Oh, SPARE ME the hidden agenda BS.
To me, a solid right winger, Harper's "hidden agenda" has been to drag all us old Reformers, kicking and screaming, to the absolute CENTRE of the political spectrum.
A LOT of his political skill has been spent doing away with issues near and dear to the hearts of hard-core right wingers.
Examples:
1. It is VERY clear abortion is simply NOT on the agenda, and NEVER will be. Discussion closed. Period. Anyone that accuses the CPC of waiting for a majority to push an anti-abortion agenda is either stupid, not paying attention, of fear-mongering with the basest of lies. I hope that is CLEAR!
2. Gay Marriage. A vote promised, which will be delivered in the fall. A vote set up to fail, so that the status quo of SSM will stand. Why do you suppose the vote is on the question "Do you wish to re-open the debate on SSM?" The answer is simple. NO pro-SSM Member will vote to re-open the debate. MANY supporters of traditional marriage will vote NOT to re-open the debate (were I a MP, I would fall into the latter camp). Harper has set it up this way, he wants the issue to die, and he doesn't care if SSM is here to stay. Brilliant political move.
3. Gun Control. Yeah, the long-gun registry is on hold. A vote will happen in the fall. But will it die? GOD< I hope so, but if it DOESN'T, it will remain a club to beat the left with.....a colossal waste of cash, and Harper will be able to point to the vote as a promise kept. Remember, Harper voted FOR C-68 on second reading.
What irritates the REAL right is that the actual registration of long guns is FAR from the worst bit of C-68, the Firearms Act. We want it ALL dumped, and sensible gun laws enacted. Harper is merely skirting the issue.
The "hidden agenda" is not to drag Canada to the radical right, but to drag the CPC firmly into the centre.
To me, a solid right winger, Harper's "hidden agenda" has been to drag all us old Reformers, kicking and screaming, to the absolute CENTRE of the political spectrum.
A LOT of his political skill has been spent doing away with issues near and dear to the hearts of hard-core right wingers.
Examples:
1. It is VERY clear abortion is simply NOT on the agenda, and NEVER will be. Discussion closed. Period. Anyone that accuses the CPC of waiting for a majority to push an anti-abortion agenda is either stupid, not paying attention, of fear-mongering with the basest of lies. I hope that is CLEAR!
2. Gay Marriage. A vote promised, which will be delivered in the fall. A vote set up to fail, so that the status quo of SSM will stand. Why do you suppose the vote is on the question "Do you wish to re-open the debate on SSM?" The answer is simple. NO pro-SSM Member will vote to re-open the debate. MANY supporters of traditional marriage will vote NOT to re-open the debate (were I a MP, I would fall into the latter camp). Harper has set it up this way, he wants the issue to die, and he doesn't care if SSM is here to stay. Brilliant political move.
3. Gun Control. Yeah, the long-gun registry is on hold. A vote will happen in the fall. But will it die? GOD< I hope so, but if it DOESN'T, it will remain a club to beat the left with.....a colossal waste of cash, and Harper will be able to point to the vote as a promise kept. Remember, Harper voted FOR C-68 on second reading.
What irritates the REAL right is that the actual registration of long guns is FAR from the worst bit of C-68, the Firearms Act. We want it ALL dumped, and sensible gun laws enacted. Harper is merely skirting the issue.
The "hidden agenda" is not to drag Canada to the radical right, but to drag the CPC firmly into the centre.