[herbie]

Gunnair Gunnair:

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

If the morons give 16 year olds the vote, the flipside should be that holding an elected office requires you be at least a minumum 60 years of age.

That's the only way to ensure that some 16 year old dipshit with a skateboard and toque doesn't become our next Premier, for no other reason than his ability to influence the other hormonally challenged cupboard cannibals on facebook and twitter.

It'd also have the added benefit of keeping the twit politicians who think this is a good idea from being reelected for at least another 20 years or so.

If a 16 year old dipshit in a toque and skateboard becomes premier, it won't be because of 16 year olds voting.

Fact is, I'd like to see something beyond the emotional kneejerk rant against teens that would be convincing that a 16 year old is somehow less immature than some dope smoking thirty year old high school drop out with a paper route.

They don't have to be dope smokers. I'd grant the 2 highschoolers that work for me the right to vote, I fucking wince to think of my 20 something workers voting. The young ones are learning eagerly. The older ones are forgetting everything they ever learned as fast as they can.

[Scape]

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

If the morons give 16 year olds the vote, the flipside should be that holding an elected office requires you be at least a minumum 60 years of age.

That's the only way to ensure that some 16 year old dipshit with a skateboard and toque doesn't become our next Premier, for no other reason than his ability to influence the other hormonally challenged cupboard cannibals on facebook and twitter.

It'd also have the added benefit of keeping the twit politicians who think this is a good idea from being reelected for at least another 20 years or so.

You mean to tell me that a 16 year old would have the financial backing to not only run a political campaign but also have the wherewithal to have the majority vote for them as well?

[Freakinoldguy]

Scape Scape:

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

If the morons give 16 year olds the vote, the flipside should be that holding an elected office requires you be at least a minumum 60 years of age.

That's the only way to ensure that some 16 year old dipshit with a skateboard and toque doesn't become our next Premier, for no other reason than his ability to influence the other hormonally challenged cupboard cannibals on facebook and twitter.

It'd also have the added benefit of keeping the twit politicians who think this is a good idea from being reelected for at least another 20 years or so.

You mean to tell me that a 16 year old would have the financial backing to not only run a political campaign but also have the wherewithal to have the majority vote for them as well?

They wouldn't need financial backing in the true sense, all he or she'd need is seed money to register as a candidate, then they could use things like a social network to pass on their message.

Take a look at any of the social network phenomenon that these kids participate in.

For example, how about "kick a ginger day". It didn't cost any money to put together and how many kids participated in it?

So if these kids are willing to participate in kicking perfect strangers for a laugh, it isn't a stretch to assume that they'd get out and vote for one of their own just to stick it to the rest of society.

[Scape]

They could social network till they are blue in the face. The majority of voters won't give a dam and it will have as much impact as an online petition. That is to say not entirely ineffective but it will lack the necessary gravitas that is political clout required to get out the vote.

And let's say they DO make a significant inroads, don't you think that the traditional political power bases would rally in the wake of such a threat to their predominance? Such an infusion of interest in the political process is a win win for all concerned as it demonstrates to the youth vote that their voices are indeed heard while the more senior voters are reconciled knowing full well that their bastions are ready to this test of power as well and not some hollow entity that collects dues and political contributions but does nothing. And if it did fall, well then perhaps it was past due anyway if a bunch of young interlopers can so easily upset the balance of power then such fragile constructs should be swept aside anyway.

The net end result is that vandals will not be able to simply hijack the political process simply because youth voters are added to the mix. If anything this will mean that when MP's and MLA do outreach to local high schools and colleges/universities in their districts they are not discarded out of hand by the parents and kids because they will be listening to people who can and may vote for them and not just kissing babies and going through the motions. All the while stoking interest in politics to a whole new generation of voters.

[Freakinoldguy]

You may be right but I prefer Mike de Jong's solution to the 22% voter turnout in this Province.

He suggested that if you voted, you're name would be entered in a lottery and after the election a draw would be held with the winner being property tax exempt for one year.

But, since we'd like to include everyone, I think a better idea would be to shelve the property tax and make it your Provincial Tax for a year, that way renters would be enticed to vote and the municipality you live in wouldn't be out your tax money.

It's still better than trying to defeat voter apathy with even more apathetic people, all of them sitting at home on election day.

Hell, since people don't see voting as a right or responsibility anymore, maybe we should just make voting mandatory and fine anyone who doesn't vote. That aught to alleviate the need to entice younger and younger teens into voting.

[herbie]

All those 16 year old property owners will be out in force.

Gee Mikey what about getting your ballot stub stamped and getting a $50 deduction on your BC income tax when you attach it to your return? Is that just too fucking hard for a politician to think of? A $3 rubber stamp per polling station and one line of printing on every fourth tax return?

[Scape]

Mandatory just doesn't sit right. Too much of a downside just like an all volunteer army is always better then a horde of conscripts. We sacrifice quality over quantity.

I think the lotto idea has merit thou.

[1Peg]

The Liberals are doomed in BC. What a better way to get a new voter base. Bullshit if you ask me.

[Gunnair]

1Peg 1Peg:

The Liberals are doomed in BC. What a better way to get a new voter base. Bullshit if you ask me.

