Harper pledges.......

[Jay]

My evidence?

Residual powers, that is all power not specifically awarded to the provinces, is awarded to the federal government.

Disallowance. Most people don't realize that the Federal government has the power to overturn any piece of provincial legislation they don't happen to like.

Yep, it is there. Not used, mind you, but available.

I can agree with you here...no problem, but the BNA Act set out exclusive powers to the provinces. Current Federalists are attempting (quite successfully) to do away with this thinking. This is the primary problem. We are ten states under the federal government and the feds have more responsibility than they know what to do with but they dive into provincial responsibility trying to force their direction on provinces and it isn't working. In fact it is detrimental to the federation. IMO

My vote goes to the party that is willing to respect the exclusive powers of the provinces, and the only party I can vote for it seems is the Conservatives because the Liberals and NDP don't get it. The conservatives might not "get it" absolutely, but there is a lot more hope there than anywhere else.

 

[Colpy]

[

The problem is that anyone of a conservative mindset has no choice.

And, when Reform/CA was around, which gave us a choice, we simply split the vote and guaranteed Liberal majorities in election after election.

The Reform/Alliance was never really anything but a far-right (especially socially) western rump party. The hostile takeover of the PCs has done little to change that, as evidenced by the defection of progressives from the party since the "merger".

First of all, the merger left the CPC in the hands of Stephen Harper, a moderate if ever there was one. In most areas of the campaign, there is little difference in philosophy between Harper and Martin.

Secondly, if Reform/CA was "never really anything but a far-right (especially socially) western rump party", what does that make the NDP, seeing as they could never match Reform/CA numbers.

Would that make the NDP never really anything but a far-left urban gee-I-wish-I had enough support to be a rump party?

 

[Mechayahiko]

Wow, the state of some of these "discussions" amazes me. I've seen 10 year olds make more constructive comments. Its one thing to say someone is "stupid" and another to actually try to understand them, see why they think this will solve the problem. No one knows everythings, but lots sound like they do. If you can all put down your idealogies and actually talk about issues as opposed to Harper's a conservative, therefore his ideas automatically are wrong and illogical. Canadians are supposed to be some of the nicest people in the world, dont tarnish the image. I am all for giving them more power to rule their province, because one of the major greviences that I notice is that they feel oppressed by english speaking Canada. Is there anything wrong is moving power around as long as the will of the people is enforced? One must remember the true goal of all governments, its to serve the whole country, not just those who speak the loudest or have the most support. A country is a thing of convenience, too many people put too much emphasis on "country" and not the people living in it. Too many people have died in the name of their country. we need to learn from the past, not repeat it.

 

[Reverend Blair]

First of all, the merger left the CPC in the hands of Stephen Harper, a moderate if ever there was one. In most areas of the campaign, there is little difference in philosophy berwwen Harper and Martin.

Harper is not a moderate. That's very clear from things he has said over the course of his career and positions he has taken on everything from the military to same-sex marriage to deep intergration with the US. The connections between the Republican Party and the Conservative Party are obvious and there is no way that the current Republican Party can be considered moderate...not in the US and certainly not in Canada.

The Conservatives and Liberals have generally agreed on economic plans, but that goes back to the corporate influence on both parties. The difference between neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism is essentially the social policies. Harper is certainly way out in right field on those...if not against the wall, at least on the warning track.

Many of things where the Conservatives seem to have shifted towards the centre not only do not match what Harper has said over the course of his career, they don't match the platform from the last election and have drifted substantially away from what was outlined at the much ballyhooed policy convention. That big a shift in less than two years is not the party views shifting, it's a realignment for political gain. As such, it is not only a flip-flop, but one that is far less than convincing.

Secondly, if Reform/CA was "never really anything but a far-right (especially socially) western rump party", what does that make the NDP, seeing as they could never match Reform/CA numbers.

The NDP has consistently elected people from coast to coast to coast. The Reform/Alliance/Conservatives have not. The NDP represent third party politics (ideas and policies over partisanship) and play that particular game well. The Reform/Alliance/Conservatives do not. The NDP have a vision of Canada as an independent state working multilaterally with other independent states to raise the lot in life of everybody. The Conservatives have a vision of Canada as little more than a satellite of the US depending almost entirely on a bi-lateral relationship dependent on the very questionable good will of the US government.

The Reform/Alliance/Conservatives would have been much more effective as a political party if they'd taken the time to learn how play third party politics effectively. Instead they are trying to play the kind of power politics as the Liberals and the Conservatives get whipped at that every time.

 

[MMMike]

Secondly, if Reform/CA was "never really anything but a far-right (especially socially) western rump party", what does that make the NDP, seeing as they could never match Reform/CA numbers.

The NDP has consistently elected people from coast to coast to coast. The Reform/Alliance/Conservatives have not.

If Reform/CA was a 'western rump party', the NDP is the lunatic fringe. Don't be so dismissive of millions of people just because their views don't reflect your own.

 

[Jay]

Don't be so dismissive of millions of people just because their views don't reflect your own.

Good luck with that one.....

 

[Reverend Blair]

Don't be so dismissive of millions of people just because their views don't reflect your own.

F*ck that, MMMikey. I've put up with enough abuse from the radical right that they can damned well take what I give them back. There's millions on the left too. I used to be polite about these things, but the right-wing nutbars aren't, so why should I be.

