willy

Details, Maplesyrup. Compare their waiting lists, specialists access, infastructure and labour agreements. Best in the country. Why are they not progressive? Because they are Conservatives. Fiscal responsibility does not mean lack of social responsibility. They are ahead of the curve, and I am open to be proven wrong but I don't think it is likely.

This doesn't make much scene. The Alberta government has developed a three way partnership between the health regions, the province and the physicians. They are moving aggressively to a primary health care model. They are the most progressive province in the delivery of health care. They are not going towards a private insurance system or private hospitals. I would say they are trying to get people out of hospitals and back to a GP who is their gateway to the rest of health care.

News release by his own party. "Federal Liberals in Burnaby poised to accuse Prime Minister of racism BURNABY(CKNW/AM980) -- The federal Liberal executive in Burnaby-Douglas is set to hold a news conference Tuesday to accuse their leader of conducting a race-based and undemocratic campaign in their riding. Tania Kourline with the riding association says she's fed up with what is perceived as the coronation of federal Liberal Party B-C President Bill Cunningham. She says the riding executive has been trying for months to have the national party recognize the nominations of two Asian candidates -- without success. Kourline says if Cunningham is appointed, the executive will declare the move by Prime Minister Paul Martin undemocratic and race-based." The knives will continue to come out. This will be a very interesting campaign.

Wow, Maplesyrup What else do you need to believe the Liberals may in fact be in need of some real accountability? I would love to debate the merit of Liberal policy but until a least a minimal level of trust is established why bother. They spin and lie and when caught they spin and lie. Who care who leaked the memo, it was written and was received. It has been said before Martin is a liar or incompetent. Looks like maybe a little bit of both. Conservative smoke or NDP smoke, who cares it is the Liberals that should feel the heat. Where there is smoke….. Martin will not resign. They will loose seats and then Manley will take a run at him for the top job.

"When everyone makes minimum wage, who will buy cars? I have already asked this question already many times in different ways." I don't work for a union and I don't make minimum wage. I make what value that I bring to an employer that uses my skills and labour. I will buy cars and most of the other Canadians that are like me will also buy cars, houses, boats, vacations, and reinvest to make more money. The company does not take care of me, I take care of me.

"Actually, I spoke with an economist who explained to me that Canada is actually self-sufficient in terms of natural resources." I must work on my written communication because I don't know what you thought I was saying. Of course we have all the natural resources needed to be self sufficient we have a resource based economy because of it. I was pointing out, be it macro or micro the issues of environment and influence on power is the same globally as it is domestically. I will admit the bigger the economy the more complex. "The average citizen has no idea what the state of the general wealth is and what affects it." Are you an average citizen or do you think of yourself as special?

"To the Left, it seems to me, globalization implies genetically modified food, destruction of the environment, US domination and corporations taking over the world." If Canada was protectionist and we closed our boarder. We would still need food and science to produce it, we would consume energy that would impact the environment and the organizations government or private who produce the products we consume would influence our lives. So what is the big deal if we operate with access to others in the world doing the same thing? This is not to mention that without trade with the US we will have no influence on there environmental and labour climate. At least if we are in dialogue, we can win a few points of interest and access there markets.

"Question 3: How should Harper respond to this trip?" Harper should stay quite on this. Canada is split and this is a hot button. Martin should not have set this meeting before his election call (if I was his advisor). He is not playing to his support by having a working relationship with Bush and for others the Liberals will be the ones who didn’t help a friend in need (not verbally supporting the US on Iraq). Harper should stay on Martin about the sponsorship scandal, conflict of interest and other mismanagement issues. The Conservatives want a closer relationship with the US but it does not pay in politics to play every issue as priority.

Anne McClellan for sure. To rid us of the voice alone would be justice. As for her management it has be horible.

If PM PM runs on health care, they will loose. After the Romano Report, Mazinkowski Report and the Kirby Report there is no need for talk. They have many actions they could take and empower the provinces to deal with the problems now. We need help on health care now not after anther four year process. As for accountability they have set up a national council. They announced a $2 billion increase in health care spending 8 times is the last year and a half and money is still not forthcoming. After seeing the cost overruns on the gun registry, HRDC, and the bad contracts with the unity project and the defense department the last thing I want is for the federal government to micro manage health care. I hope this will be his platform because then we will get a government we deserve, a new one.

