nothinarian

I hope it is not the big C as he had a go around with it a few years back. From all accounts he was a committed parliamentarian with a strong work ethic. On a cynical note,the reformatory gang are probably smiling as another progressive conservative has been retired from the ranks, especially as he was front and centre during the Tory/Reform-Alliance battles between 1990 and 2003.

Normalize salaries for federal civil servants whereby their earnings in real terms are consistent with where they reside/work. This would require establishing a cost of living factor for each area across Canada and applying it to salaries. For example salaries might be set at a factor of 1.0 in downtown Toronto, and 0.85 in rural Nova Scotia to provide an equvalency in terms of quality of life. Implement it over 3 years to reduce the pain. If we could save 5,000 per employee, very roughly that would equate to 250,000 employees x 5,000 = 1,250,000,000 per year -not peanuts .

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/11/23/liberals-partisan-flyers.html#socialcomments "The Liberals want the federal government to restrict how many partisan flyers MPs can send to constituents at taxpayers' expense." "The letter from Ignatieff also proposes abolishing the practice of MPs "regrouping" their allotment of 10-percenters so that they can blanket an area with party propaganda." "Ignatieff also wants the name of the party leader to be included in any such mailings, with an explicit endorsement of the mail's content." This is how politicians can gain credibility with the public and Iggy sure needs it ...practical policy based on the pulse of pissed off people.

Yes she did But when pressed at least she went on the record to say it was wrong - her problem was that she is either a hypocrite (continued the practice knowingly) or did not instruct the Conservative Research Office to stop mailing them under her name - My information tells me that the MP's very seldom see the flyers mailed under their name to other ridings - once they give their approval to use their frank - the machine goes into gear, blanket mailings occur, and tax payers get reamed. :angry:

If anyone is an idiot, its one who embraces lies and insist its true. The documents of the Contitental Congress will outlast the English Speaking Trash of Canada. And like all trash you will be disposed out of life accordingly. Dignify with a response or ... I am confused - I have a scottish acadian heritage and speak both official languages. Does that make me half trashed or am I only trash while I speak english? Or when I speak french but use franglais do I morph to trash and back instantaneously? This is all new to me but so is disposing of an entire people based on based on their language, race, religion, creed ... wait a sec...wait a sec...you ever have that feeling that you have been somewhere before but just can't place it.

What makes my blood boil is defending the practice as per link below - they obviously do not understand that my tax dollars are for the betterment of this country and not their political party - at least Guergis had the guts to admit the practice was wrong. "The MP for Tobique-Mactaquac, Allen said there's political gain to be had using the flyers, particularly in ridings such as Fredericton and Madawaska-Restigouche, where he feels his party may have a chance to defeat the Liberals in the next election." Entitlement - Plus ca change... http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2008/08/25/ten-percenters.html

So you agree that they are all guilty but that the Tories are more guilty based on the numbers. I agree - carrying it forward if they are all guilty and need to be fined, it would need to be pro-rated based on extent of abuse . I would base it on individual MP's partisan mailing history and obviously the Tories are leaders of the pack based on figures quoted previously on this thread. Why are MP's sending 10 percenters to ridings other than their own anyway? Seems like a policy fraught with abuse opportunities.

Tories are the same as grits are the same as dippers are the same as.... All of the caucus research offices use the 10 percenter as a tool to spread their gospel so the Tories aren't the only guilty party. The problem is my tax dollars being spent for partisan political purposes. They should bring in severe internal penalties that would make MP's think twice (i.e. no parlimentary dining room priveleges, no spa membership for a year)for those that are found guilty of using 10 percenters for partisan purposes. They should also limit them to 12 per year and only in their own ridings.

http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2171203 It is inspiring to see that at least one of our brave politicians, Helena Guergis, agrees with you. As we can plainly see, immediately prior to the last election and under mounting political pressure she came up with a fair minded approach to partisan mailings. "Helena Guergis also says much of material that originates out of MP's offices — 10-percenters, constituency newsletters — should be paid for by local riding associations, not taxpayers." Funny we haven't heard anything since the election - "...must have got lost, somewhere down the line".

Have you seen Ken Dryden speak ?- he flows like molasses in winter and never gained a working knowledge of french although having spent years in MTL No stage presence or charisma and you can't be taught charisma

Good point - commoners unfortunately elect governments Common sense must be used in that context Simple message for common people will trump good policy - witness irony of GST cuts vs income/corporate tax cuts - common sense dictates latter whereas commoner sense the former

Tory times are tough times ! Man that is a mindless statement but great politics

You have never seen him in action... he can and has been very partisan although he has probably mellowed in his old age On a very positive note his strong suit is fiscal conservatism which is desperately needed in this country

Thats like saying that every province should have a federal wing committed to the provincial goals of being a nation within a nation and maybe each municipality should be a nation within a nation within a nation , and each ward within each municipality..... A commitment to the whole is much more important than being a separate and distinct entity... if we can't agree on that one major point them every man/woman is an island unto himself/herself and we move into anarchy or "A theoretical social state in which there is no governing person or body of persons, but each individual has absolute liberty (without the implication of disorder)." Anarchy anybody ?

I think he could go into deficit and still be reelected because he will still be the best of the worst fiscally. Nobody will seize the day re: fiscal right - they will all talk about spending more to help the downtrodden through the tough times. Witness Dion this time around - ideal opportunity with harper/flaherty dedicating 5 billion on inefficient GST cut, having been biggest spenders in history and smack dab in middle of campaign the opportunity to sell hard to the fiscal right comes along. What do they do??? - sell to the left with promises of compassion and more spending Fiscal conservatism was king, should still be king, but unfortunately is not king yet Bring on McKenna

Fiscal conservatism was king, but everybody including Harper and co are liberal spenders these days although they are probably the best of the worst they still are not very fiscally prudent IMHO

Aside - couldn't help it Q: The Stanley Cup was recently on tour in my town, and I kissed it. Do I have to worry about being infected by listeria? A: You are safe. The Stanley Cup has not been in contact with any Maple Leaf product in over 40 years.

Politically correct - no Accurate - bang on

Yeah right Rule by committee always works...the more the merrier...Look at Italy Two parties only...no separatists...present a mandate...follow through/run gov...and if you don't we will toss you... once every 4 years...simple... no loony left...no scary right...forsake the middle ground where most of us are and you go down

Yes because every fiscal conservative agrees that we should be cutting consumption taxes, instead of income/corporate taxes, as the most effective means to stimulate our economy And all fiscal conservatives feel that having the highest spending government in Canadian history is also effective in stimulating our economy No wait - those aren't fiscal conservatives - they are crass politicians who place a priority on good politics over good policy for electoral purposes And highest spending government in history - good politics again but isn't that typical of the loony left? And now Harper is stealing Libs ideas (but can't blame him for that as Libs did it to Reform/Alliance for years while in government) http://www.1057ezrock.com/news/17/808675 Plus ca change...

Please forward bronze medal at your earliest convenience Look for another escalation in partisan diatribe in about 18 months based on budget 2010 loss(April vote) Thanks to those on all sides for a fun and stimulating few weeks

attack dog is what they needed and you are right - Rae didn't seem to be comfortable carrying the ball I don't buy into your conspiracy on Rae but stranger things have happenned

We do agree on one thing Bravo - name change is in order and kudos to you Cap

where can we get results early if we are in the atlantic thanks