Election

[Csaks]

Can't this country make up it's mind one way or the other??????????
I voted and did my part, this minority thing is nuts. We could be back at this at any time and it's getting old, isn't this the third time in a row. I just hope they are all going to be broke so maybe they can't force another election for a long while.

The whole Bloc thing makes my blood boil, it should not be allowed. It could help either Left or Right, these traitors are looking out for one province and not the country as a whole and it's got to stop. What happens if the west decides to do the same thing or the Atlantic provinces we would be stuck with something like Italy or Israel. Dozens of small parties trying to make it work.

Man I should have paid more attention in civics class and maybe I'd understand this crap better.

 

[minnie56]

Today-still a minority, albeit a little stronger. Hope it's enough.

The Bloc, for many of us, make our blood boil trust me!!
All about them...

Let them go is what I say! Tired of hearing about it..
And we keep the good stuff (health care etc) all for us!!!!

 

[snickerboo]

It's because there are so many parties splitting the vote now. It's exactly what I predicted when the election was called: millions of dollars and all that hoopla for almost the exact same result. I hope that the government is actually workable with this minority. I think the parties completely forget when they're in government that it's not a giant game of chess with a winner and a loser; they're supposed to be working together to do what's best for Canadians and represent their constituents.

 

[bdoyledimou]

based on inflation projections, it is probably cheaper to hold the election this year then next anyway, so no stress about the costs...

But basically, in the House, it's always going to be a "us vs them" mentality..

Dion messed up big time in his presentation of the Carbon tax.. and that's what sunk them.. and despite his back peddling, there is no conceivable way a new tax will be revenue neutral.

Its a bad time to talk about new taxes when everything is going up in price, people are losing their jobs, and homes, and the country is highly taxed to begin with.

 

[SydneyFalco]

Ah, if the Bloc was to instantly disappear, most of those votes would go to the Libs and NDP, and then you have a fifty/fifty bipolar gridlock likes the States. Think they're getting things done any faster or better? Nothing's gonna get done anymore if people can't dump their reactionary attitudes and re-learn the art of dialogue and comprimise.

Only thing bugs me is now that our election's done I have to go back to hearing my wife growl whenever we watch U.S. television, then ask, "Geez, aren't they done YET?"

 

[snickerboo]

Its a bad time to talk about new taxes when everything is going up in price, people are losing their jobs, and homes, and the country is highly taxed to begin with.

__________________
Exactly. It was the wrong platform at the wrong time and made the Liberals unelectable. I consider myself a Conservative so I probably would have voted that way anyway, but Stephane Dion didn't give Canadians enough of a viable alternative, so people protesting a Conservative gov't split votes all over the place from Liberal to NDP to Green. The Carbon Tax also scared the crap out of working families (who wants to pay an extra 14 cents/litre for gas this summer?) Unless the Liberals can get themselves a strong front man, the government will remain this way. Now, the morning after, I hear pundits suggesting Michael Ignatieff or Bob Rae will replace Dion Good Luck to the Liberal Party again if that's what they do. Do they really think Ontarians will allow Bob Rae to be the Prime Minister of Canada???

 

[mousy_in_canada]

__________________
Now, the morning after, I hear pundits suggesting Michael Ignatieff or Bob Rae will replace Dion Good Luck to the Liberal Party again if that's what they do. Do they really think Ontarians will allow Bob Rae to be the Prime Minister of Canada???

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking last night when I heard that! No way would I vote for Rae to be our PM

 

[mollyseven]

o.k well I thought the election would be a waste of money and now after having worked a polling station yesterday I now KNOW it was a waste of money....alot of money.
We had people working each polling centre who didn't have a clue what they were doing, we had DRO's at stations making up rules as they went, one poll had 8 mising votes at the end and then to top it all, when we went to pack up all extra papers went in the recycling bin. There were entire packages of forms not even opened and no dates or anything on them that were just pitched into the recycling....all the cardboard poll booths ... pitched...everything....wow.
all the voter cards...recycled.
Now, I am glad it's being recycled but so much waste!!! holy
the cost is staggering. Even just our one poll station...we were one of 5 in our school...each one has a poll clerk and DRO ...so 5 people making 200 and 5 people making 169 plus all 10 people made 35.00 for training and then they had a "greeter" and the CRO (head person who knew nothing) and a person to sign people up who didn't have a card....140 for the greeter 140 for the sign up person and I'm sure the most money for the CRO....
Just for one station plus all the supplies!
And what did we end up with after all these costs? the same thing we had last week.

 

[maryliz]

I have a real problem with stuff just being "recycled". Nothing that enters my house with my name and address on it is ever just tossed into the blue box ... it is SHREDDED first ... ALWAYS.

