Comments on: A Canadian Coalition? http://wonderment.ca/2008/12/a-canadian-coalition/ Writings of a Philosophy Student Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:19:06 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: flit http://wonderment.ca/2008/12/a-canadian-coalition/comment-page-1/#comment-83 flit Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:37:40 +0000 http://wonderment.ca/?p=58#comment-83 Thanks for the overview... I have been thinking I should be paying more attention but with 3 papers and a musical still to write, plus 20 essays to mark before my students' exams on Saturday, I havent' quite got there. Thanks for the overview… I have been thinking I should be paying more attention but with 3 papers and a musical still to write, plus 20 essays to mark before my students’ exams on Saturday, I havent’ quite got there.

]]> By: Colin Temple http://wonderment.ca/2008/12/a-canadian-coalition/comment-page-1/#comment-70 Colin Temple Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:48:25 +0000 http://wonderment.ca/?p=58#comment-70 But here's the thing -- the Conservatives and Stephen Harper did not achieve a "democratic majority vote". They neither won the majority of the seats in parliament, nor did they win the majority of the popular vote. The NDP and the Liberals together represent more of the popular vote than the Conservatives do. Arguably, that's MORE democratic than what's in place now. All of the MPs who are getting paid with our taxes WERE voted in. They don't all form the government, but they were all voted into their riding. Maybe you didn't vote for the politicians behind this, but in reality, most people did. More people voted for the Liberals, NDP and the Bloc than for the Conservatives -- the majority of Canadians voted AGAINST Harper. How much more democratic is the Harper government? The fact is that even if a coalition government happens, it's supported by the higher number of elected officials. It's not a dictatorship at all. This is all perfectly legal by the constitution. The elected government won't have dictatorship powers, and it's unlikely to last for all that long. I'm not saying I support what's happening, but "Africa here we come"? That's an exaggeration. I think the current system is flawed and needs change. When the majority votes left of centre, it's not exciting to see a centre-right party elected. We're not really seeing the voice of Canada in a Harper government, either. I'm just not sure this is the way to enact such a change. But here’s the thing — the Conservatives and Stephen Harper did not achieve a “democratic majority vote”. They neither won the majority of the seats in parliament, nor did they win the majority of the popular vote.

The NDP and the Liberals together represent more of the popular vote than the Conservatives do. Arguably, that’s MORE democratic than what’s in place now. All of the MPs who are getting paid with our taxes WERE voted in. They don’t all form the government, but they were all voted into their riding.

Maybe you didn’t vote for the politicians behind this, but in reality, most people did. More people voted for the Liberals, NDP and the Bloc than for the Conservatives — the majority of Canadians voted AGAINST Harper. How much more democratic is the Harper government?

The fact is that even if a coalition government happens, it’s supported by the higher number of elected officials. It’s not a dictatorship at all. This is all perfectly legal by the constitution. The elected government won’t have dictatorship powers, and it’s unlikely to last for all that long.

I’m not saying I support what’s happening, but “Africa here we come”? That’s an exaggeration.

I think the current system is flawed and needs change. When the majority votes left of centre, it’s not exciting to see a centre-right party elected. We’re not really seeing the voice of Canada in a Harper government, either. I’m just not sure this is the way to enact such a change.

]]> By: John http://wonderment.ca/2008/12/a-canadian-coalition/comment-page-1/#comment-69 John Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:03:11 +0000 http://wonderment.ca/?p=58#comment-69 What happened to a democratic majority vote by the Canadian people. It is now obvious that it does not matter what Canadians vote for as politicians can do what they want anyway. It looks like Canada is going the dictatorial way. Africa here we come.Lets join the 3rd world. Who cares what the people vote for. Why should anyone waste their time going to vote when the politicians we do not vote for and still get paid with our taxes waste millions and do whatever they want. I don't think this is called democracy, its more like dictatorship. Thanks a lot John What happened to a democratic majority vote by the Canadian people. It is now obvious that it does not matter what Canadians vote for as politicians can do what they want anyway.
It looks like Canada is going the dictatorial way.
Africa here we come.Lets join the 3rd world.
Who cares what the people vote for.
Why should anyone waste their time going to vote when the politicians we do not vote for and still get paid with our taxes waste millions and do whatever they want.
I don’t think this is called democracy, its more like dictatorship.
Thanks a lot
John

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