Canadian election

[declansdad]

I'm pretty sure that is exactly what CdnCarrie said here:

You omitted this part of the quote

except all further left than the American parties.

I think the current version of the PCs under Harper are pretty much the same as the Republicans in the US. I don't think they are left of them at all, in fact I think they are the model that Harper used to create this version out of the Reform Party. This really is just the Reform Party using the Conservative brand because Canadians are more receptive to that brand than the Reform Party.

 

[declansdad]

Agree.

And a lot of people think that is to the downside of the NDP this time around.

But even more than that I do feel that about the Green party. I came on this thread talking about how I would like parts of every platform, and that is truly where they are at. But yet I sit here feeling like I can not vote for them. I am not pleased with myself or my thought process around that option.

I agree with you about the Green Party.

 

[lisaviolet]

That makes WAY more sense. You would like to be able to vote Green but you feel as though you can't.

I found a National Post article that sets out the 4 main parties' platforms in a clear and understandable way. It is a bit long to read but it would be helpful for anyone who is not quite sure where they stand.

Everything you need to know about the parties platforms

What a great link Aladora.

Yes, that is my issue. I know all the platforms and know where I stand. My only final struggle is to vote for my preferred platform knowing that it will go nowhere in this election nor in my riding.


I have a lot of issues in my riding to focus on that fall under the federal platform. So I have to choose wisely for my own neighbourhood.

This is the exact reason we need some kind of electoral reform.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

It's me. I ramble incessantly. No need for coffee. I forgot to edit the first not! You're just too fast for me with posting re: editing and reading over.

I am upset with myself that they have the platform that is probably closest to my needs for this country. However, annoyingly I feel like it would be a wasted vote in my riding. And I feel guilty for thinking that way when voting.

As I have always voted Green in the past, I am in the same situation. Her platform aligns with my views, but this year, I feel like I can't "waste" my vote on her. And I keep hearing a lot of other people saying the same thing.

 

[Aladora]

You omitted this part of the quote

I think the current version of the PCs under Harper are pretty much the same as the Republicans in the US. I don't think they are left of them at all, in fact I think they are the model that Harper used to create this version out of the Reform Party. This really is just the Reform Party using the Conservative brand because Canadians are more receptive to that brand than the Reform Party.

As far right as we think the Cons are (and trust me, I personally think they are FAR right), they are nothing compared to the Republicans in the USA.

The Cons are not promising to ban abortions, they are not promising to ban same sex marriage, they are not publicly supporting the death penalty, they do not support school prayer and the Cons are increasing the Old Age Security age by 2 years, something that the Republicans would never do.

Just a few of the many ways that the Cons are definitely left of the Republicans. Canadian politics as a whole is far left of the Americans politics.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

As far right as we think the Cons are (and trust me, I personally think they are FAR right), they are nothing compared to the Republicans in the USA.

The Cons are not promising to ban abortions, they are not promising to ban same sex marriage, they are not publicly supporting the death penalty, they do not support school prayer and the Cons are increasing the Old Age Security age by 2 years, something that the Republicans would never do.

Just a few of the many ways that the Cons are definitely left of the Republicans. Canadian politics as a whole is far left of the Americans politics.

To be fair, I think the Cons are not banning abortions and gay marriages because if they were, the majority of the country would never vote for them. As a people, I find we are very much accepting of those sorts of things, and the party had to get in line with that in order to stay relevant.

 

[lisaviolet]

I think the current version of the PCs under Harper are pretty much the same as the Republicans in the US.

Totally disagree.

There are a boatload of issues that are more right wing with the Republican platform. Tons.

I still think that our Progressive Conservatives are way more congruent with Democratic party politics.

 

[lisaviolet]

As I have always voted Green in the past, I am in the same situation. Her platform aligns with my views, but this year, I feel like I can't "waste" my vote on her. And I keep hearing a lot of other people saying the same thing.

And the struggle is right there.

How is this party going to grow if so many people truly support the platform yet struggle with the vote? For me, it's even more of a local issue.

 

[declansdad]

Totally disagree.

There are a boatload of issues that are more right wing with the Republican platform. Tons.

I still think that our Progressive Conservatives are way more congruent with Democratic party politics.