$1:

Poll: B.C. NDP, Liberals in dead heat

The B.C. Liberals have closed a large popularity gap with the NDP in recent weeks and the political parties are now in a dead heat, says a new poll released Thursday.

By Times Colonist (Victoria) December 10, 2010 Be the first to post a comment

The B.C. Liberals have closed a large popularity gap with the NDP in recent weeks and the political parties are now in a dead heat, says a new poll released Thursday.

The online Angus Reid survey of 804 B.C. adults found support for the governing Liberals and opposition NDP stands at 36 per cent each, a gain of 10 points for the Liberals since early November.

Angus Reid says in a news release that the numbers have been affected by the pending departure of Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell and NDP Leader Carole James.

Political pundits say a snap election could be called in the spring as soon as new leaders are chosen.

The NDP dropped from 47 per cent among decided voters in November to 36 per cent. The Green Party was third with 14 per cent.

Among the Liberals vying for the leadership position, Christy Clark has emerged as the most popular choice with 41 per cent.

Mike Farnworth is the top NDP selection with 34 per cent.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=f663516e-8b6a-4f82-b2da-b325de2b4076

Liberals are hardly doomed thanks to the NDP implosion.

[PostFactum]

Looks like they are going to make a "teen party" and put the country down.

[Gunnair]

PostFactum PostFactum:

Looks like they are going to make a "teen party" and put the country down.

Ohh that is witty!

[Canadian_Mind]

Gunnair Gunnair:

1Peg 1Peg:

The Liberals are doomed in BC. What a better way to get a new voter base. Bullshit if you ask me.

$1:

Poll: B.C. NDP, Liberals in dead heat

The B.C. Liberals have closed a large popularity gap with the NDP in recent weeks and the political parties are now in a dead heat, says a new poll released Thursday.

By Times Colonist (Victoria) December 10, 2010 Be the first to post a comment

The B.C. Liberals have closed a large popularity gap with the NDP in recent weeks and the political parties are now in a dead heat, says a new poll released Thursday.

The online Angus Reid survey of 804 B.C. adults found support for the governing Liberals and opposition NDP stands at 36 per cent each, a gain of 10 points for the Liberals since early November.

Angus Reid says in a news release that the numbers have been affected by the pending departure of Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell and NDP Leader Carole James.

Political pundits say a snap election could be called in the spring as soon as new leaders are chosen.

The NDP dropped from 47 per cent among decided voters in November to 36 per cent. The Green Party was third with 14 per cent.

Among the Liberals vying for the leadership position, Christy Clark has emerged as the most popular choice with 41 per cent.

Mike Farnworth is the top NDP selection with 34 per cent.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=f663516e-8b6a-4f82-b2da-b325de2b4076

Liberals are hardly doomed thanks to the NDP implosion.

BC NDP is so apt at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, aren't they?

[Zipperfish]

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

They wouldn't need financial backing in the true sense, all he or she'd need is seed money to register as a candidate, then they could use things like a social network to pass on their message.

Take a look at any of the social network phenomenon that these kids participate in.

For example, how about "kick a ginger day". It didn't cost any money to put together and how many kids participated in it?

So if these kids are willing to participate in kicking perfect strangers for a laugh, it isn't a stretch to assume that they'd get out and vote for one of their own just to stick it to the rest of society.

Hey, you old farts stuck it to society when you voted in the Reformacons. So I say if the kids vote in some dope-smoking drummer who lives in a van down by the river then we're all even.

[andyt]

It's about time somebody voted in that dope smoking drummer. Us old farts had our chance and never did, went all yuppie when we got old enough to vote. I've always wanted to live in a riding that had a Rhino candidate - figured they couldn't do any worse, and we'd have some laughs along the way.

[Gunnair]

Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:

Gunnair Gunnair:

1Peg 1Peg:

The Liberals are doomed in BC. What a better way to get a new voter base. Bullshit if you ask me.

$1:

Poll: B.C. NDP, Liberals in dead heat

The B.C. Liberals have closed a large popularity gap with the NDP in recent weeks and the political parties are now in a dead heat, says a new poll released Thursday.

By Times Colonist (Victoria) December 10, 2010 Be the first to post a comment

The B.C. Liberals have closed a large popularity gap with the NDP in recent weeks and the political parties are now in a dead heat, says a new poll released Thursday.

The online Angus Reid survey of 804 B.C. adults found support for the governing Liberals and opposition NDP stands at 36 per cent each, a gain of 10 points for the Liberals since early November.

Angus Reid says in a news release that the numbers have been affected by the pending departure of Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell and NDP Leader Carole James.

Political pundits say a snap election could be called in the spring as soon as new leaders are chosen.

The NDP dropped from 47 per cent among decided voters in November to 36 per cent. The Green Party was third with 14 per cent.

Among the Liberals vying for the leadership position, Christy Clark has emerged as the most popular choice with 41 per cent.

Mike Farnworth is the top NDP selection with 34 per cent.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=f663516e-8b6a-4f82-b2da-b325de2b4076

Liberals are hardly doomed thanks to the NDP implosion.

BC NDP is so apt at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, aren't they?

The NDP is a trainwreck that caused a carwreck which will cause a plane crash in January.