madmax

Thanks Betsy, that was the problem. I appreciate your help

A poll at this point in time is meaningless. These aren't votes, and this isn't election time. If you are speculating on these polls alone, that still doesn't mean Harper will not surpass Martin. Martin was an Idiot, whom, when he lost his CPC dancing partner over political opportunism, decided to walk all over his new minor NDP Partner. This arrogance combined with the corruption, sealed Martins own fate. He could have been a player, continued to court the Liberal Left, the NDP and the Bloq. But he was too stupid, and his advisers where absolute arrogant buffoons. Hey, there still on TV too. Harper is at the controls, he makes mistakes, but he isn't arrogant like the Liberals. He won't put himself into an election without trying to gain an advantage that will allow him to maintain leadership of the country. If Harper can work with the NDP better than the Martin Liberals then he is showing alot of discipline. Because that has got to be a more difficult proposition for him and his party then it would have been for the all talk liberals. And when it comes down to it, Dion is currently all talk, once again talking from the NDP platform. So, I think Harper has learned alot since he locked himself in the trailer in the first election campaign. I think he knows he can pull out all the Liberal tricks, and not get nailed on them, or fear a Liberal attack. He can also implement Economic Policies supported by the Liberals, and the Liberals will have to go along with them. Dion can't play both sides of a war in Afghanistan, so he will be stuck with the official Liberal position, which is what Harper choose to follow. Dion can't talk about income trusts, and gain any votes. Harper is only go to lose support from those he can't pacify between now and the next election. So, the realities come out in an election campaign, and these won't be beneficial for Dion, because Dion is still a Liberal and must answer to Liberal Lack of Action on the Left, and the similar Conservative Economic Policy on the right. Harper, is sound biting election campaign issues, Senate Reform, Crime, and issues that enhance the base. Dion is only offering other party platforms as a platform for the liberals. Polls are meaningless right now. Dion may be a threat, but on Harpers timetable not Dions. Really, short of Liberal style tricks, supporting Liberal Missions, Supporting some foolish GST economic policy, and doing a turn about on his base with regards to income trusts. Why should Dion actually beat Harper. If credibility is an Issue, I see Jack Layton having greater credibility then any Liberal Leader. And Harper also has Credibility. Dions credibility is countered by the party itself. I am enjoying this minority parliment. Each side has to talk sense into the other to get something done, and this has been benefiting everyone. So what if the politicians are complaining that they have to discuss things with others. And right now, I prefer the goals of the Harper government with the restraining and cooperative initiatives the NDP are putting forth. All I hear from the Liberals, are all the things they really didn't implement in 13 years, that Harper cut. Even Harper has said, at least the NDP mean what they say. The Same can be said about the CPC to a degree, and obviously power has its own limitating factors. While the NDP were against income trusts, the CPC decision must have been difficult to do an about face on. But the Liberals play both sides of the issue. This is good for polls, but in a campaign, their record is still fresh in the eyes of the voters. And truthfully, they should have run on their economic record, which was heavily influence by the Reform Party, vs their phoney socialist promises they reneged upon. So again, how could Dion threaten Harper in a campaign? Steal NDP voters? Not if these voters want something done? Steal CPC voters? Not if the right leaning Liberal voters are appeased by strong economic policy. Harpers not a goner, and any Liberal Strategist whom thinks that he is will be looking from the sidelines with less seats, not more. So, I still think he will surpass Martin, and Will Surpass Mulroney.

ROTFLOL, yeah, you are correct Geoffrey. Not adding much to the debate. That said, I am interested in your taxing structure in another thread if you find time to follow up. I withdraw my early morning laughter. Please disregard this valueless commentary. This post has been edited 10.00am madmax

This isn't going to be an issue. Its like the Hotel in Shawinigan. It is just a start, but nothing happened then. Its like the HRDC boondoggle, but nothing happened then, It's like the gun registry boondoggle, but nothing happened. It isn't like ADSCAM when all this corruption finally caught up with the Liberals. Same is true with Mulroney and patronage appointments. He fought an election against them, then became an expert on them. It took another term of corruption and greed, to having the party reduced to going to work in a corvette. The Liberals should have been punished to the same degree. Fact is, there isn't any Liberal Credibility. There isn't any alternative to these hypocritic acts by the CPC. They can get away with playing politics the way the Liberals, and Mulroney conservatives did, because they can. Just because the CPC are moving very quickly into areas of Largess that Liberals used to dominate, is no reason for anyone to vote liberal. What's on offer? Nothing. So the CPC are going to be corrupt or disingenious. So what?

