Election this Fall

[Canadian Blue]

Pay attention to the polls: the last one I saw said the Greens are drawing disaffected Tories, who are not as 'fundamentalist' and dogmatic as Harper, and they don't like his co-opting their responsibilities to their constituents.

If they're getting Red Tories I would still consider them left wing.

[shavluk]

If we are its only the smart ones remember and your numbers should still be ok.hahhaha

The trick of course is getting your vote out isn't it?

I love election season as it brings out all that good cheer and spirit out in people

Who by nature have shorter attention spans and memories than oh hmmm ,well lets say Mulroney's

[jdobbin]

I'll be voting Liberal.

I like my local Liberal candidate Rick Ross and his views on healthcare. Even his Conservative opponent had nothing but good things to say about him on the record in Parliament.

Over the years I have lived in NDP, Conservative and Liberal ridings. It has probably been more Conservative than any other party over the years. I'm in Conservative riding now bit it was once held by the Liberals.

The last Liberal candidate here was a former high profile Progressive Conservative MLA whom I admired quite a bit for his stand on the Crocus issue. He wasn't able to overcome the poor showing by Paul Martin in the last election.

I didn't support any leadership candidate in the last election. I liked Kennedy but realized his lack of French was an issue. I thought Ignatieff needed seasoning in Parliament. Rae had to establish Liberal credentials and show how he was going to overcome his Ontario handicap. I thought Dion's profile was not high enough and I thought he might be too associated with the Clarity Act to win over Francophone voters. Hall-Findlay was interesting and at the very least, I wanted to see her in Parliament.

I knew that any leader would have challenges so I sat back to see what the result would be. I am center left socially and center right fiscally so philosophically I differ with the NDP and the Conservatives on a lot of policies. I've looked at the Greens and think they need to win office municipally and provincially before I start getting the idea of where they really stand and who they are.

I have no idea how Dion will do in the last election. I've always thought he would have trouble in Quebec because of the Clarity Act and the sponsorship scandal and said numerous time in the political polls thread that I thought an election would likely repeat a minority government for the Tories.

I think the majority of the Canada contributers on this forum are either Conservatives, Conservative supporters, voted Conservative or generally consider themselves to be right wing. I think a large majority of the contributers probably voted Conservative in the last election. If 32% is what Conservative support is across Canada, I expect it is a large majority in this forum.

Nothing wrong with that, of course. It is an English forum so automatically we are unlikely to see a lot of BQ supporters here. I don't that know that we see a lot of NDP supporters here either given their national support.

[jdobbin]

I'll spoil my ballot or vote for a wacky independant.

Is there no one running in your riding worth looking at?

You could run yourself. I did. It certainly gives you perspective.

[jdobbin]

My vote is always decided on election day when I place my "X" in the desired circle. That being said, while I have voted Conservative in the past (PC), Harper & Co. have given me little reason to consider them so far.

How did you vote last election? What will be your major issue for you this election?

[jdobbin]

I am satidtfied with the Harper Minority Government so I will be voting to keep the Harper Minority. I haven't figured out exactly how to do that yet, so I may just vote the same way as I did last time, Liberal.

Although I can't say that I'm happy with my Liberal member. Her gamble at the Liberal leadership sort of tarnished her in my eyes, I didn't think she was qualified and I wondered why should would try. Lucky for her , her opponent was Kent Brockman and she easily trounced him.

Is it the same candidates this next next election?

[jdobbin]

The Green Party isn't conservative. I think that the whole use of left/right is fairly irrelevant now considering the fact that their are so many different schools of thought with regards to political thought. A good site to check out that gives explainations with regards to political ideology is moral politics.

I know they have attracted a number of Conservatives. I think people would know them better if they tried to win office at different levels to show what they really stand for. The proof is kind of in the pudding. If you get to see how they govern, people can see whether they are more business or labour oriented or if they have a populist bent.

[jdobbin]

The reason I say the Greens are small c conservative is I know they are attracting more of the rural vote, the salt of the earth Canadians who are fiscally conservative, generally church going, and dedicated to the conservation of the land.

