Do The Conservatives Deserve Another Chance?

Cannuck

Time Out
Feb 2, 2006
30,245
99
48
Alberta
If Harper pulls up his pantyhose they may make minority if the voter turn out stays the same.

Harper doesn't have to do anything to retain his minority. Without an significant gaff by either party, we should be right back where we started in a few weeks.
 

FiveParadox

Governor General
Dec 20, 2005
5,875
43
48
Vancouver, BC
Harper doesn't have to do anything to retain his minority. Without an significant gaff by either party, we should be right back where we started in a few weeks.

And this is why this general election makes no sense.

We might see a few seats shuffle here and there, between both sides, but the fact of the matter is that unless someone brings a game-changer to the table in the coming weeks, we're going to be returning Her Majesty's Government for Canada to the House of Commons with enough seats to continue to govern with [at least] a minority for the coming term. The rationale of the opposition parties just doesn't make sense; they don't have an issue that they can bring to the people and rally support with.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
And this is why this general election makes no sense.

We might see a few seats shuffle here and there, between both sides, but the fact of the matter is that unless someone brings a game-changer to the table in the coming weeks, we're going to be returning Her Majesty's Government for Canada to the House of Commons with enough seats to continue to govern with [at least] a minority for the coming term. The rationale of the opposition parties just doesn't make sense; they don't have an issue that they can bring to the people and rally support with.

One thing that might be changing is a desire for civility in the Commons, and more willingness on the part of the parties to work together. I think Layton and Duceppe are playing on that theme by making it clear that they are willing to govern by coalition and by working with rather than against Parliament, by adopting a more collaborative rather than bullying style.

I think the Greens are trying that too with ads like this one:

Green Attack Ad Hitting Harper where it Hurts by Richard Komorowski – March 12, 2011 – Cornwall Ontario |

Now I see a weakness in that attack ad itself, nay a few weaknesses:

1. It's an insult to the intelligence of the voter that the Green Party actually has to point out the harm that attack ads do to democracy, and

2. The Green attack ad against attack ads is still technically an attack ad itself, implying that the Greens are above the other parties. Now of course it still stands above the other parties' attack ads in relative terms in that at least it does not attack any specific party or candidate, but still it would have been even better had the Greens not gotten into this at all. They should not think people had not previously noticed that the Greens shied away from attack ads in previous elections. But of course the people who had noticed and may have thus warmed to the Greens for this very reason, will also notice that this ad is still an attack ad. A tad less disreputable than the other parties, granted, but still showing a drop in the Green Party's standards.

As for Harper demonizing the opposition and Iggy closing the doors on any possible coalition will likely play into the hands of the Bloc, the NDP and especially the Greens, depending of course on how the individual candidates play ball. Even if the Green Party tries to stay away from personal attacks, but some local Green engages in it, while it might not hurt the party as a whole, he'll certainly get burnt. Likewise the local Conservative who stays clear of attacking other candidates and parties might still manage to avoid flack. But overall, I think the Block, NDP and Green strategies, though it's less clear whether they'll win votes, will at least warm people up to them a little. While the Liberal and Conservative policies may or may not lose votes, they will certainly come across as more bullish overall.
 

lone wolf

Grossly Underrated
Nov 25, 2006
32,493
211
63
In the bush near Sudbury
If the powers that be want to see an end to bullying and incivility, perhaps they should learn to be better examples. My grand daughter saw the gang at play in the Legislature and likened it to "a bunch of spoiled kids"
 

Cliffy

Standing Member
Nov 19, 2008
44,850
193
63
Nakusp, BC
Could there be a reason there is no real issues being discussed? Nobody in politics wants to upset the status quo. They would risk losing what little support they have from the few sheeple that bother to show up to vote. If all those who are disillusioned by the stupidity of it all crossed out their ballots, then the majority of the people will have indicated that they were fed up with the same ol' BS and demand changes to the system. Harper promised transparency and proceeded to paint everything over with black (secrecy). Iggy has been character assassinated and hasn't got a snowball's chance in hell so we will never know what he could do. Jack is suffering from rigor mortis. People are afraid of the Greens. What a freaking disaster.

A Harpo majority will bring his meaner side out into the open and the results from anybody else winning is unknown. Some choice! Hooped if we do, hooped if we don't. Time to start all over.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
Harper doesn't have to do anything to retain his minority. Without an significant gaff by either party, we should be right back where we started in a few weeks.

