The quality of conversation on this thread is perhaps the lowest of any I've seen on this forum (though I've deliberately avoided any of the Rob Ford threads). Is there no one out there in this community who wants to engage in a rational, fact-based discussion about the election?
I think intelligent discussion of the policy ideas in the campaign is a challenge. After all, were one to subject oneself to watch CNN all day, or viewing the nightly national newscasts, one might be under the impression the only issue is whose winning.
The paucity of idea discussion is beyond pathetic, whatever one's politics.
That problem isn't new to this election cycle, nor is it entirely unique to the United States, our election coverage could certainly improve too. That said, at least people here
might remember that Trudeau had in mind to change the child benefit, or that there were questions about how many Syrian refugees to accept and at what pace.
Unless one considers the 'Mexican Wall' to be substantive policy, I don't think there's been much serious discussion.
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I did subject myself, for the sake of this discussion to reading though the official candidates websites in search of thoughtful platform/manifesto points.
I developed a sudden appreciation of our domestic political parties...........
Discounting Trump for reasons you've waxed eloquent on (though lets throw in some terrible math/realpoltik fantasy issues there as well), the Dems are not without their sins.
I think Sanders has the greatest number of good ideas, but the math is very troublesome.
While Clinton has a real shortage of specifics.
I could only really peg 3 or 4 truly clear policy ideas.
- 12 weeks paid medical leave for new moms at 2/3 income replacement
- $12 minimum wage
- Cutting mandatory minimum sentence in half for non-violent drug offences, and removing non-violent drug offenses from 'three strike' rules.
Good. As far as it goes.
But un-ambitious, to put it charitably.
The U.S. is the only nation in the developed world with no minimum paid vacation requirements, nor do Federal Stat. holidays have to be 'paid days off'.
Unless, I missed it, no paid or even un-paid parental leave (or paternity leave) in her proposals. (side note, we (Canada are among the few countries w/no
paternity leave at all, most developed nations seem to be in the 2/3 week area)
Vague promises on reducing the cost of prescription drugs, but completely lacking in specifics.
No serious proposal to reduce the bloat in the DND.
Not exactly a progressive's dream.
Her key argument (assuming, as appears the case, she is the nominee of the Dems), is simply she is not Trump. Granted, a good start, but wholly uninspired.
Oh, I forgot to mention one small policy proposal of hers I did quite like, which moving to Canada's model of automatic voter registration at age 18.
But again, far from the comprehensive electoral reform that nation needs.
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The terrible challenge in the U.S. is a system that is so overtly broken; and yet 'fixing' that break is hardly the topic at all in U.S. public discourse.
Clinton is an unfortunate choice for the Dems as she gives them a candidate w/negatives (in polls) that almost approach Trump's.
There were other progressives, including women candidates who might have made a better offering. (that should not be read as an endorsement of the alternative)
. John Tory just isn't the same.
