DFCaper

I no longer see strong fiscal management as being part of a Conservative Gov't. Mulroney, Harper and Bush convinced me of this. I see infrastructure spending that I've heard about as a subsidy (bailout) to people who work in the construction industry... I would like to see some infrastructural spending on clean energy. The business cases for such spending rarely make sense, but after the money is wasted, they tend to be cheaper to upkeep than coal. I am not a fan neither of huge deficits. A little too risky. Over spending got us here… will it get us out?? It’s tough to payoff the money you borrow has been my experience. Also, wasn’t our government being fiscally responsible help our economy in the last 10 years? Spend money towards EI, with the US being as screwed up as they are, we are going to have to wait for them to get on there feet again, then we will be good again. Weather the storm, not fight it. It’s not the fundamentals of our economy are screwed up, it’s our customers.

I pay taxes like every Canadian resident. And on election day, I get to actually decide where some of it gets spent. $1.95 of my taxes dollars. If I lived in Quebec and voted BQ, then I have made thesame decision. I don't feel that my tax dollars went to the BQ, as I never voted for them. I have not voted the same way twice in a long time. I have no association with any party. Aspects of each offend me, and thus are not worth more than my 1.95 donation. I am more comfortable with the open minded people of this country are funding the parties as strongly as the sheep. I give enough of my money to the government on payday and whenever I spend any. I don't have your level sympathy for non voters... Plus they result in less tax money going to the parties.... Almost makes their indifference actually cost the parties money. This may help motivate the politians to engage the people so they can receive the extra money that is available. I do agree with smallc that it does make a green vote count in Alberta....

So are men allowed to be banned from Women's only gym's still???

The UN may need a name change, but simular organization need to exist. It maybe should be what I think of it's primary role, that of a forum for the international community to discuss international issues. I think it just evolved into something that the world doesn't need. If I knew the answer to this, I wouldn't be spending my time reading forums... I just never wanted the anti-Israeli people to think that I was a hardliner for agreeing with Canada's position in this case. I only see 2 possible ways to stop these wars permanently. One is to eliminate one side (Which shouldn't and never will happen). The other is to end the desire of the Palestinians to destroy Israel and it's citizens. I see this war just worsening this situation. Maybe if Israel hit Hamas hard with the right hand and tried to help the citizens with the left??? Like I said, I have no idea. Hamas and other terrorist organizations have to go. With this type of offensive, it may hurt Hamas's organization, but it only strengthens it's support. Israel has the wonderful task of needing to protect it's citizens today and into the future. This offensive will only help today and hurt tomorrow.

I've never been a fan of Proportional representation. I think if we had it, we would see a lot of single issue parties started, and they may hold the balance of power, giving such a group too much power. And we will never see a majority again. I'm a fan of the 2 party politics. I don't think our parliamentary system is ready for such a change. People are not comfortable with a Coalition government yet. I know it works within our parliamentary rules, but as our system is as much tradition as it is rules. I think we would be better off waiting to see our first coalition form prior to guaranteeing them throughout the future. We as Canadians don't have enough experience in this direction to fully embrace it. I cannot see how people can properly represented in such a system as well. How are members selected?

I agree that being a criminal from another country does not fulfill these criteria. I am surprised that the numbers supporting keeping them here are that high. I feel for these people, but it's not Canada's fault they made the decisions they made. And to further answer the original question in this post about majorities' opinions.... Sometimes the government has to go against the majority to do what's right. It's the basis of our human rights act, etc. It would be hard to convince me that majority of this support is emotion based on not agreeing with the war and hating Bush. Not the facts or these cases.

I think Canada did the right thing here. If the UN is going to be relevant in the future it needs to be neutral prior to there being an issue. One sided policies are what got this situation to where it is, but won't end anything, unless you want complete genocide. This one sidedness the UN has been showing over the last few years is what has weakened to UN to the point it at today. When I now here there's a UN report, I could care less. They ignore the real genocides happening in Africa but criticize everybody else. And I do think Israel is not heading down the right path for long term peace. They've proven that again and again.

