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Michael Hardner

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Everything posted by Michael Hardner

  1. A quick scan of 10 random CPC sites finds that only ONE candidate stated his personal views on social issues. Nine did not: Barry Cline St. Paul's Carol Skelton Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar Victor Chan Vancouver South John Koury Esquimalt - Juan de Fuca Jesse Johl Vancouver-Kingsway (believes in accountability) David MacKenzie Oxford County Mike Wallace Burlington George Drazenovic Burnaby-Douglas (free votes a top priority) Guy Lauzon Stormont, Dundas, & South Glengarry Hats off to the one CPC candidate in 10 who states his views: Garry Breitkreuz Yorkton - Melville "dedication to issues such as the tradtional defination of marriage" "defunding of abortions"
  2. Mike Wallace CPC Burlington -> nothing stated
  3. David MacKenzie CPC Oxford County -> nothing stated
  4. Jesse Johl CPC Vancouver-Kingsway -> believes in accountability... views on social issues not stated
  5. John Koury CPC Esquimalt - Juan de Fuca -> nothing stated
  6. Garry Breitkreuz CPC Yorkton - Melville -> "dedication to issues such as the tradtional defination of marriage" "defunding of abortions"
  7. With the prospect of a CPC government becoming more real with each passing day, we are told that a CPC government itself will not be introducing legislation on abortion, same-sex marraige etc. However, a CPC government will allow free votes on any issue not covered in party policy. It's therefore very important for voters to be informed on how the local candidates stand on certain issues (I'll call them social issues here) that might be put to a free vote. It's even more important, in fact it should be a requirement, that any CPC candidate express their views on social issues, since under CPC policy, they might be voting on these in the next session of parliament. I checked my local candidate's website. He mentions the fact that a CPC government will allow free votes several times, but he doesn't offer his own views on any of the controversial issues that he will ostensibly be voting on. MapleLeafWeb members - check your local candidate's website and tell us whether your CPC candidate says anything about social issues. St. Paul's CPC candidate Barry Cline -> nothing stated.
  8. Seeing as how there might be free votes in the future, it's important for voters to find out how their local CPC candidates stand on the issues. My local conservative candidate is touting the fact that the CPC will be introducing more votes, yet he doesn't anywhere on his website indicate how he stands on issues that may come up for free vote... Sounds like an idea for a new thread...
  9. Perhaps, but the poll numbers were there. It's hard to predict the future, as we all now know. Agreed.
  10. Indeed. I have changed my position on at least three major issues thanks to forum discussions with those on the other side.
  11. I stand corrected. But, really, t'was ever so. Those in power do not let go of what's important to them, and Harper will be no different in this regard.
  12. As far as I can see "media bias" is subordinate to the prevailing winds of the day; if everyone thinks Martin is desperate, then he is desperate. Harper has done a magificent job, politically, so far. All that remains is for him to remain above the fray in the debates and he will be the next PM.
  13. Well, people say stupid things when they're young and radical . Should they be held accountable for these statements ? Sure... Stockwell Day, Stephen Harper included.
  14. I agree that Harper's view of federalism would do much to give Quebec (and all the provinces) the power it wants, and might help to keep it in Canada. But as much as people get upset about this kind of thing, I believe that a good economy staves off all of these questions indefinitely.
  15. The more you post on these types of boards, the more you learn to respect other points of view. And I think this was what the founding fathers of modern democracy (Americans) intended when they set off on their bold experiment. As long as people post with the best intentions, their opinions are welcome with me.
  16. I think that the law should provide some kind of protection against organized hate, because it's usually planned in more of a rational way unlike other crimes of passion and it puts specific people at risk. Some kind of extra penalty might be appropriate to discourage that kind of thing. But, I don't really agree with the specific hate laws that we currently have on the books...
  17. The slide will only happen when the will of the people coincides with the will of the man who holds the power. Harper would have sent troops to Iraq against the will of the Canadian people. So what of that ?
  18. Yes, things could get quite nasty. The Bloc, Libs and NDP might even gang up on the CPC ! After all, it's in all of their interests to make Conservatives the bogeymen in the blue suits. Not sure if it's good for the country, though. And I'm pretty sure it's bad for the democratic process. But then again, Harper's too smug and unflappable for his own good right now. He needs to be flapped a bit, and that might be fun to see.
  19. Are you against constitutions in general, or just the content of ours ? Something tells me it's the latter. If our constitution didn't guarantee gay rights (as the justices have interpreted it, anyway), maybe you'd like it more. Not that scary, really. The same thing happens in the US, except the judges are conservative.
  20. Hjalmar: We know that you support 90% tax rates (see earlier post in this thread) so your support for Layton is noted. But the idea of "peace through strength" can only happen if one has "strength". Unless Portugal gets pesky on us again, it's doubtful that these things will ever be an issue for Canada.
  21. The advantage is being able to pass... let's say... unpalatable... legislation without having to take responsibility for it beforehand. This is what the other side calls "the hidden agenda". So Harper can say truthfully that his government will not pass abortion legislation in the first term, but he can also decide in the backrooms what his MPs will or will not be allowed to do, and he knows what is likely to pass, what is likely to fail, and what falls in between.
  22. Hjalmar: I quite like Ike too. Did you know that the top tax rate under his administration was OVER 90 % ? Eisenhower used this money to build (BUILD !) the space program, the military and the interstate highway system as well as the foundations for the great society, later continued by the Dems in the 1960s. I never imagined you to be to the left of Jack Layton, but I guess we're never too old to learn...
  23. I think it was a member of caucus who was removed earlier this year, the family issues critic or somesuch. So it would be easy for him to effectively introduce legislation - tacitly through one of his MPs - without making it party policy then. This sounds like something Chretien would have thought up. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
  24. This characterization isn't apt. Layton is fiscally to the right of any NDP leader yet, maybe even to the right of Mulroney !
  25. Are you saying it was smart for Thompson to say this ? I don't agree...
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