I don't believe it, you do spew some sense occasionally. Mark that on your calendar. :lol:

If the powers that be want to see an end to bullying and incivility, perhaps they should learn to be better examples. My grand daughter saw the gang at play in the Legislature and likened it to "a bunch of spoiled kids"

Get her to run, she might replace one of the twits. :lol:
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
I always spew sense. It's just hard to see sometimes when it interferes with ones agenda.

I think most intelligent people TRY to set their agenda according to what makes sense, perhaps with the exception of things like drinking beer on Saturday night. :lol:
 

damngrumpy

Executive Branch Member
Mar 16, 2005
9,949
21
38
kelowna bc
The first answer to your question is NO. Harper is slick but I hope he has
done his last campaign. I have problems with all of them. The deficit is a
real problem billions in spending and billions not yet mentioned. Remember
the Jets are ordered we pay regardless.
And some of this stuff about everyone has skeletons. Who cares who's
father was in another party or even if they were once a member or another
party years ago? We have to deal with the here and now.
Even when it comes to Harper, I don't care if he was once a Liberal back in
the day, I would not even care if he was a fiscal conservative. I am concerned
by the fact he is a social conservative and was of course part of that Reform
Crowd.
Jack is alright he is at least true to his principles, and Iggy yes he spent time in
the United States and blah blah blah. These things have no bearing on political world
of today.
Politics are a living breathing entity and they change from time to time. We should
be concentrating on the issues of the day and who is going to handle them.
We don't need more prisons in fact the serious crime rate is going down.
We don't need the jets, although we do need choppers
We don't need to make criminals out of people with a poke of pot
We don't need a deficit of 50 billion plus and that is yearly.

Remember, once the year is out, that deficit becomes part of the debt. Remember
how the Tories chanted about Liberal Government Spending and over spending?
They are now spending more than anyone. In addition the Conservatives are using
the government department commercials just like the Liberals did and the Tories
criticized.
We can go on all day about who did what, what we need to do is determine what is
important and set a course to solve our problems. My biggest problem with the
Conservatives is they are setting a rigid course without compromise and that is a
sign they intend to be heavy handed with a majority, the also create a polarized
state of mind.
I think the end result for me will be Jack Layton, and the reason is with Harper as a
leader can't vote for them. With Iggy, I just don't feel he can set a new course for us.
The Greens are a joke, the Bloc is not on the radar, that leave Jack Layton and the
NDP.
 

Liberalman

Senate Member
Mar 18, 2007
5,623
36
48
Toronto
damngrumpy; Jack Layton and the NDP.[/QUOTE said:
The problem with the NDP is their leader is sick and will probably step down if he is elected.

If Jack doesn't step down and his sickness gets worse other people will make his decisions.
 

CDNBear

Custom Troll
Sep 24, 2006
43,839
207
63
Ontario
And this is why this general election makes no sense.
But the unethical behavior of the opposition, in concert with Milliken, does?

We might see a few seats shuffle here and there, between both sides, but the fact of the matter is that unless someone brings a game-changer to the table in the coming weeks, we're going to be returning Her Majesty's Government for Canada to the House of Commons with enough seats to continue to govern with [at least] a minority for the coming term. The rationale of the opposition parties just doesn't make sense; they don't have an issue that they can bring to the people and rally support with.
I'm glad you finally admit that the Liberals are running on empty.

Yes, intelligent people would do that.
Well, that excludes you again.

I guess some of us are just a little more discerning than others.
Yes I am, thanx for noticing. Now if you wouldn't mind catching up to the rest of us, it would likely make a debate of discussion with you, if at all possible, more adult and intelligent.

I just Googled it and (using your idiotic logic) since there was over 32 million hits, it must be true. Somebody should arrest Bush
Ahhh, what's wrong pumpkin? Can't actually debate anything without twisting peoples words, moving goal posts? Found someone that sees through your crap and takes you apart at every turn?

Ahhh, I feel sorry for you! A little, since it's a situation of your own making.

Need a hug lil Joey?

JLM likes the sniping.
And he's still not nearly as good at it as you.

I guess it's the latter as you seem to believe that protecting the right to due process equals support for the individual.
Why not, due process only applies to people YOU THINK it should.

