playfullfellow

And right now the supreme court protects us how? The supreme court is full of judges picked by the PM. What is stopping the PM from picking only judges that seem to follow their way of thinking? The not withstanding clause is there so that any dumbass decisions can be overturned, if a PM actually had the guts to do it. Look at the decision where the supreme court said a prisoner had every right to carry a shiv in jail, which he used to kill another prisoner with in a fight. So now, if a prisoner feels his life is in jeopardy he can carry a shiv? Holy Dina, I am sure the guards feel this will make their jobs a whole lot safer and easier. Do you really think that the other parties don't order their grassroots to toe the line during an election? Look at the Liberals under Chretien, if any of his sheep spoke out of line, they became a backbencher faster than you blink. Martin isn't much different, he has shown that he will walk over his own party members to do what he wants. Layton can pretty well do whatever he wants. The NDP are fairly radical and we have come to expect different stuff from them, which is not a bad thing.

Well, we do have a country right now as it may be. This country of course has its problems and our politicians are not helping very much. I think a lot more can be done outside the political arena but the decision has to be mutual. There is a lot more talk of seperation coming from the Quebec side of the debate. How are we, the ROC supposed to take this kind of talk? This is not indicative of people wanting to set up working relationships on building a stronger country. There are also too many differences in how the official languages are governed in each region. Laws have been purposely set up in Quebec to enhance french while severely limiting visible english language. There are no such laws in Alberta or BC I know for sure. Heck we even have signs in Japanese and Mandarin much more prominant than english signs. Does anyone really care, no only the truly ignorant. This is basically contrived as a sexist remark that we see way too often in todays society. Male=ignorant buffoon. Sorry, that one does not cut it here at all. I grew up being taught to respect all sectors of society and respect others point of view. I may not always agree with them but I do respect their right to these views. I do not know whether it is media bias or not but generally the impression we get from Quebec is that we are looked down upon as redneck morons who repsect no one and are uneducated lower class simpletons, always trying to quell the asperations of Quebec seperatists. It seems to me that a lot of people equate anti-seperatism equals anti-french. I do not think it is a matter of trust. It goes back to the addages, "once bitten, twice shy" or "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me". A lot of the laws seem to be very Ontario and Quebec friendly. There have also been several scandals in the last little while which pretty much lined the pockets of Liberal friendly companies and people. What about the gun control laws, the majority of people in the west did not want or really need. Official bi-lingualism can be viewed as french safe in the ROC but does not really do anything to protect english in Quebec. If there is to be a consensous as to where this country needs to head as a whole country, it has to be mutually benefitial to both Quebec and the ROC. I think we need to stop labeling people as english, french, etc. Let's start labeling everyone as Canadian first.

"George Bush likes killing people, Harper wants to back him up. George Bush uses his power to infringe on human rights, Harper would do the same. George Bush spends like a drunken sailor while reducing revenues, Harper's plan reads the same. George Bush puts money ahead of the environment, so does Stephen Harper." Bush can't be listed as the smartest man on earth no doubt. Harper is definitely not a Bush. There are some similarities in the types of policies that they want to use but that is where the similarities end. Harper is more of an intelectual than Bush and Harper is definitely a much more moral person. Yeah I know, politicians shouldn't be moral or bring it into politics but thats the way it is.

without a doubt, there has been plenty of garbage floating around the past 11 years under the Liberals. Look at our Agricultural minister, his farm went bankrupt years ago. The garbage will continue to keep floating to the surface if the Liberals stay in power. The Liberals have been very good at spreading their money to buy votes and keep key people in power. Vote buying is not a new idea.

How many people aside from politcians actually put a lot of faith in polls? Do polls help you takeanumber? (just an example, not picking on anyone here) All they indicate who might perceptively be leading in the polls. Polls should be about what actually matters to the electorate. Why waste that kind of money on clap trap? All of these polls only help set the odds at the local pub on who will actually win.

