takeanumber

Canada was by no stretch of the imagination 'split'. Canada is a lot like Switzerland or Sweeden a-la World War One. We no longer want to fight for our own freedom, perfectly content to let others to do it for us. And it's disgraceful. This war on terror...it's a war of totalitarian Islamists against the liberal west. It's just as serious as the first or second (or third world war, which was Korea. Yes, the Korean war really should be called the third world war.), and it's a shame that we're not pulling more than our own weight. I'm very mad at Bush for lying. It's blown so much credibility in this, the most important war of our times. I'm equally mad at Harper and Day, for their disgraceful flip flopping and unabashed hippocracy on this file. They, and their kids, should be the first ones drafted into the forces when the Mullah's start chucking feces at the Canadian fan.

At least they have a chance for democracy and the promise of a better life. They have to make it happen. You know, it takes a lot to go from a society where political disputes are settled by violence to a society where political disputes are settled through debate and institutions. It takes a lot of time, effort, commitment and hiccups along the way, but any society is capable. It used to be though that democracy was a distinctly protestant, Anglo-Saxon thing. Then, that theory was shattered by the French and Germans. Then it was though that it was solely a western European thing, and then that was shattered by the latin world. Then it was thought that it would never happen in Asia, and that has been shattered by Japan et al. Then it was thought that democracy couldn't happen in rigid catholic societies like Spain, and that was shattered in 1975. You don't even want to mention what the world thought of Africa, but South Africa has disproved that theory too. It has also happened in Turkey. (How everybody forgets Turkey), and it can happen in Iraq too. It CAN happen. It's very likely that Iraq just can't make it happen. But they have a chance.

Oh, alright. So we're going by that logic are we? Well then, you know, genocide has been a way of life for thousands of years for mankind. Therefore, we should keep it, forever and ever, and enshrine it and worship it. Just because it's been around for thousands of years. And rape during wars? Why YES! It's been around for thousands and thousands of years too. So let's just tear up that Geneva Convention right now! Because if we start having any sort of honour in wars, what's next? Pretty soon, it'll get to the point where you can't even carpet bomb a refugee camp! And what about slavery? That's certainly been around for thousands upon thousands of years! What are we doing banning it? And social mobility? My god! The Greeks would be spinning in their graves! We should do away with that to. Huge mistakes all. So, using your logic, there should be no progress in society and things that have been a fact for thousands of years shouldn't be altered. Bravo! Logic is your strong point!

Federalism has worked very, very, very well in this country. I think Brown would still be spinning in his grave about voting parity in the house of commons, but I think he'd be quite pleased with the results. As so should all of us. Let's try to make it work. We've already been down the unitarianist path. (1837-1867) and it didn't work. If not federalism, then what else? (Christian Theocracy isn't a valid answer, either)

So veterans are the only ones who's opinion matters? Well now, that really is fascist. Hitler would be proud of you.

" Certainly, is homosexual marriage is to be made legal, then polygamy should be allowed. And if it is allowed, then group marriage should be allowed. The possibilities are endless." I find it funny that ppl are still using arguements with induction. So, using the same logic, if we allow people to listen to music, then they'll have the right to listen to it on the bus on the walkman, and if that's granted, then they'll have the right to play it really loud at home, and if that's granted, they'll be allowed to play it really loudly outside on their patio at night, and if that's granted, then they'll be allowed to blare it a 3am, and they'll have that right to do it. So let's not allow anybody to listen to music, because it'll result in everybody being kept awake at night. Now, if induction sounds stupid applied to this arguement, good. It shows that you understand induction. And it illustrates just how idiotic arguing by induction truly is. After all, if we allow somebody to listen to music, the possibilities are ENDLESS!

And why does Klein always get re-elected? Because Albertans see him as one of themselves. In other words, Albertans agree with drunkard bullying plagerists who hate homosexuals, think Gettymandering is alright, believe in direct democracy while simultaneously rejecting, hate the media while simultaneously proclaiming its freedom, and being rude, pessimistic and otherwise hipocritical. Yup. Sounds like Alberta.

Such a Wilsonian topic. I have a crazy idea. Let's leave the provinces the way they are now, and work on making federalism work.

It's so shrouded in secrecy. And we all know what happens when things are shrouded in secrecy in Canada.

