Harper's Plan to Make You Fear Minority Governments
He gummed up Parliament for a reason.
Scripting the carnival.
In the last election, the Paul Martin liberals used the tried and true "hidden agenda" attack on the Stephen Harper Conservatives and were gobsmacked to find the smear didn't stick. How could it?
Harper had been in the public eye too long. After years in Parliament, how hidden could anyone's agenda be? If Harper really had kept an agenda under wraps all those years, he probably would have forgotten it. Most of us can't even remember where we keep our car keys if we don't drive every day.
The media tarred Martin for running on yesterday's game plan, just as sports columnists blamed Leafs coach Pat Quinn for failing to adjust to the New NHL. But that hindsight insight hasn't stopped our favourite pundits from recycling slightly used storylines from the last two elections this time around.
So it is that the newspapers' collected wisdom once again is that winning polls are Harper's enemy, and that Harper himself will do all he can to downplay the Conservatives chances of forming a majority.
Which is strange, because if we look at another favourite media narrative, we might understand why this first one no longer holds true.
Minority mayhem?
Pundits have long parroted the idea that Harper plays politics as a chess match, several moves ahead, yet they seem almost impotent in applying that wisdom to actual events. In fact, while the opposition parties and media seem anxious to replay history, Harper has learned from it. In the previous two elections, when polls showed Harper flirting with majority territory, his support vanished. So, Harper understood he must make minority government itself unpalatable.
While the Harper communications cabal has shown itself tone-deaf in many instances, they have demonstrated one impressive ability: the understanding of how much the Canadian voters will retain from non-election political news. They have taken advantage of this by stonewalling accusations from the in-and-out affair, Cadman, Julie Couillard, and other instances, knowing headlines will read: "Opposition attacks, Government denies." And they know that, without bending or admitting anything, that is all that Canadians will remember.
The example that is relevant here is the Harper efforts to turn minority Parliament into the dysfunctional House of Ill Repute. With much of Harper's famous priorities carried through Parliament early in their tenure, Canadians could easily have been convinced that minority parliaments can work. We have the history to back that up, with much of the beloved Pearson's headline accomplishments coming from a minority government: universal health care, the maple leaf flag, and the Canada Pension Plan.
Taking Parliament apart
Harper was getting things done in his minority, and, many Canadians thought, was forced to hold his party's more radical influences in check. Many Canadians liked the idea of forced restraint. Minority government, Canadians might believe, was safe and efficient.
And so, Harper went about changing those psychological associations. After covering the more straightforward side of his legislative slate, Harper went to the task of taking Parliament apart. The Liberals were happy to play into his hands, and with the two sides equally up for the task, Parliament descended into the chaos and obnoxiousness of a schoolyard.
Committees devolved into circuses -- and Harper's central office provided the carnival program, newly written How-To guides for disrupting committees. All sides put their worst faces forward; venom, mud and spit flew.
But voters, the Conservatives reasoned, would blame no party more or less than any other for the mess. What they would remember was the mess.
Cynical, but effective
That is the association most Canadians have with minority government now. Outside Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Canadians are no longer scared of a Harper majority. Many are desperate for it to rescue Parliament from its embarrassing descent into the gutter.
It's cynical, to be sure, but if we don't see the near 40 per cent support for the Conservatives drop any time soon, it will indicate that the prime minister has been successful in destroying the bogeyman of Conservative majority by displacing it with instinctive repulsion for minority rule.
Related Tyee stories:
- Harper, Bush Share Roots in Controversial Philosophy
Close advisers schooled in 'the noble lie' and 'regime change.' - Turning Back Harper
To deny Tories a majority, how best to vote? - Harper targets NDP's Layton with forest policy attack
Reported on The Hook.
![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
seth
25-09-2008
Scared - you bet
Oddly just out is a book by Thomas Frank, The Wrecking Crew - How Neocons wreck public service. By rendering public institutions ineffective, Harper's neocons can push their corporate agendas.
Harper wouldn't be anywhere near he is in the polls if it wasn't for either a criminally incompetent or incredibly Machiavellian corporate press. 30 sec sound bites, catchy slogans, pitching a amusing pillow fight between two nerds both of whom would have been daily targets for high school bullies. Harpers hidden agenda is wide open for all to see in US George Bush, Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee. Religious based science, neocon failed economic policies all documented in Harpers earlier speeches none of it is reported. At least 70 religious fundamentalists MPs with who knows more to come - no reporting on this. Muzzled Neocon candidates - oh well no problem less work you see. The great corporate takeover of Canadian media has led us to this.
On the other side, we have brainless fools in the Green party who instead of working inside the Liberal and NDP for greener policies had to start their own party and pushed by the Neocon media will split the vote so badly that the two thirds of Canadians who hate Neocons will none the less have a Neocon government. The most environmentally unfriendly government in Canadian history given a majority license to destroy the environment by the Greens. Their US branch Ralph Nader gave George Bush an 8 years license to gut the US environment and kill a million Iraqis.
Scared you bet.
vegguy
25-09-2008
Fear and Shame - The Harper legacy
for me, Harper has made Conservative government minority or majority, unpalatable.
He is an extremely dishonest man surrounded by dishonest minions most of whom are bought and paid for by wealthy corporate interests.
I truly believe that another term with Harper will be destructive for our country. If he gets a majority, it marks the end. Within 4 years we may still be a country in name but in fact we will be annexed by US corporate interests.
Mulroney nearly destroyed Canadian independence and escaped justice.
Harper is destined to make Mulroney appear to be the 2nd worst PM we have ever had.
This is not the party of honourable men who cared about the country - Diefenbakker, Clark etc. This is a party of evil feeders at the trough.
Some (like Gary Lunn and certainly Bush wannabee Harper) should probably be charged for their betrayal of trust.
What a disease has taken over the right side of the spectrum. This is extreme Reform - not Progressive Conservative.
tessa
25-09-2008
Only one problem
it's not true. Polls show more Canadians are uncomfortable than comfortable with a Harper majority: http://www.nanosresearch.com/library/polls/POLNAT-SU08-T325E.pdf
Also, according to the most Conservative friendly polls, the Conservatives are still falling slightly to that 36 per cent area they won last time: http://www.harrisdecima.com/en/downloads/pdf/news_releases/080925E.pdf
It may be Harper's intention to change perceptions, but if so it isn't working too well. But don't let those pesky facts get in the way of a good story.
siamdave
26-09-2008
speaking of the media and the election -
The Canadian Media and the 2008 Election: Reporting or Managing?
Do the Canadian media provide their faithful followers with the information they require to make properly informed decisions on election candidates and issues, as a reliable media, responsible to the citizens of their country, are expected to do? Or are they more in the business of herding their readers like trusting sheep in a certain direction by en masse spinning of some things, and putting other important issues behind a 'we're not talking about this, nothing interesting here!!' curtain, thus creating a false picture of Canadian society, in short, creating a false narrative which will soon become a false history, a narrative which has only a loose connection with 'realpolitik' reality but one which justifies certain actions or policies (or lack thereof) by the government?
