apollo19

I have to agree with you here, Harper is being a jerk. Ontario is essentially half of Canada with its population and economy, and Harper is playing political games with leaders of other jurisdictions. I would have expected Harper to treat all people of authority with respect, including if there was a Democratic president in the US instead of Bush, without making dumb partisan remarks. I guess Harper has already hedged his bets on winning a majority in Quebec, while pretty much giving up on Ontario. Perhaps if he doesn't care about reaching across party lines, then I may have to change my vote from him to another party in the next election.

I have to agree with the idea of capital punishment to an extent. My preference would be that it be an option for repeat offenders in instances where the original sentence was not too long (eg. rape, theft, etc). I would also like to see it be an option for people in prison for life where, as Wilber mentioned, it really is life without parole. Perhaps there could also be a way for prisoners who plead guilty to such a crime to request the punishment as well. On a side note, does the Charter itself protect against capital punishment? I may not know if there was a previous SCC decision on this, but reading the text of it I noticed Section 7 talks about the right to life within fundamental justice, but would this meaning change with a more liberally interprative court in the future?

I think one of the most interesting things about the leadership race is the fact the there are very few -- if any -- people on the right. Brison may have had his ideas a few years ago about private health care, but I think he has changed to the "progressive" mold by now. If a centre-right liberal doesn't run in the race, you may see the blue liberals start to bleed to the CPC. In response to geoffrey's point about Harper readdressing the fiscal imbalance, where did he say he would increase transfers in the manner of (more from have provinces) --> (Feds) ---> (have-nots)? If you are referring to the recent Council of the Federation report, then I think you'll notice that it was McGuinty and Campbell (BC will break even soon) who were standing up for the haves not giving any more. Klein was sitting there agreeing with other premiers trying to give money away to make himself look good in other provinces. Perhaps you should blame him?

I don't know about the idea that Ignatieff won't be able to pick up enough seats for them, because I think he definately can. I've seen him in several different situations which he has managed quite well, even when you would think he would be out of it as a Harvard professor. Also, there are many seats in Ontario which were somewhat close last time that would flip back to the Liberals with either a decent clean leader at the helm or a few outbreaks by people like Cheryl Gallant. Don't forget that not only are BC and Alberta under-represented, but Ontario is as well so the seat count should grow here also. One last thing -- I see plenty of remarks and ideas about Alberta becoming the "new capitol" or Canada; however, don't forget that Ontario has around 13 million people and Alberta has around 3. It will be a LONG time until Alberta exerts influence equivalent equal to what Quebec has today, so keep looking for the Liberals to hold on to their strongholds out here.

Michael Ignatieff's "vision speech" to the U of O students on Thursday should convert many a nonbeliever. GO MICHAEL GO !!! I am also hoping for Ignatieff, although I hope he does become more flexible and open to the public, as opposed to being a hard-ass professor type. I also find it amusing, as August posted above, that Hargrove sees hope in Stronach. I was a fan of hers until I read this, and now I realize there truly is no hidden mind working in her, and that she merely is a pretty face to be used. On a side note, has anybody here joined the Liberal party to vote in the convention?

I generally support McGuinty and what he has done, except for the fact that he is running deficits in a time of strong global growth, and that he hasn't lowered any taxes. Things like the tuition hikes, subway extension, and delayed closure of coal power plants needed to be done, and I'm glad he did take action on those fronts. IMV, eyecare has no place being under the public healthcare system, because it isn't "life dependant". If you extend public financing to optometrists, then the argument comes forth for public dental, and then on and on.

Your scored -4 on the Moral Order axis and -4 on the Moral Rules axis. System: Liberalism Variation: Moderate Liberalism, Economic Liberalism, Moral Liberalism, Extreme Liberalism Ideologies: Capital Democratism US Parties: Democratic Party Presidents: Lyndon B. Johnson (95.06%), Bill Clinton (95.06%) 2004 Election Candidates: John Kerry (90.12%), Ralph Nader (76.20%), George W. Bush (59.98%) Interesting because I consider myself centre-right. I also would have voted for Bush over Kerry, so who knows.

The problem with that is that the head of state would then become political, thereby making every public appearance or decision dependant on what polls and supporters want. At least with the Queen and family, we have a head of state that everybody, regardless of political affiliation, can support.

geoffrey just to be correct about spanish, most of south america (with the notable exception of brasil) speaks it. It is fairly useful throughout the world, and is the third most spoken language if I am correct -- the first being Chinese, and the second English.

I have to disagree with you. Our party has adopted the name of "Progressive Canadian" in order to remain as the PC Party of Canada. We are guided by the aims, principles and policies of the former Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, as it was before the merger with the Canadian Alliance. I read the article on "Progressive Canadianism" and find that the description of "Progressive Canadianism" given is far from that of our party. In truth we are the "PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY" as it was. The party of Sir John A. MacDonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier. We are the PC Party of Canada and are working to rebuild the Progressive Conservative movement. Uh, correct me if I am wrong but wasn't MacDonald part of the Conservative Party (same name as todays), as it had not yet merged with the Progressives?

