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littleguy1

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Everything posted by littleguy1

  1. Harper has become exactly what he promised he wouldn't. A politician. Not only has he become one, but he has tried to manipulate, ignore,circumvent and rewrite the parliamentary system. He should be very worried in any type of debate because the corruption and complete disregard for public opinion has brought conservatism to a new low.
  2. I too was raised in aCatholic family and only when I became an adult living on my own did I check out other religionsreligions, research the various holy books of religion and make the decision that man created god not the other way around. There is common figures in all the holy books and a common theme of preaching in parables or in my mind fairy tales. The thing that really convinced me was seeing supposed followers of Christ being less than Christlike in their behavior. I also decided that most conflicts around the world were faith based and thus also contrary to the teachings of Christ. I can understand people needing religion because it does supply a forum for social interaction and it also gives people that false hope of an after life and eternal reward. With people always looking for why we are here and where we came from, a couple of imaginative people decided to create a deity that was so powerful everything came from it. Well, science had basically shot holes in that by proving the world is much older than 6000 years so they must find other ways to defend their beliefs.
  3. I think people are fed up with what conservatives are doing right across the country. With Trudeau being rather vague and smug, who else do people have to turn to. Look, right leaning politics has become so corrupt and arrogant that people are looking at another alternative and maybe trying the far left is what they will do. After all, where are the improvements in our country that Harper and his bunch have promised since they were a minority. Middle class people are really suffering and despite what some polls have said, millionaires are not part of the middle class. I wish some if these people would give their heads a shake if they really think they are part of the middle class. What do you call the 80% of Canadians making less than 80 grand a year? How about the 45% making less than 30 grand. I really don't think people that are doing well realize how many are struggling Retirement savings being used up, wages falling, benefits disappearing and costs still rising. It is quite difficult for many of us to afford the high cost of housing and still make every day requirements getting met. I would like to see half if these individuals try to live on the pitence others make.
  4. I am new and I have responded to quite a few topics over the past weeks. I can't find my posts and don't know why. If their is a process that removes posts I think the person should be told why it has happened. I am not sure if this is a forum closed to certain people but maybe an email of introduction and explaining the censorship and moderator process would help.
  5. Let the wealthy leave and see what it gets them. Canada has opportunity and it is proven by the wealth they have accumulated. I don't like raising taxes on anyone, but I do agree that our current tax policy is very unfair and favors the more affluent.As for income splitting and other tax incentives that benefit the elderly, I don't think you realize how many seniors wouldn't even qualify. People have thus fallacy presented to them that the elderly ate so well off, butafter burying my 92 year old father I beg to differ. He did very well income wise his final 7-10 years of work, but have you seen what a senior has to pay in these retirement communities? Oy is obscene and they get taken at every turn. My dad sold his house after !y mother died and put the majority of what he made back into the purchase of a retirement community condo. Then, they charge you for food, any type of care, any services they bring in to help the less mobile and fee upon fee. My dad was paying just over $3800 per month and that was because he could still prepare some meals for himself. Other facilities that offer extended care go to the $5500-6500 range and I ask, how can anyone survive if their main source of income is CPP and OAS. Come on folks, I know where Trudeau is coming from because I feat what I will do when I retire. It isn't as cut and dry as some want you to think, but with all that Canada has to offer I as a long time conservative do not feel we are getting the best from the current policies in place. I am undecided right now, but I know I won't vote for Harper and his cronies because they have betrayed my trust. This is the most corrupt and controversial government I have witnessed in our country. I don't always agree with what government does, but I do expect them to listen to Canadians and not ignore our wishes. Everyone deserves the same opportunity for improvement but right now only the top 5% seem to be getting those benefits.
  6. When conservative Alberta can elect NDP, anything is possible. The problem at provincial and federal levels is that the voter does not feel they are being listened to and their voice is being ignored. Harper is a pompous and hypocritical leader who has made a complete 180 in policies he had as the Reform leader. Politicians must be accountable to the people and as a longtime conservative, I think a drastic change is needed. Do as we wish or you are thrown out and maybe new and different ideas can send us in a more positive direction. Don't get me wrong, I fear overspending and hope the other parties realize most Canadians would agree with me. I think more progressive ideas are needed to help move us forward in a global economy through diversification and educational opportunities. Being more technology driven and less dependent on natural resources, especially oil, is how Canada can become a major player. I love what Germany, Sweden and Norway have done and I think we should take the best from their successes. The PCs had best watch out because their reign that has been filled with corruption and controversy may end. It is a hard call, because Canadians have a hard time changing once they go into the ballot box. I hope the country will take what we in Alberta have done and punish the conservatives for their ignoring our wishes.
