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I think the senate is another example of how shrewd Harper is. The Fortier thing has been quickly forgotten. He has dared Billy Graham to have the Senate hold up the budget if it is *really* that bad. Graham has spun it as Harper trying to provoke a reason for building his case for Senate reform. Seems like Graham managed to create a lose-lose situation for himself. And a win-win situation for Harper. Thanks for the help!!!

Hurt? OK, I'll play along. I do remember saying that Paul Martin was a very good Finance Minister, who was disappointing as a Prime Minister. Have you ever said anything that positive about *anything* Prime Minister Harper has ever done?

It doesn't. But the author chose to promote the book *AS* a scientist employed by the Government of Canada. He is more than free to promote it as a private citizen.

Wow normie, you sure are one to talk about respect. Seems like you are crediting Prime Minister Harper for a policy he hasn't yet formally instituted.

Normie, good to see you back. Glad to see that you are holding onto your hatred and misinformation. The promise was to eliminate the capital gains tax for cases of charitable donations. Are you that opposed to giving money to charity?

Hmmm, where does that come from? The 1/2 % *hike* in the lowest rate is the only way that could work. But wait, that should more than be made up for by the GST cut, and some of the 28 other tax cuts in this budget. Sad, sad, sad nocrap. We all know you hate Harper, but at least try and tell the truth.

Dinning's father showed the video as was his right. Still does that mean that his choice should have superceded that of the other three families? Seems like this was the best possible solution. The family of one soldier choose to show video of the return of his body to Canadian soil. None of the other families chose to do so, their privacy was respected.

So Billy Graham has proven to have absolutely no new ideas of any kind. All he can do is inaccurately try and call the Government "neo-conservative" without actually showing any understanding of the term. Sad, sad, sad Billy Graham Gotta love Harper for the best line of the story. Yet again, another example of the CBC's bias. The *neo-con* story, clearly an anti-CPC/Stephen Harper story, gets more prominence on the CBC Website than on CTV.ca, The Toronto Star Web site, Canada.com or The Globe and Mail Web site. tsk, tsk, tsk...

The media wasn't banned at the soldier's funerals. The Government left that up to the families to decide. There were many, many occasions for the general public to hear the names of the fallen sodiers. Hmmm, don't see any evidence that military families were upset they couldn't watch the return of the bodies of other soldiers lost sons. Seems like they were all pretty respectful, and wanted the same respect if ever put in that horrivble position.

They are penalized because they do not benefit from any childcare dollars. The only people who would have benefitted under the Liberal plan are the people who chose to put their children in institutional daycare. Yet those parents who chose to stay at home with children, or have friends/family members supply their daycare are still expected to pay the same taxes as those people who would utilized institutional daycare.

Completely agreed. Obviously a big part of the reason is Harper's more focused managment style. Do you think any Government MPs dare speak in such chidlish and boorish ways?

I think with the previous Government it was simple lack of focus. Martin had no clue what he was doing, or wanted to achieve as PM. He didn't have the foresight to ensure that his legislation was passed before hand. Does anybody really think Harper walked into the House yesterday without knowing that his Budget was assured of passing and that he would receive support from the Bloc?

Because it isn't the role of Government. A system you outline penalizes parents who choose to stay at home with their children or have friends/family proved childcare. The Government's policy is the fairest possible. It truly does allow for choice in childcare.

There is that space on your income tax form to donate money to pay down the National Debt. How much have you taken advantage of that option in the past? Perhaps you could figure out how much you save in GST this year and donate that amount with your income tax next year....

This is why I support the CPC and do not think the party should swing massively to the right. A centre-right party can win elections and stop travesties like Kyoto. Of course we shouldn't be paying other countries to reduce their emissions on our behalf. Sad that it took PM Harper to speak this truth. But a CPC that espouses true neo-Liberal economic and social policies will not win a general election. Like I have said before, moral victories are for chumps. Keep up the good work Stephen!

I spent 2 1/2 years in T.O. and heard lots of anti-western comments, especially when I identified myself as a Westerner. Hmmm, maybe it would be hard to please Ontarians if the view is that Ontario isn't front and centre.

Yes, that is what I meant to say. I think if Ontarians see the writing on the wall, i.e. a potential CPC majority without a majority of the Ontario seats, you could very well see a number of centrist Ontario voters swing CPC. That would be very magnanimous for the Ontarians to be happy about the country uniting about something. Alas, a majority CPC Government wouldn't be a vote against Ontario. But I could see how Ontarians would think that *everything* revolves around them.

Where are you getting your numbers from? The Conservatives fiscal plan has spending $1.1 Billion LOWER than the Liberals projected to spend for 2006/7. This difference rises to the Conservatives planning to spend $7.5 Billion less the Liberals porjected for 2010/11. This is from Page A4 of today's Post.

Power to you. You threw out the bait and Hicksey fell for it. Interesting how only one poster did though. Isn't it? Agreed. Another interesting point. It has been 85 years since a party has won a majority without winning a majority of the seats in Parliament. Do Ontarians really want to be in that position? If the CPC form their next Government with strong representatiion from the West and Quebec, without a majority of the seats in Ontario it will definitely mean less power for Ontarians in that Government. Is that a risk Ontario is willing to take?

Did you really whine about correctly quoting somebody just after asking about my sensitivity? Wow, that is really sad. Or is sensitivity only allowed on your part? You attacked somebody for going after the Liberals flip flop on the GST. You then took the opportunity to accuse CPC supporters of feling off the turnip truck (I even used your same atrocious grammar so you don't get all pedantic). Why exactly did you attack the CPC supporter for pointing out the Liberal flip flop on the GST? Why didn't you give an example of the *partisan game* the Government played while in opposition?

Yup, that's pretty much it. *If* need be the Liberals would have voted for this budget. You won't see very strong opposition to this budget from anybody. So it will fade into the twilight soon enough.

Hey, respect the rules of the forum and keep the personal attacks to yourself. To try and justify the Libedrals flip-flop on the GST as politics and to attack supporters of the Government as "hicks" goes to show why the Liberals deserve to be out of power for a long, long time.

Yeah, I find it very interesting when people talk about the 'fat that needs to be cut'. There will be program cuts in this budget. There will be howls of protest over whatever cuts are made. Where do you see the *fat* that needs to be cut?

The CPC is doing fine Nationally. If you are going to rant against Harper "sleeping with the Quebecois" you really have to look at what Mulroney did that lead to the rise of the Reform Party and their big breakthrough in 1993. *Awarded the CF-18 maintenance contract to a firm in Quebec when a Western firm (from Manitoba IIRC) had submitted a technically and financially superior bid. *Mulroney's obsession with trying to amend the Constituion, Meech Lake and Charlottetown come to mind. *Introduction of the GST. Albertans won't react en masse to what Harper has done so far. They see the value of the tradeoffs needed to build a majority. Your howls of protest are pretty weak. Have you thought of starting your own party? Perhaps you could revive the Social Credit Party of Canada?

Finally, a measure of peace will be offered to the families of the victims of the Air India bombing. Conservatives launch Air India public inquiry This was a promise Harper made. Another promise kept. Does anyone know what the Liberal's rationale is/was for opposing a full judicial inquiry?