Is Everyone Happy With Our New Government??
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Re: RE: Is Everyone Happy Wit
Here's the thing. The NDP still didn't get enough seats to be relevant. The current combined NDP+Conservative count is not a majority.
The real power broker is the the Block.
Alberta'sfinest said:
Here's the thing. The NDP still didn't get enough seats to be relevant. The current combined NDP+Conservative count is not a majority.
The real power broker is the the Block.
The combined seats of the Conservative Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party of Canada come to one seat short of a majority; that could be an interesting situation.
Well, no, I'm not really happy, but I didn't expect to be. There was no possible result that would've made me happy.
My instincts are left-centre on most issues but the Liberals need a sharp boot in the ass. I'm glad to see the Bloc Heads in Quebec down in seats and vote share, because it means anybody who thought that was a referendum on sovereignty loses. I'm glad to see the NDP up in seats and vote share, because they've always seemed to me to function as the conscience of Parliament and I like to see a strong contingent of them there, though I'd be very nervous about an NDP national government. I'm disappointed no Greens got a seat, that would have been a most interesting addition to Parliament. And I'm particularly disappointed that three of the four seats in the city I live in went to Conservative candidates who proved themselves in the candidates' meetings I attended to have one or more of the following characteristics: rude, arrogant, ignorant, sexist, homophobic, broadly intolerant, or just plain stupid. One of them was all seven, as well as being too young and inexperienced to find his butt with both hands in a strong light with a mirror. The fourth seat, I was glad to see, went to Ralph Goodale, an honest, honourable, and decent man in my opinion. But I'd bet heavily against long odds that there will be no cabinet minister from Regina in this administration. And if there is, it might be time to duck and cover.
And I'm almost glad to see a Conservative minority. Not because I wanted a Conservative government, but because now the very far right ideologue element that still lingers in the party, which has been sharply repressed in the campaign, might come out of the woodwork and say enough stupid, bigoted, and intemperate things to consign the political far right firmly to the wilderness for another generation after the next general election. They deserve the same opportunity everyone else does to shoot themselves in the gut.
But my major worry is a devolution of federal powers to the provinces that'll balkanize and ultimately destroy the federation. That's what I believed Meech Lake was about, that's really what the Bloc Quebecois is about, and that's what I believe is still on the Conservative agenda. And it's still there because they can't see the big picture. In fact no Canadian leader since Trudeau has been able to see the big picture clearly. You can't have a functional federal state if the federal government has no real power. That's what the fiscal imbalance issue is really about: the provinces have what have proven to be the most expensive functions of modern government in this country--health and education--while the feds have the power to raise money by "any mode or system of taxation," according to the constitution, and provincial taxing powers are limited. That has to be fixed, of course, the constitution's a 19th century document and reflects what were the important functions of governments in the 19th century, but giving away money and power to the provinces isn't the fix; it breaks everything.
That's what I think.
My instincts are left-centre on most issues but the Liberals need a sharp boot in the ass. I'm glad to see the Bloc Heads in Quebec down in seats and vote share, because it means anybody who thought that was a referendum on sovereignty loses. I'm glad to see the NDP up in seats and vote share, because they've always seemed to me to function as the conscience of Parliament and I like to see a strong contingent of them there, though I'd be very nervous about an NDP national government. I'm disappointed no Greens got a seat, that would have been a most interesting addition to Parliament. And I'm particularly disappointed that three of the four seats in the city I live in went to Conservative candidates who proved themselves in the candidates' meetings I attended to have one or more of the following characteristics: rude, arrogant, ignorant, sexist, homophobic, broadly intolerant, or just plain stupid. One of them was all seven, as well as being too young and inexperienced to find his butt with both hands in a strong light with a mirror. The fourth seat, I was glad to see, went to Ralph Goodale, an honest, honourable, and decent man in my opinion. But I'd bet heavily against long odds that there will be no cabinet minister from Regina in this administration. And if there is, it might be time to duck and cover.
And I'm almost glad to see a Conservative minority. Not because I wanted a Conservative government, but because now the very far right ideologue element that still lingers in the party, which has been sharply repressed in the campaign, might come out of the woodwork and say enough stupid, bigoted, and intemperate things to consign the political far right firmly to the wilderness for another generation after the next general election. They deserve the same opportunity everyone else does to shoot themselves in the gut.
