Jack Layton right now is very luck his surge is happening essentially in the home stretch, coming onto the weekend before the election date, and as LAME as it is getting hidden in the back-ground due to the over-blown wedding across the Atlantic today.
He was getting assaulted with questions yesterday and did okay but it seems even reporters have agenda's and everyone discounted these guys and are trying to catch up.
Two noteable observations which may change before the election date so do not hold me to them, one Ignateiff is horrible and dropped the ball mightily and may go down as the greatest failure for the Liberals (and to think Dion could be topped!). But to me bigger, not in the sense of epic fails, is Harper may have blown his chance at a Tory majority by forgetting that the NDP existed, he is trying to make ground by calling their potential policy devestating and destructive.
May be too little too late to save a majority run which may lead to him stepping down to be replaced by (prediciton time) a more Progressive Conservative that promotes sound economic policy, ability to cut waste/redundancy in the government, but socially moderate (who that may be time will tell...I guess not too much of a prediction as a statement to the proven character of that person). This would gain votes by the boat-load, Harper is failing to defeat argueably one the weakest moments in Liberal history because of what he has stood for and the secret's that seem to surround him. As I mentioned I believe everyone changes their mind as they get older but some people will not change their minds on you and that to me is what is haunting Harper.
What this election run has taught me about my fellow countrymen/women is that the majority of the country wants fiscal responsibility over government accountability. However trust cannot be 100% given due to threats of potetnial movements on social structures that this country holds close to it's chest.
However to think the people of this country are holding the government accountable is delusional thinking, if people had a true choice most would vote none of the above. People want change and until these leaders (well 3/4) move on true trust may not be given for awhile.
my observations are that i suspect that the youth vote is coming out ... more so than normal ... with vote mobs and campaigns on facebook/twitter - these people that previously didn't care ... are now voting ... which is ultimately the driving force lowering the conservatives in the polls ...
i will give the conservatives this tho ... they have managed this myth that they are the most fiscally responsible party for quite a while ... even tho economies everywhere have never worked with this conservative approach of slashing taxes ... it's a myth to appeal to the middle class but in reality is just a ploy to widen the prosperity gap ... make the rich richer and the poor poorer ...
even tho they governed in a time of economic boom ... the harris guys still couldn't leave without a defecit and its the same guys that are giving us record defecits now federally ...
there is no progressive conservative in the wings for the con party ... because the con party is not progressive anymore ... it's reform/neocon ... in reality, a lot of the old school liberals are closer to the former PC party than the con party is now ...
my observations are that i suspect that the youth vote is coming out ... more so than normal ... with vote mobs and campaigns on facebook/twitter - these people that previously didn't care ... are now voting ... which is ultimately the driving force lowering the conservatives in the polls ...
i will give the conservatives this tho ... they have managed this myth that they are the most fiscally responsible party for quite a while ... even tho economies everywhere have never worked with this conservative approach of slashing taxes ... it's a myth to appeal to the middle class but in reality is just a ploy to widen the prosperity gap ... make the rich richer and the poor poorer ...
even tho they governed in a time of economic boom ... the harris guys still couldn't leave without a defecit and its the same guys that are giving us record defecits now federally ...
there is no progressive conservative in the wings for the con party ... because the con party is not progressive anymore ... it's reform/neocon ... in reality, a lot of the old school liberals are closer to the former PC party than the con party is now ...
I guess time will tell who is right about the next Conservative leader, put it this way they very well maybe as you say.
I am speaking strictly from political strategy that is they need to get someone in there that people can trust, actually let me re-phrase that, that "lost" Liberal voters that can trust that will not touch the social foundations this country is known for. To me that would guarantee a majority next election unless the Liberals can finally find someone to galvanzie their party and take back the voters that turned to the Conservatives in revolt to two horrible party leaders.
Another prediction; time dependant upon the NDP gaining the offical status as the opposition, the Liberals will join hands with the Conservatives for at least 3 years and upwards of a full term. The Conservatives will be able to sneak in other-wise non Liberal/NDP stuff because frankly these parties cannot go to another election for two reasons:
1) No more money in the coffers and big business donations to the Liberal party are weakening as the market (read a lot of this yesterday) believes that the Liberals are the NDP-Lite party of the election. We can disagree with that but the fact remains that is how they are viewed by the business community.
2) A another quick election will all but guarantee a majority for Harper and not only that not allow enough time to pass for Harper's successor to take over to run a new campaign.
say what? ... in reality - it is true ... the BQ are essentially a leftist party who are representing quebec's interests in ottawa ... the reality is they can never have enuf seats to form gov't so they really should be backing the party that share's their social values ... the fight for sovereignty is a provincial matter and they should be looking to unseat charest as premier ...
2 Bloc members support NDP
Open letter states they are still sovereigntists, but NDP is best choice on May 2
Jack Layton's surge in this election campaign has inspired two Bloc Québécois members to openly call for sovereigntists to vote NDP on May 2.Jack Layton's surge in this election campaign has inspired two Bloc Québécois members to openly call for sovereigntists to vote NDP on May 2. (Andrew Vaughan, Canadian Press)
Two members of the Bloc Québécois are openly calling on sovereigntists to vote for the NDP on Election Day.
