madmax

With the vote not that far away, I am going to bump this up, a few more times before the real vote.

You could be right.

US STEEL will have to posture itself into CCAA in order to shaft the employees of their severance pay. US STEEL could return the contracts and work they took out of both Hamilton and Nanticoke and keep most of the employees working and sever off the rest. But because they have basically shut down two operations, in near entirety, in order to move the newly aquired contracts to the US, they got caught with having to deal with severance costs for almost an entire workforce with 25+ years. However, I think you are right. They are going to call them back for a number of weeks, have them paint lines, shovel sand, and lay them off again.

Yes, it is arrogance. Alberta, Sask, Manitoba, PEI, NFLD, NS, NB, and the territories need not vote Liberal. That is one hell of a campaign slogan.

It does not look like the LPC can form a minority government by calling an election this summer. That is why there isn't going to be one. Calling an election and coming up short, will be the stupidest election called since Harper called one last September. The LPC are going to campaign all summer. And they know that Harper will not go to the well again in September like he did last year. Therefore, the LPC will be the ones to pull the plug on the government, but it will not be for sometime to come.

Yes, but you know well enough, that there was nothing in the budget or in the update that would receive the support of the NDP. The Government is paying no attention to the NDP and is writing budgets and updates that they know the LPC will support. Other then it sounds good.... and their are political points to say, I will make my decision later, the fact is, there wasn't anything in those budgets and updates to change the position of the NDP. Infact, it would be great if there was something in those budgets that surprised the NDP and made them say, lets support this budget, it really isn't a horses ass. But these budgets are a disgrace, and while the government should support its initiatives, the role of the opposition is to either improve or oppose a budget or offer their full support. The Liberals improved nothing, did not request anything short of a progress update. Big deal. The Liberals could have said, the budget is fiscally incompetent. They could have said it was ok, but could use some tweaking. However, they supported the budget in its entirety, and the NDP opposed it in its entirety. Neither position fixes the budget or makes it better. But one position helps push forward one of the worst budgets in many decades, and then hypocritically, wants to question the progress on how quickly the boat is moving down "**ITs creek, without the paddle" That's what makes politics special. Its all talk, all posturing.

Nothing is sight unseen. Everything goes through committees and all the parties know what is coming through the tubes by the 3rd reading. It is rare that anything is presented in 3rd reading that wasn't already acce[ted in committee. Thus, there is nothing but posturing, when a party says, I am going to wait and see whats there. If there was some "Socialist Suprise" in the last budget, the NDP would likely have voted for it. But the budget was simply a pork budget. Last minute corporate welfare handouts and handing out money to banks. It was a Liberal/Conservative Trudeau/Mulroney budget. Who would support that other then Liberals and Conservatives?

The September Election was unnecessary? 1) Harper NO (Wanted it Real bad, screw what the electorate Think) 2) Dion NO (Wanted it Real bad, Screw the planning for it, just think Carbon tax) 3) Layton Yes (Why have an election, when you have your Liberal Lapdogs voting with you 100% of the time) Coalition November 1) Harper NO 2) Dion Yes 3) Layton Yes Prorogue December 1) Harper YES 2) Dion/Ignatief NO 3) Layton NO Coalition January 1) Harper NO 2) Ignatief NO (I changed my mind) 3) Layton Yes Election January 1) Harper Yes 2) Ignatief NO (I changed my mind, I respect the electorate, at this time, right now, today, really I do) 3) Layton NO Election June 1) Harper (NO, But ready to go) 2) Ignatief (YES, but will back down) Liberal record is 100% in support of Conservative Policies. 3) Layton (NO, but ready to go) NDP record is 100% against Conservative/Liberal supported policies. Definitely an unnecessary election and the public mood is UGLY. The public didn't want an election in September, and they stayed home. I expect a possible backlash on the party that puts the country into an election. Two Problems. 1) If Harper isn't pulling a yarn about the dispersements being 80% accounted for, then Ignatief cannot call an election based upon the slow process of stimulus spending. 2) If Harper has mislead the public, an election will not get the monies out any faster. As for the NDP, I have heard they are not going to blink. Most of their MPs seats are safe and likely to grow in support in an election and they will concentrate on holding ground. Its easier to concentrate resources in 37 ridings, then it 308 ridings. The NDP are threatened by both the LPC and the CPC in various ridings, but they could just as easily hold or lose those seats in 2 years, so there is no reason to worry about timing. The LPC might gain some seats, possibly get up to 90 seats. To the LPC, I see them backing down, tails between their legs, and puffing and huffing all summer. A party without principles isn't going to call an election. Most of this is posturing and media spin. The only people that I hear say the NDP are going to support the CPC is coming from LPC supporters. There is nothing buzzing in NDP circles that I am aware of that suggest there is some "Martin" deal in the works. No one is backing down, I don't see the CPC moving any issue, including EI Reform. Operative word is BOO!

