The Debate is better than I thought

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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Yep, and even if the Senate was disbanded they might qualify for day parole. :smile:

I thought the gravey train angle was the conservative's job. Harper should have been pushing this too.

I really don't get it. There's nothing fiscally conservative about his government. Why are people lining up for his vote?
 

Unforgiven

Force majeure
May 28, 2007
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So we're supposed to go with Iganteiff because he's only slightly less offensive then Harper? The liberals carry their own baggage as well, they're not exactly sparkling when it comes to conduct as a governing party. So you basically trade autocratic, contemptuous conservatives for corrupt liberals. Win win situation ;)

Slightly less offensive?


It's not like the Harper and the Conservatives are not corrupt. How many have been turfed for influence peddling? G8 pork barrel O' rama, election spending,1.6 million on taxis and limos, 20 million on car allowances, 125 million for hospitality, come on Durka, pull the other one it's got bells on it.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
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Slightly less offensive?


It's not like the Harper and the Conservatives are not corrupt. How many have been turfed for influence peddling? G8 pork barrel O' rama, election spending,1.6 million on taxis and limos, 20 million on car allowances, 125 million for hospitality, come on Durka, pull the other one it's got bells on it.

From what I can gather from all the commentary on the radio, Harper is definitely de man!:smile:
 

damngrumpy

Executive Branch Member
Mar 16, 2005
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The radio and media are doing the buildup of the leader that will change about Sunday or
Monday and they will create the image of things tightening up. Secondly most of the folks
in media I have been talking to believe the race will tighten up in fact most believe Harper
will lose three to five points by the end of the race. Some are really questioning to who.
Jack Layton is perceived by many to have done a better job than Iggy, in fact some of the
polling suggests 55% of those who watched the debate, have an improved image of Layton.
I think Harper will find himself with another minority government simply because the public
really does not trust their future to any of these people at the top.
Someone suggested yesterday the only way they would give Layton a chance is if he had
a cap on spending or something like that. Here is an interesting thought, something to mull
over, Layton is a Saskatchewan style New Democrat, and in Saskatchewan they produced
sixteen balanced budgets in a row the last time they were in office, and Harper hasn't had a
single balanced budget since he took office. Now I have some other problems with the NDP
as government but the budget appears no longer to be one of them.
Under Paul Martin as finance minister the Liberals also did a better job than Harper. And for
some to suggest he was pressured into giving GM and others big bailouts, is of course a red
flag. If he didn't want to do it, he should have said NO and let the chips fall where they may.
That is what leaders do. Having said that, I agree in the emergency situation the world economy
was in, Harper did the right thing, but even if you balance off what he gave as a package they
still overspent. As for having the highest percentage of the vote, it really does not mean much
unless we know where that support is concentrated and how it effects the vote split in the riding's
where his support is, you can have over 40% and still not get a majority. Depends of where the
support is concentrated. I still say its another minority at this point
 

Praxius

Mass'Debater
Dec 18, 2007
10,677
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Halifax, NS & Melbourne, VIC
I don't think the debate changed a damn thing.

Harper minority, on the verge of majority, but not making it.

$300 million waste of time.

Danger of a legal coup by the coalition.

My memory is a little hazzy..... but did you think the last election was a waste of time & money as well? Harper called that election don't forget, all because he thought he could gain a majority, but instead only gained a couple of seats.

But suddenly because all the other parties and the majority of Canadians who are sick of Harper called an election over a number of reasons against Harper and the Conservatives' corruption..... suddenly this is the election that's a waste of time & money?

And I say the majority of Canadians, because when you add up all the people who support the Bloc, Green, Liberals & NDP and everyone else who never voted for Harper & the Cons.... that is a Majority of Canadians. If the Majority of Canadians supported Harper and the Cons, he would have had a Majority a long time ago.

If Harper was doing the right thing, he would have had a Majority a long time ago.

If Harper could be trusted with power, he would have had a Majority a long time ago.

If Harper was really fair, balanced and had the nation's best interests at heart...... yup.... he would have had a Majority a long time ago.

The fact of the matter is that he doesn't, he's not, he can't & he never did..... and that's why he won't get a Majority this time around either.

If you really want the Conservatives to have a majority, there's a very simple solution that I believe even you would agree with.

Drop Harper and get a new leader for the Conservatives.

There are people out there who simply won't vote Conservative simply because Harper's leading the party & that's their only reason..... get rid of him and you might actually see the Cons get a majority.

Harper is just as counter-productive to his party as Dion was for the Liberals. Harper doesn't come off as stupid, clueless and dumbfounded as Dion, but his corruption, lies, contempt of our nation/democracy and his continual distancing from the public to which he's supposed to represent and work for, makes up for those traits.
 

damngrumpy

Executive Branch Member
Mar 16, 2005
9,949
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At least the debates are somewhat interesting I think they did a better job with the
format this time around. I also think this election is a long way from over, it could
be a real finish. No majority for anyone this time though
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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Layton doesn't look too **** hot. He's lost a lot of weight. After the election and the coalition is formed they'll be looking for a new leader.
 

