willy

Politicians r clowns and AF, Please stop. This is racism. Chuck should have worked harder to have more members, it was purely his fault he lost the nomination. We should stop mass sign ups but it is not a race issue. In south Surrey a white candidate did the same thing. It also happens to Liberals and NDP alike. The NDP have a good policy in regards to this, I think that you have to be a member for 9 weeks before you can vote. (Please correct me if I didn't get the exact time frame) The Liberals and Conservatives have a much shorter time frame. As for immigration numbers, we need as many as we can get. Our population is shrinking and we are going to need a tax base to support our Baby Boom generation as they move to gerital. Harper has one good initiative on this issue; we need to recognize immigrant professional’s credentials quicker so we can benefit from this diversity. I live in Vancouver and let me tell you it is great eating having the world at your door. A am really pissed that I had to agree with BigGunner. Thanks a lot and open your mind.

Clear inaccuracies from that add: * 1.2 billion in military spending would only buy a 1/3 of an aircraft carrier. * They showed a hand gun and the promise was to scrap the long gun registry * Clearly state once again tonight that abortion rights will be protected * The Bloc wants nothing to do with the Conservatives and the Conservatives want nothing to do with the Bloc * And Canada has always had a close relationship with the US and with 80% of our trade going south, this will continue and our flag has not dissolved yet Subliminal or not, it is crap and just reinforces that the Fiberals tell lies and can’t be trusted. When the Bloc/NDP repeats the same stuff it just builds apathy about all the parties. Hey I will agree, many on this forum have plenty of things to disagree with the Conservatives on but why not focus on reality and not misrepresentation. E.G. tax credit vs. direct child care, Transfer funding increase or directed health funding, tax cuts vs. business subsidy. All good things we can really sink our teeth into and valid reasons to support or not support a party. The misrepresentation is vexing.

hay, if we pay enough taxes we could all work for the government. Oh wait a minute for some reason that wont work.

100% capital gains tax will impact the middle class. It is hard enough to invest for retirement and they want to tax us everytime we move investments. Watch the jobs dry up with investment. Jack the economy killer.

takeanumber, this is because we invite them in. Many churches now have same sex blessings and others are reaching out to the gay community. I am not theologian but churches are there to minister to communities and not harm them. I welcome my gay friends to join me at church and like any other friend of mine sometimes they come and sometimes they don’t. Gay people are the same as the rest of us, why are you determined to use them to divide our communities.

theloniusfleabag, this will not help the discussion further but I agree.

Why every view a politician holds is not relevant? They are not all on the agenda. They should be forthcoming of anything they plan to move with the party or personal agenda. If they will not act, you need not worry.

We did not enter into a long term trade aggreement with the US on softwood lumber when the original deal was signed. This is why we end up with 3 and 4 year contracts that have some form of duty. The US claims we subsidize the industry and under NAFTA they can put duties against our product (if they prove injury), which they would have done before NAFTA but we would not have a dispute resolving mechanism (which still does not work well). So yes, NAFTA is involved but we do not trade softwood freely based on the original agreement. More information check this link. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/HET/Softwood/ Headlines don't offer context and sometimes they don't offer truth.

When the USA loses a ruling from NAFTA; they just ignore it like the recent softwood dispute that Canada won.

Right and wrong implies a value of good and bad. My question of why, is clear. What are you not squandering for? What makes it right not to squander. Is it fair to say that you think this is what "good" would be (not to waste)? You also refer to a universal agreement. This would be challengeable as some people believe in survival of the fittest. If they can acquire it, it is right. I am sure I could come up with other examples but that is the point. No universal consciousness really exists in a consistent manner as to what is right and wrong. Under what authority then would make anything right or wrong. We know that if we hit someone it hurts them but why is that wrong. It is getting late so I will boil this, what could be a long statement down to sort statement. If there is no God, things like good and bad would be relative and changing. Thus they would loose meaning because they are changeable. However with God, we have a creator and a design (an absolute), IOW a way the world is suppose to work and function best (good). This God has given us a revelation (the bible) to give an authority base of what is right and wrong. Part of the revelation explains that the world is not the way they are supposed to be (bad, evil, wrong). The revelation also shares how we can rectify this. Just to sum up. If we did not squander, would we have rape, murder, adultery, greed, pride ect.? How does conservation deal with a broader morality, good/bad, or right/wrong?

August1991, Why?

Thanks for the link maplesyrup, I am a little confused by Layton’s response. He seems jealous that he was not attacked. Kind of Bart Simpson like (look at me, look at me). Jack even loves negative attention. They should be outraged, because the ads are not based on facts. Can you imagine Canada buying a 20 billion dollar aircraft carrier? This stuff should only play up the fact you can't trust a Fiberal.

Abuse of childern was never done in the name of the Church but regretfully by cleargy who represent the church. I will never apoligize for the evil people do, but be clear this is not what the living God is all about. We all have the capacity to hurt others and I pray every night that God works on me so I don't. Cast the first stone takeanumber, and too late I prayed for you already, I may make a habit of it. (August below talks of prayer as a private thing, I am public about it. The way I look at it, if you are a believer you appreciate it and if not no harm done. This is not politically correct but hey maybe we need more public prayer; we do everything else in public. If I do a fend I apologize, not the intention.) And if I clearly point out that you are attacking me personally and my faith and yet you think it is okay, yes this is hate.