Polls are polls, so take it or leave it. But I don't find it a stretch to think people are a little unclear as to what the hell we're doing over there. Then perhaps it will be Harper's job to explain the "mission" clearly to both the Canadian public and the Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan when/if he visits? I think it will be a good idea to make it known that our soldiers are not only helping to make the safety of people there better, but also their life in terms of assisting them in rebuilding their communities. My guess is that the public here doesn't really know or care to find out about what our troops do abroad.

I actually respect Bush for deciding to use his veto if it comes up for a vote. What he's basically saying is that he isn't going to pick and choose which countries can do business in America. By doing this, he also has to fight off all the trade protectionists, as well as the "racial-profiling" people who deem the UAE to be full of terrorists. It's a tough stance to take, but I'm happy he took it.

Uh, I must have missed something. Since when was I an Easterner? I am temporarily located in Toronto for 1 year... I don't think that qualifies someone as an easterner/ontario/quebecer ?

Well I didn't live in Alberta, but I have been numerous times so I'll try and give a few points about differences. Personally, Alberta is a fairly "boring" place compared to other regions in Canada. If you just want to make money in your life, then I guess its a good place to go... although the lifestyle is fairly strenous (Albertans work the longest amount of hours per year in Canada). The winters are also quite unappealing, but that is offset by the "friendliness" of the people (generally). Depending on where you are in Ontario (GTA, Ottawa, etc), it could either be a bigger or smaller experience. If on the other hand you want the fun lifestyle and low taxes/earning potential, then I would suggest the Lower Mainland of BC... it enjoys the lowest income taxes in Canada (up to $70k I believe, lower than even Alberta), as well as no snow and plenty of opportunities for tradespeople/business. The one "downside" is depending on whether or not you like crowded places -- Vancouver is a crowded zoo.

This time taking it I got: Economic Left/Right: 5.00 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.56 As expected, fiscal conserative/social liberal.

The Liberals? Moderate/Centrist Libertarian??? I think the "Libertarian" word scares a few people off, partly because people envision it as a place without any government, or at best very minimal amounts. Basically, the "no govt except for solving law problems" ideas which the current libertarian party espouses. I agree though that there isn't really a fiscally conservative/socially liberal party on the Federal scene yet, and most people know the Liberals are looking to move to the left (with daycare, etc).

I think it was the right thing to do even though there were no WMD's found. One thing I don't agree with though is the duration it has taken -- there should have been plans to keep Iraq's original Republican Guard intact, and make them swear loyalty to whoever would win the election (which should have been held sooner). That would have eliminated a lot of the training time, and the foreign troops could have left already. The longer things go on, the more chance there is for bad things -- like the suicide bombings, the beheadings, and the soldier abuse stories.

For me it is a tie between the transit tax cuts and the minimum sentences. Although for the minimum sentences, I am not particularly concerned about gun crime as I am about crime in general -- and that involves reforming the justice system. I may be a little young to remember behind Chretien's years, but was crime always this bad? Did the Liberals intentfully lower the sentences (if they did at all), or have courts just resorted to taking their own initiative on giving easier sentences?

I recall hearing about how prisoners are entitled to access the internet, watch pornography on TV, and basically have a jolly old time at the taxpayer's expense. It is hard to believe how the Canadian prison system has become a joke where prisoners have it easier than regular people who follow the rules. I hope Harper fixes this problem quickly, because if prison isn't a punishment for people, then what deterrent is there for people not to perform a crime?

That is true. But the Liberals were betting on the fact that Ed Fast is not as well-known (even as a city councillor) as Randy White was, and the fact of the changing demographics of the riding. "Isn't Abbotsford a suburb of Vancouver?" Technically no because it is its own metropolitan area for the census, but in real-world terms it is.

I think Martin and the Liberals said any money gained from the Abbotsford candidate would be refunded to Elections Canada (if that is what you are inquiring about).

Well this is subjective to everyone, but I'll point out my views: Conservative Pros: -less taxes -a "daycare" allowance, or basically money for having kids Liberal Pros: -pay half of first+last years tuition (moving Canada closer to European education) -commitment to multiculturalism NDP Pros: -the colours of the party make it seem like Halloween year-round Conservative Cons: -insistence on keeping socon issues on the table (like gay marriage and abortion) Liberal Cons: -scandal plauged, untrustworthy -high growth on unnecessary social spending NDP Cons: -everything

I don't quite see the problem here... Harper went to a right-wing conference. So? I have no doubt at one time or another Layton has gone to some socialist conference, and Martin has been to a billionaires conference. What is the big deal? The only scary politician in Canada is Layton and his treatment of the middle class, but Harper and Martin are actually personally quite alike -- except that Martin is 100x richer.

My prediction: CPC 118 LPC 110 BQ 58 NDP 22

You are: Social Libertarian 40.9% Economical Libertarian 75.0% Odd mix I recieved.