Jerry J. Fortin

I asked if you believed the media could be blamed, didn't I? Then I asked if that was where Harper was going. If you are a party member then you could find out.

Simple fact; terrorists target civilians. Israel is dealing with terrorists, and what could you expect any nation to do with terrorists?

Do you really believe that you can get away with blaming the media? Is that where Harper thinks he can find or manipulate cover for this? If that ad is representative of their position on the subject then they, the Conservatives, should be shooting and not ducking. Unless they seem to have change their mind about it.

The internet? You must be kidding! MP's salaries are not the question. Public perception isn't either. The question is their spending habits on an individual level. It is actually an interesting question because it brings up the concept of accountability. There is the root of the problem folks.

Harper must believe that the 10 seats he has in Quebec are safe. Otherwise it would be an act of stupidity.

Pie in the sky! It must be some utopian world you live in if you think for one lousy second the kind of changes you are talking about will ever come to pass under the sun in this nation. Our dumb system of government, flawed as it is, is still astute enough to see power being taken from partisan coffers under any such plan. What you folks need to understand is that the partisan system requires internal reforms prior to there being any form of hope for democratic reforms which is what you seek I will offer a suggestion, a means of attaining that which you seek. It is a simple plan, one which may be used for every partisan faction. The plan need not be specific to any level of government, it will work as long as there is a partisan system of representation. It goes like this; 1) Join the party in power 2) Join the local constituency association 3) Offer to assist in local operations 4) Undertake a local political survey of your own neighborhood 5) Acquire phone numbers and email addresses of constituents in the process 6) Use local meeting to propose a system of localized direct democracy in order to have the elected candidate actually represent the views of constituents 7) Use local meeting to propose recall legislation 8) Use local meeting to propose fixed election dates 9) Use local meeting to propose term limits for elected representatives That is the extent of the things you can do at the local level. However you do have the ability to elect delegates to regional or higher meetings. The same process can be undertaken at a higher level. The reality is that once the process has begun at the lowest levels, then it could and would become contagious within the partisan system because it offers democratic control without power. It is a system that can be used to provide the support needed for true legislative efforts at reforms.

The real issue to be discussed here should be controlling expenses, not MP salaries. MP salaries are not out of line by any account. The partisan split with cabinet ministers getting more money is in fact an issue. Perhaps not in the way people think though. The entire system scales incomes to workloads, with this I have no problem. My concern is the waste of money being paid to opposition and backbench representatives. Everyone of the elected representatives should have a responsible and meaningful position that they can be held accountable for. Make these folks work for a living.

I will predict a majority government two elections from now. I will go further out on a limb, it will be a Liberal government.

That is true, however it is our own best interest to refine these products here in Alberta. Value added production is where the wealth is generated. We have the resources and the ability to refine them so it is an economic given as a logical extension of production right here.

One way around the problem I guess. Of course trying to pay back that large state debt with IOU's isn't going to fly.

There is no doubt a vast amount of American capital invested in the oilsands. On the other hand if you look at the numbers, the big players are both Canadian companies, they are Suncor and Syncrude. Our problem here is our provincial governments lack of foresight. What can I say politicians have agendas, and who knows what the hell they are. By 2010 Alberta citizens will finally see some real royalties come from these companies. They were given massive tax breaks and royalty concessions for decades and those are finally over. The rate on royalties goes from 1% to 25%. Factor in increased production and you can see vast amounts of revenues. Oil at $100 yield a $25 fee per barrel, and as I have said expected production levels will go to more than 2 million barrels per day by 2012, that is $50 million a day. That is some real money, our provincial budget is a shade less than 32 billion a year. Getting 15 billion a year just from those two companies royalties is rather significant, add income tax levies and you can see copious capital. At any rate Alberta is well placed, even though we lack any real manufacturing capacity. For years citizens have been screaming to have Alberta increase its refining capacity, now this is beginning to happen. There are a lot of plans floating around over here even in the darkest hour for the oil patch. Part of the reason is that Saskatchewan is now turning over soil in their own oilsands efforts. Evern conservative estimates bring western Canadian production of oil to more than 5 million barrels a day within the next decade as production ramps up. This of course does not include off shore oil production now being bumped up on the east coast. BC, I don't know if you are aware of the Alaskan Permanent Fund of our own Alberta Heritage Trust Fund, but both were designed by Social Credit and are interesting little tools for public investment. In Alberta there is a movement to have the AHTF heavily fueled by future oil and gas royalties. This will provide an opportunity, whether realized or not, for the citizens of Alberta.

The last I heard was this; http://www.climaticoanalysis.org/post/secu...%E2%80%99s-oil/ However before he was President he seemed to have a different opinion. I have no idea where your nation stands, or even you for that matter BC. I certainly hope that America desires to continue its current policies with respect to oil production from Alberta. We ship about 2 million barrels a day to you folks now(Canadian total) but by 2015 that should be up to around 4 million a day. To be honest I don't know what your rates of consumption are, but I do hope we can help you folks out.

