Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

Hi Bob,

I wouldn't ask for it early. This is too much fun.

True Dough will make sure I win. :)

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

I won't ask for it early because the fun is in the anticipation of the big 20 dollar win. :)

Hi Gary:

If you asked for it early, I'd have to give you the long song and dance about polls, and that the only poll that counts is on voting day, and that political optimists never concede!

But I do promise I'll cough up the $ 20 if I have to - but don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Trudeau may still self-destruct - but I was impressed with his speaking ability (not so much the substance) at the Liberal Showcase.

This is going to be a nail-biter!

Bob A

[Ken Kurkowski]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

"I wish there was a test in place to qualify a person to vote." Be careful what you wish for- in parts of the U.S. such tests have been used to prevent African-Americans from voting.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

My concern is my precious $ 20 in this one - got to keep priorities straight!

Bob A

I won't ask for it early because the fun is in the anticipation of the big 20 dollar win. :)

[Kerry Liles]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

I did not claim otherwise. What I am saying is that there is room for improvement.
Democracy is not just a simple case of whether or not you get a vote. It's a little more complicated than that.

I wish there was a test in place to qualify a person to vote.

I also would like voting to be compulsory - although I realize people could still render their vote spoiled or otherwise useless.

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

Our system is democratic.

I did not claim otherwise. What I am saying is that there is room for improvement.
Democracy is not just a simple case of whether or not you get a vote. It's a little more complicated than that.

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

Do you realize the U.S. and North Korea are close to nuclear war which won't do much for the environment? This is probably the closest since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

No way the North Koreans will follow through all the way on that bluff. We've basically seen this movie before.

Iran may be another story, given the religious zealotry their leaders have, but they're not armed with nukes, yet.

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

Hi Bob G:

As you know, Ontario had a chance to bring in one of the proportional representation options, to replace the outdated first-past-the-post system we have, and didn't vote for it!

Even the CCC, with all its skill, and great Coordinator, would likely have a somewhat uphill battle bringing in federally such a system!

My concern is my precious $ 20 in this one - got to keep priorities straight!

Bob A

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

I Better, more democratic systems are in place in other parts of the world. Why not in Canada? My vote will go to any party that seriously pushes for reform.

I think the CCC should get on this right away. Armstrong for PM.

I thought you voted for the green party, or have I got it wrong?

Our system is democratic. That is doesn't elect the leaders you want doesn't change that.

Do you realize the U.S. and North Korea are close to nuclear war which won't do much for the environment? This is probably the closest since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

[Bob Gillanders]

Our flawed electoral system

I love this video about a hypothetical election in the animal kingdom. It explains in an entertaining way how our current system is flawed, narrows our choices, and discriminates against 3rd parties. Better, more democratic systems are in place in other parts of the world. Why not in Canada? My vote will go to any party that seriously pushes for reform.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo

I think the CCC should get on this right away. Armstrong for PM.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Federal Vote Splitting

Hi Bob,

I never thought the NDP had a chance to form the federal government. I don't know how people will respond to Trudeau as a leader. I never voted for his father (and he was there for close to 2 decades) and I won't vote for him. Lots will, though.

I thought the NDP chances are here in Ontario. However, Horvath seems more comfortable gaining small concessions from the Liberal government and I have to wonder if she's more comfortable in a supporting role than she would be as Premier. Her time might be passing.

Sometimes I'm unsure of a government which gets elected and it wasn't my choice. Like Harpers government. Next election I ask myself if they have done enough to get re-elected because by that time it's a known quantity. In this case I think they have done enough and I don't see much reason for a change.

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Double-whammies are always a PITA, Bob. :D

[Bob Armstrong]

Federal Vote Splitting

Hi Gary:

Worriesome. Vote split on the left will deny NDP becoming new Canadian gov't.

An exclusive poll done by Nanos Research for Power & Politics reveals how Liberal leadership frontrunner Justin Trudeau stacks up against Tom Mulcair and Stephen Harper....The results show Trudeau's uptick in the polls is coming at the expense of the NDP leader.

On the question of who is the most inspiring leader, the poll suggests Trudeau is connecting with Canadians, with 30 per cent of Canadians choosing him as the most inspiring leader. Harper was second with 17.8 per cent and Mulcair third with 11.6 per cent....But while Trudeau is seen as the most inspiring, the poll also shows Canadians believe he is lacking experience. Only 8.6 per cent of Canadians feel Trudeau has the best experience to lead the country, compared with 41 per cent for Harper and 17.6 per cent for Mulcair.

Nanos points out that the Conservatives have already been trying to take advantage of this by "hammering Trudeau for his lack of experience."

The new polls reveal that particular message resonates, he added. And when you weigh which of these factors is more important for a political leader, experience is the winner, Nanos said.

"Winning is not neccesarily a popularity contest. Stephen Harper has won not based on his personal popularity or hugability, he's won because people have gone into the ballot booth and have made what they believe is the least risky choice," Nanos said.

So the future is less clear than I had hoped, and the vote split means my odds of winning this $ 20 bet are going down. I'm going to hate to lose this one, you know.

Bob A

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Hi Bob,

I don't follow BC politics much.

The next election will likely be held with the new boundaries. Ontario will pick up 15 extra seats and Quebec 3. Maybe I shouldn't write this but I think Quebec is becoming insignificant as a political force with the relatively stagnant population numbers.

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Hi Gary:

Not sure how Trudeau will play in Quebec - the Liberal scandal seems etched in Quebec memory. I think the NDP will hold on, though their growth will have to come from outside Quebec. Ontario might yet swing away from Harper somewhat - as you say, the NDP may do better than expected in the next Ont. Provincial election. Some Liberal BC'ers seem concerned about an NDP provincial win coming out there - more room for the Federal NDP?

Bob