Where has the NDP been on the NI?

Whether Provincial or Federal, we (on the North Island) only ever see the NDP at campaign time. Our MLA might actually be dead - we wouldn't know - 'cause we literally haven't seen her for months! She attends nearly zero events and rarely has anything progressive to say - just criticisms, which are tired. If she is indeed deceased, my sincerest condolences to her next of kin.

When Federal NDP had a brief win, she was even more dead.

On the other hand, John Duncan has been very present, at community functions, and was successful at getting a load of $$ for some economic stimulus.

Yes, I'm making it pretty obvious who wins my vote - but I'm not going to pretend to hide my displeasure in the NDP.

Now let the crazy NDP lovin' TYEE bloggers have at it!!

Duncan sucks

A lot of boneheads live in this area,
people who think that fishfarms are good because they bring the occassional job.

People who see logging trucks thundering by, and see export of raw logs as an economic benefit.

And then of course there are the regular rednecks who could only vote for the dictator!

The fact the local industry is belly up and services slowly disappears does not worry the stalwarths.

lots to laugh about here...

But first...Andy, the candidate for the NDP last election is NOT the candidate for the NDP this election. Leonard sits on Courtenay city council, so I hardly think she would be hard to find.

Interesting that none of the candidates really took off on the unemployment issue, which is horrendous, for youth, for adults - but most especially for men and women over 50. The average wage is $10,000 LESS than the provincial average...and if homeless counts are correct, the percentage of homeless people in the riding is greater than in the downtown east side of Vancouver. Food banks and soup kitchens are overwhelmed with the demand for their services.
If Vancouver Island North is a microcosm of the province, we are in deep trouble.

The Harper gang has a great

The Harper gang has a great job creating theory and policy: More free trade with the EU and India and most likely with communist China, more "free movement of capital", sell Canada off to raise the imaginary GDP figures and create all kinds of jobs in other countries with Canadian resources.

Ed Deak.

As I see it Duncan is gonna

As I see it Duncan is gonna win cuz of 2 things. 1) The Liberal's have a strong candidate this time and there going to split the vote with the NDP. 2) Every day a lot of well-off-older-people (woofies) are moving into the Comox Valley who generally vote for the Cons. Since Duncan got re-elected in '08 he's been bringing in buckets of money from Ottawa and has been shoveling off the back of his truck. Every week you see his smiling mug (usually with his comical-side-kick-relief MLA Don McRea) in both of the local papers at some Government sponsered project. I know a lot of people here in the valley who only vote for their wallets. They think if a person votes for some other candidate then that's a wasted vote.

Went to an all candidates

Went to an all candidates meeting the other night and Duncan said quite a few times that nobody wanted this election. It seems that the Consevatives repeat this message time and time again. My question to Mr. Duncan and all the other Conservatives is; Since this is an election that nobody wants then are they suggesting that nobody should vote?

Van Isle

At least Duncan showed up ---- in a lot of other ridings the Con men are often no-shows:
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=654b937a-fd24-4f46-970b-14f954d49715&k=42038

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Vote2011/1239492.html

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Tory+incumbent+slammed+dodging+election+debate/4566318/story.html

Hate to rain on your parade

Hate to rain on your parade G but Duncan was a no-show at the student/elder college shin-dig a week ago.

what did he do for the people?

He did nothing that couldn't be considered making the rich richer or by another name corporate welfare
the disabled of one north island community would like to get into the post office but can't because the door doen't work for scooters That would be a simple matter

Vancouver Island North: the Lucky Lager Capital of Canada!

But they have a new Wal*Mart in the Campbell River Estuary! How Lucky can you get? Sorry. I am just jealous because CR still has a salmon fishery.

If the Tyee wants a real story, they should research the latest blow-up with the Regional Water Board and the Nile Creek Hatcheries. I guess the regional chairman just got his ass fired on Wednesday night and the community rallied behind the Nile Creek Enhancement Society. It was a blow for common sense against blind bureaucracy. Red faces all round on that one, gentlemen.

You got it straight from Fish-counter.

Whoops!

Ah well, Van Isle, I don't think it was much of a parade anyway; I was kinda damning with faint praise.

What is it with the Con men anyway?

How come they think think they don't even have to show up to get elected - or, more likely, they've been told to stay low, keep quiet and listen to what the BOSS is saying.

