FLUSH. The Loonie is Swimming in the Bowl and the Economy is in the T

[Slim MacSquinty]

We need to regain confidence in Canada. Regardless of our own opinion of the Parliamentary crisis when you read comments from places like New Zealand, Great Britain and even the US; most can't believe that Harper is still in power. McCain pulled the 'socialist' card and Obama turned it into a plus. With a grave face he announced that when he was in kindergarten he shared a peanut butter sandwich with a friend so must be a 'socialist'. We've become a joke.

Harper's inaction on the economy is the message across the US. In Europe they are amazed that we don't understand Parliamentary law. They say with a non-confidence vote on the table that must be followed through before any attempt to stall Parliament.

I do agree that a weaker Canadian dollar should help trade but with a global recession I doubt it will matter much. We need a change in government to convince the rest of the world that we are taking the economic and environmental crises seriously.

What an absolute crock, you Liberal hack plant of a hypocrite, when Chretien was in power and the dollar was in the 75 cent range this was the greatest thing, you neglected to inform the generla public it was simply a way of hiding productivity declines, but now when the dollar bounces back into the mid 80's you make it sound like an international crisis. How can you type with all your fingers crossed?

A crisis of confidence would almost certainly result from the overthrow of the elected government by that rag tag coalition of yours, and most Canadians, not nearly as highbrow as you, used their common sense and figured that our despite your hysterical protestations.

If indeed we've become a joke its because of amoral puppeteers like you who put political self interest above all.

Do us a favour and stop starting threads like this one.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Why bother pointing fingers? What would doing that solve?

As citizens we need to engage our representatives and tell them what we want to. They may agree or not, that is up to them, but we need to talk to them and give them our voices to hear.

End the apathy, become more proactive.

[Bryan]

A low Canadian dollar is a good thing. It means we can charge less than our competitors (for whatever we do), but still actually get paid more than them once the currency is exchanged. That's a huge competitive advantage.

The loonie "swimming in the bowl" will greatly protect the country from the kind of economic chaos that is happening in other countries. Dead industries are unlikely to come back, whatever the conditions. But a quickly tanking loonie can stop the losses and protect those industries that while hurting, are not yet gone.

[Progressive Tory]

We need to regain confidence in Canada. Regardless of our own opinion of the Parliamentary crisis when you read comments from places like New Zealand, Great Britain and even the US; most can't believe that Harper is still in power. McCain pulled the 'socialist' card and Obama turned it into a plus. With a grave face he announced that when he was in kindergarten he shared a peanut butter sandwich with a friend so must be a 'socialist'. We've become a joke.

Harper's inaction on the economy is the message across the US. In Europe they are amazed that we don't understand Parliamentary law. They say with a non-confidence vote on the table that must be followed through before any attempt to stall Parliament.

I do agree that a weaker Canadian dollar should help trade but with a global recession I doubt it will matter much. We need a change in government to convince the rest of the world that we are taking the economic and environmental crises seriously.

What an absolute crock, you Liberal hack plant of a hypocrite, when Chretien was in power and the dollar was in the 75 cent range this was the greatest thing, you neglected to inform the generla public it was simply a way of hiding productivity declines, but now when the dollar bounces back into the mid 80's you make it sound like an international crisis. How can you type with all your fingers crossed?

A crisis of confidence would almost certainly result from the overthrow of the elected government by that rag tag coalition of yours, and most Canadians, not nearly as highbrow as you, used their common sense and figured that our despite your hysterical protestations.

If indeed we've become a joke its because of amoral puppeteers like you who put political self interest above all.

Do us a favour and stop starting threads like this one.

'Liberal hack plant of a hypocrite'. That's a new one. Someone recently stated that all name calling was from the left and aimed at the right. My thread was to provoke discussion. I'm actually voting for Michael Ignatieff because he is neither right nor left, but centre. I've voted Conservative most of my life but the new Reform Party hybrid has no place for me. I never voted for Chretien but have recently learned to have a great deal of respect for the man, especially since I'm now witnessing the alternative. I always like Ed Broadbent but while I don't vote NDP, I believe that Jack Layton is a great politician.

