How are you planning to vote?

Mulutka said:

I'm for Harper all the way!!!! He takes tough stances and stays with them (example: abortion and same-sex marriages). Harper looking like JFK?? I don't see it except that they both have traditional male hair cuts.

Anyone who thinks the NDP are an okay way to go should take a look at how they ROYALLY messed up BC!!!! Total mismanagment of our natural resources-> making us live in a recession...

Don't even get me started about the Green Party. They want to cut back our military even more--> what's left to cut?? We used to be such a strong military country and now look at us! They're a little too fluffy happy for me.

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HI!!
I think I need to look further into these parties... because now I am even more confused!!

I don't understand why we need a stronger military- if we do however end up with a gov't that chooses to snuggle up with the Americans, then absolutely, we are going to need something far beyond what we have now; otherwise, are we at risk??....considering our relationship with other powerhouses in the world( we are still ' good guys') and our seemingly lack of one with the U.S. at the present time. I don't see why money, time and effort needs to be focused on gearing ourselves up.

And while I agree the NDP did screw us over...so did the Liberals! Was it not them that wasted all our money on the gun registry?? and the nightmare with healthcare?

I don't know what to do!! Time is running out and I seriously need to decide who really stands for what and what is more important. Because there is no way I am NOT voting. And what really stinks is when the candidate in your riding is really good and they have your vote, only they belong to the party you despise the most!!

And Sally - you're right on the money with who Harper looks like : Kennedy!!
Too funny. And he is a bit too American in the sense of how he throws the word ' power' around.

Did anyone else find the debate hard to listen to? How they were talking over eachother and being so rude. I understand it is a debate, but their own image is at stake and sadly they let themselves down.

Oi.

Heather

SallyNow said:

I might be in the minority (no pun intended) but I think it would be nice to see 33.3% Right wing, 33.3% Centre, and 33.3% Left, and cooperation between the parties. But that's just a dream...however...

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Doesn't have to be just a dream. Under proportional representation, we could get close to that on a regular basis. See the link to fairvotecanada I posted earlier.

Our slogan for 2004 is "Let's make this Canada's last unfair election."

Anyone who thinks the NDP are an okay way to go should take a look at how they ROYALLY messed up BC!!!! Total mismanagment of our natural resources-> making us live in a recession...

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...and then I look at the BC Liberals, whose policies are actually much like Harper is proposing, and I see a much worse situation. At least the NDP kept legal contracts! At least the NDP just wasted our money on ugly ferries (there really is no good reason we are not using them. Instead, the BC "Liberals" ripped us off by selling them. We could be getting 30 years of service out of them right now!)

Again, Harper is to focused on power, he stances aren't really that clear, although his rhetoric is. The Conservatives certianly have some ideas worth thinking about, and I will not dismiss the thinking of 31% of Canadians. But I'm not voting Conservative. We need a balanced government, which will include generious helpings of Liberal, Conservatives, with side dishes of NDP and Bloc, and a sprinkling of Green and Indp. Now that's a tasty government!

Doesn't have to be just a dream. Under proportional representation, we could get close to that on a regular basis. See the link to fairvotecanada I posted earlier.

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I'll look into it! It sounds like a good idea.

Did anyone else find the debate hard to listen to? How they were talking over eachother and being so rude. I understand it is a debate, but their own image is at stake and sadly they let themselves down.

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Did you see the French debate? Sometimes they didn't interupt, and ended up not talking much at all on a subject But they did talk over each other too much in the English debate. I'm still not sure what "My party will sdghweg goiwefh sghjpqw and ghwoer gnwp nnwgej sdkwe" means

I saw the whole French debate, being a Québécoise, as well as the second portion of the English debate. It's true that during the English debate, Misters Layton, Martin and Harper were often talking at the same time so it was hard to understand what they were saying. That was bad, in my opinion.

Well being a Québécoise, I go for Mr. Duceppe, which I appreciate...

Paul Martin scares me to death. Ohhh, I don't trust this gentleman....