Did you see that utterly pathetic interview Pee Wee did with Mansbridge? The one where he's wearing a Canada Olympic sweater at a deserted hockey arena.

Duncan showed...

for the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board sponsored meeting last night. VIREB actually advertised themselves at the meeting - now that's class.

On a very positive note, G West and Ed and others: the event was livestreamed on the web and there were so many viewers they almost exceeded their capacity for viewing - and this while the hockey game was on. Funny, a lot of viewers considering the CONS keep saying Canadians didn't want this election...

Where to start?

As so many people here on thetyee have said, if we elect the conservatives to a majority we are in for a world of hurt. Sure they say they are going to improve health care and education, but they have had since 2004 to do it and all we hear is how poor we are as a nation and how much better off we would be if they give even more to the transnationals controlling us and the elections and everything else. My question; as so many here on the tyee have asked, is how long must we wait for a government which has our best interests at heart. I don't personally give a damn about fort macmurray or a pipeline to deliver OUR natural resources to China or wherever - what I have seen is people here in BC won't benefit, except for a few hundred jobs on the pipeline and a few dozen jobs in Kitimat once the pipeline is through. The risk? The risk is all ours, and as Harper has said he IS NOT against more oil tankers traversing the waters of BC, I can only understand that he doesn't live here and perhaps has never been to the North Coast with all the natural wonders it can provide. He is a politician who only wishes to sell our past and future in order to get elected.
It is all wrapped up in the banks and how Canada and every other part of the world; except countries like Libya, are entangled in their webs of deceit. Until you understand that foreign private banks control this country and America and just about every other country on the globe, it is pointless to even discuss economics. One of the few people here who 'gets it' is Fiat Lux insofar as he often maintains that the whole school of economics based on fractional banking is one big bust for all but the richest of the rich. Iceland is the only western country which has 'just said no' to bank leeches in the Western world. Of course in Africa, Gaddafi was the leader of a new movement which would surely have returned Africa to Africans, instead of setting them up for the profit and despoilation of foreign capitalists. That is why Libya was targeted by the CIA/Mossad for destruction. How can you purport to 'save' a country when you are at the same time raining down DU explosives in the name of 'Democracy'. Democracy doesn't exist here or anywhere else, so let the people live in peace for Chrissakes.
That fuckin Harper, with his war on Afghanistan and his war on Libya and his war on the environment of the West Coast of BC, should just sink back into the Christian right hole which spawned him. It's okay to be a Christian, but to be a 'reborn' Christian who believes that a wonderful afterlife awaits those who screw it up here on Earth, is just too freakin much. And to not have the plain decency to tell us the truth about the radiation landing on the shores and mountains and plains of BC is way beyond the pale. This government; which controls even the access of its members to the press, does not portend well for democracy.

As an aside

Libya has already offered peace terms which would include Gaddafi stepping down. The 'Western Powers' have no interest in that; what they want is control of Libyan banks and resources for the benefit of the richest of the rich who control Western politics. If we had the benefits which Gaddafi has given to the people of Libya; like free education through university, free health care with state of the art equipment, and direct payouts from the fortune of national resources, we would never even consider supporting the bombing of Libya, we would say, "Why the Fuck don't WE have these benefits?" That is what it is all about - the same reason private capitalist controlled governments like the one we live under very much fear even a particle of truth escaping from the current 'Democratic Paradigm'.

Libya and us

and insofar as 'Gaddafi was the leader of a new movement which would surely have returned Africa to Africans,' is concerned, please believe me when I tell you that not one nickel of those CIA directed profits from the usurpation of the rightful government Libya will go into the pocket of the Canadian working person. Far from it; they will be used to further enslave you to the 'moral' right of private profit over public interest. Gaddafi wanted to imbed in Africa the profits which have heretofore been going to private bankers. Profits which would have otherwise funded public hospitals, education, and infrastructure. What's hard to understand? Better public health care and education are the direct result of public ownership. No greedy middlemen. No insurance in the United States? $7000 for a two day stay to have a baby. Have you ever seen a private company trumpet the benefits of public health? Not in this lifetime, my friend. They would like to leave us as poor as Nigeria under the auspices of Shell; as unhealthy as Ecuador under the auspices of Chevron, as undemocratic as the influence of big business under the auspices of Stephan Harper in his unreal 'reborn Christian world.'
I know, it is hard to equate Gaddafi with rights for education and health care; but that is because the MSM has always equated Gaddafi with mass killings and so on. So I challenge anyone who is reading this to list the 'crimes' of Gaddafi, and contrast them with the real crimes of such as Kissinger or George Bush or the worm Obama. America is going to fall; the question is whether or not we wish to fall with them. Tied up in horse shit treaties which will give them equal rights to our oil and water and every other resource which we currently (sort of) possess. Now is the time for change, and the only change on offer is Jack Layton and the NDP.