Yeah, but why couldn't we look into getting some business related sponsorship. You take our area, we are in very short supply of skilled labour in the construction industry. Why can't the local construction associations help fund a program that would ensure we get kids that have at least the basic skills when they are done in school? This way, local school districts can build programs that train kids for jobs that need the most people in a certain area. An incentive to keep our kids in a local area.

lmao, quirky sense of humour, got to have that these days.

I dont just look it up, I have been to many different places and seen many different ways of doing things. I also communicate with people like yourself to get a perspective of what things are like else where. Yes, we do struggle at times in Alberta too, we also have 6 months of cold weather here. Haven't sold my soul to any corporate gurus myself, I work hard and honest 6, 7 days a week if needed. Alberta has its problems, so does every other area of Canada, each one of them unique to each area. I work with people from one side of Canada to another and I love to listen to their individual views about each region. I learn more and get a broader view of what happens. Just as an example, I know most newfies (well, the ones that have come west) hate the current system, they don't want to be dependant on the government for handouts. I don't know very many people from Manitoba so I enjoy reading your posts Rev so I can better understanding of where you are coming from. Don't label all Albertans as self-centered rednecks who don't care what happens outside our little world.

In theory I agree with you Rev but how many people do you know that are multi talented now a days? Most people cant even walk and chew bubble gum at the same time. I have also been through some post graduate education, taken lots of evening classes and taken people management courses. Add to this reading tonnes of books on subjects I want to learn about. Being in construction, I get a lot of people approaching me for a job, especially kids who quit school and want to make money. Most of them can't even do basic math or know how to use a tape measurer and trying to teach them basic construction is very time consuming. I think about 1 in 10 works out. The school I went to, rural type school, had a very high emphasis on having a very good industrial ed program for the kids who didn't want to go the book route. Most of the kids from grad class have their own businesses, are foremen or have risen in the companies they work for. Why not let the kids who want to work with their hands have a choice? Everything nowadays seems to be about letting our kids chose, why not let them have a choice in learning something that might actually help them land a job? As you stated Rev, you have run crews, watched guys sweat on the business end of a shovel, wouldn't it be nice to hire a young person from school who actually had an idea what a mitre saw was or a number 8 robertson screwdriver? It would sure make my life a lot easier and potentially allow me to pay someone a little higher wage to start with, less training time taken into account.

I think argus was refering to Alberta on those wages, they are a bit on the high side by about 5 bucks an hour but any person who owns a hammer and tool belt can make 13-16 bucks an hour in Northern Alberta. I am also in construction, mainly reno work, and we go year round. Most of the companies I know also go year round, yes winters are slower but they manage to get about 2/3 of their reugalr hours. I also know a lot of guys that swap trades for the winter. They go work the patch or go trucking for the winter. With the booming economy of Alberta, there really isn't a reason to be on EI every winter. I do not agree with doing away with EI for what we suggest is seasonal workers. Theoretically, I have been what has been classified as a seasonal worker for over 18 years and never collected EI. My parents are the same as are a lot of other people I know. I think a high usage/higher premium system would quell some of the arguments. Now this statement is kind of confusing, what is the difference between using EI or welfare, well aside from the fact that seasonal workers at least pay taxes and EI premiums, wefare recipiants don't. Where do we get the better returns?

I think argus was refering to Alberta on those wages, they are a bit on the high side by about 5 bucks an hour but any person who owns a hammer and tool belt can make 13-16 bucks an hour in Northern Alberta. I am also in construction, mainly reno work, and we go year round. Most of the companies I know also go year round, yes winters are slower but they manage to get about 2/3 of their reugalr hours. I also know a lot of guys that swap trades for the winter. They go work the patch or go trucking for the winter. With the booming economy of Alberta, there really isn't a reason to be on EI every winter. I do not agree with doing away with EI for what we suggest is seasonal workers. Theoretically, I have been what has been classified as a seasonal worker for over 18 years and never collected EI. My parents are the same as are a lot of other people I know. I think a high usage/higher premium system would quell some of the arguments.

