Stephen Harper has tough words for coalition

Praxius

Praxius

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Dec 18, 2007
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CTV.ca | Stephen Harper has tough words for coalition

Despite having to shut down Parliament to save his government from being toppled by a furious opposition coalition, Prime Minister Stephen Harper pulled no punches when discussing his political rivals in a year-end interview with CTV Atlantic.

Harper accused the coalition of trying to "overthrow" the government, refused to answer critics' repeated demands to apologize for the fiscal update that sparked the turmoil on Parliament Hill, and defended his move to appoint senators to the upper chamber -- the same institute he has derided for being undemocratic.

Asked repeatedly whether he regretted unveiling a fiscal update that would have financially crippled the opposition parties, while saving roughly $27 million a year, Harper said he had acted in the best interest of Canadians.

He also suggested the anger displayed by the opposition was exaggerated, noting reports that the NDP and Bloc had talked about a possible coalition around the time of the election.

"We only found out later that they had been planning to overturn the results of the election ever since election night. But in terms of the political financing measures, we believe these are in the public interest, and the public overwhelmingly supports these measures," he said.
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How do you know that Harper? Maybe you should heed your own words and let the people decide through a vote..... oh yeah, that only works when the shoe is on the other foot, I forgot. :roll:

With Michael Ignatieff now holding the reins of the Liberal party, it's become uncertain whether the Liberal-NDP coalition will last until the government unveils its budget in late January.

The coalition needs the support of the Bloc Quebecois to survive, which has proven to be a sore point for many Canadians. In a recent Strategic Counsel poll, 58 per cent of voters across the country said they opposed the coalition.

Harper told CTV Atlantic he met with Ignatieff last week, but said he still knew little about the former Harvard scholar and author.

"I've read very little of what he's written. I certainly know he's a noted academic," he said.

Harper also invited Ignatieff to "work with the government on dealing with the economy because nobody wants Canadians to go back to the polls."
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Apparently plenty did want to goto the polls over all of this stink, so he's clearly pulling assumptions out of his arse yet again and not actually listening to the people.

The Liberals and Conservatives are currently discussing the upcoming budget, set to be tabled on Jan. 27. Ignatieff has said the coalition could bring down the government unless the budget includes what he has described as an adequate stimulus package, to help soften the blow of the worldwide credit crisis.

Harper said Canadians should know exactly what the coalition would do as an alternative.

"I want to see exactly what it is the opposition would have us do in the budget. I mean, we're going to proceed with the budget one way or another. But I do think, particularly as these parties talk about getting together and trying to overturn the government, I think they should tell Canadians would exactly they would do instead," he said.
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They already did, much more then what you have so far..... Harper keeps talking about making a plan, or talking about a plan, or working on a plan, but he presents nothing, the damn hypocrite. Put your money where your mouth is and tell us your plan.

Oh that's right, he doesn't have one, just like he didn't have one during the election, just like he didn't have one when the opposition flipped the sh*ts, just like he doesn't have one now.

Tory Senate appointments

The prime minister also addressed the controversy surrounding his plans to fill 18 vacant Senate seats, despite his opposition to appointing senators without some form of democratic process.

Currently, senators are chosen by the prime minister and keep their appointments for 45 years, or until mandatory retirement at 75. Harper wants the provinces to elect their own choices, and also wants shortened terms of just eight years.

"In a way, it's a sad day for me," said Harper. "I've waited for three years. We've invited provinces to hold elections. We've put an electoral bill before the House of Commons. But for the most part, neither in Parliament nor in the provinces has there been any willingness to move forward on reform."
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Yeah sure that's the reason, or maybe Harper keeps back peddling by pitting government against itself so that nothing gets done and he can keep saying he's the only one trying to work, when clearly he's the only one who doesn't.

Currently, there are 58 Liberals and 20 Conservatives in the 105-seat Senate, after years of successive Liberal governments.

"We're now faced with a very simple choice. Does the government Canadians elected appoint those senators, or are they going to be appointed by a coalition that nobody elected?" said Harper.
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They were elected you dumb ass, get a friggin clue.

When asked by CTV Atlantic's Steve Murphy whether "two wrongs make a right," Harper repeated that he was left with little choice.

"It's the only option. There is no prospect for electing these senators in the near term," he said.

Harper also said he faces increases pressure from within his own party to appoint senators who are loyal to the ruling government. In the past, the Conservatives have accused the Liberal-dominated Senate of stalling bills passed by the lower chamber.

Senators have defended their role as overseeing the chamber of sober second thought, saying they have a duty to carefully examine any legislation, rather than rubber-stamping bills and blindly supporting the government.

"Quite frankly, I think the public would prefer to see senators supporting the government they elected," said Harper.
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And I think, being part of that public, that you're full of sh*t.

I want senators who do their damn jobs as they should be done, not simple yes men for Harper to do as he pleases...... what a corrupt bastard he is.

Afghanistan

Before the interview, the prime minister visited New Brunswick, where three soldiers killed in Afghanistan this past weekend were based.

He spent time at an elementary school where veterans of the Second World War shared their stories with students, and Harper gave his condolences to the families of the latest victims.