We have to remember that all 308 MPs who sit in the House of Commons were put there by Canadians to work for Canadians. Even those that some people call 'Right wing nutjobs' were elected not in spite of their views but because of them. How can we possibly say that their constituents' votes don't count? That would be like saying that all those Canadians who voted for the Bloc don't count. Or that the 2,515,925 Canadians who voted NDP have no right to a voice.

This is supposed to be a Democracy.

I wanted to discuss the fall of the dollar and got some very good insight. I agree that it is better for foreign trade when our dollar is lower but we must also instill confidence in foreign investors. We need to get back on track.

A good politician can win an election but it take a great politician to lead. I stand by my claim. Stephen Harper is NOT a leader!

[Progressive Tory]

Where did you get this nonsense? The Leopard 2A6M is the main battle tank of the German, Swedish and Swiss armies among many others. The ones we got are being modified specifically for the Afghanistan mission. Who set the spec and ordered those helicopters?

"The first batch of used battle tanks that Canada purchased from the Dutch have arrived more than a year behind schedule...The 50-tonne iron monsters will sit idle while the federal government finds a company capable of the specialized modifications...A federal tendering document last spring said Canada would have to rely on the borrowed tanks until 2011 because modifications on the Dutch armoured vehicles would take longer than expected. Part of the problem is that industrial expertise to refurbish the vehicles has been lost over the years."

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/554755

And now:

"The German tanks, specially armoured to deal with powerful improvised explosive devices, have taken a pounding on Kandahar's highways and are burning through spare parts at a high rate. Industry sources said stripping the older A4-variants for parts may present a bit of a problem since the tanks in Afghanistan are newer, contain fewer hydraulic systems and not all the parts are in the same configuration as the A6-type."

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/02/20/mackay-tanks.html

A complete waste of money. We should instead train diplomats who will work toward peaceful solutions. We don't need more tanks.

[Argus]

We need to regain confidence in Canada. Regardless of our own opinion of the Parliamentary crisis when you read comments from places like New Zealand, Great Britain and even the US; most can't believe that Harper is still in power.

Really? Let's see a few of those comments. Because everyone I have seen cannot believe he was almost ousted from power for behaving so responsibly. Perhaps we read different media outlets. I read things like the BBC and you - what, Pravda?

Harper's inaction on the economy is the message across the US.

I doubt you could find ten Americans who even know Harper's name, much less what actions he has taken on the economy. You're blowing hot air out your left wing butt.

In Europe they are amazed that we don't understand Parliamentary law. They say with a non-confidence vote on the table that must be followed through before any attempt to stall Parliament.

Cite?

I didn't think so.

[Argus]

Abso-Friggin'-Lutely! That's a word isn't it? I have my 'Coalition Yes' signs, in both languages, displayed in my front window. This is the government that best represents the majority of Canadians and the results of the last election.

Do you think maybe you ought to maybe change your name to "Solidly Liberal" now?

Or is honesty too much to expect from Liberal posters?

[Argus]

I agree and an NDP/Liberal coalition is EXACTLY what I'd like to see.

Maybe the Tories ought to take out ads saying "The coallition! The choice of potheads everywhere!"

I'm sure that'll help their cause considerably.

[Argus]

'Liberal hack plant of a hypocrite'. That's a new one. Someone recently stated that all name calling was from the left and aimed at the right. My thread was to provoke discussion. I'm actually voting for Michael Ignatieff because he is neither right nor left, but centre. I've voted Conservative most of my life but the new Reform Party hybrid has no place for me.

In other words, you're a Liberal. You could support the "progressive conservatives" because they were liberal too - blue Libeals, they were called, same thing, slightly different colour.

I never voted for Chretien but have recently learned to have a great deal of respect for the man, especially since I'm now witnessing the alternative.

Oh really? Perhaps you'd care to enlighten us on the great things about Chretien, and how Harper fails by comparison? Because I recall Chretien as a small-minded, vindictive political operator who cared about nothing and no one but power, led a corrupt, thieving government, and let everything from the military to social services fall apart because while his poll numbers remained high he had no need to actually do anything about them.