It won't affect the election aside from the fact that agricultural based industries are more likely to vote conservative now because it seems that they are the only ones on positive speaking terms with the US. Not very many farmers really want governement help, they would much rather see the trade issue resolved and get back to regular business. The Liberals have burned most bridges when it comes to dealing with the US and the NDP would much rather throw money at the farmers than actually deal with the hated americans. But then again, most agricultural related people would probably vote conservative anywas.

ceasar you seem to talk in circles. You say that we do not need to increase the military size when the Conservatives say so, then you say that we need to increase the size of our military for local issues or as peace keeping forces (a very galant effort that I agree with) and patroling our coasts. UMMM aren't these some of the very same issues that the Conservatives have named as issues for upgrading the military? And where has Harper or the Conservatives ever stated they wanted to dismantle the Canadian helath care? Fine tune, tweak and get rid of unneccessary waste, yes. I have read your previous posts and you seem to have a problem with the current system. Exactly how do you propose to fix the system? I have seen plenty of posts of proposals on how to fix the system or why we should leave it alone, some of them I agree with, some I don't. I suggest you research the European healthcare system. I suggest this because they used to have a system similar to the system proposed by the NDP. It did not work hence all European countries have a two tier system and it is much more effective. I don't say cheaper but effective. The current system does not work and is bankrupting the country and we need to do something about it. The question is, how are we going to save what is left? Putting your faith in the Liberals is false hope, they have shown in the past they can not be trusted.

I agree stoker, it seems that Quebec is allowed to do as they see fit when it comes to french but the ROC has to follow official bilingualism rules. So much for being equal under one sun.

Thanx august, I think it hasn't received coverage because it confirms that the current system does not work and the news media is more interested in shoveling more dirt onto the Conservatives for their views or percieved views. I also notice that there are nto to many comments from soem of the other regulars to the forum.

Nope this wouldn't work, seasonal workers tend to get paid pretty good money now as it is, well aside from any of the agricultural workers. I think that EI should be a true insurance type program, the more you use it, the higher the percentage you pay, the less you use it, the less you pay. Since I have been paying into the program for over 18 years and never collected a cent, I feel I should not have to pay the same as a person who has gone onto EI every year for the past 18 years. Increasing payouts to seasonal workers does nothing to stimulate the economy. As Rev.Blair pointed out there are decent people on the dole but there are a lot of people on it who will never change because they like sitting around all winter watching hockey. I also wonder of the people who work a whole career wihtout using EI once, why do they not get a return for their hard work and ambition? Lets face it, these are the people are most pissed off about the whole system. Say you work your whole career without usinh EI, why not get a 30 percent or so return on your money the day you retire? If we all had some kind of incentive like that, maybe EI wouldn't get used as much? Just a thought.

Amen to that sentiment, I usually ask people if they vote when they complain about politics in Canada, if the answer is no, then I usually do not pay them much heed. A lot of people do not understand the importance of voting. I do not know whether this is due to laziness or the lack of pride in our country. It can not always be attributed to " there is no one decent to vote for".

youngster must attend If this kind of decision was handed down to a french person in the ROC, then all hell would break lose. It looks like Official Bilingualism works pretty well, if you are French. I think that it is about time to look at this in Canada. Is this an issue we want to continue paying for at the cost of approximately 16 billion a year (industry costs included). The federal cost is estimated at 600 million per year based on information available to the public. This amount could be much more as we know the Liberals are very "open" with their books. I know this issue irks a lot of people but we are getting to the point where we have to look at whether this pet Trudeau project is worth paying for? Why do all packages sold in BC or Alberta have to have French on them? No matter what, Canada is bilingual and always will be but I do not feel the need to pay for it in the rest of Canada anymore. This money can be much better spent other things in Canada, like healthcare, policing and the military.

prisoner decision with decisions such as this, it is obvious the current system does not work. I like your point of the Consevatives using this to their advantage but why stoop to the same level as the Liberals?

