Questions political candidates like to avoid?

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
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Ottawa, ON
What questions have you asked your local candidates (regardless of whether it's a local, provincial/territorial or federal election) that they don't always seem to answer during elections?

One that I've never had an answer for from any candidate from any political party is:

1. How do you intend to reduce the rate of classical unemployment?

Scary enough, many canadidates don't even know what classical unemployment is. Even among those who do, they refuse to give an answer, may e-mails going unanswered.

Other questions that I've asked many times in the past and have sometimes gotten an answer for are:

2. How do you intend to deal with cyclical unemployment in such a way as to avoid inflation and higher interest rates at a later time?

Though some have answered the first part of the question, they're usually stumped about how to deal with the second part of the question... or vice versa. I've never had one yet give a clear answer as to how to deal with both parts of the question at the same time.

3. How do you intend to deal with structural unemployment, including skills-deficient and geographical unemployment?

Some have answered this one, but again I've gotten candidates fluster over it election after election.

4. How do you intend to deal with hidden unemployment?

Another one most candidate don't know how to answer.

The following is a question that I've often got a pie-in-the sky answer to, but nothing based in reality:

5. How do you intend to make or keep inflation, the Bank rate, and government debt low?

And the following is one I have never gotten a logical answer to yet beyond throging more money at it:

6. How do you intend to improve second-language learning to get results better than 15% bilingualism nationwide (StatsCan 2006) for all the money currenty being spent on it so as to help bridge the two solitudes for the sake of national unity?

I'm sure others here have likely come up with similar issues from your own local candidates who either refuse to answer certain questions you may ask or give eloquent non-answers to them election after election after election. Please share them in this thread.
 

CDNBear

Custom Troll
Sep 24, 2006
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Ontario
All neat questions mach.

My favourite for Province candidates is...

How do you plan to protect provincial natural resources and wildlife?

What is you position on hiring an appropriate number of Conservation Officers. That would actually meet the necessary demand?

I have yet to get a definitive answer.

But I have had several lessons in baffle gab.
 

gerryh

Time Out
Nov 21, 2004
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considering individual candidates can do none of what ya's have asked of them, the questions are moot.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
considering individual candidates can do none of what ya's have asked of them, the questions are moot.

They get a vote on city council, the legislature, or Parliament to make change. So they do have an impact.

Another one I've stumped candidates on is:

How do you intend to deal with discriminatory aspects of the Constitution.?
 

gerryh

Time Out
Nov 21, 2004
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They get a vote on city council, the legislature, or Parliament to make change. So they do have an impact.

Another one I've stumped candidates on is:

How do you intend to deal with discriminatory aspects of the Constitution.?


Here's the thing oh wise and great guru........


He/she gives you a definitive answer to your last question as to what they WILL do to change the Constitution. After they are elected because of their great and wonderful answer, they bring up what they want to see changed and are promptly told to suck eggs by their party. End of 4 years comes, his/her constituents are pissed because he/she didn't do what was promised and they lose the re-election.

Did miss anything?
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
What questions have you asked your local candidates (regardless of whether it's a local, provincial/territorial or federal election) that they don't always seem to answer during elections?

One that I've never had an answer for from any candidate from any political party is:

1. How do you intend to reduce the rate of classical unemployment?

Scary enough, many canadidates don't even know what classical unemployment is. Even among those who do, they refuse to give an answer, may e-mails going unanswered.

Other questions that I've asked many times in the past and have sometimes gotten an answer for are:

2. How do you intend to deal with cyclical unemployment in such a way as to avoid inflation and higher interest rates at a later time?

Though some have answered the first part of the question, they're usually stumped about how to deal with the second part of the question... or vice versa. I've never had one yet give a clear answer as to how to deal with both parts of the question at the same time.

3. How do you intend to deal with structural unemployment, including skills-deficient and geographical unemployment?

Some have answered this one, but again I've gotten candidates fluster over it election after election.

4. How do you intend to deal with hidden unemployment?

Another one most candidate don't know how to answer.

The following is a question that I've often got a pie-in-the sky answer to, but nothing based in reality:

5. How do you intend to make or keep inflation, the Bank rate, and government debt low?

And the following is one I have never gotten a logical answer to yet beyond throging more money at it:

6. How do you intend to improve second-language learning to get results better than 15% bilingualism nationwide (StatsCan 2006) for all the money currenty being spent on it so as to help bridge the two solitudes for the sake of national unity?