Full article at http://www.rudemacedon.ca/lgi/media-narrative.html
aenea
26-09-2008
I would disagree
As a Southern Ontarion (Guelph), it seems to me that the Conservatives are playing up the "well, we'll only be a minority so we won't do much harm" here card, rather than "minority governments are bad". I live in a relatively liberal (small l)riding , which although we have certainly elected (small C) conservatives over the year tends to lean to the left. Before Harper chickened out of the fall by-elections and called a general election there was a real chance that Guelph was going to go Green in our by-election (and hopefully still might).
People here have not forgotten the Mulroney years (federal), or the Mike Harris years (provincial). Although in some polls Gloria Kovach (who is a perfectly decent candidate by anyone's standards- she's done a lot for Guelph) is doing acceptably well, it seems that everyone I've talked to here is much less afraid of any minority government than a majority Conservative mandate. Since our by-election was called I've lived in one of the poorest areas of Guelph as one of the richest, and even the people who have Conservative signs in front of their houses are not happy about the idea of a Harper majority.
If he's trying to put out the message that a majority Conservative government is better than a minority one, he seems to definitely be failing here, at least.
Fiat lux
26-09-2008
I is hardly the neocon, but
I is hardly the neocon, but the multinational corporate mafia's takeover of Canada.
The USA has been bankrupt for years, with some $60 trillion in the hole, the EU has been living off energy theft from other countries for 500 years, as it has no resources to survive on in case of a depression. I grew up in Europe during the Great Depression and know what it was like.
Both sides are counting on a Harper majority to sell them Canada, which could balance the books and ensure the total ownership and exploitation of this country.
A "summit" with the EU is scheduled for Oct17, 3 days after the election, counting on a Harper majority for the completion of the sale through "deep integration" into that overpopulated mess, now with 50% more people than during the 30s.
Ed Deak. Big Lake.
Dr Alexander
26-09-2008
Fiat lux .. more info on the EU summit
Wow. This is something that I missed on my radar. Can you provide a bit more info if possible?
Alex
ripponfalls
26-09-2008
ABC
In any riding held by a conservative, Vote for whoever was in second place in the previous election.
In any riding not held by a conservative, vote for the incumbent party...
sorry, Greens, but your election isn't going to happen this time.
Frank
26-09-2008
Dr Alexander
From the gov't website
http://international.gc.ca/missions/eu-ue/summits_sommets/summit_montreal-2008_sommet-eng.asp
The Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/subscribe?user_URL=http://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FRTGAM.20080918.wtrade18%2FBNStory%2FInternational%2Fhome&ord=37466605&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true
Andrew Coyne's blog
http://blog.macleans.ca/2008/09/18/the-crossroads-of-international-trade/
Lots of other info out there
Frank
26-09-2008
From Coyne's blog
It also brings with it the usual benefits of free trade, notably cheaper prices and greater selection for consumers. And this:
"The proposed pact would far exceed the scope of older agreements such as NAFTA by encompassing not only unrestricted trade in goods, services and investment and the removal of tariffs, but also the free movement of skilled people and an open market in government services and procurement – which would require that Canadian governments allow European companies to bid as equals on government contracts for both goods and services and end the favouring of local or national providers of public-sector services."
Cynic
26-09-2008
Ah yes, the wonderful Mr.
Ah yes, the wonderful Mr. Coyne. Elite son and perception manager par excellence. Touting the "benefits" of "free" trade while ignoring the human cost. As a graduate of the LSE he is, like Harper, a purveyor of elite propaganda, infecting our minds so effectively that most of us haven't a clue about what's going on even though it's on display everywhere.
And these people are our leaders. Look at Harper talking about the arts the other day. What an intellectually and spiritually stunted person he is. Yet many of us are going to vote for this petty tyrant. Oh woe is me! I despair for my country.
Bobb999
26-09-2008
Tessa's right, fears of Cons majority rising
I agree with Tessa polling evidence suggests a large and growing segment of Canadians are frightened of a Harper majority.
Quebec voters particularly, which Harper needs desperately for his majority, have become much more fearful this past week of a Cons majority, partly based on his arts funding cuts (an identity issue among Francophones), and his "get tough on 14 year old offenders" plank (unpopular in Quebec, which ascribes to rehab. of young offenders, not max. punishment from dungeon-master Harper).
This fear of majority gov't has now turned the tide AGAINST Harper in Quebec, and toward the BQ, whose #s are rising fast.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/CanadaVotes/News/2008/09/25/6875726-cp.html
QUOTE: Pollster suggests effort underway in Quebec to prevent Conservative majority
By Peter Rakobowchuk, THE CANADIAN PRESS
2008-09-25
MONTREAL - A jump in support for the Bloc Quebecois in recent opinion polls can be attributed to concerns in Quebec about the possibility of a majority Conservative government, says a senior pollster.
A Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey conducted Sept. 21-24 suggested Bloc support stood at 39 per cent, compared with 23 per cent for the Tories, 17 per cent for the Liberals and 12 per cent for the NDP.
The survey of 307 Quebeckers has a margin of error of 5.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, and is part of a rolling poll of 1,243 Canadians across the country.
A similar poll conducted Sept. 18-21 suggested 30 per cent of Quebecers backed the Bloc, 24 per cent the Tories, 19 per cent the Liberals and 16 per cent the NDP.
Harris-Decima vice-president Alain Cusson said the spike in Bloc support is the result of a concerted movement in Quebec to prevent a Tory majority on Oct. 14...
Jerry Boyle
26-09-2008
Crowd-sourcing Dissent
Howdy friends!
With less than 3 weeks left until the federal vote, I’d like to invite everyone to participate in a little electoral mischief.
The idea is to undermine Stephen Harper's control over his image through creative vandalism, to rebrand him through a grassroots, viral and distributed stickering campaign.
I’ve created various promo stickers combining Harper's blandly psychotic face with micro-slogans pitched somewhere between intrigue and mockery. ("Dinosaurs don't evolve" "Alberta Taliban" "Blue Sweater, Black Heart" etc.) Examples are posted on my Facebook wall, and can be downloaded from the link at the end of this message.
Participation is dead easy:
1. Download the microsoft word files from the link at the end of this message. Each one is a page of stickers.
2. Print the stickers on standard 4” x 3 1/3" Avery inkjet labels (label ID# 05164, 6 per sheet, box of 100 sheets runs about $35)
3. If you want to get creative, download the original photoshop files and tweak the stickers to taste. Change the slogan, swap the picture, add colour, or whatever else you think might make for a punchy message. If you're inclined, make your new design available on the Facebook Group "Canadians United Against Steven Harper" under the Discussion Board Topic "Sticker Virus"
Please forward this message to anyone you think might be sympathetic. I consider it a non-partisan effort motivated by a revulsion for Stephen Harper which transcends political affiliations.
