Progressive Tory

Where did that come from?

I love his past, present and future. Intriguing. It gives him such a great perspective of the world and our place in it. We are blessed. Prime Minister Count Dr. Michael Ignatieff. I'm embroidering the monograms now. Finally Canada will have some International respect, because there won't be any leader of any civilized country, not impressed with his credentials. He's actually better educated than Obama and Hilary. They will love negotiating with him. Intellect, not rhetoric; in a warm, inviting, 'put your feet up' atmosphere. Go Canada.

The Bloc has often been in the unique position of holding a balance of power. Aside from Harper using them in his 2004 Coalition, he has made special deals with them at least 14 times to pass various motions. You might say that technically they already 'lead the entire country'. Neither Harper nor the NDP/Liberal Coalition, which will remain together in spirit, can do anything without them. Fanning the fires of national disunity "Mr. Harper is launching hypocritical attacks that can lead to a national disaster, and, with the time prorogation has granted him, he will no doubt continue to promote disunity. Consider the following falsehoods that he, his ministers and their party are spreading: 1. The Bloc is part of the Liberal-NDP coalition. It's not. But it is providing needed stability by signing an agreement not to bring down the coalition during its first 18 months. Mr. Harper has relied on the Bloc 14 times in votes, and twice on budget ones." In fact, it's probably better for the Bloc if Harper holds onto power for awhile, because ultimately they have all the power. However, if his government falls and the GG asks Ignatieff to take the reins, the Bloc cannot vote freely on confidence motions...the big guys...like budgets, etc. They are willing to set aside their agenda for a year and a half. Harper is not.

That is absolutely ridiculous. Does drinking beer lead to a craving for Brandy? Would it surprise you to know that Queen Victoria used cannibus for menstrual cramps. That Louis Hebert brought it back to France and it did such a good job reducing the Queen's migraines that she gave it a 'Royal Charter'. When Jacques Cartier visited Canada he wrote that 'hempe grows wild here'. It didn't. It was planted. Where do you think the cries are the loudest not to legalize it? The criminals. They don't want to lose such a lucritive business. I say let's put them out of business. Farmers would have better use of the profits and we can use the extra tax dollars.

This whole 'party welfare' thing is ridiculous, so now you know how it sounds to me when you say it. You once said that the Tories were masters of spin, and I sometimes admire how they can take people's attention away from the things they don't want you to see. Economists were saying that Flaherty's economic statement was a fairy tale, because it showed a surplus when in fact we were already in a deficit. So they made it about the $ 1.95. That became the big issue. They pulled it back, and probably knew it would meet with uproar, because they changed their minds too quickly. They didn't want to lose the ten million dollars either. But the deficit 'smoke and mirrors' was forgotten. Tom Lukiwski's videotape where he says 'homo-sexuals with dirt under their fingernails, etc.." The Tories jumped on it right away, with tearful apologies by Tom. They needed to draw the public's attention away from who else was on that tape. It was taken when Lukiwski was general manager of the Saskatchewan Conservatives of Grant Devine. Look it up. One of the biggest scandals in Canadian history. Cabinet ministers sent to jail and one committed suicide. Even Larry Spencer who was booted out of the Alliance by Harper for his homophobic remarks defended Lukiwski, saying that people know how Evangelicals feel when they are exposed to foul language. Did he listen to the tape? I haven't heard so much profanity since my husband tried to nail his finger to a cabinet he was building and started calling for his 'mother'. You lack skepticism, so are the perfect little pawn.

If you asked every teenager in the country if they know someone who drinks alcohol, smokes pot, etc.; they'd probably say yes. That doesn't mean that they do. It's called life. Pot needs to be treated the same as alcohol and cigarettes. The revenue from tax dollars alone would probably set us well on the road to economic recovery, not to mention the savings in law enforcement, prisons, etc. The difference is use and abuse. Raise them right but be there if they're in trouble.

They do come from individual voters in the form of $ 1.95 from our tax dollars. Take it up with Harper over the other though. I doubt he'll agree with you. Choking off money from interest groups will throw him in the poorhouse. But I'm interested in this whole party welfare thing. Can I get welfare if I want to throw a party? Why wasn't I told about this?

WOW! "Pot is a gateway drug for many teens as people who smoke pot often know people who drink alcohol..." You're right. Probably their parents. Pot is only a gateway drug because it has to be bought from criminals. The only way it is a gateway drug is because of prohibition. I'm trying to sort through your gibberish but it sounds like you're also suggesting that alcohol leads to snorting coke and junk. Didn't you yourself say that you go to bars, drink and gamble a bit? I don't smoke pot. Like most people I tried it in highschool. It didn't open any gates for me. I don't even drink now, by choice. It needs to be legalized, de-criminalized and taxed. Get off the pot. (Pun intended).

I agree with most of what you say. The Democratic Reform were a powerful group against Stockwell Day, proof that this Party MUST separate church and state. As far as Dion goes, the Green Shift and carbon tax was a good idea, but the Conservatives did such a good job of convincing Canadians that it was the devil incarnate, that people got scared away. Dion couldn't sell it. He's a brilliant man but not a leader. I knew that when I watched the leadership race. I do sing Iggy from the rooftops, but it was not without listening, watching and reading. His years of teaching at universities enables him to develop a rapport with young voters. He can speak their language without talking down to them. If you listen to the Tory spin, you might get caught up in it; but if you take a few minutes and read his resume, it's pretty impressive. Since when is being smart and well educated, a negative? Don't we want our Prime Minister to be the best this country has to offer? He may well be one of the most educated and experienced people in the country right now. Obama got it all. 'Elitist' because he graduated first in his class at Harvard. 'Socialist' because he dared to suggest that he share a bit of the wealth his country had to offer. He rose above it. Give Iggy a chance.