But my major worry is a devolution of federal powers to the provinces that'll balkanize and ultimately destroy the federation. That's what I believed Meech Lake was about, that's really what the Bloc Quebecois is about, and that's what I believe is still on the Conservative agenda. And it's still there because they can't see the big picture. In fact no Canadian leader since Trudeau has been able to see the big picture clearly. You can't have a functional federal state if the federal government has no real power. That's what the fiscal imbalance issue is really about: the provinces have what have proven to be the most expensive functions of modern government in this country--health and education--while the feds have the power to raise money by "any mode or system of taxation," according to the constitution, and provincial taxing powers are limited. That has to be fixed, of course, the constitution's a 19th century document and reflects what were the important functions of governments in the 19th century, but giving away money and power to the provinces isn't the fix; it breaks everything.
That's what I think.
I am a little disappointed.
For one, Liberal Paul Zed, who (IMHO) is a man beneath contempt, was re-elected as my MP.
I had hoped for a Conservative majority, but failing that, a very strong minority.
We got neither.
But we did win.
Hopefully the Canadian people are about to get a good look at how decent a man Harper is, and how scary he isn't, and a majority will be forthcoming next time.
For now, Harper will have to cherry-pick support from different parties on each proposal, a tightrope act if there ever was one.
Most importantly, he will need to carefully pick the bills he wants to push.....to make the opposistion defeat him on a popular bill if he can't get his agenda through Parliament.
Oh. One other GOOD thing....Landslide Annie is gone.....the whole damn election would have been worth it for that alone.
For one, Liberal Paul Zed, who (IMHO) is a man beneath contempt, was re-elected as my MP.
I had hoped for a Conservative majority, but failing that, a very strong minority.
We got neither.
But we did win.
Hopefully the Canadian people are about to get a good look at how decent a man Harper is, and how scary he isn't, and a majority will be forthcoming next time.
For now, Harper will have to cherry-pick support from different parties on each proposal, a tightrope act if there ever was one.
Most importantly, he will need to carefully pick the bills he wants to push.....to make the opposistion defeat him on a popular bill if he can't get his agenda through Parliament.
Oh. One other GOOD thing....Landslide Annie is gone.....the whole damn election would have been worth it for that alone.
Sad day for Canada... won't be long before budget is shot to hell and we are back in recession....
Re: RE: Is Everyone Happy With Our New Government??
Bet ya 20 bucks there is a surplus next year!
Belinda Ryan said:
Bet ya 20 bucks there is a surplus next year!
Re: RE: Is Everyone Happy Wit
The bloq is the weapion of a fool. He can use it but he will destory the Conservative party if he does so. PLUS the Bloq has a strong Social Democratic leaning. The Bloq disagree with the CPC more so then the Liberals and NDP on many social issues. However if the CPC can get a handful of bloq conservatives to jump to the CPC then the CPC and NDP can hold government.
Freethinker said:
The bloq is the weapion of a fool. He can use it but he will destory the Conservative party if he does so. PLUS the Bloq has a strong Social Democratic leaning. The Bloq disagree with the CPC more so then the Liberals and NDP on many social issues. However if the CPC can get a handful of bloq conservatives to jump to the CPC then the CPC and NDP can hold government.
I thought the Tories thought surpluses were evil, lol?
Well, that's the impression I get during Question Period, anyway.
Well, that's the impression I get during Question Period, anyway.
Re: RE: Is Everyone Happy With Our New Government??
in what currency are you wagering? If Harper pushes his agenda through the canadian dollar might not be worth too much next year.
Colpy said:Belinda Ryan said:
Bet ya 20 bucks there is a surplus next year!
in what currency are you wagering? If Harper pushes his agenda through the canadian dollar might not be worth too much next year.
Surprisingly I am happy how the election turned out.....yes towards the end people were predicting a much larger CPC govt but we will still be able to push most of our agenda through....certainly a lot sunnier than it was under the Liberals.
.....honestly if you go back to the start of the election many of us conservatives expected a small minority or even a loss....so this result is jsut fine with me.
.....honestly if you go back to the start of the election many of us conservatives expected a small minority or even a loss....so this result is jsut fine with me.
Re: RE: Is Everyone Happy With Our New Government??
Well, the old Reform conservatives thought the major aim of government should be to pay down debt.
My impression was the Official Opposition had a problem with the Liberals low-balling the surplus for a big surprize announcement on how unexpectedly well they had done.....it was a miracle!
Every year.
Oh, Five Paradox, congrats on your first vote!
Maybe someday you'll learn to do it right.
And I do mean RIGHT! :wink:
FiveParadox said:
Well, the old Reform conservatives thought the major aim of government should be to pay down debt.
My impression was the Official Opposition had a problem with the Liberals low-balling the surplus for a big surprize announcement on how unexpectedly well they had done.....it was a miracle!
Every year.
Oh, Five Paradox, congrats on your first vote!