The Greens are not a 'lefty' movement, though they have attracted some who thought so. But no ... they are very pragmatic, down to earth problem-solvers who want industry, the economy and the human environment all to flourish, and they are not (yet?) dogmatic about their approach but open to innovation.

The Green Party in Manitoba imploded in part because of the battle between left and right supporters of the environment.

[mikedavid00]

The Conservatives are too soft IMO.

I like the Libertarian party... but everyone says they are a Libertarian. Few vote for them.. pitty really..

"The Canadian government has grown enormous over the past few years, in both size and scope, and we're concerned with the levels to which various government and regulatory bodies infringe on our basic freedoms."

"Socialism and Interventionism. The ideal of socialism is to redistribute wealth in order to make everyone supposedly equal, but nothing could be further from the truth. Many government programs, whether motivated by socialism or special interests or other types of interventionist thinking actually create more problems than they solve. So what we need to do is change this culture of socialism and statism into a culture of freedom."

"Because increasingly, we're told what to do, what to say and what to think. It's our job as people, as Canadians, to stand up and say enough!"

http://www.libertarian.ca/

[shavluk]

I'll be voting Liberal.

I like my local Liberal candidate Rick Ross and his views on healthcare. Even his Conservative opponent had nothing but good things to say about him on the record in Parliament.

Over the years I have lived in NDP, Conservative and Liberal ridings. It has probably been more Conservative than any other party over the years. I'm in Conservative riding now bit it was once held by the Liberals.

The last Liberal candidate here was a former high profile Progressive Conservative MLA whom I admired quite a bit for his stand on the Crocus issue. He wasn't able to overcome the poor showing by Paul Martin in the last election.

I didn't support any leadership candidate in the last election. I liked Kennedy but realized his lack of French was an issue. I thought Ignatieff needed seasoning in Parliament. Rae had to establish Liberal credentials and show how he was going to overcome his Ontario handicap. I thought Dion's profile was not high enough and I thought he might be too associated with the Clarity Act to win over Francophone voters. Hall-Findlay was interesting and at the very least, I wanted to see her in Parliament.

I knew that any leader would have challenges so I sat back to see what the result would be. I am center left socially and center right fiscally so philosophically I differ with the NDP and the Conservatives on a lot of policies. I've looked at the Greens and think they need to win office municipally and provincially before I start getting the idea of where they really stand and who they are.

I have no idea how Dion will do in the last election. I've always thought he would have trouble in Quebec because of the Clarity Act and the sponsorship scandal and said numerous time in the political polls thread that I thought an election would likely repeat a minority government for the Tories.

I think the majority of the Canada contributers on this forum are either Conservatives, Conservative supporters, voted Conservative or generally consider themselves to be right wing. I think a large majority of the contributers probably voted Conservative in the last election. If 32% is what Conservative support is across Canada, I expect it is a large majority in this forum.

Nothing wrong with that, of course. It is an English forum so automatically we are unlikely to see a lot of BQ supporters here. I don't that know that we see a lot of NDP supporters here either given their national support.

I like this guy , well said !!

even if he is from my original home town.

I agree with most of it Sir and in fact i should give you a story from the liberal convention some time to explain why it is dion and not kennedy.

Believe it or not but he lost over his inability to say 2 words " legalize cannabis". He lost by 2 votes and we had 80 there. I have correspondence to back this up. Kennedy knows as i wrote him while it happened and his team responded back.

I am saddened to hear your prerequisite to be considered as we are a world party first ,

in fact the first Worldwide Political Party and are working our way down

Although we just discussed running a full civic slate here for Surrey (municipal)

We will probably win seats here in the next provincial election as we are polling 19% and some are very concerned.

The Green Party is a Canadian invention like basketball , but like basketball considered from somewhere else even though it started here in Vancouver in 1971 with Green Peace.

Please have another look as we in our minds are taking the best from all the parties and leaving the garbage behind ,,just the fact that someone like me is here should say that. Again its a political story.

As you know nothing of my personal journey , i just ask that you just even consider the new election funding rules which will in a sense be a precursor to proportional representation , something i believe will be better for us all in this country and there by we have no wasted votes any more.

Again thanks for your very thoughtful view.

How about we all ,no matter who we all vote for , at least get every candidate to commit to ridding the whole world of cluster bombs and land mines just as a way of showing some cooperation in good faith.

