The Honest Politician

I despise this kind of brainless American style hyper-patriotism. I think everyone who propogates it helps make Canada a little bit more American every time they throw out their chest and start into their nationalistic drivel. Traditional Canadian patriotism was of the dry, soft-spoken kind. It was sincere and it was real. We didn't need to crow and bluster about it like the Americans did every Fourth of July. The Liberals changed that in order to make July 1 a honking big patriotic holiday to beat at the PQ with. And all the morons out there bought into it, donned their maple leaf hats and threw a flag around themselves and ran out to pretend they were Americans and sing patriotic songs. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I despise some blowhard calling my love for my country crowing and blustering. Maybe you should stop crowing and blustering then. Canada! Love it or leave it, as you yanks say, right? Your kind of crude, blustering, loud, in-your-face patriotism is what Canadians used to mock Americans before, and stilil do. I suspect your values are far closer to American values than they are to mine. I suspect that you'd be perfectly happy as an American, with that kind of knee-jerk nationalistic pap trotted out to defend every government decision. Your attitude is completely American, whether you know it or not. That's because the Liberals gave us this kind of nationalistic bombast, and copied it from the Americans. Those of us older, and smarter, didn't buy into it. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am absolutely positive you know neither me nor my values. You are so far off it is laughable. Almost as laughable as half the CPC platform, or "Liberal accountability". If you are apathetic as far as Canada is concerned then it would serve you right to have everything slowly Americanized on you. My over-the-top demonstration was only to show how easy it was to say I love Canada, and question as to why Harper could not perform this little task. But you insult me and my intelligence, and mock my patriotism. You should grow up yourself.

So now you dispise my patriotism, and consider me an uneducated, ignorant, shallow schoolkid? Get Stuffed. It has been typical behaviour of certain people on this board to stoop to personal attacks, instead of actual debating. And they call everyone else Childish. That's ok. So a referendum on every major issue is the answer? Hello? Why do we have a govt. in the first place if not to make the decisions on the major issues. But anyway lets explore having a referendum. After SSM is settled, and the next major issue arises, do we have another referendum? And the issue after that? If we can't allow our political process to work for us, what is the point in having a govt.?

I despise this kind of brainless American style hyper-patriotism. I think everyone who propogates it helps make Canada a little bit more American every time they throw out their chest and start into their nationalistic drivel. Traditional Canadian patriotism was of the dry, soft-spoken kind. It was sincere and it was real. We didn't need to crow and bluster about it like the Americans did every Fourth of July. The Liberals changed that in order to make July 1 a honking big patriotic holiday to beat at the PQ with. And all the morons out there bought into it, donned their maple leaf hats and threw a flag around themselves and ran out to pretend they were Americans and sing patriotic songs. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I despise some blowhard calling my love for my country crowing and blustering. You don't love this country, thats your business. I do love it and I am not afraid to say it, unlike the CPC leader. You think patriotism makes us more American? Patriotism is what makes us stand up to the Americans and defend our values and way of life. Are you against that?

Oh and Belinda. Officailly anyways had SSM as a problem for her.

Yes, lets. A chunk of liberal mps would actually vote against ssm, and the liberals didn't lose any over it. Neither would the Tories. Norm, come on, surely you can do better than drag up old comments you've used many times before! I will choose an old response: about 67% of Canadians would rather have someone else than Martin as PM. Interesting how you change your position on polls when they don't have a favorable result for you. The Tories would allow a free vote, the Liberals not, and who's the more tolerant? You need to take off your Liberal coloured glasses. At any rate, I'm getting bored with this again. Usually I avoid you Norm because you develop this one note trill about Harper and the Liberals and darned if you didn't start it up again. When you want to actually debate something without bringing up the usual crapola, I'll be around. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Uh the Liberals lost Two MP's over SSM.

Oh so now you are the Liberal Gibberish to English Translator for everybody. That was your post. Tell me where in Martin's outburst did he say anything like that. This is very sad when all people can do is twist a politicians words. So you came to the conclusion all by yourself that someone who does not defend the Charter of Rights and Fredoms is Un-Canadian. Or am I misinterpreting your last post. Since Martin's allegation was that Harper was not defending the Charter, and you have determined that it was an un-Canadian allegation. That would make not defending the Charter, un-Canadian. Right? So if Harper isn't defending the Charter, that must mean.... well, you can figure it out.

When the Medisys Health Group was opened, was Martin already a patient? Has Martin ever paid money for quicker treatment, than he would have been given under normal medicare? The country deserves answers. He cannot trumpet health care in one hand and support a private system on the other. If he ever paid cash above and beyond what medicare would provide, for preferential, expedited, or higher level of treatment he owes it to everyone to come clean.

Let's be real here. The Tories have to allow a free vote on SSM, so that they don't lose a chunk of their MP's over it.

