[Newsbot]

Title: Tory support plummets in Quebec, poll finds
Category: Political
Posted By: RUEZ
Date: 2009-03-09 18:09:14
Canadian

[RUEZ]

I think in light of this, the favouritism should end. Quebec should be treated like the rest of Canada.

[ridenrain]

I agree. Time to demand that federal parties run candidates in all provinces.

[Gunnair]

I thought the title said:

"Tory support for Quebec plummets, poll finds..."

I laughed, then reread it. Now I feel shame...

[hurley_108]

ridenrain wrote:

I agree. Time to demand that federal parties run candidates in all provinces.

[RUEZ]

hurley_108 wrote:

ridenrain wrote:

I agree. Time to demand that federal parties run candidates in all provinces.

Only you would find that absurd.

[sandorski]

It is Absurd and short and sighted.

[hurley_108]

RUEZ wrote:

hurley_108 wrote:

ridenrain wrote:

I agree. Time to demand that federal parties run candidates in all provinces.

Only you would find that absurd.

Only you would find it rational.

[ridenrain]

sandorski wrote:

It is Absurd and short and sighted.

what a clever retort.

The only party that benefits is the Bloc and I see no reason why Canadians should make the lives of separatists any easier.

[hurley_108]

ridenrain wrote:

sandorski wrote:

It is Absurd and short and sighted.

what a clever retort.

No less than such an absurd idea deserves.

Quote:

The only party that benefits is the Bloc and I see no reason why Canadians should make the lives of separatists any easier.

Benefits? From lack of a stupid, unenforceable rule? Why do you think it's such a good idea in the first place?

If the Bloc is forced to run candidates in every province, that's just more power to them if they happen to win a seat or two outside Quebec. And at the very least, it's more votes to them, increasing their subsidy. So they benefit from being forced to do what they're voluntarily not doing on principle. And hell, if it turns out they can win seats in other provinces, we may yet see a Bloc PM, who will no doubt split the country at the first opportunity. Some federalist you are.

But how would you force them anyways? Would you go and round up people in every province and force them to run for the Bloc? What penalties would you assess against the Bloc if they failed to find candidates in every province? How do you think such penalties would go down in Quebec?

The fact is that the Bloc marginalizes itself by limiting itself to Quebec. By punishing the Bloc by requiring them to run candidates in every province, which they won't, you will only cause them to increase their support in Quebec. Their support, and the support of the PQ provincially. Or have you forgotten what the response was in Quebec to all the screaming about the "separtist coalition" back in November / December? The PQ support jumped. It's just a good thing it all happend fast and they couldn't get any real momentum behind it.

It's completely absurd and pathetically shortsighted to require the Bloc to run candidates in every province. It's stupid, practically unenforceable, and would only serve to strengthen the cause of separtism.

[ridenrain]

hurley_108 wrote:

ridenrain wrote:

sandorski wrote:

It is Absurd and short and sighted.

what a clever retort.

No less than such an absurd idea deserves.

Quote:

The only party that benefits is the Bloc and I see no reason why Canadians should make the lives of separatists any easier.

Benefits? From lack of a stupid, unenforceable rule? Why do you think it's such a good idea in the first place?

If the Bloc is forced to run candidates in every province, that's just more power to them if they happen to win a seat or two outside Quebec. And at the very least, it's more votes to them, increasing their subsidy. So they benefit from being forced to do what they're voluntarily not doing on principle. And hell, if it turns out they can win seats in other provinces, we may yet see a Bloc PM, who will no doubt split the country at the first opportunity. Some federalist you are.

But how would you force them anyways? Would you go and round up people in every province and force them to run for the Bloc? What penalties would you assess against the Bloc if they failed to find candidates in every province? How do you think such penalties would go down in Quebec?

The fact is that the Bloc marginalizes itself by limiting itself to Quebec. By punishing the Bloc by requiring them to run candidates in every province, which they won't, you will only cause them to increase their support in Quebec. Their support, and the support of the PQ provincially. Or have you forgotten what the response was in Quebec to all the screaming about the "separtist coalition" back in November / December? The PQ support jumped. It's just a good thing it all happend fast and they couldn't get any real momentum behind it.

It's completely absurd and pathetically shortsighted to require the Bloc to run candidates in every province. It's stupid, practically unenforceable, and would only serve to strengthen the cause of separtism.

[hurley_108]

ridenrain wrote:

hurley_108 wrote:

Benefits? From lack of a stupid, unenforceable rule? Why do you think it's such a good idea in the first place?

If the Bloc is forced to run candidates in every province, that's just more power to them if they happen to win a seat or two outside Quebec. And at the very least, it's more votes to them, increasing their subsidy. So they benefit from being forced to do what they're voluntarily not doing on principle. And hell, if it turns out they can win seats in other provinces, we may yet see a Bloc PM, who will no doubt split the country at the first opportunity. Some federalist you are.

But how would you force them anyways? Would you go and round up people in every province and force them to run for the Bloc? What penalties would you assess against the Bloc if they failed to find candidates in every province? How do you think such penalties would go down in Quebec?

The fact is that the Bloc marginalizes itself by limiting itself to Quebec. By punishing the Bloc by requiring them to run candidates in every province, which they won't, you will only cause them to increase their support in Quebec. Their support, and the support of the PQ provincially. Or have you forgotten what the response was in Quebec to all the screaming about the "separtist coalition" back in November / December? The PQ support jumped. It's just a good thing it all happend fast and they couldn't get any real momentum behind it.

It's completely absurd and pathetically shortsighted to require the Bloc to run candidates in every province. It's stupid, practically unenforceable, and would only serve to strengthen the cause of separtism.

I suppose I should be thankful, as immitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

[ridenrain]

It seems obvious to me that a federal party should run candidates across the country and not just in one province. Why you believe this is unenforceable is beyond me and you're idea that they'd gain MPs outside of Quebec is comical.
"Vote for us and we'll do nothing for you" is hardly attractive.

Forcing them to run across the country would bleed them of funds.

[DerbyX]

The Reform party didn't and I believe you said you voted for them.

Other federal parties don't. I think Hurley is correct. Such a posture could easily backfire by cementing support for them.

[hurley_108]

ridenrain wrote:

It seems obvious to me that a federal party should run candidates across the country and not just in one province.

No, it's not obvious at all. What's obvious is that it's an attempt to stick it to the Bloc in some way.

Quote:

Why you believe this is unenforceable is beyond me and you're idea that they'd gain MPs outside of Quebec is comical.

Just how would you enforce it? For the Bloc, and all the other small parties?

Quote:

"Vote for us and we'll do nothing for you" is hardly attractive.

I can imagine quite a number of Albertans voting Bloc to help send Quebec packing.

Quote:

Forcing them to run across the country would bleed them of funds.

Forcing them to run across the country would not bleed them of funds. It would do the opposite. It would boost support in Quebec because it would be seen for what it is - a cheap shot at the Bloc - and drive up their votes and funds. The candidates in other provinces, if they even ran them (Even if you could assess some penalty against the party for not running them, how on earth would you force a name on a ballot?), would simply be loss leaders.