The Official Election Thread

[driverdriver]

gabossie wrote:

Yes, and if Kerry got it, we might actually have a chance of fixing the problem down here, rather than leaving so many people unable to afford the medication they need. All your post said is that you like Bush because then you have sufficient reason to ignore us rather than try to help us fix the problems Bush got us into... that's sad ------------------------------------------------------------

Canadians as a whole were not Bush backers, I think in CNN/Time poll conducted up here very recently had results where 79% backed Kerry.

Canadians have a inclusive "liberal" political tradition just like the U.S. has got a "conservative" political tradition. The last time a Canadian Prime-Minister helped his American counterpart (Dubya's dad) one of the consequences was that he had his political party wiped off the Canadian political landscape. As a result, Canadian politicians are very, very wary of supporting the U.S., especially a neo-conservative agenda where we have nothing in common.

If you look at our last election a few months ago, our major issues where improving universal healthcare, improving the education system, legalizing marijuana (its legal in small quantities in most provinces), figuring out what to do with our federal budget surplus and keeping our economy strong.

[The Mic]

Im not that depressed about Bush winning. cuz now I can yell at my all of my cousins faces "YEAH WE WIN BIATCHES!! GO AMERICA!!! IN YO FACES !!!11 ALL YOUR COUNTRIES ARE BELONG TO US!!! AMERICA IS UNSTOPPABLE!!!!!111 YEEAAHHHHHHH!!!!!1111"

my cousins live in Peru, and wanted Kerry to win. They also bash America and Bush constantly

[vicki]

I seriously have no faith in people. Their liberties are being taken away from them and they are all cheering and happy about it. Am I bitter? Sure. But only because I see what's at stake in this country. If you want a president who will enforce his religious beliefs on you and incorporate it into laws then fine. I am glad I'm done with school in a few years and I can move the hell out of this *** backwards country.

[Jesda]

This is the one and only time I've ever voted for a winning candidate in ANYTHING. Its a new and interesting experience.

Well okay, there's an exception. I voted for a friend of mine for Cemetery Commissioner and he actually won by 50 votes. When he took office, he discovered how corrupt the place was -- the last guy was taking bribes for plots and such.

And Ryan... calling for the assassination of the president is way over the top and completely inappropriate.

No class.

Reminder: The draft bill was written in January by Charles Rangel and endorsed in the senate by Fritz Hollings. Both of them are Democrats. The sponsors for the bill were all Democrats. The bill was defeated 402-2. The two that voted for it were both Democrats.

While all this was happening, the Democratic Party sent fundraising letters around the country warning supporters about a Bush draft.

Dishonest, but quite clever! I admire their skill.

-Jesda

[Jesda]

I am glad I'm done with school in a few years and I can move the hell out of this *** backwards country.

One less Democratic voter! It sounds like a win-win situation.

[underground57]

I think both of the canidates were unfit for the job. I voted for Kerry, but having Bush again is not the end of the world. Half of the nation now expects him to get his **** together and clean up the mess he made. If he doesn't, there's going to be a lot of angry people. ChunkiDori, dunno if you're joking or not, but yeah it is a serious possibilty.

At least he won't be able to run again, right? *trying to be very optimistic*

Btw, the president IS NOT KING. If there's something you are not happy about, write your congress people or find a lobby group that talks to them. They're the ones that write up all the laws and amendments. They (theoretically) have just as much power as the pres. They're the ones that vote for or against the president's actions. Sure the majority are republicans, but hopefully common sense and decency will precede party affiliation.

My two cents anyway.

Edit, after reading my post, it came across as very anti-Bush. That was not my intent. I think at this point in time, he will do a better job than Kerry, simply because he was running the show. Besides, Kerry's campaign was "Not Bush" instead of "Making America better (or some nonsense like that)". His downfall was really not reaching the people he needed to. He assumed he could play everyone by not standing on issues firmly, and snubbed a lot of people that would have been vital to an election win.

I'm going to support Bush now because he is the president. Sure I don't agree with a lot of his policy, but it's no or less than I agreed with Kerry.
Modified by underground57 at 2:15 PM 11/3/2004

[vicki]

For the record, I am not a democrat but of course non-Republicans are all liberal hippies to d!ck like you so it doesn't matter if I clarify that or not. *shrugs.

[Jesda]

Canada is in a unique position where it doesn't have to spend much on defense or anything else, thanks to its manageable population size and its vicinity to the US. This frees Canada to increase spending on education, healthcare, etc.

