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Happyherman Champion Author Calgary Posts:18,864 Points:1,120,555 Joined:Apr 2002	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2008 4:16:40 PM Ignore Happyherman Report Abuse Looks like we might be headed to the polls this fall. As of today the Liberals and the Conservatives are neck & neck in the polls. I just can't figure out what so many folks see in Stephane Dion and his policies. Even if you don't like Stephen Harper and I must admit he lacks much charisma, the Conservative policies seem to be so much more in line with long term Canadian benefits. It seems the folks in Ontario blame the Conservatives for the loss of jobs in the auto sector. Don't think it was the Conservatives telling GM, FORD and CHRYSLER to build the gas guzzlers that nobody wants. I would hate my tax dollars going to support the idiots at these company's that made the mistakes that are now coming home. Whether or not you support the troops in Afghanistan at least the Conservatives are rebuilding a military decimated by years of Liberal cut backs. We will need a strong military to support Canadian sovreignty in the North. As more nations claim territory in the Arctic we will need to wave the Canadian flag as it's never been waved before up there. And the NDPer's and GREENS well what can I say. The Parti Quebecois will always be a force in that province and I only hope that the good folks of Quebec wake up and figure out that they need to support a real Canadian party. No PQ candidates anywhere else in Canada so that should tell them something. Let the games begin.

Happyherman

Champion Author
Calgary

Posts:18,864
Points:1,120,555
Joined:Apr 2002

Message Posted: Aug 14, 2008 4:16:40 PM

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Looks like we might be headed to the polls this fall. As of today the Liberals and the Conservatives are neck & neck in the polls. I just can't figure out what so many folks see in Stephane Dion and his policies. Even if you don't like Stephen Harper and I must admit he lacks much charisma, the Conservative policies seem to be so much more in line with long term Canadian benefits. It seems the folks in Ontario blame the Conservatives for the loss of jobs in the auto sector. Don't think it was the Conservatives telling GM, FORD and CHRYSLER to build the gas guzzlers that nobody wants. I would hate my tax dollars going to support the idiots at these company's that made the mistakes that are now coming home.

Whether or not you support the troops in Afghanistan at least the Conservatives are rebuilding a military decimated by years of Liberal cut backs. We will need a strong military to support Canadian sovreignty in the North. As more nations claim territory in the Arctic we will need to wave the Canadian flag as it's never been waved before up there.

And the NDPer's and GREENS well what can I say. The Parti Quebecois will always be a force in that province and I only hope that the good folks of Quebec wake up and figure out that they need to support a real Canadian party. No PQ candidates anywhere else in Canada so that should tell them something.

Let the games begin.

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HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2008 3:24:45 PM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse J4, you're dreaming... If the Liberals win a majority, Dion will not be kicked out b/c he will be able to say that he's the one who brought them to victory - and he will be...also, as the PM, he will also have the ability to eliminate from caucus anyone he feels is trying to stick a knife in his back (the way Chretien got rid of his enemies) - if they have won a majority, all those previous naysayers will jump on his bandwagon in order to get important positions in gov't & no one will want to align themselves w/ Ignatieff, Rae or anyone else who opposes Dion...so for all the Liberal supporters who are voting for the party hoping they can have their cake & eat it too (Liberals in power AND Dion out of the party), think again - if the Liberals win this election, you will get to enjoy all Dion brings to the table...for yrs & yrs... There are only 2 ways the Liberals will get rid of Dion: lose the election (reason to hold a leadership convention, non-confidence in the leader) or win a majority, Dion in power for at least 1 full term & leadership convention at that time IF (and only if) Dion & the Liberal powerbrokers decide it's necessary - if the Liberals win, the powerbrokers will say Dion brought them the victory DESPITE what everyone was saying about him & BECAUSE they won on "his merits", the powerbrokers won't want to upset the applecart (i.e. Cdns who voted for the Liberals w/ Dion at the helm)...don't forget how many Liberal insiders wanted Chretien out - took them 2 elections & a huge public scandal before they were able to CONVINCE CHRETIEN he should step down for the sake of the party & allow someone else to take over...Dion being completely unproven will mean there is no reason to immediately replace him and he will NEVER agree to step down if he wins a majority... Had the election been called at the end of a full term, the Liberals could have held a leadership convention & picked a new leader FOR THE NEXT ELECTION...now that it's been called early, the ONLY way for the Liberals to get rid of Dion is to lose the election...that's why the Liberals didn't want an election right now (that is, the Liberals who oppose dion) - they knew they would be stuck w/ him - in the meantime, Dion wanted an election for exactly that reason - gives him at least a chance to possibly win the election & remain the leader b/c his party can't unseat him if he wins the election - he's counting on a whole bunch of Cdns to vote for the Liberals just b/c that's what they always do...and he has a pretty good chance... For the Conservatives, they are taking a chance that people hate Dion enough to vote for the Conservatives just to get rid of Dion - pretty risky move...but they knew if they waited to the end of their term, the Liberals would be likely to remove Dion & they would have to face the Liberals w/ someone at the helm like John Manley which would virtually guarantee a Liberal win... [Edited by: HRTrucklet at 9/7/2008 3:30:11 PM EST]
J47514326 Champion Author Ontario Posts:22,012 Points:3,686,005 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2008 2:18:10 PM Ignore J47514326 Report Abuse So here is what I think might happen. - In the first week or two, the Tories will have lead probably close of a majority - In the US, in the first presidential/VP debates, Obama and Biden are pounding McCain and Palin. Obama's lead is increasing especially in the electoral votes - The economy is shaping up worse then anticipated. - With Obama's progression, it will slow down the Tories momentum, the opposition parties will win enough seats to prevent a majority especially because of the East and the economic issues. - Dion gets (finally) kicked out of the Liberal Leader position. He is replaced by Ignatieff or Rae. - Obama wins the Presidential elections by a whopping margin in the electoral votes despite a somewhat narrow gap in the popular vote. - Several crushing details hurting the Conservatives are revealed about the Mulroney, in and out scheme, O'Brien-Kilrea and other scandals. - While some legislations will be easily passed in the first year, the opposition are flexing their muscles and are anticipating a possible 2010 election - The economy is still not recovering in 2009. - The Conservatives loses a budget confidence vote in 2010 (or a vote on another mission extension in Afghanistan, the Tories are still thinking there is more work to be done). - Election might be possible again in 2010 or perhaps early 2011 still ahead of the expected 2012 date. - For the results it is way too early. Keep in mind, I am not ruling out a new party as a result from likely a merger. Also the war in Afghanistan could play a bigger part in the 2008 campaign.
RDMAN Champion Author Ontario Posts:135,510 Points:2,416,210 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2008 3:05:54 AM Ignore RDMAN Report Abuse Province / territory Population Newfoundland and Labrador 505,469.....5 seats Prince Edward Island 135,851..........1 Seat Nova Scotia 913,462...................9 Seats New Brunswick 729,997.................7 Seats Quebec 7,546,131.....................75 Seats Ontario 12,160,282..................121 Seats Manitoba 1,148,401...................11 Seats Saskatchewan 968,157..................9 Seats Alberta 3,290,350....................33 Seats British Columbia 4,113,487...........41 Seats Yukon 30,372..........................1 Seat Northwest Territories 41,464..........1 Seat Nunavut 29,474........................1 Seat Canada 31,612,897...................316 Seats If the 1 seat per 100.000 Population was in place precisely this is what it should be EH This is the way that it should be!!!!! If this was the true the right wing assh**s would not stand a chance.
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2008 1:49:19 AM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse herbie, nice of Elections Canada to draw the boundaries in accordance w/ party preference - LOL...
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,586 Points:2,503,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2008 11:02:48 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse >>Is he the one who sent you the tiny flag? No that was the incumbent Tory at the time. They changed all the riding boundaries, now we're in with Prince Rupert & Terrace. Big weird turn in the new boundary that takes in us and 3 or 3 reserves, then cuts off all the farmers, Mormons and Mennonites to the south and tacks them onto a "safe" Tory riding.
bad_driver98 Champion Author Edmonton Posts:9,876 Points:516,455 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2008 2:06:18 PM Ignore bad_driver98 Report Abuse http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=1114626d-4402-49c0-b5ae-b41d79f9cc71][/L] This is the Edmonton Journal link to the poll I mentioned in the earlier post.
bad_driver98 Champion Author Edmonton Posts:9,876 Points:516,455 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2008 1:14:38 PM Ignore bad_driver98 Report Abuse The poll last in last weekend's paper had it broken down by region. A much more accurate method than just saying national averages. In Atlantic Canada the NDP will likely get the most seats with Liberal in second. Quebec has the Bloc in first and the Liberals second. Ontario has the Liberals in first place with the Conservatives in second. As you move west the Consevatives are in first place by increasing margins, but the 71% in Alberta really screws up the "national" average. When you look at the polls and break it down by where the seats are.... a Conservative win is far from a foregone conclusion.
