Your Personal Platform

[ClearWest]

Let's say you were running for a Canadian Federal Election right now. What are your personal priorities in government? What policies would you support?

You're standing before your public right now, they want to know what you will do should you get in--What is your answer?

For example, you may wish to include:

-Your tax policy

-Your environmental policy

-Your foreign policy

-Your policy on social issues (ie. Marriage, Drugs, etc)

-Changes you would make in the direction of public spending (ie. More/less military spending, etc)

I'm looking forward to seeing your platform! ((Feel free to include provincial issues if you can't think of enough federal ones)) (I'll post mine a wee bit later.)

Have fun outlining your platform

[Biblio Bibuli]

Let's say you were running for a Canadian Federal Election right now. What are your personal priorities in government? What policies would you support?

You're standing before your public right now, they want to know what you will do should you get in--What is your answer?

Have fun outlining your platform

Seriously?? ... My platform would be to put money in the Canadian people's pockets until we were back on even par (or nearly even) with the Americans again. The way we used to be.

Then I would change the anthem from "O Canada ..." to " HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN ..."

From what I hear that is precisely what Michael Ignatieff wants to do.

GO IGNATIEFF GO !!!

[cybercoma]

Let's say you were running for a Canadian Federal Election right now. What are your personal priorities in government? What policies would you support?

You're standing before your public right now, they want to know what you will do should you get in--What is your answer?

For example, you may wish to include:

-Your tax policy

-Your environmental policy

-Your foreign policy

-Your policy on social issues (ie. Marriage, Drugs, etc)

-Changes you would make in the direction of public spending (ie. More/less military spending, etc)

I'm looking forward to seeing your platform! ((Feel free to include provincial issues if you can't think of enough federal ones)) (I'll post mine a wee bit later.)

Have fun outlining your platform

Tax: Keep the GST, raise the base tax exemption to put money directly into everyone's pockets.

Environement: Tax incentives for corporations who meet emissions standards. Withdraw from Kyoto to keep much needed tax dollars at home, instead of paying other countries for credits. Allow people to reverse their meters if they setup solar/wind or other methods of hydro. Create other incentives for people and companies to reduce their impact on the environmenet.

Foreign Policy: Look for real results to be accomplished in other nations. Instead of handing over checks, build infrastructure, assist governments in organizing to help their people, assist with healthcare, education, etc...

Social Issues: To each his/her own as long as they're not forcing others to do something they don't want to do. Support benefits for same sex spouses, support meaningful research into the effects of marijuana (to determine once and for all whether it should be decriminalized), pro-choice for abortion.

Public Spending: Spend more money on military so we can become an active peacekeeper for the UN and NATO. Spend more money on municipal/provincial safety services such as police, fire and ambulance. Stop spending money on healthcare that could be provided privately; however, increase spending on public healthcare insurance that would cover more so no one goes without care.

I don't feel like spending a ton of time on this, but those are a few basic ideas on the categories you listed.

[Guest Warwick Green]

I'm a biz-con:

Make the "Smart Regulation" inititiative into something meaningful

Income tax cuts rather than cuts to the GST

Vigorous program to improve productivity

Dump Harper's Handout

Others:

Clean up government

More public input into appointments

If we are going to have a military finance it properly

Kyoto is a joke

Not keen on any kind of publicly financed daycare.

Social issues:

I can't say I support same-sex marriage but the issue isn't important enough to waste the time of the HofC over

I support a woman's right to an abortion but can live with late term restrictions

I agreed with the SCOC's kirpan decision

No de-crimming of pot

[Michael Hardner]

All of these issues are subordinate to the poor methods we have to dispense and discuss issues. Until we fix that, we'll be unable to have any meaningful debate on the issues that are before us.

I would retool the whole democratic process to either:

1) Simplify the operations of electable government so that more people can understand it and take part in the process.

or

2) Accept the fact that only 20% of people know what's going on anyway, and work to get as much good information to that 20%.

