If God he gave you a voice, then use it

Axtech · Post by **Axtech** » 1/11/2006, 9:54 am

I think it's about time we had a thread for Canada's election.

So, who are you voting for? Why?

Personally, I'm torn. I like the Green party's socialist values, but it feels rather like throwing my vote away. With issues and debates centered around the big 3, Green is unfairly getting no exposure. I'd like to vote for them in the hopes of them getting more exposure in the next election, but I'm afraid of the consequences that could arise from this election.

Same goes for the NDP. I may have chosen to vote NDP simply because they'll have more power than Green while still representing a number of values I agree with.

As for the above mentioned consequences, I can't stand the thought of Harper in power. Martin's not much better, but there is just so much about the Conservative platform that I don't agree with. I HATE the fact that I feel like I have to use my first vote strategically, but I'm afraid of voting for NDP or Green, only to see Harper slip into power.

Random Name · Post by **Random Name** » 1/11/2006, 9:57 am

I've voting stratigically.
Liberal purely to avoid Harper.

starseed_10 · Post by **starseed_10** » 1/11/2006, 10:22 am

somebody give me a link that summarizes the platforms. please and thanks

Dabekk · Post by **Dabekk** » 1/11/2006, 10:25 am

you know you could just type the names of the parties into a search engine and find their websites for yourself - it's not that hard.

Johnny · Post by **Johnny** » 1/11/2006, 12:11 pm

I can tell you who I'm not voting for.

Soozy · Post by **Soozy** » 1/11/2006, 12:44 pm

I did tactical voting once, it made me feel dirty. And it didn't work anyway

Random Name · Post by **Random Name** » 1/11/2006, 1:03 pm

Eh. Its not like NDP are going anywhere anyway. Its the lesser of the two evils.

Besides the liberal party here (or some people from it) have a big campaign going around our University. One of the candidates running for Mount Pearl, I think, hangs around the Caf all the time and talks to people and either introduces herself and talks about voting, or just talks to people. I found out shes actually my friends Aunt. That makes me want to vote for them.

reza · Post by **reza** » 1/11/2006, 2:00 pm

To be honest, as long as Harper stays out I don't care who wins. I'm voting NDP.

happening fish · Post by **happening fish** » 1/11/2006, 2:18 pm

^ mmhmm

Johnny · Post by **Johnny** » 1/11/2006, 2:32 pm

I'm voting for the Bloc! :happytears:

happening fish · Post by **happening fish** » 1/11/2006, 2:45 pm

I don't blame you, that Gilles Duceppe is one sexy bastard :drool:

...seriously though, i really think would make the best PM by far. it's a shame his lot's thrown in with the bloc :/

Johnny · Post by **Johnny** » 1/11/2006, 2:53 pm

I'm for Quebec seperatism!!!!!

thirdhour · Post by **thirdhour** » 1/11/2006, 3:04 pm

thirdhour · Post by **thirdhour** » 1/11/2006, 3:04 pm

Wow, that picture's a lot bigger than I thought it was!

its4am_isanybodyhome · Post by **its4am_isanybodyhome** » 1/11/2006, 4:44 pm

i don't get politics
but i can't vote yet anyway
i really want to vote when i can, though

closeyoureyes · Post by **closeyoureyes** » 1/11/2006, 5:50 pm

Well I can't vote.
But i'm fully involved volunteering with the NDP, four nights a week.

I am a federal Liberal, however the liberals haven't held a seat in this riding since 1974.
Therefore, NDP is who bneeds help. We're up so says the last poll

The incubent is a conservative, I met him for the first time last night.

El Creepolicious, holy shiz.

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » 1/11/2006, 6:39 pm

Harper and the guys who are backing him literally scare the crap out of me... I fear what they will do to this country.

He has done a great job of making himself less scary and more 'center' this time around, but he comes across as well-coached and robotic. I know he still stands for the same things he did last time around, but he's doing a better job of hiding it and the party is doing a better job at keeping some of the radicals quiet. Although there have been a few supporters/candidates who have said things that made it into the media... most of these things question whether there should be equal rights for certain groups, such as thoughts that multiculturalism and immigration are bad for Canada, issues surrounding the role of women in society, gay rights, Christian religion and bringing it back into our government and schools, etc.