Unlike Harper, most people can't afford to buy airtime for TV ads. This is a way almost anyone can get their message out there for a very small cost. But it needs people to get involved. As one person, I doubt I can have much impact with 600 stickers. But if it caught on with say 2000 people? That's 2000 x 600 doses of ridicule; 1.2 million cracks in Harper's smooth and brittle facade.
Best Regards,
--Jerry Boyle
-------------------------
-------------------------
All files can be downloaded from the following location:
http://cid-77af7031225d3858.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Stickers
More complete details in the FaceBook Group "Canadians United Against Steven Harper", under discussion topic "Sticker Virus":
http://www.new.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=29529380865&topic=5959
Fiat lux
26-09-2008
The biggest and worst joke
The biggest and worst joke about this EU integration is that with Canadian industries
destroyed by the NAFTA, Canada has nothing to sell except resources, and the country itself.
As we can see every day with multinational carpetbaggers taking over and controlling all our economy from abroad.
But according to the Harper gang this is supposed to be "wealth creating foreign investment", as we watch a line of Arrow Transfer trucks taking our capital, from the Polley copper mine, to the seaports, allegedly at half million bucks per load.
And our brainwashed economists, and politicians on the take, are calling this organized robbery GDP and Growth.
Ed Deak.
BrianWhite
26-09-2008
Green truth.
"On the other side, we have brainless fools in the Green party who instead of working inside the Liberal and NDP for greener policies had to start their own party"
Buddy, you are denying people freedom of association.
It is YOUR job in the NDP and federal liberal partys to change the RULES to allow them to get elected and sit and vote on YOUR side of the house. Then and only then will you have done your duty by the majority of candians who do not want harper in power.
NDP has had lots of chances to do it at provincial level. They could have brought in PR (but didn't) oodles of times and in BC they are opposed to PR when it comes up for referendum next year.
Having said that, I would ask greens, and ndp and federal liberals to give their vote to whichever local candidate is most likely to beat the local Conservative.
First past the post is not fair.
Sometimes you got to lose to beat the badder foe.
Harper unleashed with a majority will turn this country into a true hell of the north.
We are entering a great depression.
Having that tight fisted brute holding the pursestrings in a depression is a really bad idea. People will suffer enough without scrooge being in charge of the kitchen.
Brian
snert
26-09-2008
Hmmmm?
Free trade with Europe, whatever it takes to get off the US tit. We have to watch out that it's not at all costs though.
Fiat lux
26-09-2008
Free trade with what ? What
Free trade with what ?
What do we have to sell, except our capital, infrastructure and country?
Canada is the richest country on Earth and could easily become self sufficient to the greatest degree, instead of selling ourselves with nothing left to our descendants.
This propaganda of being a "trading country" is nothing more that the road to incompetence, colonization and slavery.
Ed Deak.
snert
26-09-2008
Ed
You are making a big assumption that self sufficiency is the only noble goal on the planet. It's not. Learn to live with it.
Noble goals don't do you a damned bit of good if all you have to eat is turnips all year because your tomato crop got drowned out.
The brain
26-09-2008
The media fix is in
http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2008/01/16/CRTCRuling/
With Canwest/Rogers Cable/CTV Globemedia/Reuters & Thompson gaining huge from the CRTC Harper controlled ruling in favor of larger market share for the above named media (which is cross owned, I'll explain with links below), Harper gets pieced off with a majority as a reward and if Harper gets rid of the CBC, he gets another majority for even further market share of essentially two corporate entities (Can West/Reuter & Thompson). The links below remind viewers of the dangers to media concentration and media oligarchies in Canada.
http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2007/09/17/BigMediaShowdown/
http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2007/07/16/CanadiansWantMediaChoice/
The fix is in. Media has got this election rigged but to see just how rigged it is and who benefits, one has to follow the ownership/power/money trail.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters
Its important to read Reuters history and Thompsons, to get a feel for where media is going.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thomson_Corporation
This second link has this information, a list of directors that is the “who’s who” in the old boys room. A clip:
Members of the last board of directors of Thomson were: David K.R. Thomson (chairman of the board since 2002), W. Geoffrey Beattie, Richard Harrington, Ron Barbaro, Mary Cirillo, Robert Daleo, Steven Denning, Maureen Darkes, Roger Martin, Vance Opperman, John M. Thompson, Peter Thomson, Richard Thomson, and John A. Tory.
The Thomson family owned 70 percent of the company.[3]
When Kenneth Thomson died in June 2006, control of the family fortune passed on to David K.R. Thomson under a plan put together decades earlier by company founder Roy Thomson.[3]
The Thomson family controlled The Thomson Corporation through a family-owned entity, The Woodbridge Company, based in Toronto. (Along with 70 percent of Thomson Corporation, Woodbridge also owns a 40 percent stake in CTVglobemedia, which now owns The Globe and Mail daily newspaper in Toronto and CTV, Canada’s largest commercial TV network.) David K.R. Thomson and his brother, Peter J. Thomson, became co-chairmen of Woodbridge on their father’s death.[3]
The question… you should all be asking is… “who is John Tory”?
Does “Tory” ring a bell? You know, “the Tories as in the Conservatives?”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_A._Tory
He is the father of Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leader John H. Tory.
The brain
26-09-2008
The media fix is in (cont.)
Considering the bias media coming from the Woodbridge company that Reuters/Thomson now owns…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Woodbridge_Company
A clip:
The Woodbridge Company Limited is a Canadian private holding company and the principal and controlling shareholder (53 percent) of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters was formed in 2008 when The Thomson Corporation, a world leader in providing integrated information solutions, acquired Reuters.
Woodbridge is the primary investment vehicle for members of the family of the late Roy Thomson, the first Lord Thomson of Fleet.
Woodbridge also owns the largest (40 percent) interest in CTVglobemedia, a Canadian multimedia company with ownership of CTV and The Globe and Mail. CTV owns and operates 27 conventional stations, with interests in 35 specialty channels, including TSN. CTVglobemedia also owns the CHUM Radio Division, which operates 35 radio stations throughout Canada. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and the Air Canada Centre.
We are seeing an almalgamation of media ownership here that is now global. Reuters is world wide. Even FOX news, the U.S. Republican channel, is part owned through what has become one of the largest if not thee largest media outlet in the world. (Reuters/Thompson profited 7 billion last year)
They could very well now be one of the three largest media giants in the world and their view is a Conservative one, all the way.
The brain
26-09-2008
The media fix is in (cont.)
