Did you get your postcard from Stephen Harper today?

[canuckforpeace]

The postage paid return one that asks if you want fixed election dates and if the Conservatives are on the right track?

What do you all think? I am going to post on GD Politics and ask what the pros/cons of fixed election dates are.

Pesonally I think this is just another way the Cons want to turn us into Americans. That's what I wrote on the postcard.

[tuvor]

1. I like the idea.

Annoying when the leader can decide when to call the election. Which is usually when he's at a peak in the polls.

Can you imagine if bush tried that???

[Maple]

2. Better than a

2 year election campaign, which is what you get with fixed dates.

36 days is more than enough now.

[tuvor]

3. Maybe our candidates would be under the microscope for longer.

How I'd love to see them all squirm...er...I mean, how they perform under pressure.

[Iceburg]

4. "usually at peak in the polls" ..OR.. after a vote of NO confidence

It's not exactly a "recall" motion but very close to it. How long did Joe Clark last after he promoted a bill to add an 18c tax on gasolene?

Please provide a substantive argument beyond "convenience" for having a set election date. Then follow it up with some serious draft ideas on how and under what circumstances a governing power can be ousted when the election date is fixed.

[iverglas]

6. that's the thing

-- the possibility of no confidence, and out on their ears. It's more a myth than a reality, given party discipline (which is another feature of Cdn parliamentary democracy I happen to like, at least as compared to the wheeling, dealing and pork-barreling that goes on in the US Congress), but it's there.

One could compromise: an election held 4 years from the date of the previous election, unless the House voted non-confidence in the interim. I just don't see much point. As has been said: who needs 2-year election campaigns? Not that Paul Martin didn't wage one for longer than that ... but still.

As far as calling elections at the peak of popularity, more than one govt has misread the mood of its constituents -- or hung around too long, or been too unpopular for too long, to have any choice left.

[democracy eh]

5. maybe Harper will mail a postcard next week, a picture with him and Bush

"see look at how important I am, Bush likes me, he really likes me!!! I am a player, look every body Mr. Personality met George W Bush"