Cartman

I think the NDP needs economic legitimacy. People seem to think that the Cons and Libs will manage the economy better than the NDP. I find this sentiment odd as the Conservatives and the Liberals have both demonstrated that they are capable of running up large deficits. The Alberta Alliance is screaming about how the PC's have pillaged the Heritage Trust Fund. Strange how the NDP can get elected provincially but not nationally. Also odd that they are federalists when they keep losing at this level (but are successful provincially).

I looked at the US voting system and I cannot believe what a mess it is. It is strange that each state has its own unique way of handing out their votes. In some states, you get every electoral college vote whereas in others, the winner may only get a few more than the loser. The system was designed in the 18th century when communication was terribly slow but remains virtually unchanged. I also heard of problems in Florida on the first day of voting. You would think this to be a simple fix.

Klein really should shut up. Everything he says is so stupid lately. http://calgary.cbc.ca/regionalnews/caches/...gy20041029.html http://www.cbc.ca/albertavotes2004/

Why do you think that the NDP has been seduced by an "anything to win approach" Eureka? I kinda thought that while other labour parties had given into neo-lib policies (New Zealand, Australia, Britain), and been relatively successful, the NDP held rather firm. Are you referring to their balanced budget platform?

I hear you Black Dog, but what I am referring to are cases when some groups are excluded entirely. Wilfred Laurier University did just that (in 1999?) when hiring in their Psychology Department. There was a major discrepancy in favour of males (18/22 faculty positions), but they excluded males altogether rather than use the slightly different method I have suggested. Although I do not accept the views in this link, I thought you might find it interesting. http://www.safs.ca/meritdiversity/kimura2.html

Alberta Separation Party is offering free tuition.

Anybody voting Alberta Separation? http://www.separationalberta.com/

When inequity is addressed, why do gov't institutions sometimes completely exclude some segments of society? Could they not just give people points for various characteristics and make it a little more difficult for some groups rather than completely exclude them altogether? At least that way everyone still has a chance if a reduced one. If we keep excluding people based on "positive discrimination", then there will always be drastic swings back and forth and we will never have equality.

Soooo.....as this thread is about the NDP, does anyone think the recent win by the BC NDP is an indication that they are on the rebound?

I am not very surprised that the NDP won this riding as Maple kind of predicted this for some time, but I am surprised by the vote. This was a slaughter and Campbell must be concerned. It is quite shameful that he waited until the last moment to call this by-election.

It is simply too close to call. I think Kerry has the edge but Bush may steal another one. The real prediction to be made is whether they have learned to count in Florida.

EXACTLY. Either eliminate the program or make it valuable. Do it right or not at all.

Alberta Alliance. Klein made a mistake when he recently told the east to keep its hands off of Alberta's wealth. Usually that works, but there was nothing done to stir such negative sentiment and it embarrassed many in the corporate sector. He should just shut up and win.

The BC Libs are the most arrogant prov. gov't in the country. Anyone disagree? Their only strong card is that the NDP was in power and they can blame them for everthing that has gone wrong.

Can we stop the discussion about an inability or an unwillingness to provide a specific source? Eureka's reference WAS held by many in the environmental movement but especially those who have now given up (for obvious reasons). It is hard to identify a source because, as stated, most of these scientists have given up. If you are actually interested though, they are called "limits to growth" theorists. http://dieoff.org/page25.htm Most of the environmentalists like Suzuki are considered very moderate in believing that anything can be done to save the earth. Many legit scientists believe that the drastic changes required are simply not achievable given the current economic climate. I am no environmentalist, but this is common knowledge and I suspect that Eureka has not provided a source for this reason.

Though I believe that the average voter spends little time worrying about politics, I think that the NDP is perceived as interventionist in the wrong ways and too liberal in the wrong ways. Too interventionist. I suspect that many Canadians believe a vote for the NDP is a vote for greater taxation and greater bureaucracy with little value attached. This scares people. The NDP also scares people because of minority group support (i.e. affirmative action, pay equity, union support etc). Too liberal. The NDP is perceived as too liberal in terms of criminals, moral crusaders getting ready for the next riot against corporate Canada, hippies and homosexuals (gay marriage) etc. Conclusion? IMO, Joe/Joanne Canadian believes that a vote for the NDP is a vote for a really nice person ignorant of economics who wants to force you to spend your money on lazy whiners, overt homosexuals and tree huggers. As "they" say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and led by New Democrats.

Though I will not vote PC, I can say one thing for Klein. He has not done anything in years which is kinda good news. I think the PCs' alone are at 50% with Ralph at 65% personal approval.

Has everyone looked at this story already? http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...erry041026.html

I would blame the province of BC for this. I would think this is significant enough to be an election issue. The RCMP claim criminals only require age, address, home phone and a bank receipt (many people just throw these in the waste of their ATMs.

The state is supposed to maintain this information on our behalf for our benefit, not to our detriment. Handing it over to private firms in other nations violates secure handling of this information. I doubt anyone has given their consent for this. If this is the case, I would just as soon not have the government collect the information in the first place. What do they want with it anyways? If they want it, I will supply it on a need to know basis. This action violates the Canada Health Care Act principle of a non-profit administration. Decades ago they realized that this was important and I am sure that they could not foresee the revolution in communications technology. Considering the provinces are getting more revenue from the feds for health care, they should try to abide by the principles of the Act. The feds have the right to retain some of BC's transfer payments until they abide by the law. http://sask.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?f...erchant20030203 http://sask.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?f...name=sgeu030212 If the government cannot obtain the funds to collect information properly, then they should not collect it at all. BTW Stoker, I looked up your personal information and all I can find is that you live in BC. Are you hiding something?

Ouch! Burn! Eureka, I do not mind being called dumb, but please, please, please do not call me a Liberal. I think that they represent the so-called "middle-ground" for most Canadians. Both the Cons. and the NDP leaders are considered boogey men regardless of what they say or do or whether the "middle" is actually far to the right.

Good point and I got nothin here. From what I have read, she already had the evidence in hand so why not release it? Fear of being labeled a "turncoat"? But, if she cannot verify her claims, I am sure that Martin and gang will go after her and she knows this better than I. That is why I tend to believe her precise statements. Her recent comments make me wonder what was said in those meetings she had with Layton before and during the election.

A great clip that I will never forget August. I also remember the Liberal ad where they erased the Canada-US border when crying about free trade. Now that was blatant. But, if fear is the important variable, then why did it not work for Turner against Mulroney? IMO, Mulroney was successful because he presented substance (even if I did not like the substance) with free trade deals while the Liberals had only fear to offer. Harper is no Mulroney in terms of charisma or substance and I wonder if it would be effective for the Cons. to try and tout patriotism when they offer neo-liberal policies. It seems to me that Harper would be best served by a clear, unique and salient economic agenda rather than the old cut taxes platform which we already had with the Liberals. You don't have to convince me that the Liberals have got corruption (and dishonesty in general) down to a fine art; preaching to the choir there.

If the state makes a decision you do not like, then do not criticize, just leave? Now that sounds like true communist logic to me. p.s. I called the e-police.

We need more police outside BC Liberal meetings with their cars running.