Handiman Champion Author Saskatchewan Posts:17,422 Points:3,108,700 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2008 9:33:46 AM Ignore Handiman Report Abuse Mad Laker---the last poll I heard had the Liberals way behind and Dion even further behind
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2008 2:15:05 AM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse Is he the one who sent you the tiny flag?
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,586 Points:2,503,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2008 1:30:31 AM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse Nope they don't run a candidate in our riding at all. (too much money around here from keeping it illegal maybe?) The NDP will take this riding again, and I will be helping them do it. Nathan Cullen is too good not to send to Parliament for a three-peat.
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2008 3:20:13 PM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse herbie, will you be supporting the Marijuana Party in this election? BC's economy would flourish - could bolster the "forestry" industry...
moonrocks Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,069 Points:1,062,440 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2008 2:31:54 PM Ignore moonrocks Report Abuse GO TORIES.
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,586 Points:2,503,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 4, 2008 10:45:29 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse I understand why Emerson didn't run. If he ran in the same riding he betrayed, it's likely he would have been pulled off the podium and beaten at the first all candidates meeting. And to hear media pundits refer to him as one of Harper's most capable Ministers makes me puke. Capable of selling an entire industry down the river.
J47514326 Champion Author Ontario Posts:22,012 Points:3,686,005 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Sep 4, 2008 11:30:51 AM Ignore J47514326 Report Abuse Two ministers are not seeking re-election. David "Turncoat" Emerson, the one who concluded the softwood-lumber rebate, will not seek a re-election, so another Conservative Foreign Affairs Minister bites the dust - I guess he knows he will not be re-elected anyways considering Vancouver is not a Tory-friendly area much like Toronto, Hamilton and Montreal. Maybe Harper should have kept MacKay instead of promoting Bernier now who is next in line should the Conservatives win? You cannot have MacKay do both Defense and Foreign Affairs at the same time? Loyola Hearn, the Fisheries Minister will retire from politics after several decides in provincial and federal politics. Maybe his seat is also in jeopardy as well considering the feud between Danny Williams (the Newfoundland and Labrador premier) and the federal Torys on the equalization payments.
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,586 Points:2,503,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2008 10:18:37 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse Are you better off today than you were 4 years ago? The working people of Canada say no. The people NOT working say no. Say no to Harper.
J47514326 Champion Author Ontario Posts:22,012 Points:3,686,005 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2008 8:21:17 PM Ignore J47514326 Report Abuse Got to agree, there are more pressing issues then that especially since you have a huge infrastructure deficit, serious health care and education problems, municipalities having budget problems because of the lack of funding or in the case of Ontario the stupid Harris downloading spree with more responsibilities given to the cities but with no fundings attached. Then the economy is sagging in many domains except Harper's favorite industry the oil sector or again in Wal-Mart-like businesses. I think Conservatives hate charismatic figures but loves boring politicians. Stephen Harper is so boring much like many Conservatives figures. Maybe Sarah Palin will try to reverse the trend of boring GOP speeches but it won't matter as she has no foreign policy experience, only two years in non-municipal politics. Harper, Duceppe, Layton and Dion has at least twice more high-level political experience then her. [Edited by: J47514326 at 8/30/2008 8:22:30 PM EST]
PennGas Champion Author Ontario Posts:71,578 Points:1,865,655 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2008 6:09:45 PM Ignore PennGas Report Abuse "I totally agree with you, the USA does not need the Dems., they're heading towards financial ruin as it is....Nobama will spend them into another depression." It was Bush that put America into the situation they're in today. So no matter who becomes president they will have a hard road to travel. Harper is going to lead us down the same path with his out of control spending on the military. Canada does not need to be a war machine, that stuff went out with the end of WWII. Funny Harper has $720 million to spend on an ice breaker that he wants to name after the ultimate idiot Diefenbaker but he doesn't have any money to fund literacy programs or women's programs. No money for the arts, no money for Environment Canada, no money for making a difference in a slowing economy. Harper has this grand dream that he will be able to be a military power and get to be one of the "boys". Harper is an embarrassment to Canada with his American mentality and general American arse kissing. He has insulted our trade partners, he screwed our forestry industry with the softwood deal, wants to turn lakes into dumping grounds for industry, he controls the media like he's a Nazi, he is a liar and the list goes on and on. Nobody can dispute those things because they are fact not fiction. His stance on the Georgian conflict is extremely troubling, as well was his stance on the Lebanon crisis two summers ago. Funny how he joined the call for Russia to end their campaign in Georgia but 2 years ago he was happy to watch Israel bomb the hell out of civilians and went right along with what America wanted him to do. Hopefully Canadians will do the right thing and get this war monger out of power. Dion is less than an attractive choice for Prime Minister but he sure beats "Steve" by a mile.