As for Harper and Layton, who are these people? (We are not very familiar with them in Quebec)

Happy elections!

Caroline

Victrixa said:

{snip} Well being a Québécoise, I go for Mr. Duceppe, which I appreciate...

Paul Martin scares me to death. Ohhh, I don't trust this gentleman....

As for Harper and Layton, who are these people? (We are not very familiar with them in Quebec)

Happy elections!

Caroline

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Are you also a seperatist ?? That's all Duceppe is really interested in (OK, it's waned since the Yes side lost in '80 & '95 but still very much a goal of the Bloc) He is obsessed with Quebec as an independent country - good luck to you and the Red Sox too !!!!! Word to seperatists - GOOD RIDDANCE & LEAVE THE CANADIAN PASSPORT AT THE DOOR !! Don't be wishy-washy with the referendum question - it is (or should be) - do you wish to leave Canada and be independent ??!! Sorry for the rant but i'm fed up with talk of seperation, be it from Quebec, Alberta, BC or whoever - let's roll our sleeves up and fix whatever ails the Canadian Confederation. Unity NOT division !!!

I agree about Martin in particular and the Liberals in general - Lord please, no more Liberal mismanagement and arrogance.

As for Layton, he was born in Quebec (or so he said in the English debate) As for Harper, i know as much as you do about the man (which is nothing)


Ray

I vote for new candidates

the other 2 can wait till next election day

For those of you who are confused about the issues--that is, which party believes what--check out www.cbc.ca/canadavotes, then click on "The Campaign" and then "Leaders and Issues". It puts all of the issues and parties into an easy-to-read format so that you can compare them all.

As for the NDP screwing up BC, that is the main reason why I never dreamed I'd consider voting for the NDP. However, remember that that was the *provincial* NDP, which is actually separate from the federal party. Also, look at our other options.

Athanasian Creed ,

Whoa now brother, take a deep breath, inhale and exhale calmly...

I'm not necessarily a separatist (for now), however, I am fed up of federal politics which I find quite repetitive and boring and lacking in creativity and novelty. Maybe separation would be good for Quebecers. It is true that we have a different mentality.

I find Duceppe to be an intelligent man. His ideas are clear, he knows where he's going (not just separation!) and wants to help Quebecers (Okay, I just don't agree with abortion and gay marriages but he won't force the latter in churches which do not wish to perform them).

Some Quebecers (not all) are not the only ones who wish to separate, but I think it's Newfoundland who also wishes to separate from Canada?

I find Paul Martin particularly dangerous with his sponsorship scandals, tax evasion, lack of charism, and Bill C-250, amongst other things. I do not trust him one bit. He is not frank when he speaks and is trying to impress, that is quite obvious. Please do not feel insulted if you are a Liberal and support Martin, this is not my goal. I just shared what I feel, that's all, okay? However, aren't you fed up of being abused and not being respected by your Prime Minister?

Word to seperatists - GOOD RIDDANCE & LEAVE THE CANADIAN PASSPORT AT THE DOOR !! Don't be wishy-washy with the referendum question - it is (or should be) - do you wish to leave Canada and be independent ??!! Sorry for the rant but i'm fed up with talk of seperation, be it from Quebec, Alberta, BC or whoever - let's roll our sleeves up and fix whatever ails the Canadian Confederation. Unity NOT division !!!

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Now now, please be careful with the 'good riddance' part. That's not Christian charity. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.

If some Canadians wish to separate from Canada, there are reasons, ya know? Like I mentioned earlier, Canadians are fed up of being abused, not respected and to have their money badly spent (stolen?). The provinces need a minimum of independance in some of their decisions and management, for example, concerning the health systems and education. The Canadian government shouldn't control absolutely everything.

It's time Canadian PMs respect and treat their citizens well! Unity would be fine if we could be respected as Canadian citizens.

I know that talking about politics stirs up many emotions. I do not wish to anger you or anyone else. I just shared what I see and I'm not the only Canadian to feel that way...