Seems like a bad dude, since Prime Minister Harper is going to bat for him. While I question many things Harper does, being a "proud" Canadian isn't one of them. So Mike, you are unemployed, have turned down work offered in this forum, and have a computer background. Lets Compare Mr. Arar before his holiday in Syria courtesy of the "intelligence gathering network". hmm, would appear like an intelligent ambitious immigrant. Unlike a lazy, demanding born and raised Canadian. Lets look at this trash further..... Wow his wife is lazy too. Mike I have done some reading. The only trash I read is to some ranting unsubstantiated internet WebRAGS. The evidence would also suggest that these were ambitious hard working people trying to make it in North America. I have read that your lazy butt has nothing better to do then whine and complain on internet forums. You aren't working are you? And yet I have seen jobs offered your way, while on this forum. But you question Arars ability to work because of the strain of the imprisonment and torture, yet you have lots of excuses to turn down jobs. Really Mike, you rants on Arar are unfounded and your attacks are possibly Slanderous. As you can read above, the RCMP leaked UNTRUE information to damage his reputation. Perhaps you are a dupe or have been duped by this evidence of fabrication. But you have provided no new evidence and there isn't going to be any. Hearsay from "Syrian" friends in Ottawa, whom discredit Arar, is not evidence, but possible Syrians running for cover and distancing themselves as far as possible from any fellow Syrian, so they don't get caught up in the same web of lies. All the evidence, the real evidence in this case, currently suggests you are full of it. There are always a small percentage of conspiracy theoriests and unbelievers, like 9/11 theorists who fabricate lots of evidence for their own attention. I am a proud Canadian. Hope you find a job soon. edit note, the quote feature is not working in this post. If you have suggestions in fixing where there is a mistake, let me know and I will try to edit this properly.

I agree. This isn't going to be an election issue. People expect parties are cheating the system anyways. If the Liberals try to work on this they will get slammed as their credibility is non existent. Particularly since Adscam is about filling Liberal Election Coffers. The NDP might squeek about this, but why. It's nothing in the grand scheme of things. I would leave it at "shame, shame". In a Hamilton Municipal Election, this was an issue, but the optics and background were different and it stuck to bring down the Incumbent Mayor. Really the Conservatives, have already proven problems with their credibility over the Emmerson appointment and their bagman to the Senate. These things will also Shame the party, but more reflect Emmerson Personally in BC, and in Quebec, well, see if the party can find a safe seat for this unelected Senator that the CPC needs a cover for. There is alot of Irony, in the Feel Good Elected Senate talk, and the hypocracy of this political appointment. The election is going to be some time away and nobodies gonna remember a little party scamming or care since they will be absent of an alternative credible choice in this issue. But the Emmerson and Senate appointment may or may not come back to life.

Well, we could set the bar lower than the Martin I think Turner, Campbell, and Clark are the more recent short term wonders. Not certain of their terms, but I think Harper has passed all of them now. Perhaps there are some more vintage Prime Ministers he could surpass. Yeah, Mulroney is a possibility? Anyone else?

Don't worry, Missile Defence is a boondoggle. It doesn't work, its not close, it is very expensive. These systems are well developed to shoot down planes which was their original design. The missile technology to shoot down missiles are neither cost effective, nor will they be successful in stopping a missile. It is a good military contract perk. So the argument is moot, and soon after the Bush Administration is toast, whether it be Republican or Democrat, unless they have ties to the corporations that want a Missile Defence Contract and government development funds, the next military expenditure will be based upon whatever contractor has the President in its pocket.

If you are asking if Stephen Harper will last longer as Prime Minister, then Paul Martin, then I would say you are setting the bar pretty low. If you are asking will Stephen Harper stay in Politics longer then Paul Martin, I would say absolutely not. Stephen Harper is a quitter when things don't go his way. Now he is Prime Minister and has the levers of power that he has always wanted. I can't see him sticking around for long in opposition or serving his constituents, because that is something he has never enjoyed or liked to do. However, should he see success, such as another minority government or a majority government, he will stick around. So really you might want to ask. Will Harper Last Longer than Trudeau, Mulroney or Chretian?

I read alot of stuff with regards to secret service information of various countries. Do you have an article that shows that these information services were specifically interested in Mahar Arrar prior to the RCMP creating an aura of suspicion. I haven't been able to come across anything in their literature or articles, prior to his deportation from the US, and prior to the information given to these services by the RCMP. As for people of interest, Pierre Trudeau and Tommy Douglas have been people of interest for these organizations. These agencies gather information. That is there job. I see hedging on Harper and Rice that Arar's situation just might change.

What a hoot. That was possibly the worst piece of "journalism" I have seen from a website trying to pretend to be newsworthy. What a pathetic rant. I have seen better cases made in this forum. I can't believe you actually choose this link to prove your point.

Private Hospitals pay doctors less money? Not in the US where health marketing choice is the greatest.