I always spew nonsense.
fify

It's just hard to see sometimes when it interferes with ones agenda.
Then try and think without filtering everything through your agenda!

Perhaps if you tried using some fact to back up your make believe opinions, once in awhile, you wouldn't come off as a cognitively challenged troll all the time, or at the very least, Joey part duh.

You really should try some of that logical consistency you bleat on about.
 
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Retired_Can_Soldier

The End of the Dog is Coming!
Mar 19, 2006
12,395
1,367
113
60
Alberta
I honestly believe Harper is a power hungry, emotionally unbalanced person who cares far more about staying in power then he does in making Canada a better country - imo.

I think Iggy and Layton care more about power then Canada also - but to less of an extent then Harper does (though I still wouldn't vote for them either).

Well if you really believe that, then you are a gullible mope.

All of the party leaders are likely very descent people whom have different visions for this Country. It is all in how they are framed by their politics, their party and the voters. We now live in a day and age when everything is fed to us in sound bites and talking points. Spin and Political correctness are delivered up to the public like an anti-depressant and the lazy public consumes it like a pill junkie.

While Jack Layton's ideology is akin to a 14 year old girl with a credit card, I am sure he is a well meaning individual with a vein of compassion.

Michael Ignatieff strikes me as an extremely intelligent man [because he is] but his inability to resonate with regular folks comes from the fact that he has lived an insulated life as a Harvard Professor. If you handed Michael Ignatieff a fishing rod he would look as awkward as Snoop Dog in a cub uniform. If you peel back the layers he is probably a very descent guy as well.

Stephen Harper is also a very intelligent man, a bit of an introvert perhaps. He has, in my opinion been the subject of numerous attacks that have been shrill and over the top. He has recently resonated with Canadian's when they saw passed the rather shy man and seen a human element that likely, only his closest and dear friends see. His love of Hockey, his musical side has done wonders to present him a less wooden.

All of the above leaders have their issues, but none are unbalanced or power hungry monsters.

Only this man is a Monster.:lol:


I'm Squishing your Head Canada! I'm Squishing your head!

 

CDNBear

Custom Troll
Sep 24, 2006
43,839
207
63
Ontario
While Jack Layton's ideology is akin to a 14 year old girl with a credit card, I am sure he is a well meaning individual with a vein of compassion.
What utter crap. The man thinks we should sit down and have a group therapy session with the worlds most barbaric neanderthals. His party has a proven track record of wanting to coddle criminals, while handing the keys to the vault to any and every special interest group that bleats a left thought.

The man is clown.

Michael Ignatieff strikes me as an extremely intelligent man [because he is] but his inability to resonate with regular folks comes from the fact that he has lived an insulated life as a Harvard Professor. If you handed Michael Ignatieff a fishing rod he would look as awkward as Snoop Dog in a cub uniform. If you peel back the layers he is probably a very descent guy as well.
A decent guy? A decent guy doesn't profess to love the country his new found party du jour has hated and promoted hatred for, for years. A decent guy doesn't lead the charge to force a sitting gov't to do something no other sitting gov't in a time of conflict has ever been forced to do. For nothing more then political partisan hackery. If I was as ideologically driven as some of the clowns here, I'd go so far as to call what he's done, a coup.

The man is an opportunistic clown.

Stephen Harper is also a very intelligent man, a bit of an introvert perhaps. He has, in my opinion been the subject of numerous attacks that have been shrill and over the top. He has recently resonated with Canadian's when they saw passed the rather shy man and seen a human element that likely, only his closest and dear friends see. His love of Hockey, his musical side has done wonders to present him a less wooden.
Less wooden? The man still reminds me of morning wood. Stiff, annoying and making a mess on the back of toilets across the nation. Pandering to Quebec, caving to the oppositions demands on opening up the coffers and handing out money like it grew on trees.

The man is a sad clown.

All of the above leaders have their issues, but none are unbalanced or power hungry monsters.
I agree, but I'm having a hard time believing they're in it for Canada anymore.
Only this man is a Monster.:lol:


I'm Squishing your Head Canada! I'm Squishing your head!

A treasonous hack, that should be tarred and feathered at the first opportunity!
 

McRocket

Nominee Member
Mar 24, 2011
68
0
6
Well if you really believe that, then you are a gullible mope.