Maybe someday you'll learn to do it right.
And I do mean RIGHT! :wink:
lol, thank you.
Voting was fun! It was a truly Canadian feeling to walk back to my secondary school (the nearest polling station to my house), and to see other people walking back and forth and both sides of the street, to and from the vote, nodding and greeting each other in this traditional exercise of democracy.
Damn, it felt good.
Voting was fun! It was a truly Canadian feeling to walk back to my secondary school (the nearest polling station to my house), and to see other people walking back and forth and both sides of the street, to and from the vote, nodding and greeting each other in this traditional exercise of democracy.
Damn, it felt good.
Re: RE: Is Everyone Happy With Our New Government??
$20 US? :lol:
the caracal kid said:Colpy said:Belinda Ryan said:
Bet ya 20 bucks there is a surplus next year!
in what currency are you wagering? If Harper pushes his agenda through the canadian dollar might not be worth too much next year.
$20 US? :lol:
Re: RE: Is Everyone Happy With Our New Government??
Yeah, I always liked it as well.
Democracy in action.
It is a very valuable thing, despite the flaws.
FiveParadox said:
Yeah, I always liked it as well.
Democracy in action.
It is a very valuable thing, despite the flaws.
Insert immediate and violent flaming of the first-past-the-post system, and how Canada is a sham democracy, maybe an electoral conspiracy or two, and et cetera.
Thought I'd save some members some time.
Thought I'd save some members some time.
Re: RE: Is Everyone Happy With Our New Government??
yes my friend Alberta is now rat free,its too bad that Paul Zed won you riding again though. :x
Again it might seem dissapointing right now because for the last 2 weeks we have been hearing "Majority" thrown around, but honestly in the begenning of this campaign many of us conservative were not sure we could even win this election....so overall its a great day for us :wink:
Colpy said:
yes my friend Alberta is now rat free,its too bad that Paul Zed won you riding again though. :x
Again it might seem dissapointing right now because for the last 2 weeks we have been hearing "Majority" thrown around, but honestly in the begenning of this campaign many of us conservative were not sure we could even win this election....so overall its a great day for us :wink:
Am I happy with the election results?
Federally:
That is yet too be determined.
I will give Harper the benefit of the doubt and wish him luck.
He’s in the big chair now, and it’s a big step from opposition to prime minister. There is only one way to go from here and that is down.
In my Riding:
I am happy that the conservative candidate (Rondo Thomas)in my area did not win, for various reasons.
I did not vote Liberal (Mark Holland) either in order to get rid of the conservative. I will not compromise my principal’s in voting for whom I feel deserves the job, and not just listen to scare tactics and strategic voting BS.
All in all, I felt this was a pretty poor election. The platforms were not that enthralling on all accounts and generally led me too believe that any party has the means to get the job done properly for Canadians. These are sceptical times that we live in; we must remain vigilante of the powers that bind us.
Federally:
That is yet too be determined.
I will give Harper the benefit of the doubt and wish him luck.
He’s in the big chair now, and it’s a big step from opposition to prime minister. There is only one way to go from here and that is down.
In my Riding:
I am happy that the conservative candidate (Rondo Thomas)in my area did not win, for various reasons.
I did not vote Liberal (Mark Holland) either in order to get rid of the conservative. I will not compromise my principal’s in voting for whom I feel deserves the job, and not just listen to scare tactics and strategic voting BS.
All in all, I felt this was a pretty poor election. The platforms were not that enthralling on all accounts and generally led me too believe that any party has the means to get the job done properly for Canadians. These are sceptical times that we live in; we must remain vigilante of the powers that bind us.
God bless Stephen Harper...the face of Canada has undeniably changed. We will be able to push through legislation on tougher criminal sentences (arming border guards & more border security), get the support needed to boost our military, cut taxes for Canadians and the business community to promote growth, less interference in provincial matters (great for Quebec and Alberta), hopefully make some changes for Senate Reform, Handgun owners can breathe a sigh of relief (maybe even abolish the gun registry), fix realtions with the United States, establish our daycare plan, ect..........
I also think many Canadians went into this election thinking a Stephen Harper govt would be the end of Canada with the destruction of health care and a turn in the economy for deficits...... .... but when Canadians see that a Tory government is nothing to be scared of, and if Harper put some policy through which makes him popular, then I think next election could be the Tory majorty!
I also think many Canadians went into this election thinking a Stephen Harper govt would be the end of Canada with the destruction of health care and a turn in the economy for deficits...... .... but when Canadians see that a Tory government is nothing to be scared of, and if Harper put some policy through which makes him popular, then I think next election could be the Tory majorty!