J47514326 Champion Author Ontario Posts:22,012 Points:3,686,005 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2008 1:56:51 PM Ignore J47514326 Report Abuse Yep another poll that proves we are heading for another minority government. Latest Sun Media/Nanos poll gives the Liberal a 2 point-lead over the Conservatives, however the lead increases to 13 points in Ontario while they are basically dead even in Quebec. In that province only the NDP moved up while the Bloc dropped and the other three parties are in a stand-still. Meanwhile I've looked at the Nanos pdf poll document, the Liberals have a 30-point lead in Atlantic Canada while the Tories have a 13-point lead in the West http://www.ottawasun.com/News/National/2008/08/29/6603351-sun.html http://www.nanosresearch.com/library/polls/POLNAT-SU08-T315.pdf
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2008 12:24:06 AM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse herbie, I didn't say taking from the rich - I said taking from the working - just b/c a person is working doesn't mean they're rich...you seem to be of the same opinion as the feds, that if we are actually busting our a$$es earning a paycheck, we deserve to have it taken away b/c by virtue of the fact that we work, we have more money than the nonworking... And that massive EI surplus was accomplished & maintained under the former Liberal gov't - the money should have NEVER been taken from us in the first place...rather than eliminating EI premiums (b/c they were clearly not necessary anymore), the Liberals invented the Canadian Babymaking Program, allowing women to take 12 months off after only paying into the system for 5 months...yes, it was supposed to be 6 months each parent, but "parents" being given the choice to either split it or all of it going to the mother (it should have been limited to 6 months each parent & the one not taking it losing it) has resulted in the current baby boom - all I hear around the office is "I can't WAIT to take a yr off" (no mention of the baby)...I only know 2 women who took their 6 months & "allowed" their husbands to take the other 6 - the vast majority are taking the year themselves, no choice to the dad ("I'M the one having the baby, I deserve the whole yr"), a complete waste of (our) money, especially when you consider that after being away for a yr, most women are unable to successfully assimilate back into the company or their original positions (many of which have been eliminated in the meantime due to natural changes in the corporation) & soon leave to either take another yr off (coming back 4 mos pregnant to only work the minimum to get another yr off) resulting in companies eliminating their positions, or them deciding to just stay at home from now on... The only "good" thing has been companies choosing staff more carefully to ensure they're not hiring people in mgmt positions who could be gone for 2 yrs out of every 2-1/2 yrs - i.e. elimination of childbearing women from significant positions in corporations - leaving the good jobs for those of us who can be counted on to actually be at work, every day, every yr (men & childless women)...obviously, if a company can get along without a mgr for that long, the position isn't required, and that's the rationale companies are using to lay off women just prior to their 2nd maternity leave...this is relegating the babymakers to the lower paying positions in corporations, like accounting clerks & admin assistants (which are easily refilled) and giving skilled positions to people committed to careers...women in skilled positions are also having babies, but are taking only the standard 6 month maternity leave...there is now a distinct separation growing between the workers & the babymakers (Margaret Atwood's "A Handmaid's Tale"??)... Should the Tories have immediately eliminated that "program"? Absolutely! The fact that they didn't is why I say the Tories in Canada are left-wing, just like the Liberals...meanwhile, the truly unemployed (actual committed workers who find themselves temporarily out of work due to circumstances beyond their control) can't access EI - the fund is now entirely committed to raising the birth rate in Canada...add to that the fact that b/c it is so easy to achieve 1 yr maternity leave, apparently such an attractive carrot for so many women, the result is people having children who previously might have had to actually think about things like whether they can even afford to have children! So now more EI funds are diverted to paying for childcare for working people who couldn't really afford to have children in the 1st place & are shocked after their yr off to discover what the hit to their family income will be if they go back to work, plus sending more money to these people based on the number of children they have to help pay their bills...a giant social welfare program! I am disgusted by these programs and the continuing surplus in the EI fund - WHY ARE WE STILL PAYING INTO EI when it is NOT necessary & hasn't been for yrs????? AND the surplus continues to grow, despite all the "programs" created to reduce the fund...the feds could have eliminated EI premiums back when the Liberals were in power & the fund would STILL show a surplus today w/ EI premiums unnecessary for the next 20 or more yrs!! Right after the Liberals invented the Cdn Babymaking Program, Ralph Klein tried