ruski_canuk

"He comes across as being a very angry man." - I'll agree in the house of commons he does come across as angry. Everywhere else he is collected and seemingly thoughtful. My understanding is that it is tradition in the house of common to fight like children (something I wish Canadian politicians would change) but still it is a fair remark about him. "His failure to do so means he either he supports the idea of restricting abortion (which would be the proverbial hidden agenda) or he is not willing to be a leader. " This is the usual comical stuff I hear. Pro or anti abortion the point is Canadians are divided on the issue (I would say that the majority are for it though). Simply because Harper would allow a private bill to go, something that all leaders should allow instead of effectively running a dictatorship, doesnt mean the bill would be a approved. It is funny that when one "extremist" in the party suggested a bill which would offer free couselling to women considering abortion the anti-responsiblilities in our society nearly had a heart attack. Same kind of dense rejection of any talk about trying to make health care sustainable, possibly through instituting some private care. People's blind unwillingness to discuss issues openly without fear is a mockery of the very word they claim to be. Liberal. "I guess too is his total unwillingness to cooperate even a little bit with the current Government, given their status as a minority one" Please guys, try to do some research. Harper and his party did something almost totally unprecedent. He supported the budget when it first came out. He objectively looked at it, agreed in principle with it and said he and his party would support it. He withdrew his support not from the budget but from the NDP ammendment to it. No other comments I heard answered my question with sources and facts because the root of fearmongering is exactly that - without foundation.

OK - The only substantive thing I can trace which hurts Harper is what he said about the maritimes and it being a culture of defeat. Personally, I agree with him that, historically, the Canadian government has fostered that culture not only there but in Quebec and on native reserves as well. All the same, it was a strike against him in our public which prefers rhetoric over reality. (a concept he better figure out) Anyways, before I hear the usual spawn of Satan and reincarnation of Adolf Hitler BS, please, in respect to your own intelligence, answer the following question with supporting links or sources. What is it that is so scary about Stephen Harper? again, details and facts please. (It might require some real thought and reflection, don't hurt yourselves)

Apparently not, Interesting figure though, considered 2nd in the Alberta leadership race after Dinning. Wanted to know if people think he has a chance against Dinning? What do people think of his policies ("Alberta Agenda", idea is to slowly turn off the transfer payment tap to Quebec and the maritimes, follow in Quebec's footsteps in building a separate police force, pension plan etc) He is not a separtist, believes the provinces should choose on questions like gar marriage and abortion. Decentral government. Lots of talk in Alberta about the possibility of him winning in the recoil if the Liberals win the next election despite the scandals. Any thoughtful thoughts? here is his site http://www.tedmorton.ca/

Noone has answered my first question except "if someone is a Liberal and believes in the Liberal programme" Please explain what the Liberal program is in detail. (minus the rhetoric) "How you like to be accused of being theif because a co-worker stole something from your employer?" I love the deep thinkers among us. Of course not every Liberal is corrupt. Some, if not a good number, are probably well intended. If I hire a company to put in my carpet and 2 of the 5 guys installing it our stealing my money and doing a crappy job, I fire the company.

Scarhawk - I appreciate your reply. The reasons for Canada's strong economy is quite debatable (probably depends if you ask a conservative or a Liberal) and attributing to the Liberals is superficial at best. I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that Harper's support for the Americans wasn't rooted in the nature of the administration but in the traditional alliance America and Canada have enjoyed. Canadians, as you said, commit the gross simplification of connecting Bush's replublicans with Harpers conservatives. Harper, if anyone would actually listen to the substance of his words, supported "our allies" and maintains the significance of US-Canada relations. Why is that evil? It is true that the popular culture in Canada has shifted more and more to an anti-American stance but as the nations leader I would hope that maintaining and strengthening relations with our leading trade partner and most important ally would be important. Anyways - ScottBrison (in reference to the poster and not the MP) ironically displays his similarity to the Nazi party by jumping into the popular bandwagon against the conservatives. Enjoy your trip Scott. Justin Anderson

Um - I'm an Albertan, why are people ready to kick my ass? The reasons for Alberta's hostility are clear and it really is a miracle that we haven't left this sorry country years ago. The east tells us what we should believe on moral issues (Gay Marriage is progressive right, oh and those against abortion are crazy), steals are money (15 billion a year in transfer payments) and gives it to Quebec and the maritimes, does not appoint our elected senators nor initiates any democratic reform and refused to elect our politicians because they are from say Calgary... Anyways - its not crying, its fact and if the Liberals get in again there will be a strong movement for separtism in this province. We'll see who is crying after Alberta leaves. Oh - I'm not a separtist. What we really need is simply a respect for the regional diversity. Instead of telling us that we are evil for wanting to consider some private health care, for example, let us experiement with it and see how we can make Canada's system, which is excellent, sustainable. Why not let the east have gay marriages if the majority so says over there and ban it here if it is the will here. Stop trying to save Quebec and the maritimes by building them into welfare states. The people there can be strong if their resources are granted to them and are not fed handouts. This country is diverse let it stay so. Quit telling us we are not Canadian because we think differently then Toronto. Oh - and quit voting in those Liberals. Justin Anderson

What do people think about Ted Morton?

I sincerely want to understand why such a large number of Canadians continue to support the Liberals. We have heard accusations on both sides and here are the most prominent: 1) Fear that without the liberals, the Quebec separtist movement will surge. Separtism has never had so much support and why? The Liberals and their sponsorship scandal. 2) Fear that the NDP or Conservatives will ruin the country economically and socially respectively. I understand the NDP fear but still perhaps they should be given a chance and the last I checked the Conservative policy on social issues (Gay Marriage, Abortion, etc) is to do the will of Canadians. Hmm - Why are we so suceptable to unsubstantiated fearmongering? Just because the Conservatives or NDP have a few wild extemists in their party doesn't mean the party is destructive. Aren't differing views the key to constructive democracy? 3) Contention that the opposition only wants power. Lets face it guys, ALL politicians want power. That is the reason they went in it. You need power to initiate change. When someone curses Martin or Harper for being driven for power it is like saying people are greedy for working. What is important is whether the politician remains honest and principled despite his yearning to take the reigns. Anyways, Whatever your political contentions, it is time to remove the Liberals. Vote for them again in four years if you like their platform but it is clear that they are now, understandably after being in power for so long, corrupt and wasteful. If you are a left leaning liberal vote NDP and if you are a right leaning liberal vote Conservative. Please, for the sake of democracy, do not vote Liberal!