 

[Cosmo]

Friendly reminder to all involved here ... this is a debate and a discussion. Don't take it personally. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Let's not make it personal.
Cosmo

 

[missile]

Arguing with people over politics is an excercise in futility. However,the judicial and liberal use of a 2x4 on their heads produces the desired effect

 

[Reverend Blair]

Still Missile...it's good to express an opinion. Especially a negative one of the pig-humping rednecks in the Conservative Party and little hoggish pal who took over the Greens.

 

[no1important]

Harper outlines more flexible farm programs

A teaser:

Accusing the Liberals of indifference to rural Canada, Stephen Harper said Wednesday that a Tory government would give farmers greater choice in marketing their products, including choosing whether to participate in the Canadian Wheat Board.

Harper would also introduce a new disaster relief program for farmers and create a more flexible income stabilization program.

While Ontario farmers can currently market their wheat however they want, they have been restricted by falling prices and subsidized competitors.

"Something's got to be fixed soon,'' David Eagleson, 56, a grain and oilseed producer in the riding of Chatham Kent-Essex, told The Canadian Press.

"It's a total disaster.'' [/end of teaser]

Click above link for rest of article

Well I am not a farmer nor do I really know any, so I will let someone that is in the know make the first comment. :wink:

 

[Reverend Blair]

Harper is blowing it with prairie farmers though. He wants to get rid of the Wheat Board, although Canada has just fought and won several attacks on it by the US through NAFTA.

However, farm lobby groups were less than enthusiastic about the wheat board proposal.

"The single-desk selling policy has been supported year after year in democratic elections by a voting majority of western farmers,'' Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen said in a release.

"I hope, if they form the next government, Mr. Harper and his party will respect that.''

It's interesting how Harper decided to make his ag policy announcement in Ontario too. I guess after what he did to protect Cargill and Tyson and this latest attack on the Wheat Board, he knew he was afraid to face western farmers.

 

[Jay]

.... including choosing whether to participate in the Canadian Wheat Board.

That is good news. I know a lot of western farmers support the Board, but those who don't shouldn't be forced to participate.

 

[Reverend Blair]

They don't have to, Jay. They are free to grow crops not handled by the Wheat Board.

The farmers have voted time and again to keep the Wheat Board. Why does Stephen Harper hate democracy? Why do you?

 

[Jay]

But they aren't free to grow what the "Wheat Board" controls.... Why do people who support this stuff hate freedom? Why do you hate freedom?

 

[Colpy]

Re: RE: Harper pledges.......

Still Missile...it's good to express an opinion. Especially a negative one of the pig-humping rednecks in the Conservative Party and little hoggish pal who took over the Greens.

My, that's a lovely thought.


I'm so impressed with your ability to carry on rational debate.

 

[Reverend Blair]

But they aren't free to grow what the "Wheat Board" controls.... Why do people who support this stuff hate freedom? Why do you hate freedom?

They are free to grow it though. They just have to do so in cooperation with the majority of farmers. I realise that you and Mr. Harper hate both democracy and cooperation, Jay, but if you look at the record of the Wheat Board you will find that they've provided an excellent return to those who grow their crops.

The majority of farmers support the Wheat Board because it does a good job for them. The ones who want to get rid of it are those who switch from one crop to another based on short-term gain instead of good farming practices and long-term returns.

 

[Reverend Blair]

So did anybody else catch Harper on the news when they asked the leaders about x-mas? Harper said, "I'm told we have the kids' presents, and that's all that matters."

There's a few problems with this:

First of all, isn't making your wife do all the x-mas stuff a tad misogynistic? I mean, I know he's busy and all, but couldn't he have taken a few minutes while he was putting up his fake GST sign to pick up something for his kids?

Second of all, what the hell kind of father is this man? My father was a busy guy...on the road a lot. He always made time to at least buy us x-mas presents though. Harper sounds like he hasn't even taken the time to find out what his wife bought for the kids.

Third, what kind of Christian is this guy? All that matters about Christmas is that his wife picked up some toys for the kids? I'm not an adherent to Christianity, but I do expect that Christians in public life, especially those that use their religion to political advantage, at least pay lip service to the biggest holiday in their religion.

 

[MMMike]

So did anybody else catch Harper on the news when they asked the leaders about x-mas? Harper said, "I'm told we have the kids' presents, and that's all that matters."

There's a few problems with this:

First of all, isn't making your wife do all the x-mas stuff a tad misogynistic? I mean, I know he's busy and all, but couldn't he have taken a few minutes while he was putting up his fake GST sign to pick up something for his kids?

Second of all, what the hell kind of father is this man? My father was a busy guy...on the road a lot. He always made time to at least buy us x-mas presents though. Harper sounds like he hasn't even taken the time to find out what his wife bought for the kids.

Third, what kind of Christian is this guy? All that matters about Christmas is that his wife picked up some toys for the kids? I'm not an adherent to Christianity, but I do expect that Christians in public life, especially those that use their religion to political advantage, at least pay lip service to the biggest holiday in their religion.

I think this is an experience most fathers can relate to. My wife did almost all the shopping for the kids and even extended family on both sides. I still have no idea what 'we' got them.

 

[Reverend Blair]

Maybe it's a Conservative thing then...family values and all that.