  7. I think there are very few issues of importance at the present time. All social issues should not have any influence since personal choice should be the deciding factor. Health care is always important, especially with an aging population. What I consider the most important issues of our time and in particular this election are JOBS and how to lessen the wealth gap that exists. Both can actually be tied together, because low minimum wage part time jobs seem to be what is available and with rising costs in every sector of the economy, only the wealthy have no worries. I think taxation also enters into this because the contributions wealthy make from non-producing investment is not taxed nearly enough. The PCs have done a great job lowering business tax rates but investment income seems to get a slide. I have witnessed too many businesses cutting wages, eliminating employee benefits and rolling back wages as well as hours. This just puts hard working Canadians farther behind and increases their household debt which the World Bank has warned us about. I don't know how people can live with high debt but I understand how they get there. House prices are way over priced, condos have eliminated apartment rentals and low income housing is practically nonexistent. The wealthy and our corporate leaders must start being part of the solution. Well paying jobs are lacking in this economy and that hurts a consumer driven economy like Canada. When everyone can participate, the economy booms and profits grow along with individual wealth. When only the top 5% are benefiting then government must step in to balance the playing field.
  8. I totally disagree with topaz. I have replaced all the bulbs in my house with no problems and my bills are less. I have no idea which city you live in, but our recycling program has decreased the amount of waste in our landfill by some 46% over the time it has been in place. Recycled items are reused and put back in the system making cost savings for many businesses and also creating jobs. As for jobs, corporations and factories blaming the clean water act are also the ones forced to improve their operations with technology that is the biggest job killer of all. That is just progress not a legislated clean water bill. Finally, most legislation is only as good as the people obeying it, and all indications are that abuses are still prevalent. Our planet is being killed by our irresponsible actions and we must ALL become involved to save it. Picking up trash you see, not throwing coffee cups or other such items out your car window, car pooling and use of transit and even composting are all ways we as individuals can contribute. The best way I, however, is to accept our responsibility at the voting bic and let our political leaders know the climate and the future of the planet matter to us and that any party or leader that does not support us will not be tolerated.
  9. I think it is more because it still glamorizes and supports smoking. E cigarettes are still supported by the tobacco industry because they feel that people will eventually want the real thing. I would like to see a more positive use for tobacco so that the product could actually have some redeeming qualities. Maybe if tobacco companies did something to make this possible their industry would not be viewed so negatively.
  10. Absolutely it is. The internet can be a useful tool if utilized correctly. Sadly, most people seek information to agree with what or how they are thinking. They refuse to research topics and then verify the sources they have accessed. I find no matter the web engine you use when you read the first listed item it is always the most popular and usually the most unreliable. I prefer going to page two or three to find more accredited sources and less opinionated contributions. That is the problem with the internet because everyone has an opinion and everyone can claim to be a journalist or an expert on a topic. I am just a normal guy that would like to find the truth, the data to support it and the sources that were consulted. I do not trust anything from a political pundit because they have an agenda and religious contributions are hypocritic at best. A scientific, fact based presentation is the only way to be able to judge a topic properly and eliminating tabloid journalism would erase half the internet.
  11. Let's get something straight. Fox and other cable outlets are not NEWS networks but tabloid presentations of news events. Opinion is their forte and they are there to attract the base of the party they support. Real news has no party affiliation and leaves interpretation of the events to the viewer. Fox is the worst of the bunch because even tragic news events are given to their controversial right wing spin. MSNBC is called the place for politics and except in times of disaster that is what they cover, the political ramifications of stories presented. CNN tries to be neutral in it's presentation but the on air presenters steer the debate so a bias will appear depending on the presenter. I do, however, like the political contributors they bring on because they all show the real divide that there is in American politics. It is so sad that the self proclaimed greatest nation on earth cannot find common ground to move things forward.
