tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post468224617699507036..comments2024-03-29T04:13:44.353-04:00Comments on BigCityLib Strikes Back: Once More With Senate Reformbigcitylibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05081538803991095825noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post-63843902335817304382011-05-30T20:14:34.238-04:002011-05-30T20:14:34.238-04:00Another reason why Harper needs to do this properl...<i>Another reason why Harper needs to do this properly if he is really serious about senate reform. Reopen the constitution Sweaterboy - It’s legacy time!</i><br /><br />It looks like this is what Quebec is pushing Ottawa to do. They're going to challenge Harper's Senate Reform Agenda <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iiAmYRoDGBzho_MrSw0Mym-Bpd4w?docId=7003068" rel="nofollow">in the courts.</a> They want a Constitutional amendment.sharonapple88https://www.blogger.com/profile/11149226422042041129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post-37463097654305357102011-05-30T16:17:08.071-04:002011-05-30T16:17:08.071-04:00My point with the example was to draw attention th...My point with the example was to draw attention that a prime minister may wish not to recommend the appointment of an "elected" Senate candidate if that person is perceived to be extreme by the prime minister's definition. Should the prime minister not appoint a Quebec separatist? Should he not appoint someone who may or may not be against Israel? Also, the PM would still control the timing of an "elected" appointment to the Senate. Could the PM delay an appointment of an opposition senator because that may tip the balance of power against the PM?Skinny Dipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12818163310102120130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post-32963125344376127472011-05-30T11:16:25.612-04:002011-05-30T11:16:25.612-04:00Well, let's not take the argument to extremes,...Well, let's not take the argument to extremes, but make it this. NDP vs. Con candidates, the NDP comes out and clearly says s/he will vote down all Con govt bills. They win the vote in a part of the country the Cons aren't competitive in. What happens?<br /><br />This is not only important for us to know, but it's important for Harper. If he didn't appoint, he would lose all credibility to try and make further reforms and the court challenges would ruin the legislation. It would be the end of his Senate gerrymandering.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post-42670908830954580712011-05-30T10:50:24.638-04:002011-05-30T10:50:24.638-04:00OK I did not read the full first post by Skinny Di...OK I did not read the full first post by Skinny Dipper.<br /><br />So ridenrain, I offer a full apology for calling your question stupid. Skinny Dipper was asking for it by providing a silly example.<br /><br />Here is a more likely scenario, Quebec elects Gilles Duceppe to the senate (or any other high-profile sovereigntist). So what does Harper do (or any future PM) when la belle elects a separatist? You bet he'll just appoint his own choice.<br /><br />Another reason why Harper needs to do this properly if he is really serious about senate reform. Reopen the constitution Sweaterboy - It’s legacy time!Tof KWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15756310841374198056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post-85187847319950488402011-05-30T10:32:00.418-04:002011-05-30T10:32:00.418-04:00That's kind of what I'm getting at MgS, Ha...That's kind of what I'm getting at MgS, Harper's whole senate reform plan is a sham to keep the rubes thinking that he's doing something about it.<br /><br />This will most certainly be deemed as violating the constitution, and will end in a court challenge by the provinces.<br /><br />He doesn't have the Liberal senators in his way now, but this plan will still surely get mired.<br /><br />If Harper was really serious about senate reform, he would have to re-open the constitution ...which is what the Liberals have been arguing all along.<br /><br />In the meanwhile Harper will just blame someone else for stalling senate reform, and he'll keep appointing his hacks and bagmen to the upper chamber for the next 4 years.Tof KWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15756310841374198056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post-45980719618752242222011-05-30T08:58:21.182-04:002011-05-30T08:58:21.182-04:00Harper's a totalitarian - he's only intere...Harper's a totalitarian - he's only interested in the appearance of democracy.<br /><br />The charade will keep most voters buffaloed and allow him to consolidate his chokehold on power.<br /><br />Make no mistake about it - I don't expect anything from Harper outside of every effort in the world to turn Canada into a one-party state.MgShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183962674882855323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post-624869536491436542011-05-30T08:53:58.259-04:002011-05-30T08:53:58.259-04:00Unlike ridofbrain's stupidity, here's a re...Unlike ridofbrain's stupidity, here's a real question that needs to be answered. <br /><br />Say the upper chamber becomes fully elected (therefore becoming legitimate) are they now allowed to defeat government bills and introduce their own legislation? <br /><br />Are the provinces fine with their powers being eroded be a newly empowered senate? <br /><br />Looking forward to the constitutional challenges.Tof KWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15756310841374198056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post-42087516791790830972011-05-30T08:38:37.450-04:002011-05-30T08:38:37.450-04:00Which province would be picking a "Queers Aga...Which province would be picking a "Queers Against Israeli Apartheid candidate"?ridenrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15238308195535796308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23292180.post-92046081024603254802011-05-30T07:03:46.381-04:002011-05-30T07:03:46.381-04:00Who is going to pay for the costly Senate election...Who is going to pay for the costly Senate elections? The provinces? Heck, the Conservatives complained about the $300-$400 million House of Commons election.<br /><br />Also, would Harper be willing to recommend the appointment of a perceived anti-Semitic radical would may be a member of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid should that candidate win? Or will Harper recommend the appointment of a losing Conservative candidate? When would the recommendation take place? A few days after a Senate election? A few weeks, months, years, or never?Skinny Dipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12818163310102120130noreply@blogger.com