So is the fix in? CTV, Rogers Cable, the globe and mail… not to mention the Lenard Aspers favoring of Harper with every speech he’s ever made in this nation, now we can include Can West Global:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CanWest
And who is Can West?
Publishing:
National Post
St. John's Telegram
Montreal Gazette
Ottawa Citizen
Windsor Star
Regina Leader Post
Saskatoon Star Phoenix
Calgary Herald
Edmonton Journal
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Province
Victoria Times-Colonist
Other Publications
The Van Net Newspaper Group
The Vancouver Island Newspaper Group
Windsor-Essex Community Papers
Television:
Global Television Network
CH Hamilton
CH Vancouver Island
CH in Montreal
CHBC - Kelowna, British Columbia
CKRD - Red Deer, Alberta
Prime TV
Men TV
Mystery
DejaView
Lonestar
Fox Sportsworld Canada
Xtreme Sports
If anyone ever took the time to read these links, they would easily see why the fix is in and why Harper wants the CBC gone from existence in a big bad way (and why he labels the oppostion as anti-semites and favored the Israili position with the Israeli/Lebanon conflict so unashamedly).
Harper is a media puppet, a big oil puppet, the last people he serves is the average Canadian.
What can I say? The media fix is in and it shows with crank polls and ugly media bias coverage where damaging news to the Conservative brand gets buried and opinion pieces reveal pure bias.
The media fix is in.
Jaw dropping, isn’t it?
This one should be spammed over, and over… and over… we wonder why free news like the Tyee is so valuable...
alive
26-09-2008
Greens are neocons
"It is YOUR job in the NDP and federal liberal partys to change the RULES to allow them to get elected and sit and vote on YOUR side of the house."
What gave you the idea that the greens are in any way left, or left of centre?
A few have migrated to the NDP and got themselves nominated, and look what that brought on! they had to resign their candidacy!
Fiat lux
26-09-2008
Total self sufficiency is an
Total self sufficiency is an impossible and foolish dream
But there are many ways to achieve a great degree of self sufficiency from the family to the national level.
We've been working on this ever since WW2, when we saw what happened to people, including ourselves, who had to rely on outside supplies and services and have built up a great degree of self sufficiency.
Now, in our old age we can comfortably live on an income where many people are forced to eat dogfood.
Canada was doing very well, building up domestic industries by the thousands in the 50s and 60s, there were no homeless and foodbanks.
All this has been destroyed by fraudulent free trade, to force people off the land and out of manufacturing industries, and into mega cities, where they're forced to buy everything from the biggest crooks in history, with prices rising every day.
We never went on Hawaiian and European holidays, but we have 3 large freezers and and a large root cellar full of the best organic foods and meats, workshops where we can build just about anything.
We still have to buy bananas and many things, but we can afford the best from
our pensions.
This is what self sufficiency is about.
Ed Deak.
ME2
26-09-2008
Re Snert on "self-sufficiency"
Yes, Snert, and if the Saudis had looked for "investors" to buy and own their oil patch, they wouldn't now be trying to find ways (besides hoarding Gold) to spend the enormous surplus wealth they've accumulated.
Instead, they'd be sucking up to the Europeans too, trying to find some way to stave off the hardship our American investors will be bringing us when they're forced to call in the debt they've laid on us.
Yep, this no-fault Capitalism sure is great for us investors.
Machiatto
26-09-2008
Cynical or cyclical?
Hard to tell. Funny thing. As much as I agree with the tone and rhetoric as absolutely true...sometimes though all of this seems a little like preaching to the choir so to speak.
Or maybe I have been online too long-lol
I mean we all gravitate HERE towards against what we see an idealogue, but that doesnt stop us from having ideals. What matters more than "IDEAS!" is integrity, principles and leadership. (Pardon me for thinking out loud too Harper!)
The 'other side' will never get the message they are too busy being dumbed down by media "campaign" driven "strategy" ads or padding down their ears with stuffing.
Here in Prince George, the incumbent leader for the PC Party had the audacity to point to a hundred billion dollar spending plan over the next decade through 'Building Canada' and remark in the very next sentence how helpful that will be in assisting with the deficit!
So I kid you not, this is serious stuff! How do you figure spending like a runaway train, as IF our economy is exactly figuratively on steroids in the shadow of our economically trembling big trading pard next door. And also hey, dream big why not: cut taxes in the process? ? And reducing the deficit!?
Give me a break! I just hope people understand.
Tyee is great stuff. Take good care out there folks
Fiat lux
27-09-2008
Well, Machiatto, how do we
Well, Machiatto, how do we get rid of that warmed up, but useless yes-man Reform fossil Dick Harris, perennially reelected in 3 union towns: Pr.George, Quesnel and Williams Lake?
I've never been a member of a union, but I'm wondering how on Earth that do nothing fossil, backing up the old "right to work"
platform of Reform, and negotiations for the "free movement of labour", can be voted for by thousands of unionists with their jobs and incomes at stake?
The only real thing about that guy is his first name.
We had a chance to meet Bev Collins, running against him. What a difference!
We were highly impressed with her personality, record of accomplishments and dedication. She'll definitely get our vote and all the help we can give to get real representation in Ottawa,for a change, not just somebody sleeping it off and only jump up to say "Yea", following the orders of his great leader Harper.
Ed Deak.
crh
27-09-2008
foot in mouth disease
As the realization hits home for the conservatives that his popularity is falling, watch for more stupid sound bites coming from Harper. He just can't help it. He is a neo-con after all.
Yesterday, he provided a real goodie. He claimed that Dion is gleefully wishing for a recession on our country in order to prove Harper incompetent at managing economic affairs. Really delivered it with anger and meaning, not his usual in control, forced smile. Dion's reply was delivered with the same anger and meaning, which ironically is what he needs more of. Score one for Dion.
Bailey
27-09-2008
I promise I'll believe
I've been watching all this jiggery and pokery for a long time, and I think I really do understand most of it. But there is one thing that really stumps me.
Maybe somebody can help me figure out why we put up with the constant lies.
I watched some of the debate from America the Gullible the other night. I've been watching the feds, all of them, producing slogans and sound bites. And of course the provincial race is just as rich a source of bullshit as ever. Then the recent municipal campaigns need no further comment.
So when the hell are we ever going to just stop this. Just call it what it is and dump these lying bozos.
If anyone can give me any single example of any candidate in any race at any level, or any leader of any stripe for that matter, telling the truth about anything at all, in any public forum, I would dearly love to hear it.
Anybody? Anything at all will do. I mean I've seen these people lie about the weather, fergawdsake. So don't be shy. Any trivial truth on any subject would surprise me. I need a list to help me figure this out. I already have a list of lies and frauds to set it against.
Help me out here?
BrianWhite
27-09-2008
Your comment is in poor taste.
If you wish to discredit your party further, continue on with these jibes.
