... Its the main reason I'm not too worried, frankly, the Reformers are always going to end up shooting themselves in the foot with some outrageous statement in mid-election, and basically sink their own chances. ...
Well, that didn't happen in the last in the last federal election, did it? I think that you underestimate Harper's shrewdness. It certainly wouldn't be the first time a Liberal fan did that.
...
You know, its really easy to tell when you're losing an argument, Akrasia.
That's when you start with the ad-hominem attacks accusing your opponent of ignorance ...
:rolleyes:
I'm not losing anything here.
I just pointed out that your claims about a Tory quasi-theocracy in the event of a majority government revealed a failure to understand how Canadian parliamentary democracy actually works. I'm sorry if I upset you.
...
In the meantime, they can do all kinds of serious damage to the social fabric and unity of the country.
...
You seem to think that the Tories would go completely insane if they won a majority government and pass all kinds of laws that would almost certainly either (
a.) be struck down by the Supreme Court, or (
b.) ensure their complete destruction in the next election.
Sorry, but I find your analysis so implausible that I am astonished that you take it seriously.
The political process in Canada creates strong pressures towards moderation. It should not be surprising that the Tory platform is far more mainstream than the Reform platform of 10 years ago -- the Tories know that they might actually form (and mantain over time) a
majority government.
...
You said that already, so let me repeat my response: If he tries to win Ontario by distancing himself from socially conservatives, the LOSES the west.
...
He won't 'distance himself' from the so-cons. Rather, he'll throw them a few bones to keep them happy. In any case, the so-cons
also want greater provincial autonomy, which the Tories will be happy to provide -- thereby appeasing
both the Western so-cons
and Quebec in one fell swoop!
As I've already said, the so-cons realise now that they have nowhere else to go. So, as long the Tories do a minimum amount to appease them (e.g. the lame 'free vote' on gay marriage last December), they'll support them federally.
...
because you see, parliamentary democracy the way it works in Canada means precisely that, if a single party gets a majority government, it can do WHATEVER it wants (with its only possible barrier being the supreme court). It is a 3-5 year dictatorship with virtually none of the checks and balances you see in, say, the U.S....
I am well aware of how parliametnary democracy works in
Canada.
What
you fail to realise is that:
(
a) Canada has a
Supreme Court that strikes down federal legislation (on an alarmingly regular basis);
(
b) matters of provincial jurisdiction limit what the federal government can do (especially in a Tory government committed to provincial autonomy); and
(
c) governments want to get
re-elected, hence they tend to become more 'moderate' once in power.
Obviously, you're committed to the view that the Tories have some kind of 'secret agenda' that they will unleash on unsuspecting Canadians once they gain power. I find that view laughable, but it is a testament to the Liberals' propagandizing abilities that so many people believe it.