Give the guy a break, he is a doctor, have you ever seen the way they fill out a prescription form? Sorry noel, just lightening the humour a bit. I agree with a lot of your points and also know all about moving from one country to another at a chance of a better life. Now back to business, if there was to be a two tier system in Canada, what sorts of services do you see being most beneficial as a privatized company? I feel that the essential services emergency room services, life saving techniques, post surgery treatments should stay as the public type system. I feel that things like MRI's and other sorts of testing should be private systems, if people can afford to pay, why shouldn't they get service right away? This could help off-set the cost to the public system. User fees for people over a certain income level shouldn't be a problem either.

Not enough of a two tier education system as far as I am concerned. The present system is for smart kids and for the other kids to slide through school with no labour or life skills. Why not get industry to sponsor programs like woodworking, carpentry, electrical etc. We have enough kids who can play pacman. Do you know how many young people out there can't even add numbers like 21 and 33 without a calculator? Our education system has too much of a feel good attitude without teaching our kids the very basic skills in life. I would also like to see that every 3-5 years, a general consensus be taken to see what direction the people of the province want to head. What areas people feel the rpovince can improve on.

There are also a lot of other areas of government that money can come from to cover any tax cuts. Like getting rid of the gun registry, getting rid of federal departments that are duplicated in provincial governments, spending money on special interest groups, introducing legislation to stop slush funds like what happened with adscam. We can also save 60 million a year by getting rid of the senate, 16 billion a year (that includes corporate cost, government cost is around 600 million a year) in bilingualism. What if the federal pension plan was changed to be the same as a regular persons pension, how much money would that save? There are plenty of other areas where there is a lot of waste that can be trimmed and yet still give us a modest tax cut. Harper may not be perfect but he is a person who hates waste and would trim the fat so to speak.

And all of the judges and decisions to come down to date have been reasonable? Politicians use the supreme court to make the decisions they are too chickenshit to make themselves when it comes to charter issues. Because in 4 years we can get in a new government, we can't do squat about judges but yell a lot.

- I would give healthcare a beaurocratic kick in the butt and knock all the dead wood out of the works. I would leave doctors and nurses alone, it is the head guys collecting the big wages that need going after - Increase work incentives for new doctors and nurses so they will come our province, maybe a 7% reduction in their income tax and a further 3% to go to more isolated communities for 5 years. - User fees for people who misuse emergency rooms. - Tax incentives for companies that come up with viable alternative sources of energy. - Promote a 2 tier public education system. One for kids who prefer to work with their hands and one for kids who wish to persue further education. The first group would be more emphasize on skilled labour, the second for accountant, medical etc. type skills. - Bring back labour camps in prisons, yeah yeah, I am going to get it for this one but prison should be for punishment. - Increase minimum wages to $9.00/hr. for anyone over 18, $7.50/hr. for anyone under 18. - Better utilize taxes collected from gasoline sales to make better roads. - Set up a police force to deal specifically with traffic violations, free up the RCMP to do criminal investigations. - Increase enviromental violation fines. - Tax incentives for people who buy more economic cars. - If and when the debt of the province is paid off, then start to lower taxes. - All politician raises would be panel reviewed and not to exceed the rate of inflation by 2%. - During strong economic times, a slush fund is set up for a rainy day. This fund can not be touched unless there is an economic crisis.

The coutries in Europe that have higher taxes than Canada also tend to have much higher wages. These countries also allow you more write offs than Canada ie you can write off certain portions of your mortgage in Denmark, you also get a free education plus a military that is larger and better equipped than Canada's (larger because they have an incredibly large reserve much like Switzerland. And just a note, most of Denmarks tax increases were brought in by a Liberal government in the 70's