It’s been said for a long time now that the liberal party of BC are essentially conservatives and nothing like the federal liberal party. One of the reasons why Christy Clark was said to be sought after by the federal conservatives. A vote for BC liberals is a vote for conservatism.
- bloatedhefty

I agree that the BC Libs have reverted to social conservatism and away from Gordon Campbell fiscal conservatism. Campbell had a lot of problems (drink, anger, a penchant for autocratism) but he was a good premier (I'll leave aside the HST lie and acknowledge that there was a lot that I didn't agree with.)

Anyway, I think that the socially backwards slant of the Liberals is reflective of the nature of parties here (province, country.) The political parties have to be "big tent" parties if they wish to have any influence or aspire to form government.

This means that they have to attract a wide array of interests.

In BC, the bible thumping social in-breds have nowhere to turn except to the Liberal party. There may be fringe parties from time to time that allign more closely to their views but those voters know that the only mainstream party that even comes close to their political/social point of view.

Sadly, that support hurts as much as it helps.

But that can be said of all the parties. There are a lot of NDPers that consider themselves "middle of the road" but support the NDP. They probably have the same view about the extreme of their party.

I think we come back to our discussion of First Past the Post versus Proportional Representation if we want more "single focussed" parties.

The other point that I'd make is that it also requires strong party leadership. Any party should be laser focussed on what they want to accomplish and should tamp down or exclude that which detracts from that focus. The problem is that it would alienate too many people/votes that they count on and would leave them (the leader) open to attack from within.

Anyway, from my last point, I agree with Mak that the only leader that looked remotely impressive in the debate was Ms. Fursteneau. Hopefully, she and her party have more of a voice in the future.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

I agree that the BC Libs have reverted to social conservatism and away from Gordon Campbell fiscal conservatism. Campbell had a lot of problems (drink, anger, a penchant for autocratism) but he was a good premier (I'll leave aside the HST lie and acknowledge that there was a lot that I didn't agree with.)

Anyway, I think that the socially backwards slant of the Liberals is reflective of the nature of parties here (province, country.) The political parties have to be "big tent" parties if they wish to have any influence or aspire to form government.

This means that they have to attract a wide array of interests.

In BC, the bible thumping social in-breds have nowhere to turn except to the Liberal party. There may be fringe parties from time to time that allign more closely to their views but those voters know that the only mainstream party that even comes close to their political/social point of view.

Sadly, that support hurts as much as it helps.

But that can be said of all the parties. There are a lot of NDPers that consider themselves "middle of the road" but support the NDP. They probably have the same view about the extreme of their party.

I think we come back to our discussion of First Past the Post versus Proportional Representation if we want more "single focussed" parties.

The other point that I'd make is that it also requires strong party leadership. Any party should be laser focussed on what they want to accomplish and should tamp down or exclude that which detracts from that focus. The problem is that it would alienate too many people/votes that they count on and would leave them (the leader) open to attack from within.

Anyway, from my last point, I agree with Mak that the only leader that looked remotely impressive in the debate was Ms. Fursteneau. Hopefully, she and her party have more of a voice in the future.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
- RealityChecker

Nice narrative flip.

Nice narrative flip.
- Marwood

i thought it was more of a deflection or a re-write.

i thought it was more of a deflection or a re-write.
- RealityChecker

A clear unravelling from your usual bragging.

I agree that the BC Libs have reverted to social conservatism and away from Gordon Campbell fiscal conservatism. Campbell had a lot of problems (drink, anger, a penchant for autocratism) but he was a good premier (I'll leave aside the HST lie and acknowledge that there was a lot that I didn't agree with.)

Anyway, I think that the socially backwards slant of the Liberals is reflective of the nature of parties here (province, country.) The political parties have to be "big tent" parties if they wish to have any influence or aspire to form government.

This means that they have to attract a wide array of interests.

In BC, the bible thumping social in-breds have nowhere to turn except to the Liberal party. There may be fringe parties from time to time that allign more closely to their views but those voters know that the only mainstream party that even comes close to their political/social point of view.

Sadly, that support hurts as much as it helps.

But that can be said of all the parties. There are a lot of NDPers that consider themselves "middle of the road" but support the NDP. They probably have the same view about the extreme of their party.

I think we come back to our discussion of First Past the Post versus Proportional Representation if we want more "single focussed" parties.

The other point that I'd make is that it also requires strong party leadership. Any party should be laser focussed on what they want to accomplish and should tamp down or exclude that which detracts from that focus. The problem is that it would alienate too many people/votes that they count on and would leave them (the leader) open to attack from within.

Anyway, from my last point, I agree with Mak that the only leader that looked remotely impressive in the debate was Ms. Fursteneau. Hopefully, she and her party have more of a voice in the future.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
- RealityChecker

Some very valid points in your political manifesto, if the NDP win a majority have you considered running in the now 2024 election. You could bring excitement, appeal and substance to the Liberal leadership. The way in which you and Booner went back and forth would be a ratings boon for a leadership debate.

How 2020 would it be if all the Republicans turned out and voted in Ronald Regan?

Some very valid points in your political manifesto, if the NDP win a majority have you considered running in the now 2024 election. You could bring excitement, appeal and substance to the Liberal leadership. The way in which you and Booner went back and forth would be a ratings boon for a leadership debate.
- Makita

such a weak pool of leadership candidates and wilkinson is gonna be out within a month.

dianne watts? (surrey really does like to elect some sh!tty mayors)
jas johal - lol, anger and an insatiable desire to be in front of the camera are his biggest attributes.

