Canadian politics, and "Question Period"

Every day I watch question period, as I just started doing right now. Question period is a time of every week day where the 4 parties all get together in parliament and have a public debate. It's aired on CBC (our biggest media outlet) and the parliament channel, and usually entails the opposition arguing for or against (usually against) government decisions, and argues for the implementation of bills certain opposition parties want to make into law.

I personally love it because it allows open debate about every political issue, and doesn't let the controlling party keep anything quiet. Often there's a big issue that everybody's arguing about and it always results in the media making it their issue. It's my main information source for knowing what party is what, and who I'll end up voting for.


So I just wondering if Americans have something equivilant to this?


Now, here's a brief overview of the 4 main political parties and what they stand for/accomplished. My opinion on the liberals will be somewhat negatively biased as I was not too impressed with their performance over their 13 years in power. All opinions about parties welcome of course, lets try to respect each other's beliefs :) .


Conservatives (currently in power):

- Anti-gay marrage, but it will never be made illegal again so long as they have a minority.

- More in-tune with American-style drug laws, strongly outspoken against cannabis legalization or decriminalization.

- Originally had a very poor plan for the environment, but since we changed the environment minister I personally think it's a pretty strong plan now. $1.5 billion is being put into renewable energy initiatives, $475 million (approx) into conservation efforts, a large hydrogen-fuel research system being developed (I'm iffy about hydrogen though), and an outright ban 29 toxic chemicals including mercury. They are against carbon-credit trading.

- Beefing up our military, though I personally agree with the way we're doing it. They're getting some naval forces to protect our northern waters wich are currently under dispute with the Americans. $4.5 billion being put into new tanks, trying to increase troop numbers by 20,000 men, revitalizating the aerospace industry (both in developement and production), and upgrading our naval forces. I know some people are against military expansion, but our troops have been horribly underfunded and underequipped under the liberal government. Our troops went to afghanistan in jungle fatigues because they didn't have anything else, and we frequently have to ask the Americans to transport us around.

They're also for staying on the Afghanistan mission and increasing human-aid funding (both of which I agree with).

- They recently cut adult literacy and women's-shelters programs, as well as funding for the arts.

- They are against a government childcare system, and instituted a $2,000 subsidy to parrents for each child under 7.

- Against a retroactive gun registry, already instituted mandatory registration for all current gun purchases. There was quite a scandal over the previous liberal retroactive gun registry, which was claimed it would cost $2 million, and ballooned to almost $2 billion. Tax payers were none-too-pleased.

- Recently put $275 million into British Columbia ports to increase trade with Japan, China, India, Malasia, and Indonesia. Living in BC, I can't complain:rasta: .


Liberals: (My least favorite party, so there will be some bias of course, but I'm calling them out on what made me hate them in the first place).

- Our previous government who ruled for 13 years. My least favorite party, of whom were infamous for scandle after scandle, including embezzlement of millions in taxpayers funds, disproportionate transferes to provinces, and breaking promise after promise. Unforunately a lot of the public seemed to have a short memory, as they would cut $2 billion to something, then a year later increase it by $400 million and say "look at us! We increased funding by $400 million!". They also promised to decriminalize weed in a few elections, and of course never carried through.

- Supposedly big on environment.... though they did a pretty lame job last time. Their current leader, Stephan Dion, is supposed to be a big-time environmentalist. But I think it's an obvious deception, getting their leader to make his main issue exactly what we were initially pissed at the conservatives for.

- Were the only party against arming the border guards (I may be wrong on this one, but they refused to during their term at least).

- Ofically anti-privitization of our medical system, though plenty of private clinics popped up anyway. Never did anything to improve the way our medical system works, just made some piddly-assed increases in transfere payments.

- Wanted an outright ban on handguns nationwide during the last election. Though they seem to only tackle an issue when it gets big media attention.

- Pro gay marrage. They were the ones who legalized it.

- Economy was strong under their leadership, though it's slightly stronger under the conservatives. They left with a $13 billion surplus, which the conservatives spent entirely on paying down national debt (resulting in a $600 million per year reduction in debt payments). In a lot of people's opinion though, that surpluess was built on the backs of the people, as nothing in the way of medicare, environment, or crime was particularily improved.

Bloc:

- A french separatist party based out of Quebec. They've had the biggest success on emissions reductions, and are pro-kyoto accrod. Their leader seems pretty good and looks out for his people, but I honestly don't know much about them.

NDP (New Democratic Party):

My favorite party, but I strongly disagree with them on some issues.

- Want to immediately pull out of afghanistan, and put all funding for it into human aid.

- Big on the environment, have led on this issue long before anybody else. They have an excellent environment plan in my opinion.

- Want to fully legalize and regulate marijuana in a similar manner to tobacco and alcohol.

- Want a national transportation system, particularily by rail.

- Recently want to legislate an end to ATM fees.

- Want massively increased subsidies for post-secondary education.

- Want to keep the medical system 100% free and government run. Our current socialist medical system was established by Tommy Douglas, an old NDP leader.

- Wanted to arm the border guards.

- In favour of harm-reduction drug laws, rather than punishing for personal use.

- Very pro-union.

- pro-gay marrage.

- Want to increase international aid.




Anybody feel free to correct me on anything, this is all off memory.

NDP (New Democratic Party):

My favorite party, but I strongly disagree with them on some issues.

- Want to immediately pull out of afghanistan, and put all funding for it into human aid.