Harper spoke about how Ontario should better support the poorer Atlantic provinces, but if the discussion turns to Alberta sharing with the 'have-not' provinces, that's another story. " Harper joined with other western conservatives in co-authoring a document titled the Alberta Agenda. The letter called on Alberta to reform publicly-funded health care, replace the Canada Pension Plan with a similar provincial plan and replace the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with a provincial police force. The document became known as the "firewall letter" because it called on the Alberta government to "build firewalls around Alberta" to prevent the federal government from redistributing the province's wealth to other parts of Canada." Hhmm... he sounds to me a like a leader with regional, not federal interests in mind. And his party sounds similar to the Bloc and their Quebec agenda.

There's a reason that US newspapers are calling him Bush Jr and saying he could be the best possible foreign leader in the eyes of Bush. He even said publicly in the US that he was ashamed of Canada for not joining in Iraq. At one point Martin also supported Iraq, until the moment the UN condemned it. Harper still says we should have sided with Bush and he incorrectly told the American media that a majority of Cdns agreed with him.

The Liberals are not squeaky clean but they'll get my vote. I was starting to think NDP until 1) Jack sounded like an infomercial actor in the debates and 2) they're too small in my riding, so it would be a waste of my vote. My riding will be extremely tight Liberals vs. Conservatives.

Sorry for the long-winded rant... this is a really touchy subject around here!

thirdhour · Post by **thirdhour** » 1/11/2006, 8:21 pm

I've been watching the election like crazy, mostly because I watch CTV Newsnet and CBC Newsworld for about three hours a day plus an hour or so of regular news (I kid you not). I think if someone who had never encountered Canadian politics were to look at the parties and their promises, they would have a hard time deciding who stands for what, because all three parties have promised money for the same things. Honestly, all of them seem to be so desperate for votes that they'll claim anything. While sometimes their approaches vary (national daycare vs. money for parents), it's the same idea, just slightly different solutions. The ndp is even promising harsher jail sentances, something they usually don't support.

However, despite campaign promises, I am damn scared that it seems the Conservatives are going to win. I don't think Harper will drastically change things, but since they've been in opposition for what, 13 years now, they will be overeager to prove how different they are from the Liberals and bring up laws they've had to wait on for years.

I don't ever remember there being a non-Liberal government in my lifetime, and while I don't support everything they do, it just doesn't seem right for another party (especially such a right-wing party) to lead the country. It's like when the Liberals do something that pissed me off, they're the country's parents, so I just can't hate em despite everything, but the conservatives are like stepparents trying to take control when they don't have the right, those bastards!

That being said, if I could vote, I'd vote green. *shrug* As if this even matters THAT much, most of our lives will not drastically change because of a new government. Unless they get rid of universal healthcare. Then I'm heading to Cuba!

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » 1/11/2006, 8:35 pm

If he gets a minority government he won't have complete control, as the parties will be forced to work together. Otherwise we'll end up back at the polls again long before the 4 year term is up. But some polls are suggesting such a drastic swing that they could get a majority! :GASP:

Then he could open up the same-sex debate and various other things that are closed issues.

His party has talked about bringing the Lord's prayer back into schools. In a multicultural country such as Canada, this makes no sense to me. I remember in my elementary school some ethnic children left the room during the Lord's prayer and they received a lot of abuse from other children who didn't (obviously couldn't) understand the issues. As if kids don't get ridiculed for enough stuff... ggrrr.

I have a gay friend whose partner has been diagnosed with cancer and they have had a rough time over the past few years. She finally has the right to visit her partner in the hospital when only family is allowed. She can use her work benefits to help pay for the prescriptions for her sick partner. They have been able to put each other as the beneficiaries on policies and investments where only spouses used to be permitted. I can hardly believe that these rights could potentially be taken away from them if Harper revisits the issue in parliament...

laurel · Post by **laurel** » 1/11/2006, 9:21 pm

http://www.ctv.ca/mini/election2006/sta ... index.html - wonderful website that sums up all the party stances on the key issues.