What do you think Obama will say about the oilsands?

Canada never had an empire, but that thought may give you some comfort. Knowing that we burned down your White House and captured a couple of your cities, after sinking one of your warships in the one engagement we had with you. It wasn't an empire that beat you, just a little colonial backwater. Dude, you brought it up and I had to correct you. I think the Swiss are doing it right if you must know. It matters because it is all about the citizens and how their nation treats them. Alberta had a law like that once, we changed it recently. How much debt does your state carry and how much of your taxes are required to cover that debt? The 7821 km Trans-Canada Hwy was formally opened at ROGERS PASS on 30 July 1962., whats you number? Interestingly I live 14 Kms off of the Alaskan Hiway and drive down it every time I go to work. Yes you folks do know a good investment when you see one in terms of investing in Alberta. I would not go with running scared, but there are a lot of Albertans concerned with your fate. We actually do care what happens to you folks. 1982 only repatriated the document to Canada. That was the time we lost our property right, not something to celebrate. She is an idiot, and lucky for you arrogance is not against the law. Not at all. We are very tolerant to you folks. You can certainly do as you please. Canada has a very distinct national identity. We are respected around the world, unlike your own nation. Obama is adding debt to a far greater extent than anybody else has down there. That is a good description of your rantings.

Life in Canada is indeed good. The politics are bad, the representatives suck, the taxes are high, but aside form that things are pretty darned fine! Nice to hear you admit that your empire has been lost though. In France...http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=984104&Category=Economic%20News In Japan...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8058708.stm I think that perhaps things are not so rosey over there in France or Japan. Do you realize the ramifications of delusional arrogance? Alberta struggling to stay afloat? Really, that is news to me. BC, until this last budget we were in the black with surplus incomes. We have no provincial debt . How is your state doing debt wise? They are building new roads, freeways, hospitals and schools all over the place in our big cities. Your are either simply misinformed or are foolishly ignorant of the reality of Alberta. I did call it what I wished and corrected you accordingly. To use your own words you were baiting......... If you read our Constitution then you would understand the difficulties we have in making changes to it. Not a very user friendly document, amendments are a bitch to pull off. There is the real difference between us BC, I will not kill a fellow citizen of ideology. You need not apology for either yourself or your nation to me. Its simply isn't required. It is a very small cross section of the public BC, and should not be used as an accurate gauge of public opinion at all. I would not say that "many""are trapped in a neurotic existence at all. My fellow citizens simply tend to mind their own business and not attempt to force their views on people in general. We are a very tolerant society in truth. What is clear to you is of little concern to us. I would venture to say that there are more Canadians with reasonable knowledge of America than Americans with reasonable knowledge of Canada. You are the perfect example of that. In the end you will likely always be left wondering. If America does cease to exist it will take a lot of people with it, as many have misplaced their faith in trust in your society. BC America owes me nothing at all. America need not change at all if that is the wishes of your citizens for it is up to them to make that judgment and nobody else. Your current President ran on a platform of change did he not? He was elected by a majority of your citizens that supported the changes he desires. That would logically lead to the reality of a statement that America needs, wants and desires changes now doesn't it?

Not I, and definitely not "Master". With respect to China we agree, I have already said so. However, you need to admit that role reversal is eminent. The USA is NOT the game, it is a losing proposition. This is what you cannot see, it is the forest for the tree syndrome you are stuck in with your myopic vision. There are still some good investments, many in fact to be found within the USA, but the days are in fact numbered. Simple arithmetic proves this. They went up against varsity and got their clocks cleaned, that is all true. But that was in the day my friend and those days are over. I think not BC. That was a jab, that is what it was and that was what was returned to you. With all due respect BC, I am not exactly an ardent proponent of the current system of government within Canada. I am in fact an Alberta Separatist. In have no love for left leaning nanny states. The current Constitution of Canada took away the right to own property and the "notwithstanding clause" was utilized by Quebec, who were not signatories to the document in question, and forced "Bill 101" down the throats of citizens within that province forcing the French language upon them. To date the Federal Government has done nothing about it. They have no spine whatsoever. On a side note I think that your "Declaration of Independence" is likely the most relevant political document written to date. Your Constitution is not as good as that other document but is considerably superior to our own. My concern is my own affair and quite literally none of your business. Considering your concern for the welfare of your own fellow citizens I consider your opinion in this regard as useful as used toilet paper. I think you would be shocked to actually find out what most Canadians really thought. America needs to succeed on your own terms, on this we do agree. I am not required to be satisfied with anything in your nation as I am not a citizen. I am however able to speak freely on my own behalf and say as I please about whatever I damned well please to anyone I choose provided I do so within the law.

