willy

My friend you are over stating your case and doing it in the wrong section. This topic is about polls. This morning Ispo had nationally Libs 33 and Cons 31. If you take into account a more efficient vote. (Unfortunatly the Tories are still not gaining ground in Quebec)The Conservatives are in the lead. Feels good to back a winner. Now before the Chicken Littles starts to say the sky is falling realize the practical reality. Harper is acting with integrity and being consistent with party policy. This policy would only change the title and not any associated rights. We would be like England or many of the other European countries. To do this in a minority government would mean the majority of the house would have to vote for this debate to continue. Considering the positions of the other parties (30 of Libs were not in favour) this is still very unlikely. The Conservatives are democrats and they didn’t see the party whip behaviour as a good sign for our democracy. If the house votes to move on they will. Willy’s Back

CamTheCat, I am looking for the book I referenced. When I find it I will post the title. Found it: "God in the Doc" by CS Lewis. Here is a quote from a different CS Lewis essay:

And big foot may exist without irrefutable proof. What a pile! Again, why not argue what is likely, as apposed to what is possible, maybe, if all these other things happen, maybe, because they will just need to find that hidden agenda to implement what they are really about. Scenarios can play out in far too many ways as the tinfoil hat gets tight and at times restricts blood flow. He stated clearly the party voted on policy and his personal stance. If that is not clear for you then nothing will be. Can you say, will not take yes for an answer? Be honest, you don't like anything about Conservatives and this is a symbol to you why they represent everything you hate. And if you take away that symbol your reality may have to be questioned. Be clear: Taxes, security and trade are the priorities of the Conservatives.

Harper in a speech that I attended in Surrey BC, three months ago clearly stated for the 1000 time that if elected he would not bring forward legislation on abortion. As the leader of the party and with a clear focus on priorities that don’t go near abortion or for that matter euthanasia, this is a stupid bit of debate. The Conservatives would like to do lots of things people will disagree with, why focus on what they publicly stated as not doing. Here are a few, they will increase defense spending, they will offer a variety of tax credits and they will allow the provinces more room to experiment with solutions to our health care problems. They won’t continue on the child care approach of this government and they will likely not liberalize the drug laws. There you go real issues that we can disagree on. Please enough with the fairy tales scare stuff. The Liberals and Conservatives have major differences without making them up.

canadian_conservative please change your handle. I am a Canadian Conservative and you do not represent me. Please read the policy book. We have both pro choice and pro life members as do the Liberals. We also stand behind the Charter on the equality for all Canadians. The only difference with same sex marriage was the term marriage. All rights were to be extended. I know to some this was a big difference. But unlike this other poster I am happy to know many gay members of the Conservative party and I hope they continue to feel welcome. Our policies should be inclusive of this minority segment of Canada. Conservatism is an approach to government and this is not based on the exclusion of any segment of Canadian populations. As our policies are released like it or not we will define around the responsibilities of individuals and corporations to manage their own lives. Not rights but responsibilities defines the difference between a Conservative government and the Liberals. SirSpanky, you mentionedEnvironics Poll Note the sample size and the trend line. I am okay with our position going into the fall. We will be releasing more policy, like the transit tax credit and I expect people will see how we do represent them.

We have gay people in the Conservative Party. I am glad we do, being gay is not a political ideology. Not all gay people want high taxes and unaccountable government. Harper is a smart and becoming an experienced leader. He has six months to prove his wears. The last enveronics poll suggests that the Martin liberals are trending down and the Conservatives are slowly closing the gap. The Liberals will no doubt give us more opportunities in the next six months, and if we are not in position to take advantage of it we should not be in government. I have a good feeling about the fall session. Hug a Conservative today, it will feel good.

Turns out you can't buy votes in Africa.

I agree with this. Now we are out of the house it will be easier. In the house the governing party sets the agenda. I look forward to see what agenda Harper chooses to focus on over the summer.

It is much simpler than this. Pick the party that most closely resembles your opinion and join. Then help out. Sign up as many members as you can that are like you. All parties are coalitions and will not represent individuals. That is democracy. Our leaders should lead a little more and I think we would all feel better. Cast a vision that we can rally around. Not a bunch of one off issues. Show me the world that you desire.

Case study. Do you think Kenneth Lay (CEO Enron): Should have gone to jail Lost his job Been responsible to pay back some of the money. Many have said he should of known more, he was the boss. Oh ya and in corporate governance the CFO would also be responsible. So why is Martin still in charge?

