Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Lament for a nation
rabble.ca Canadian federal election blog - Lament for a nation
It was Canada’s 40th federal election – an election waged during perilous economic times, globally and domestically.
And yet, only 59% of eligible voters came out to vote. That
represents the lowest voter turnout in our entire democratic history.
Low voter turn out hurts the Liberals
Accidental Deliberations: On absent Liberals
A lot less people turned out to vote this time than in 2006. Most of those who didn't turn out were Liberal voters. I guess they were just taking after the example set by Liberal MPs who sat out of many votes in Parliament over the last few years.
In 2006, 64.7% of eligible voters voted. A total of 14,908,703 voted.
In 2008, 59.1% of eligible voters voted. A total of 13,832,972 voted.
A lot less people turned out to vote this time than in 2006. Most of those who didn't turn out were Liberal voters. I guess they were just taking after the example set by Liberal MPs who sat out of many votes in Parliament over the last few years.
In 2006, 64.7% of eligible voters voted. A total of 14,908,703 voted.
In 2008, 59.1% of eligible voters voted. A total of 13,832,972 voted.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
How Canadian Elections Work (as told to Americans)
Explaining Canadian Elections to Americans « Blevkog
Because our elections can happen at any time, and with only a
month’s notice, our campaign seasons are more shorter than the ones in
the U.S. It’s not that we don’t want to hold year long election
campaigns - it’s that we have stuff to do. What’s your deal America?
Don’t you have stuff to do?
Because our elections can happen at any time, and with only a
month’s notice, our campaign seasons are more shorter than the ones in
the U.S. It’s not that we don’t want to hold year long election
campaigns - it’s that we have stuff to do. What’s your deal America?
Don’t you have stuff to do?
Progressives: You Don't have to vote Liberal
Dipper Chick: No, you don't have to vote Liberal
But, in this election in particular, voting Liberal is a wasted progressive vote. Stephane Dion has brought the Liberal party to new lows in support. Here's my brilliant election prediction: the Liberal party will not be forming government. Voting Liberal may help elect another Liberal MP, but that MP is sure to vote with the Conservatives or abstain when it really counts. That is what they did 43 times in the last parliament. Do you really want more of this?
... The sad truth about the Liberals is that they are not really
progressive outside of elections. They govern from the right when they
win and vote with the Conservatives when they lose. Voting for them to
"stop Harper" makes no sense. It's not strategic, it's a sham.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Taking the Democracy out of Democracy
rabble.ca Canadian federal election blog - Thinking big or acting small
So let’s take stock of what the Harper Conservatives have done since being elected—as a minority government.
They questioned the credibility (Linda Keen, Marc Raynard) and then fired (Adrian Measner, Linda Keen) civil servants who prioritized their legal mandate and public responsibility over demands from the PMO.
They eliminated a program that helped guarantee marginalized organizations and individuals equal access to the justice system (Court Challenges Program).
They sued Elections Canada when it questioned whether their party violated campaign spending laws (“In-and-Out” scheme). They provided their MPs with a step-by-step guide to ensure parliamentary dysfunction.
And they severely restricted the media’s and the public’s access to information (eliminating the national Co-ordination of Access to Information Requests System).
And that’s just for starters.
$110 to kill a cyclist
Kill a cyclist, pay $110 - EYE WEEKLY
What if I told you
that you could kill a man — or a woman or a child — for the low cost of
$110? No jail time. No criminal record. No other fines or fees. Quite a
bargain, huh? And you may not even have to pay that much, if you
successfully challenge the penalty in court. The offer is not gonna get
any sweeter than this. I dare you, find a better deal. Kill a person,
pay $110, move on with your life.
What if I told you
that you could kill a man — or a woman or a child — for the low cost of
$110? No jail time. No criminal record. No other fines or fees. Quite a
bargain, huh? And you may not even have to pay that much, if you
successfully challenge the penalty in court. The offer is not gonna get
any sweeter than this. I dare you, find a better deal. Kill a person,
pay $110, move on with your life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