All of the party leaders are likely very descent people whom have different visions for this Country. It is all in how they are framed by their politics, their party and the voters. We now live in a day and age when everything is fed to us in sound bites and talking points. Spin and Political correctness are delivered up to the public like an anti-depressant and the lazy public consumes it like a pill junkie.

While Jack Layton's ideology is akin to a 14 year old girl with a credit card, I am sure he is a well meaning individual with a vein of compassion.

Michael Ignatieff strikes me as an extremely intelligent man [because he is] but his inability to resonate with regular folks comes from the fact that he has lived an insulated life as a Harvard Professor. If you handed Michael Ignatieff a fishing rod he would look as awkward as Snoop Dog in a cub uniform. If you peel back the layers he is probably a very descent guy as well.

Stephen Harper is also a very intelligent man, a bit of an introvert perhaps. He has, in my opinion been the subject of numerous attacks that have been shrill and over the top. He has recently resonated with Canadian's when they saw passed the rather shy man and seen a human element that likely, only his closest and dear friends see. His love of Hockey, his musical side has done wonders to present him a less wooden.

All of the above leaders have their issues, but none are unbalanced or power hungry monsters.

Only this man is a Monster.:lol:


I'm Squishing your Head Canada! I'm Squishing your head!



Provide be with unbiased, factual proof that I am wrong and I will apologize for my statement. Until you do - I will probably not.


Plus, I am not going around typing things like 'because he is' or 'none are unbalanced...' and 'I am sure he is...'.

I said 'I honestly believe' - meaning I do not know, but I believe.

You say terms like they are absolute facts like 'are' and 'is'. Unless you have met ALL of them - then you CANNOT know what they are really like...period.


And if you think that it is impossible to balance the budget (as all the leaders seem to be saying) then you are - no offense - as politically gullible as they are economically incompetent.
 

CDNBear

Custom Troll
Sep 24, 2006
43,839
207
63
Ontario
Provide be with unbiased, factual proof that I am wrong and I will apologize for my statement. Until you do - I will probably not.
You don't get how this works, do you?

You made the claim, it's yours to prove.

You demanding RCS prove a negative, is idiotic.
Plus, I am not going around typing things like 'because he is' or 'none are unbalanced...' and 'I am sure he is...'.

I said 'I honestly believe' - meaning I do not know, but I believe.
So you base your position on your imagination?
 

McRocket

Nominee Member
Mar 24, 2011
68
0
6
You don't get how this works, do you?

You made the claim, it's yours to prove.

You demanding RCS prove a negative, is idiotic.
So you base your position on your imagination?

I did not make a claim. I stated a belief.

It is what's-his-name that is going around stating guesses as facts - not me.

He is not saying; 'I beleve you are wrong'.

He is saying that I am wrong and stating positions as facts to back that statement up.

There is a huge difference (both legally and otherwise) between stating a believe and stating a position as a fact.



And where did I type that I 'demand' he prove my belief wrong?



And finally, I never said 'I am right'.

I simply said 'I believe'.

And I am stating that I will continue to believe this until I see unbiased, factual evidence to the contrary.

Which both you and he/her have yet to present.

So, in the absence of said evidence - my believe stands.

I am not trying to convince you two of anything - I merely stated my 'belief'.


Have a nice day.
 

Retired_Can_Soldier

The End of the Dog is Coming!
Mar 19, 2006
12,395
1,367
113
60
Alberta
Before I start I should let you know that you made this very easy.


Provide be with unbiased, factual proof that I am wrong and I will apologize for my statement. Until you do - I will probably not.
Provide me with proof that you are right. I am not asking you for an apology.


Plus, I am not going around typing things like 'because he is' or 'none are unbalanced...'



I said 'I honestly believe' - meaning I do not know, but I believe.
The first half of your statement contradicts itself; however, I will try and ignore that and address the second half. I said if you honestly believe that you are gullible.

You say terms like they are absolute facts like 'are' and 'is'. Unless you have met ALL of them - then you CANNOT know what they are really like...period.
This is not absolute:
All of the party leaders are likely very descent people
I have not personally met any of the leaders. I have also not met you, but I do not think you are a power hungry robot, just a bit gullible. I'm sure you are likely a descent sort of person.


And if you think that it is impossible to balance the budget (as all the leaders seem to be saying) then you are - no offense - as politically gullible as they are economically incompetent.
Hmmmmmm I don't remember that in my response. Wait let me look.......

Nope, never said that. Were you responding to someone else?