Our "greeter" yesterday was a senior man who clearly did not know what he was doing. He was wasting a lot of time, and when we left, there were over 20 people standing in the doorway as he wouldn't let them enter and head for their poll. All of the ID checking and voter card collection was done at the polling station, so there was no need for this backlog at the door. The poll clerks were getting frustrated because his backlog was causing more backlog when people were finally allowed to go to their appropriate station. Many unhappy people! I have worked elections before both as a paid employee and as a volunteer, and the folks were making it way more confusing than it needed to be, even with the added identification rules.

Having said all of that, maybe it's why there was only a 56% voter turnout? Maybe it's just too much of a hassle for people? I believe that when you choose to live in a democratic society, it's your respsonsiblity to vote. JMHO.

Dion completely scared me as a potential PM ... and that's not just my "born and bred conservative" opinion talking. And if Bob Rae ever ran, hopefully every Ontarian will remember what a mess he made of our province.

 

[declansdad]

Unfortunately, we get the government we deserve. Too many people vote based solely on the party advertising. People need to take the time to look into each party's platform, do some research, and make a decision.

 

[Kurby]

canadian's don't seem to be as interested in voting as the americans or atleast the coverage would suggest so.

i'm terrible- i know way more about american politics then canadian but that just proves my point. they've been at it for 2 years now and americans are saturated with information good or bad where we only have what 1 televised debate and 6 weeks of commercials that's it.

59 percent voted yesterday - lowest in history

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I voted yesterday and I've voted in every election since I was 18. My grandmother instilled that in me. I even called my DS yesterday to make sure that he voted (he did). He's now 22 so I think it's important that he votes -- I actually took him to the polling station from the time he was a toddler so he'd know that it was important.

I can't believe that people won't vote -- and yet in some places some people risk their lives to vote. It's really sad actually.

The Liberals won't have much luck with Bob Rae or Michael Ignatieff. Look what Bob Rae did to Ontario and Michael Ignatieff hasn't even lived in the country! Not voting for someone who hasn't lived here for decades.

 

[snickerboo]

If Barak Obama is successful in the US, and I think he might be, the Liberals should start looking at Justin Trudeau as an eventual candidate. I noticed Justin won his riding last night. I'm not sure what he's like politically but, if the LIberals ever want a shot at this, they need someone who can energize people to get out to the polling stations. It's sad to hear some polling stations were a mess. Where I voted seemed very well organized.

 

[declansdad]

If Barak Obama is successful in the US, and I think he might be, the Liberals should start looking at Justin Trudeau as an eventual candidate. I noticed Justin won his riding last night. I'm not sure what he's like politically but, if the LIberals ever want a shot at this, they need someone who can energize people to get out to the polling stations. It's sad to hear some polling stations were a mess. Where I voted seemed very well organized.

I think Justin Trudeau made some comments today about working together in Parliament. Sounds like he is setting himself up to run.

 

[Kurby]

can i just ask why some people get so angry if others don't vote?

isn't that what this country is all about - you have the right to vote or not vote for whoever you want?

why does it bug people that others don't vote - they are choosing not to vote - it's their choice they have that right.

better then the ozzy's who fine you if you don't vote - to me that's not right - you're not given the right not to vote they are saying you must vote or we'll fine you. wonder how many spoiled ballets there are down there.

 

[declansdad]

can i just ask why some people get so angry if others don't vote?

isn't that what this country is all about - you have the right to vote or not vote for whoever you want?

why does it bug people that others don't vote - they are choosing not to vote - it's their choice they have that right.

better then the ozzy's who fine you if you don't vote - to me that's not right - you're not given the right not to vote they are saying you must vote or we'll fine you. wonder how many spoiled ballets there are down there.

For me a spoiled ballot says more than someone simply not voting. If you don't vote, it can always be chalked up to voter apathy. A spoiled ballot sends a stronger message to the parties.

I don't get angry at non-voters but I do think you give up your right to have a say about what the government is doing if you don't vote.

 

[Csaks]

Today-still a minority, albeit a little stronger. Hope it's enough.

The Bloc, for many of us, make our blood boil trust me!!
All about them...

Let them go is what I say! Tired of hearing about it..
And we keep the good stuff (health care etc) all for us!!!!

I don't know why someone doesn't call their bluff, if you honestly think life would be better, see ya! Oh by the way get your own health care, money and social services. Take your share of the debt and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

It's because there are so many parties splitting the vote now. It's exactly what I predicted when the election was called: millions of dollars and all that hoopla for almost the exact same result. I hope that the government is actually workable with this minority. I think the parties completely forget when they're in government that it's not a giant game of chess with a winner and a loser; they're supposed to be working together to do what's best for Canadians and represent their constituents.