The NDP should vet their candidates properly.
West has decent policics as far as i am concerned.
But that incident in the past, regardless of what is proven or not, made for a timebomb and for HUGE damage to NDP credibility.
And do you really think the Lunn campaign did not know about this incident? If polls showed West lead Lunn, his campaign would have waited till the last few hours of polling to announce it!
(So that just enough of his vote would go to penn that they would both lose)
The NDP brass should have recognised it and asked him not to go for nomination.
I am sure that with hindsight, he is probably agreeing on that point. He could have been an excellent backroom worker because the guy is really smart.Now that posibility is all in ruins too.
I spoke to him once, really smart guy, but the past is the past and it comes back for visits at bad times.
"What gave you the idea that the greens are in any way left, or left of centre?
A few have migrated to the NDP and got themselves nominated, and look what that brought on! they had to resign their candidacy!"
realisticman
27-09-2008
Julian's Stiff Sentence
Getting back to nature and the nitty-gritty - with his little peccadillo.
Mr. West was one of several invited speakers.
In a statement, which they say is almost identical to the letter they e-mailed to Mr. Layton on Monday, the women write: "We are speaking out as witnesses of the incident and participants of the youth-lead environmental conference, which took place in May 1996 in Cowichan Lake. Mr. West was invited to speak as the local Green Party representative at the conference. At one point during the conference, he removed all of his clothing and stood naked, with an erection, in front of a large group of young women aged 14-17 years. The youth were face painting at the time and were completely clothed. Mr. West was participating in the activity when he said, 'Why stop here,' then removed all of his clothing."
The women said Mr. West left only after "an emotional and dramatic outcry from the participants."
Mr. West was not available for comment yesterday.
In an interview, Ms. Jones said she and many of the other girls there "were scared and shocked" by the incident and many are still troubled by the memory of it.
Ms. Gnyp said she is disappointed that Mr. Layton has not responded to their letter yet and the only statement he's made has been in support of Mr. West.
"If he's still supporting West, I'm confused on where he stands on women's rights," she said.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080925.BCNDP25/TPStory/National
Frank
27-09-2008
Mud throwing
Since we're in the gutter, how are the COns doing with their campaign to blame non-white peopel for all the crime in Canada? Normally they just blame the natives, but now they've expanded their target.
Harper however sees nothing wrong with attacking immigrants, its Conservative boiler-plate after all, so he said Canadians don't care anyway and let his candidate continue to stand for the party.
Or how about the Liberals and their belief that Jews were warned about the attack on the World Trade Centre? At least DIon distanced himself from his candidate and made her step down.
Frank
27-09-2008
Brian White
Sure it did, that's why the NDP is up in every poll since the resignation.
Frank
27-09-2008
Thanks for your support
The NDP is up 5 points in Ontario in just a week according to Decima. Perhaps that's because unlike Harper, Jack asks his candidates to resign when they say or do something stupid.
(In the Conservative case it should be noted they're not allowed to speak, but its sure fun when they do)
Frank
27-09-2008
Why does Harpoer fear Canadians?
Instead, their "priority is in the local ridings" they represent, Kory Teneycke said last week.
A more pressing problem, however, appears to lie with local Tory candidates who won't appear at local events or speak to local media.
http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/507466
The brain
27-09-2008
Hi, Bobb999. Hey Frank!
Frank... I know your NDP, but I want you to know something.
Harper and Layton cut a deal. All you have to do is look at the daily headlines at www.msn.ca to see it. Layton is being treated... favorably while Dion is portrayed negatively. Regardless of what you might believe or assume, the media bias is there and the implications are that Jack Layton and the NDP wish to take over 2nd spot as opposition even if it means a Harper majority and Frank...
Thats what it means. And its not hard to extrapolate from there what that means... it means that Jack Layton and the NDP are willing to put this nation through a Harper majority government for self gain.
Do you have any idea how much misery Harper will cause with a Conservative majority? I know you once stated over and over that you prefered ruin and chaos to engrain into the minds of the people just what happens when a democracy becomes too disengaged to vote for whats best for consumers, workers, the environment, liberty and individual freedoms. I'm really hoping you've changed your views from 2 years ago because you are looking at a party that is paving the way to do just that under Layton's leadership... for self gain. Frank, thats morally wrong. Thats like saying one has to be evil to be good. It reeks of vengance at the heavy cost of the innocent.
Liz May said on Thursday that she would prefer the Greens did not capture one vote if it meant Harper would not be able to form the next government. Guess what, Frank. Duceppe said the same thing today. Both are saying vote ABC. Dion will be saying the same thing within days due to the polls. All three parties will be saying, "vote for the candidate that is best in your riding that is ABC." And if voters do, voters will win because they really will get the best candidates out there elected if they become engaged and candidates become the focus.
You know who won't be saying that?
Jack Layton. Read my above links and educate yourself and acknowledge it. Layton and Harper cut a deal with one goal in mind. Destroy the Liberal party and ensure 2 Harper majoritys with media propaganda in return for a destroyed CBC and increased market share going to just two entities that will control all media.
Oh... and do you think Jack Layton is smart enough and capable enough to fight a Harper controlled media from there? Think.
Good to be back and read your words again, Bobb999. You too, Frank! :-)
Frank
27-09-2008
The brain
Hey Lorne! Nice to see the election brought you back to these pages again, welcome back!
As for your point, are you saying that unlike the Liberals we New Democrats are interested only in the gains of our party?
Do you know that Iggy and Bob Rae, among others, have been calling on NDPers and Greens to support the Liberals yet again as they have for decades? Sounds to me like they're putting their party first, wouldn't you agree?
As for Liz May, she changed her mind immediately after she said that and the Green Party put out a statement saying their supporters should not vote strategically. Sounds to me like they're putting their party first too.
Dion is an "ABC" guy because his party is the party that would benefit from an ABC campaign in Quebec. Again, he's putting his party first.
What you're asking is that Jack be the only leader that doesn't.
Personally, I'd rather that Jack and the NDP were the official opposition as the Liberals either abstained or voted with Harper while he was in power.
Look at the momentum Lorne, its with the NDP and Greens. The Libs and Cons have peaked. Neither is going to get any stronger (although the Cons will if the Libs collapse completely and their right-wing voters move to Harper).
Frank
27-09-2008
Media bias
As for the media, where has Layton got good press? I don't mean an article shocked about the NDP and the Libs being tied nationally, I mean an article that's pro-Layton. There must be one out there but I can't think of it off-hand.
The Libs have benefitted from glowing endorsements on everything they do for decades, they should be the last party to claim the media is biased against them.
Fiat lux
27-09-2008
All this is empty talk. It
All this is empty talk. It makes little, or no difference who, or what party finishes second, or third.
If Harper gets a majority, he'll sell Canada off in 2 years and we'll be under a multinational corporate dictatorship.
