General Discussion

potone

(1,701 posts)

14. That is not the way that it is supposed to work, but it is, in fact, how it does.

Thu Jan 19, 2012, 01:19 PM

Jan 2012

Because our campaigns are so obscenely expensive, and getting worse all the time, thanks to the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, the front runner in the first few states to hold primaries or caucuses ends up getting the vast majority of financial support, and others are forced to drop out. If you are thinking that this is a crazy system, you are right. It is highly undemocratic, like so much else in this country. How I envy you being a Canadian citizen! I know your country isn't perfect, but you are so far ahead of us on so many things that make a country decent and civilized. I have even at times of total desperation had the fantasy that you would invade us and give us some sensible laws. Oh, well, a girl can dream...

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Please tell this Canadian...why is the Repub. presid. canadidate being decided by a small state? [View all] glarius Jan 2012 OP

Why do all Canadians have to learn French when they only speak it in Quebec? ddeclue Jan 2012 #1

Actually, the only offically bilingual province is KamaAina Jan 2012 #5

New Brunswick is great. They also speak English in Nova Scotia, if you can understand the dialects. AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2012 #37

No one has to learn French in Canada. Swede Jan 2012 #6

they may not learn it but the gov't makes them go to classes anyways.. ddeclue Jan 2012 #7

No they don't n/t sharp_stick Jan 2012 #11

not so. n/t arthritisR_US Jan 2012 #13

Nope. Swede Jan 2012 #16

Really? OneBlueDotBama Jan 2012 #40

Actrally, we don't all HAVE TO learn French. glarius Jan 2012 #12

for the same reason all Americans have to learn Spanish. provis99 Jan 2012 #28

There is no requirement to know French in most provinces other than Quebec.... riverbendviewgal Jan 2012 #30

My understanding was that you had to learn French unless you spoke it. ddeclue Jan 2012 #44

I met two quite attractive sisters from Edmonton KamaAina Jan 2012 #39

Concerning the 2nd part of your question Frances Jan 2012 #2

As an American, I do not understand this devotion to tradition LonePirate Jan 2012 #3

Fortunately or not, we enable the Parties to come up with their own mechanisms. elleng Jan 2012 #4

The Primaries are a country-wide process blogslut Jan 2012 #8

I can't tell you but I never understood how Botany Jan 2012 #9

Because both politcal parties want it that way... MicaelS Jan 2012 #10

That is not the way that it is supposed to work, but it is, in fact, how it does. potone Jan 2012 #14

I like the "small states first" method JustABozoOnThisBus Jan 2012 #15

Why is Canada's Head of State the Queen of England? Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #17

The difference is that the Queen is merely a figurehead. glarius Jan 2012 #18

Wouldn't it be more appropriate for this "figurehead" to be a Canadian? Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #23

This was all decided without bloodshed and it serves us well..... glarius Jan 2012 #26

On reflection, your system does make much more sense. Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #27

the Queen doesn't cost Canada any money. provis99 Jan 2012 #29

Your sarcastic comment does not seem to recognize the fact that we don't sweat over a head of state glarius Jan 2012 #31

It's designed to allow Party insiders and monied interests to select the candidates. Romulox Jan 2012 #19

Our political process is somewhat of an enigma tawadi Jan 2012 #20

South Carolina is representative of reality get the red out Jan 2012 #21

Beats me. Beacool Jan 2012 #22

You are very tolerant of outsiders' opinions...a nice American trait n/t glarius Jan 2012 #24

Thanks!! Beacool Jan 2012 #25

Thanks for asking! FinsUpTechGuy Jan 2012 #32

There's plenty of outrage up here about all those things. polly7 Jan 2012 #33

i know there is some FinsUpTechGuy Jan 2012 #34

I believe people are starting to realize what Harper's intentions are and we will do to his glarius Jan 2012 #35

Think of it this way. Here we have elections, but the majority is never truly represented. AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2012 #36

There is an answer to this question cthulu2016 Jan 2012 #38

You do make a good point KamaAina Jan 2012 #41

Simple - two reasons. 1) NH constitution mandates it have the first primary; 2) people are stupid. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #42

We sort of bumbled into it. Jim Lane Jan 2012 #43

Dear glarius, rest in peace dear. AAO Sep 2013 #45

requiescat in pacem, dear glarius. niyad Sep 2013 #46