Big Guy Posted August 17, 2015 Report Posted August 17, 2015 It seems a recent trend that different posters present a personal view of this coming federal election and share the reasons why their choice will be a winner. I shall join in. The possible outcomes of this election are either NDP, Liberal or Conservative majorities or NDP, Liberal or Conservative minorities. I prefer minority governments because they seldom pass legislation that is later rescinded. If there is a Liberal or NDP majority then some legislation will be changed. If it is a minority government of any party then these changes may also be made. I have been an active voter for many years. My vote assisted in Diefenbaker, Pearson, Trudeau, Clark, Mulroney and Chretien to become Prime Ministers and failed to stop Turner, Campbell, Martin and Harper from becoming PM. These were vicious campaigns with warnings of imminent Armageddon and chaos if ....... was elected. They were elected and it didn't happen. Through all these years, terrible turmoil has taken places in many areas of the world. Our constitution and the Canadian choices of leadership has kept us fairly safe and allowed Canadians to thrive. We must be doing something right. This next federal election will take place, we will elect a new government and probably most Canadians will not be happy with the result. We very infrequently elect a government with over 50% of the vote. We will not have a revolution, a military coup or an assassination. We will accept the result and most of us will try to support this democratically elected government even if we did not support it during the election – we allow our system to allow us to choose our leaders. Whoever wins this next election will be the leaders of my country. Even if I personally disagree with the choices made, I will still be a winner. There is nowhere else in this world that I would want to live. If I did, then I would move there. I have not nor do I intend to, no matter what the election result. It feels good to be a winner. Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
-1=e^ipi Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Your nationalism disgusts me. Our constitution and the Canadian choices of leadership has kept us fairly safe and allowed Canadians to thrive. We must be doing something right. Hasn't kept me safe, nor allowed me to thrive. Didn't protect me from getting assaulted by thugs and suffering brain damage, didn't protect me from abuse from my parents, and it didn't protect the city I live from being attacked by ISIS sympathizers such as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. There is nowhere else in this world that I would want to live. Let's see... - We are 8th place in terms of HDI and falling. Norway is way out ahead at #1 and even the USA beats us. - We are 20th place in terms of GDP per capita (PPP). Behind Taiwan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. - We are 12th place in life expectancy rankings. - We don't have freedom of speech and as of this year it may become illegal to disagree with feminists on Twitter. - Energy prices are skyrocketing, especially in Ontario. We can't build pipelines and we can't build nuclear plants. - We are basically the only developed country that has a pure public health care system and we criminalize most private health care. As a result, we put people on ridiculously long waiting lists and they don't get the care they need. We refuse to have a sane health care system like most of Europe. - There are few job opportunities for millennials. - We are not a republic. Instead we have this disgusting concept of birth-right via the monarchy. Not only that, but we further the concept of birth-right via the reserve system & the Indian Act. - We have supply management on eggs, milk and poultry for no good reason. This especially harms poor people due to higher prices on basic food and prevents us from obtaining trade agreements with the TPP and the EU. - Our anthem and our charter of rights and freedoms contains religious references, which isn't consistent with being a secular country. Not to mention we have 'in all thy son's command', which is sexist. - Our government discriminates against people based on their sex and race in hiring practices, which violates the concept of egalitarianism. - Our culture glorifies violence against males via the NHL. It's possible to play hockey without ramming each other into boards and punching each other's teeth out, but apparently most Canadians don't understand this. Need I go on? Quote
Moonlight Graham Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Need I go on? Canadians can have valid complaints, but most of them (certainly not all) are 1st-world problems. That's basically big guy's point. We have peaceful transfer of power in Canada via elections. Most countries in the world do not. Coups, assassinations, military invasions, widespread electoral corruption etc. I'm glad I live in Canada, the vast majority of people in the world would love to have our problems. Quote "All generalizations are false, including this one." - Mark Twain Partisanship is a disease of the intellect.