God bless you whomever you vote for, okay?

Your Canadian friend,

Caroline

sweetlambofgod said:

No matter who you pick they'll screw us in one way or another, Green party is the only one that wont screw us over.

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How do you know that?

ANyways...I can't vote, yet. But I'm being email info on campaing rallies/volunteer work for the NDP candidate in my area..hopefully I will be able to get out to one.

I'm not at all impressed with the Liberals, but frankly the Conservatives scare me...what they want to do to our country, I think, could damage it beyond repair.

Anyone who wants to vote Liberal for the sake of keeping the Conservatives out, I completely can understand the view point...though personally if I could vote I would vote NDP because I'd love to see them have more say in governement. My riding is a Liberal safehouse (in the past, at least) and the NDP have never faired well in it..but with the Conservatives are definitely making a stand this election in my riding, so a few adults I know (parents, friends etc) who would normally look at voting NDP will be voting Liberal just to keep out the Conservatives, which is fine by me...

The Toronto-Danforth is going to be VERY interesting (Layton vs. Dennis Mills, a very successful Liberal incumbent).

I was reading an article in the Star today about people who didn't liek the Conservatives but were going to vote for them because they wanted to spite Martin..like...to me, that doesn't make any sense. Oh well.

NDP support is rising...Liberal support is dropping..especially in the Altantic, I think they dropped from like 50 to 46 over 2 weeks or so.

Should be interesting, to see the very very least.

Someone earlier had mentioned Stephen Harper wanting to increase military spending, and I wanted to comment on that. Harper's reasoning is "to protect Canadian sovereignty". And of course maintaining our sovereignty is vital... however, the way to do it is NOT by increasing our military power--that simply makes us more of a pawn for the Americans. The way to protect our sovereignty is to ditch NAFTA, which is the #1 way in which American corporations are able to have immense power over Canadian business and government (yes, government). American businesses are rapidly buying out Canadian ones (at a great exchange rate, I might add), so that we don't even have control over our own businesses anymore. And under NAFTA, there's not a thing we can do about it--they could own us 100% if they so choose, and Canadian government has no power to stop them, as long as we are still signed to that horrible agreement.

Victrixa said:

Athanasian Creed ,

Whoa now brother, take a deep breath, inhale and exhale calmly...

I'm not necessarily a separatist (for now), however, I am fed up of federal politics which I find quite repetitive and boring and lacking in creativity and novelty. Maybe separation would be good for Quebecers. It is true that we have a different mentality.

I find Duceppe to be an intelligent man. His ideas are clear, he knows where he's going (not just separation!) and wants to help Quebecers (Okay, I just don't agree with abortion and gay marriages but he won't force the latter in churches which do not wish to perform them).

Some Quebecers (not all) are not the only ones who wish to separate, but I think it's Newfoundland who also wishes to separate from Canada?

{snip}

I know that talking about politics stirs up many emotions. I do not wish to anger you or anyone else. I just shared what I see and I'm not the only Canadian to feel that way...

God bless you whomever you vote for, okay?

Your Canadian friend,

Caroline

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Hi Caroline,

You particularly did not anger me - you seem intelligent, thoughtful and humble in your opinions !

I understand discussing politics is touchy even in the best of times. I'm just very fed up with talk of seperation from anyone within Confederation (notice i didn't just single out Quebec in my OP ) I'm sure i'm not the only one who really despises politics in general and most politicians in particular. As Sting put it in a song by the Police "Spirits in the Material World" -

"Our so-called leaders speak
With words they try to jail ya,
They subjugate the meek,
IT'S THE RHETORIC OF FAILURE..."

On top of it all, we have the ever increasing secularization of Canada in this so-called "post-Christian" era of political correctness at the expense of all things Christ and His Word that has Christians like myself frustrated at the rising tide - however reminding myself that God is sovereign in all things (even when it seems otherwise) We as Christians must pray ferverently for our country - what is left of it !