Left for life, this is my larger point. It is not yours or my decision. This is a decision that should be left to parents. If the parents are deficient maybe the kid is better off working. We don’t need to regulate all the decisions people make. We all should not eat junk food but I hope you are not looking at the government to regulate the type of foods restaurants can provide. Liberty?

I am currently in Grad school while I work. I think education is of the highest value and feel very lucky that I can pursue my interests to the highest level. So which right wingers are you talking about? I have not read the posts you refer to. The self appointed left wing intellectual superiority burns my butt. If my post was over the top so be it. But don't insult a large portion of the population’s intelligence because you think they are wrong. Peace out.

That is just sad. If you don't agree with me fine but because I spend most of my day working and spend little time researching and editing my posts is no reason to assume my education level. I know when my posts are poorly written, do you know when you are being an arse. The sad part is the implicit status you give yourself and your own thoughts with little evidence that your thoughts are superior to anyone else on this forum. I don't look down on you for your social engineering ideas that I honestly believe harm more than they help. I understand that we have a different life experience that leads us to different conclusions to the reality that we both experience. I guess my experience also includes working, and maybe yours doesn't. That is the perception that you are leaving. Is the only valuable education young people receive, the ones they find in books or is the experience of responsibility and meeting the expectations of working another type of education that can also be valuable.

I delivered papers in Edmonton when I was 12 and it was cold. Learning the responsibility and the money collection side of the business was very valuable. Today I am a successful business person and part of the reason was the work habits I developed early on. It should be up to parents to decide and if a willing employer is found so be it.

I think the members were genuinely out of the house for good reasons. Two have cancer for instance. They don't have the numbers any more so it is really in poor taste to ask sick members to show up just to get defeated. Really, killing debate this early was not fixing our democratic deficit but adding to it. Martin has never really cared if democracy was served.

Senior Seinfeld, I agree and I agree. You articulated many of the same positions and feelings that I hold. The only difference is that I reside in Vancouver. I also have many gay friends that don't see me as a bigot.

Enough with the same sex marriage debate. Five years ago it would be unthinkable and now it is inevitable. The Conservatives don't have enough votes to block it. It is a done deal, like it or not. I personally have had enough of TTS calling me a bigot because of my beliefs and this discussion is going no where. 7 provinces are having gay weddings and the federal bill won’t change that. Hey, in BC we are having gay divorces as well. So does any one have bets on how long it will take for gay marriages divorce rate equals that of heterosexuals.? Equality in everything. It is just sad that marriage really doesn't represent a life long commitment in our culture.

Thanks for getting the numbers kimmy, I was being lazy and going from memory. PMPM was on the local radio in Vancouver today, stating how this with targets for wait lines was the answer.

liberal you do the math. 4 billion a year over ten provinces and the north. Well is that going to really fix the problem? No. BC annual health care costs right now, 14 billion. And that is a moving target.

How do you figure. Provincial governments like Harris and Klien have made investments but in 95 the federal contribution was reduced. So did the NDP in a few other provinces. The Liberal Party of Canada has done nothing but have a commission that has done nothing. Sorry this year they signed a 10 year $40billion deal. This will run health care in the country for 2 days a year. Hardly and improvement.

A man by the name of Brian Mitchell was one vote away from being the head of the Conservative national council. He is an openly gay Montreal lawyer. The party members were not concerned. If the leader doesn't represent the policy of the party, is another question. An aside, Brian is still a prominant member of the national council.

This just in. Theliberal is out of step with Canadian values. It turns out the majority of Canadians would like to purchase healthcare if they chose. The Poll

Of course it doesn't matter. Stupid poll.

Technocrat, read Hawks posting again with the thought of how ridiculous it would be to ban any of this. That was his point. (I think) As it is ridiculous to ban the metaphysics provided by religion. A full discussion of all possibilities. One might say a good scientific method.

How do you detach your tax dollar from the government spending so easily. I worry about the progressively growing tax burden we will be under when governments start unsustainable programs. Other incentives are available to ensure the number of child care seats increase. • Incentives for businesses to have onsite care • Incentives for child care businesses, i.e. Non profit status for taxes • Equipment tax preferential treatment • Grants directed at those in most need • Tax credits for those with kids A combination of all of these things is sustainable and not over reaching like the Liberal child care plan. With $700 million they will only create a small percentage of availability and a new waiting list. Not equal and not accessible.