Your Own Political Party

[:: Natalie ::]

If you could start your own political party, what would it be like?
* Your platform
* Party name
* Party slogan
* Where would your party be placed on the political spectrum? (left/center/right)


I have an assignment for my civics class that's basically about what I just posted above, and it got me thinking, so I thought I'd open it up for discussion here because there are likely to be a lot of interesting views. I'll post the exact assignment below in case you're curious. So feel free to respond to any of those questions because I want to see what you think!

Note: This may differ in some countries but in Canada each person (over 18 of course) has the right to start their own political party after meeting some requirements. I'm not sure what the requirements are but it's definitely been done.

[:: Natalie ::]

Final Assignment – Political Parties and Holding an Election

Marked out of 100 marks

A. Create your own Political Party – 60 marks

- create your own party, designed to represent and appeal to Canada’s youth

1. Give your party a name which suggests its beliefs (5 marks)

2. Develop a party platform. This is your basic belief or philosophy on issues. The following issues must be addressed, plus you must select an issue of your choice and give your point of view. (25 marks)
a) capital punishment
b) immigration
c) terrorism
d) smoking
e) an issue of your choice

3. Design a party slogan and logo, which defines your party and promotes your message. (5 marks for slogan, 5 marks for logo. Total, 10 marks)

4. Put all of the above information in the form of a brochure or pamphlet. Include information about yourself (hobbies/interests; job experiences) and your family. Add a photo of yourself for that personal touch. The creativity and design features you sue will be evaluated out of 20 marks.

B. Make a Political Speech – 40 marks

- make a speech which will give your platform on the issues described above. Clearly state why you believe the way you do about these issues. Also try to persuade people to vote for you, as this is a political speech.
- the speech must be 1-2 typed double-spaced pages
- evaluation is as follows:
a) discussion of issues (15 marks)
b) techniques of persuasiveness: introduction, conclusion, use of slogan, etc. (15 marks)
c) grammar and style (10 marks)

[el_scorcho1]

*drool*

Right there is my dream assignment! I would have loved something like that! What grade is it for?

Here's what mine would look like:

The New Canadian Attitude Party - Protecting Canada's future for Canada's youth.

a) capital punishment - should be put up for referendum, providing there is a demand for it.

b) immigration - immigration is essential to Canada's prosperity, but restrictions should be put into place to ensure only the best and the brightest are being brought in. also, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms will only apply to those who are in Canada legally. any illegal immigrants will have no rights (save for basic human rights), and will be subject to immediate deportation. all that can be avoided by going through the proper refugee claimant process.

c) terrorism - our military and foreign intelligence services must be developed to protect canada, respond to any crises and play a meaningful role in int'l affairs, something we currently can't do.

d) smoking - is a provincial issues, and each province should deal with it as they see fit

e) kyoto accord - climate change is an issue, but kyoto is not the right way to go about dealing with it. let's look at an option that is suited for canada.

That's my party. It's not really right wing, it's more centrist. But I GUARANTEE you, that some left winger will call me a racist and all other sorts of names. But they're just scared of the way things are ;D

[cheyne fatale]

methinks you want us to do your homework for you

[angelprincess <3]

I remember doing something a lot like this in 11th grade...
1. The American Youth Party
2. Capital Punishment - We don't use it enough. If you murder someone, you should be killed. Simple as that. Why should you be able to continue living after you end the life of someone else? And then on top of it, you get to live free off hard-working taxpayers and even get out on parole.
Immigration - I have no problem with immigrants. That is as long as they are not doing illegal activities or harboring illegal activities. Also, they need to contribute to our economy and WORK, not sit around and earn welfare.
Terrorism - As much as I support America, we should not be needlessly ending innocent lives in Iraq. We need to try to work with Iraq to make sure they don't have nuclear weapons first, not bomb them just because we suspect them of having them.
Smoking - While people should be free to smoke, smoking should be outlawed in restaurants. If you are a waitress/waiter and are exposed to it several hours a day, you will eventually develop the same health problems you would if you were actually smoking yourself.
Abortion - It should be outlawed. If you are responsible enough to have sex, you should be responsible to handle the consequences, be it an STD or a child. Innocent lives do not need to be taken just because the mother or father chose not to use protection.

[:: Natalie ::]

^lol! Me thinks...indirectly. I mean, either way, I think this is some good discussion material.

But since this is supposed to be a party to represent youth, me the responsible and good-listening politician must listen to what the youth want. That's why I pose the question to you, the government-savvy youth. Need opinions, points of view, what you think are strengths/weaknesses of how our current government represents youth views...

And it's always interesting to see the individual differences and if/how one party could best represent them all!

[el_scorcho1]

^^^^

Right now, youth are ignored in politics. Wanna know why? We don't get out to vote in large numbers. Seniors vote in droves, hence why elected officials pay attention to them.

Get the youth to vote in large numbers, then the government will pay attention to us. Cause if we're ignored, we'll have the power to overturn the government. ;D

[.Hunting:High:and:Low.]

Oooo, this sounds like fun... My turn!

1. The New Party (I can't think of anything else for now... appropriate though, no? )
2. Capital Punishment - HeavensAngel said: "We don't use it enough. If you murder someone, you should be killed. Simple as that. Why should you be able to continue living after you end the life of someone else? And then on top of it, you get to live free off hard-working taxpayers and even get out on parole." I can't say it any better. Kudos.
Immigration - Fine. But before they come into this country, they either need to have learned English (or the country's official language) or are beginning their studies in the language and must continue the study of the language. They also must contribute something to the country of which they are living.
Terrorism - We will deal with the problem in which the security advisors and intelligence agencies see fit. If there is a potential problem, we get rid of it before it does become a problem.
Smoking - Should not be made illegal. Period.
Abortion - Should be limited to first trimester abortions. After that, you give the baby up for adoption, no if's, and's, or but's.

[:: Natalie ::]

Now that I've spent some time looking at the issues, I think one of the biggest problems facing youth (in Canada) is the debt. Sure, they try to make it seem like we're alright because of a meager $9 billion surplus, but technically it's not a surplus until everything's paid. In the long run, our debt is still around $540 BILLION! And at an average of 5% interest rate, we're paying $27 BILLION in interest! What do we get for that money? Absolutely nothing! No services. No education. No health care.

Because of excessive spending in the past, we, the youth, are going to be stuck paying it off. It completely just sucks for us. Because we couldn't vote when all this happened. We weren't even alive for it. But because of some irresponsibility, we're stuck with it.

So I think taxes better stay high for a few years. In the long run, we're better off stopping all these tax cuts, and getting this paid off. Then they can cut taxes because they won't need to pay so much interest.

[80s Child]

Name of party: The Youth Party (creative no? )
capital punishment: Should be outlawed. Killing someone isn't going to solve anything. Just look at the high crime rates in states that allow it for proof of my point.
immigration: Anyone who's life is endangered should be allowed to live here. Decisions on immigration should be on a case-by-case basis, rather than with generalized laws that tend to cause more problems.
terrorism: Canada should stop wasting time helping the U.S. and start concentrating on its own problems, like actually PROVIDING our army with its necessities (which it has failed to do) and spending a bit more money on social services that are desperately needed.
smoking: Up to the provinces to decide
Abortion: First and second trimester abortion should be allowed no matter what. Third trimester abortions should only be allowed if the life of the mother is in immediate danger.