Comments on: Awe Heck! Why do we even pay a Gov. General?

By: Saskboy

Saskboy — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:23:28 +0000

Yes if we remove the GG we need to have some alternative. I suppose electing one is one idea we should consider.

By: Travis Fast

Travis Fast — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:13:47 +0000

I agree. And a monarchy in this day and age? Senate too (elected that is).

By: SUZANNE

SUZANNE — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:22:31 +0000

I’d be open to electing the GG. The GG should be a “safety valve” against government excesses. If the government does violate its own law, the GG can prevent this. If the people are unhappy, they can boot out the GG.

It’s wrong to have political officials in place that are not accountable to the people.

By: Travis Fast

Travis Fast — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:13:27 +0000

Just call it for what it is: cynical, wasteful and dishonest. Then when asked for a good example mention the fixed date election law.

By: Saskboy

Saskboy — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:55:28 +0000

Travis, that’s probably the correct approach. Unfortunately Harper has broken so many of his important promises (not to mention broken laws) that ordinary people just tune out after we go on and on listing his infractions. I don’t know what’s making up some peoples’ minds to still vote Conservative, but it makes me scared for the longevity of our democracy.

By: Travis Fast

Travis Fast — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:52:32 +0000

I will say it again. The Constitution is the Highest Law of the Land which means that any piece of simple legislation must conform to the constitution. Hence the whole fixed election date legislation was mere symbolism because without a constitutional amendment it could not be binding: that is why there was an opt out clause in the legislation. So we should really be focusing on how cynical, wasteful and dishonest that piece of legislation was and is.

And had Dion indicated that he was capable of obtaining the support of the house to the GG the GG might have forced Harper to reconvene parliament. However in absence of a clear indication from the Grits the GG had to accept Harper’s request.

By: Zach Bell

Zach Bell — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:17:35 +0000

The GG is and always has been useless. Canadians should have ditched the monarchy after the King Byng debacle in the 20s but we just didn’t learn.