  12. Hilarious, absolutely hilarious.The right wing always complains about MSM but should take a closer look in the mirror. Money in politics, no matter what side, is bad for the process. Agendas are dictated by contributors and the real issues of the day are not addressed. If you want to know the real problem with media, look no further than the lack of journalistic integrity. When sensationalism, tabloid, and gotcha journalism are paramount in media, then news is nothing more than a fight for ratings. Come on, when Fox is classified a news network and CNN and MSNBC spend all of their resources talking about the same things for weeks, where can you find real news? I can tell you, and most people will not believe it. Foreign outlets like BBC or CBC and even AL JAZEERHA have kept global news as a priority and local news as the byline. They have also achieved a neutral presentation format where all sides of a story are reported not that of the network executives or the corporate sponsors. I think that may be because they are state sponsored so the tax payer has skin in the game. No matter if it is liberal or conservative outlets, American media coverage is biased and refuses to tackle the issues that matter. They are better at creating controversy instead of finding out why it is there. Only when journalists return to reporting with integrity and truth will the problem be solved. Only when facts out weigh opinion will the public get real information. Think about it, news should not vary from one network to the next if the truth is being reported. That is why tabloid journalism is so successful, because humans thrive on intrigue, danger and controversy. When it matches their political ideology then it is that much better.
  13. Being ostracized is not just an atheist reality. North America is classified a very Christian part of the world so anyone that doesn't believe will be in the minority. That being said, all minorities are treated badly no matter what they believe, the color they are, the person they love, the place they originate from or the sex they were born with. As long as the powerful and people in control continue to be white,older,greedy,males, things will never change. Prejudice and bigotry will only be eliminated when more open minded people rise to the positions of power and influence. Politics is bought and paid for and if you haven't noticed, only recently has the old boys club started to disappear. If the same thing can happen in the halls of supporting candidates then and only then will a better representation of the people will appear. Too many powerful people set the agenda and place candidates of their choosing so as to fulfill their agendas. Being an atheist can be an awakening and possibly shine light on these practices of hate and exclusion. Take solice that putting up with the ignorance and shortsightedness of others makes you the better person. I too have found constructive and meaningful contributions at these types of events.
  14. Do you have to wave a flag or be a braggart to show you are nationalistic? Americans are classified very nationalistic because they are so bold and flamboyant about it. I see lots of Canadians displaying our flag, wearing pins displaying where they are from but they aren't overt about it. We are a nation that accepts a bilindpgual and bicultural aspect where if you look at the politics in America they would prefer to Bea white and English speaking nation. I don't think nationalism has anything to do with showing where you come from but rather representing your country in a respectful and appreciative manner. Canada does this much better than !most and is recognized accordingly.
  15. Paranoia runs deep. What is wrong with Texas?
  16. Conspiracy theories, scientific denial, religious zealotry are all the things that are pushing America backwards. Such a noble and proud nation to be so wrapped in paranoia is astounding. Instead of fearing terrorists or a nuclear Iran, people fear the government taking away their guns. Instead if fearing China manipulating their currency and taking jobs from America people worry about the military seizing power in their states. Has right wing extremism come so far that common sense can't be used? Global warming and climate change are denied and yet look around the country and weather is so volatile that something must be happening.Look around at the issue of the day and there is still a great divide over police violence and abuse of power. Conservative versus liberal, black versus white, money versus poverty, the divide is vast and the more paranoid people become the worse it becomes. 911 was one of the most tragic events in history. It not only shook America, it shocked the civilized world. Scrutiny of security measures on s global basis is at an all time high and changing on a daily basis. Raising paranoid conspiracy theories only feeds into those elements that are trying to harm us. Until a scientific consensus shows that two planes flying into the trade center complex were not the cause, I will stand by the analysis that has been provided by the people that were there and the resources utilized to investigate and clean up the after math.