I really enjoyed all the comments and opinions in this thread. 10 points for everyone. Seriously, its one of the reasons I like MLW.

IIRC the NDP has never backed away from a fight, because of polling data. They are a party that if it means being wiped out, then so be it. The Liberals are ready for a summer of puffery. The Liberals are not ready for an election. I believe the Liberals are not concerned with the Conservative Government, but want to make it a showdown with the NDP. It is for this reason that the Liberals will back away from an election. The NDP will stare them down, knowing that the Liberals are not ready. The Liberals will use the Summer to huff and puff, but their first order of operations is to go after the NDP. Should be interesting... the CPC may get a free lunch, and only have to deal with the economy. Like that's any fun right now.

You must be talking about Fantasy Conservatives that exist in your dreams. The Conservatives are one of the few parties that change their name because of poor track records and have been wiped off the map in Provinces Across Canada. I'm not surprised the Liberals give money to their friends. Especially in Ontario, they have been caught many times and with illegal activities, but they haven't been hurt because of it. People don't seem to care, because the Conservatives under Harris were a nasty bunch of hypocrits, and no one wants to go there again. The Liberals are a tired, old boys government that is likely to receive another majority government in two years. And as long as the advocates for change, have stupid arguments or fantasy based arguments on Conservative fiscal purity and openeness in government, there is little chance that anyone will bother to listen.

The Liberal and NDP numbers pretty much stayed the same, status quo. The NDP were neither hurt nor helped, and the same is true for the Liberals. It didn't become a ballot question. The Carbon Tax is greenwashing garbage, and I think the NDP is wrong to try to give it legitimacy by making it better. This move looks like it could hurt the NDP...a whole lot more.

Dear Mr. Harper, Please find below my suggestion for fixing Canada's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to banks and car companies, that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan: There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations: 1) They MUST retire. Twenty million job openings - Unemployment fixed. 2) They MUST buy a new Canadian CAR. Twenty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed. 3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed. 4) They must send their kids to school / college /university - Crime rate fixed 5) Buy $50 of alcohol / tobacco / petrol a week... there's your money back in duty / tax etc It can't get any easier than that! P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back their falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances.

Each Province can create their own pension plan. CPP is a Good thing and if each Province wanted to create their own, that would be better and people would be better off with it. I want to know that our elders are well taken care of. Today, I see people who lost 700,00 and 900,000 back in September. Their pension revenues have declined and they are seeking work because their private plans have collapsed, and are unlikely to recover in their lifetime. Every Little bit helps and CPP does just that. Nobody is hard done by, by paying into CPP. And anyone who suggests that if their CPP payments where put elsewhere and their future would be brighter, is full of it... I have many (unfortuneately) private pension plans, none of which can be amalgamated to make them stronger. They have been going in reverse. It feels like 1989 today, when I look at the figures. I consider them a write off, and anything that comes from them in the future is a bonus. All in all, pensions were (once upon a time) to be based upon deferred wages. However, because of scandalous corporations, many pensions were pillaged, and creating CPP created a level of security for all. The other problem is private scammers who have taken people to the cleaners over the decades, and at retirement, discover they are victims of a long term ponzi scheme. Possibly the most interesting thing that can come from this discussion, is that it is time for Provincial Pension Plan that can provide a modest pension. Today, a pension is no longer a deferred wage, but a diversion of earnings into stock market gambling in hopes that something will be there when you can no longer work.

Apparently the Stimulus monies has been dispersed throughout the country. All is well, and the 50 Billion dollar deficit is a good thing. Stephen Harper did his best Oprah, or Dr. Phil show and I can see next year, Jerry Springer isn't that far off. Perhaps Senate seats for all media patsies. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/burea.../article1178335 In the meantime.. Mr. Ignatief is going to have some Harsh Words for Mr. Harper. BOO! That's about all that's coming as Iggy tries to suck and blow at the same time. If the economic engines based upon the combustion engine... Iggy is going to say, yup it sucks, and blow off any possibility of an election. Somehow the media are following him around, actually expecting him to do something. There's a joke. The same clowns who turned their back on Severance and Pensions, and will do so again with EI have no intentions of going to the polls and they will get creamed if they do. Expect a quite summer and a government that tells you it won't spend anymore money, but considering that this year is going to be flat and so is next year, the fact is, the Deficit will continue to add to the debt. Harper soft selling the Canadian Economy is a total farce from an economist who doesn't understand what drives the Canadian Economy. Noticed it has SUCKED ever since he took office. He has huge deficits because he believes in Tax Cuts for the Rich Corporations to help them leave, and Corporate Welfare for those which require an extra hand to relocate. Revenues down, spending up.. How do you present to the Canadian Public a Balanced Budget, but only out by $50billion. The Liberal and Conservative Solutions to the economy is to DUMP MONEY with no strings attached. To allow those with the most ability to pay revenues to the government a bailout and a break on taxes. And shift the burden, the deficit onto the people of Canada and their children and grand children.

