Huh, we actually have Canadians here? I thought me and Ugly John are the only 2 around, and he ain't around much no more.
As for actual politics..., well, that's a tough nut. We ain't voting for presidents, but everyone seems to forget that. Of course, Harper has tried hard to run his PM office like the American White House. I don't know..., because I think some people might be happier with that. The Conservatives seem to represent the silent "minority" in Canada. One that's neophobic, xenophobic, and one that favours protectionism and big government. Of course, no Canadians would actually admit this in your face. Harper and the Big C did indeed accomplish a great thing that has never been done before in all Common Wealth countries - they are found to be in contempt of parliament. I mean, that basically says that we did what we want in this country and there is nothing you can do about it.
Of course, giving them more lip time only give them more press, so I should stop that. Canadian politics is pretty much done for in my opinion. Unless, of course, if and when they change it, which is highly improbable. Ontario and Quebec has too many seats. (What the hell does a provincial nationalistic party doing in a federal government is beyond me) Quebec just asked for another 6 billion dollars, so you know, they won't do that thing again. Province has been given the hodge podge of power and responsibilities that doesn't match well with the Federal framework. (Why the hell does provinces have to deal with education and health care?) Cities are getting screwed over by both the provincial level and federal level while taking on more and more services. (Why the hell are cities collecting property taxes?) Most provinces are home to minor kings and queens that govern their fiefdom like they control serfs in the old days.
Anyway, as for the actual campaign, Liberal's Mike is likeable, but he better get a platform other than just mouthing off Harper. Harper pays other people to mouth off Mike (it's funny how they keep saying Mike spent all these times abroad and the US, but in my pov, Harper was the biggest US arse kisser in 20 yrs), and looks better in brain dead moron's eyes because of that. NDP's Jack hasn't got anything new, and that's fine for some I guess. I don't know that's enough to run a country or get a majority. (Senate reform is good, but I doubt anyone has the balls to actually abolish the Senate. Maybe we should get a 6 year Senate election in Canada too, who knows?) I don't know what the hell the Bloc is doing except asking for money and playing the victim of some sort of cultural bashing. (And no, I didn't bother to learn French) As for the Green, well......., getting 1 seat would be nice. You know, just ONE seat. As for Harper, well, he used to be an accountant. I don't have anything against accountants, but I do know personally many of them has something in common. A lot of them never had to get a "job" except as an accountant. So if he says he speaks for the common men, I seriously wonder how brainwashed some CBC radio interviewees has to be to believe that.
As for the big issues.., well, over the last couple elections, the only sensible economic policy discussion I've ever heard (in my pov) from the recollection of the last few years was actually from Mae, the Green. Shocking, I know. Liberal (Federal, not provincial) 's gas tax idea was a brilliant test of 2 face Canadian mentality. We somehow like to think we are all peta or environmentalists or some kind of morally more enlightened people up here, but when push comes to shove? Don't you dare touch my SUV or Truck, or hell, tell me to pay for a negative externality charge for my convenience. In the end, voter blocks got consolidated and the rest kept getting apathetic.
Voting behaviour is also a very interesting study in the social psychology. One thing will be fairly major at this point - if something in this campaign triggered the sense of loss aversion in some voting blocks, then expect votes for the Liberal to fracture and Conservative to get another minority.
"We're coming home friendo"...