Maxime Bellerose, the former president of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve riding association, and Benoît Dumuy, a one-time political adviser to former Bloc MP Réal Ménard, have drafted a letter in which they write that the Bloc has reached its limits in Ottawa and that it's time to move on to another option.
In the letter, Bellerose and Dumuy write that they are still convinced sovereignty is the right path for Quebec, but that the struggle needs to happen in Quebec, not in Ottawa.
"While waiting for a winning referendum, voting NDP today is the solution to break the cycle of minority Conservative governments," the letter reads.
It goes on to say that for the first time, social democracy is knocking on the doors of Parliament, and that it would be a shame for Quebecers not to take the opportunity to send MPs to Ottawa who champion the values of mutual help and justice held dearly in Quebec.
The letter is signed by the two men, who label themselves as "engaged citizens."
In an interview with CBC News, Dumuy said he and Bellerose are not the only bloquistes who will be voting NDP.
"I'm not a black sheep, I'm not an anecdote," Dumuy said.
He said the vast majority of his entourage supports the Bloc, and at least three quarters of his friends and colleagues will be putting an X beside the name of the NDP candidate in their ridings on Monday.
Does anybody really think NDP candidates will replace Bloc members...I don't...If anything they might bleed enough votes from the Bloc that allows Conservatives to take surprise seats. I expect the Bloc to still have their 40-50 seats. In Ontario I can see enough votes being drained from the Liberals to give Conservatives more seats. I can't see any Conservative supporters voting NDP. These polls are starting to look like the poll released before the Toronto election that had Ford and Smitherman neck and neck...and did Ford not win rather easily.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
Does anybody really think NDP candidates will replace Bloc members...I don't...If anything they might bleed enough votes from the Bloc that allows Conservatives to take surprise seats. I expect the Bloc to still have their 40-50 seats. In Ontario I can see enough votes being drained from the Liberals to give Conservatives more seats. I can't see any Conservative supporters voting NDP. These polls are starting to look like the poll released before the Toronto election that had Ford and Smitherman neck and neck...and did Ford not win rather easily.
If the election was today I would bet some money they are...the NDP is running away with the popular vote in Quebec (largest gains they have seen in any area of the country). The Conservatives are WAY down in the polls in Quebec the NDP is expected to take seats from them there and in the Maritimes.
I agree with the concerns in regards vote splitting in Ontario.
Also the national popular votes polls are scewed by Alberta/Saskatchewan where everyone and their dog will vote Conservative, just a blue haze over those two provinces.
Does anybody really think NDP candidates will replace Bloc members...I don't...If anything they might bleed enough votes from the Bloc that allows Conservatives to take surprise seats. I expect the Bloc to still have their 40-50 seats. In Ontario I can see enough votes being drained from the Liberals to give Conservatives more seats. I can't see any Conservative supporters voting NDP. These polls are starting to look like the poll released before the Toronto election that had Ford and Smitherman neck and neck...and did Ford not win rather easily.
according to reports ... the conservatives feel like they have lost seats already to the ndp in bc and elsewhere ... they are really pushing ontario now ...
for sure ... come monday night - we will see how these polls translate but in reading some comments on websites and watching newscasts ... i think a lot of people feel like you ... they are fed up with the corruption of the main two parties and the NDP aren't as scary anymore ... they have no problem voting that way ...
Does anybody really think NDP candidates will replace Bloc members...I don't...If anything they might bleed enough votes from the Bloc that allows Conservatives to take surprise seats. I expect the Bloc to still have their 40-50 seats. In Ontario I can see enough votes being drained from the Liberals to give Conservatives more seats. I can't see any Conservative supporters voting NDP. These polls are starting to look like the poll released before the Toronto election that had Ford and Smitherman neck and neck...and did Ford not win rather easily.
If the election was today I would bet some money they are...the NDP is running away with the popular vote in Quebec (largest gains they have seen in any area of the country). The Conservatives are WAY down in the polls in Quebec the NDP is expected to take seats from them there and in the Maritimes.
I agree with the concerns in regards vote splitting in Ontario.
Also the national popular votes polls are scewed by Alberta/Saskatchewan where everyone and their dog will vote Conservative, just a blue haze over those two provinces.
I guess I'm not convinced by polls ever since the Toronto election...I read polls and these polls might be right.
Quebec is a different sort of province...they want their interest looked out for...will the NDP...they know the bloc will vote against anything that is not good for Quebec.
You can't blame Alberta and Saskatchewan for voting Conservative...I think their the only party interested in protecting the O&G industry.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
Information about Gonorrhea Lectim
The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of this old disease. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim.
It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'em," and it is a terrible disease.
The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behaviour involving putting your cranium up your rectum. Many victims contracted it when they re-elected the Stephen Harper government and are now starting to realize how destructive this sickness is.
It's sad because Gonorrhea Lectim is easily cured with a new drug just coming on the market called Votemout. It's pronounced "Vote-em-out". You take the first dose in 2011 or whenever and don't engage in such behaviour again; otherwise, it could become permanent and eventually wipe out all life as we know it in Canada.
A lot of money that is used in equalization payments (therefore propping up have not provinces) comes on the back of the O&G sector in these provinces.