I'm sure others here have likely come up with similar issues from your own local candidates who either refuse to answer certain questions you may ask or give eloquent non-answers to them election after election after election. Please share them in this thread.

You're one step ahead of yourself, politicians don't solve unemployment, private enterprize does. So only a very stupid politician is going to give you "solid" answers. :smile:
 

gerryh

Time Out
Nov 21, 2004
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You're one step ahead of yourself, politicians don't solve unemployment, private enterprize does. So only a very stupid politician is going to give you "solid" answers. :smile:


and only a very stupid constituent would believe said politician. Something I think we may be dealing with here.
 

CDNBear

Custom Troll
Sep 24, 2006
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Ontario
considering individual candidates can do none of what ya's have asked of them, the questions are moot.
Thanks for the obvious.

I ask because I want to see the reaction.

The reaction, inflection and ensuing commentary is very telling.

I'm not so much looking for a direct answer, as I am for genuine thought.
 

gerryh

Time Out
Nov 21, 2004
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Thanks for the obvious.

I ask because I want to see the reaction.

The reaction, inflection and ensuing commentary is very telling.

I'm not so much looking for a direct answer, as I am for genuine thought.


and theirs the difference between you and machjo. I do exactly the same thing.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
Thanks for the obvious.

I ask because I want to see the reaction.

The reaction, inflection and ensuing commentary is very telling.

I'm not so much looking for a direct answer, as I am for genuine thought.

"Genuine thought"................from a politician? I'm nominating you joker of the week. :lol:
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
Here's the thing oh wise and great guru........


He/she gives you a definitive answer to your last question as to what they WILL do to change the Constitution. After they are elected because of their great and wonderful answer, they bring up what they want to see changed and are promptly told to suck eggs by their party. End of 4 years comes, his/her constituents are pissed because he/she didn't do what was promised and they lose the re-election.

Did miss anything?

No. I missed something. Another question actually. One I've never asked any candidate yet but ought to:

What do you intend to do to promote more non-partisanship in Parliament?
 

gerryh

Time Out
Nov 21, 2004
25,756
295
83
No. I missed something. Another question actually. One I've never asked any candidate yet but ought to:

What do you intend to do to promote more non-partisanship in Parliament?


Yes you did, which is no surprise at all.
 

CDNBear

Custom Troll
Sep 24, 2006
43,839
207
63
Ontario
"Genuine thought"................from a politician? I'm nominating you joker of the week. :lol:
Despite the rep, even I apply, to politicians. They are still human and have their own opinions under the party facade.

I ask questions, as I do here, to elicit an honest reaction.

I'm not looking for a candidate to answer my question as I want to hear. But with an honest reply. Hell, I'd love for one to actually challenge why I think less than 250 on the ground CO's, is inadequate. Or what aspects of resources in Ontario, I see being jeopardy.

None have ever asked.

Their first reaction, placate. Tell me that they are clearly the better party, because they have a deep and profound belief that the provinces wildlife and natural resources are our birthright and that of future generations.

All while smiling and nodding.

I'm sorry I'm not as perfect as you are.
It's ok, you're young, you have time to wok on it.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
Honestly, I don't even expect a candidate to answer right away. Even if he looked into it and answered later, or was honest that he did not know the answer but then presents some other strong point of his. But just give at least some kind of honest answer.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
You're one step ahead of yourself, politicians don't solve unemployment, private enterprize does. So only a very stupid politician is going to give you "solid" answers. :smile:

Politicians can create the environment though. For example, in times of deflation and high unemployment, why not lower the minimum wage, even if only until the recession is over. Provincial ministries of education can also establish common ttrade and professional standards so as to make credentials recognized naitonwhide so that workers can find work more easily outside their provinces when one province is in recession and another is booming. The Federal government can promote free labour-movement agreements and free trade agreements with other countries so as to give Canadian companies access to wider world markets. Etc. etc. etc. While business makes jobs, the government creates the environment to make it possible.

It's ok, you're young, you have time to wok on it.

A regular frying pan will do.