately the candidate can't always vote the way they want. The party line must be followed or else The or else means they will get booted from the party.

There were many Liberal MP who wanted to Scotch the gun control bill but the ones who voted for it were chucked from the party.

Harper promised freedom of choice for his MPs but I haven't seen too much of that.

I'll still vote CPC--- the other parties make me want to HURL.

The fact of that is that a minority government makes caucus unity all the more important for all parties. It creates a situation in which no leader can afford to have any loose cannons.

Still, at the same time, one does presume that our representatives do battle it out in caucus. Unfortunately, that is opaque and if you ever hear anything about caucus debates, it's either because the party is falling to pieces and no one gives a damn (ie. the Liberals in late November and early December 2008) or long after the fact.

My two major objections to voting Tory are 1. a horrible MP that the riding association keeps giving thumbs up to, and 2. the Tories unwillingness to abide, no matter how galling, by the rights of Parliament.

I honestly don't ask that much of governments. I don't expect that half of their promises will be kept for any number of good or bad reasons. I'm all too well aware that governing is a difficult process. But I think it's not unreasonable to ask that governments abide by the constitutional restraints placed on them, put there to protect the right of Parliament and the citizens.

Edited April 14, 2011 by ToadBrother

[fellowtraveller]

If you think that the ad agencies in Montreal have been punished enough for Adscam, vote Liberal and return prosperity to that sector of the industry.

[TimG]

But I think it's not unreasonable to ask that governments abide by the constitutional restraints placed on them, put there to protect the right of Parliament and the citizens.

I really don't understand your point here. The Tory's took the position that they were within their rights to withhold the information. The speaker said otherwise and sent the issue to committee which will (presumably) make the same finding. If at that point Harper refuses to hand over the information then you can argue he is ignoring the constitution. Right now all he is doing is disputing your interpretation of the constitution. It seems to me that the true test of a democracy is adherance to the rules after all appeals have been exhausted.

[fellowtraveller]

The contempt citation is viewed by voters as what is is: a trumped up fabricatiuon by a heavily partisan committee used as a pretence for an election. Any other time, they would have used the budget to bring down the govt, but had to create a yawner of a crisis so as not to appear too stupid.

They have failed in that.

[ToadBrother]

I really don't understand your point here. The Tory's took the position that they were within their rights to withhold the information. The speaker said otherwise and sent the issue to committee which will (presumably) make the same finding. If at that point Harper refuses to hand over the information then you can argue he is ignoring the constitution. Right now all he is doing is disputing your interpretation of the constitution. It seems to me that the true test of a democracy is adherance to the rules after all appeals have been exhausted.

The appeals were exhausted. Parliament has been for three centuries the sole arbiter on matters such as this. Hell, even the Parliamentary Law Clerk said that cabinet confidentiality does not apply to Parliament.

Are you arguing that there is some legal argument to be made that Parliament does not have absolute supremacy over the Government?

[Saipan]

Not a hard decision. Do I want to be lead by a Prime Minister or a Professor (from Gilligan Island)

[ToadBrother]

The contempt citation is viewed by voters as what is is: a trumped up fabricatiuon by a heavily partisan committee used as a pretence for an election. Any other time, they would have used the budget to bring down the govt, but had to create a yawner of a crisis so as not to appear too stupid.

They have failed in that.

Except it wasn't trumped up. The government defied Parliament by refusing to release all documents. We can certainly debate whether the request itself was reasonable, but at the end of the day, Parliament's supremacy over the government is absolute and without limitation. That's the way it's supposed to be, otherwise, we're right back to a Stuart-style absolutism, where the Executive feels within its right to ignore Parliament.

[Bryan]

2. the Tories unwillingness to abide, no matter how galling, by the rights of Parliament.

I can't emphasize enough how much this point is actually a huge reason why my Conservative support is so strong right now. They found a way in a minority to stand up to the parties that lost. The constant complaining of "but you can't do that" only serves to make me like it more. Other minority governments have been timid and far too accommodating to the opposition. This one ruled like it had a majority anyway, it shows strength and leadership.

"I don't care that you guys have more members in the house than I do, I'm the Prime Minister, and this is how it's going to be". That's balls, and that's what I want from my leader.

Edited April 15, 2011 by Bryan