Government funding of parties unfair to independent candidates?

[Machjo]

I'm not the kind who'd normally vote Conservative, but on the point of cutting government funding, I'm with them 100%. Why should political parties get funding for every vote they get while independent candidates are on their own. Winning a seat as an independent is tough enough when competing against other candidates using party brand recognition on their side. But to then give put them at an even greater disadvantage by then funding political parties!?

Where's the democracy in this? I'm in favour of simply cutting funding for parties and candidates alike during an election, but if push came to shove and we had to subsidize someone, I'd rather we give the money to independents rather than to parties when we consider that party members have an edge over independents already anyway.

I usually identify myself as more sympathetic to the left than to the right, but I'm shocked and appalled at how the Libs and NDP are supporting such unjust funding. Your thoughts?

 

[L Gilbert]

Good point Machjo. Funding the major parties only serves to perpetuate the existing archaic form of electoral system. Even some of the lesser developed countries have gone to more reasonable systems.

 

[Machjo]

Good point Machjo. Funding the major parties only serves to perpetuate the existing archaic form of electoral system. Even some of the lesser developed countries have gone to more reasonable systems.

The scary thing is that no one ever even thought about this. Either that or they have thought about it but as party supporters the majority of the populaiton is prepared to conveniently 'forget' the independents so that they can get a few more seats for the party. Besides, who cares about democracy, it's power that counts I suppose.

 

[Lester]

I am concerned about only one party being able to field a full spead of candidates, this just looks like one party wiping out all the competition.

 

[Tonington]

I hadn't thought of that, but now I remember when the Green Party made that breakthrough in popular vote to qualify for public funds. I earlier today said my candidate can keep his money, but I can see now that was plainly wrong.

 

[Scott Free]

I worry too that our political system will become even more corrupt as parties will really need corporate "lobby" money. This law will take us right out of the picture and make corporations the constituents of real value.

 

[Tonington]

How will it make corporations the constituents of real value? A citizen can donate up to $5000, a corporation can donate up to $1000, and it can't be to registered political parties.

 

[Scott Free]

I don't know about that I just know the last MP that purposed changes to our copyright law was offered 10 million to do it. If I can find the link I'll post it.

 

[Lester]

I don't know about that I just know the last MP that purposed changes to our copyright law was offered 10 million to do it. If I can find the link I'll post it.

I hope you can find it, it sounds like an interesting read

 

[Machjo]

I can't believe this. Do yu all honestly believe that if funding for parties was cut, that the Conservatives would suddenly win just because they have more advertizing money? I was about to vote for a Green candidate this election, and would be more than willing to vote for a poor independent. I actually go out of my way to do my research, and my vote is not dependent on some fancy TV ad. If you really beleive that most Canadians vote on fancy TV ads, and if the opposition believes this too, then I must conclude that they are either insulting the intelligence of the Canadian public or, if the Canadian public is indeed this stupid, then it's time to move on to a post-democratic system of government. Obviously democracy is dead.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Well....a couple of our Federal Political Parties have made it very clear that the recent entitlement
of the $1.95/vote/party is the biggest motivation to throw the country into turmoil at a time when
the World economy is swirling around the bowl. It's ugly but it's pretty obvious and it's out there
for all Canadians to see now...

Imposing (inflicting) a bail-out/stimulious package upon the nation before knowing what the USA
is going to do with it's newest President (who doesn't take power until January 20th/08) would be
just reckless and stupid, as we could be throwing away BILLION's of $$$ if we're totally out of
touch with the American plan (as well as the rest of the G20). ALL Parties know this and I'm sure
ALL Economists will agree with this, so that's just an excuse to crash the Government to protect
their snuffling antics and keep their heads firmly in the public tax trough. I can't believe people are
even arguing about something so obvious.

Will the Piglets invite the Independent MP's to the trough in the nature of leveling the playing field?
The Conservatives tried to level the playing field by scraping the who'll $1.95/vote/party to which
Canada as a nation managed to live without for its first 130yrs (or so...) since Confederation....

 

[Machjo]

With the NDP and Liberals defending such pork-barelling, I won't be surprised to see some on the left start voting for left-leaning independent candidates next election.

 

[Machjo]

I'm all for cutting this funding to parties altogether.

 

[scratch]

I'm all for cutting this funding to parties altogether.

That works.

 

[Lester]

30 million is an insignificant amount of money there are other less than steller programs such as (someone else mentioned) "the gun registry" that were promised to be cut but have'nt been, the way i'm looking at it , it's only a buck or two and if there's a good mix in there they'll keep a wary eye on each other. it's a small price to pay to expose the scandals that come to light only when there's a good opposition. We are a Social Democracy after all

 

[L Gilbert]

How will it make corporations the constituents of real value? A citizen can donate up to $5000, a corporation can donate up to $1000, and it can't be to registered political parties.

You are thinking strictly in terms of LEGAL and upfront donations. Corp'ns are insidious and are very adept at dishing out stuff under the table, too; or even being of benefit to parties non-monetarily. I would think the various lobbies are the same.

 

[Lester]

All sorts of kickbacks - Driveways, additions and renovations to their house. Only a small percentage of it comes to light.

 

[GreenFish66]

Politicains should have rules in elections!!...Rules that represent each parties true numbers!!!...Voters numbers and $$$$$ numbers ....None should be able to cheat the rules to their own benefit..P.R.and contribution transparency would help ensure fair elections

 

[L Gilbert]

A lot of things SHOULD be.
Unfortunately, we serve a society that is driven by profit rather than good sense, a society where there is no accountability, a society that is guided by people that will go to any length to perpetuate this status quo.

 

[Machjo]

Politicains should have rules in elections!!...Rules that represent each parties true numbers!!!...Voters numbers and $$$$$ numbers ....None should be able to cheat the rules to their own benefit..P.R.and contribution transparency would help ensure fair elections

Interesting how independents are just completely ignored again. It's so ingrained that the party must run the show that even in a thread about independent candidates, they're still completely ignored in this post. So what rules should govern independents? Don't forget, they have no party, so rules for parties don't apply to them.