Its like a state that pays no US federal income tax. Unfortunately for Canadians, they still get raped on taxes.

Socialized medicine in Canada, unfortunately, does not solve the massive problem of doctor shortages, lower enrollment in medical schools, and poor working conditions for medical professionals. Its nice to have a socialist healthcare system, except when no one wants to treat you.

And while drugs are cheaper up north, keep in mind that Canadian tax payers are subsidizing their costs. American consumers, meanwhile, are funding their research, development, production, and marketing.

-Jesda

[StrangeLove]

I think both of the canidates were unfit for the job. I voted for Kerry, but having Bush again is not the end of the world. Half of the nation now expects him to get his **** together and clean up the mess he made. If he doesn't, there's going to be a lot of angry people. ChunkiDori, dunno if you're joking or not, but yeah it is a serious possibilty.

At least he won't be able to run again, right? *trying to be very optimistic*

Btw, the president IS NOT KING. If there's something you are not happy about, write your congress people or find a lobby group that talks to them. They're the ones that write up all the laws and amendments. They (theoretically) have just as much power as the pres. They're the ones that vote for or against the president's actions. Sure the majority are republicans, but hopefully common sense and decency will precede party affiliation.

My two cents anyway.

true, he can't run again, we only have to survive 4 more years, we did it once, we can do it again!

I'm watching Mr. Bush's speech right now... i'm cringing...

Hes a "uniter not a divider" yet what has he done to the country? completely split it down the middle... i guess he really is a divider

[Jesda]

For the record, I am not a democrat but of course non-Republicans are all liberal hippies to d!ck like you so it doesn't matter if I clarify that or not. *shrugs.

When you relocate, I strongly suggest Vancouver, BC. Its beautiful there.
Modified by Jesda at 2:20 PM 11/3/2004

[StrangeLove]

Bush is speaking now... much stay calm...

help

[Jesda]

Kerry lost. Why?

1) Lack of consistency2) Lack of focus3) Lack of clarity

The Dems this year have been reminding us that anyone is better than Bush. They spent too little time explaining why Kerry is better than Bush.

They didn't sell Kerry, they sold Bush-Hate. Anger alone cannot win over the heartland, urban professionals, and suburbanites. Have you ever been so angry that you couldnt see? The Democrats are so angry that they couldnt see where they screwed up.

In contrast, Kerry's concession speech was very well done, very fair, and very optimistic. I really liked it.

[StrangeLove]

don't forget the brainwashed

[Jesda]

don't forget the brainwashed

"Brainwashed" is one of those characterizations that could be applied to anyone, anywhere. If Kerry won, I could say voters were brainwashed too. You could theoretically say -any- winner won because of voters whose brains were washed.

But why bother? It conveys rage and lacks substance.

[StrangeLove]

It can be applied to anyone, and I am. I know its immature, but I'm a sore loser.

As for bush's speech, its the speech he gives everytime he opens his mouth...

[Jesda]

Well, for those of you who voted for Kerry, I wish you the best in 06 and 08. I'll probably vote Libertarian again in 06.

Actually, Bush was the only Republican I voted for this year.

[90Q45blue]

true, he can't run again, we only have to survive 4 more years, we did it once, we can do it again!

I'm watching Mr. Bush's speech right now... i'm cringing...

Hes a "uniter not a divider" yet what has he done to the country? completely split it down the middle... i guess he really is a divider

Sometimes the people on this board make me sad and frustrated with the lack of information-seekers and critical-thinkers we have in our youth today.

This 2004 election marks the first time since 1988 that a President has won the popular vote with 50% or more. Bill Clinton never even did that. So you people who say Bush has split the country down the middle need to go back and look over your facts and rethink what you've been saying.

Also, the comment about how the Democrats are looking forward to 2008, you WILL NOT win unless you seriously redefine what your party stands for and target the south and the midwest. Until you do that you have no chance.

One more thing: The Democrats are dead for the next 2 years at least. The Republicans gained seats and thus bigger majorities in both houses and won the Presidency once again. I know that it's not what you want to hear, but you staunch Democrats are going to hate the next 2 years, maybe the next 4.

Nick

P.S. You might want to start by finding a new party leader, since we kicked yours out of the government!

[vicki]

As an admin, do you not think it's unfair that you've criticized me for bashing Bush but you can rub in the loss with sh it like : "P.S. You might want to start by finding a new party leader, since we kicked yours out of the government!" Really good character on your part Nick.