I always like Ed Broadbent but while I don't vote NDP, I believe that Jack Layton is a great politician.

Even people who KNOW Layton say he's a fool, and a bitter one at that.

A good politician can win an election but it take a great politician to lead. I stand by my claim. Stephen Harper is NOT a leader!

LOL. And Jean Chretien was? He was the essence of the political animal, a snake-like political operator who, once in power, had no real thoughts of what to do with it other than takes lots and lots and lots of holidays overseas - at our expense.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Neither the left nor the right have an exclusive hold on functional government. I think that both the Conservatives and the Liberals fight for the center, with Canadians falling under one banner or another most of the time. It depends on the flexibility of the party and the economic conditions.

Harper had a surplus, now he has a deficit. That is a problem for him to deal with. Harper has cut some tax, and has created some tax breaks, that is a problem for Iggy to deal with. The economy was good, but now its bad. Now matter which way you look at the problems, they are the responsibility of government. The opposition has no real function or role to play.

Harper could be a great leader. All he would have to do is turn the tables on Iggy. Take Iggy's ball and run with it by forming his own coalition. Lets look at this for a moment. Canadians just want the government to start dealing with problems and issues that impact our lives. Harper could bring in the Green Party and give them the Ministry of Environment, he could bring in the Bloc and give them a Ministry of Multiculturalism, he could bring in the NDP and give them give them a Ministry of Labour and Employment. Harper could bring in the Liberals and give them a Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Harper could be a great leader if he becomes inclusive and democratic. Make all legislation subject to free votes. Give each and every single member of the Commons a real job with real responsibility.

Having done that, he will have successfully eliminated partisan politics between elections. He can sit back in the PMO and direct the efforts of all members. The PMO has incredible power that could move mountains if the owner of that office could only rise above the partisan entrenchment found in the Commons.

[madmax]

Some others will not....either way, whether it's Martin Liberal regime and a fast rising dollar or a Harper regime and a declining dollar theinfluences over the rise and fall are not political in nature.

Yes there are alot of factors that affect the dollar. THere is a political aspect to the rise and fall, but it is just one variable.

The rise and fall of the dollar becomes a political hot potato if the standard is changed or if it no longer floats but is fixed.

I am not aware of all the countries with a fixed currency other then China.

[Alta4ever]

"The first batch of used battle tanks that Canada purchased from the Dutch have arrived more than a year behind schedule...The 50-tonne iron monsters will sit idle while the federal government finds a company capable of the specialized modifications...A federal tendering document last spring said Canada would have to rely on the borrowed tanks until 2011 because modifications on the Dutch armoured vehicles would take longer than expected. Part of the problem is that industrial expertise to refurbish the vehicles has been lost over the years."

I wonder why we have lost the industrial and technical expertise was lost maybe its because the liberals mothballed the tanks defunded training programs that taught the knowlege to the military, and reduced the complex behind this segment of the industrial complex to nothing but you of course would realise this nor would the liberal hacks at the star or the CBC. The leopard is one of the worlds best tanks.

On the other part of you post meaningless talking red tape hacks that you would like to hire, do absolutly nothing, there does come a point when talking does nothing. Besides, this is a NATO led mission that means that a negociated peace connot be reached without or allies signing it. We are living up to our obligations.

I am glad that we have these 50 tonne monsters, I am glad that we will finally be getting heavy lift choppers. I am glad the CPC is fixing the mistakes and misteps that both the red tories of the 80's made and the horrible 13 years of rule under a corrupt liberal government that utterly destroyed our military and its proud heritage. It is shameful that they send our troops into theater under equiped and expect them to fight.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

I wonder why we have lost the industrial and technical expertise was lost maybe its because the liberals mothballed the tanks defunded training programs that taught the knowlege to the military, and reduced the complex behind this segment of the industrial complex to nothing but you of course would realise this nor would the liberal hacks at the star or the CBC. The leopard is one of the worlds best tanks.

