caesar

Debt is not good. Why should we be constantly paying interest on that debt. Debt for a country is not ideal any more so than one being personally in debt.

No it is not. People should make up there own minds not be influenced unduly by the church,

Why don't the conservatives????? Makes as much sense as your statement. Why should they; they do have significant support and many good ideas.

International relations are more important than protectionist leaders at this time. Bush is making this world a more dangerous place and inflaming terroristic behavior. I think he has made more terrorists than he has destroyed. Bush's arrogant attitude towards Canada began from day one and only increased after Canada refused to join the INVASION of Iraq. It is and was not a war; none was declared. In fact, did not Bush declare an end to hostilities. hmmmmm guess he made a little error there

You have that right don. We do need to improve the accountability of our politicians and ensure we never again have a government without an official opposition. I would like to see government a little more open to scrutiny. We should have binding referendums on major issues. At the present time; politicians say one thing prior to the election then do otherwise once elected. The MPs or MLAs should not be able to vote on raises to their salaries or expense accounts. Personally, I would like to see a stronger central government and end the infighting and deals between provinces and/or provinces and feds. I believe that the public is used and made to suffer while provincial government try to squeeze more money out of the feds. Where is the incentive to have our Health care system run smoothly and efficiently when the Provinces use the failures of their medical systems to squeeze more money from the feds. That was evident in their demand for no strings.

This is the regulation that the revenue agent was refering to:

Big deal for every "expert" (expert what???) that claims one thing ; one can find 10 more that will claim the opposite.

No, those are not any of my priorities. Why should I pay for other peoples children. Our country would be much better off if more parents were able to stay home and bond with and raise their own children. Free dental for children would be fine. Free tuition for university; no, too many would go to play; help for those willing to work would be ok. How about we get with the truth; we do not have any "surplus" to spend on frivolous programs until we pay off the deficit. Let's get the country out of debt before we dream of any of this wild spending; Don't forget all those poor countries that always have their hands out for help. Do we ignore them and take 5 week paid holidays. How about cutting taxes and let each individual spend their own money on what they need. How about letting seniors enjoy their retirement with the money they saved for that purpose without taking away benefits that we prepaid for. Fix our health care so that we can get treatment (young and old) in a reasonable time.

The bishop was breaking the rules. Don't try to turn it around and accuse anyone else of wrong doing. He can preach morals not politics which is what he was doing

When there are as many parties as we have in Canada; the popular vote being a majority does not often happen. proportional representation where there are no adjustments will give the power to cities/ big business and farmers and ranchers will lose much input.

Since when don't churches make money. The church may help some people but how many has it hurt in residential schools etc. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones eh.

The church can advise the people on moral or church matters; it is not supposed to tel them who or who not to vote for.

That is what the revenue AGENT believed; not Paul Martin. I do believe that the bishop was crossing over the line. Remember the saying: render unto caesar; that which is caesars

Who are these :less privleged" that you refer to. If you are referring to people who are unable to work(handicapped or seniors); that is one thing but sometimes you seem to believe that we should supply those who will not work or cannot work due to addictions and equal share of the pie. No thanks; that takes away the incentive and rewards for working and spending wisely. We saved money for our senior years; now it is being taken away in taxes and loss of benefits to help those who lived loved and partied hardy and spent it all.

Half the people who vote know don't have a clue about the party or person they are voting for. Generally here in BC and federally; they vote for whomever can beat the present government. Now you want to fine people for not voting???? Do you need a job counting all the sppoilt ballots??? I would rather that people who do not know what they are voting for should not be allowed to vote. Perhaps we should make people write a test to see if they have a clue about the candidates and what they stand for.

The church does definitely have its own agenda; particularly the Catholic church re abortion. It is doing the same in the USA regarding Kerry. We have a diverse population and we should not allow our laws to be influenced by any religion.

That's not the point. The point is that they may be allowed to. I do fault our local BC government. I would like a stronger cental government to protect us from fools like some of our provincial politicians.

Not the Canadian people; just a handful of untrained non experts British Columbians.

What are you talking about? The BC Citizen's Assembly are just a bunch of people with no special training; they are not experts in any way. Ireland is not a good example. Look at all the mob rule that has been going on there for years.

The church or any other charitable organization is not allowed to campaign politically. Read the story. This was not revenue Canada; it was an agent; the bishop was using questionable tactics that bordered on electioneering against PM PM because of church issues. We do have a separation of state and church. It works both ways.

It was the majority over any other party and that is how our system works. It was not only Ontario that voted for the Liberals.

They really don't go into detail how this will work. I don't think it will be voted for in the referendum. Change for the sake of change just costs money and probably won't really make a big difference other than take vote power away from rural areas. I am not clear on this but if we are to have the same number of candidates chosen but some ridings will have 5 or 6 choices????

YES. And at least I can vote them out and make my objections known. Which I am confident we will do to Campbell.

hugo; I like this example re: the run around excuse stoker is giving out. How are any of our records medical or whatever have to do with making the USA safe or safer?????? Why do you think we have these rights for. So that we cannot be intimidated by governemt etc on the basis of our PERSONAL information. MY government may have a valid reason for checking our records; no agency or person in the USA has an reason to enable themselves to look at any of our personal information!!!!!!!!. Bug off of any of my personal information; it may be boring but it is MINE