I believe that if the Palestinians had the ability to have a 50-50 chance in destroying Israel, They would not stop trying. After there eventual success, they'd in fight. This deference of opinion is probably why we cannot see eye to eye on the conflict in general, except maybe, wanting to see it end. I just wish Israel would put on a strong humanitarian effort to go along with the attack. And keep that effort strong afterwards also. There current method is not going to solve anything long term. We have plenty of history to prove this.

I agree... Same @#$!, Different flavour I believe the parting of the far left from the LPC is a reason for it regaining popularity again. I always thought the NDP were the most important party as it keeps the Left wing wacko's out of a possible ruling party. And After the last election, I have seen the people of Canada prevent it with its strong rejection of Dion's Liberals.

I don't think Ignatieff is that stupid. The Liberal party is in no financial shape to run an election campain. Even after Harper helped them save money with the leader appointment. Maybe this will finally pressure Harper to do his job, and lead this country. Best political news in a long time. Without it, I was seeing election threats being all that was going to happen in Ottawa.

Cut Spending, then cut taxes. I hate how modern cons increase spending then cut taxes. Seems like reverse logic. I guess the situation forces the Libs to raise taxes to try and get the finances back inline, so the Cons can accuse the Libs of loving taxes

I sometimes think the separatist Albertans are confused by a political system that has a different political party take control of the government. They aren't used to it.

What always surprises me is how the whining portion of westerners accuse Ontarians of trying to force Dion on them with this coalition. Most Ontarians were against it as well. I guess realizing this fact may open your eyes to reality. Quebecors vote differently in elections, so politicians try to get the seats that are up for grabs. How many Albertan seats are up for grabs??? I bet the ratio of what Alberta gets from the federal government betters that ratio, and we all know how much extra Quebecors get. Why do Albertans blame Ontario for Quebec??? They are a pain for all of us. The French language in the government is not against Westerners, but most Canadians outside of Quebec. Awe... Poor Albertans... is that what you want to hear??? On Topic: The Coalition will never happen. Iggy is too smart to do that. That and it is so fragile before power, I cannot see it lasting long enough for GG to be convinced to allow it. And Harper is smart enough to play ball on the January budget, so the topic should die off a bit. I do hope that it does spark discussion amongst Canadians about coalitions in the future as they will likely be a necessary for us to stop having elections so often. I cannot see the electorate wanting to see a coalition with the leader not being from the party who has the most seats. The public out cry has proved that. I think we will have another election before a Coalition as Harper doe not seem to be able to get along with anyone well enough. I'm just thankful that the NDP are not getting ore power. They scared me more than the Bloc...

Despite what atheist and crazy religious people think, Science does nothing to disprove GOD. There are a lot of people in this country who would love to adopt these babies. The number of babies aborted in the third term would not come close to filling the need. Do the people on this post who are against teaching morals to our children feel pride when children under the age of 12 are caught having sex? Learning that sex before marriage is wrong has never stopped teenage sex, but maybe helped kids feel that it was OK to wait till an age where they feel ready. There's a huge amount of pressure on kids younger and younger to have sex from TV, the internet and within their peer groups. Absence message should be taught to them as far as I'm concerned as the opposite is a guaranteed lesson that they will learn. Absence doesn't sell products, so I think we should be responsible to teach it so kids can make up there own mind either way, instead of them only getting the sex message. Not teaching sex ed would also be a huge failure of society. Sorry for going off topic. We need to be parents to our kids, not friends

Educate myself about what??? Are not 3rd trimester Abortions legal here? I realize they are rare, and hard to find a doctor to preform one, as they are likely discussed by them. I just believe laws should determine what abortions are legal, not the morals of some doctor

Sorry if I implied this, I was just using this as an extreme example of how having zero abortion laws allows terrible acts to happen legally, and funded by the government. I know 3rd trimester abortions make up probably far less than 5% of abortions, but to me selective abortions during the 3rd trimester is by far the worst events done by our society. I don't believe that Canada will ever ban abortion, but I wish 3rd trimester abortion without medical reasons should be out-lawed. I am unsure why the government pays for legal abortions in this country, when it doesn't pay for any other form of birth control. Also, why are we not fully funding the medication for people having problems getting pregnant in this country, just ending them.

