caesar

Anyhow, It is time to get back to the big issues. Harper's plans with our health care; he will be allowing privatization; a two tiered health system We are already facing that beginning in BC. That will mean even longer waits for the patients in the regular system. We still face the same shortage of doctors Gordon Campbell in BC has the same extreme right wing ideas. Unions have been decimated; contracts broken; resouces and jobs sold off to foreign interests. Other than health care is our freedom to make our own decisions in world affairs. Harper would have us blindly following Bush and the USA wherever they lead even when Canadians disagree. Democracy should be a continuous situation not once every four years or so on election day. When Harper went to the USA and apologized for Canada not agreeing to support the USA in the very unwise decision to invade Iraq; I was disgusted with him. I would never trust him to make the correct decision in a similar situation. Democratic leader should listen to the wishes of the people year round.

Oh yes they can and are all the time. Spoken like a self righteous man that if he got a girl pregnant would go on with his life with no inconveniences while only the female must disrupt her life and plans. Many of these girls are very young and not ready for motherhood nor to deal with having a child that she will always wonder about.

I guess that there is a lot of choices that people make; perhaps we should not fund health care required for those choices; HIV; unsafe sex Lung disease , etc ; any smoker. Broken limbs etc; athletes, skiers; tennis injury;the list goes on. any parent that chooses to get pregnant knowing that they would pass on expensive genetic diseases; make them pay for the child's care. Where do we draw the lline.

You doubt that these things happen. Not all policemen nor judges are ALL perfect. These things are happening; it does not mean nor infer that ALL policemen act this way. We just sentenced a judge to 7 years for forcing young underage girls (mainly native) into having rough sex with him. They are police officers; not all of them are saints. We should speak out about these things happening.

I am not going to research this issue but I can bet that these comments are taken out of context and edited to show a view other than that intended. We do have child pornograpy laws already. It is my guess , that the complete bill was too broad and could indict innocent pictures. I did hear of one parent somewhere being arrested for taking the traditional naked baby pictures. We go too far sometimes in the interpretation and innocent people have their good name ruined. Laws must be well thought out to ensure that it does not go too far.

Thanks Rev; I have read much information regarding the first Gulf war. If we are to be truly democratic people and make our votes work effectively; we need to have all this information freely available to all. What is the problem; any information that comes to light to show our countries making serious errors of judgement or just completely unfounded morally or legally; we bury; people don't want to hear or believe it. Like those mothers who deny their children are capable of doing any wrong. Denial does not correct situations before they spiral out of control.

Sounds like it would be a great tourist attraction. Neat idea.

Doesn't sound like the Conservatives may get even one seat in Quebec.

Klein would probably do to his poor who cannot afford health care; as he did with those on welfare; Give them a bus ticket to BC. Nice guy.

The conservatives that are now Federal mps are not the same as these Harper fanatics. Oh, I do know BC does have a lot of dummies; We did elect Gordon Campbell. Many only know how to vote out a party; they do not take the time to really get to know what the new party has in its agenda. Sorry, I associate with more knowledgeable and intelligent people. Lawyers, bankers, stock market people. I have not the least doubt that BC will once again be ruled by the NDP come next election. Campbell, too, would love to join in destroying our health care. If it doesn't have anything to do with the Olympics; it doesn't get funded adequately. My son has already had to pay for one medical procedure ; now he will be paying for an MRI rather than wait another 6 to 8 months for a diagnosis of torn cartilage in his knee. He just finished waiting about 3 months to see the orthopedic surgeon.

Well things do get confusing here in BC. We don't vote the same way provincially and federally. We have a Liberal provincial government but they are as right winged and similar to the Federal Conservatives. Most people do not like the Federal Liberals for much of their failings; we did appreciate Chretien keeping us out of the Iraq mess. I don't completely trust Martin I don't know one person who wants Harper; everyone say the same thing; he is scary. I imagine some will confuse our Liberals with the federal liberals and vote against the Liberals. The NDP are a little too left; nice ideas but we can not afford the costs at least Federally; Provincially they are our only real choice. Seems us middle income people get caught in the middle.

Oh I am very rational. What do you doubt about my statements. Pretty much what 24 former USA ambassadors and diplomat are saying. what many Americans are saying. Who died and made you boss. BQ. I don't insult your lack of intelligence. We should seek more diverse trading partners. The USA does not use fair tactics in trade with Canada. They do not accept any Nafta finding against them. It is always their way(USA) or else. The past few years this has gotten even worse. When they are ready to change their ways; they should be the ones to humbly ask Canada to rebuild our trust. The USA may have money; We have resources that they want; they just don't want to pay a fair price. August; everyone does not want to live there; We would have a bigger brain drain here in Canada other than that people do not wish to live in the USA; Mainly health care but also, it is a much more violent country. My son was offered double his wages to work in Florida and turned them down without a second thought.

It really doesn't mean much which one wins. There will be another election needed within 6 months. Probably won't last that long. A conservative/Bloc cosalition will be done within two months; A liberal / NDP coalition may last 6 months. Then we will be doing this all over again. None of the above would be my choice but Harper has to be stopped; he will destroy the Canadian way of life; our health system and my self respect of being a Canadian. Dream on Alliance.

What is wrong with being buddy buddy with Bush and Co the most HATED nation. We do not need to bow to Bush or his irrational actions. They won't be rich for long the way Bush is spending on his quest to rule the world. He has his hand out now for others to help. They can darn well pay for the damage they caused themselves. They wouldn't listen to sound advice from Canada and much of the world.

