Canada's Election day is Nov 27, thats more than a week away. So I've decided to go along with my opinions of the 4 1/3 Political Parties in Canada.
The Liberal Party. They hold the present Majority in the House of Commons, but that may change. Frankly, I'm getting sick and tired of the Cantankerous-Senile-Person of a Prime Minister Jean Chretien. He's got so many holes in his Credibility that it looks like Swiss Cheese. While I'd like to vote Liberal with their policies, I'd be more convinced to do so if Chretien stepped down and someone else took over. All these gaffes by his henchmen will not help the party's fortunes in this election.
The Progressive Conservative Party. Held the Majority in the House of Commons before it was completely decimated by Jean Chretien's Liberals. It's Leader Joe Clark is nothing more than an old fossil. But then, he's kinda better than Jean Chretien. Policies? Kinda like the Liberals, but without the HRDC spending brouhaha created by the Liberals in the last year or two. Somehow, this is the party I'm leaning towards, though I don't think Joe Clark doesn't have what it takes to lead Canada (He only lasted a few months, dammit).
The New Democratic Party. Your typical Run-of-the-Mill Socialist party, while its leader, Alexa McDonnough, fights that perception. She's doing a good job too, saying that the NDP must alter their image, while maintaining some of its roots, if it is to be a viable option (more business friendly, tax cuts here and there, etc). No leader material here either.
The Canadian Alliance Party. Better known as "The Reform Party in Pantyhose". Their policies are the ones that are very scary. Previously, they had a platform which would have literally turned this country upside-down. While it has been watered down, there is still a perception that Stockwell Day is an anti-poor, anti-homosexual, sexist, and racist bigot. There exists evidence to the contrary though, with the Canadian Alliance fielding a wide variety of Candidates. Surprising, but I don't trust these people. Their plans for two-tiered Health Care (Private, First-Rate Health care to those who can afford it, and a sloppy health care system for those who can't), and Taxes (they want to move towards a flat tax rate with the Rich keeping their tax break incentives, meaning that the poor pay a higher proportion of income to taxes than the rich do) still scare me. The fact that their political platform is alot like Ontario Premier Mike Harris's government causes another reason to be concerned.
The Bloc Quebecois Party. The 1/3 Party. Only seats are in the province of Quebec, where they want Independance, though they do not speak for all people in Quebec. In the interim, they intend to defend Quebec's Interests in the Canadian Political Spectrum. It's leader is a pretty stale Giles Duceppe best known for wearing a shower cap in a Cheese Factory (hyuk!).
Feel free to debate. Non-Canadians are welcome to fashion their own opinions.
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"My Name is Elmer Fudd, Millionaire. I own a Mansion and a Yacht."
Psychiatrist: "Again."
[This message has been edited by Tahna Los (edited November 18, 2000).]
Of course, if the Liberals don't, and try to form a Coalition, be prepared to vote again on the 18th. Or somewhere around there. With the parties the way they are, any attempts at Coalition will fail.
It's not Saskatchewan, where our 20-some NDP'ers combined with our 4 Liberals, and have little problems. Then again, the only issue on the table here is "Oh look, our farmers aren't getting paid enough." & "The east doesn't like us, they hate the west." Bah.
Whiny farmers.
"Cantankerous-Senile-Person of a Prime Minister Jean Chretien."
I agree, but he's the most capable and experienced of the party leaders. I don't see him giving up the Leader position until either, he dies, or gets forced out by the massive popularity of Justin Trudeau, when he enters politics.
"...Leader Joe Clark is nothing more than an old fossil."
Yes, indeed. Old & a former PM himself. Plus, anybody with the support & backing of a certain large chinned Senate stacker, is sure to win over the hearts of the Canadian people.
The PC (Progressive Conservatives, indeed. I had a VP once named Mrs Mann. She should helm this party.) has a very slim chance to fare well in this Election.
Any votes at all would come from Newfoundlanders, I would think.
"Hey thar bye! So, how're you, votin' eh?"
