willy

Just a friendly reminder that Emerson broke from the Liberal Party line at least twice during the election. The Chinese Head tax issues was pushed when Emerson went against party policy. The second issue was when fellow Minister Jean Lapierre did not back Emersons assertion that they needed to look into the sale of Ridley Coal Terminal in Prince Rupert. The Feds were selling it for a song. This lack of party support on key issues for BC made Emerson look like he had no influence. I am sure his talents will be well used in the Gateway project. For those from outside BC this is the major expansion of our pacific ports. He is also well positioned to be a figure head running up to the Olympics. And best of all he can handle the Softwood lumber file. The current members of the caucus would not have been a good fit for this one. I think we will be better served by this.

I live and work in Vancouver and have had the opportunity to interact with Emmerson. His ideas and focus are traditionally Conservative. He was a hard person to campaign against because as a Conservative I agreed with Emmerson on most things. Ideologically he will fit in. The only problem I have ever had with Emmerson is that he was a Liberal. To form a majority government Conservatives need to welcome like minded traditional Liberals. This will help continue to push the Liberals to the left. As the Conservative party moves to own the middle expect more like minded Liberals to feel more at home in the Conservative party. We needed a Minister for the Olympics and the gateway project. Emmerson will do a great job. Today is a good day.

Our oil is sold by the companies that mine it form the tar sands on the world market at the going rate. For the last year has been around $60 per barrel. We benefit in our provinces and our country from these high prices. Just not at the pump. BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Foundland have all balanced the book on oil revenues. Investors that fund the exploration and set up costs should also have a chance to receive a benefit and be taxed. To start an oil sands operation the cost is around $5 billion per start up. If our government were to nationalize the oil industry can you imagine passing a budget that looks to invest billions in developing these resources. Tax dollars, going to oil mining. We are better off with this left in private hands and collecting the taxes. To produce one barrel of oil out of the oil sands it costs $12. I poke a hole in the ground in the middle east it is much cheaper to produce one barrel (it was $1 per barrel) I don't know if the security concerns of the last few years has changed that number. We have major oil sands expansion going on in Alberta right now, but it is a far cry from what the expansion could look like. If we could only look to opening up the potential oil drilling off the west coast. David Anderson is gone and the Cons lost the dissenting MPs form the cost. I say bring on the exploration.

Life long Liberals are changing tents. This story off the news wire. Maybe the numbers will continue to go up. I never thought I would see this. Belinda's big tent is happening, shame she didn't wait for it to come true.

It is not a criminal charge. He did have a credit check and a criminal check. He came back clean. He also filled out a 30 page questionair in which he was asked about all aspects of his life and he under went an interview process to be elegible for the vote. Sometimes you just don't know and when you find out you act. The Conservatives did act, the Liberals never do and the NDP, well Svend is fun to have around and they will never be government.

I am sure you understand. If I ask you a question that has a bias and then give you three pre written responses that has only one possible answer and none that reflect your view is that a free vote. Again, candidates should respond to the issues, they are encouraged not to fill out surveys and questionnaires. Can you see why if you were sent a save marriage survey how they might manipulate the responses in a way that would make you uncomfortable responding.

Have your read any of the surveys or questionnaires. The questions are leading to say the least. The candidates I know of on the west coast respond in writing about the concerns but don't respond to these questionnaires. All the parties have the same practice. If the Conservatives sent out a written communication good for them. At least they don't hid the fact they don't participate for any group regarding this practice. If you want to know the stance on an issue ask a question. They will answer it. They just wont sign a pledge of blind support for an interest group. Is this not reasonable?

The trust worthy Scott Brison will say anything. All the old Harper speeches got me thinking about some of the Liberal turn coats. Belinda had one of the best quotes for Martin "Either he is corrupt or incompetent." Below is a partial record of recent lies and a memory back to what he stated to believe before he flipped. This is why we must prevent the Liberals from getting back in. They have a hidden agenda that is still hidden.

Dr. Keith Martin, didn't show up for the PM's health announcement. PM said it was a scheduling issue. Dr. Martin said it was because he didn't agree with the policy. He believes we need more private involvement. David Emerson wants to reopen the Prince Rupert port sale. The minister in charge Jean Lapierre said no way, we are selling the port to a private company. The party policy is to sell and there may be Liberal party connections to the purchaser.($20 million a song for the port) What play book are the Liberals playing from. Candidates seem to be making it up on the go. What is there real agenda?

Toronto SunAbove, The Liberals paid a Liberal lobiest to loby the Liberal government on the gun registry. Income Trust Option Canada What else? I know these are investigations or aligations but it still seems like a lot in the light of Gomery.

The CPC don't pick, the local ridings pick. This can be a good and bad thing.

One of his parachutes lost and then got a government contract with very suspicious deliverables. Union leader to council on employee safety. Was he really the best consultant for the job? Dave Haggard and he is running again. So when you are a star with the Liberal's you see a transactional component. Others: become cabinet ministers. I am wonder what these folks think about being on a back bench. It is almost time for Emerson to through in the towel. With out position the Liberal have no appeal. They have no ideals. Soon they will have no power. With out the appointments (Larry Campbell) or the big post (Belinda) they will eat each other alive. The throne made of bayonets, makes a very uncomfortable seat.