Is there a wing within the Republican party that is more right wing than the PC, there certainly is but on he whole the PCs and Republicans are much more alike than the PCs and Democrats. I truly believe the only thing keeping the PCs in check is the fact that the portion of our population that is that far right is small and they know they would never get elected if they went that far.

 

[Aladora]

And the struggle is right there.

How is this party going to grow if so many people truly support the platform yet struggle with the vote? For me, it's even more of a local issue.

To me, this election is all about ABH. As soon as we get rid of him, then we can start to look at who we really want to lead us.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

And the struggle is right there.

How is this party going to grow if so many people truly support the platform yet struggle with the vote? For me, it's even more of a local issue.

I agree so much.

Which is why I wish our federal vote wasn't linked to the local vote. If it wasn't about the ridings and about the actual vote count, I think she'd have a shot at something, and I'd vote for her.

But Aladora is correct right now. First step is to see if we can have a new leader. From there, who knows, maybe we can fix the electoral process with the right leader? And then we can vote for who we TRULY want.

 

[lisaviolet]

Is there a wing within the Republican party that is more right wing than the PC, there certainly is but on he whole the PCs and Republicans are much more alike than the PCs and Democrats. I truly believe the only thing keeping the PCs in check is the fact that the portion of our population that is that far right is small and they know they would never get elected if they went that far.

Interesting.

I am truly only judging on policies on the table.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of Canada as the population ages. Fascinating I think. Couple that with immigration and it will be an interesting ride.

I was looking after my father in a small town north of the city last year. The population is pretty much an aging one. And most people around me were far right and had little room for discussion around so many issues.

The lack of room for discussion was the most surprising to me, quite honestly.

It seems strange that I would know their position but it was crazy what would naturally come out when they were in groups.

 

[Aladora]

I agree so much.

Which is why I wish our federal vote wasn't linked to the local vote. If it wasn't about the ridings and about the actual vote count, I think she'd have a shot at something, and I'd vote for her.

But Aladora is correct right now. First step is to see if we can have a new leader. From there, who knows, maybe we can fix the electoral process with the right leader? And then we can vote for who we TRULY want.

The Liberals, NDPs and Greens all support reforming the electoral process with some form of proportional representation. The Cons do not.

I am hopeful that the 2015 election is the last first-past-the-post one that we have.

 

[lisaviolet]

I agree so much.

Which is why I wish our federal vote wasn't linked to the local vote. If it wasn't about the ridings and about the actual vote count, I think she'd have a shot at something, and I'd vote for her.

But Aladora is correct right now. First step is to see if we can have a new leader. From there, who knows, maybe we can fix the electoral process with the right leader? And then we can vote for who we TRULY want.

Truly.

Some kind of electoral reform is needed.

 

[declansdad]

Interesting.

I am truly only judging on policies on the table.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of Canada as the population ages. Fascinating I think. Couple that with immigration and it will be an interesting ride.

I was looking after my father in a small town north of the city last year. The population is pretty much an aging one. And most people around me were far right and had little room for discussion around so many issues.

The lack of room for discussion was the most surprising to me, quite honestly.

It seems strange that I would know their position but it was crazy what would naturally come out when they were in groups.

There is a reason many of the people used in the PCs commercials have grey hair.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I just want to have some kind of device on my car radio that will automatically block out the sound of Stephen Harper's voice whenever he comes on with yet another annoying ad.

 

[Aladora]

I just want to have some kind of device on my car radio that will automatically block out the sound of Stephen Harper's voice whenever he comes on with yet another annoying ad.

I will turn the radio off for any and all election ads. One of the things I love about not having cable tv is that I NEVER have to watch election ads.

 

[lisaviolet]

There is a reason many of the people used in the PCs commercials have grey hair.

It truly was an eye opening stay for me. My father, who was their age but moved up there late in life, was not like them so it's not like I experienced this outlook so fervently earlier in life. My mother has always been a conservative voter. But there is conservative and then there is CONSERVATIVE.

 

[declansdad]

I just want to have some kind of device on my car radio that will automatically block out the sound of Stephen Harper's voice whenever he comes on with yet another annoying ad.

I love the end of his ads now - "I'll talk to you tomorrow." Like anyone truly believes this guy is just another friendly guy that would sit in your kitchen.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I love the end of his ads now - "I'll talk to you tomorrow." Like anyone truly believes this guy is just another friendly guy that would sit in your kitchen.

But Justin would be cool to have a beer with.