For all you Canadians and wanna-be Canadians (like RWingett):
Due to the recent testimonies and scandals, the Liberal government has gone into damage control mode and it appears a Federal election is drawing near. Liberal-type folks are calling Conservative leader (and now the favourite to assume the role of Prime Minister) Stephen Harper the "George Bush of the North" for no other reason other than the fact that he is religious and conservative. Do you fear a Canadian Conservative Federal Government? Why?
Me -- I'm torn. I hate the Liberals. I hate Jean Chretien. I hate Paul Martin. These "old boys" have been robbing our pockets for the last 18 years and no one has said a peep until now. On the other hand, the Conservatives. Well, the Harris government destroyed Ontario over ten years making himself a personal enemy of every teacher, nurse and parent, and also every city-dweller who's had to see the effects of his trimming of the welfare line. The new Liberal government will most likely be cleaning that mess up until next election! I wasn't around during Mulroney's reign, so I can't comment on that.
Why can't more people vote NDP? 🙁 Why is everyone so afraid of us? Will I need to resort to strategic voting come next election? I hope not.
Originally posted by darvlayWhat's the NDP? It sounds like a splinter fraction of some Northern Ireland terrorist unit.
For all you Canadians and wanna-be Canadians (like RWingett):
Due to the recent testimonies and scandals, the Liberal government has gone into damage control mode and it appears a Federal election is drawing near. Liberal-type folks are calling Conservative leader (and now the favourite to assume the role of Prime Minister) Stephen Harper the "George Bu ...[text shortened]... one so afraid of us? Will I need to resort to strategic voting come next election? I hope not.
Originally posted by KneverKnightNo! Not Texas!!!!!!!
I think the sponsorship scandal was Cretien's parting shot at Martin, making it difficult to govern while the fan is spraying.
The NDP might pick up some from the disgusted Liberal voters, but Bob Rae isn't remembered fondly in Ontario.
If Harper gets in, might as well move to Texas.
We don't want any more conservatives here!😀😛
The Liberals started thinking they could get away with anything because they've been in power so long. They've been in power so long because they remember the joys the last Conservative govt. brought us. The whole sponsorship scandal is Brian Mulroney's fault really. We're stuck with two parties we don't want in and another people won't vote for because they think they won't win. I'll put up a nice orange sign on my lawn and hope for the best.
Originally posted by darvlayAfter Bush won the election here in the US I did some research into Canadian political parties (just in case) and I have to say that the NDP was far and away my favorite. If you don't vote for them then it will make me sad. 🙁
It stand for the New Democratic Party.
We're leftists, not terrorists. 😉
Originally posted by rwingettSadly, every election they barely win enough seats to declare themselves a "formal" political party. And now it appears that the Conservative party will align themselves with Quebec separatists to force an election. Our country is headed down the crapper.
After Bush won the election here in the US I did some research into Canadian political parties (just in case) and I have to say that the NDP was far and away my favorite. If you don't vote for them then it will make me sad. 🙁
Originally posted by darvlayI've been away from Canadian politics for awhile, still my lasting impression of the NDP is whenever they get a modicum of power and authority the turn into blithering raving madmen. Complete with incredibly stupid antics the likes of which would make RHP Forums look like a garden tea party. I am particularly fond of
For all you Canadians and wanna-be Canadians (like RWingett):
Due to the recent testimonies and scandals, the Liberal government has gone into damage control mode and it appears a Federal election is drawing near. Liberal-type folks are calling Conservative leader (and now the favourite to assume the role of Prime Minister) Stephen Harper the "George Bu ...[text shortened]... one so afraid of us? Will I need to resort to strategic voting come next election? I hope not.
Lets face it, our politicians are lazy and complacent. For the most part they are too lazy and stupid to even be corrupt. Truly effective politicians with a social conscience are quickly marginalized and pushed into busy work roles stifled by committees and bureaucracy.
I'm reminded of a brillant poem, extracted from a bathroom wall at the UBC radio station, CiTR circa 1994?, often stolen as my own work and paraphrased as follows:
"2000 years ago (give or take), Moses told his people 'pickup your shovel, mount your ass, I will lead you to the promised land.
More recently, Pierre Trudeau told his people, drop your shovel, sit on your ass this is the promised land.
Today Jean Chretien has taxed my shovel, kicked my ass and is giving away the promised land.
I'm proud I'm Canadian, I'm glad I am free, but sometimes I feel like the Government's a dog and I am a tree."