A lot of money that is used in equalization payments (therefore propping up have not provinces) comes on the back of the O&G sector in these provinces.
Oh you mean like Ontario and Quebec
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
Information about Gonorrhea Lectim
The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of this old disease. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim.
It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'em," and it is a terrible disease.
The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behaviour involving putting your cranium up your rectum. Many victims contracted it when they re-elected the Stephen Harper government and are now starting to realize how destructive this sickness is.
It's sad because Gonorrhea Lectim is easily cured with a new drug just coming on the market called Votemout. It's pronounced "Vote-em-out". You take the first dose in 2011 or whenever and don't engage in such behaviour again; otherwise, it could become permanent and eventually wipe out all life as we know it in Canada.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
A lot of money that is used in equalization payments (therefore propping up have not provinces) comes on the back of the O&G sector in these provinces.
they are also probably the most heavily subsidized industries in canada
couldn't have said it better myself ... a letter someone wrote in the star ...
**************************
I’ve found myself more engaged in this election than those of previous years for one reason only: my genuine fear of a majority government for Stephen Harper. Having recently purchased and read a book by Christian Nadeau, a philosophy and political ethics professor with the University of Montreal, entitled Rogue in Power, I believe that my fears are justified.
Mr. Nadeau is quite correct in his allegations that Harper is “remaking Canada by stealth,” and not in a good way.
As his book states, “Canada has always been known as a good place to live . . . a tolerant, prosperous, stable country that treats its citizens fairly and protects the weakest in society. Yet during the past five years, it has started to change into a harder, more mean-spirited place,” thanks to the questionable (and largely hidden) agenda of Harper and his neo-con ideologues.
There is much evidence to support Mr. Nadeau’s claims that today’s Conservatives are “implementing a well-planned and organized attack on justice and democracy” in this country, and “systematically dismantling (our) political, social and cultural institutions . . . and with them traditions and values . . . that many Canadians hold dear.”
Not surprisingly, many letters and articles submitted by the public appear to support this view by outlining numerous examples of Harper’s contempt for our parliament and way of life, and expressing grave concerns about his agenda.
From his distortion and misrepresentation of our parliamentary processes, to his unhealthy bent for control and assault on our freedom of speech, his obsession with security and outright disdain for social justice, women and the environment, to his sullying of Canada’s reputation on the international stage, Harper has managed to lead us in a dark direction indeed.
Now bearing witness to an American-style campaign of arrogance and bullying, behaviours similar to those for which Harper has become well-known during his governance of this country, it is clear that this is not the leadership, or the leader, that Canada needs.
For these reasons, I implore everyone, particularly those who call themselves Conservatives, to read Mr. Nadeau’s book and ask honestly if Harper’s vision for Canada truly represents their own.
Make no mistake. Today’s party is not the Progressive Conservative Party of the 1960s, ’70s or ’80s. And in light of Harper’s success in manipulating his way into power in Canada during the past decade, I believe it is time for a serious debate about the merits of proportional representation — a subject gaining more and more popularity amongst many Canadians today.
Pure Bullshit...the less vulnerable have always been left behind...I don't care whether it's Harper...Martin...JC...Mulroney...McGuinty...Harris...Rae...or who now people seem to think will save them Layton...yeah he represents the little guy, yet he and his wife expensed or fleeced Canada for a million last year, he's know different because if he was he try living a little more modest...they all talk like they are actually going to help...but us less naive know the truth...a vote Monday is a vote for the FUCKIN CORRUPT BULLSHITTERS.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
I just got a phone call, some lady telling me to vote for the Conservatives, because they are the best, they want to help families, and she also mentioned how Canada is the envy of the world right now because of Harper, she then asked if I knew that?
I had no idea! Canada is the envy of the word, that's awesome. CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! :P
I just got a phone call, some lady telling me to vote for the Conservatives, because they are the best, they want to help families, and she also mentioned how Canada is the envy of the world right now because of Harper, she then asked if I knew that?
I had no idea! Canada is the envy of the word, that's awesome. CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! :P
Yes we are awesome! :P Right now the Greens, the Liberals and NDP are on the phone telling potential voters how awful these last five years have been, how the world frowns upon us, and come Tuesday if we have another Conservative government the world will ends.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
I just got a phone call, some lady telling me to vote for the Conservatives, because they are the best, they want to help families, and she also mentioned how Canada is the envy of the world right now because of Harper, she then asked if I knew that?
I had no idea! Canada is the envy of the word, that's awesome. CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! :P
Yes we are awesome! :P Right now the Greens, the Liberals and NDP are on the phone telling potential voters how awful these last five years have been, how the world frowns upon us, and come Tuesday if we have another Conservative government the world will ends.
I just got a phone call, some lady telling me to vote for the Conservatives, because they are the best, they want to help families, and she also mentioned how Canada is the envy of the world right now because of Harper, she then asked if I knew that?
I had no idea! Canada is the envy of the word, that's awesome. CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! :P
Yes we are awesome! :P Right now the Greens, the Liberals and NDP are on the phone telling potential voters how awful these last five years have been, how the world frowns upon us, and come Tuesday if we have another Conservative government the world will ends.
hehehe are they really saying that?? That's wild,
I'm not sure...hehehe...I can imagine that's what there saying. But we should be able to agree we are awsome!
