# matt\_mcl has another kick at the political can... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 26, 2002, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216 "2002-03-26T18:39:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/1 "2002-03-26T18:39:45Z")
Well, the MP for my riding just resigned, so there’s going to be a by-election. Of course, I’m going to run for nomination! A guy contacted me about forming a riding association, so I’m meeting with him in an hour and we’ll be getting that started ASAP. The election, too, will probably be ASAP - to wit, mid-May - so the pressure’s on. Wish me luck in the nomination and then (if I get that) the election! And vote NDP in Verdun-St Henri! ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/2 "2002-03-26T18:52:08Z")
I admire your desire for public service, and I said before that if I lived in Montreal I would vote for you. But I do have a question, what is it that makes you want to be a politican? Why would anybody want to get into politics? ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/3 "2002-03-26T18:56:32Z")
I just have a powerful desire to do right by my community and serve the public interest. Corrupt and lazy politicians don’t discourage me - they make me want to be a politician _more_, so people in my riding have some decent representation. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/4 "2002-03-26T19:19:37Z")
What is a “riding?” And good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/5 "2002-03-26T19:32:51Z")
I would totally vote for you if I lived there, **matt**! I’m not really close to anybody who lives in Verdun. Too bad, I could campaign for you 😉 Verdun-St. Henri is traditionally a Liberal riding, right? Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@Lord\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/6 "2002-03-26T19:44:18Z")
Good luck, **Matt**!! Jim ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/7 "2002-03-26T21:12:58Z")
LaurAnge, we can always use an extra pair of hands! Basic Canadian political system primer: a riding is an electoral district. Each of Canada’s 301 ridings elects an MP (member of Parliament) to the House of Commons. The head of the party with the most seats becomes the Prime Minister. There are five main federal parties: the Canadian Alliance, who are like Republicans only scarier; the Liberals, currently in power, who are moderate conservatives; the Conservatives, who are moderate liberals; the Bloc Québécois, part right-wing Quebec sovereignists and part left-wing Quebec sovereignists; and the New Democrats, left-wing social democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/8 "2002-03-26T21:24:55Z")
You’ve got me confused **matt**. The PC is further right-wing than the liberals, isn’t it? But seriously, I do vote NDP, so if you think there’s something I could actually do, let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/9 "2002-03-27T00:58:04Z")
I for one have long been in favor of anything that combines the concepts of “matt” and “riding.” Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/10 "2002-03-27T01:56:57Z")
Remember, Matt… You’re a _seasoned pro_ now. You’ve run before. You’ve got… **NAME RECOGNITION** _cue the dramatic music_ The voters (some of them) will already know of your existence. This time it’ll be easier than last. Go! Need a campaign contribution in a hard currency? I’m with you if you need it. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/11 "2002-03-27T02:01:13Z")
Otto: you’re ssssassy… 😉 Jonathan: I really, really appreciate it. Thank you so much. I doubt the campaign finance rules enable me to accept donations from people outside the country, but I will check and get back to you. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Jenner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@Jenner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenner)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/12 "2002-03-27T03:03:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > \*\*I just have a powerful desire to do right by my community and serve the public interest. Corrupt and lazy politicians don’t discourage me - they make me want to be a politician _more_, so people in my riding have some decent representation. \*\* God _damn_, I wish every politician were like you! Good luck, Matt. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/13 "2002-03-27T03:40:20Z")
I hope you get elected. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/14 "2002-03-27T07:39:35Z")
Congratulations, Matt! _Gratulojn!_ I’m happy that you’re going at it again! And if I was living in your riding, I’d certainly vote for you. 🙂 BTW, will you make Esperanto campaign literature available for download from your website? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/15 "2002-03-27T15:01:17Z")
How can I help ? ---
**Author:** ![Balduran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Balduran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balduran)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/16 "2002-03-27T20:09:33Z")
Like, so, I want your um, vote? 😉 Seriously, good luck. I think after I’m finished my degree I will join the NDP. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/17 "2002-03-27T23:38:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Devilman Palmer \* > \*\* > God _damn_, I wish every politician were like you! \*\* Gay and Canadian? ---
**Author:** ![Finnie\_the\_Pooh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@Finnie\_the\_Pooh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finnie_the_Pooh)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/18 "2002-03-28T03:18:19Z")
Good luck, Matt, Kaministiquia roots for you. Do us proud. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/19 "2002-03-28T06:48:06Z")
**matt** , can I elect you Sexiest Canadian Faggot Doper? 😉 (Nice to see you posting again, **Otto**.) Esprix [sub]Scylla[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216/20 "2002-03-28T13:42:07Z")
A title I shall wear with pride! Merci, chéri. _smooch_ Thanks to all you folks for your support; I really appreciate it. Stay tuned for the launching of the Campaign 2002 website! In the meantime, check out NDP positions at www.ndp.ca . [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt_mcl-has-another-kick-at-the-political-can/100216.md?page=2)