Getting power, doing anything or saying anything to keep it. Represent us my butt, they waiting for their golden parashute's to open up and it's an accident if they help any of us.

o.k well I thought the election would be a waste of money and now after having worked a polling station yesterday I now KNOW it was a waste of money....alot of money.
We had people working each polling centre who didn't have a clue what they were doing, we had DRO's at stations making up rules as they went, one poll had 8 mising votes at the end and then to top it all, when we went to pack up all extra papers went in the recycling bin. There were entire packages of forms not even opened and no dates or anything on them that were just pitched into the recycling....all the cardboard poll booths ... pitched...everything....wow.
all the voter cards...recycled.
Now, I am glad it's being recycled but so much waste!!! holy
the cost is staggering. Even just our one poll station...we were one of 5 in our school...each one has a poll clerk and DRO ...so 5 people making 200 and 5 people making 169 plus all 10 people made 35.00 for training and then they had a "greeter" and the CRO (head person who knew nothing) and a person to sign people up who didn't have a card....140 for the greeter 140 for the sign up person and I'm sure the most money for the CRO....
Just for one station plus all the supplies!
And what did we end up with after all these costs? the same thing we had last week.

This is sad but true, we waited in line at the door to the gym for five minutes before someone said anything about the way things worked. If you have a card go to the ballot box with the same number on the card. We were in the line for the people who didn't have one. A couple of people were standing in the front hall of the school and asked us where to vote, the signs were not vary good but we have voted there for the last 10 yrs and knew the way to the gym. I can almost see why some people don't bother to vote. Almost.....

 

[cpbjgc]

can i just ask why some people get so angry if others don't vote?

isn't that what this country is all about - you have the right to vote or not vote for whoever you want?

why does it bug people that others don't vote - they are choosing not to vote - it's their choice they have that right.

better then the ozzy's who fine you if you don't vote - to me that's not right - you're not given the right not to vote they are saying you must vote or we'll fine you. wonder how many spoiled ballets there are down there.

While I don't think fines are the answer, I have to vent a bit on our "right" to vote. (Ready the soapbox! )

Why it bothers me when people don't vote is that I am a person who believes rights come with responsibilities. Human and political rights are hard won, either through wars, revolutions, mass protest, and even by voting for politicians who represent your interests. We tend to forget these things as Canada has had such basic rights for many years, and our modern history has (since WWII), for the most part, been peaceful when compared to the last several centuries.

If you don't use your hard earned rights, I do believe you are shirking your responsibility as a citizen. Not showing up because "it won't make a difference" does not cut it for me - it doesn't show your displeasure with the parties in power, it only shows you as disengaged. What it means practically is that special interest groups (who can be well organized) will have their voices heard as they can mobilize a vote. It also lets the party spinmeisters suggest you were OK with the status quo when you never felt that way.

As with all things in life, complaining about a problem is not enough. Thinking of ways to tackle the problem is what you need to pursue.

If you want to show your displeasure with all the parties, you vote and submit a spoiled ballot. The fact that 41% stayed home shows nothing. If 41% of the ballots were spoiled, that sends a message - and in Canada at least - could prompt a national conversation as to what people really want from their politicians.

This is, of course, just my opinion and is not meant as an attack on anyone posting on this thread. I do, however, hope it provokes some thought on our political process, because I do believe our political parties are not all they can be.

Vent done .

 

[braydensmom]

can i just ask why some people get so angry if others don't vote?

isn't that what this country is all about - you have the right to vote or not vote for whoever you want?

why does it bug people that others don't vote - they are choosing not to vote - it's their choice they have that right.

better then the ozzy's who fine you if you don't vote - to me that's not right - you're not given the right not to vote they are saying you must vote or we'll fine you. wonder how many spoiled ballets there are down there.

I don't get mad at people who don't vote, but I do get mad at the huge amount of people who state that they are happy they didnt vote as they aren't happy with the results. If even another 10% of the non-voters had voted, the results could have been different.

 

[digskat]

As I posted in the other election post....

"The deputy returning officer must reject ballots that were not supplied by him or her, were improperly marked (including those voided by the elector), were cast for a person other than a candidate, or on which there is any writing or mark by which the elector could be identified. After the count, the deputy returning officer fills out a statement of the vote, recording the number of votes in favour of each candidate and the number of rejected ballots."
and
From CTV;
"Spoiling a ballot in privacy is not much of a protest, suggests Elections Canada spokesman Dana Doiron.
'Nobody gets real satisfaction out of it because nobody knows about it,' Doiron said. 'It can't be attributed to the individual because of the secrecy. It just goes unrecorded, unnanounced, unknown. So you've wasted your time going to the poll in the first place.'

In other words, it is Conservative, Liberal, NDP, Green, Independent or REJECTED. No shows and spoiled are lumped together......each meaning nothing.

You really want to send a message, contact your MP often (overwhelm them), contact the offensive party (they all have websites), or participate in a visible protest. I have participated in 2 demonstrations at an MPP office, and while the demonstrations did little (she refused to speak with me-as the spokesperson), other than to have me banned from the premises, the negative publicity she received helped get her turfed the next election.