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
We'll be even more awesome if we can pull our heads out of our collective asses and vote in a Conservative Majority on Monday. Then we can let Mr Harper get back to work, and I can start my class action lawsuit against the Liberals for wasting $300 MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY ON A VOTE THAT WAS NOT NEEDED. How many social programs would that have paid for?
JEEZUS-CHRIST-BANANAS.
"If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit." - Mitch Hedberg
We'll be even more awesome if we can pull our heads out of our collective asses and vote in a Conservative Majority on Monday. Then we can let Mr Harper get back to work, and I can start my class action lawsuit against the Liberals for wasting $300 MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY ON A VOTE THAT WAS NOT NEEDED. How many social programs would that have paid for?
JEEZUS-CHRIST-BANANAS.
If this isn't sarcasm then I'm wondering if you could answer my inital question (first post). I've yet to find a conservative supporter who is willing to answer that question.
"Rock and roll is something that can't be quantified, sometimes it's not even something you hear, but FEEL!" - Bob Lefsetz
We'll be even more awesome if we can pull our heads out of our collective asses and vote in a Conservative Majority on Monday. Then we can let Mr Harper get back to work, and I can start my class action lawsuit against the Liberals for wasting $300 MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY ON A VOTE THAT WAS NOT NEEDED. How many social programs would that have paid for?
JEEZUS-CHRIST-BANANAS.
If this isn't sarcasm then I'm wondering if you could answer my inital question (first post). I've yet to find a conservative supporter who is willing to answer that question.
didn't you get the memo straight from the PMO ... conservatives don't answer questions ...
too long to post ... like i said, every party has candidates that aren't as active but this list is heavily skewed to one particular party ... the one that apparently advocates for accountability ...
Over the past four weeks, Stephen Harper has repeatedly told Canadians that the Conservatives are the “best economic managers” on offer, and that their “stewardship” is why Canada’s economy bounced back strongly from the global financial crisis.
There are good reasons for Canadians to be skeptical of these claims and even more reasons to be worried about what a continuation of Conservative economic policies will mean for Canada’s future.
The Conservatives cannot claim much credit for Canada’s economic success of the past decade. The surge in our natural exports has been due largely to the spike in commodity prices driven by rising natural resource demand and dwindling supplies.
Even before the latest round of corporate tax cuts, Canada’s oil, gas and natural resource exports nearly had doubled in value in recent years, and now more than 25 per cent of Canada’s economy is directly or indirectly tied to the mining and oil and gas industries, even more so in Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador, where oil and gas account for nearly 40 per cent of provincial GDP.
It was also because of the Conservatives’ sheer luck — not economic management — that Canada did not suffer a financial crisis and end up like the United States or many countries in Western Europe.
Canada’s banks were better regulated than those in other countries. However, if not for parliamentary committees asking questions, Canadian banks were just as ready to engage in the risky financial activities that would later put the world economy on the brink of collapse. Even so, the Bank of Canada had to purchase more than $35 billion in bad mortgages from the banks, as well as “toxic” assets leveraged by corporate CEOs and worthless corporate debt.
Nor have Harper’s policies helped us much in getting through the global economic crisis. Over the last two years, all levels of government made commitments of approximately $13 billion in new capital investment to stabilize our economy. But the reality has been far more irresponsible.
As the office of the parliamentary budget officer reported in December, the federal government has in fact only allocated $4 billion so far. Less than 30 per cent of projects have been completed; more than a quarter have failed to report any progress.
Now the federal government has removed another $1 billion in stimulus investment spending, reducing the total to $10 billion or less than 0.4 per cent of annual GDP — far below the 2 per cent of GDP that other G20 countries committed to.
Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize winning economist at Columbia University, has recently claimed that the financial crisis of 2008-2009 should have been the Western world’s wake-up call.
Just as the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 revealed the failures of communism, Stiglitz argues that the financial crisis has highlighted just as bluntly the failures of market fundamentalism — tax cuts that have wrecked economies, banking deregulation that has bankrupted companies, chronic financial collapses that have saddled countries with billions in debt.
Nevertheless, the Conservatives have continued to deny the magnitude of the problems facing Canada and the global economy. Once again, they are putting forward the same market fundamentalist policies that have taken countries time and again to the brink of economic disaster:
• Tax cuts that will benefit the wealthiest and boost corporations’ bottom lines, but do nothing to spur investment in manufacturing or increase the growth of full-time jobs.
• “Cost efficiency savings” that will mean the roughly 80,000 federal public sector workers retiring over the next four years will not be replaced and that cash-strapped provinces will have to cut 4 per cent or more of provincial budgets for the next four years — a total estimated by the OECD to exceed $50 billion.
• “Smaller government” that will mean fewer public services and that Canada will continue to have one of the worst records of rising inequality and poverty in North America and Western Europe.
• An “economic plan” that includes scant reference to jobs and provides no indication of a constructive approach to tackling the disappearance of manufacturing jobs in Canada. Meanwhile, more than 50 per cent of Canadians are now classified as “low wage” — a level that even the OECD considers “disturbing.”
