tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post7535424126967936887..comments2023-10-22T09:18:16.885-04:00Comments on Far and Wide: Take "Third Party" Advocacy Out Of Canadian PoliticsSteve Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-79090847096980929062012-01-21T15:14:09.469-05:002012-01-21T15:14:09.469-05:00Status quo? I'm arguing to take all third par...Status quo? I'm arguing to take all third party money out.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-28785339690357853432012-01-21T14:22:18.440-05:002012-01-21T14:22:18.440-05:00I'd point out that Coyne's proposal to hav...I'd point out that Coyne's proposal to have a cap covering contributions to third-party organizations is a massive change from the status quo in which there's neither a limit nor a disclosure requirement for donations to anybody other than political parties outside of an election campaign - meaning that it's a huge step in the right direction, rather than providing more clout to the wealthy than exists now. <br /><br />Of course, there likely is room to work with the numbers later. (And in fact that's been done with political party donation caps since they were first introduced.) But step one is to agree on the principle of bringing all "political" donations under the same limit - and I'd hate for concern about the influence of $10,000 per person to help maintain a status quo featuring unaccountable and unlimited bankrolling of non-party advocacy groups.Greg Fingashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01506686081291502115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-23826508125129147142012-01-21T12:39:04.038-05:002012-01-21T12:39:04.038-05:00One thing about politics, it can bring out the bes...One thing about politics, it can bring out the best in man, but it will also bring out the absolute worst. Money is a vehicle, it allows for abuse and manipulation, I favour every measure to take as much money out of the equation as possible.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-33124679875971409632012-01-21T12:35:21.294-05:002012-01-21T12:35:21.294-05:00Also, any 3rd Party should be compelled to list th...Also, any 3rd Party should be compelled to list their contributors names online.JimmEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03703715618040666970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-16401274195967226932012-01-21T12:32:45.734-05:002012-01-21T12:32:45.734-05:00I'm sure that this ballon is being floated as ...I'm sure that this ballon is being floated as result of conversations with people close to the DEAR LEADER as the present system forbidding Corporations & Union contributions is likely open to a Charter challenge. A ceiling of $10k, anonymous giving, and maintaining donations as now as refundable tax credits would result, as you say in a clear advantage to the 1%. Astroturf organizations would pop up like mushrooms that would make ETHICAL OIL seem ligit in contrast.JimmEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03703715618040666970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-86011431455660114282012-01-21T12:19:39.900-05:002012-01-21T12:19:39.900-05:00Here's a compromise. Leave the current donati...Here's a compromise. Leave the current donation limits to political parties, but give citizens right to use part of thaty for third party advocates. Coyne's desire is still intact, but a more manageable number. I'd even lower the limit to make it more "accessible" to all.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-87087029622511642032012-01-21T12:14:47.587-05:002012-01-21T12:14:47.587-05:00There are plenty of ways to "express" yo...There are plenty of ways to "express" yourself, why sanction one way which generates inequalities. If you adhere to one person, one vote, then the goal is to create a level playing field. This proposal has that spirit, but in practice a massive advantage to those with money, undermining equality and allowing for votes to be influenced by vested interests. Get rid of all of it, there still remains "expression", but we are all equal.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-61145824657291750862012-01-21T12:10:11.591-05:002012-01-21T12:10:11.591-05:00I can't agree with a total ban on third party ...I can't agree with a total ban on third party participation. <br /><br />I agree that it isn't right for supposedly non-partisan groups to favour or criticize a given political party consistently. But at the same time, in a free society you cannot limit political expression to certain pre-approved groups. <br /><br />I'm not convinced that there's any easy solution, but I'd far rather err on the side of more free speech than less.Vancouveroishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10612421378173745791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-82244988296897223152012-01-21T12:02:32.725-05:002012-01-21T12:02:32.725-05:00I think Coyne's view is rather shallow. Indivi...I think Coyne's view is rather shallow. Individuals are represented in our democracy in all kinds of venues. Coyne seeks to restrict our political representation to political parties or move it into the paid lobbying arena or leave it to the whim of 'market forces' that promulgate public policy. How silly when one considers how he always characterizes our elected representatives as impotent pawns without 'real jobs' to do. Coyne's writing is hot air ...Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018851822195812978noreply@blogger.com