  17. Terrorism and fighting it are far from engaging in a war. Sure, terrible things are done in ear but their are conventions to cover it while terrorism has no rules and is strictly an ideology of fear to take people out of their comfort zones. The drone program I am torn on ad I think the American public are. It is fine if you kill a lot of Muslims and collateral damage is to be expected. If a US citizen is killed, then the assessment changes drastically. The confusing thing to me is that these "citizens" became traitors to their country so as far as I am concerned, they have relinquished every right they had. It is odd to see such concern for traitors when wrongly convicted people or unfair sentences are given to alleged criminals get no sympathy whatsoever. Drones provide two very important things for those in power. First, people are not put in harms way and secondly the person controlling the drone has no personal stake in the game. They are given a target and that target is destroyed. Whoever gets killed was there of their own choosing and sometimes it may be a bad choice. After all, those Muslims are all evil anyhow!
  18. I think Canadians are very nationalistic but are less boisterous about it. You can see them display their flag proudly during athletic competitions, engage in peace keeping and humanitarian efforts but in a more subdued or reserved manner. We don't require the front row seat but want to be respected for our contributions without fanfare. We are less about self and more about each other and I think it shows in how we treat people without prejudice or unjustified stereotypes. We may be neighbors to America, but we are very different from them and our uniqueness is recognized around the world.
  19. A person should keep their religion to themselves. I understand that there is supposed yo be a separation of church and state so these institutions can get tax exempt status. Once an organization engages in the public forum, that status should be lost. As for persecution of Christians,that is hype promoted by right wing christian organizations. Nobody really cares what Muslims, Jews, Catholics, Protestants or any other processed denomination wishes to believe so long ad they keep it within their circles. Freedom of religion also guarantees freedom from religion.
  20. This election proved that arrogance and complacency will not be rewarded. I have voted conservative almost my entire adult life in provincial politics but I have had enough. Seeing the wealthy set wealthier, corporations growing their profits and then threatening to leave during a downturn after years if not decades of record profits is absolutely revolting. Right wing po!itics has had 44 years to have this province safe from bad times and now that it has arrived they have shown they failed. I say it is time for average Albertans and Canadians to get their taste of the profits. I hope the NDP acts responsibly but also gives our wealthiest a taste of their own greediness. Show them how it feels to wonder if you can afford your home or if that job will be there tomorrow. If they had been responsible citizens and rewarded their employees for their contributions the economy would be taking care of itself and they would still be in great shape. I wish the NDP all the luck in the world and hope conservatives like myself take a long look inward and adjust how they contribute to the community they are part of.
  21. I say good riddance to all these poor millionaires and billionaires. They talk as if everything they have ever acquired they did so alone. What a joke! I have been in management positions for over 25 years and have witnessed the cold and calculating work of these responsible citizens. A global market place has afforded them opportunities to out source overseas for pennies and they have done this quite well to the detriment of the very country that afforded them this opportunity. When overseas is not an option they present their employees with wage roll backs and cuts in company benefits or the threat of job losses. With the weakening of unions in so called democratic nations, what choices do workers have. Then, these same corporate citizens get every tax break and incentive that can be possibly offered and claim theyre being disadvantaged by a tax rate of 45%. Another fallacy as their wealth seems to grow and the middle class falls further behind, losing homes, jobs, savings and opportunity to succeed. A survey done in Canada and the US of multi million dollar individuals showed 40% of them felt they were middle class. What world do these people live in? I guess when you can afford large homes, expensive cars and a holiday retreat your money doesn't go far. How about the rest of us who are only able to find minimum wage jobs despite the education we attained. How about the difficulty of finding affordable housing on these low wage jobs. Rental properties are almost non-existent and even apartment living has turned into condominium purchases. I say put all these self righteous and greedy bastards on an island to fend for themselves since that is what they claim they have done to rise to their levels of success. In two years they would have either ripped each other apart or died from starvation. They seldom reward the employees that helped build their empires and very few have put back into the economy they themselves have benefited from. Yeah, there are places they can go to shelter their money but they have already done that so what else is their option. This world is awakening and realizing things cannot and will not continue on the present course. When 5000 people on this planet have as much wealth ad 60% of the rest of the world that says a lot. When a millionaire claims middle class status it shows how far from real life they have ventured. Go to your safe havens and live your decadent lifestyles with people just like yourself and maybe you will be replaced by more compassionate and caring people that will return our country to greatness.
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