Edited October 2, 2007 by shavluk

[Moxie]

I'll be voting Conservative, personally I'm a classical liberal but the liberals have gone to far left and are socialist these days. The liberal party of Canada boarders on soft communism, I loathe socialism and communism. Dion is rapidly acting like the village idiot with his flip flops and blunders. How can anyone consider allowing that man to lead this country? Vote Green, LOL no thanks tree huggers and peaceniks piss me off more than the socialist/commies.

Harper is more liberal than conservative, at least he appears to be.

[geoffrey]

Is there no one running in your riding worth looking at?

Not yet, I don't know who's running. It's Harper's home riding.

You could run yourself. I did. It certainly gives you perspective.

No time this election. Work is too busy and school is just wrapping up. If I wasn't on the home stretch with that, I'd consider it.

[jdobbin]

Not yet, I don't know who's running. It's Harper's home riding.

No time this election. Work is too busy and school is just wrapping up. If I wasn't on the home stretch with that, I'd consider it.

Certainly something to consider for the future.

[geoffrey]

Certainly something to consider for the future.

Certainly. I probably have enough provincial in's to get a nice nomination in a guarnteed spot, maybe even cabinet if I were older. But I'm unfortunately lacking in the organization Federally. We'll see. I'm not really into sitting backbenches for years. I figure I'll do the connection building first in business and then make the jump if/when that juicy seat at the cabinet table calls. Provincially or Federally.

You see, I'm not into losing. I wouldn't do something if I had no chance at success.

[shavluk]

Certainly. I probably have enough provincial in's to get a nice nomination in a guarnteed spot, maybe even cabinet if I were older. But I'm unfortunately lacking in the organization Federally. We'll see. I'm not really into sitting backbenches for years. I figure I'll do the connection building first in business and then make the jump if/when that juicy seat at the cabinet table calls. Provincially or Federally.

You see, I'm not into losing. I wouldn't do something if I had no chance at success.

Hahahhahahahhahhahahhahahhahhahahhahahhahahahhahahahahhahahaha

aaaaahhahahahahhahahahahahhahahhahahahahahahhhahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Sorry i lack tact and say what others just would

And thanks for your pipe dreams ,,, i mean comments

[geoffrey]

And thanks for your pipe dreams ,,, i mean comments

I'll pass on the pissing match.

In all honesty, the only real way to get into politics is by playing the cards through connections. You'll never do a damned thing if you don't know the right people. If you think otherwise, your sadly mistaken.

I'm not going out on a limb to lose a bunch of money for nothing.

[jdobbin]

Certainly. I probably have enough provincial in's to get a nice nomination in a guarnteed spot, maybe even cabinet if I were older. But I'm unfortunately lacking in the organization Federally. We'll see. I'm not really into sitting backbenches for years. I figure I'll do the connection building first in business and then make the jump if/when that juicy seat at the cabinet table calls. Provincially or Federally.

You see, I'm not into losing. I wouldn't do something if I had no chance at success.

When I ran, my party had one seat. They won 20 in the election and I went to work at the Legislature. I was asked to run for city council a short time after that but decided to take a break from politics and work overseas. I'm glad I did because some opportunities come only rarely.

Perhaps in the future it is possible I will consider public service again. At the moment, I have a business to run and help where I can.

[mikedavid00]

Not yet, I don't know who's running. It's Harper's home riding.

No time this election. Work is too busy and school is just wrapping up. If I wasn't on the home stretch with that, I'd consider it.

Why would someone vote you in when you are a firm believer in sponsorship and ailing old people from the 3rd world here to settle and live on the hog and use our healthcare system?

If you actually *did* run and made some unpopular platforms, you would receive the ear of the grassroots and the media.

Everyone is a coward at this stage.

We can let in workers to help our economy,

Or let in 87 year old Parminder Sing from Punjab India to take a fee ride on our welfare and healthcare system.

The grass roots will never support you unless you do something about this.

[mikedavid00]

When I ran, my party had one seat. They won 20 in the election and I went to work at the Legislature. I was asked to run for city council a short time after that but decided to take a break from politics and work overseas. I'm glad I did because some opportunities come only rarely.

