Fire the Governor General -

[FiveParadox]

Don’t confuse yourself, dumpthemonarchy.

There is a key separation between the head of State and the head of Government, and there are very real reasons why these two roles are kept separate and distinct. The head of Government develops policy and is the person responsible for advising on the use of executive power; he or she is responsible to the House of Commons, and therefore must always have a democratic mandate to govern. The head of State, on the other hand, holds that executive power and ensures that democratic government is always continued. It would make no sense, during a constitutional crisis, for the prime minister to be able to make up the rules as he goes along (though that seems to be what the present prime minister would prefer); there must be someone, as it stands the Governor General of Canada, to be able to say “no” (not necessarily to do so, but to have that constitutional recourse).

And just a correction, dumpthemonarchy, the United States president is both head of State and Government (the speakers of the houses are neither).

 

[JLM]

Fire the GG? Fire the government and hold a referendum to see what kind of government Canadians really want.

We'd probably be back to the same thing, Cliff.

 

[JLM]

In Canada, there is no practical difference. The PM gives the GG the Throne Speech and the GG reads it word for word. The PM is the practical head of state on all substantial issues. Sure the GG recieves diplomatic credentials from ambassadors, but the ambassador of Italy does not care what the GG thinks on a given issue because the GG does not create policy, the PM does.

The US prez is the head of the executive branch of govt, while the Speaker of the House and Senate lead the legislative branch. In the US these words mean something, not in Canada. But feel free to cling to illusions.

Of course you are right-in ordinary times and situations, but I kind of look at the G.G. as a safety value, in case the P.M. goes off his nut and starts acting like Mohamar Kadaffy, or Idi Amin, then the G.G. would put her foot down, otherwise she traditionally defers to the P.M.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Of course you are right-in ordinary times and situations, but I kind of look at the G.G. as a safety value, in case the P.M. goes off his nut and starts acting like Mohamar Kadaffy, or Idi Amin, then the G.G. would put her foot down, otherwise she traditionally defers to the P.M.

Kind of an extreme example that is so unlikely that by the time the GG got around to doing anything, opposition parties, and even the PM's own party would likely have deposed a despotic crazed PM. We're not superstitious, brutal, backward, tribal Africa here. Another good reason to fire the GG. Really, she's just a clerk.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Don’t confuse yourself, dumpthemonarchy.

There is a key separation between the head of State and the head of Government, and there are very real reasons why these two roles are kept separate and distinct. The head of Government develops policy and is the person responsible for advising on the use of executive power; he or she is responsible to the House of Commons, and therefore must always have a democratic mandate to govern. The head of State, on the other hand, holds that executive power and ensures that democratic government is always continued. It would make no sense, during a constitutional crisis, for the prime minister to be able to make up the rules as he goes along (though that seems to be what the present prime minister would prefer); there must be someone, as it stands the Governor General of Canada, to be able to say “no” (not necessarily to do so, but to have that constitutional recourse).

And just a correction, dumpthemonarchy, the United States president is both head of State and Government (the speakers of the houses are neither).

In theory you might have a point somewhere, but any knowledgeable person knows the PM is the boss on all practical legislative and executive matters. Why do so many people have this lottery chance idea that GG really can do something if the PM falters in his regular duties? Give an example.

The leaders of the Congress head the legislative branch not the "govt". I know the US prez is the head of state and the head of govt, the media in Canada has discussed that if our PM were both it would go to his head. So I would like a Cdn president to lobby pet causes like the current GG does. Everyone communicates and is polltical, even if they delude themselves they are not. Let's end this delusion the GG is "above politics".

 

[JLM]

" We're not superstitious, brutal, backward, tribal Africa here."

No, the main difference is we wear suits and ties.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

" We're not superstitious, brutal, backward, tribal Africa here."

No, the main difference is we wear suits and ties.

Maybe you didn't notice, Africans wear suits and ties too.

Having lived in Asia for two years I now find it cute to hear Canadians say all people in the world are the same. Say, if you live in Korea or Japan, and you are not Korean or Japanese, you are not in the family and you are unimportant. Cultures are very different and hostile to each other. Especially traditional cultures that still prevail in Asia and Africa.

Bottom line: traditional cultures are much more violent than progressive democracies. Which is why we should shed a traditional institution like the monarchy and replace it with an elected Canadian presidency. We need new institutions and practices to stay ahead of backward beliefs that aristocrats and their toadies cling to.

 

[gerryh]

Maybe you didn't notice, Africans wear suits and ties too.

Having lived in Asia for two years I now find it cute to hear Canadians say all people in the world are the same. Say, if you live in Korea or Japan, and you are not Korean or Japanese, you are not in the family and you are unimportant. Cultures are very different and hostile to each other. Especially traditional cultures that still prevail in Asia and Africa.

Bottom line: traditional cultures are much more violent than progressive democracies. Which is why we should shed a traditional institution like the monarchy and replace it with an elected Canadian presidency. We need new institutions and practices to stay ahead of backward beliefs that aristocrats and their toadies cling to.

You are a prime example of how humans ARE the same no matter where they live in the world. Bigotry and prejudice knows no man made boundaries.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

You are a prime example of how humans ARE the same no matter where they live in the world. Bigotry and prejudice knows no man made boundaries.

As a person needing food and drink to live, I am like anyone else. Yet why do all those people in other countries speak different languages, look different, and have such strange customs? Yet they can come to Canada and become Canadians without much trouble.

Try to go to South Korea and tell Koreans you are Koreans and wait for the laughter and harsh derision. Same in China, Japan and many other countries.

I am very open minded, but I don't limit my view of the world to "we are all the same," which is an emotional childish absurdity.