BubberMiley

I'll debate you Sharkman. I'm not campaigning for anybody (even the maryjane party). Bet I'd have you swayed to decriminalization by the end too.

You just have to look at who's getting paid under the current system. Liquor and tobacco companies would probably be happy to have a new vice to exploit, so I'm not too suspicious of them. Police chiefs, as I understand, have been in favour of decriminalization. The unions, however, have not because no union has ever been in favour of something that might jeopardize their bread and butter--and pot laws give cops work.

My point is that it's not really about the persecution of pot smokers. It's about maintaining the black market economy to facilitate organized crime.

Actually, Sharkman, I was the one who said Harper wants the status quo. I think the whole 5%/95% argument is completely irrelevant. Sure maybe the 5% are really really bad guys, but if they're so bad, let's lock them up for the really bad things they do, not for growing plants.

Sharkman wonders what's in my basement; I wonder why he supports the status quo.

Someboday's making money. Lots of it. And tax-free too. It's all under the table of course, so who's to say where it's going. My point is that anyone who fights to maintain that system must have an interest in that system.

The only reason any party would defend the status quo is they have a stake in the economy that feeds off it. Think about it. A system where kids get unfettered access to the drug (ask any junior high student what's easier to for them to buy: pot or alcohol? The answer has been pot for the past 30 years) and where the black market economy is likely in the billions, why would anyone who really has the best interests of kids at heart be opposed to regulation and decriminalization? Why would they be opposed to cutting the organized crime monopoly and allowing citizens to have a few plants for personal use? Because they're making money.

Nothing in my basement but a lot of crap for a garage sale next spring, Sharkman. Nonetheless, I've always felt strongly that the only reason those plants are illegal is to maintain the black market that feeds all those powers-what-be. If Mr. averagejoe were allowed a plant or two in his basement for personal use, those asian gangs would lose a major revenue source. If everything was legal and above board, we could also prevent the fire hazards etc. that exist out there now. Of course, the CPC would never agree to that. Makes you wonder who's in bed with organized crime.

Leafless, I've never voted Liberal in my life, so I doubt I would be one to generate Liberal propaganda. My feelings about your contempt disguised as moral superiority goes beyond party lines. And you can't tell me the general population had a clue about the constitution when they voted on Charlottetown. Nobody is ever interested enough in constitutional issues to make an informed decision. That's why I'm opposed to referenda in general. They just voted no because Mulroney had a 12% approval rating and they wanted to vote against anything he wanted.

What numbers? The 40% grow-op convictions? Yeah, that sounds high to me too, considering a lot of them are just people minding their own business growing an inoccuous plant in their basement.

Why no mention of his main point, permanent criminal records, sharkman?

No, Leafless. I don't support the Liberal party, but my point was, people like you set the Conservative movement back because no one wants to be associated with intolerant, self-righteous people who think God's on their side and they have moral authority, when really they're just self-serving and close-minded and can't mind their own business. And regarding referenda, I think the Charlottetown Accord proved that people are way too disinterested to ever be able to provide an informed judgement. They just voted against it because they were mad about the GST. People elect politicians they agree with. If they don't agree with them, they should elect someone else four years later. Period.

It IS time to put it to rest. We already dealt with that issue in the last election. There's been very little new info come to light since then. Canadians have moved on.

Canada isn't helping to "promote democracy" because Canada tries to avoid committing war crimes. History never looks fondly on those who facilitate them.

I think people like Leafless are hampering the efforts of the Conservative party more than anyone.

Okay, for starters, who cares what so-called christians think about homosexuality? Last I checked there was a separation between church and state. I don't want people who call themselves christian just so they can be self-righteous dictating how our society should be shaped. Secondly, since when does homosexuality result in raising children? Last I checked, that still didn't compute biologically. I think that not allowing SSM might force gay people into heterosexual marriages (it certainly has in the past), therefore resulting (omigod) in gay people raising kids. And lastly, don't worry leafless, nobody's forcing their lifestyle on you. You won't need to marry someone of your own sex. You'll just have to learn to MYOB.

What difference does it make what percentage of the population they are? Even if it were .0001%, that wouldn't justify letting people who can't mind their own business to continue to discriminate against them by not allowing SSM.

Has there been any statement by the Conservative Party on what they would do in Iraq if elected? Would Canada join our allies in the coalition of the willing?

It just goes to show we need more money into transfer payments. It's not like Albertans deserve that money anymore than a Manitoban. It's CANADIAN land, therefore Canadian oil.

If you're an Albertan before you're Canadian, I can see why you would be so opposed to equalization and NEP. But if you're Canadian first, Canada's resources are Canada's resources. Even the U.S. has a strong central government. Check out their smooth, creamy Interstates.

Albertans think they have so much money because they have a tremendous work ethic, not because they were just lucky to be sitting on a dinosaur graveyard of countless barrels of oil. Contemptuous talk like that of FellowTraveller makes me wish they'd bring back the national energy program.