Canada more democratic than the U.S.?

wulfie68

Council Member
Mar 29, 2009
2,014
24
38
Calgary, AB
Economic Left/Right: -0.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.69



I'm not surprised to be slightly left of center according to this: I do believe in strict regulation of corporations (particularly environmental and safety) and corporate responsibility to the community that allows it to thrive, principles which don't mesh well with right wing economics. I actually played with some of the answers that I was iffy on (i.e. things rehabilitation being more important than punishment of crimes: to me they're equal in importance, although I do believe some can't be rehabbed) and found my libertarian/authoritarian can move up a bit into the shallow authoritarian range, but I'm pretty much hugging that center line on the left side.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
You haven't already? I always thought this was you


This guy really does look too moderate. Look closely, and you can even distinguish his clothes from his tattoos. You can even see some skin. And hair!

You know, I bet he'd oppose a pre-emptive nuclear strike to avoid a potential trade dispute.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
The Reform wanted equal representation. This doesn't mean 10 Senators for every province and territory, because that would be unequal representation.

Tonington, my understanding is that Reform Party wanted the triple E senate, equal, elected and effective. They wanted equal number of senators for each province (modeled after US senate).

I'm actually about as far left as Colpy (though about 5 times greater libertarian) turned out

That means you belong to the right.

Democratic reform does not make you right wing. That is ludicrous.

I agree. However, Senate reform, along with call for referendums, opposition to equal right for gays (Reform opposed the Chrétien legislation to ban discrimination against gays), taken all these things together, it definitely makes Reform party right wing.

And as to equal senate, that was part of the pattern of Reform Party blindly following USA (the motto of the far right is, everything American, good, everything Canadian, bad). Their demand for equal Senate was modeled after US equal Senate. Same as their demand for referendums was patterned after US style referendums.

Support for a triple e senate would not have made the Reform Party any more or less right or left that it was already. Its view of gays might have. But support for a triple e senate in and of itself is irrelevent. A socialist party could have supported it just as easily.

Now as for the right blindly supporting the USA, or saying that everything Canadian is bad, is hogwash. I'm sure plenty of Canadian fiscal conservatives admire Canada's fiscal policy more than they do the US'. And I'm sure some Canadian traditionalists would prefer the monarchy over an elected president. Fiscal conservativism is accepted by many on the right, as is traditionalism.
 

Colpy

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 5, 2005
21,887
848
113
70
Saint John, N.B.
The Reform Party was certainly a right-wing party, even by self-definition, and it certainly attracted members from the far-right.

Colpy, so even you agree that Reform (and Alliance, which had pretty much similar policies) was a right wing party, and not centre right party. At least That is something.

Reading Comprehension 101:

When did I ever say they weren't a right wing part? You called them "far-right" and called Ezra Levant an "extremist".

Now, I know it is very liberal of me :), but I don't call anyone "extremist" if they truely belief in liberty, democracy, and rule of law.

And "centre-right" is slightly to the right of centre, exactly where Reform was........but it is still right wing, only slightly so.

As for attracting the far right........people are constantly involved in parties where they don't belong.....far rightists did not belong in Reform, and moved on. David Orchard did not belong in the PC Party, much less the CPC........and you were aware Ernst Zundel ran for the leadership of the Liberal Party in 1968, were you not????? :)
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON


This is my second attempt at the thing. Since some of the statements are so open to interpretation, I'd tried the questions again but anwering some of them differently according to alternative interpretations. I figured taht could push more to the left than before. It pushed me further right instead!

How does it jusdge left and right anyway? I'm starting to look like a right fascist now ain't I!
 

RanchHand

Electoral Member
Feb 22, 2009
209
8
18
USA
I think I rank a little higher on the facist scale than I would liked to have seen.

Economic Left/Right: -5.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.62

 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
I love that test. Those of us who consider ourselves to the right end up on the left, and those who'd consider ourselves to the left end up on the right. Gotta love it.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
I think another flaw in the test is the lack of questions in it. Though I do believe in certain controls on businesses, I don't necessarily believe in the controls recommended in the test. That could also explain why I eded up more on the right neo-liberal side.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
I think I rank a little higher on the facist scale than I would liked to have seen.

Economic Left/Right: -5.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.62


Welcome to the show. So I'm a right-wing fascist and you're a Stalinist. We'll get along well, I'm sure.:smile:
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
26,501
9,715
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
8O


This is my second attempt at the thing. Since some of the statements are so open to interpretation, I'd tried the questions again but anwering some of them differently according to alternative interpretations. I figured taht could push more to the left than before. It pushed me further right instead!

How does it jusdge left and right anyway? I'm starting to look like a right fascist now ain't I!


So....are you the Right-Wing Extremist we've all heard about Machjo? 8O
You don't eat babies or anything, right?
__________________
 

Colpy

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 5, 2005
21,887
848
113
70
Saint John, N.B.


This is my second attempt at the thing. Since some of the statements are so open to interpretation, I'd tried the questions again but anwering some of them differently according to alternative interpretations. I figured taht could push more to the left than before. It pushed me further right instead!