to get EI transferred to the provinces w/ the intention of eliminating the program (b/c Alberta workers were irate over the announcement of the deliberate squandering of our hard-earned money) - in AB, there would be no universal EI program, rather workers' premiums would be fed into individual EI accounts to tap into if they found themselves unemployed - if they didn't require the funds during their careers, they could then transfer them into their RRSP's when they retired...would have been a great program! But we all know that's also why the feds refused to allow provincial administration of EI - once AB implemented such a program, other provinces would as well, and the result would be an EI program specifically for workers to use as unemployment insurance, and NO slush fund for the feds to use for universal handout programs for the nonworking...it's all about helping the nonworking in this country at the expense of the working... This tirade is all your fault, herbie - you shouldn't have gotten me started on EI...! [Edited by: HRTrucklet at 8/26/2008 12:28:03 AM EST]
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,586 Points:2,503,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2008 11:04:29 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse How do you count sitting on a $54 billion EI surplus and refusing to utilize it to train/utilize/assist the unemployed count as 'taking from the rich and giving to the poor'? Harper's done squat for the poor, the underemployed, the middle class or the educational system.
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2008 3:27:17 PM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse This is a ploy by Harper to get the Liberals on board for the fall sitting of Parliament - threaten them w/ an election if they don't cooperate...Dion has already said he will meet w/ Harper to discuss the fall sitting, i.e. to promise to cooperate & keep the Tories in power for another yr - Dion also said the other day that Canada should not pull out of Afghanistan yet b/c the mission hasn't been completed (olive branch)...Dion does NOT want an election right now, and neither does Harper (or Cdns)...
J47514326 Champion Author Ontario Posts:22,012 Points:3,686,005 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2008 3:02:42 PM Ignore J47514326 Report Abuse http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080824/harper_dion_080824/20080824/?hub=OttawaHome "Sources say Conservatives favour a short election campaign because anything longer would waste taxpayers' money." Considering there is little chance of a majority, that will turn out to be a waste. It is quite clear that Harper is rushing so that the election will take place before the US elections, because obviously the outcome of a US election will have a lot more effects on the Canadian election then if the opposite will happen. It is clearly carefully planned and we know that Harper is scared to death about the outcome of the US elections (apparently the latest poll shows 49-43 for Obama based on ABC). There was also a recent poll this weekend although it is no longer online that 57% said that McCain would continue the Bush policies and the 57% is basically the percentage not voting for him. Imagine if the GG says no not now for an election then the Conservatives will be in panic mode. However, I would love to see a province-by-province and perhaps also city-by-city polling. Then I will have fun playing the numbers and doing predictions.
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2008 1:54:05 AM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse "most far to the right party in power in Canadian history" - LOL...you mean, most far to the right for a Canadian party, which is still light yrs left of center - keep taking from the working & giving to the non-working - good old Robin Hood, socialist policy...I see you haven't bothered to address that part - guess you must be one of the historical "takers" from the system...the only people screaming for social programs in the US are the non-working, same ones who scream to keep it in Canada... As for Cdns keeping their fingers crossed for Obama, it's only b/c they have no idea about US politics or parties - they THINK the Democrats are the Liberal equivalent in the US, not realizing the Dems are ideologically approximately equivalent to the former Reform Party of Canada!!!! THAT is just right of center...as for the Republicans, they're even further right of the Dems...at the root of American ideology (either side of their political spectrum) is pure capitalism - that part doesn't change w/ the party...Canada does NOT support capitalism, except as a means to create additional revenue from a small group of hard workers & people determined to achieve "success", such as you can achieve in Canada, where the greater the margin of success, the more the gov't takes, to ensure everyone no one is able to get too far ahead of the proletariat - the opposite of that position is the US position which considers hard work & financial success a basic value...in a state where the achievers finally give up b/c they can't get ahead, you have communism, where everyone barely works & just expects the basics of life to be handed them by the gov't - the only thing that keeps Canada marginally above that state is the dominant presence of the ever-capitalist US next door...