Odd how you don't see any women marrying and keeping a dozen men. I wonder why that is... (not really, I do know what it is.) I think polygamy is abuse. It's abuse directed towards women. Try to crack that one.

Well, I don't think anybody wanted to see the British/German axis get the contract. I know I didn't. Am I happy. Nah. If Mulroney had have thought of the armed forces first instead of his friends, the forces would have had a great helicopter back then. But that's the way it goes. Now stop pretending like you care -- because you don't. The military is just a political football to the Cons. Always has been. Always will be.

If I want Drama, I'll watch Law and Order. The Chief should have kept the facts.

So, you'd be fine with a mosque holding a terrorist? Thought so. I think you need to be equally careful.

Maybe the government should fund a wife-beater parade too. I'm sure many posters on this board would be proud to take part.

Oh the DRAMA!

lol look up the def. of liberal and then get back to me.

Spender.

Rent seeking is different from foreign capital. They're two different issues altogether. It is possible to have tons of foreign captial comming in with a minimum of rent seeking. If you're concerned about rent seeking, Canadian firms are the worst.

I can't believe that Al-Jazeera is going to be approved here. It's blatantly anti-semetic and blantantly pro-fascist. It does qualify as hatred, in my view, and it shouldn't be allowed in Canada.

Imagine, a better constitution where one vote equals one vote? Yes. It would be wicked. The RoC would finally become a sovereign people. After they get over the inital fear, it'll be all good. Canada won't be extorted during another referendum. Quebec can't weasel any more money. The teat has run dry.

I agree MS, Rent-seeking sucks. And Corporations do it all the time. And worse, Conservatives defend it all the time, mainly because they don't understand fundamental economics, or even the term 'rent seeking' in the first place. (That's why it takes an economic 'l'iberal to clarify things and set Cons straight) But foreign capital inflows is very different from rent seeking.

The deal with tax points is that you're demanding all of them. Plus the Social Credit Transfer. Plus the EI credit transfer. Quebec is already a huge drag on the Canadian economy. Giving QC more tax points will only cause Quebec to become more so of a drag. No, Quebec needs to get it's fiscal house in order if it's going to remain in Canada. They've been spending too much time at the pork trough. I know Quebec is looking for new and clever ways to extort more money from the RoC. Tax points and EI seem to be the new ways, now that Quebeckers are thoroughly embarassed getting caught with the federal sponsorship tit in their mouths.

Hard core capital like, for factories, and machinery, and dams and such. And like, airlines too. Now, we can provide a lot of capital for those things too, but it's nice if it comes from foreign sources, because it increases our capital base that much more. And we benefit.

They're only in favour of freedom of expression for themselves. Don't you dare call it hypocracy. Ohhhh no-sir-eee. They prefer to call it a 'principled stand'.

Sorry. Many (most?) Canadians in the ROC prefer a strong central government. These nitpicky issues about centralization and the evil federal government in Ottawa doesn't stick in the ROC. Why? Because Ottawa is looke as the national capital by people in the RoC. It's not the centre of all evil, as Quebeckers would have you believe. No, most Canadians are proud of their country. They don't demonize it. I think that's the central difference here. But that's fine. You just keep on telling yourself that the 2-3 billion a year that's wasted by the Federal Government comes entirely from Quebec, and that, you know, once you're rid of Ottawa, you'll be able to support your own armed forces, embassies, and the miscellany of federal agencies, all on your own, with that non-existant 2-3 billion. (Most of which came from the RoC, which was so enraging, because ppl in Edmonton were discriminated against in that fund because it was a pot that was just for Quebec, which I heard most BQ's in the house demanding, for such things as the Montreal Grand Prix.) Moreover, I'm sure you're going to miss the extra billions which are extorted from Ontario and Alberta every year to subsidize the Quebec Nanny State. (Because nobody is every responsible for anything, even their own fate, in Quebec). Again, for proof, look the constant moaning from rural quebec about EI and it not being fair that they pay 25 cents into the plan for every dollar they get out. Why. That's just plain unjust! They should be getting 3 dollars for every 25 cents dammit! So, add 1 billion in savings, minus 5 billion in transfers, minus 10 billion or so in economies of scale from being in Canada. Plus, Quebec will be taking some of that sexy federal debt. And what does Quebec got? A huge deficit and no way to pay for it. Don't let the screen door bump you on the way out.