- Big on the environment, have led on this issue long before anybody else. They have an excellent environment plan in my opinion.

- Want to fully legalize and regulate marijuana in a similar manner to tobacco and alcohol.

- Want a national transportation system, particularily by rail.

- Recently want to legislate an end to ATM fees.

- Want massively increased subsidies for post-secondary education.

- Want to keep the medical system 100% free and government run. Our current socialist medical system was established by Tommy Douglas, an old NDP leader.

- Wanted to arm the border guards.

- In favour of harm-reduction drug laws, rather than punishing for personal use.

- Very pro-union.

- pro-gay marrage.

- Want to increase international aid.




I have to agree with you. They mostly reflect my views. At least your government was smart enough to stay out of Iraq.

blame canada!:S4:

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NDP (New Democratic Party):

My favorite party, but I strongly disagree with them on some issues.

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Yeah, just thought I'd clarify the issues listed below didn't relate to this statement /\ /\ /\

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Originally Posted by Marijuana connoisseu

blame canada!:S4:

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Seems like ever since Canada came along
Everything has seemed to go wrong

Blame Canada! Blame Canada!

(that's a popular song here)

NDP will never form the next or future government of Canada.They dont have the support of the people or corporations.I really like the leader of the NDP he seems like a very caring and trust worthy man who is always backing the little guy.If he was the leader of the liberal party i would definitly vote for him but if the NDP ever got into power well i can just see our taxes skyrocketing.Maybe im wrong but he has a lot of good ideas but those ideas cost alot of cash.

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Originally Posted by fishman3811

but if the NDP ever got into power well i can just see our taxes skyrocketing.Maybe im wrong but he has a lot of good ideas but those ideas cost alot of cash.

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Looks like our Democratic Partys platform.........can ya see why we have been going Republican? It would be nice for us if something more middle of the road could get the funding and recognition.

Have a good one!:s4:

P4B to give you an idea of our political spectrum our conservative party is more like your democratic party so you can imagina what the NDP is like.Then we have the liberal party which is somewhere in between both parties.

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Originally Posted by fishman3811

P4B to give you an idea of our political spectrum our conservative party is more like your democratic party so you can imagina what the NDP is like.Then we have the liberal party which is somewhere in between both parties.

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DAMN! The Republican platform is to far right for me but still..........DAMN! No wonder why you people hardly have a military.....

Have a good one!:s4:

p4b that was the liberals who dismantled our military back in the early 90s to save money.I was in my early 20s during that time and i went to our local recruiting office to enlist in the army they said dont even bother filling out any papers because where cutting back.Our conservative party isnt really that conservative compared to your conservative party.But religion is a big part of your politics right?Religion isnt very big in Canada i cant remember the stats but im pretty sure its around 20% that go to church up here as compared to you guys where its way higher around 70% i think.Maybe somebody here will know the %.But my point is when you take religion out of politics you have a more stable country.But i think im just rambling now bye.....

Thats one of my major issues with the Republican party.......separation of church and state. That issue bleeds into the stem cell research, gay marriage, etc. Funny how that party is the same one which supports a strong defense.

Have a good one!:s4:

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

Thats one of my major issues with the Republican party.......separation of church and state. That issue bleeds into the stem cell research, gay marriage, etc. Funny how that party is the same one which supports a strong defense.

Have a good one!:s4:

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See, I knew you'd be comin round sooner or later, We just have to straighten out this defense thingy. Defense is all right, I agree with that, it's the offense that pisses me off, When we have to unilaterally invade a country to make the corporations happy, that pisses me off. If the Iraqis were comin over the hill, blow the shit out of them, but don't go 12,000 miles to protect the homeland, thats crazy. I'll bet everyone that is able would take up arms to defend the homeland, But these troops that are on their second and third deployment to Iraq, are not happy campers regardless of what the main stream media is feeding us. I remember when they were going to extend our tour overseas after 18 mos, there were some pissed off troops and I mean pissed off! A friend that has a son about to go to Iraq was told by her son that it is almost open rebellion by the troops in Iraq and the commanders have all they can do to keep them from revotling every time Bush opens his mouth, they are not happy campers and I know the feeling, it's time to bring them home, Fuck the Iraqis, they've had 3 fucking years to stand up, Bye-Bye, see ya, straighten out your own shit!

SUCH BULLSHIT YOU PUT OUT ABOUT THE TROOP ATTITUDES!

No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit......Helen Keller

Kassidy true but it takes a wise man to know when the battle is lost.The Russian army couldnt beat these fuckers,the British army in the 1800s couldnt beat these fuckers.These guys would rather die than have us occupy their lands.The Russians had over 100 000 troops in Afghanistan and they got their ass kicked over a 10 year period.The Iraqi occupation is going to end up the same way.

Oh hey I can't believe I forgot to mention this, but the NDP right now is trying to set a federal mimimum wage to $10 an hour. Personally I agree with this, it's almost impossible to live on your own at the current $8 an hour, and I can't imagine trying to support a kid on it.

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Originally Posted by kassidy

SUCH BULLSHIT YOU PUT OUT ABOUT THE TROOP ATTITUDES!

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How would you know. Have you talked to any that are on their second and third deployments. I talk from personal experience and 1st hand conversation with a current air force sargeant about to be deployed. If you have first hand news to the contrary, step up. Don't be quoting the lifers you see on TV, they wouldn't say shit if they had a mouthful!

Ive read 6000 troops have deserted and many are not bloody happy,the generals are telling the white house that the military is at the breaking point