BTW, did you know Duceppe was once a Communist ??


Ray

I've was going to read all of this but it is 6 pages and I'm to lazy. But here is my thoughts. I was going to go conservative, but he is way to Pro-american!! I'm wanting a Canadian style of living and if that is people ripping off health care and thing like that, that is okay with me. excpetially when I go to college and I get hurt I don't want a huge bill!! And then the War and build up our military!! I don't know about you Canadains, but I love being the middle man and being in the background of everything!! I don't want to be American and have people hate us!
Liberal they have been wrecking our country for the last bit of there reign!! I would perfer them over Convseravtive, but I'm going to vote NDP just because they have a view of the same Canada, expect they are for Abortions and Gay Marragies but no government is going to be perfect. Unless there was no Sin but that would never happen.

Yeah...Harper is way too pro-American. I was reading that Michael Moore hopes his movie will keep Harper out of office, because he thinks it will open up people's eyes to exactly what would happen to Canada if Harper is elected, being as right-wing and pro-American as Harper is.

I personally think Moore and his movie border slightly on the "paranoid conspiracy" side of things...but if it helps keep Harper out of office I'm all for it

Definitely, not all parts of a party's platform will be perfect...I do agree with the NDP on gay marriage (though no need to debate that here ). but abortions all the way through a pregnancy really make me uncomfortable. But as you say, I guess you have to take the good with the bad. No party is really pro-life in this election (well, possibly the CHP) so I guess the NDP are the next best thing.

BTW, did you know Duceppe was once a Communist ??

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Oh please, that stopped being scandalous years ago. Who doesnt go through an idealist period at some point time? Also, you must realize that real communism-democratic communism- is for the people, by the people. But, in practice, we have not had that. It was "for the dictator and his friends, by the dictator himself" Bleh.

I would much rather hear Duceppe had notions regarding Communism than that he is a stock holder in, say, a company that deals in child labour.

Conservative

BTW, earlier someone asked about a Protest Ballot.

Here is the ways to make your ballot a protest ballot:
-When given the ballot, say you are making a protest. The polling station person will direct you to the screen, where you should go. Leave the ballot blank, or write "protest ballot"
-The protest ballot will be put with the rejected ballots once counted.

But why not vote for someone you believe in? There are probably smaller parties, or an independant candidate, who may be to your liking. Give 'em your support!

Check out http://www.elections.ca/ for more info!

Hope this helps

Conservative

Is it not ironic? We don't want to vote for a party that would be too pro-american. Yet we will listen to Michael Moore, an american, tell us not to vote for Harper because he's a conservative and the US (or Moore in particular) is trying to get the conservatives out of office. Since when does an american sway our vote? I mean its just oddly funny in my opinion.

On another note, having watched the debates, I think Duceppe is a well-spoken man. Some of his one liners to Martin in the english debate were priceless.

Me, I usually vote for the best rep of my area, whatever the party. But not this time. If I were to vote for who would best rep my district it would be the NDP candidate. But I'll be voting conservative for several reasons. One I like their platform, two the liberals need to get out of office, and three I'm sick of the liberal politicians telling me that a vote for the conservatives is a vote to take away my rights as a woman etc. Do the liberals not realize that women can and do think about fiscal policy and spending and tax cuts? Those are the important issues to me as a woman, not abortion rights.
Sorry that is my rant.
Cheers

IMO, just pick the party that will screw Canada the least. All of em are gonna screw up, and it's a matter of the least of all evils.

For me, war, and going the American way is worse than decriminalization of marijuana or homosexual marriage. The decay of our social programs are worse than whatever I have against the NDP or the Liberal party.

I'm voting NDP. They won't win, but I'd like to see some opposition from all fronts. Minority gov't, here I come.

BTW The G-G may do something to the election if things get too hectic. If they do, I can accept a dissolution of parliament and a re-election.

^^ No, it's not because of moore. I've always been slightly left-wing according to Canadian standards.