I agree mostly with this post. I really don't understand how people can stomach a woman getting an abortion after an argument with her bf when she's 8 months along. Killing of fetus that could survive is murder as far as I'm concerned. I am applauded that we tax payers pay for it. Drea - I know a lot of people who support welfare programs(Including myself) who feel this way. Enough with the stereotypes.

This seems to be the case with modern Conservatives. Bush spent like a mad man in the US and now it seems like Harper's government isn't much better with money. If conservatives were conservative i spending, Election day would be a no-brainer for me.... Alta4ever - are you a sheep who follows any conservative blindly??? Scary

If Harper Plan them, they must not be going as planned. The Conservatives will lose if anything in Quebec, and has little room for improvement elsewhere. Also, I'm sure he wish he never forced Dion to be securely gone. Now his easy days are over. He won't be in Majority territory for much longer. If he forces an election, he'll end up with another minority. The Conservatives need a new leader. There prefect storm for the '08 election, and no majority shows he's lack of ability to be able to win. I bet I or probably anyone else on this forum would have been ableto get a majority from Dion. I am hoping There's no election or change of government for at least 2 years, or I will vote against whoever calls the election.

If there was another Election, and Harper is not given a Majority, does that mean that the Opposition would be given a mandate to form a Coalition Government? What do you think?

I was hessitant to pick and to reply as I am AGAIN not proud of who I picked. I picked Liberal I would have Picked Conservative if they were going to change leadership, as I will never vote for Harper again. At least with the liberals I would have a chance for maybe Dominic LeBlanc to win. I'm tired of voting just to put numbers up for my Demographic voting numbers. I would like to see a Leader come out of one of the Main Parties (NDP & Block are not main parties in my mind)

Harper said he was a good Leader... And he can barely keep Parliament together for 2 months. Some how, he's making Dion look like he would be a better leader?!?!? When will the CPC realize that Harper isn't going to get a majority with this guy and put someone in place that can lead this WHOLE Country? I voted for Harper before, but he will never get my vote again. We need a new Conservative Leader for this country before we have Rae and the NDP leading us.... which I almost prefer to this a...... :angry: When he failled to get a Majority in that, cake walk of an elkection, he proved to me that the CPC needs a new leader. The Libs would have tossed him by now. Not sure why the CPC is settling...

Bailout: I see this from more of a Canadian perspective. We don't have a GM or Ford here in Canada. What we do have are a few plants building cars for them. Therefor, all we have here are a few plants that we can fight to keep. WHEN the US government bails them out, our Government needs to do what is necessary to keep our plants open. Keep the business case for the plants positive for GM. I do not see Canada supporting the company, but the plants. Automotive, like so many industries always has it's hands out to governments prior to opening plants. If you think Toyota doesn't receive MILLIONS for the plants in Ontario, then your not paying much attention to how the world works. It's not just the SUV thing... I am also sick of hearing that GM doesn't sell cars people want. Looks like that's not the problem: General Motors Corp. sold 168,719 vehicles in October Ford Motor Co., including its Volvo brand, sold 132,278 light vehicles Chrysler LLC’s sales totaled 94,530 units Toyota Motor Corp. sold 152,101 vehicles. Honda Motor Co.’s sales fell to 85,864 So that's not the problem Electric car: Coal powered car. Until we natioanalize our power grid, greatly increase it capacity with green only electricity. I think they are a wasteful environmental disaster as those batteries are not good. Electric=Coal burner

I don't think selling off assets really stops a budget deficit overall, it just prevents a cash flow deficit. With an idiot like Flaherty as Finance Minister, I guess this move is as good as it gets. I am still surprised that a man as smart as Harper left that clown as Finance minister. Didn't he destroy enough of Harris' legacy. If you think sending money to Spain to drive on a highway in Canada, then.... we likely won't agree on much else. I just wish that Conservatives were Conservative with money... Would make it easier for me to support them

I think it may help Dion with his enviromental file to have such a strong ally. I doubt this will be a big deal by the time the election comes. I wouldn't be surprised that the NDP do the best by beating Mackay, as they were 2nd in the running..