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,586 Points:2,503,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2008 9:04:25 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse It's interesting how on any forum involving Cdn politics, the Conservatives are represented by extreme rightists. None of which are aware that they are the reason the rest of us will never give Harper a majority.
J47514326 Champion Author Ontario Posts:22,012 Points:3,686,005 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2008 8:09:43 PM Ignore J47514326 Report Abuse "Conservatives are more "centalists" than anything" That must be one of the most erroneous statements. Since Trudeau, I have not seen any government left of center-right. Trudeau could go from center-left but more so center then the rest is mostly right wing all the way. This current government might be one of the, if not, the most far to the right party in power in Canadian history. Duceppe is even labeling the Conservative more to the right of the Republicans which are already very to the right. "Why do we need yet ANOTHER left-wing party in Canada???? We already have the Liberals, NDP, Conservatives & Bloc! (& probably the Greens)". Merging them together will probably be given this party more center-right then center-left. Euh, I don't consider the Liberals as left, definitely not. Paul Martin really move it further right when PM. The only party possibly left-of-the center is the NDP. "But it's never gonna happen - Cdns LOVE socialism" Well at least 66% of the Canadians are supporting a party right of center including 33% to the far right. "And, apparently, the "majority" of Cdns want the Democrats to win in the US? What for?" Well obviously because of current President AWOL. And quite frankly with the last 8 years, they deserve change (so as us...), not the continuation of Bush policies. Also people are probably tried of electing old white men for President and looks for younger faces with Obama. We don't want a party that just cares about oil, big banks, jails and war.
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2008 2:52:23 PM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse Sure, zippy - how much do you want? How about a blank check, like the one I give the gov't?? LOL
zippylady Champion Author Toronto Posts:38,427 Points:2,776,880 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2008 12:25:43 PM Ignore zippylady Report Abuse HRT, Could you cut me a check, a big one, please? ;D I totally agree with you, the USA does not need the Dems., they're heading towards financial ruin as it is....Nobama will spend them into another depression. And I sure don't know why the Liberals are still called "liberals", not even close to centre. They USED to be socially reponsible but no longer...anyone can decide to sit on their bum and collect a check nowadays. Thanks Pierre Trudeau, ppffffttttt! Conservatives are more "centalists" than anything. Do you need my PayPal account for that check?? ;D
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,586 Points:2,503,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2008 1:48:20 AM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse I have a better idea. Harper could cross the floor and get a majority instantly. Then he'd be free of fools like Emerson and Clements and the right-wing deadwood.
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 18, 2008 7:15:27 PM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse RDMAN, I didn't say I wanted to go to the US, I said I want Canada to be more right-wing... Of course, I am a Cdn who actually works & has my hard-earned pay taken away & given to the non-working, people who can't afford to have children but have them anyway, women who don't want to work & have 1 illegitimate child after another w/ multiple partners just to stay on welfare, etc...WHAT RIGHT does ANYONE have to take money I HAVE EARNED & give it away to someone else?? I can't BELIEVE the mentality among some Cdns that they are entitled to OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY! Want money? Go out, get a f***ing job & EARN YOUR OWN!!!!!!!!!
RDMAN Champion Author Ontario Posts:135,510 Points:2,416,210 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 18, 2008 5:52:06 PM Ignore RDMAN Report Abuse "...I WISH Canada was as right-wing as the Dems... " I think a bus leaves heading to tha USA about ever hour you could catch one EH.............