PoliticalNick

The Troll Bashing Troll
Mar 8, 2011
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I'm wondering the same thing, gopher. Started to watch it but things kept getting lost in the translation and besides the play-offs began tonight. LOL! :lol:

There was a debate tonight? Was that between periods in one of the games? Oh well, no matter, the Canucks won so who cares about a bunch of moronic muppets trying to say the same old thing in a different way to convince us to vote for someone other than who we have already decided to vote for. :canada:
 

Chev

Electoral Member
Feb 10, 2009
374
2
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Alberta
'PoliticalNick (.....Is this really the time to change our entire voting system? Also, the only reason why Layton wants proportional representation is because he wants more power for him and his party! Hello! )
“I want it because it gives better representation to everyone. And when do you fix something that is broken?” '
Thumbs up!!

  • NDP Platform… this is only a tiny portion of it. Where the heck do they plan on getting money to pay for all this??
  • Canada/Quebec Pension Plan.. double the benefits you receive;
  • increase the annual Guaranteed Income Supplement to a sufficient level…….. …..immediately; provide a more flexible and generous Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefit; Caregiver Benefit (receive up to $1,500 per year); provide… flexible and generous Employment Insurance benefit ….. tend to relatives at home; … establish and fund a Canada-wide child care and early learning program…..;.. home heating federal sales tax rebate …; .
  • Where the heck do they plan on getting money to pay for all this (and more)??

I like how he put Ignatieff in his place when Ignatieff snapped "At least we've been there!!!"(formed gov). That was an arrogant comment and Jack called him on it! Good job!
Wish I'd have been able to watch the debate. I was at work till after it was over. Could you please enlighten me on what was said before and after this comment from Ignatieff. Thanks much

If you even bothered to read my whole response I laid out exactly why I wouldn't vote for him. that is not a closed mind, it is an educated opinion (I have a degree in economics and commerce) his policies are fundementaly flawed. I can agree with some of his positions on ther issues but he is so far wrong in the economics I cannot support him. No fog there!

Please explain "but he is so far wrong in the economics". Thanks
 

damngrumpy

Executive Branch Member
Mar 16, 2005
9,949
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kelowna bc
My understanding is this, take the money already and reset the priorities. Remember over
time you can do a lot of things, no one said pensions would double over night. If you put
more levies on the resource royalties paid by outside and private interests they are still going
to buy because it is a constant supply that is reliable. The corporations might have to start
actually paying their taxes. No more corporate deferments and free lunch handouts.
Banks and others are going to learn the meaning of service and being part of the community
has a cost associated with it.
Currently the real important issues are under funded or not funded at all. We need to change
our priorities, and that means moving money around within the existing budgets to meet the
needs of ordinary Canadians instead of just the select few in business or special interests.
In addition if we create the jobs required to meet the needs of the country, those employed will
be paying taxes. If we start treating education as an investment instead of an expense, many
of the post secondary graduates could in fact pay back their loans by working on infrastructure
programs we need to bring up to standard.
I don't think Layton said the pensions would double over night, but the process would begin to
increase the amounts over time. The difference is Harper's makes promises of things to come
once they balance the books in a few years. Remember these are the people who got us into
the latest round of debt in the first place. In addition they are going to continue to give big tax
breaks to rich friends, while telling ordinary Canadians they will have to wait for economic relief.
Layton intends to even the playing field. I only hope he would have the guts to tell companies
that threaten to leave, that they have to pay back all the tax breaks they got before they left.
I for one am tired of being told by chambers of commerce and taxpayer federation groups that
there is no free lunch while they themselves demand a free lunch in the form of tax concessions
for themselves at the same time.
It should also be pointed out that like any other group they won't be doing everything at once.
Why is it we only question NDP promises at election time while we take Liberal and Tory promises
at face value and believe they are sound plans. There have only been two parties that have held
power in this country as a Federal Government and together they have created the mess we are in.
I guess we should be asking a few more questions, and really thinking about our priorities.
Is it ships, planes and tax concessions to big business and banks? Should it be education for our
kids, jobs for the middle class and the young, should we address environmental issues, justice
issues, planning a safe food supply, deciding on the availability and supply of fresh water for a
multitude of uses? Or should we just have more of the same until we can afford nothing or our
resources have been squandered for the benefit of a few?
I still have not made up my mind, but I know I will not support Harper. Right now I am leaning toward
Layton, because even if they don't win, they will with the right numbers be able to force change like
the party has done in the past. Medicare, pensions, and a host of other social benefits came about
because the CCF/NDP put the country and the people first and forced the other two parties to bring
in programs that benefit the advancement of society. It is time for a major change and not just
changing the furniture in the Prime Ministers Office.
 

Chev

Electoral Member
Feb 10, 2009
374
2
18
Alberta
Where the heck do they plan on getting money to pay for all this
“Liberals will invest in quality, affordable child care; help every family with the costs of college or university; time off from work to look after sick loved ones at home.; build on the Canada Pension Plan; new tax credit to help with the up-front costs of renovations;
We can afford to do this while reducing the Conservative deficit responsibly, without raising your taxes, by making better choices. We will cancel unnecessary and unaffordable tax cuts for the largest corporations, reverse wasteful spending habits; etc.. etc..etc....
… this is only a tiny portion their platform. Where the heck do they plan on getting money to pay for all this??