Our central nervous system is damaged. We have to fix that before we embark on major reform.

[SamStranger]

Privatize everything, so Income taxes would not be needed. GST gone.

Id rather pay $200 to a see a doctor then see 40% of my paycheck go to taxes, that help f'in bums and teenage mothers.

[Michael Hardner]

Privatize everything, so Income taxes would not be needed. GST gone.

Id rather pay $200 to a see a doctor then see 40% of my paycheck go to taxes, that help f'in bums and teenage mothers.

You should form your opinions based on facts rather than prejudices.

40% of your income doesn't go to bums, it goes towards the commonwealth that decides the best way to spend it. You should do your part within that framework and inform yourself if you're unhappy with how it works.

Bums are lazy when it comes to working, ignoramuses are lazy when it comes to thinking.

[SamStranger]

Privatize everything, so Income taxes would not be needed. GST gone.

Id rather pay $200 to a see a doctor then see 40% of my paycheck go to taxes, that help f'in bums and teenage mothers.

You should form your opinions based on facts rather than prejudices.

40% of your income doesn't go to bums, it goes towards the commonwealth that decides the best way to spend it. You should do your part within that framework and inform yourself if you're unhappy with how it works.

Bums are lazy when it comes to working, ignoramuses are lazy when it comes to thinking.

Don't you dare preach to me Commie, I know how you left leaning assholes think. You want the governement to take your money and decide what to do with it!!! thats bullshit. Thats communism in a nutshell, and I for one say "screw that"

I quote the voice of metal, Ronnie James Dio: "The stronger the government gets, the weaker the people get. You let them take one penny, the wolves return for more. If you let a man set fire to your home, would u lead him to your neighbour? Stop telling me how it should be, I already see what it is"

Now thats poetry!!

[Michael Hardner]

Don't you dare preach to me Commie, I know how you left leaning assholes think. You want the governement to take your money and decide what to do with it!!! thats bullshit. Thats communism in a nutshell, and I for one say "screw that"

Sorry, but you seem to have mistaken me for some stereotype or other.

The system I described is used in every Western democracy we have, so I don't think you should be calling me extreme.

I quote the voice of metal, Ronnie James Dio: "The stronger the government gets, the weaker the people get. You let them take one penny, the wolves return for more. If you let a man set fire to your home, would u lead him to your neighbour? Stop telling me how it should be, I already see what it is"

Now thats poetry!! smile.gif

Well, it's hard to match wits with Ronnie James Dio.

I believe in personal accountability and responsibility, which includes informing yourself of the facts before shooting off your mouth like an expert.

My hope is that my post will cause you to hold up a lit Bic lighter in support, but somehow I doubt that will happen.

[SamStranger]

I understand ur point. But, that left-wing style thinking is border-line communism. once we go down that road, theirs no comming back.

I think we need to move in the direction of privatization and quick. The public health system is good, but it's too flawed. It is not fair that I pay into a pension that pays for my health care, yet I have to pay taxes to a system I don't need?? How is that right?? I understand that their is poor people out their, that would not get treatment for health care if it was private. So we should change the system. People that can afford health care should pay for it. people that can't should get it free. That way, instead of paying taxes to support 30 million people, we would only pay taxes to support 5 million people. Taxes would gooo wayyyyy down, and everyone would be happy.

[Greg]

Don't you dare preach to me Commie, I know how you left leaning assholes think. You want the governement to take your money and decide what to do with it!!! thats bullshit. Thats communism in a nutshell, and I for one say "screw that"

Perhaps you missed the warning I recently made about insults and disruptive behaviour?

As usual some posters get a little to comfortable around here and end up behaving like children. So, for the next couple of weeks, if I catch anyone using insults or any other type of ignorant behaviour you will be suspended for one month.

We will see you in a month SamStranger.

[geoffrey]

Sam, I hope you've never used police or fire services, or ever will. I hope you don't mind have no military. I also hope you don't ever send your kids to public schools or worry when they pay $25,000 in tution fees.