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 18, 2008 3:13:27 PM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse Why do we need yet ANOTHER left-wing party in Canada???? We already have the Liberals, NDP, Conservatives & Bloc! (& probably the Greens) If even 1 party in Canada would move far enough right to meet the Dems in the US, I would be happy! But it's never gonna happen - Cdns LOVE socialism, even the Conservatives (and I use that term loosely b/c true conservatives would NEVER support a continunation of Canada's social programs)... Obama THINKS his party is equivalent to the Liberals in Canada?? What a laugh!! He obviously knows NOTHING about Canada...he would be shocked at how far left our CONSERVATIVE party is, never mind the rest of them! And, apparently, the "majority" of Cdns want the Democrats to win in the US? What for? The Dems hate our neverending parade of social programs almost as much as the Reps...I WISH Canada was as right-wing as the Dems...
J47514326 Champion Author Ontario Posts:22,012 Points:3,686,005 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Aug 18, 2008 11:07:37 AM Ignore J47514326 Report Abuse A new party that would include Liberals, some of the non far-right Conservatives and perhaps some Greens and NDP. With the current two main parties we are going nowhere. That would pretty much limit the still Reform/Alliance Party lookalike Conservatives to the West once again while the Liberals will be absorbed mostly by the new party and probably the NDP and eventual Greens will join the fray as well. Sorry but to get rid of the current gridlock, there would have to be a merge done.
Happyherman Champion Author Calgary Posts:18,864 Points:1,120,555 Joined:Apr 2002	Message Posted: Aug 18, 2008 10:52:24 AM Ignore Happyherman Report Abuse Do you read the news herbie? You seem rather out of touch with whats happening in the world. And just because my buddy Stephen Harper is showing some overdue Canadian leadership, it doesn't make him a Bush follower. In fact he is seen throughout the world as having restored Canadian pride. Too bad Canadians don't see the same thing. But as always believe what you want because my mind is made up.
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,586 Points:2,503,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 18, 2008 2:34:35 AM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse Denmark, Finland and Norway don't have any subs. Russian subs go near and it would be all over the papers as an international incident. The Russians want the same as us, control of resources up to the North Pole. We need to take control, but we need to do it with Coast Guard and Search & Rescue, patrol planes and more civilian settlement. So far the only one causing grief in territorial waters is the USA by refusing to recognize them as such, which isn't even in their own best interest. Stop following this fool Bush and his pet monkey Harper. We want exactly the same thing the Russkies do on our side of the Pole. Resource control. But if the waters ABOVE the NW Passage go ice free, that's free passage. One plane, one torpedo on the next ship using the Passage without permission whoever's it is.
Happyherman Champion Author Calgary Posts:18,864 Points:1,120,555 Joined:Apr 2002	Message Posted: Aug 17, 2008 11:57:42 AM Ignore Happyherman Report Abuse Yeh just what we need. Another party to split up the vote. Are you folks real?
J47514326 Champion Author Ontario Posts:22,012 Points:3,686,005 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2008 3:32:28 PM Ignore J47514326 Report Abuse I can tell you that as long as they keep their far-right agenda, the Conservatives will never gonna have a majority because much of the East are not liking their policies. This and as long as Dion is the leader of the Liberals there won't be any majority governments anytime soon. Considering with the numerous Conservative Party scandals and controversial legislation and the inability of the Liberals or should I say the lack of guts in defeating the government, the Parliament is clearly dysfunctional. Obviously, the remaining two parties the NDP and the Bloc are fed up with these two. Smelling a new political party forming in the future?
HRTrucklet Champion Author Alberta Posts:15,898 Points:2,133,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2008 3:09:42 PM Ignore HRTrucklet Report Abuse herbie, it's been all over the news for about the past yr - other countries are challenging Canada's sovereignty over the waters off our northern coast - everyone & his dog now has a sub cruising the area - so far, I believe the contestants are the USA, Russia, Denmark, Finland & Norway - they're claiming it's international waters, NOT part of Canada...that's why Harper announced the new naval base up there & went ahead w/ selling oil leases - Canada is trying to retain its sovereignty over those waters...this all started when it was discovered how much oil is off our northern coast...I suppose soon China & the middle east will also be up there, claiming they somehow have some kind of a stake as well...
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,586 Points:2,503,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2008 1:20:19 AM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse Why do we need a military for the North? We need people and industry in the north not a bunch of grunts freezing in the snow twiddling their thumbs. The Tory refusal to spend a nickel to jumpstart anything out of sheer ideological stubbornness is leading us to recession just like every Tory gov't every time we've had one.