Ed Deak.
lynn
27-09-2008
Beset by Betrayal
Re: The Liberal Party.
It's been over for quite some time now.
More about betrayal from within - by the inside guys who work for the outside guys...and who are beholden to their special friends, both far, near and corporate dear A process of infiltration and decimation.
One only has to look at who is in charge of Dion's campaign. The question is: Are they there to help him win.... or to help him lose? Not a tough won to call.
..... Same scenario was played out years ago with The BCLiberals ....same connections, same devious methods used to betray and dismantle all traces of the liberal element from within - ousting the more traditionally progressive, more socially-oriented policies of Liberal, Gordon Wilson for the neo-con extremist, Gordon Campbell.
It's about setting up Canada from within....like dominoes that will fall.....all according to plan.
A coup that has gone to great lengths not to look like one.
Intentionally undercover....and intentionally under the public radar.
The Liberal Party hasn't existed for years, provincially or nationally.
In name only and that's about all.
(Nice to see you back, The brain. Great comments on media monopoly.)
Frank
27-09-2008
This is pretty funny, unless you're a Conservative
Conservative Candidate Calls Refugees “Criminals and Terrorists”
September 27, 2008
Conservative candidate calls refugees “criminals and terrorists”
What Stephen Harper doesn’t want you to know about Alice Wong
RICHMOND – During Stephen Harper’s secret “press conference” in Richmond BC, local candidate Alice Wong was not permitted to answer any questions from the press.
Now we know why…
In a statement titled “The Reason Why I am in Politics”, Richmond Conservative candidate Alice Wong makes a shocking series of offensive statements equating refugees with criminals and terrorists, claiming that gambling is promoted to increase both sexual promiscuity and multiple sexual behaviours, and attacking a women’s right to choose.
Translated excerpts from ‘The Reason Why I am in Politics” by Alice Wong, Chinese Christian Herald Monthly, June 2004:
“… the refugee program is intended for humanitarian reasons, is now a warm bed by criminals and terrorists.”
“…gambling can cause one to lost their life savings, and it is promoted for increasing revenue, promiscuous sexual behavior, multiple sexual behaviors and one night stands are causes of STDs, and is promoted in the name of freedom…”
“…abortions causes bodily harm, and is promoted as a right of woman, anyway it want…”
“…I felt I have a calling from heaven, and by faith, I entered the dark complicated world of politics.”
Original Chinese article and English Translation: http://www.teambc.ca/2008/09/27/conservative-candidate-calls-refugees-criminals-and-terrorists/
zalm
27-09-2008
Funny my a**
Darrel Reid, formerly of Focus on the Family, and now Harper's director of policy, has more of the same. How on earth Harper has kept this little atom-bomb under wraps so long, I don't know.
I think it's hardly Harper who's scary, it's the people he's surrounded himself with.
http://dawn.thot.net/harperstiestousa/Darrel_Reid.htm
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060116/elxn_campaign_crossfire_060116/20060116?s_name=election2006&no_ads=
http://westernstandard.blogs.com/shotgun/2007/05/darrel_reid_rea.html
Bobb999
28-09-2008
Julian West's/NDP's stupidity swells
-Not only was West's '96 stunt stupid, it was possibly criminal, if unprosecuted at the time.
Judging by the recent accounts given by at least 3 women who were among the girls present, it wasn't innocent nudity and "skinny dipping" as West has been trying to claim.
The women are clear that in their view it was a case of sexually motivated indecent exposure.
-West's stupidity expanded when he chose to run for public office. Did he really think he could keep the incident buried or succeed in downplaying it?
It was a large group of girls at the camp who were witnesses upset at West's "grossly inappropriate" behaviour (as one witness put it). Did he really think they would all be silent and allow him to claim he was just "skinny dipping"?
-The NDP are to blame too for not vetting him properly. Surely a few minutes of google or newspaper data base searches would have exposed West via news articles from '96 about the incident, which should have raised a red flag.
You'd think a major political party would be sufficiently organized to ensure every potential candidate receives a simple
online search as part of vetting.
Apparently, the NDP, at least in BC, was not doing its job in screening candidates,
leaving them out of the running in Saanich-Gulf Islands.
The good news for the NDP is the Liberals are imploding, allowing the NDP (despite unwelcome distractions like J. West)to gain on them. If the trend continues, the NDP may end up with more seats than Dion's Libs, making Layton unexpected leader of the opposition. And, if a coalition gets formed to deny Harper another gov't, guess who will be the obvious choice for PM. Amazingly, Jack Layton!
But I fear the "Natural Governing Party" Libs won't allow such a humiliation, and therefore would opt for a Harper gov't, over having power in a coalition led by Layton. Pity.
Frank
28-09-2008
Bobb999
Definitely, I can't see the Libs being willing to work with the NDP.
G West
28-09-2008
Evolution happens
Definitely, I can't see the Libs being willing to work with the NDP.
Some probably would, many however wouldn't.
If the outcome of the election is a Liberal/Conservative coalition then it will be the end of the Liberal party as an institution.
I've never understood why Canada needed two right wing parties anyway.
Real progressive liberals (if there are any of them left) would find a home somewhere....
alive
28-09-2008
BrianWhite: What I said
BrianWhite:
What I said was:
"A few have migrated to the NDP and got themselves nominated, and look what that brought on! they had to resign their candidacy!"
If you see that as a smear on West or anyone, be my guest!
Facts are that they had to resign end of story!
Feeling sorry for a candidate who obviously lied about his past, is a waste of time, he is toast!
Could NDP have vetted him more carefully? certainly! did you volunteer to help the cause?
In any event you carefully avoid the gist of my posts here, namely that the greens are not in any way left or even left of centre!
The goal, once again, is to unseat Harper, and the parties who would support his neocon ideas!
And once again NDP is not my party, but the closest we have to a genuine left wing party!
Personally I see a revolution as the only way to get rid for the few who dominate this world, yes it is a global issue!
greenmonkey
28-09-2008
Vote Smart this time
There is a way in which to stop Harpers agenda, both hidden and open. That is to eliminate vote splitting by voting for the strongest candidate between the Liberal, NDP, Green, and Bloc parties. I never had considered this for myself, as I have been very loyal to a certain party, but I am thinking that this election is important enough to entertain this strategy.
Below is a great website that is organizing this drive. Just punch in your postal code and it gives you the best choice to win against the Conservative candidate in your riding.
What is surprising is that by implementing this plan, not only would Harpers minority government be reduced, but the NDP, Bloc, and Greens, not just the Liberals, would actually increase their seat totals.
Here is the link. Think about it and pass it on:
http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/
Frank
28-09-2008
greenmonkey
I was under the impression that website was created by a Liberal. Perhaps not, I would have to look deeper. But it certainly looks like the Libe would be the biggest benefactor or others voting strategically.