... so i'll be writing in booner for leader.

booner 2024 - free narratives for every man, woman and child in BC. drain the swamp bathtub. #TRANSformBC

How 2020 would it be if all the Republicans turned out and voted in Ronald Regan?
- golfingsince

if reagan was alive, he would have been driven out of the republican party years ago.

biggest illegal immigration amnesty in US history - Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

the republicans have not even been the party of reagan since W tried immigration reform but was shot down by his own party.

reagan is to the republican party as mao is to the CCP.

they're used for propaganda but the parties and their policies have moved way beyond them to the point where those former leaders would no longer be welcomed inside.

if reagan was alive, he would have been driven out of the republican party years ago.

biggest illegal immigration amnesty in US history - Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

the republicans have not even been the party of reagan since W tried immigration reform but was shot down by his own party.

reagan is to the republican party as mao is to the CCP.

they're used for propaganda but the parties and their policies have moved way beyond them to the point where those former leaders would no longer be welcomed inside.
- RealityChecker

Reaganomics, even though smart in principle, destroyed America and is responsible for the ever-widening gap between the haves and have-nots we see today. It’s what created ‘American greed’ that was not prominent in US society prior to his election.

Reaganomics, even though smart in principle, destroyed America and is responsible for the ever-widening gap between the haves and have-nots we see today. It’s what created ‘American greed’ that was not prominent in US society prior to his election.
- bloatedhefty

yup. reaganomics = supply side economics = Laffer curve.

the funniest part is that the biggest victims of these (tax/economic) policies are the biggest proponents. #murica

I just mentioned it because the republican senator wrote in his name instead of voting for Trump.

yup. reaganomics = supply side economics = Laffer curve.

the funniest part is that the biggest victims of these (tax/economic) policies are the biggest proponents. #murica
- RealityChecker

Isn't that the truth? The scariest thing is they vote them in for social policies and use the economic policies that keep them oppressed as reason to vote R.

Isn't that the truth? The scariest thing is they vote them in for social policies and use the economic policies that keep them oppressed as reason to vote R.
- golfingsince

Just found out yesterday that my brother & wife who live in Portland, applied for US citizenship last month and their son joined the US Navy reserves. I feel nauseous.

Just found out yesterday that my brother & wife who live in Portland, applied for US citizenship last month and their son joined the US Navy reserves. I feel nauseous.
- Marwood

What does he do in Portland? Was his son born in the US?

yup. reaganomics = supply side economics = Laffer curve.

the funniest part is that the biggest victims of these (tax/economic) policies are the biggest proponents. #murica
- RealityChecker

What does he do in Portland? Was his son born in the US?
- bloatedhefty

i'm guessing antifa recruiter. i hear his family has already infiltrated the military.

the funny thing is you don't have to be born in the US to serve. there have been cases of DACA (dream act so technically illegal) people in the military. the funny part (if you're a proud boy) is that some had their family deported.

What does he do in Portland? Was his son born in the US?
- bloatedhefty

He works for Nike. Both his son and daughter were born there. They moved to Toronto a couple of years after the kids were born. My nephew was afraid to cheer for the Leafs because he was worried about pissing me off. They moved back to Portland 10 years ago. My brother & his wife are very a-political, they live in a tight family bubble. Apparently, my nephew is a big Trump fan. It's all so revolting.

i'm guessing antifa recruiter. i hear his family has already infiltrated the military.

the funny thing is you don't have to be born in the US to serve. there have been cases of DACA (dream act so technically illegal) people in the military. the funny part (if you're a proud boy) is that some had their family deported.
- RealityChecker

You saw my twitter account.

That Andrew Wilkinson fella is desperate. Claiming because he is a Doctor, who hasn't practised in decades, he is the right choice to lead BC through the pandemic.
The guy would quickly try privatize health care like his heroes in Alberta.

That Andrew Wilkinson fella is desperate. Claiming because he is a Doctor, who hasn't practised in decades, he is the right choice to lead BC through the pandemic.
The guy would quickly try privatize health care like his heroes in Alberta.
- Reubenkincade

Yup, but he can’t. Privatizing healthcare in Canada is next to impossible. He would need to change the Canadian Constitution Act and the Canada Health Act to do so. Supreme Court of BC and Canada has upheld the public healthcare system every time it has been challenged so good luck to him if he tries.

Saying that, he has my vote because he’s promised to get rid of ICBC and that’s long overdue.

Yup, but he can’t. Privatizing healthcare in Canada is next to impossible. He would need to change the Canadian Constitution Act and the Canada Health Act to do so. Supreme Court of BC and Canada has upheld the public healthcare system every time it has been challenged so good luck to him if he tries.

Saying that, he has my vote because he’s promised to get rid of ICBC and that’s long overdue.
- bloatedhefty

Must feel like a wasted vote for a guy who won't even be the party leader next month.

Yup, but he can’t. Privatizing healthcare in Canada is next to impossible. He would need to change the Canadian Constitution Act and the Canada Health Act to do so. Supreme Court of BC and Canada has upheld the public healthcare system every time it has been challenged so good luck to him if he tries.

Saying that, he has my vote because he’s promised to get rid of ICBC and that’s long overdue.
- bloatedhefty

My wife and I both voted for him for that reason

My wife and I both voted for him for that reason
- Pacificgem

Who do you think will be the new leader of the Social Credit/Liberal Party?

Who do you think will be the new leader of the Social Credit/Liberal Party?
- Marwood

If I was to guess it will be someone like Mike de Jong or Sam Sullivan. If the party wants a female leader it will be someone like Dianne Watts (who’s a conservative but fits the party perfectly).

If I was to guess it will be someone like Mike de Jong or Sam Sullivan. If the party wants a female leader it will be someone like Dianne Watts (who’s a conservative but fits the party perfectly).
- bloatedhefty

I served his mayoral re-election team in a private room at Gotham Steakhouse back in the day. Politics is pure and utter scum. The backroom guys with their own agendas are the folks we should be scared of.