On the other part of you post meaningless talking red tape hacks that you would like to hire, do absolutly nothing, there does come a point when talking does nothing. Besides, this is a NATO led mission that means that a negociated peace connot be reached without or allies signing it. We are living up to our obligations.

I am glad that we have these 50 tonne monsters, I am glad that we will finally be getting heavy lift choppers. I am glad the CPC is fixing the mistakes and misteps that both the red tories of the 80's made and the horrible 13 years of rule under a corrupt liberal government that utterly destroyed our military and its proud heritage. It is shameful that they send our troops into theater under equiped and expect them to fight.

We lost all that capability almost 50 years ago when the Conservatives killed the Arrow. Many of them went south to work in the United States military industrial complex. Those folks were very key in the space race. A Canadian was responsible for the primary design of the Lunar Lander. Another former Avro employee designed the Concorde.

Pointing fingers opens doors, don't go there.

[Alta4ever]

We lost all that capability almost 50 years ago when the Conservatives killed the Arrow. Many of them went south to work in the United States military industrial complex. Those folks were very key in the space race. A Canadian was responsible for the primary design of the Lunar Lander. Another former Avro employee designed the Concorde.

Pointing fingers opens doors, don't go there.

Really aerospace has to do with tank industrial complex?

[Alta4ever]

The Arrow was an amazing project but one that the Canadian public could not afford to fund. AVRO was also a badly managed company, with a better CEO at the helm it probably would have turned out with a lot better result.

The first jetliner but guess what no sales. The Avro car what a huge was of capital. They spent all their time building but never thought about how to market the product much like our current big three. Lots of manufacturing capability but someone has to buy what you build and if its too expensive no one is going to buy it. Not to metion at that time people were also in an over confident mind frame about what comparitively cheap interceptor missles could do.

All that being said this was not a cut to the military as they never had the hardware. The Trudeau, Mulrooney, and Chretien legacy is one of reducing the capability of the Canadian military. One drastically reduced the size of the military, the next sold our hevy lift capability, and the last did the most damage. He defunded, refused upgrades cancelled contracts, removed our Airborne core. Then to top it all off sent our troops in to battle with improper equipment. The liberals have done more to the detriment of the military then the CPC has ever done.

[eyeball]

It is shameful that they send our troops into theater under equiped and expect them to fight.

Its a little bewildering that our troops volunteer to go nonetheless. Why doesn't the military community send a strong message and just say no and refuse to work under these conditions. They don't have to go into battle, they do have a choice. Aren't soldiers part of a public sector union? Why isn't there a national strike underway on these workers behalf?

[bush_cheney2004]

Its a little bewildering that our troops volunteer to go nonetheless. Why doesn't the military community send a strong message and just say no and refuse to work under these conditions.

Because they would be court martialed.

They don't have to go into battle, they do have a choice. Aren't soldiers part of a public sector union? Why isn't there a national strike underway on these workers behalf?

Thy already made a choice....to serve....with honor.....not labor strikes.

[Progressive Tory]

Do you think maybe you ought to maybe change your name to "Solidly Liberal" now?

Or is honesty too much to expect from Liberal posters?

Solidly Liberal until we have a Progressive Conservative party again. Michael Ignatieff is the closest thing to a Red Tory right now. There is only one in the Conservative Party who would make a good leader and that's Jim Prentice, but I don't see the Social Conservative wing of the Party ever accepting him. I liked Lawrence Cannon until he tried to defraud taxpayers in the "In and Out" scheme, so he's no longer an option.

When Flora MacDonald was our MP I actively campaigned for her and she was the absolute best we ever had. She ran on her merit. I liked Bill Casey and Loyola Hearn, but they're both gone.

Besides, I believe this board is a mix. It seems to be anyway. Why would I have to be engaged in some kind of espionage, infiltrating... what? Are there some kind of secret codes here that I might crack?

Most people here seem pretty intelligent and willing to debate any topic from all sides. If everyone agreed with me, I'd stop posting.