I'm a very small-government person, and I like privatisation of most things. But what your advocating is ridiculous, no taxes at all and just anarchy? I don't think so.

Don't go calling people communists because they believe there is a place for government, that is a rather ignorant thing to do.

[politika]

Let's say you were running for a Canadian Federal Election right now. What are your personal priorities in government? What policies would you support?

You're standing before your public right now, they want to know what you will do should you get in--What is your answer?

For example, you may wish to include:

-Your tax policy

-Your environmental policy

-Your foreign policy

-Your policy on social issues (ie. Marriage, Drugs, etc)

-Changes you would make in the direction of public spending (ie. More/less military spending, etc)

I'm looking forward to seeing your platform! ((Feel free to include provincial issues if you can't think of enough federal ones)) (I'll post mine a wee bit later.)

Have fun outlining your platform

I would be a conservative economit supporting big business in Canada

Tax policy: Fine where it is people pay taxes to get free health, education etc.

Environment: Find my own inititives to lower gren house gasses screw kyoto.

Foreign policy: Focus on military aid ex. Cut funding to Africa untill our military can stabilize it from their corrupt governments. Also expanding our national interests, more military to fighting terrorism and tough against those who support or fund it.

Social issues: keep everything the way it is, keep pot illegal and ban ssm

I would make sure Canada's economy grew strong with a huge business sector and large military. I would increase military spending alot and keep everything else where it is, although tax may have to be raised to support more money toward a new budget.

[Michael Hardner]

I think the fact that people like Sam don't know exactly what's being done with their tax money is another example of our terrible informational infrastructure. Although I criticized him, I can't blame him in a way for not knowing what is being prioritized as the workings of government are not presented in a clear and easy to understand way.

Some people actually think that the money goes to pay the salaries of politicians !

I know Revenue Canada has some links with pie charts, etc., but I remember even those charts had murky information....

As part of my platform (!) I'll try to come up with links.

Thanks for this thread....

[JerrySeinfeld]

Sam, I hope you've never used police or fire services, or ever will. I hope you don't mind have no military. I also hope you don't ever send your kids to public schools or worry when they pay $25,000 in tution fees.

I'm a very small-government person, and I like privatisation of most things. But what your advocating is ridiculous, no taxes at all and just anarchy? I don't think so.

Don't go calling people communists because they believe there is a place for government, that is a rather ignorant thing to do.

Giving money and power to government is like giving alcohol andcar keys to teenage boys.

Off with their heads! All we've seen our government do is consistently raise taxes and provide LESS services.

Time to privatize I say!

[geoffrey]

The government hasn't raised taxes in quite some time.

What else would you privatise other than health care and education? Police? Military?

[Michael Hardner]

All we've seen our government do is consistently raise taxes and provide LESS services.

Kind of like the banks, eh ?

I've worked for both, and they're pretty indistinguishable from the other - especially when it comes to bad management and throwing money at problems.

I think many of the problems attributed to government are better attributed to organizational challenges and bureaucracy in general.

That being said, the left's response (roughly, "hands off our government - don't criticize them") is no better than the right's.

[GostHacked]

I consider myself a socialist.

Domestic Policy

I would like to make Hydro, water and health care a government department again overseed by a public council. Taxes may go a bit higher, but your basic necessities are coverd by the government.

Government Reform

Sessions is ALWAYS in. Holidays would quickly go bye byes. No more 3 more weeks till parliment opens. It should always be open and always be working. The rest of the country does this, so the government should follow suit. I would be cutting ALOT of jobs in government, well the useless ones. I don't know what they are yet. If not cutting jobs, seriously reducing government workers pay.

Other points :

I would like to make closer ties to EU and more. Economicly and politicaly.

Set up a system to prevent price gouging.

More spending on bringing our Military up to date.

Curb the high rising cost of post secondary education.