The only way they're like Mulroney is that they're awash in scandal and will probably experience a resounding defeat. I don't really like labels: big 'C', little 'c'; Big 'L', little 'l'. I'm starting my own political identity. Iggy-licous. I like that better. Big 'I'. All Iggy, all the time. Although he does have a Phd from Harvard, so I guess it's 'Dr. Iggy'.

What are you smoking? When Harper formed his coalition with the 'separatist Bloc' in 2004, nobody cruised into a massive majority. We forgave him, though he had to unite the right and eliminate vote splitting just to get a minority. Ironically, he's also united the left, so even that's now out of his grasp. He let his party down. He should be ashamed.

But I never voted for Stephen Harper. (Sorry Mr. C. I couldn't resist)

You're right. I've always liked Jim Prentice. Used to like Lawrence Cannon until he got involved in forging receipts and will wear the shame of the in and out scandal. Whether they want to believe it or not, I think Stephen Harper will either resign, or be asked to resign as leader of the Party. They deserve better. However, as a Canadian, I don't look at who would be the biggest threat to Michael Ignatieff, but the best to represent Canadians either as PM or leader of the Opposition. To be honest, Harper was very good as leader of the Opposition. That's his forte. He just can't lead a country that includes people who don't vote Conservative. The trouble is the disparity within the Party. The socons say they will never allow a non-socon to lead. The Red Tories don't want another Stockwell Day. It's a puzzle. Why couldn't Jim learn French? He's a smart guy.

You're right. If that's what passes for conservatism these days, maybe I am a secular socialist. Still not sure what that is, but it has something to do with waving a white stick at Jesus. Can't say I've ever done that either.

I'm curious too. I don't remember Mr. Layton ever kicking anyone out for not voting the way their constituents wanted them to vote. Any names?

Well said. I lived through the 'Cold War' days, and to be honest don't remember so much 'left' and 'right' propaganda, that I hear now. I laugh out loud when someone calls me a 'leftie' or a 'secular socialist'; and not because I claim to support socialism, but simply because I'm no longer voting Conservative. On the other hand, I hear terms like 'Right-wing nutjob' to define the Conservatives, simply because they have a large Evangelical wing. There are a few who definitely earn the title, but most don't wear their religion on their sleeve. When Jim Prentice decided that he would support same-sex marriage, he spoke to his pastor, explaining why and got permission to speak to the congregation, to discuss his actions. That took a lot of courage. As I've said before, I may not agree with all of them, but respect that their constituents voted for them not in spite of their views, but because of them. They too deserve a voice.

I know that Obama embraces all Americans as Americans. Dr. King's dream come true. I thought that Canadians shared the same sentiment when it came to how we saw each other, but have been quite surprised to find that that's not always the case. But in discussing history, Francis Parkman was probably the worst enemy of the indigenous people. He didn't kill any, to the best of my knowledge, but used pen and paper to erase and brush over their accomplishments, distorting our actual history (North America's). Most modern day history books evolve from his fabrication.

Harper was simply out to obstruct a non-confidence vote any way he could, even if it meant alienating Quebec forever. He is mad for power or just plain mad. Why would anyone respect a leader who flat out encourages Canadians to ask their MPs to vote for the budget, no matter what's in it. Clearly Harper has lost his moral compass, unless of course that compass is Brian Mulroney.

The American Revolutionary War would not have been won without the military strength and expertise of the natives, who taught them a new (and revolutionary) form of warfare. The War of 1812 would not have been won for England if it was not for the military strength and expertise of the natives, who stood their ground against their old enemies. Many 'Loyalists' were Native Americans who got the shaft once the new colonies got on their feet. Just telling it like it is. And yet again what the Americans are doing? How did you come to that conclusion? Most American culture comes from somewhere else.

You can't be serious. Harper is to Obama what the coyote was to the roadrunner. Obama's strength is in bringing people together. No red states, no blue states, only United States. He is able to cross party lines and reach out to all Americans. He speaks with intellect, not rhetoric, and while he warns of tough times ahead, gives hope. On the other hand, Harper is by far the most partisan PM we've ever had. He never stops campaigning. 2/3 of Canadians simply don't like him and never will. He does not inspire hope, only hopelessness; and by design.

Since when does getting a PHD at Harvard, being captain of a varsity soccer team and political commentator for BBC, make you weak and mundane? This is either stereotyping based on Stockwell Day, or clearly the musings of someone who has not read any resumes of sitting politicians, from all parties. Read Iggy's. If that's weak and mundane, we need more weaklings like him.

Young people love him and if he can engage them in politics, it will be to the benefit of everyone. Justin Trudeau urges adoring students to question 'system' A star rookie’s shot

I belong to a Coalition support group and get constant updates. Word is that that the NDP/Liberal Coalition already have a tentative budget inked and onboard helping out is Mr. Drummond, well known and well respected economist. Ralph Goodale is also doing a lot of work behind the scenes. Won't take 8 weeks. However, supporters of an election if the government falls, will have to wait roughly 2-3 months for any action on the economy. An Iggy quote from my email this morning sums it up perfectly. He infers that "There may not necessarily be a coalition, but that there could be a coalition if necessary." From that I assume that if the GG asks him to form a government, he will do it.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2...on-economy.html

Huh? Mulroney 42 billion dollar deficit didn't have anyone running to the Cons...if fact they headed in the opposite direction. 2 seats, I think.