That is tantamount to saying, "If you won't protect the Liberal Party, you have no business trying to be PM." Is Martin aware of how arrogant he sounds to many non-Liberal Canadians? Similar to his declaration that Harper is unfit to be PM, Martin chose himself to make this federal election a "referendum" in Quebec. Well, what will he say on 24 January if the BQ gets 53% of the vote in Quebec? Martin and the Liberals may well win this election with their 38% of the vote but they are doing it in a way that, as they say, the operation was a success but the patient died. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> How the hell do you come to that conclusion? How does defending the charter make you a Liberal? What does defending the Liberal Party have to do with up holding what the charter stands for? This is some strange thinking you have going on here. If you think this is the first election to be a referendum in Quebec you need to wake up. Every federal election is a referendum in Quebec. They use the numbers of BQ members elected to show their displeasure with the federal govt.

I would suggest you reread what Martin actually said. It is Martins View That: "If you won't protect the Charter of Rights and Freedoms then you have no buisness trying to become the prime minister of Canada." Nowhere does he say "Disagreeing with (my) view makes a person unfit to govern." Please make sure you understand what you are posting about.

Ya we'll have a referendum on this, and any other issue where doing what's right is contrary to the views of the majority. If the majority says it is OK to ignore rights and freedoms given to us by our Charter, then it must be true. What's next, a referendum on whether or not people with disabilities should be allowed to procreate? Once you start this ball rolling it will not stop until the last extremist has a referendum on their own personal issue.

Damn right this isn't the USA! And preserving our medicare is a big step in ensuring we never do become like the USA. Did you not read the post? Health care cost are the #1 reason for people going bankrupt in the US. Entire life savings wiped out because they got sick. Does this not disgust you. I would have been bankrupt 12 years ago if I had to have paid for my father's medical expenses. Haven't you heard that a private for profit healthcare system could be argued to be brought under NAFTA. Thereby possibly causing a trade war with our citizens health and well being hanging in the balance. I used to support two tier medicare, but the idea of my personal heath being put in jeopardy due to a trade war made me rethink the idea.

Did he not know the camera's where running? This is another simple thing that Harper has bungled, either through arrogance or stupidity. It looked to me that he gestured with both hands that he did not want to shake hands. Why? What is the reason for this slight? The conservatives say it was an oversight. An oversight? Like not being able to utter the phrase "I love Canada". That kind of oversight? I will choose to take the conservatives at their word. I was an oversight. OK, he simply forgot to shake hands with his best ally. Is he an IDIOT? He forgot to shake hands, while on National TV. Again it just shows me why I cannot support Harper. If his speech isn't prepared for him he is useless. Whenever he has to act or think for himself he screws up. I used to think he was a smart man, I no longer do. He does not appear to be able to think on his feet and continuously demonstrates behaviour unbecoming anybody, who would be Prime Minister of this great country.

Everytime you are shown other than what you think, it is always something personal, between Harper or the CPC and the poster. Come on, what's with that? All he had to say was "Yes", it is not a big deal. The fact he was stupid enough to not say it, even if it was just to please the beer guzzling knuckle draggers, us patriots where referred to as earlier, shows a lack of respect for this country and its citizens as a whole. If Martin had refused to say he loved Canada I would be raking his arse over the coals too. I LOVE CANADA!!! I LOVE CANADA!!! I LOVE CANADA!!!

How is saving 2 cents on the dollar supposed to help some one who has nothing to begin with. For the thousandth time, the GST cut will only help people who have lots of disposable income. If you can't afford to buy a sweater, how is saving 50 cents on it going to help you. You have to understand there are poor people out there who pay their bills, feed their kids and if they are lucky they have enough money to rent a movie on the weekend. You need to see that with the full 2 cent reduction, you would have to spend $5000 before GST in order to save yourself just $100. If I have no money to spend, I save nothing. How does that help the poor?

When asked if he loved Canada all he had to say was "YES". Case closed. The fact he didn't shows he is an idiot. As a leader of a political party, you had better love your country. And you had better make sure everybody else knows you love your country. Because if you aren't in politics for the love of your country and the desire to make it better, then you must be in politics for your own personal agenda. And from what I know about Harper, the last thing I want is for him to pursue a personal agenda. The bottom line is he screwed up. A simple "Yes" would have been great. "Of course I love Canada." would have been even better. His best bet would have been something along the lines of: " I love this country, but the current govt. is slowly destroying it. And Canadians need to elect me Prime Minister to make sure this country is put back on track." Anything would have been better than avoiding saying he loves Canada. But he did what he did and is an idiot for doing it. That is why I don't want him representing me internationally. He obviously has trouble thinking on his feet. I don't know what kind of brain fart he had when he was asked the question, but I sure as hell don't want him having another when dealing with the future of our country internationally. He couldn't say he loves his country, I just can't fathom that. Even the Block leader had to admit he loved Canada. And they want to leave! It is a stupid thing to possibly cost someone an election but all he had to say was "Yes". Stephen Harper himself is the main reason I won't support the Conservatives.