Social Libertarian 2.3% Economical Libertarian 13.6% Centerist. Suprised.

CBC had a very short mention on the National. It will be interesting to see if it has enough legs to make it to the front pages in the morning. I wonder what will be next?

Well you all have done very poorly. A young person, first time voter comes and asks a simple question and this long list is the result. Back to the party websites he will have to go. I will advise that the Sunday before election day a summary of all the issues will be in your local paper. Good luck with with your first vote. Not one lefty here tried to outline a summary of priorities for either the Liberals or NDP. All they have left is insults and smear. I wonder when the Conservatives find out about my degrees if they will kick me out Yaro. Them being the party of the unthinking red necks. Oh boy

How does that explain ours going up when heating efficiency in houses is getting better? Up 24%. So you argument is we have had colder winters? What about that global warming. I guess Kyoto will be easy then. It warms up, we heat less, we meet the targets in 50 years. What has signing on to Kyoto done?

SSM in this election is a wedge. When ever the Liberals get into trouble the spin rhetoric about SSM. This will not be overturned. Not enough MPs support overturning it. Examine the Conservative Candidates running 40% would not overturn it. 60% of Liberals would not and 90% NDP wouldn't. Unless some crazy majority Conservative government got into power this is not changing. An aside the vote on SSM at the Conservative convention was not much different than the one at the Liberal convention. The difference is the Liberal policy convention does little to influence party policy and direction. If I were a Liberal member this would upset me. :angry: This is why this is smoke and mirrors. It will make for an emotional debate but noting practically will change. The real issues, crime, taxes, accountability should not be ignored.

I believe that Bob Miles the Conservative environment critic is second to none. He has been working on environmental issues for over 20 years and has brought a thoughtfulness to the party I am proud of. http://www.bobmillsmp.com/ The Americans shot down the oil drilling in Alaska. Not to mention we as Canadians may have a point of view but that is their sovereign country. If we think we can enforce our views on them what does that mean in reverse. We can offer diplomacy, but it would be juvenile to think we can dictate to Uncle Sam.

Well, I didn't think it could happen but, three different polls show the Conservatives in the mid teens in lower Canada. This means a real chance of winning a couple of seats. Will this have a broader impact on the party numbers outside of Quebec. Interesting if nothing else. My friends from the east, do tell this left coaster if the federalist vote may continue to move.

Definitely no hate here. I share his concern on many fronts, from the environment, to homelessness etc. I strongly disagree with him how you tackle these complex things. He likes the large centralized programs. I like enabling and facilitating localized solutions. I think the Jack is good for parliament, he offers a valuable alternative and perspective that needs representation. That being said, I think in power he would do much more harm than good. This vilification of you opponent doesn’t interest me. Most people get into public life for good reasons on all sides. That being said, I do believe the Liberals have developed a culture of entitlement that has negative impacts on how the govern and how they run campaigns.

I would infer user more likely, but maybe just an interest. I have no interest, so I have not done that search, like guns very little interest and very little knowledge. I like business, sports, politics, so this is what I spend my time learning about. If you have a keen interest in recreational drugs enjoy. What does it matter how they weigh the stuff? Enforce the law. If the law is no good then the debate happens and it must be changed. This adaptation of laws to emerging social norms always makes me scratch my head. If the politicians will not change a law it should be enforced until it is changed. It was mentioned the price has been cut in half. The supply must have grown over the last 12 years. I wonder who benefits from these larger crops. I would guess the price decrease is not from a decrease in demand.

THP, a series of Liberal attack ads were leaked before Christmas. Fact. They have not used them and because they were leaked may not. I still don't see the problem with factual, critical ads. What I don't like is the scare images the Liberals used in the last election. Guns point at the screen, young women in the hospital etc. Here just so you can have that song stuck in you head like I have for the last three days. Hand in you pocket, hand in your pocket, hand in you pocket. The Liberal credit card. Joke or mean spirited attack you tell me. But I do know the song will be stuck in your head. I can't get it out.

What areas are you interested in and what are you looking for in a party? As for the Conservatives the priorities are: A Conservative government will focus on five key priorities in Parliament. We will pass the Federal Accountability Act, cut the GST, crack down on crime, provide choice in child care, and establish a Patients Wait Times Guarantee. I will leave it to fans of the other to speak for themselves. When you respond to your areas of interest, I will do my best to represent the party policy accurately. I know I did not provide any detail, I will wait for your interest.

THP, you seem to know a lot of details around pot production. How does one become an expert in such things. And does it cause the munchies.

Martin will announce huge direct payments to students tomorrow. Total spending in the billions. Bye Bye surplus. $3000.00 per student over 4 years. With them giving money straight to students, what is to stop cash strapped universities from raising tuition to eat into this bonus. Thoughts?