"It is always a tremendous tragedy when we lose people like this," he said.

Harper later spoke about the visit with CTV Atlantic and said it was important to be reminded of the sacrifices Canada's soldiers must sometimes make.

"These are the best that we have -- bright, ambitious young people who are willing to put their lives on the line for the country and their fellow human beings," he said.

"Whenever we get this news it's always terrible. And it always helps give me some perspective. Whenever we in politics complain about some of the difficulties of public life, we always have to remember that it's pretty trivial when compared to the sacrifices and risks that our men and women undertake on our behalf."
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So he simply trivializes our issues in our own country in order to be ignored even further by switching over to our military dying in a mission that he extended until 2011?

Holy Bat Farts Batman, this is getting ridiculous
 
#juan

#juan

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Aug 30, 2005
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No matter how you cut it Harper is desperate. Last I heard the coalition was alive and well if Ignatieff wants to use it. I think Harper can see the writing on the wall. He won't make it through the next conservative leadership vote. What makes it doubly stupid is that Harper brought this entirely on himself.
 
D

DavidB

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Harper should just call their bluff. Put it on the line.

If he gets cowed now, he won't be able to do later some of the tough things the economic crisis will require. Every time he wants to make a decision, he'll worry about how the opposition will react. Things won't get done.

The whole thing is ridiculous anyway. If the situation had been reversed, if the Liberals had won a minority government, they would be in exactly the same boat the Conservatives are in. They would have an economic crisis to deal with. Their policies would be timid for fear of bringing down the house. And the Conservatives in opposition would be cautious about either bringing down the government or supporting the timid policies. Nothing would be different.
 
Colpy

Colpy

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Praxius said:


CTV.ca | Stephen Harper has tough words for coalition



How do you know that Harper? Maybe you should heed your own words and let the people decide through a vote..... oh yeah, that only works when the shoe is on the other foot, I forgot. :roll:


You really don't want to go to a vote......can you say Harper majority???

I only wish the coalition would vote down the budget.


Apparently plenty did want to goto the polls over all of this stink, so he's clearly pulling assumptions out of his arse yet again and not actually listening to the people.



They already did, much more then what you have so far..... Harper keeps talking about making a plan, or talking about a plan, or working on a plan, but he presents nothing, the damn hypocrite. Put your money where your mouth is and tell us your plan.

Oh that's right, he doesn't have one, just like he didn't have one during the election, just like he didn't have one when the opposition flipped the sh*ts, just like he doesn't have one now.

Oh he had a plan.....he planned to pull the political parties off the public tit.....big mistake, they are just too greedy.....that simple.



Yeah sure that's the reason, or maybe Harper keeps back peddling by pitting government against itself so that nothing gets done and he can keep saying he's the only one trying to work, when clearly he's the only one who doesn't.



They were elected you dumb ass, get a friggin clue.

No they were not.....each of them was elected to represent their riding, upholding the platform of their party, nobody in the ROC voted for the Seperatists......and it is outrageous that the scum of the Libs and NDP would hand them power, because, make no mistake, they are being well paid in kind for their 18 months of support. At least Ignatieff is backing off, Harper should call their bluff.....

And I think, being part of that public, that you're full of sh*t.

I want senators who do their damn jobs as they should be done, not simple yes men for Harper to do as he pleases...... what a corrupt bastard he is.

Oh give me a break! Harper would love elected Senators.....but that is not happening, is it? So he is appointing them......ezactly the same way every PM has done sine 1867. Otherwise, it is leave the Upper House with no significant opposition to the Liberals, who, BTW, are no longer running the country.



So he simply trivializes our issues in our own country in order to be ignored even further by switching over to our military dying in a mission that he extended until 2011?

Holy Bat Farts Batman, this is getting ridiculous
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It is ridiculous......it is ridiculous that Harper is by far the best man to be PM.........
 
Scott Free

Scott Free

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May 9, 2007
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Yeah, that is pretty funny.

Just that Harper couldn't get a majority in the last election means the Conservatives would be smart to give him the boot especially now that the Liberals have a real leader. Harper is going to be in real trouble if this new guy isn't a complete wienie.
 
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Scott Free

Scott Free

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May 9, 2007
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That's the whole point - he can't. Foot meet mouth. He'll do something really stupid soon (again).
 
L Gilbert

L Gilbert

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Nov 30, 2006
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lmao You people either demonize the guy or think he is some sort of savior. Well, sorry, but he is neither demon nor saint. hmmm Come to think of it, neither is Ignatieff, Layton, or any other pol since confederation. Shouldn't let your biases and emotions blind you to that fact. They ALL have good points and bad points.

(Oh yeah. Forgot to say something in Prax's favorite color)
 
JLM

JLM

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Nov 27, 2008
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L Gilbert said:
lmao You people either demonize the guy or think he is some sort of savior. Well, sorry, but he is neither demon nor saint. hmmm Come to think of it, neither is Ignatieff, Layton, or any other pol since confederation. Shouldn't let your biases and emotions blind you to that fact. They ALL have good points and bad points.

(Oh yeah. Forgot to say something in Prax's favorite color)
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Exactemente, the only difference between Harper and the other clowns is his party got more votes on election day.
 
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