You can choose your own path now. You can contribute to any pension plan you want and collect CPP or you can choose to do SFA and still collect CPP and have alittle more then what many people will have come retirement. If you want to end CPP contributions, then it will collapse and people will have squat, as a choice and likely a poorly performing RRSP that the government will still find a way to tax the hell out of.

CPP is rolling in dough and can cover itself regardless of the scare tactics. And ironically, some people suggest that those running CPP did better then those in the General Market and thus saved many a pensioner from the massive losses that they suffered in their RRSPs and are unlikely going to live long enough to make up for.

If you are a member of the Progressive Conservative Party, you can vote Directly for the leader you want to represent you. Choosing a leader is important. How important? If the Leader is a person who doesn't connect well with the public or is a complete whack job, no one will want this person to lead a Province or a Party and thus the Local Candidate can suffer from the selection. If you are not a Conservative, or a political junkie, this race may not mean anything to you.

Have fun.. June 27th IIRC

test..

Well, I got this one part wrong. Infact, I kinda thought the people who suggested an NDP Majority government were freeping the poll. MLW pundits, get another feather in cap.

Well, I don't know alot about the Province either, so I made a guess based on some news reports there. There seemed to be a run on elections in various provinces etc, so I thought it would be fun to put up a poll for as many as I was aware of. Coming up next, Progressive Conservative Leadership race in Ontario. (Sorry about that Sask NDP leadership race, now over an done.)

Ok. the vote is today... I think... and it looks like the MLW pundits were ahead of the curve. Originally it looked like a mix bag, but there were a number here (NOT ME) who suggested an NDP government and a larger number suggested there was going to be a Majority government in NS. All the articles heading into todays vote that I have glanced at, appear to support that position. So..... If the NDP win a Majority today ... congratulate yourself. If the NDP win a Minority today... (I told you so) and if any other government gets control.... Those minority MLW predictors can pat themselves on the back, and rub the noses of all the mainstream polls. We shall see.

Like Bush, Like Iggy Like Bush like Iggy Like Bush Like Iggy Like Bush, Like Iggy Like Bush, Like Iggy and the Liberal Party Like Bush, Like Iggy... Like Iggy.. as if there could be a difference... Ignatief took his marching orders from Bay Street. You are digging deeper and deeper. Liberals did more dismantling of the EI system then any government in the history of Canada. On top of this the Liberals diverted $46 BILLION from EI and the people who need that money during the worst recession since the 1930s. Don't give me any bullshit that Iggy is going to do anything different when in power then Harper is currently doing regarding EI reform. Its like waiting for the Liberals to remove the GST, Renegotiate the Free Trade Agreement and implement a universal childcare system. All hat no horse, and the record of 13 years proves them full of it, when it comes to pre election promises and electioneering. Liberals STOLE from EI and GAVE it to those CORPORATIONS you mention above. Rich CEOs that are friends, and financial backers of the Liberal Party and just as importantly they are backers of Ignatief. Like Bush Like Iggy. What you believe and want to believe is not the goal or direction of the Liberal Leader. However, you have foolishly done and excellent job of diverting attention away from Raitt-Gate. Meanwhile, it is through RAITT GATE that we find that Mr. Ignatief strings are attached to Bay street bankers and he doesn't make a decision for the people, instead... when the bankers say jump, he says How High? Ignatief frightens me more then Harper. I know where Harpers faults are, and he can't hide them. He wears them on his sleeve. Ignatief has one to many faces.

The footage of the National Guard shooting unarmed students is a disgrace for the American Government and the National Guard on a level repeated 19 years later at Tianemen Square. While there is reason for National Guards deployment, there is no justification for the firing of their weapons and the murder of innocents. It was a disgrace in command and a disgrace in training. These were not well trained Guardsmen, but panicky and trigger happy soldiers with no discipline or control. A product of the era and the government and policies of the time.