Well let's hope it's not this choice: From Wikpedia There's some sobering thoughts 1/3 of that 41 Million are households with income of over $50,000 US . Medical Bills are the most common reason for personal Bankruptcy.

Sources National Coalition for Health Care, Washington D.C. Canadian Institute for Health Information This document is also available as a printable .pdf file. Health Insurance Cost Facts on the Cost of Health Care What you heard on the radio was a figure. If you were to use the figure of 40% and follow through with the spending and inflation of health care costs in the US that figure would be close to 80% or even more, since they could never afford it, and the interest on the debt would bankrupt them. The figures in the study suggest Health care accounts for a larger share of provincial/territorial government expenditures than 25 years ago. In 2000, it was almost a third (32%) of total expenditures including debt charges, up from 27% in 1975. The rate of inflation of health care spendng here, could concievable put it near 40%, but I never trust the radio. That said, regardless of the cost of the Province, it still comes down to the individual when footing the bill. Add up the Canadian Public/private comparison $3,300 Add up the US Public/Private comparison $6280 On top of this all Canadians are covered. And 40 Million US residents aren't. Look at those employer premium rates. 7.7% increase. They need a solution just as quick as we do.

Mike, there are alot of people on this forum with a good grasp, whether I agree with them or not, on how a "social system" works. There are some excellent people here whom have given me great information on how our taxes are gathered and spent. But then I get to your posts.

And Jack Laytons father was a Conservative MP. I don't follow how Duceppes Father in Quebec, has any bearing in the historical commentary you were replying to, with regards to the 3 years of Liberal minority government in the 60's.

With regards to the posts on Health Care in Canada. I have seen pro private, pro public, and pro Euro Socialist, along with Pro British, Pro American in this thread. It is all good discussion. I have one question, as many of these very issues are brought forth in two reports within the last 5 years. Has anyone read, either the Romanov or the Kirby report? These commissions are very thorough, and cover most of the issues here.

How are you are going to find 200 Billion in taxes?

Just hit edit, and go searching for the missing tag. I have had to do this a few times myself. I have realized that leaving it unblocked, does make it hard for an outsider to follow who is saying what. Give it another try, see if you can clear it up.

The Crime bills have Merits that all three parties should support. The Crime Bills also have flaws that would come to light afterwards if they were passed as written. These bills require scrutiny to be effective in the long run. Yeah, I think the CPC is playing politics with this one.

Yes. There have been more low wage, part time jobs for mexicans and thus less healthcare for them. Big deal. 'Companies aren't starting to stop including healtchare benefits'. That's just not happening. Your entitled to your opinion. I take the Lawyers comments seriously. Strangulation isn't a positive white collar term for healthcare benefits and the longevity of the company vs the program. I will also consider how many Mexicans work in GM/Delphi USA. And Finally, since you poorly edited the first post that I wrote in order to be dismissive, you can go back and reread it. Your selectivity in a report that covers white collar health care benefit decreases, along with lower income benefit decreases, doesn't mean that a Reduction in HealthCare Benefits is "Just Not Happening." Regardless of your beliefs, you an advocate for employers to cover these benefits. good luck with that.