Even the first Gulf War may have been manipulated by the USA. Kuwait was encouraged to over deplete joint Kuwait/Iraqi oil fields. According the the American War College (where Bush recently gave a speech) the Kurds were likely killed ACCIDENTLY while Iran and Iraq were both trying to gas each other using different gases. The College furthur states that the Kurds were seemingly suffering symptons of the gas used by Iran. (There goes that theory of Saddam and genocide of his own people) The USA was reported to have used napalm on the "Road of Death" AFTER the cease fire was signed for the Gulf War. These charges came from former USA Attorney General (Kennedy/Johnson) Ramsey Clark. He attempted to have Bush SR, Cheney and co charged with war crimes. He is dismissed as being left wing but no credible evidence is ever offered to disprove his accusations. I begged someone/ anyone to disprove his words but none were given.

I work in the Vancouver down town financial core; Most people whom I discuss the election with; say the same thing. Harper scares them. The issues here are Foreign relations; Health Care, and the deficit. Most do not want Canada to bend to nor follow the lead of a Bush lead USA. We do not want to see our Health Care disintegrate into private clinics where only the wealthy can seek quicker treatment. That will not shorten the waiting lists as claimed; as we still have the same number of available doctors to perform these needed procedures. Responsible Canadians do not want our national debt to grow; we should not make our children and grandchildren responsible for our over spending. We are still paying for the last conservative government which introduced the gst and Free Trade. Free trade with the USA is not working. Any time the lose a NAFTA ruling; they ignore it. I believe that we need a strong central Federal government; we do NOT need to give more powers to the provinces. Basic control should remain with the federal government. We should have equal rights of access to services across Canada. We need a strong Central government that can deal quickly and fairly with international issues. Our choices are not great but lets not jump into the fire; or change just for the sake of change.

Harper looks like the male version of the stepford wives. No emotions; he gives me the willies. Martin did get him good on the Iraq question and chastised him for his inappropriate apologizing for Canada not going to Iraq. Paying down the national debt is vital; what was the remark "on the backs of students"? Students should pay for their education; they will get the big wages from this education. Perhaps phase in the loan repayments to give them time to get the experience that pays the better wages, I do not think it is the taxpayers responsibility to provide day care. I would like to see more parents encouraged to raise their own children in the pre school years. Taxpayers should not be asked to subsidize the daycare costs of 2 well off working parents.

Judges should NOT be elected; they should be appointed on their qualifications. the people are not equipped nor able to check their qualifications and records. we don't need our judicial system run by elected people. They tend to attempt to solve a "big case" regardless of whether the accused is guilty or innocent. Justice goes out the window; when it can be used to get the prosecutor re elected.

Not desperate; just telling it like it is. We do need a strong central government. We need to curtail some provincial powers. I would prefer one strong country to deal with the world. Good article

At least the Liberals would not join a party in a coalition government that's main aim is to have Quebec separate from Canada. One that does not have any interest in Federal Government decisions involving the majority of Canada, which is outside of Quebec. This is a Federal election and we should be electing people who are entrusted to make decisions affecting all of Canada. If such a coalition does gain power; we will be facing another election in a very short time.

Anyone, who does not realize that the USA made a serious and dangerous mistake in invading Iraq; must be deaf , dumb, and blind. Americans will be paying the price for this action for years to come; financially and more threats of terrorists attacking the USA. They did not stop nor slow dowwn the growth of terrorists; they fueled the flames

Argus; You do not arm liars and thieves: AMERICA'S BRIBES TO THESE COUNTRIES INCLUDED CASH AND ARMS.. Saudi Arabia is the USA's friend. Many of the terrorists were of Saudi origin; they want American to get their military base out of Saudi Arabia. That is the other reason for invading Iraq; a spot for a strategic military base for the USA. Canada was on the end of those threats and has paid a price in worsened trade relations with the USA for not blindly supporting and following them into Iraq. Are we one of those murderers or thieves Hmmm The terrorists were centered in Afghanistan and Pakistan; including training camps. Remember Osama bin laden; their leader; still there as far as most information suggests. I would expect my country to negotiate in a manner that meets with our ethics not sink to the level of less ethical governments. I can see how you would support Harper,

More former progressive conservatives are joining Joe Clark in campaigning for the Liberals. These people include a former national vice president, and Dorothy Dobbie, former MP. They want no part of this new party under Harper.

right; thankfully, the internet does allow you to get the main news from a variety of sources. I found the UK Telegraph to publish more international news and always way ahead of our papers. Then you can check out other sources to beef out the background, Most of the papers did lean towards supporting Bush and not publishing articles that display him in a bad light. When this information is given ; it is way back on page 7. I haven't read anything in our papers regarding the 24 former diplomats and military (Bush Sr and Reagan people) who are asking voters to vote out Bush. They are a mix of Democrats and Republicans.

Argus; Many people agreed on Iraq; Many people were wrong. Most Canadian were against the invasion of Iraq outside of a UN mandate. The UN was still being allowed to do their job in Iraq; seeking any WMD. They did not find any as most had been previously destroyed. The job of ridding Afghanistan had not been completed. Not finishing that job has allowed terrorism to spread to more places where it will be more difficult to contain. When Bush sought votes at the UN by bribing countries with cash and/or weapons and threatening other (Like Canada) with economic sanctions; it lost all credibility in my eyes. If you have a valid claim; seek votes by showing and stating facts; resorting to bribery and blackmail is not the civillized route. Then we found out that much of the information that the USA/Britain presented to the UN was false, forgeries, and even a 10 year old college report. Pakistan's top scientist were discovered to be selling nuclear technologies and parts to rogue nations on the USA's most wanted list. Nary a ripple as Pakistan forgave the scientist and even allowed him to keep his ill gotten gains. In fact, the USA then made Pakistan a favoured nation enabling it to buy the newer technologie and weapons from the USA.