Memories are indeed short. However, if Canadians are looking for sound economic management and growth based on solid foundations, then very different policies are needed than those on offer by the Harper Conservatives.
At a minimum, it will mean measures that ensure the vast majority of citizens share the fruits of growth, and new regulatory structures that keep finance in check and promote stability. With so much at stake, truly effective public policies will require a different government — one that is actually concerned with managing the economy with the future interests of all Canadians in mind.
John Peters is a professor in the department of political science at Laurentian University.
We'll be even more awesome if we can pull our heads out of our collective asses and vote in a Conservative Majority on Monday. Then we can let Mr Harper get back to work, and I can start my class action lawsuit against the Liberals for wasting $300 MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY ON A VOTE THAT WAS NOT NEEDED. How many social programs would that have paid for?
JEEZUS-CHRIST-BANANAS.
If this isn't sarcasm then I'm wondering if you could answer my inital question (first post). I've yet to find a conservative supporter who is willing to answer that question.
if that wasn't sarcasm it demonstrates my fear that there are a number of people out there who actually believe Harper didn't want this election.
I just got a phone call, some lady telling me to vote for the Conservatives, because they are the best, they want to help families, and she also mentioned how Canada is the envy of the world right now because of Harper, she then asked if I knew that?
I had no idea! Canada is the envy of the word, that's awesome. CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! :P
You were fed a lot of propaganda on the evny during that phone call. Truthfully, right now Canada is the eye sore of the world because of the oil sands.
1996: Toronto 1998: Barrie 2000: Montreal, Toronto, Auburn Hills 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal 2004: Boston X2, Grand Rapids 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto 2006: Toronto X2 2009: Toronto 2011: PJ20, Montreal, Toronto X2, Hamilton 2012: Manchester X2, Amsterdam X2, Prague, Berlin X2, Philadelphia, Missoula 2013: Pittsburg, Buffalo 2014: Milan, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Stockholm, Oslo, Detroit 2016: Ottawa, Toronto X2 2018: Padova, Rome, Prague, Krakow, Berlin, Barcelona
2022: Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto 2023: Chicago X2 2024: New York X2
Oh boy, people are easily fooled. Isn't that fucked ? What a place and to know that we are the only ones of our kind, right ... think about that ... and we let ourselves have them take away what's best for us.
Fuck you Harper and your clones.
1996: Toronto 1998: Barrie 2000: Montreal, Toronto, Auburn Hills 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal 2004: Boston X2, Grand Rapids 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto 2006: Toronto X2 2009: Toronto 2011: PJ20, Montreal, Toronto X2, Hamilton 2012: Manchester X2, Amsterdam X2, Prague, Berlin X2, Philadelphia, Missoula 2013: Pittsburg, Buffalo 2014: Milan, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Stockholm, Oslo, Detroit 2016: Ottawa, Toronto X2 2018: Padova, Rome, Prague, Krakow, Berlin, Barcelona
2022: Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto 2023: Chicago X2 2024: New York X2
I just got a phone call, some lady telling me to vote for the Conservatives, because they are the best, they want to help families, and she also mentioned how Canada is the envy of the world right now because of Harper, she then asked if I knew that?
I had no idea! Canada is the envy of the word, that's awesome. CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! :P
You were fed a lot of propaganda on the evny during that phone call. Truthfully, right now Canada is the eye sore of the world because of the oil sands.
Well aren't you a real debbie downer...here I thought we were awesome... :? :? :?
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
I just got a phone call, some lady telling me to vote for the Conservatives, because they are the best, they want to help families, and she also mentioned how Canada is the envy of the world right now because of Harper, she then asked if I knew that?
I had no idea! Canada is the envy of the word, that's awesome. CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! :P
You were fed a lot of propaganda on the evny during that phone call. Truthfully, right now Canada is the eye sore of the world because of the oil sands.
Well aren't you a real debbie downer...here I thought we were awesome... :? :? :?
Well, out of anywhere else to live in the world, I would stick to Canada while I still have to work for a living even though a workers holiday schedule in a year is an absolute joke.
After that, i'll be on the Mediterranean.
*Off your feet Debbie*
1996: Toronto 1998: Barrie 2000: Montreal, Toronto, Auburn Hills 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal 2004: Boston X2, Grand Rapids 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto 2006: Toronto X2 2009: Toronto 2011: PJ20, Montreal, Toronto X2, Hamilton 2012: Manchester X2, Amsterdam X2, Prague, Berlin X2, Philadelphia, Missoula 2013: Pittsburg, Buffalo 2014: Milan, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Stockholm, Oslo, Detroit 2016: Ottawa, Toronto X2 2018: Padova, Rome, Prague, Krakow, Berlin, Barcelona
2022: Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto 2023: Chicago X2 2024: New York X2
Comments
He was getting assaulted with questions yesterday and did okay but it seems even reporters have agenda's and everyone discounted these guys and are trying to catch up.
Two noteable observations which may change before the election date so do not hold me to them, one Ignateiff is horrible and dropped the ball mightily and may go down as the greatest failure for the Liberals (and to think Dion could be topped!). But to me bigger, not in the sense of epic fails, is Harper may have blown his chance at a Tory majority by forgetting that the NDP existed, he is trying to make ground by calling their potential policy devestating and destructive.