Perhaps in the future it is possible I will consider public service again. At the moment, I have a business to run and help where I can.

Why did you leave our country to work overseas?

You are *so* Canadian that in fact you are willing to run for politics and call the shots.

So why did you decide to move OUT OF CANADA?

[geoffrey]

When I ran, my party had one seat. They won 20 in the election and I went to work at the Legislature. I was asked to run for city council a short time after that but decided to take a break from politics and work overseas. I'm glad I did because some opportunities come only rarely.

I'm sure it was very rewarding. But it only works in certain stages of life. I'd rather be a little more established before quitting my job and dedicating the ridiculous hours needed to mount a crediable campaign.

Why would someone vote you in when you are a firm believer in sponsorship and ailing old people from the 3rd world here to settle and live on the hog and use our healthcare system?

I'm not a believer in sponsorship, what the hell?

If you actually *did* run and made some unpopular platforms, you would receive the ear of the grassroots and the media.

Eh?

The grass roots will never support you unless you do something about this.

I'd only ever run for the conservatives and I live in Alberta. What else do I need?

--

I would give serious consideration to taking on a leading role in a party with seperatism as an objective in Alberta. A Bloc Quebecois a la Alberta if you will. I would probably run a serious campaign if a crediable voice was there. Of course, dobbin is going to say why don't I start one? Well, because I don't have the resources, the money or the experience to lead a political party.

We'll see though. Maybe one day. Though I may have more success trying to change things from the inside.

Edited October 3, 2007 by geoffrey

[jdobbin]

Why did you leave our country to work overseas?

You are *so* Canadian that in fact you are willing to run for politics and call the shots.

So why did you decide to move OUT OF CANADA?

I wasn't married at the time and the job gave me the opportunity to work and travel in a region where I had previously never visited. I could see the debates looming on Meech at the time and it was perhaps the most tense time I have ever seen in politics. I decided it was something was that was likely to last years (I had already been part of it for two) so I took a break away from it.

I got back to Canada just in time for the Charlottetown Agreement and wondered if it the constitutional wrangling was ever going to end.

[Visionseeker]

How did you vote last election?

My vote came down to whether I'd vote Liberal to block the Conservatives, vote Liberal because I preferred their platform or vote NDP because the Liberals hadn't really earned my vote (the Conservatives lost mine on a number of scores, but the GST and $100 per preschooler were detrimental policies aimed to buy votes). In the end, I voted Liberal and as I look back, I believe one of the reasons I did so was because I had become gravely suspicious about the Income Trust investigation announcement's effect on the campaign.

What will be your major issue for you this election?

In no particular order:

Environment

Taxes

Defence & Foreign Policy

Childcare/early childhood education

Law and Justice

Healthcare and Pensions

Edited October 3, 2007 by Visionseeker

[jdobbin]

My vote came down to whether I'd vote Liberal to block the Conservatives, vote Liberal because I preferred their platform or vote NDP because the Liberals hadn't really earned my vote (the Conservatives lost mine on a number of scores, but the GST and $100 per preschooler were detrimental policies aimed to buy votes). In the end, I voted Liberal and as I look back, I believe one of the reasons I did so was because I had become gravely suspicious about the Income Trust investigation announcement's effect on the campaign.

In no particular order:

Environment

Taxes

Defence & Foreign Policy

Childcare/early childhood education

Law and Justice

Healthcare and Pensions

The GST promise continues to be a blight on better tax reductions. I personally can't stand all the tax credit schemes. They complicate the tax code and should be eliminated in favour of a general cut.

I think the Liberals should make income tax cuts a major plank in their campaign as not too many other Opposition parties are likely to put it at the top of the list.

I think Afghanistan and the Environment are likely to be big issues but that other issues will decide the election overall.

[Michael Bluth]

I'd only ever run for the conservatives and I live in Alberta. What else do I need?

To win a nomination.

That is the toughest part about becoming a Conservative MP in Alberta.

Get involved with the party and stay involved.

[mikedavid00]

Environment

Taxes

Errr...

Umm.. Ok.. so you want more green action and less taxes?

You do realize that Canada puts out less than 2% of the world... ah nevermind.