Frank
28-09-2008
realisticman
Its not Harper's "hidden" agenda I worry about. its his open agenda.
Here's a list of 140 things they say we shouldn't forgive him for
http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=007497
Bailey
28-09-2008
Where are the Rhinos when we need them?
Since I posted my question here the other day asking for any example of truth-telling by politicians I have been watching for an answer.
Each poster has come up with a list alright, as I asked, but they're all lists of lies. Some of you point to the lies of one, some to those of another but nobody has found a single truth to mention. Not one.
So here's another question that occurs to me: What possible difference could it make which liar you vote for?
I mean, what criterion would you use? "Vote for me, I tell the most attractive lies"?
Once you recognise that you're listening to a liar, believing anything at all that comes out of that mouth must be fairly stupid. That seems clear enough, yes?
As a matter of fact, if you listen closely enough, a known lie can reveal truth by the shadow it casts, just assume the exact opposite of what the liar says, but it ain't the same as truth, is it? You never will know who wrote the script until after, when you can follow where the money went. A tad too late for anybody but historians to care much.
Somebody in another place suggested an organised write in vote for "None of the Above". I like that. If even one or two ridings went to None of the Above, people might just begin to see that they actually do have options. You know?
We don't really have to take this anymore, do we? Let's all vote for the Dalai Lama, he's an honorary Canadian, and at least he seems willing to speak truth. Or somebody else conspicuous for truth-telling and honesty. Doesn't have to be anybody who would actually want the job, probably better if not.
Since we can't find any truth among the current list, let's make a list of honest people. Anybody who tells the truth about anything at all. Surely there must be some.
Don't let me down now. Think hard.
The brain
29-09-2008
Hi, Lynn, Bobb, Frank, the rest:
I'd say that at this point, lets just suppose the NDP really does form the leading opposition. What that would likely mean is a Liberal collapse and a Harper majority. Do you all want that?
And lets suppose that the Libs just... plain... collapse. Y'all know who has the best candidates running?
Keep this in mind: Leader. Brand. Candidates. Record. There are four things to consider, they are all integrated and one has to consider the overall. The plan itself. And what I see so far, is the Libs have the best plan and they have the best candidates. They might even have the best leader in some departments. It won't be in communications, but... Dion... I like him. Its hard for me to listen to him for much more than 20 minutes, May and Duceppe, I could give them an afternoon. But I can't handle Harper for much more than 2. Layton? 2.5. (chuckles) I'm sorry y'all, but I find Jack to be just a touch insincere. Harper, well, he's just a corporate lobbyist liar.
Ed Deak says it best. Short and sweet (I like that). If Harper gets in, this nation is done. Media will become so concentrated... the privatization that would follow, the degregulation, the division... Frank, you already alluded to it with Coynes remarks. On the 17th of Oct., its a FTA with Europe and what is being discussed is the outsourcing of the entire public service sector to the highest corporate bidder. The U.S. gets the same sweet deal for nothing and then thats it. Its over. We have close to 40 crowns and with medicare...
Think about what would happen if Harper tries it. There will be general strikes. Chaos. In all seriousness, this nation will erupt and then you will all have to ask yourselves if we really want that right nutter Harper who dreams of a 51st state or a balkanized Canada that drifts to the U.S in pieces... or a lefty who wants to braun shirt the economy general strike the nation for his blue ribbon at the race... or the nerdy professor that I believe for the first time, we've got someone we can trust. Everyone's got their own angle, but when I look into the crystal ball, I'm a bit of a centrist man myself. Pearson had a lisp, Dion is deaf, we could do worse. I'm ABC but moreso, the ABC candidate that is the best of the pack, regardless of the brand and I gotta tell you all, its a Liberal in my riding. It wouldn't be in others. I would know. I've seen half the candidates running in the ridings in this nation already!
But you all knew that! :-)
G West
29-09-2008
Dunno Lorne
I think it's easy to make the case that it was Dion and the Liberals who've kept the Conmen in power since 2006.
If pee wee hadn't realized that the economic tides were running against him and that he could find someone (like Patrick Monaghan in a long G&M article on August 30) who'd gloss over the fact he was flagrantly violating his own fixed election law (not to mention his 'principles') then we wouldn't be in the middle of this election now.
Dion would still be, in my opinion, absenting enough of his members to keep Harper in 24 Sussex Drive right now.
The fact is that the Liberals and the Conmen are, for the most part, the same party.
If might have been different if the Liberals had chosen a different leader - but they didn't. Gerard Kennedy and the BC Liberal mafia were behind Dion and, if they're the ones running his campaign, they're still making exactly the same mistakes they did then.
As I've written here before, I'd support a formal coalition between the Liberals and the NDP...but only on terms that included cabinet positions and a published set of legislative goals.
I think a formal alliance like that would be able to make the kinds of tax changes that would drive business out of the Liberal Party and over to Harper where they belong.
In any case, if we don't make some real changes soon, we're going down with the US and its economy anyway.
If that happens, I think it would be better to let Harper and HIS ideology wear it.
But I'd have been almost equally happy if it were Paul Martin in the catbird seat.
Happy - thanks for that ...frankly, I was surprised nightbloom didn't figure the Borg reference out for himself..
realisticman
29-09-2008
That's where it is.
If you wanna know...Yes, The Shoop Shoop Song and, of course, the one that has the most symbolism - Godfather 1.
As for FTA with Europe, it's been in the works for some time and the Liberals strongly support it too.
Europe is turning toward the logic of a deal. French President Nicolas Sarkozy will be in Montreal
for the Canada-EU Summit in October. There are already indications that he will make a
significant announcement. The Germans, Italians and Nordic countries are also supportive, while
Britain has traditionally endorsed the notion of Canada-EU free trade.
What's the alternative, continue concentrating our sales pitches for our products to the US?
The French Debate should be fun. Jack likes to sound like a working-class Montréaler when he speaks French but he can't seem to keep it up long and it's grates as it's inconsistent. That might backfire if he's perceived as condescending. I guess he'll wear a white shirt and a blue striped tie. Stephie cannot seem to help sounding paternal and professorial. Not qualities that endear one to an electorate. Maybe they'll interrupt him all the time and he'll go squeaky. Liz May and her probably Connecticut French might be fun to see, and hear. She'll get the sympathy vote for trying. Maybe Harper will wear a Québec-blue sweater. I expect he'll be in a suit. He'll sound like a strong manager. Duceppe will be on his best form.
realisticman
29-09-2008
It won't be Banff
But it looks as though Stéphane is going on holiday soon. I say southern France in November, staying on over the holidays. Too many Québecers in Florida.
With the federal Liberals continuing to slump in the polls, it appears the knives are already unsheathed and aimed at leader Stéphane Dion.