To add to the confusion: These polls when done right reflect general public opinion. They don't reflect who votes. When voter turn out drops, the polls become even less accurate as indicators of actual support. For example, the NDP is supported disproportional by younger people and women but they are less likely to vote. The challenge then becomes two fold, get them to support you and then you need to get them to vote. Good luck maplesyrup.

maplesyrup, I don't know if that assertion can be implied by this article. The pollsters are having a hard time getting a valid sample. The selection process is not random if your refusal rate goes to high. This is a problem for all polls. It is hard to tell what the bias would be because of this.

takeanumber, you just don't get it. You are preaching hate towards Christians and implying that we some how propagated the Nazis. This is offensive. My God is of grace and love. To associate Jesus and this abomination of the holocaust is repugnant and personally very offensive. You are perfectly okay with that and even gloat in some type of righteousness? I will pray for you tonight.

How so? Do you know of a technique that they use to manipulate the outcome?

The party system is a balance between constituent representation, party policy and personal values. I think the point is that stated party policy is the priority and even though individuals can put forward other issues, they will never make it thought the system. Look back and remember that many Liberal priorities never made it through let alone a bill put out by a back bencher. As for personal views most candidates I have seen live have shared their views and added in the context. I have heard some Conservative candidates talk about free tuition. Are you worried that will pass? Probably not because you know it is not stated party policy and it doesn't play to your built in fears. All these other issues are fear mongering. The Liberals are driving that agenda, don't you feel manipulated yet? I am a member of the Conservative Party and hold conversations with strategists and they have no hidden agenda. They would like to get in power and move forward the stated agenda. * More money to defense * More direct money to the provinces for Health Care and more freedom to the provinces to address issues as they see fit. (You can hold your provincial politicians accountable for what that looks like) * Pollution targets focused around toxic air emissions * More accountability (starting with expanded powers for the auditor general) * Tax cuts for middle and low income earners * Remove gun registry and increase funding to RCMP * Tougher sentences for criminals * Reduce corporate welfare and with savings reduce corporate taxes This is a large agenda, what else do you think they will have time for?

This is extremely offensive to me and any other Christian who participates on this forum. If we ever get a personal exclusion function on this site it might not be too soon. I don't need to read this crap to get to others who honestly want to talk about issues on this site.

Your opinion seems formed. I am sure no matter how much engaging or debate you would still hold the same opinion. As for the hiding, I have seen Harper in every province so far in this election and the candidates have been in local debates across the country. I have also seen Harper interviewed individually on all the major stations, and they will have the traditional debate this week. What else would you like, for him to call you at home? As for debating Layton, he only holds 18% of the vote now. If anyone should debate it is Harper and Martin and I look forward to that event. (If you didn't notice, I implied that Layton was irrelevant and for the Conservatives to win he is as his supporters are not likely to come on board but the Conservatives will attract more Liberals support before this is over.) You seem to think this is not enough but it appears to be good strategy as they are the party in the lead and has consistently grown in support in the last couple of months. Sucks to be in the minority eh?

http://www.webcurrent.com/rushdie.html I went to hear Rushdie speak this week. He is strong on open and free speech, but I think he has a keen insight into what creates the likes of Osama. The middle eastern extreme Islamic groups are not representative of what that religion stands for but they are a reality and they are dedicated to killing the infidels and driving them out of the middle east. Is this a position that Canadians should readily accept? They don’t want our peace offering or good will. They want us dead. These groups would and is subjecting vast populations in this world as the Taliban did in Afghanistan. What the Americans, with the Italians, British, Australians, ect. are doing has the potential to influence the whole region and in the long run the security of the west as well. I for one hope they are successful and the people of that area can live with the privileges we have received from birth. It is easy to be an arm chair quarter back but for the last 10 years Canada is not regularly in the game. This does not make us blameless. Inaction has a moral consequence as the pain and suffering in the world continues. We don’t even have the capability to be in the game. (not even one transport plane) Saying peace is a good thing goes with out question but how do we really influence the world to be more peaceful?

Argus, I think he was referring to me. To answer, I would say that I don't advocate for a system like that in the US, but we have another 160 systems in the world to learn from. Try Germany, they have universally paid for health insurance and a mix of private and public delivery. No wait times. I would advocate for a system that works today and will be around during the aging bubble that will shoot the costs of health care though the roof. People between 60 - 80 years old are very expensive. They will need care and we need to figure out how to do that. We need real change and not just increased budgets to do the responsible and moral thing and take care of the most venerable. As for tax cuts, our federal government is running large surpluses that should go to funding services, paying down debt, and moderate tax cuts for low and middle income earners.

Wonder what? They were 12 conservatives in a province that has 2 million conservatives.

Bryant, good example but what do you think changed in under a year that would have changed that circumstance. The answer is nothing. You received care from basically the same system. Maybe you got lucky and came in at a slow time or a slow day. Lower priority the longer the wait, a child with a broken limb would be seen before an adult waiting for a prescription. The Ontario Liberals are spending more money but that wont impact the actual system for another year. The question is without any real change will that be sustainable in the long run. Only two other countries in the world have the same health system we do. North Korea Cuba Any idea to why we are not having are real debate on health care delivery or as Canadians do we believe North Korea to be a model for health care.

When you to closely mix political policy with Christian belief you run a risk of legalizing the gospel and that is not it. The gospel is not rules to be followed but one of hearts changing. CS Lewis has some great essays on this very subject. Look at the social gospel you talk of. How would the bible talk about making that a reality in your community? For it to be a true reality it would involve Christ and a grass roots community service model with the spirit at work. For this to truly happen you don't need government, but you do need them to stay out of the way. Governments need to allow for the world to be as it is. As Christians we are called to be in the world but not of the world. God loves all people and he also calls us to personally do the same. Be wary of parties that speak of a righteous nation enforced by the state.