Yes, I want Campbell in office. He is competent and sane. He did commit a crime, and thankfully only his pride was hurt. The crime was not defended by calling into question his ability to make decisions when he was sober. He committed to not drink and I am sure those who appose him have kept an eye on this. Svend clearly might not be able to make rational decisions, and as a voice for Canada might get himself killed if he goes back to the Middle East.

Maplesyrup, He might be able to survive, but should he? He admitted to stealing a ring worth more than $10000.00. The fact he came forward might have more to do with the fact he knew he was being investigated. Yes, he is troubled and I wish him some help, but do you want him in government sorting through these troubles.

"After the posts from Willy and Goldie I'm starting to wonder what "failure" entails. They seem to think that Harper could sustain a minority government without the aid of the Bloc somehow." I don't see any of these parties holding a coalition government for long. But if they did….. The goal for me as a Conservative would be to form government. The challenge is for the Liberals members that are closer to the Conservative agenda. Will they vote for a reasonable bill put forward by the Conservatives? The policy that the Conservatives bring forward in a minority government would be consolatory. The priorities would have to reflect the common areas of concern. If the Conservatives form a minority, how will the Canadian public digest that prospect if the Liberals force a premature election? The Liberals may find themselves shortly after opposing a majority government. The Liberals have been able to vilify the Reform, then Alliance, and now they are trying to do the same to Conservatives. The difference is the Tories are united and the Liberals have done themselves in with arrogance. Given the chance Ontario will warm up even more to the alternative. NDP is a useful rump for debate but they will not factor in to any real change. The Liberal PMO will not go with an anti American agenda, anti defense and a spend and tax philosophy.

The Bloc and Conservatives are not likely to link up. Check the politics of the Bloc's leader (I mean fiscal and social). I expect a minority Conservative government wouldn't last long but then we are in election cycle again.

I apologize for the sarcasm, it is not needed. I though it was strange that you would think it an advantage to team with the Liberals and thus the sarcasm. A minority government is what Diefenbaker had in his first term as PM and when the Liberals forced the election he came back with 206 seats. Biggest ever. I am surprised that teaming up with the Liberals seems like a good idea to those that support the NDP. The Liberals have not demonstrated action on any of the NDP priorities. They make great claims but don't follow it up with money. Would the NDP support more money for education and healthcare going directly to the provinces? They might and if they do they will be voting with the Conservatives. Funny what happens when you have similar goals even if you disagree about how you should achieve them.

What a great idea. I hope some Liberals read this and take your advice. The NDP think that 18% is a huge victory. It is not. The Liberals are devastated at 35% and if they focus on NDP support it will not gain greater support but only cause more diminished returns. I expect the next few months that the swing vote will continue to swing. The big question is that big Liberal base movable, what will it takes to make those people undecided and then will they go Conservative or NDP.

Good for the goose……

Oil companies do pay taxes. Lots of them, municipal, provincial and federal taxes. They also pay very good wages. A rigger in Alberta can expect to make close to $100 000.00 a year. No education, just a hard working job. Also check the hidden environmental taxes. Every time the government signs agreements like Kyoto companies invest millions to comply. This money does not generate one cent in revenue. The pit is not bottomless. Why attack those that pay for health care, education, defense, add scam (national unity), and our justice system. With out corporations we would not have a social engine to provide resources for the social good.

I work in the information age. I own a company that has grown each year for the past six years and that is in spite of paying half of my revenues to Ottawa in taxes. I may not be Wall Mart or GE but, I am happy. I have a good living, I employee people and I add value to the economy. What expectations do you hold for your personal wealth? The resources of the world are scarce. This is the first day of econ 102, and this is not propaganda, it is the truth. Why argue for the poor other people? What opportunity don't you have? Find a job, sacrifice, and expect the government to do no more than remove barriers. Check what you measure. Let’s work on getting everyone the opportunity to impact their own standard of living. We need some personal responsibility back in the welfare state.