Dear Editor, Do we have to

Dear Editor,

Do we have to put up with these ads pushing the products of Asian slave labour, even if they may carry the phony Maple Leaf ?

If the want to advertise, they have the way to pay for it in the proper place.

I've never heard, or seen, free advertising in the Letters columns of papers.

Ed Deak,

Fiat Lux / Ed Deak

They are a form a automated spam, the latest malevolent innovation to take advantage of a forum created with hard work and good faith by actual people with functioning consciences. We are working on a way to automatically block them. Until then, there will be a lag between when they go up (often middle of the night) and when a moderator finds them and goes to the trouble of deleting them.

Cons keep sayin'......

John Duncan ducks all candidates meetings, most of his communications are scripted and remote. Suits his core supporters just fine. But those are the only people he hangs out with so it's no surprise that he doesn't hear the desire for this election, and he's missing the boat with the sport fishermen over halibut quotas. Careful, John: they used to be your constituency.

Thumbnail: In rural areas there are far fewer Green signs than before (that is, there are almost none.) Not as many NDP signs as before but still vastly out-numbering Conservative signs, which indicates the NDP is husbanding their resources in places where they feel confident about their support. There are hardly any Liberal signs until you approach an urban area, where there seem to be way more Liberal signs than before. Of course urban areas are generally full of every party's signs. Most are Conservative but they are plastered over public spaces and roadsides, not so much on private lawns, where it appears the NDP has the edge.

Conclusion: Conservative incumbent John Duncan does not dare face potential criticism at all-candidates meetings and never responds to local issues, especially HST, fish quotas and fish farms. Liberals are making a bigger effort than they have in years which might threaten a clear NDP win. Greens appear to be shifting to the NDP at least for now, until May wins them a seat in Saanich-Gulf Islands....maybe.

needed election

I wanted this election ever since I saw how CHILDISH harpo was/is. I believe harpo's SULKING isn't how prime ministers should act. Shutting parliment down -
disrespecting the voters -
lies
scare tactics
shuttung down HEALTH CARE
FIRING a co-worker on false charges
buying PLANES with no engines
BROKEN submarines that are so broken down they can't be fixed
following americans ways
mean spirited

North Island

I live in Port Hardy and I must say after living here for 3 years I was unable to find out who the incumbant was. Keeps a pretty low profile. I have lived in many area's of BC but I have never seen an area that gets so little attention from any level of govt. The social problems in this area are unbelievable - the highest property crime rate in the province. There has to be some serious work done in this area and not just talk. I am in the housing business and I have never had to deal with a cliental who have no conception of how to live in a house properly or prevent themselves from destroying it. All levels of govt should be doing some serious training ect to help the people in this area. Alcholism and drug addiction are pretty much out of control. Local policing by the rcmp leaves a lot to be desired - maybe they don't have enough members here. If Mr Duncan walked the streets of this town he would be well aware of this problem - but that would mean an effort on his part. And the provincial govt should be doing much more to help the residents of the area. If nothing is done then I would be saddened for this beautiful area of the province

mct....You have to

mct....You have to understand that the main interest of the Harper Conservatives is to "create wealth" and raise the GDP.

And it makes no difference in whose pockets the "wealth" ends up, especially when they are "welcomed foreign investors"

The GDP is the most democratic accounting system, as it doesn't care who the beneficiaries are. As long as the government can report "growth" figures, people are welcomed to starve and sleep in the streets, because according to theory, they're "not productive", but foreign investors definitely are.

What this country needs are more "investors" from communist China, so we can afford to buy new fighter planes for "defence".

Ed Deak.

my apologies to Issac A

Little Steve Harper sat in his corner
Contemplating his latest dilema
Looking glum, feeling numb
With his thumb up his bum
This lad is in need of an enema!