Smallc Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Canadians can have valid complaints, but most of them (certainly not all) are 1st-world problems. That's basically big guy's point. We have peaceful transfer of power in Canada via elections. Most countries in the world do not. Coups, assassinations, military invasions, widespread electoral corruption etc. I'm glad I live in Canada, the vast majority of people in the world would love to have our problems. Yeah, it's easy to poke holes in any silver lining, but, most people don't even have the silver lining. Quote
BC_chick Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Your nationalism disgusts me. Hasn't kept me safe, nor allowed me to thrive. Didn't protect me from getting assaulted by thugs and suffering brain damage, didn't protect me from abuse from my parents, and it didn't protect the city I live from being attacked by ISIS sympathizers such as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. Let's see... - We are 8th place in terms of HDI and falling. Norway is way out ahead at #1 and even the USA beats us. - We are 20th place in terms of GDP per capita (PPP). Behind Taiwan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. - We are 12th place in life expectancy rankings. - We don't have freedom of speech and as of this year it may become illegal to disagree with feminists on Twitter. - Energy prices are skyrocketing, especially in Ontario. We can't build pipelines and we can't build nuclear plants. - We are basically the only developed country that has a pure public health care system and we criminalize most private health care. As a result, we put people on ridiculously long waiting lists and they don't get the care they need. We refuse to have a sane health care system like most of Europe. - There are few job opportunities for millennials. - We are not a republic. Instead we have this disgusting concept of birth-right via the monarchy. Not only that, but we further the concept of birth-right via the reserve system & the Indian Act. - We have supply management on eggs, milk and poultry for no good reason. This especially harms poor people due to higher prices on basic food and prevents us from obtaining trade agreements with the TPP and the EU. - Our anthem and our charter of rights and freedoms contains religious references, which isn't consistent with being a secular country. Not to mention we have 'in all thy son's command', which is sexist. - Our government discriminates against people based on their sex and race in hiring practices, which violates the concept of egalitarianism. - Our culture glorifies violence against males via the NHL. It's possible to play hockey without ramming each other into boards and punching each other's teeth out, but apparently most Canadians don't understand this. Need I go on? Wow, you really poked a hole in his 'Canada is Utopia' argument. Oh wait, that's not *at all* what he said. Quote It's kind of the worst thing that any humans could be doing at this time in human history. Other than that, it's fine." Bill Nye on Alberta Oil Sands
Canada_First Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 As a person who has lived in places where politics is a violent event. It certainly is nice to live in Canada but the NDP is a far left org much like Mugabe in Rhodesia. I do not trust left wing parties as they only want to bring in policies that are discriminatory and hold onto power at all costs. If Mulcair wins watch for him to change election rules so that he may hold onto power indefinitely. We will become the next Rhodesia, Venezuela or Cuba. Left wing governments forever. I have already moved my assets off shore so that that Mulcair cannot seize them. The first thing that the left wing will do is seize assets for redistribution. See Mugabe or the ANC for proof. Quote
Big Guy Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Posted August 18, 2015 Your nationalism disgusts me. ... and suffering brain damage Thank you for your response. It is unfortunate that you have suffered a series of negative experiences. I am not sure how to evaluate your opinion since you begin it with that statement. Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
Big Guy Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Posted August 18, 2015 I believe that the secret to Canadian stability has been geophysical conditions, proximity to the USA, social and political structure and diversity of population. Natural resources allow Candians to enjoy their country and benefit from the economics of exporting them. The proximity to the USA and oceans surrounding the rest of Canada has served as protection and at times an isolation that was beneficial for safe growth. Our form of government and the evolution of a three party system has kept any one extreme from doing too much damage that could not be repaired by a subsequent government. The fact that we have three strong political parties keeps us from falling into the two extreme party trap where gridlock is inevitable when the extreme factions (left and right) take over both parties - like the USA. The diversity of population allows for a population which consists of people knowledgeable about what bad can (has) happened in other parts of the world. Many new Canadians have lived through what happens when a democracy is not allowed to function. There are many other factors that make this the right place to live - ask those millions of immigrants and those who are standing in line waiting to be allowed to come here. Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
Keepitsimple Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Whoever wins this next election will be the leaders of my country. Even if I personally disagree with the choices made, I will still be a winner. There is nowhere else in this world that I would want to live. If I did, then I would move there. I have not nor do I intend to, no matter what the election result. It feels good to be a winner. We are indeed very fortunate......and really, when our selection of government proves to be "misguided", we get a chance to do it over again in the next election - in the case of minority governments - sometimes fairly quickly. Can't wait for the next one here in Ontario! Quote Back to Basics