I think its Carol Jameseson(James) head of the NDP in BC, I recal her being part of the school system in the 90's and a heavy handed and unstable then.. Perception is reality and unfortunately. the NDP is perceived as being more than capable of driving business out of Canada at a critical turning point in our place in the world economy. Bad decisions now will set the direction for Canada for the next 20 years. Personally, I think it is imperative that we have strong decisive leaders that will firmly entrench Canada in the global economy by stimulating investment, capitalizing on our natural resources and stop our slide into second world country status.
Having said all this, keep in mind that I could be talking out of my @$$ as usual.
[/b]Bob Rae isn't remembered fondly in Ontario.
Unfortunute for us all that ,because of the negative experience we all had when the NDP fumbled their way into near oblivion,most would transfer that (experience) to the Federal party,thereby guaranteeing,that we will have either another minority government or a majority Conservative government.
Bob Rae is a Rhodes scholar and if you have ever read any of his books or heard any of his post Premier interviews,it is truly too bad they fumbled the ball ,as given enough time to straighten the mess they created ,I believe we would have had a gentler and kinder Ontario and maybe would not be so afraid of dumping the Liberals and Conservatives into near oblivion for awhile,where they might learn that people are whom they should serve and not their corporate masters.
Have you slapped a Conservative or Liberal today!
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Originally posted by Hand of HecateOur Country is so ripe with resources such as lumber, oil, gas, etc., and with a population of just over 30 million to take care of, the government still feels the need to tax our brains out while healthcare and education continue to slide. I agree with you that the country needs to be more of a global force instead of being the 51st state but is Harper that man to lead this country into prosperity? God, I think not.
Personally, I think it is imperative that we have strong decisive leaders that will firmly entrench Canada in the global economy by stimulating investment, capitalizing on our natural resources and stop our slide into second world country status.
You get a rec for your brilliant poem.
Originally posted by darvlayI am somewhat distant from it as living in the US you'd honestly believe Canada fell off the map... definitely a problem staying in touch with Canadian events. Harper's probably not the man, but, damn someone has to do something productive with Canada. Taxes are higher than they should be, but the challenges in extracting the natural resources we have without doing irrepairable harm to the environment are extraordinary. Where do you get the money from to build the pulp & paper mills and mines, sponsor oil&gas exploration, etc...? As you pointed out we have a serious cash flow problem due to our small population.
Our Country is so ripe with resources such as lumber, oil, gas, etc., and with a population of just over 30 million to take care of, the government still feels the need to tax our brains out while healthcare and education continue to slide. I agree with you that the country needs to be more of a global force instead of being the 51st state but is Harper tha ...[text shortened]... lead this country into prosperity? God, I think not.
You get a rec for your brilliant poem.
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Originally posted by Hand of HecateI think it might be time for the left to scrap the NDP and consolidate all of the fringe parties in favour of a new party without all of the NDP's baggage. It certainly seems to be working for the former PC and Reform parties (now the Conservatives).
I've been away from Canadian politics for awhile, still my lasting impression of the NDP is whenever they get a modicum of power and authority the turn into blithering raving madmen. Complete with incredibly stupid antics the likes ...[text shortened]... , keep in mind that I could be talking out of my @$$ as usual.
As things are now, I wouldn't be surprised if the Liberals (who, for the benefit of any non-Canadian readers, are not all that liberal anymore) remain in power notwithstanding the massive corruption, if only because people don't believe the NDP can win and people don't trust the Conservatives. Also, the Liberals have been in power so long that there's not much experience in either the NDP or the Conservatives, and I'm a bit skeptical about the ability of either of these parties to run the country.
Originally posted by richjohnsonI don't know that getting rid of the old baggage is what the Conservatives can thank for their current fortunes. IMHO if the Reform party and everything that followed hadn't come to pass, the old PC party would stand a better chance today than the new Conservative that is to say Alliance that is to say Reform party. I think generally Canadians view the current party of the right as a bitter pill they may have to swallow to flush out the current regime which has hung around too long, gotten over-ripe and is really starting to smell.
I think it might be time for the left to scrap the NDP and consolidate all of the fringe parties in favour of a new party without all of the NDP's baggage. It certainly seems to be working for the former PC and Reform parties (now the Conservatives).
Originally posted by SkorjThank you all for a great thread. I have no contribution, but to say how great it is to be rid of the "quasi-religion" stuff we have suffered for so long.
I don't know that getting rid of the old baggage is what the Conservatives can thank for their current fortunes. IMHO if the Reform party and everything that followed hadn't come to pass, the old PC party would stand a better chance today than the new Conservative that is to say Alliance that is to say Reform party. I think generally Canadians view the curre ...[text shortened]... rent regime which has hung around too long, gotten over-ripe and is really starting to smell.
It's a sad damned world that makes one thankful for Canook political dialogue.😛😀