Quote: Afinkawan @ December 3 2008, 10:01 AM GMTI totally agree with this. I still cling to the slim possibility that one day the Queen will just storm parliament and send Gordon Brown to the Tower to await beheading.
And what incentive has Her Majesty got? She's already popular...
Quote: Curt @ December 3 2008, 12:01 AM GMTBecause Canadians don't.
So many Canadians are ranting and raving mad because we just had an election that saw the Conservatives take power of the house. It's only been a month since our last election and the minority parties (Liberals, NDP and Bloq) have formed a coalition agreement over the week to topple the Conservatives and instill themselves as the leaders. This has never happened in the history of our country and people are freaking..but it's completely legitimate under our system of governance.
As you all know being from a country with a parliamentary system we don't vote to elect a President we vote for those to represent our areas in a House of Commons who together decide who will lead the country thus voting in a Prime Minister (ala the Prime of the crop of Ministers). THUS this coalition is (in my opinion) a great example of why Parliamentary systems are good. It often forces sides to work together thus resulting in more of the population being represented (this coalition would make up 64% of the electorate vote).
I watch, read and listen to the news and the populace of Canada are still saying things like "this is undemocratic", "Canada voted for the Conservatives so he should be Prime Minister". I can understand disliking the parties involved or thinking they won't do a good job but these people are just down right wrong!
We have so little civil duties, the least they can do is understand the freaking system there voting in!!! WE DON'T VOTE FOR A PRIME MINISTER!!!!
This quote from Nelson Wiseman a political science professor at the University of Toronto sums it up well:"The Conservatives are arguing it's undemocratic, but actually elections don't elect governments," said Wiseman. "They elect Parliaments. Parliaments make a government. Parliaments can break a government."
GAAAAHHHH Sorry I just had to vent somewhere I haven't been this frustrated with my Country in long long time.
Both our countries are similar in this respect, traditionally we haven't had coalitions I know that. But has your country ever done it? Or done it successfully?
Do I understand the system?
Nope! 
Quote: Dr Mato @ December 3 2008, 10:15 AM GMTDo I understand the system?
Nope!
Go to Canada next, Doc. You'll be in the majority!
Quote: Geoff Mutton @ December 3 2008, 10:21 AM GMTGo to Canada next, Doc. You'll be in the majority!
I might end up in Alaska soon. That there Palin woman who ran for prez of the land called america says you can see Russia from Alaska. I figure it has to work both ways..........eh? 
Quote: Geoff Mutton @ December 3 2008, 10:07 AM GMTAnd what incentive has Her Majesty got? She's already popular...
Because she does bugger all but open fetes and wave at poor people.
With the USA's surveillance prowess, you can probably see Russia from Houston, Texas.
Are you pronounced Doc Tomato btw?
Quote: Geoff Mutton @ December 3 2008, 10:30 AM GMTWith the USA's surveillance prowess, you can probably see Russia from Houston, Texas.
Are you pronounced Doc Tomato btw?
Nope on the tomato but I like it!!!! 
Oh and what does btw mean?
Quote: chipolata @ December 3 2008, 10:28 AM GMTBecause she does bugger all but open fetes and wave at poor people.
Practically all citizens are poor in comparison to Her Maj although she keeps a greatly under-estimated amount of people in employment.
I know where you're coming from on the "does buggar-all" front but who or what would you replace her with as the national figure-head?
Quote: Dr Mato @ December 3 2008, 10:35 AM GMTOh and what does btw mean?
btw = by the way.
So are you Mato as in Nato?
Or like Mork says Nano?
........pronounced like this
Ma' toe Now make sure you say the Ma with expression and the toe with a snapping t and almost silent oe.
Quote: Dr Mato @ December 3 2008, 10:42 AM GMTOr like Mork says Nano?
........pronounced like this
Ma' toe Now make sure you say the Ma with expression and the toe with a snapping t and almost silent oe.
I just tried that and sounded like an excited character from a Japanese POW camp drama. *wipes saliva from laptop*
Quote: Geoff Mutton @ December 3 2008, 10:38 AM GMTI know where you're coming from on the "does buggar-all" front but who or what would you replace her with as the national figure-head?
I wouldn't replace her, I'd keep her. But let's not pretend she's anything special.
Quote: Geoff Mutton @ December 3 2008, 10:50 AM GMTI just tried that and sounded like an excited character from a Japanese POW camp drama. *wipes saliva from laptop*
Quote: chipolata @ December 3 2008, 11:19 AM GMTI wouldn't replace her, I'd keep her. But let's not pretend she's anything special.
She didn't apply for the job, it was expected of her by the nation. Yes, she could abdicate if she liked.
Despite all the trappings of monarchy, I prefer my more anonymous life and thoroughly respect her resilience when it comes to living in the public eye.
Quote: Geoff Mutton @ December 3 2008, 11:37 AM GMTShe didn't apply for the job, it was expected of her by the nation. Yes, she could abdicate if she liked.
Despite all the trappings of monarchy, I prefer my more anonymous life and thoroughly respect her resilience when it comes to living in the public eye.
Listen, I don't mind the queen, but let's not pretend she has a hard life. Ask a pensioner of equivalent age who lives on a council estate and is terrorised by ASBO yobs what life they'd rather have.
Quote: Geoff Mutton @ December 3 2008, 11:37 AM GMTShe didn't apply for the job, it was expected of her by the nation. Yes, she could abdicate if she liked.
Despite all the trappings of monarchy, I prefer my more anonymous life and thoroughly respect her resilience when it comes to living in the public eye.
I will volunteer to be the Queen. No worry for me to get a map and take a shortcut to London. I would be a good Queen, yes I would.