May be too little too late to save a majority run which may lead to him stepping down to be replaced by (prediciton time) a more Progressive Conservative that promotes sound economic policy, ability to cut waste/redundancy in the government, but socially moderate (who that may be time will tell...I guess not too much of a prediction as a statement to the proven character of that person). This would gain votes by the boat-load, Harper is failing to defeat argueably one the weakest moments in Liberal history because of what he has stood for and the secret's that seem to surround him. As I mentioned I believe everyone changes their mind as they get older but some people will not change their minds on you and that to me is what is haunting Harper.
What this election run has taught me about my fellow countrymen/women is that the majority of the country wants fiscal responsibility over government accountability. However trust cannot be 100% given due to threats of potetnial movements on social structures that this country holds close to it's chest.
However to think the people of this country are holding the government accountable is delusional thinking, if people had a true choice most would vote none of the above. People want change and until these leaders (well 3/4) move on true trust may not be given for awhile.
my observations are that i suspect that the youth vote is coming out ... more so than normal ... with vote mobs and campaigns on facebook/twitter - these people that previously didn't care ... are now voting ... which is ultimately the driving force lowering the conservatives in the polls ...
i will give the conservatives this tho ... they have managed this myth that they are the most fiscally responsible party for quite a while ... even tho economies everywhere have never worked with this conservative approach of slashing taxes ... it's a myth to appeal to the middle class but in reality is just a ploy to widen the prosperity gap ... make the rich richer and the poor poorer ...
even tho they governed in a time of economic boom ... the harris guys still couldn't leave without a defecit and its the same guys that are giving us record defecits now federally ...
there is no progressive conservative in the wings for the con party ... because the con party is not progressive anymore ... it's reform/neocon ... in reality, a lot of the old school liberals are closer to the former PC party than the con party is now ...
I guess time will tell who is right about the next Conservative leader, put it this way they very well maybe as you say.
I am speaking strictly from political strategy that is they need to get someone in there that people can trust, actually let me re-phrase that, that "lost" Liberal voters that can trust that will not touch the social foundations this country is known for. To me that would guarantee a majority next election unless the Liberals can finally find someone to galvanzie their party and take back the voters that turned to the Conservatives in revolt to two horrible party leaders.
Another prediction; time dependant upon the NDP gaining the offical status as the opposition, the Liberals will join hands with the Conservatives for at least 3 years and upwards of a full term. The Conservatives will be able to sneak in other-wise non Liberal/NDP stuff because frankly these parties cannot go to another election for two reasons:
1) No more money in the coffers and big business donations to the Liberal party are weakening as the market (read a lot of this yesterday) believes that the Liberals are the NDP-Lite party of the election. We can disagree with that but the fact remains that is how they are viewed by the business community.
2) A another quick election will all but guarantee a majority for Harper and not only that not allow enough time to pass for Harper's successor to take over to run a new campaign.
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http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ ... t-ndp.html
2 Bloc members support NDP
Open letter states they are still sovereigntists, but NDP is best choice on May 2
Jack Layton's surge in this election campaign has inspired two Bloc Québécois members to openly call for sovereigntists to vote NDP on May 2.Jack Layton's surge in this election campaign has inspired two Bloc Québécois members to openly call for sovereigntists to vote NDP on May 2. (Andrew Vaughan, Canadian Press)
Two members of the Bloc Québécois are openly calling on sovereigntists to vote for the NDP on Election Day.
Maxime Bellerose, the former president of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve riding association, and Benoît Dumuy, a one-time political adviser to former Bloc MP Réal Ménard, have drafted a letter in which they write that the Bloc has reached its limits in Ottawa and that it's time to move on to another option.
In the letter, Bellerose and Dumuy write that they are still convinced sovereignty is the right path for Quebec, but that the struggle needs to happen in Quebec, not in Ottawa.
"While waiting for a winning referendum, voting NDP today is the solution to break the cycle of minority Conservative governments," the letter reads.
It goes on to say that for the first time, social democracy is knocking on the doors of Parliament, and that it would be a shame for Quebecers not to take the opportunity to send MPs to Ottawa who champion the values of mutual help and justice held dearly in Quebec.
The letter is signed by the two men, who label themselves as "engaged citizens."
In an interview with CBC News, Dumuy said he and Bellerose are not the only bloquistes who will be voting NDP.
"I'm not a black sheep, I'm not an anecdote," Dumuy said.
He said the vast majority of his entourage supports the Bloc, and at least three quarters of his friends and colleagues will be putting an X beside the name of the NDP candidate in their ridings on Monday.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
If the election was today I would bet some money they are...the NDP is running away with the popular vote in Quebec (largest gains they have seen in any area of the country). The Conservatives are WAY down in the polls in Quebec the NDP is expected to take seats from them there and in the Maritimes.
I agree with the concerns in regards vote splitting in Ontario.
Also the national popular votes polls are scewed by Alberta/Saskatchewan where everyone and their dog will vote Conservative, just a blue haze over those two provinces.
according to reports ... the conservatives feel like they have lost seats already to the ndp in bc and elsewhere ... they are really pushing ontario now ...
for sure ... come monday night - we will see how these polls translate but in reading some comments on websites and watching newscasts ... i think a lot of people feel like you ... they are fed up with the corruption of the main two parties and the NDP aren't as scary anymore ... they have no problem voting that way ...