Cyberblatt, you make ridiculous statements that are removed from reality. It is outlandish to compare Bush to Hitler. I can see what Bush is trying to accomplish and it is not taking over the world. He is not trying to commit genocide either. The goal is stability and security. How else would he achieve them. Would you like a summit with such groups like Hammas? Hitler was an evil man, who spread hate and used this hate to rule with fear and murder. If the terrorists went away, would the US stay in the Middle East? The answer is no. The Middle East is full of groups that whole purpose in life is to over through our way of life and kill us. (The infidels) Have no mistake they do not differentiate with Canadians and Americans. Be clear if the US focused only domestically the dangers of the world would not go away. This is not just an economic problem; it is about power and religious fundamentalist’s control. This is not to say the course the US government is plotting is not full of pit falls, dangers and suffering. But the US did not create this situation. It has existed for a lot longer than that. I wish our American friends a quick and safe return from Iraq. If they are successful and can build a stable government we should all be thankful. This would change the region and the world. Then we can always worry about North Korea. I am glad I am not President. Prime Minister would be much easier; you can criticize with no accountability or expectation to act.

Toronto Star “The Prime Minister also said yesterday, for instance, that he wanted to do more for seasonal workers before calling an election and a report from a Liberal caucus task force on that issue is not due to report until mid-May.” He is also waiting for the meeting with Bush to be over and then you have the G8 sumit. I am going for a fall election. More time to organize to get rid of these bums.

I just stopped off to have a look at the Liberal home page. "The Martin government is paving the way for an era of cleaner energy with the announcement of $1.1 million to help develop a "hydrogen highway" for fuel cell vehicles to travel between Vancouver and Whistler." Why is this a good idea for the federal government to invest in? After the spending spree the Ministers were on in Quebec today, and the fact they are digging new lakes in Sask; what else will they buy before they give money back to the provinces and cut taxes?

Alliance Conservatives, I like it. An emerging party that in a few years went from nothing to the official opposition and the tradition of the founding party sounds like a powerful mix. A little wisdom with a little innovation will make the best alternative to the old, scandal ridden Liberals.

I was clear that you are not a Harper supporter. I am one of the old Alliance members and all are welcome to join the New Conservatives but from your other posts, I would not expect you to accept the invitation. I do ask you do be fair when characterizing my party’s stance on different issues. Some may align with Republicans, and that is not always a bad thing but others do not. Clear case and point is public health issuance. The Conservatives do not support private health insurance. They do accept the provincial jurisdiction, and would increase funding to the provinces directly from transfer payments. This is the one thing that might prevent the growth of private health care. A side note: Every family physician in Canada operates a private business that is paid by public health insurance. Is this the private health care that concerns you? Justice policies. They would like to have greater victim’s rights, and longer sentences. This in my opinion is a good idea in many cases. We have police that are at wits ends because as quick as they arrest the criminals they are back out on the streets. Jails are not just rehab centers they are also meant for punishment. Is this radical? You mention Alberta separatists, and I am sure a few members were at one time but I will personally welcome any member of the Bloc into our party as long as they are building a new federation. The Conservatives do not hold any policy that is not base on a federal vision of Canada. It is a shame if the division of powers set in the constitution look like a divisive issue to you. He is clear on foreign policy as well, focus military spending on the niche of peace keeping. Build a stronger foreign service. Don't go out of you way to poke the Americans in the eye. Doesn't sound to bad. I would agree that Harpers focus has been domestic, and the governance issues in Canada. This is very important. Without a united country, with strong institutions we will not be able to have a positive global influence.

80% of our exports go to the US. Which of those job creating exports would you like to get rid of? It is bad enough that we can not have them take us seriously but when we have a politician say he would like to improve this relationship you dismiss him with a statement like "those attitudes." Can you be clear? I don't want to put words in your mouth. The last time I heard Harper speak on the US relationship he wanted it strengthened so when we had to disagree it could be done with out crippling our economy.