Election 2011: Debate absenteeism

Election 2011: Debate absenteeism
April 22, 2011
An article By
Alheli Picazo

The current election campaign has seen an unprecedented number of candidates -- primarily Conservatives -- opting out of all-candidate forums, town hall events, and scheduled debates.

found @ http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/apicazo/2011/04/election-2011-debate-absenteeism

Seems by this article that to the best of their counts some 58 Con's, follow link above for their names, are refusing to show-up and which represents over a third of their federal riding's, this is not a democratic government it is a dictatorial Harper government! Surprise Harper failed to show up in his own riding Stephen Harper (CPC) - Calgary South West

BOO

WC Hermit has a nice little

WC Hermit has a nice little rhyme.If he showed up a Steve Boy event, he would be thrown out for sure. Steve Boy has a very select audience consisting of the salivating Cons who dearly want, but won't get a majority

'The salivating Cons"

Exactly, DPL.

It's all very tightly controlled now - that 'select' Con audience gave Harper a standing ovation yesterday to protect Stevie from having to answer an uncomfortable question by Terry Milewski.

I will never forget the sly dog smile on Harper's face - when his faithful all performed on cue....giving him his convenient exit, stage right.

It was chilling.

And the sight of Mr. H's Con-Gregation dutifully standing en masse, in absolute obedience - It was perverse and more than disturbing.

And highly reminiscent of ......need I go on?

Exactly lynn

If you go to this article

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/apicazo/2011/04/election-2011-debate-absenteeism

You will see that its not just Stephen but 57 of his running for the election con crowd refuse to go to unscripted, being the operational word here, town halls, all candidate forums and even scheduled debates!
So if their leader can't or they can't control the dialogue they are a now show! As far as I am concerned they will also be a no show when parliament sits again. Why should we elect bums who won't tell us what they will do for us, if we choose to elect them or even bother to listen to our concerns?

Yes Duncan SUCKS!!!

I've lived in Port Hardy for 16 years, crime rate is zero in the area where I live.
McTurp you say Hardy has the highest crime and addictions rate in BC, are you living on a reserve?
Port Hardy is surrounded by 3 First Nations reserves. John Duncan Minister of Indian Affairs, has done nothing to help them.
Harper may send a case of Bibles, but a treatment centre NO, job training NO, safe housing NO, food NO, more poverty YES!!!
We did get a 2km road upgraded and it looks like crap! And a dock was upgraded, it's nice!
Harper is going to spend Billions to protect the far North from invasion! What a pile of horse-crap paranoia!
If any country on Earth wants a piece of the far North then they walk in, buy a business license for $100 plus HST... and Harper will hand them a $100 million dollar loan guarantee, a tax rebate, and a blow-job. It's the conservative way!!!
What was I saying about Duncan Sucks???

To Driftwoods Posts

If any one still does not understand what driftwood is talking about, fractional reserve banking and all here is a website that was initiated by Andre Bernier, former member of parliament for Richmond-Wolfe, Hon. Paul Hellyer, former Minister of National Defense, Hon. Jack Murta, former Minister of State for Multiculturalism, Richard Priestman, past President of the Kingston Chapter of the Committee on Monetary and Economic Reform, Ray Stone, Broadcaster, and Keith Wilde PhD, economist, and a rapidly increasing number of concerned Canadians and others who are totally convinced that there will be no victory for the world until the high-flying privately-owned banks have their wings clipped permanently!

http://www.victoryfortheworld.net/

Your lives depend on this knowledge because Harp o and Iggy basically work for these leeches and care not for any of us. Go there prove it to yourself once and for all. For them its a three ring circus to entertain you because they are both globalists. Its been reported that Stevie was anointed at the globalist B'burger organization to be the one that destroys Canadian Sovereignty.

believe in the people

4watt I agree. If we were to be invaded over the northern border they would be aimimg a the USA I would think.
Duncan is interested in big business and corporate welfare

Harpo and gordo seem to have been schooled at the same think tank where its to hill with your neighbours unless they are rich

We need better health care even here. I heard the hospital was closed the other day and a person with a heart problem, died going to the next town 30 minutes away..I hope its not true... Why don't we have enough doctors in all communities of Canada