You required a citation for Northern Alliance Brutality. You don't have to look to hard. There are many books covering the period of Soviet withdrawl to the rise of the Taliban, which cover the actions of the warlords during this period. You can type Northern Alliance Attrocities on Google and you will be very busy, reading past and present badness amongst themselves and others. Here is just a sample from Rawa for an individual account http://rawa.org/mother2.html With regards to your post on the levels of heroin increase under the rule of the Taliban. The quote is as accurate as any US observation. It is actually back up by other data I have found. However, like WMD and other US data, it can be manipulated to address only the facts that are of interest to the US. During the Period of the USSR/Afghan war, the DEA was handcuffed by the drug trade because of the need to look the other way. ISI, CIA used/allowed the drug trade to finance the war. The problem was endemic after the USSR Withdrawl, and druglords/warlords fought over territory in the period prior to the rise of the Taliban. My sources are from the Book "Taliban" by Ahmed Rashid, not to be confused with Abdul Rashid, who was in charge of the poppy cultivation going to Pakistan on behalf of the Taliban. The Taliban, many times from 1996-2000 attempted to rein in the drug trade, but couldn't do it without international help, and they wanted international recognition, and used their ability to war on drugs to try to attain this. With no aid, and no recourse, the Taliban allow the farmers to farm poppies without persecution. From 1997 to 2000 opium production increased. Meanwhile the Taliban made a crackdown against hashish in order to demonstrate that if they crackdown on Opium it would be just as effective. Hashish production was reduced to insignificance. In late 2000 and early 2001 the Taliban crackdown on Opium production. The amounts of the decrease were staggering. Those involved in monitoring had to determine if the reduction was a caused by famine/drought, or by the crackdown, or by both. The Taliban were desperate for international recognition and aid. That said, if you want more, I will type up and quote from the book "Taliban" to orchestrate how this draconian regime operated against Drug Lords and Criminals. (Bush and Harper would really find out what tough on crime means ). Here are some quotes from some current studies and observations. Ok, so you have the information, the studies and the data. As of today, EVERYONE is using Opium as a means of survival, and a means of supporting the warlords and the insurgents of Afghanistan. There is plenty of evidence and data, supporting the Taliban Crackdown in 2001. Only someone as draconian as the Taliban could pull off these crackdowns, Music, Kites, Drugs, Education. As for comparison between authoritarian Clergy vs Randon Arbitrary violence of the warlords, is open to judgement between evil acts. The Taliban, when handed a criminal (Guilty until Proven Innocent) (Someone in these forums supports this) would then offer the afflicted family money as compensation many times through many courts and in the public soccer stadium. The Eldest of the family could take the money and go to mecca 100 times and the prison forgiven by god. OR the Eldest, in the case at the start of the book in TALIBAN would refuse the offer, and exact JUSTICE upon the offender. In this case a young man whom killed the victims uncle in a botched robbery. The clerics plead with the eldest, yet he refuses is given the Gun and pulls the trigger, justice delivered. Of course this kind of strict interpretation goes back to the Ten Commandments, and adultry will get a women killed on the soccer field just as easily. Again, Northern Alliance war crimes are limitless. Some Dandys occurred at Mazer e Sharif, (Not to be confused with the prior Taliban Crimes committed here earlier) When Northern Alliance Commander, Dostum, takes prisoners not wanted by the US, and not Evacuted out by Pakistan, and puts them into containers on trucks. When the British Observers mention the heat of these sealed containers have not ventilation and are filled with prisoners, he lets his soldiers fire shots into the containers with the prisoners still in them. They are being driven to an execution site anyways. However the wholes aren't enough, and sadly, according to Dostum, almost all were dead. You can watch this film, see the prisoners, and travel with the Brits and the Northern Alliance. The Documentary is called Afghan Massacre. It didn't get any coverage at the time because, this was the period of the "American Taliban" which captured media attention. Although there were many "American Taliban and jihadists" but that is another story.

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Well, that is discouraging. Perhaps you are the exception. You see Ontario has deregulated, and if Alberta can't get it right..... Regardless, it sounds like a sweetheart deal. What options are available to Albertans. Will the future be better? And if the end user is being billed to fund the capital for a project on an individual basis, it sure does sound like a tax. It is just a private tax. You appear like an investor to build a hydro facility but don't get any shares. Only the ability to pay for the electricity, from the substation you helped to build;-). Maybe I am wrong in my assessment. I am interested to know. Will your hydro rates go down as more generators are built?

Well, that would be great in a perfect world, where countries hand over there sovereignty and control of their armies to the complete command of other countries. If you are suggesting a breakdown in NATO, I would agree. Starting with the lack of commitment that occurred in 2002 from the country whom had a long history in Afghanistan. The doctrine for the war in afghanistan, was only good for a short term romp. Use Proxy fighters, keep a small footprint, replace the government, find Bin Laden, and get out, as there was to be little need for occupation. The key in this of course, was to locate Bin Laden. The US lost its focus, when it removed Special Forces in 2002 to prepare them for the Iraq folly. The articles in Yesterdays Toronto Star, reporting from Afghanistan, re affirm a posting earlier that I made with regards to Pakistans support for the Taliban. They are already viewing the war as a lost cause, and are hedging their bets with the Taliban/Pashtuns. We can gripe all we want about other countries within Nato. But the US/Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, were a major factor in the Growth of Islamic Fundamentalism in Afghanistan, and right now Pakistan could do more to prevent supplying safe haven for foreign fighters, Al Qaida and Taliban Leaders. So unless you have enough troops to pacify 5 million or more people, the most effective way to relieve pressure on our troops, is to remove the base where the "enemy" regroups, resupplies, and recruits. Pakistan has a Caveat right now. The have left control of Waristan to the Pashtuns, for border control. PashtunWali will be the code of control. Pakistan on side will do more to relieve pressure on Canadian/Nato troops then all the NATO troops can do working together without Pakistan on side. Like I said, if countries hide behind their Caveats, it is because they do not believe in the cause. If the cause is great enough, then the Caveats will not exist. Karzai has tried to convince Pakistan/Musharif to stop supporting the insurgents. The US should be more pressure on Pakistan. But one could wonder how much Musharef Fears US pressure after looking at the mess that Bush created in Iraq. Out of their own interests, one could accuse Pakistan of being Duplicitous. There is no law, saying that forces cannot be called to support where needed. Only Politics and Geo Politics.