I guess I'm not convinced by polls ever since the Toronto election...I read polls and these polls might be right.
Quebec is a different sort of province...they want their interest looked out for...will the NDP...they know the bloc will vote against anything that is not good for Quebec.
You can't blame Alberta and Saskatchewan for voting Conservative...I think their the only party interested in protecting the O&G industry.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
CANADA ALERT - Gonorrhea Lectim
Information about Gonorrhea Lectim
The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of this old disease. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim.
It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'em," and it is a terrible disease.
The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behaviour involving putting your cranium up your rectum. Many victims contracted it when they re-elected the Stephen Harper government and are now starting to realize how destructive this sickness is.
It's sad because Gonorrhea Lectim is easily cured with a new drug just coming on the market called Votemout. It's pronounced "Vote-em-out". You take the first dose in 2011 or whenever and don't engage in such behaviour again; otherwise, it could become permanent and eventually wipe out all life as we know it in Canada.
Oh you mean like Ontario and Quebec
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
they are also probably the most heavily subsidized industries in canada
edit: http://www.ecojustice.ca/media-centre/p ... s-industry
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I’ve found myself more engaged in this election than those of previous years for one reason only: my genuine fear of a majority government for Stephen Harper. Having recently purchased and read a book by Christian Nadeau, a philosophy and political ethics professor with the University of Montreal, entitled Rogue in Power, I believe that my fears are justified.
Mr. Nadeau is quite correct in his allegations that Harper is “remaking Canada by stealth,” and not in a good way.
As his book states, “Canada has always been known as a good place to live . . . a tolerant, prosperous, stable country that treats its citizens fairly and protects the weakest in society. Yet during the past five years, it has started to change into a harder, more mean-spirited place,” thanks to the questionable (and largely hidden) agenda of Harper and his neo-con ideologues.
There is much evidence to support Mr. Nadeau’s claims that today’s Conservatives are “implementing a well-planned and organized attack on justice and democracy” in this country, and “systematically dismantling (our) political, social and cultural institutions . . . and with them traditions and values . . . that many Canadians hold dear.”
Not surprisingly, many letters and articles submitted by the public appear to support this view by outlining numerous examples of Harper’s contempt for our parliament and way of life, and expressing grave concerns about his agenda.
From his distortion and misrepresentation of our parliamentary processes, to his unhealthy bent for control and assault on our freedom of speech, his obsession with security and outright disdain for social justice, women and the environment, to his sullying of Canada’s reputation on the international stage, Harper has managed to lead us in a dark direction indeed.
Now bearing witness to an American-style campaign of arrogance and bullying, behaviours similar to those for which Harper has become well-known during his governance of this country, it is clear that this is not the leadership, or the leader, that Canada needs.
For these reasons, I implore everyone, particularly those who call themselves Conservatives, to read Mr. Nadeau’s book and ask honestly if Harper’s vision for Canada truly represents their own.
Make no mistake. Today’s party is not the Progressive Conservative Party of the 1960s, ’70s or ’80s. And in light of Harper’s success in manipulating his way into power in Canada during the past decade, I believe it is time for a serious debate about the merits of proportional representation — a subject gaining more and more popularity amongst many Canadians today.
Louise Fisher, Thunder Bay
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
I had no idea! Canada is the envy of the word, that's awesome. CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! :P
Yes we are awesome! :P Right now the Greens, the Liberals and NDP are on the phone telling potential voters how awful these last five years have been, how the world frowns upon us, and come Tuesday if we have another Conservative government the world will ends.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
hehehe are they really saying that?? That's wild,
I'm not sure...hehehe...I can imagine that's what there saying. But we should be able to agree we are awsome!
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
JEEZUS-CHRIST-BANANAS.
If this isn't sarcasm then I'm wondering if you could answer my inital question (first post). I've yet to find a conservative supporter who is willing to answer that question.
didn't you get the memo straight from the PMO ... conservatives don't answer questions ...
too long to post ... like i said, every party has candidates that aren't as active but this list is heavily skewed to one particular party ... the one that apparently advocates for accountability ...
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editoria ... management
Over the past four weeks, Stephen Harper has repeatedly told Canadians that the Conservatives are the “best economic managers” on offer, and that their “stewardship” is why Canada’s economy bounced back strongly from the global financial crisis.
There are good reasons for Canadians to be skeptical of these claims and even more reasons to be worried about what a continuation of Conservative economic policies will mean for Canada’s future.
The Conservatives cannot claim much credit for Canada’s economic success of the past decade. The surge in our natural exports has been due largely to the spike in commodity prices driven by rising natural resource demand and dwindling supplies.
Even before the latest round of corporate tax cuts, Canada’s oil, gas and natural resource exports nearly had doubled in value in recent years, and now more than 25 per cent of Canada’s economy is directly or indirectly tied to the mining and oil and gas industries, even more so in Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador, where oil and gas account for nearly 40 per cent of provincial GDP.
It was also because of the Conservatives’ sheer luck — not economic management — that Canada did not suffer a financial crisis and end up like the United States or many countries in Western Europe.