[Wilber]

Its a little bewildering that our troops volunteer to go nonetheless. Why doesn't the military community send a strong message and just say no and refuse to work under these conditions. They don't have to go into battle, they do have a choice. Aren't soldiers part of a public sector union? Why isn't there a national strike underway on these workers behalf?

Joining the military means accepting unlimited risk on behalf of your country, not to do so would make having a military pointless. As they are willing to put their lives on the line on your behalf, the least you could do is make sure they are properly equipped to do so.

[madmax]

Even people who KNOW Layton say he's a fool, and a bitter one at that.

The point made was that Jack is a great politician.

LOL. And Jean Chretien was? He was the essence of the political animal, a snake-like political operator who, once in power, had no real thoughts of what to do with it other than takes lots and lots and lots of holidays overseas - at our expense.

Prime Minister Harper isn't as selfish. He has given all the MPs 2 extra months to take lots and lots and lots and lots of holidays overseas- at our expense.

He is helping the Global economy by letting our MPs spend money in far away lands.

[Wilber]

We lost all that capability almost 50 years ago when the Conservatives killed the Arrow. Many of them went south to work in the United States military industrial complex. Those folks were very key in the space race. A Canadian was responsible for the primary design of the Lunar Lander. Another former Avro employee designed the Concorde.

Since when did AVRO build tanks? Canada has never designed a main battle tank, only license built other countries designs during WW2.

The Concorde design was a collaboration between French and British engineers drawing on both of their experience with supersonic aircraft. No one person was responsible for it. Both the French and British had been studying the problem independently and the final concept was the result of a brainstorming session between DR. W.J. Strang, chief engineer at BAC and Lucien Servanty, chief engineer at Sud Aviation. The Concorde project itself was overseen by Pierre Satre, technical director at Sud Aviation and Sir Archibald Russell, technical director at BAC. No doubt some former AVRO Canada engineers were also involved in the project, perhaps at a high level but to say that one of them designed it all by himself is another of those Arrow myths and legends.

[eyeball]

Joining the military means accepting unlimited risk on behalf of your country, not to do so would make having a military pointless. As they are willing to put their lives on the line on your behalf, the least you could do is make sure they are properly equipped to do so.

Unlimited risk? Unquestioning seems more like it.

My life, like every other Canadian's became threatened the moment our government decided to join an imperialist crusade we had no business with. The very least the government should have done is sought a mandate by a referendum before committing us to such a pointless undertaking.

As it is, I support the troops against my will, but I doubt if our new enemy will make that distinction when it retaliates. I'll just be so much collateral damage if I happen to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Goddamn our government for hiding itself amongst our population and using us a shield.

[Wilber]

Unlimited risk? Unquestioning seems more like it.

My life, like every other Canadian's became threatened the moment our government decided to join an imperialist crusade we had no business with. The very least the government should have done is sought a mandate by a referendum before committing us to such a pointless undertaking.

As it is, I support the troops against my will, but I doubt if our new enemy will make that distinction when it retaliates. I'll just be so much collateral damage if I happen to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Goddamn our government for hiding itself amongst our population and using us a shield.

I'm sure they question like anyone else. They just have a different philosophy than you when it comes to country and duty.

I suppose they should be reserved to be used only for causes that you personally support or when you personally feel threatened. The Air India victims were Canadian collateral damage in a foreign dispute, what makes you think that it could never happen to you no matter how deep you try and bury your head in the sand?

[madmax]

Loonie is Swimming in the bowl and the Economy is in the TANK ?

this was to refer to Leopards?

[bush_cheney2004]

My life, like every other Canadian's became threatened the moment our government decided to join an imperialist crusade we had no business with. The very least the government should have done is sought a mandate by a referendum before committing us to such a pointless undertaking.

Which crusade are you speaking of.....when?

As it is, I support the troops against my will, but I doubt if our new enemy will make that distinction when it retaliates. I'll just be so much collateral damage if I happen to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Goddamn our government for hiding itself amongst our population and using us a shield.

You could wear a tee-shirt proclaiming your forced support. The Taleban would like that.