Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: GUEST,simon-pierre
Date: 17 Nov 00 - 11:37 AM

(((About Zundel and revisionnist that don't exist... The best-kwown (*) person in France to promote this crap is Garaudy, an ex-communist, and was define as a "n‚gationniste". People start to fight him, calling themselves the "n‚garaudistes"))) (*) Insert insult there, I don't know too many in english

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 17 Nov 00 - 11:45 AM

Another mind-broadening benefit of the Internet--I thought American politics was a mess. I guess you guys have your share, too. Perhaps politics *everywhere* is a mess? Mutual condolences to us all & best to my Mudcat brothers & sisters. Long may we wave!

bbc

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: Marion
Date: 17 Nov 00 - 07:10 PM

There was some discussion above about Canadian values. Here's an incident that I think is a great example.

A couple of years ago, a small crowd of Phelps-inspired people came up to Ottawa to protest a Supreme Court ruling over the meaning of "spouse" (for those who don't recognize the name, Phelps is the "minister" who organizes homophobic demonstrations - harrassing Matthew Shephard's funeral with signs like "God hates fags" and so on).

The plan was for them to burn a Canadian flag. However, it became apparent that none of the demonstrators had burned a flag before and weren't sure how exactly to do it. So a Mountie who was there to keep the peace explained to them how to burn the flag so that nobody would get hurt.

The Mountie was criticized by some, but I thought he did a great job - both at making the homophobes look like fools, and at upholding my values (i.e., that preventing people from getting hurt is more important than worrying over some symbolic gesture).

Marion

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: CBjames
Date: 18 Nov 00 - 01:03 AM

Why Anyone would vote for Doris Day is quite beyond me.

Perhaps Jason should qualify his values as "Western" Canadian values. I don't personally have a great commitment to widespread unregulated posession of firearms, the re-criminalization of abortion and the insistance that Creationism is Science.

This is the nonsense of the Reform Party and I really cannot see that the Canadian Alliance has spoken out to deny it.

Maybe it is time to break up the country. Atlantic Canada and Alberta have the oil. Quebec, Ontario & B.C can go freeze in the dark.

I am sure Doris will show the way.

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Nov 00 - 12:12 AM

Jo King - here's my solution:

1. Ban all political parties forever! Yes, I am 100% bloody well serious on that!

2. Ban the very notion of a "party in power" and an "official opposition". To quote Abe Lincoln, "a house divided against itself cannot stand". Our party system is such a house.

3. Ban both private and corporate funding of political campaigns. All political campaigning would be funded out of a public purse (taxes) and would be of moderate and equal funding to all candidates.

4. Allow a maximum of 5 candidates to run in any riding, following nominations from the ordinary public. Candidates would be nominated by the ordinary public, NOT by a political machine or on the basis of any party affiliation...but simply on the basis of character and reputation. Can you imagine how much this would involve the public in the democratic process, and free them from party politics and manipulation? This is basically how local politics works in any small town or community, where we still have genuine democracy.

5. Have a short campaign in which all candidates present themselves and their ideas...NOT some party ideology.

6. After the election, all elected officials form local committees, which appoint regional committees from the membership, which appoint a national committee, which appoints a cabinet and a prime minister. No party divisions, no infighting, one united goverment formed from many minds. And end this incredible cult of leadership that we are presentl indulging in...no one can live up to it, anyway.

7. Now, obviously, all the present shades of opinion would probably be represented and show up among those elected and appointed members. That would be good. They would not, however, be artificially divided into party blocs, and would be far more inclined to work together and seek reasonable compromises. They would also be free to vote their conscience on any issue, as there would be no parties to enforce "party line" on their members.

8. All legislation would need at least a 2/3 majority to pass. That rule alone would weed out contentious and extreme legislation, and encourage reasonable compromise.

Okay? That's a start. It is political parties themselves which have corrupted our system. People have conveniently forgotten the the very notion of political parties is a comparatively recent one...and is in no way necessary as a function of democracy. Political parties are by their very nature, divisive, arbitrary, and given to corruption of every sort.

The other thing that has corrupted our system is the huge influence of money, BIG money, on who gets elected. And that money is in the hands of the political parties and their unseen backers, which are not the ordinary public.

Do I think these suggestions of mine are going to happen soon? Probably not, but I call it the way I see it. There's no use sticking bandaids on a patient that needs major surgery.

People today can't imagine politics without political parties. Well, not too long ago they couldn't imagine that the Earth rotated around the sun (not vice versa) or that anyone had the right to rule nations except divinely appointed kings and their progeny. People will generally believe ANYTHING their parents and teachers told them to belive...no matter how arbitrary or useless it happens to be. Monkey see, monkey do. It's time for the monkey to wake up and think for himself for a change.

= LH

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: sophocleese
Date: 27 Nov 00 - 08:20 AM

Okay all youse Canadian types time to vote! I ain't going to try and predict anything but I'llbe listening to the returns with interest.

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: Willie-O
Date: 27 Nov 00 - 05:15 PM

Well I made my x after much deliberation. Almost voted for the Canadian Action Party guy, who is an acquaintance of mine and has been actively soliciting my vote, unlike anyone else. But since I worked for him awhile and then he fired me, I voted NDP when it came down to it. Maybe next time for the CAP. (Their platform is that Free Trade, NAFTA and associated agreements have paved the way for Canada's absorption by the US within 20 years and must be immediately repealed). Next time might be soon if there's a minority government. Fine with me--the Liberals do not deserve any more free ride.

DaveTAM, you're a good guy but Day's history and viewpoints are well-documented from a multitude of sources--complaining about a monolithic media blackening his rep is just not credible. Besides, his campaign was hands-down the slickest series of media-manipulation maneuvers ever seen in a Canadian election, if they have some sort of worthwhile message that got lost, it's their own fault.

Done my duty,
Willie-O

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Nov 00 - 07:53 PM

People who couldn't work out for themselves how to burn a flag? How do they manage when they need to wipe their...? It must be tough being a Mountie.

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Nov 00 - 08:00 PM

Enquote, CBC: Others said they arrived at polling stations to find locked doors, incomplete voters' lists, improper ballots, or workers who didn't seem to know what they were doing.

Are you guys US American, or what? :)

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 27 Nov 00 - 11:34 PM

Majority for the Liberals. Jean Chretien will have the opportunity to continue to lose his marbles...from a position of power.

Stockwell Day will continue to pray for our souls...but he won't have CONTROL over them.

Gilles Duceppe barely aware that an election took place west of Quebec.

Alexa MacDonaugh will be our "conscience"

Joe Clark has a Babe for a daughter....but (as of this writing) no official Party status.

Have heard of any dimpled chads so far.

Rick

Subject: RE: Canadian Election: Nov. 27, 2000
From: sophocleese
Date: 28 Nov 00 - 08:18 AM

Well I was hoping there would be less of a majority. Its astonishing how similar the speeches of all the leaders were whether they won seats or lost them. Ebbie, I think perhaps some election officials learned the wrong things from Florida. Unfortuneately the decision to save money by not doing a proper voting list was made before the American Elelction.