Premier Shawn Graham has been mentioned as a possible successor to federal Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion.
Canadians have not yet voted, but the national press is already theorizing about who will replace Dion after his all-but-assumed defeat come Oct. 14 - including New Brunswick's premier.
Many of the other potential replacements are easy to predict, including former leadership contenders Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae and Martha Hall Findlay, along with a host of Ontario MPs and Montreal candidate Justin Trudeau.
But according to a Globe and Mail article, "even Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham are being mentioned as possible successors."
Frank
29-09-2008
The brain
Lorne,
Here's a more up to date article on May's views on strategic voting
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080927.welxnmay0927/BNStory/Front
As for Dion, here's what he's saying as of yesterday
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/09/28/liberals-middle.html?ref=rss
All I'm doing is pointing out the obvious fact that there will be no coalition if the Libs and Greens don't like the NDP.
As for stopping Harper and an FTA with Europe and all that, as realisticman points out, why would any of us believe the Liberals are against that?
Dion calls Layton an "old-fashioned socialist" just because he thinks corporate tax rates should stay at the point where the Liberals under Paul Martin set them. Does Dion think Martin was an old-fashioned socialist too?
Frank
29-09-2008
The Liberal "brand"
Lorne, have you seen the Angus Reid polling mentioned today in the Sun?
Sixty-three per cent of respondents said they view the Liberal party as dishonest; 80 per cent as stale; 63 per cent as phoney; 67 per cent as risky; and 66 per cent as "out of touch with Canadians like you."
The Conservative party didn't fare much better: 55 per cent viewed the party as dishonest; 63 per cent as stale; 56 per cent as phoney; and 58 per cent as risky.
Also, the majority of Canadians surveyed -- 65 per cent -- viewed the Tories as unfeeling.
Meanwhile, the feeling toward the NDP was mostly positive with the large majority of respondents viewing it as fair, honest, compassionate and genuine. However, those surveyed said the NDP was risky.
It was the Green party that received the best rating. Sixty-nine per cent of respondents found them fresh; 74 per cent as fair, 75 per cent as honest; 77 per cent as compassionate; and 65 per cent as genuine.
Seems to me if you want to build a coalition against the Cons you'd be better off doing it around the Greens or NDP. Because a lot of us have very negative feelings towards the Liberals.
G West
29-09-2008
Some interesting speculation
THere's some interesting thoughts about the 'disappearing' Conservative candidates in this election campaign.
It isn't just Gary Lunn who has lost his voice of late..
Quick check-up over here:
http://pacificgazette.blogspot.com/
Where Ross has taken to calling them 'Stealthcons'.
Frank
29-09-2008
Dion sneers at the NDP
Last week Jack Layton hinted (it was a very mild hint) that he might be willing to consider forming a coalition government with the Liberals. The suggestion was that even if the Conservatives ranked first in seats, provided that the NDP and the Liberals had more seats between them they could defeat the Harper government in the Commons and then form a coalition ministry. The Liberals and the NDP combined to do exactly that in the Ontario Legislature in 1985. Although they did not establish a formal coalition, they did work out a common agenda, a progressive one at that.
Dion quickly slammed the idea of a coalition government with the NDP on the ground that the NDP seeks to increase corporate taxes.
“We cannot have a coalition with a party that has a platform that would be damaging for the economy. Period,” Dion said. A few months after becoming Liberal leader, Dion proclaimed that he wanted to push corporate taxes even lower than would the Conservatives. Yesterday, when Layton launched the NDP platform which includes a plan to reverse Stephen Harper’s $50 billion corporate tax cut, Dion dismissed this as old fashioned socialism. This sort of thing is just not done in the world these days, he sniffed. Dion needs to re-examine his neo-liberal orthodoxy, whose precepts underlay the widening gap between the rich and the rest during the Chretien-Martin years.
Against the backdrop of the stinking mess on Wall Street, Dion’s corporate tax plans do not go down well with most voters. While attacking the NDP, the Liberals have adopted the Harper corporate tax cuts as they’re own and they want to go even further.
This week the Liberals are getting feisty. But they’re charging off in all directions, proclaiming themselves the true progressives while rallying to the defence of the corporations.
http://election.rabble.ca/post/52276193/dion-sneers-at-the-ndp
A coalition with a party that wants bigger corporate tax cuts than even Harper does? How is that "progressive"?
G West
29-09-2008
Touché Frank
The Liberals are still in thrall to Bay Street and their stand on reinstating Income Trusts is a huge thorn in their side.
However, by Oct 14, the Liberal brand may well have shrunk to the point where they’ll agree to drop that absurd position as well.
This is shaping up to be kind of interesting.
Thanks for mentioning that execrable column from Jeff Simpson. The man has become a caricature.
Frank
29-09-2008
Nanos poll
The latest from Nanos:
Conservative Party 36 (NC)
Liberal Party 26 (-1)
NDP 20 (+1)
Green Party 9% (NC)
BQ 9% (NC)
Undecided 16% (-2)
greenmonkey
29-09-2008
Frank
"I was under the impression that website was created by a Liberal. Perhaps not, I would have to look deeper. But it certainly looks like the Liberals would be the biggest benefactor or others voting strategically."
Yes it's true that the Liberals would be the most benefited by strategic voting. The Liberals are not and have not been my first choice ever. But in all fairness, The NDP or Greens are NOT the first or even second choice in MOST of the ridings in the country. Face facts, a Liberal minority government is the BEST possible outcome, with the NDP increasing their seats by 12 and the Greens actually getting a member in the House.
A minority of Canadians are Stephen Harper conservatives. Even the conservative elements in the Green and Liberal parties are much more moderate. It would be a travesty if the three non-Conservative parties split the vote and handed Stephen Harper his majority, against the will of the majority of people voting.
This is why it is imperative that if you do not want the Harper agenda to explode this country like his pal Bush has done in the USA, you should at least THINK about strategic voting this time.
Once again here is the website:
http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/
Frank
29-09-2008
greenmonkey
But what exactly makes you say that? Have you listened to Dion on Cross Country Checkup? Read the Liberal platform?
They want bigger corporate and personal tax cuts than the Conservatives. Unless they've found a money tree how do they expect to increase spending at the same time they're gutting the ability of the gov't to take in money?
Harper is being demonized yet he's offering (at least publicly) a milder version of trickle down economics than Dion is.
It may be against the grain to say this, but outside of the Green Shift, Dion's policies are more akin to Bush's than Harper's are.
The NDP may not form gov't but at least I won't be voting for more health and social program cuts.
happy
29-09-2008
The "B" word
The Liberals have gone into panic mode.
Saw the latest Tv ad tonight featuring our own Ujjal bringing up Harper and Bush in the same breath. That should turn the (blue) tide. After leading the NDP to a 77-2 score, what BC voter wouldn't listen to that recycled coach.