[The Mic]

well IMHO, while Kerry was giving his concession speech, He sounded more presidential over the radio than Bush, if its any consolation

[90Q45blue]

As an admin, do you not think it's unfair that you've criticized me for bashing Bush but you can rub in the loss with sh it like : "P.S. You might want to start by finding a new party leader, since we kicked yours out of the government!" Really good character on your part Nick.

Hmmm....I could criticize your fulfillment of your responsibilities as a member, but I'll use administrative restraint instead.

[Jesda]

Terry McAuliffe will soon be in the unemployment line. Good thing Bush and congress moved to extend benefits!

[StrangeLove]

Its not about the numbers

There is a huge division when it comes to the issues in America right now, this thread has plenty of evidence to prove that.

Without a real third pary canidate I think it would be rather easy for the winner of the election to reach 50%. Kerry got 49% of the popular vote, isn't that too higher than what the winner has recieved in the past?

[90Q45blue]

Kerry did not receive 49%, it was 48%, HUGE difference. 48% is slightly less than Al Gore received in 2000. Bush's lead is 3.5 million votes, 8 times the margin of Gore's in 2000.

Nick

[vicki]

Hmmm....I could criticize your fulfillment of your responsibilities as a member, but I'll use administrative restraint instead.

Very good mature response. Really.

On another note - 11 states banned g@y marriage today. Weeee. Go America.

[gniknave]

Kerry lost. Why?

1) Lack of consistency2) Lack of focus3) Lack of clarity

I agree. Every week Bush was determining how Kerry would run his campaign. It was like Kerry was chasing him the whole time. I think the only time he had Bush in a corner was around the debates. One thing I like about Bush (not that there's much) is the fact that he sticks by what he believes and doesn't let anybody convince him otherwise. Although that worked against him with this war thingy.....

[Jesda]

Modern liberalism tends to be more emotional, while conservatism was always considered the "dismal" ideology.

Liberals tend to believe in legislating a utopia. Conservatives tend to believe in the status quo, gradual change, and some acceptance of social and economic limitations.

Because of this, liberals are generally more prone to emotional reactions when they perceive losses in the advancement of their ideology.

<- Former die-hard liberal Democrat.

[book-ends]

Jesda,

As a registered libertarian, I'm curious to know how you achieved your current ideology....... I hate to begin chiming in on this thread, but, post whore.....you know?

[driverdriver]

Jesda wrote:

Socialized medicine in Canada, unfortunately, does not solve the massive problem of doctor shortages, lower enrollment in medical schools, and poor working conditions for medical professionals. Its nice to have a socialist healthcare system, except when no one wants to treat you.

And while drugs are cheaper up north, keep in mind that Canadian tax payers are subsidizing their costs. American consumers, meanwhile, are funding their research, development, production, and marketing.-----------------------------------------------------------

Our biggest problem with universal healthcare is that we simply just don't graduate enough doctors to meet our aging population demand, this is partly because the academic standards to get into a Canadian medical school are harder than the US. We in fact have a surplus of student spaces in medical school not filled by students. We don't have poor healthcare working conditions or poor healthcare service. Canada has consistantly been ranked in the top 5 by the UN, ahead of the US in the quality of healthcare for the last 10 years.

The Montreal area has got a number of the largest bio-technology research industrial parks in the world, with the who's who of International Pharmaceuticals (i.e. GSK, Whithall-Robbins, Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca, etc) along with home grown and semi homegrown pharma (i.e. Apotex, Patheon, Louis Pasteur, Pharmacia etc.), In fact bio-technology and pharmaceutical research is one of the largest employers in the Montreal area.

Stem cell research, somewhat of an election issue in the U.S. this time around has been funded by both government and the private sector for the last 5 years up here.

[Jesda]

I strongly oppose government funding of research, along with government funding of mostly anything but defense. In my ideal world, congress would meet 10 days out of a year in a dingy warehouse without climate control or chairs.

The better compensation and better conditions in the US are driving potential Canadian medical students to relocate to the US for education.

[driverdriver]

The better compensation and better conditions in the US are driving potential Canadian medical students to relocate to the US for education.------------------------------------------------------------

(a.) Canada does not want those "greedy" medical students seeking better compensation anyway(a "me first" attitude is not very Canadian).

(b.)The majority of Canadian medical students who go seeking a U.S. medical education can't pass the Canadian exam, personal interview and evaluation to get into one of our medical schools even though spaces are plenty.