Progressive Tory

You may have a point. Capitalism does give anyone an opportunity to become wealthy. However, when the basis of Capitalism is in trouble, we should be able to look to the benefactors to help keep the system afloat. That doesn't mean asking them for hand outs, but maybe if they took some of that accumulated wealth and SPENT IT, to stimulate the economy; they would help ensure the continued success of the system. Spending keeps industries afloat and generates much needed tax dollars. Hoarding does neither. Instead of looking for bailouts maybe you could encourage your rich friends to buy a new car. If they don't need a new car, buy it anyway and raffle it off for charity.

I'm not Left wing, but Centre (and on some issues, just right of centre). In Canada, right or wrong, we don't elect Prime Ministers, we elect Members of Parliament. Had the Conservatives won the majority of seats, he would have been free to what he wanted, more or less. However, Democracy means the will of the Majority. He lost the confidence of the Majority and with a non-confidence vote on the table, he really has NO authority. I will be voting Liberal next election only because Michael Ignatieff best represents my political views. If the Conservatives have a new leader, like say Jim Prentice; I may return to voting Conservative. Stephen Harper had his best chance last election, but blew it. I no longer have any faith that he can deliver on promises. My point still stands however, that the Senate should represent the Canadian people with proportional representation from all provinces and all political stripes. Don't really care about how long they sit, though 12 years sounds fine.

I don't think so. With the Dion factor removed. A recent poll had Ignatieff at 28% and Harper at 27% We have to remember that the Conservatives got 170,000 fewer votes in 2008 than 2006. It was only vote-splitting that gave them more seats. Leaving out the Bloc; 2008 election results: Green/NDP/Liberal - 7,087,066 Conservative - 5,204,468 With Bloc: Bloc/Green/NDP/Liberal - 8,464,699 Conservative - 5,204,468 Is this a gamble the Conservatives are willing to take? Remember, Dion is gone, Quebec support is gone, Carbon Tax is gone.

How about: NDP candidates resign over drug use: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/st...ea-497f-a256-7d a616e162d1 Liberal candidate resigns after hate comments revealed: http://www.reclamationinfo.com/phpbb/viewt...p?f=2&t=792 Conservatives printing and distributing pre-election pamphlets at taxpayers’ expense: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/200...y-election.html Harper using his office to avoid criminal charges: http://www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1/294...rivilegeq-in-el ections-scam.html NDP Candidate Sex Scandal: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/C...esigns_080923/2 0080923/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome Tory Candidate steals thousands of dollars in federal grant money: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...xnwomensgroup09 24/BNStory/Front

I agree in principle. I believe that the Senate is necessary to prevent one Party or one leader from making decisions that would not be in our best interest. However, I also agree that we need Senate Reform. I like the idea that the Provinces select or elect the Senators, based on population, but feel that they need to represent all parties. There is some speculation that Harper filled the 18 seats to avoid NDP or Green representation, should the Coalition take power. This is Democracy at it's worst. Three and half million Canadians cast their votes for NDP/Green. They should have members in the Senate.

"No, I think they should have a raise, and increase their benefits and entitlements" I couldn't really answer this since there is no vote for the status quo. Right from wage cut to wage increase. Canada needs good union jobs. It's those employees who pay the bulk of the income tax and have the best spending power, to keep the economy moving and add GST revenue. An across the board wage cut would almost certainly create another economic nose dive. Benefit packages help to keep providers in business and prevent drain on social programs. We need to look at the big picture. It's the middle class that carry the economy and often good union jobs that create the middle class.

I recently attended a Town Hall meeting with local candidates for the Green, NDP and Liberals. When asked about what would happen if an election was called they hinted that they were at least considering some form of coalition, or at least co-operation, if just for one election. The Green Party candidate said that they would be open to such a move so long as Proportional Representation was part of the platform. The NDP only demanded a national minimum wage. It would appear that only the Party with the best shot at beating the Conservatives would field a candidate in each riding, to avoid vote-splitting.