Canada’s banks were better regulated than those in other countries. However, if not for parliamentary committees asking questions, Canadian banks were just as ready to engage in the risky financial activities that would later put the world economy on the brink of collapse. Even so, the Bank of Canada had to purchase more than $35 billion in bad mortgages from the banks, as well as “toxic” assets leveraged by corporate CEOs and worthless corporate debt.
Nor have Harper’s policies helped us much in getting through the global economic crisis. Over the last two years, all levels of government made commitments of approximately $13 billion in new capital investment to stabilize our economy. But the reality has been far more irresponsible.
As the office of the parliamentary budget officer reported in December, the federal government has in fact only allocated $4 billion so far. Less than 30 per cent of projects have been completed; more than a quarter have failed to report any progress.
Now the federal government has removed another $1 billion in stimulus investment spending, reducing the total to $10 billion or less than 0.4 per cent of annual GDP — far below the 2 per cent of GDP that other G20 countries committed to.
Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize winning economist at Columbia University, has recently claimed that the financial crisis of 2008-2009 should have been the Western world’s wake-up call.
Just as the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 revealed the failures of communism, Stiglitz argues that the financial crisis has highlighted just as bluntly the failures of market fundamentalism — tax cuts that have wrecked economies, banking deregulation that has bankrupted companies, chronic financial collapses that have saddled countries with billions in debt.
Nevertheless, the Conservatives have continued to deny the magnitude of the problems facing Canada and the global economy. Once again, they are putting forward the same market fundamentalist policies that have taken countries time and again to the brink of economic disaster:
• Tax cuts that will benefit the wealthiest and boost corporations’ bottom lines, but do nothing to spur investment in manufacturing or increase the growth of full-time jobs.
• “Cost efficiency savings” that will mean the roughly 80,000 federal public sector workers retiring over the next four years will not be replaced and that cash-strapped provinces will have to cut 4 per cent or more of provincial budgets for the next four years — a total estimated by the OECD to exceed $50 billion.
• “Smaller government” that will mean fewer public services and that Canada will continue to have one of the worst records of rising inequality and poverty in North America and Western Europe.
• An “economic plan” that includes scant reference to jobs and provides no indication of a constructive approach to tackling the disappearance of manufacturing jobs in Canada. Meanwhile, more than 50 per cent of Canadians are now classified as “low wage” — a level that even the OECD considers “disturbing.”
Memories are indeed short. However, if Canadians are looking for sound economic management and growth based on solid foundations, then very different policies are needed than those on offer by the Harper Conservatives.
At a minimum, it will mean measures that ensure the vast majority of citizens share the fruits of growth, and new regulatory structures that keep finance in check and promote stability. With so much at stake, truly effective public policies will require a different government — one that is actually concerned with managing the economy with the future interests of all Canadians in mind.
John Peters is a professor in the department of political science at Laurentian University.
baaaaaaaaaa
You were fed a lot of propaganda on the evny during that phone call. Truthfully, right now Canada is the eye sore of the world because of the oil sands.
1998: Barrie
2000: Montreal, Toronto, Auburn Hills
2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal
2004: Boston X2, Grand Rapids
2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
2006: Toronto X2
2009: Toronto
2011: PJ20, Montreal, Toronto X2, Hamilton
2012: Manchester X2, Amsterdam X2, Prague, Berlin X2, Philadelphia, Missoula
2013: Pittsburg, Buffalo
2014: Milan, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Stockholm, Oslo, Detroit
2016: Ottawa, Toronto X2
2018: Padova, Rome, Prague, Krakow, Berlin, Barcelona
2023: Chicago X2
2024: New York X2
Fuck you Harper and your clones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jut2KrOe ... re=related
1998: Barrie
2000: Montreal, Toronto, Auburn Hills
2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal
2004: Boston X2, Grand Rapids
2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
2006: Toronto X2
2009: Toronto
2011: PJ20, Montreal, Toronto X2, Hamilton
2012: Manchester X2, Amsterdam X2, Prague, Berlin X2, Philadelphia, Missoula
2013: Pittsburg, Buffalo
2014: Milan, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Stockholm, Oslo, Detroit
2016: Ottawa, Toronto X2
2018: Padova, Rome, Prague, Krakow, Berlin, Barcelona
2023: Chicago X2
2024: New York X2
Well aren't you a real debbie downer...here I thought we were awesome... :? :? :?
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
Well, out of anywhere else to live in the world, I would stick to Canada while I still have to work for a living even though a workers holiday schedule in a year is an absolute joke.
After that, i'll be on the Mediterranean.
*Off your feet Debbie*
1998: Barrie
2000: Montreal, Toronto, Auburn Hills
2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal
2004: Boston X2, Grand Rapids
2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
2006: Toronto X2
2009: Toronto
2011: PJ20, Montreal, Toronto X2, Hamilton
2012: Manchester X2, Amsterdam X2, Prague, Berlin X2, Philadelphia, Missoula
2013: Pittsburg, Buffalo
2014: Milan, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Stockholm, Oslo, Detroit
2016: Ottawa, Toronto X2
2018: Padova, Rome, Prague, Krakow, Berlin, Barcelona
2023: Chicago X2
2024: New York X2