"Ah'm thanking'bout them PCers, yup."
"Them PCers? With that Clark feller? What aboot them?"
"Donchaknow? I heared that they'll be givin' all us them there personal computars, eh?"
"Get outta here! Bye, you gots to be kidding me."
"No lie, that's what PC stands for, I heard."
"Well, then pickle my trout! I'm a PC fer sure, eh! Ju' one thing, though, eh. What the heck's a computar?"
Or something.
"though I don't think Joe Clark doesn't have what it takes to lead Canada (He only lasted a few months, dammit)."
Yes, but consider the fact that he was preceeded by Trudeau, and succeeded by Trudeau. No matter how good a politician he is (or was), with the attention (good and bad) paid to Trudeau, no one would last.
"The New Democratic Party."
Pah.
"typical Run-of-the-Mill Socialist party"
Pah. They're about as "socialist" as AOLers are Smart.
They're really more of a "left liberal" party. The armpit hairs of the Chretien, if you will.
The NDP are more concerned with appealing to the new voters who are in Universities & such, that they're losing acknowledgement from everyone else.
McDounnough & her Party seem to be nothing more than a Provincial party that's fallen in the vat with the sharks. She needs to realize that she's in Federal Politics now, and that what worked in Nova Scotia doesn't work on a Federal level.
I think you've summed up the Alliance pretty well. Out of all the retardation that is the Alliance and Day, I think the proposed referendum system is the cake topper. There's more than Twice the names here needed to actually do this. All at the meager cost of 14 Million a pop.
As for the Quebecois, well, they're never, ever going to receive a majority, unless a massive influx of Immigrants come from France, and if that does happen, they won't get in. We do have laws on the Cleanliness of our Immigrants. Bathing is a must.
In an ideal election, in which 'Porkbarrel politics' would not be the name of the game, my vote would be to the Canadian Action Party, except for that whole "American takeover" thing. Although it is interesting. But since to get anything done, you've got to have an MP, and preferrably a Cabinet minister, If I could, I'd vote Liberal.
For a prediction of the seat count, see Here.
Of course, don't forget the whackjobs at the Natural Law Party.
The NLP's stance on the Military:
quote:
The programs of the Natural Law Party will achieve invincible national defence-victory before war-by creating and maintaining an indomitable influence of coherence and harmony in national consciousness which prevents the birth of an enemy.
Wow.
[This message has been edited by Ultra Magnus (edited November 18, 2000).]
Canada rocks.
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What did it mean to you
An early chat with death
To pull your body for a moment from your soul
--
Camper Van Beethoven
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Read chapter TWO of "Dirk Tungsten in...The Disappearing Planet"! Now with 30% more plot.
From what I've seen on the tube (and I know I can believe everything I see on it) the/an Alliance Government wants to tack personal fees to everything. Will they do this by lowering taxes? What is your tax rate?
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"Honest, officer, I didn't smoke any weed!!!!"
=)
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The Dominion has been defeated, but the hardest job will be building the peace ...
Join Cpt. Connor H. Macy and the crew of the USS Tokyo as they attempt to forge the bonds of trust ...
"Marijuana...hey, at least it's not crack".
Although personally, I prefer:
"Beer! Helping ugly men have sex since 1857!"
(although that date may be wrong. Sue me.)
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"If every vampire who said he was at the Crucifixion was actually there it would've been like Woodstock. I was at Woodstock. I fed off a flower person and I spent six hours watching my hand move." - Spike, BtVS
Er -- the beer one. On the tire cover on my Jeep! By far, my "10 reasons why beer is better than religion" gets me the most compliments (esp. from the cute female neighbors!)
And I believe its ugly people having sex ... eh, I'll check later. I don't want to go outside right now. Brrrr.
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The Dominion has been defeated, but the hardest job will be building the peace ...
Join Cpt. Connor H. Macy and the crew of the USS Tokyo as they attempt to forge the bonds of trust ...
[This message has been edited by JeffKardde (edited November 19, 2000).]