Quote:The Progressives argued that unlike the ‘ruling class’ they represented a broader selection of the population, however, a Citizen’s Initiative would enable defeated parties to fairly lobby for any programs which would benefit the majority of canadians. <br /> The Progressives also pushed for increased use of referenda, as well as the use of recall to force a member from office if necessary. Many of it’s original members gravitated back to the Liberal Party and were characterized as ‘liberals in a hurry’, however, history has shown that 85 years has shown little to no progress on this front. END Quote<br /> <br /> <br /> Dude if the PC or the NDP had the intestinal fortitude to bring one issue forward that was in the interest of the people, not secondary too the desires of there own special interest groups. In all probability they would be sucessful.<br /> Dennis Baker <br />

   

This isn't the case at all. The Progressive Party failed because the government in power is under no obligation to support any of the ideas of the opposition party, no matter how many people support the idea. This has not changed, however, me and you may have different ideas of 'what canadians want'. Canadians support the labelling of genetically modified food by a margin of 98%-this is as clear a mandate as you will ever get, and the NDP has consistently pushed this issue onto the government. It hasn't happened in over a decade and shows no sign of occurring any time soon, yet clearly it is in the benefit of canadians (though not the food manufacturers). Likewise, both opposition parties have pushed to scrap or at least modify the gun registry. This has strong support both provincially and out west and even east (except Ontario). I'm not going to argue whether it benefits the majority or not, that's too big an issue, my point is that there was large scale revolt by most provinces and among the population, yet nothing was done even to investigate the finances of it (which are far more scandalous than what went on in Quebec).<br /> <br /> There are also numerous environmental problems which, if addressed, would clearly benefit canadians, however, while they are consistently pointed out by opposition parties they are just as consistently ignored by the party in power. Recently both the NDP and NC asked the governor general to not call an election if they voted against the government's budget, and polls show canadians are happiest with a minority government, however, the gg has stated that that won't happen. The governor general is pretty much a puppet of the government in such cases.<br /> <br /> <br /> Keep in mind, we only see the tiniest fragment of what is going on in government, unless you sit and watch C-PAC all day long, and even that is truncated. There's no doubt that what canadians want is often a regional issue-depending whose interests are being neglected, however, there are many issues which all canadians have been shown to agree on, particularly where the environment is concerned (human waste as fertilizer, hog factories, greater enforcement and monitoring of industry, more rebates on environmental choices, etc.) These issues have always been pointed out by the NDP, yet have never been addressed by the ruling party.

   

they generalise issues!<br /> <br /> Pick an issue, thats specific, that the general public can understand clearly, and beyond a reasonable doubt is in thier best interests both short term and long term. Run with it........<br /> <br /> Jason Kennedy's idea of the dead chinese guy is specific, but of no real connection to the average canadian citizen. Remember dead guy's can not dispute your interpretation of events.<br /> <br /> Dennis Baker<br /> <br /> <br />

   

[QUOTE BY= Marcarc] This isn't the case at all. The Progressive Party failed because the government in power is under no obligation to support any of the ideas of the opposition party, no matter how many people support the idea. This has not changed, however, me and you may have different ideas of 'what canadians want'. Canadians support the labelling of genetically modified food by a margin of 98%-this is as clear a mandate as you will ever get, and the NDP has consistently pushed this issue onto the government. It hasn't happened in over a decade and shows no sign of occurring any time soon, yet clearly it is in the benefit of canadians (though not the food manufacturers). Likewise, both opposition parties have pushed to scrap or at least modify the gun registry. This has strong support both provincially and out west and even east (except Ontario). I'm not going to argue whether it benefits the majority or not, that's too big an issue, my point is that there was large scale revolt by most provinces and among the population, yet nothing was done even to investigate the finances of it (which are far more scandalous than what went on in Quebec).<br /> <br /> There are also numerous environmental problems which, if addressed, would clearly benefit canadians, however, while they are consistently pointed out by opposition parties they are just as consistently ignored by the party in power. Recently both the NDP and NC asked the governor general to not call an election if they voted against the government's budget, and polls show canadians are happiest with a minority government, however, the gg has stated that that won't happen. The governor general is pretty much a puppet of the government in such cases.<br /> <br /> <br /> Keep in mind, we only see the tiniest fragment of what is going on in government, unless you sit and watch C-PAC all day long, and even that is truncated. There's no doubt that what canadians want is often a regional issue-depending whose interests are being neglected, however, there are many issues which all canadians have been shown to agree on, particularly where the environment is concerned (human waste as fertilizer, hog factories, greater enforcement and monitoring of industry, more rebates on environmental choices, etc.) These issues have always been pointed out by the NDP, yet have never been addressed by the ruling party.[/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> <br /> I have to agree with dbaker on this one. The NDP has only itself to blame for trying to meekly challenge small issues. They made themselves irrelevent. They failed to challenge globalization, they failed to talk about economic issues.<br /> <br /> The NDP's ads for the last federal election faetured Jack Layton acting like a kindergarter Green Party member, talking about "clean water and windmills." <br /> <br /> WEAK. No desire to challenge the neo-liberal project at all, and that's probably how the righteous fools in that party want things to be. "Anti-nationalist." How stupid.

   

First, you can't expect a party to pick one issue and argue it every single day in parliament and the media. The media quickly gets bored with it and the party gets zero visibility. Opposing parties are there to get elected, and have even less chance if they become a 'one issue party'. I've never voted NDP in my life, but I did download and read their platform during the election and there was a considerable amount one could consider 'anti-globalization' centric. However, even that is a complicated issue and simply because we few people here are arguing about it by no means reflects the wishes of the majority (which we don't know). Keep in mind that unless you followed around a party leader you saw only what the editors and producers wanted you to see.<br /> <br /> My point was that the NDP could argue something every single day and it still means nothing. So could the Conservatives, and they do. Usually you don't hear about it because you get your news from maybe four sources. They can only hope that they reflect a movement, such as what happened in the fifties, where the party in power would pick up their main focus. Virtually every 'progressive' program in the country was first developed by a fringe, then later opposition party.<br /> <br /> I'm not going to debate what and how the NDP are going wrong, I don't really care. The point of the progressive movement was that it actually had ideas that sought out to reflect the wishes of constituents. I have yet to hear a cogent argument for the existence of parties whatsoever. While I agree that groups of people may coalesce to push forward certain issues, the complexity and sheer number of issues facing a country as diverse and large as Canada makes parties seem idiotic.

   

Depends on the issue.<br /> <br /> Dude the planets going to rotate to achieve a new position of dynamic ballance when the polar ice caps melt.<br /> <br /> No political party has mentioned that yet?<br /> <br /> Dennis Baker

   

I have no idea what that means.

   

[Off topic post edited by Dr Caleb. A link to the appropriate thread included for your viewing pleasure.]<br /> <br /> <a href='http://www.vivelecanada.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?forum=22&showtopic=6137'>Linky</a><br /> <br /> Dennis . . . <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/rolleyes.gif' alt='Rolling Eyes'>