Set standards for the whole country. An education in Ontario should be just as good as an education in Manitoba, PEI.. and yes even in Quebec.

I would make a law stating that ceceeding from the Commonwealth is an act of treason and will be dealt with in a not so very nice way. I would like some reform in Quebec personaly.

Get rid of 'affermative action' meaning minorities would no longer get special treatment. Hire the person with the better qualifications.

[August1991]

All we've seen our government do is consistently raise taxes and provide LESS services.

Kind of like the banks, eh ?

I've worked for both, and they're pretty indistinguishable from the other - especially when it comes to bad management and throwing money at problems.

I think many of the problems attributed to government are better attributed to organizational challenges and bureaucracy in general.

That being said, the left's response (roughly, "hands off our government - don't criticize them") is no better than the right's.

My Canadian bank frequently takes money out of my account for reasons I never quite fathom, but there are limits to how much. If it became extreme, I'd go to another bank.

The Canadian government can take money out of my account at any time it wants, and the only choice I have is to leave the country.

IOW, bureaucracy is bureaucracy but government bureaucrats never have to face a "customer"; bank bureaucrats eventually do.

In any case, Canadian banks are a poor example of free market relations. The banks behave like government bureaucracies because they are a creature of federal government law.

[JerrySeinfeld]

The government hasn't raised taxes in quite some time.

What else would you privatise other than health care and education? Police? Military?

Ever heard of bracket creep?

Since when is $60K per year in today's world a "top income bracket"?

[geoffrey]

The government hasn't raised taxes in quite some time.

What else would you privatise other than health care and education? Police? Military?

Ever heard of bracket creep?

Since when is $60K per year in today's world a "top income bracket"?

Canadian tax brackets are adjusted with inflation so 'bracket creep' is very minimal, it does exist though I agree. In Canada it is far more about the workers getting paid considerably more than inflation... this year wages in my province are up 8% and inflation is only 2.2%. So people should be paying more tax, they have a higher standard of living. That's if you believe in progressive taxation.

$35,595 or less - 15%

$35,595 to $71,190 - 22%

$71,190 to $115,739 - 26%

More than $115,739 - 29%

Those are the rates in Canada. $60,000 a year is only the second bracket, pretty reasonable to me. You have to make $116k+ to be in the top bracket.

So please, if your going to make a statement, at least do a google on the facts. There are also many more deductions and loopholes if you have a good accountant or tax lawyer.

[Michael Hardner]

I checked and I think geoff is correct.

Wikipedia - Tax Brackets

[Michael Hardner]

My Canadian bank frequently takes money out of my account for reasons I never quite fathom, but there are limits to how much. If it became extreme, I'd go to another bank.

Well, you'd find pretty much the same situation between the big banks.

And, again, the point is that lumbering old institutions seem to deteriorate over time.

The Canadian government can take money out of my account at any time it wants, and the only choice I have is to leave the country.

Sort of, but ok...

IOW, bureaucracy is bureaucracy but government bureaucrats never have to face a "customer"; bank bureaucrats eventually do.

Not really. The bank across the street, or on any of the other corners are run the exact same way.

If there were more banks then maybe we'd see better services.

In any case, Canadian banks are a poor example of free market relations. The banks behave like government bureaucracies because they are a creature of federal government law.

Other monopolies have a lot of the same characteristics, including (I imagine) natural monopolies that arise out of high startup costs, etc., rather than regulations.

[Michael Hardner]

With regards to my platform (see post above) for better information...

Here's what a Google search for 'canada government expenditures' turns up:

2nd link ->

Statscan Page

This breaks down government expenditures into categories such as health, environment and so on.

What's good about this graph is that it's easy to read, and easy to understand.

What's bad is... that's all you get. You can't drill down to find out, for example, what the 500 million or so spent on 'planning' went to.

Does this graph give me enough information to decide if the government is doing a good job ?

No it doesn't.

[geoffrey]

$76b on social services? I quit.