Parliament lost confidence, how about you?

[madmax]

With all due respect, I lived in Windsor up until 3 years ago and I fail to see what Masse or Comartin have done for Windsor. There has been nearly 20,000 jobs lost and they've done nothing to get federal support for border upgrades. Don't get me wrong, it's not for lack of trying, but as members of the NDP, their efforts are ineffectual.

You mean the CPC couldn't care less.

[Mardy]

Parliament was originally scheduled to recess for holidays on December 12 and return to work on January 26. So, contrary to popular belief, he didn't actually take "a couple months off", he shortened the session by a week and a half.

My whole point is: What other kind of business closes for this amount of time. They still get their annual salaries. Be it one week, two weeks, two months or whatever, they don't deserve this kind of time off. Why should "we" allow it?

[cybercoma]

You mean the CPC couldn't care less.

The problems in Windsor started long before the CPC took office. In fact, I seem to recall Jean Chretien forcing Herb Grey to retire early. Although the CPC hasn't done anything specifically for Windsor, neither has the NDP and it has been a long time since Herb Grey's heyday and an even longer time since Paul Martin Sr. was there.

[Topaz]

I live in the west and am not a supporter of the Conservatives, so my vote goes elsewhere on a regular basis. I vote for the person not the party, it has taught me a lesson, one worth learning for everyone.

My MP is not who I supported, but they are still my MP. Now if I did support them at election time should I expect any better treatment from them? The answer is of course no, so there was my lesson, once elected it is the responsibility of the elected member to represent all constituents. Vote for the person, because the party really doesn't matter.

BUT, we have seen what happens to people who vote for their constituents and against the leader and I think there has to be a discussion on that matter. I like to hear what all the leaders say to that.

[madmax]

Parliament was originally scheduled to recess for holidays on December 12 and return to work on January 26. So, contrary to popular belief, he didn't actually take "a couple months off", he shortened the session by a week and a half.

He only had to work to December 12th???? He didn't have it in him to keep working?

sad sad sad.....

[madmax]

The problems in Windsor started long before the CPC took office.

The CPC are in power now and have been since 2006. The meltdown and job losses, major job losses, have occurred under their watch as a government.

The CPC couldn't care less..

I also lived in Windsor.....

PS. Still haven't voted, I would be dead centre on the poll, but this is a nicely polarized vote happening. I may still end up on the fence...come January 27th.

I think this poll should hit 80 votes easily by then.....

Edited December 10, 2008 by madmax

[Topaz]

I would like to know from the 11 people who said they were very confident of the government to explain why, because after watching the Commons I don't see how they get there? If any govt acted the way they have I still wouldn't have confidence in that govt.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

I will suggest that those folks are very partisan by nature, and consequently support their choice of political parties without respect of right or wrong.

[blueblood]

I would like to know from the 11 people who said they were very confident of the government to explain why, because after watching the Commons I don't see how they get there? If any govt acted the way they have I still wouldn't have confidence in that govt.

I am very confident because given the alternative makes me cringe. I am very confident Harper knows what he is doing, and know this is part of Harper's game to win a majority, which IMO is a good thing. I also like Harper's conduct in question period, he shuts the opposition up and makes them look like the fools they are.

[Poli-Sci Student]

With all due respect, I lived in Windsor up until 3 years ago and I fail to see what Masse or Comartin have done for Windsor. There has been nearly 20,000 jobs lost and they've done nothing to get federal support for border upgrades. Don't get me wrong, it's not for lack of trying, but as members of the NDP, their efforts are ineffectual.

It depends on what you want them to do. Yes, the two of them combined are not going to be able to fix the crisis that's sweeping the US and Canadian Auto Industries, on which Windsor depends. But they do work for their constituents, being present, helping with whatever they can. Did you know you can petition your MP with small-level grievances, and most of the good ones will try to help you, or at least point you in the right direction of the people who can help you?

When you're not in Government, you can't do the big things, but that doesn't make the small things meaningless.

[ToadBrother]

When you're not in Government, you can't do the big things, but that doesn't make the small things meaningless.

But it does make them small.

[ToadBrother]

I am very confident because given the alternative makes me cringe. I am very confident Harper knows what he is doing,

I think he knows better than most other folks in Parliament, but I'm not so sure that ultimately means he knows what he's doing. He's playing the Elizabeth I's game and waiting, and like her, hoping that opportunity will present itself.

and know this is part of Harper's game to win a majority, which IMO is a good thing.

For certain values of "good" thing. Right now it would be nice to have a majority government, but there are issues that I wouldn't trust him, or at least some of the demented social conservatives MPs in the Conservative caucus.

I also like Harper's conduct in question period, he shuts the opposition up and makes them look like the fools they are.

Question Period is entertainment where all sides try to make it look like they're beating the crap out of each other. Committees are where governance really happens, and it's there that I would look to see how the Government and the Opposition are doing.

[ToadBrother]

The CPC are in power now and have been since 2006. The meltdown and job losses, major job losses, have occurred under their watch as a government.

And yet, virtually all the groundwork for this meltdown had nothing to do with the Conservatives, and, in fact, had nothing at all to do with Canada. In fact, compared to many of our fellow G8 members, we're doing remarkably well (that's not to say that we are doing well, we're not). Most of why a number of key sectors like the North American auto industry are going down the tubes is because of their own actions and to one extent or another the actions of Congress. Someone will have to explain to me some day how you can blame a government (and a minority government no less) that's been in power for two years could possibly be to blame for systemic problems with the global economy.

The CPC couldn't care less..

I'm sure they do, if for no other reason than wanting to get re-elected.

I also lived in Windsor.....

Then your problems stem from other than Ottawa.