How does it jusdge left and right anyway? I'm starting to look like a right fascist now ain't I!

It's Colpy: I'm ROTFLMAO. :)
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
8O


So....are you the Right-Wing Extremist we've all heard about Machjo? 8O
You don't eat babies or anything, right?
__________________


Hey, lay off. I'm just as shocked and embarrassed by this thing as you are shocked by it. I'm still recouperating from the original shock! I really don't get it.

Hmmm... I'll have to share my answers with you guys to see how I ended up this close to the Swastika!
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
26,501
9,715
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
Hey, lay off. I'm just as shocked and embarrassed by this thing as you are shocked by it. I'm still recouperating from the original shock! I really don't get it.

Hmmm... I'll have to share my answers with you guys to see how I ended up this close to the Swastika!



???????????????????????????????????????????
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
I tried it & came out a slightly south west of dead center, so am not sure if I'm good, bad or ugly.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
547
113
Vernon, B.C.
One problem is you are a little limited to answers, there should have been a 5th answer "depends".
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
26,501
9,715
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
I tried it & came out a slightly south west of dead center, so am not sure if I'm good, bad or ugly.


Is there an option "D"?

I was a bit shocked at my results too. I'm somewhere over
by The Dalai Lama and Colpy and Nelson Mandela and
Cannuck and Lone Wolf....and Ghandi has to be over here
somewhere with the rest of us.....
________________________
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeI'd always support my country, whether it was right or wrong. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeNo one chooses his or her country of birth, so it's foolish to be proud of it. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeOur race has many superior qualities, compared with other races. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThe enemy of my enemy is my friend. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeMilitary action that defies international law is sometimes justified. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThere is now a worrying fusion of information and entertainment. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
People are ultimately divided more by class than by nationality. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeControlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeBecause corporations cannot be trusted to voluntarily protect the environment, they require regulation. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly Agree"from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" is a fundamentally good idea. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeIt's a sad reflection on our society that something as basic as drinking water is now a bottled, branded consumer product. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeLand shouldn't be a commodity to be bought and sold. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeIt is regrettable that many personal fortunes are made by people who simply manipulate money and contribute nothing to their society. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeProtectionism is sometimes necessary in trade. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThe only social responsibility of a company should be to deliver a profit to its shareholders. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThe rich are too highly taxed. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeThose with the ability to pay should have the right to higher standards of medical care . Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeGovernments should penalise businesses that mislead the public. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeA genuine free market requires restrictions on the ability of predator multinationals to create monopolies. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThe freer the market, the freer the people. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeAbortion, when the woman's life is not threatened, should always be illegal. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeAll authority should be questioned. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeAn eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeTaxpayers should not be expected to prop up any theatres or museums that cannot survive on a commercial basis. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeSchools should not make classroom attendance compulsory. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeAll people have their rights, but it is better for all of us that different sorts of people should keep to their own kind. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeGood parents sometimes have to spank their children. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeIt's natural for children to keep some secrets from their parents. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreePossessing marijuana for personal use should not be a criminal offence. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThe prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to find jobs. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreePeople with serious inheritable disabilities should not be allowed to reproduce. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThe most important thing for children to learn is to accept discipline. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThere are no savage and civilised peoples; there are only different cultures. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeThose who are able to work, and refuse the opportunity, should not expect society's support. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeWhen you are troubled, it's better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeFirst-generation immigrants can never be fully integrated within their new country. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeWhat's good for the most successful corporations is always, ultimately, good for all of us. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeNo broadcasting institution, however independent its content, should receive public funding. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeOur civil liberties are being excessively curbed in the name of counter-terrorism. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeA significant advantage of a one-party state is that it avoids all the arguments that delay progress in a democratic political system. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeAlthough the electronic age makes official surveillance easier, only wrongdoers need to be worried. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeThe death penalty should be an option for the most serious crimes. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeIn a civilised society, one must always have people above to be obeyed and people below to be commanded. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeAbstract art that doesn't represent anything shouldn't be considered art at all. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeIn criminal justice, punishment should be more important than rehabilitation. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeIt is a waste of time to try to rehabilitate some criminals. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThe businessperson and the manufacturer are more important than the writer and the artist. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeMothers may have careers, but their first duty is to be homemakers. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeMultinational companies are unethically exploiting the plant genetic resources of developing countries. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeMaking peace with the establishment is an important aspect of maturity. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeAstrology accurately explains many things. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeYou cannot be moral without being religious. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeCharity is better than social security as a means of helping the genuinely disadvantaged. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeSome people are naturally unlucky. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeIt is important that my child's school instills religious values. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeSex outside marriage is usually immoral. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreeA same sex couple in a stable, loving relationship, should not be excluded from the possibility of child adoption. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly AgreePornography, depicting consenting adults, should be legal for the adult population. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeWhat goes on in a private bedroom between consenting adults is no business of the state. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeNo one can feel naturally homosexual. X Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly AgreeThese days openness about sex has gone too far. Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
X Strongly Agree