ReeferMadness Posted August 22, 2015 Report Posted August 22, 2015 If Mulcair wins watch for him to change election rules so that he may hold onto power indefinitely. We will become the next Rhodesia, Venezuela or Cuba. Left wing governments forever. I have already moved my assets off shore so that that Mulcair cannot seize them. The first thing that the left wing will do is seize assets for redistribution. See Mugabe or the ANC for proof. What size of tinfoil hat do you wear? Quote Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while preserving privilege, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among liberal economists. - Noam Chomsky It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair
On Guard for Thee Posted August 22, 2015 Report Posted August 22, 2015 As a person who has lived in places where politics is a violent event. It certainly is nice to live in Canada but the NDP is a far left org much like Mugabe in Rhodesia. I do not trust left wing parties as they only want to bring in policies that are discriminatory and hold onto power at all costs. If Mulcair wins watch for him to change election rules so that he may hold onto power indefinitely. We will become the next Rhodesia, Venezuela or Cuba. Left wing governments forever. I have already moved my assets off shore so that that Mulcair cannot seize them. The first thing that the left wing will do is seize assets for redistribution. See Mugabe or the ANC for proof. Change election rules...do you mean like creating the unfair elections act, or using robocalls etc., to thwart voters, that kind of thing? Oh wait.... Quote
Vancouver King Posted August 22, 2015 Report Posted August 22, 2015 Mulcair will morph into Mugabe? This kind of lunatic fringe mentality is creeping into the CPC's campaign - witness the incoherent swear fest from a Harper supporter directed to the media at a recent CPC event. There is a bunker mentality taking over the Conservative campaign reflecting the desperation they face. Quote When the people have no tyrant, their public opinion becomes one. ...... Lord Lytton
marcus Posted August 23, 2015 Report Posted August 23, 2015 It certainly is nice to live in Canada but the NDP is a far left org much like Mugabe in Rhodesia. lol Quote "What do you think of Western civilization?" Gandhi was asked. "I think it would be a good idea," he said.
G Huxley Posted August 23, 2015 Report Posted August 23, 2015 (edited) Maybe his surreal paranoia stems from the fact that Mugabe actually onced belong to a party called the NDP. "National Democratic Party." hehe http://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Democratic-Party-political-party-Zimbabwe Edited August 23, 2015 by G Huxley Quote
CITIZEN_2015 Posted August 23, 2015 Report Posted August 23, 2015 (edited) Canada is the country that millions of people are in the line up as we speak to come over and live and tens of millions more wished to have had this chance. It is peaceful in spite of multiculturalism (so we should become more selective to keep it that way) and prosperous (though we should share more of this prosperity among citizens) and democratic (no tanks on streets, no bombs or missiles landing on cities, governments come to power via elections not a coup and we don't have secret police to arrest and torture citizens for opposition to government). Race relations are relatively good unlike Europe and US we don't have riots and shootings (though we need to cut down on immigration to keep it that way). Canadians are caring and non-prejudice and generous (though there are always exceptions). We are relatively safe at home and on streets and random attacks are very rare. We can criticize our government policies and not retaliated for criticism or get arrested. Sure it is not perfect and there are rooms for improvements but I for one share the view that I wish to live nowhere else regardless who we may elect . Edited August 23, 2015 by CITIZEN_2015 Quote
Big Guy Posted October 20, 2015 Author Report Posted October 20, 2015 There has been a major shift in the power structure which governs this country. The election allowed people to hear from all candidates. Each party leader did his/her best to convince Canadians to support them. We have just switched from one majority government to another majority government over about 10 hours. There are no tanks in the streets. There is no rioting and violence. Our military was not placed on alert. The losing leaders congratulated the leader of the winning party. This morning, Canadians go on with their lives and hope the new government will do what is best for all Canadians. That is why I am a winner after this latest election! Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
eyeball Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 It wasn't the specific result I was hoping for but the primary goal of the election was achieved and I woke up today feeling like a weight has been lifted. I hope the feeling lasts awhile. Quote A government without public oversight is like a nuclear plant without lead shielding.
ToadBrother Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 It wasn't the specific result I was hoping for but the primary goal of the election was achieved and I woke up today feeling like a weight has been lifted. I hope the feeling lasts awhile. It will last until the TPP is ratified. But I'm more hopeful about the Paris climate change conference. We won't have active AGW-deniers heading over the pond, at least. Quote
TimG Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 It will last until the TPP is ratified. But I'm more hopeful about the Paris climate change conference. We won't have active AGW-deniers heading over the pond, at least.Naive zealots who are obsessed with "doing something" (even if futile) are infinitely worse. Quote
dre Posted October 20, 2015 Report Posted October 20, 2015 Naive zealots who are obsessed with "doing something" (even if futile) are infinitely worse. We talking about the supporters of the GWOT and military interventionalism? Wrong thread! Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
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