How much money is this poor person going to save with a 2 cent GST reduction. They have no money to spend in the first place, so how is saving them 2 cents on a dollar going to help. The $49.50 which I believe is the basic GST rebate check, which is given out 4 times a year, would be equal to spending $2475 on Taxable Goods and Services every three months. What poor person do you know that has $2475 every three months in disposable income? Thats money after rent or mortgage payments. After food. A cut to the GST only saves money for those who have money to spend.

POT? Oh my god that stuff is evil. I saw a guy smoke it once and he started to laugh. Then he couldn't stop smiling. Before I knew it he had made himself a sandwich and went to sleep. It just as bad as that crack that people die for $10 over. I would much rather my child get drunk and become violent then have them smoke a joint and pass out.

You don't get it. Oils reserves are not being replenished. We are pumping it out far faster than it is being created. The USA could not sit idly by and watch Russia and other countries make backroom illegal deals with Saddam for his oil. The only way to get the oil under Iraq to the refineries in the Gulf Coast of the USA was to either lift the sanctions, which meant Saddam submitting to inspections, or remove Saddam from power. It's all about the money. How many Billions of Dollars in contracts were awarded to Haliburton immediately after the invasion? That is the first batch of money to be made. There is billions more dollars to be made once the oil is refined. There is the second batch of money for the Bush/Cheney Cronies. War itself is big business:Part 1. Haliburton has billions in contracts with the US Federal Govt including maintaining the military. They don't make as much money if the troops are idle. Third Batch of money. These are billion dollar batches too remember. War itself is big business: Part 2. Every soldier needs, ammunition, food, clothing, shaving kits, armor and various other items. All which have to be manufactured. Which means job creation and economic growth and the ripple effect goes throughout the economy as more houses are built, and more cars are bought, and so on. A strong economy equals better political support. There is also the underlying fact that as countries like China, India and Brazil all become more industrialised the demand for oil will skyrocket. The industrialisation of China has already produced global material shortages. You may recall a recent shortage of brick. China has also forced the price of coal back up to a point where Canada is going to reopen mines. So consider the war in Iraq as a pre-emptive strike for the furture oil reserves of the USA. But don't for one minute believe anyone when they say it wasn't about the money/oil.

So I am a dumb-guy because I want or like to hear my Prime minister say he loves Canada. I love Canada. It's the greatest country on earth, for a multitude of reasons. It's not hard to say, I love Canada, so what's up with Harper? Does he not love this country? Why not ? As you suggested when asked if he loved Canada maybe all he could think about was what was wrong with it, in his oppinion, and how he will change everthing when he is in power. So either he doesn't love Canada, because of all the faults he sees in the country, or he was too DUMB to just tell the voters what they want to hear. Either way he blew another opportuntiy to shed some of his "evil, hidden agenda, americanize everything" reputation that the Liberals have fed Canadians for the last few years. I like some of the Conservatives policies, and combined with the Liberal corruption I would probably vote for them. But Harper is not the man I want to represent me internationally, or direct policy for this country. Get Peter off the farm and go get a majority Conservative Govt. I love Canada and so should my Prime Minister. I LOVE CANADA I LOVE CANADA I LOVE CANADA I LOVE CANADA I LOVE CANADA I LOVE CANADA, it's really not that hard Stephen. Now you try it.

Whoever pointed out that speech to The Canadian Press did it on condition that he won't be identified. My guess is that it was Stephen Harper himself who pointed them towards it. And now Stephen can't wait for Martin to start using that speech against him so he can bring out a big arsenal of quotes by the Liberals' star candidate, Michael Ignatieff, that make his 1997 speech look like child's play. That's strictly a guess, though. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm sorry I didn't realize Michael Ignatieff was the Leader of the Liberal Party.

Apparently Harper was shooting the breeze with reporters on the plane last night. Go to the Canada am section Click on Harper unplugged.Harper unplugged

Glad to finally see Harpers true personal views. Not that I agree with them but atleast they are out there. Let him answer to this old speech. The way he handles all these comments will decide for a lot of people if they will vote for him or not. Eight years is a long time, and yet at Harpers age how much do your beliefs really change. This is exactly the kind of crap that fuels the "hidden agenda" rumors. I feel sorry for him to get bit in the butt by something so stupid, but he did it.

BA and an MA in economics and a computer programmer. How is it that he is supposed to be the average Canadian? I was not aware two degrees are needed to be average. I feel like such a failure. How anyone can say he was not making some serious cash or that his family was hard done by? A computer programmer with two degrees has got to be worth $100,000+ per year. When did that become average for an income?

Yes and the same GST the Tories made their most liberal of campaign promises to cut. How are the Tories going to pay for everything they promise and cut the GST? Won't happen. The cut it self is a joke as only the rich will see any real money. Do the math, how much would you have to spend to save $1000 in a year with the full 2cent GST cut? Answer: $50,000 Who do you know that has $50,000 dollars of disposable income. I know a few thousand people who don't earn $50,000 in a year before taxes, let alone have $50,000 after paying the bills. How many times was the law used before Mulroney dusted it off? It is obscure because it is rarely used, discussed or widely known.