The student obeys the teacher. It is a subordinate position whether or not the ability to choose the instructor is available or not. The relationship is the same, a constant. There is no doubt the USA can dish it out. There never was, in my mind. To be fair, the US can throw one hell of a punch, but it has developed a glass jaw in the manner of finances. You are now experiencing the reality of being on the other side of the fence. YOu think you retain control but it is an illusion. This is how the US has played the game from the second world war to this day, by the tables are now reversed. Your opponents have read your play book. They know every step you can and will take, they are well prepared. The US is now the bargain basement for investments. That will not change anytime soon because of the nature of your society. Hey BC, that is Canada Day, we haven't used the other term in quite some time. You are a little out of date, not surprising for you Americans. Open a book or something and perhaps see if you can catch up on current events. Have I ever said I could change the USA? I have said, and do truly mean that I have deep concern for your nation. I have said that somethings need to change for your own benefit, but I have never said that those changes should be forced upon you from the outside. It remains my hope that you folks take care and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves from time to time. At the present rate, you folks will be out of money very soon. By that I mean your credit or ability to get the money you need to pay your debts with more borrowed money will soon be out of your reach. Look what happened to Argentina, that reality is one that I would hope you can avoid.

Does it really matter who the teachers are? BC I don't know how to break the news to you but China is not just big, it is huge. They have already gone to school on the system of things America helped to design and they are already teaching America lessons. The first lesson you seemed to have missed is that you are cheaply bought with your own money. How many billions of dollars of U.S.T-Bills do they already hold? What is the current state of accounts between China and the USA? What has your nation done to address this issue of the wealth of America being collected in China? Canada has never been in position nor has it ever had the desire to teach America any lessons, we are far too much like you to act in such a manner. We are dominated by your culture and economy, little less than a vassal of the powerful nation south of our borders, yet we are still sovereign and distinct citizens of the continent we both share. You are foolish to believe America has not changed, for it has.

So in effect you folks think we need a more "real" politician. Warts and all, being preferable to the "Barbie and Ken" popularity contestant breeds we current select from partisan ranks. I think I can agree with that.

Well BC, you will play the game your way, that is clear. Power to you if that is what floats your boat. On the other hand, I would prefer that things were set up a little better so that more folks could benefit from their efforts. American ideology has changed and that change has been detrimental to both the individuals and the nation. You have simply grown too big for your own boots dude. It was time that you were taught a lesson, and the school bell has just been rung. Its off to class for your nation................

What you don't seem to understand is that the involvement of outside interests actually facilitate confrontation not resolve it.

I can only hope that the next Christmas is better than the last. That is the same hope I have every year.

The Yankees love debt. Just ask BC! Its good for the economy!

I don't think I ever said that Canada was the pinnacle of economic wisdom. In fact the opposite is true, I am not a big fan of this nation at all. I am an Albertan, which is a lot like like America in its world and economic views. There is one small little detail about Alberta that most people don't understand including our own back water provincial government. We have our own bank. It is a provincial crown corporation, legal under the laws of Canada and able to generate credit to the same extent as any class one chartered bank in Canada. To return to the point BC, like I said some individuals in the US can make out okay, but a vast majority will get screwed. You are old, out of the work force and protected according to you in financial condition. Just how many US citizens can lay claim to that condition? You are speaking as a greedy unfeeling and uncaring citizen. Your concern for your fellow citizens is non-existent. That makes your views irrelevant for your own nation. Your concern is for yourself, not anyone else. Ron Paul is not a crackpot, but he did lose. Ross Perot wasn't a crackpot either, but he lost too. Both of these folks knew what was going on and tried to warn other folks, but you people would not listen for one simple reason. You folks all want to be the fat cat, ride high on the hog and have everyone else wait on you hand and foot. That too is part of the "American Dream", getting rich. That is on an individual level of course, not a national one. Your nation is going broke. Go ahead and spend all you like, buy marble for your floors and granite for your counter tops, trim your rooms with teak and go buy a nice new car. It seems to me that you will not have to borrow to do it, so there is no problem at all...for you. What about your sons and daughters and the taxes they will have to pay on all that national debt. What about your friends and neighbors and their families? The "BIG ONE" is coming BC, whether you believe it or not. You can position yourself or hide your head in the sand, your actions mean nothing. The actions of your nation mean everything. In the new short decades, Asia will replace America as the consumer capital on this planet. Meanwhile you will be living like a king, with many serf neighbors.

Chinese birth rates have fallen since the one child policy. But wait for it.......India will have a larger population than China within the next 30 years. Between the two nations there will be nearly 45% of the world population. It is hard to imagine that many people, nearly three billion, using up consumer goods so far away from us. The number of manufacturing plants in Asia is growing rapidly as are power and utility companies. In North America manufacturing is falling as rapidly as it is growing in Asia. Wealth WILL accumulate there at the expense of the rest of the world. There is no way around it with current economic models.