Dear Iggy, This is Not a Year for an Election

[Progressive Tory]

"The 2008 federal election seemed remarkable for how little it changed. The Conservative government remained, the exchange of insults continued to substitute for parliamentary debate. But, in late November, reality struck. We have entered 2009 with politics transformed.

"Two changes are most significant. Prime Minister Stephen Harper panicked so badly as to destroy, certainly for 2009 and likely forever, his chance of attaining a majority government. No less remarkably, the Liberal Party moved into the contemporary world: It invited its members to join in an exchange of opinions through the Internet"

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...y/politics/home

"That burden is now securely on Mr. Harper's back. Prorogation of Parliament has removed his power to obtain an early election. Under our monarchical conventions, we do not know what condition may have been attached to the Governor-General's acceptance of the Prime Minister's plea for time. It should have been a warning that, if he came back wanting a dissolution within the next 18 months, it would be refused in favour of a coalition government."

I've always said that the Coalition needs to remain a strong threat but they should let Harper and his gang wear the mess they created for awhile. Blowing 13 Billion dollars and allowing sub-prime mortgages into this country. We'll just sit back and watch but every now and then yell 'BOO!"

Edited January 6, 2009 by Progressive Tory

[Muddy]

The Prime Minister has surrounded himself with the a lot of wrong headed people , of that there is no doubt. But a socialist coalition government would be something this country would never bounce back from . The only good thing that would come of it is Quebec would be gone along with it`s racist policy.

[nussy]

The Prime Minister has surrounded himself with the a lot of wrong headed people , of that there is no doubt. But a socialist coalition government would be something this country would never bounce back from . The only good thing that would come of it is Quebec would be gone along with it`s racist policy.

Quebec's language laws have nothing to do with race. They are no more or less racists then the rest of us.

The Prime Minister runs a tight ship. I think he makes all the decisions and is very vindictive. He made his biggest blunder turning Quebec against him just like Mulroney did with Meech. He had the last election in his back pocket but in order to appeal to his Alberta based support turned the art community against him and he lost Quebec.

Iggy wont join any coalition with the NDP and he wont vote against the budget. The Liberals are rebuilding....the NDP will continue with their base support and Olivia may lose her seat in Toronto if an election was held soon. Sorry Jack no one wants you in any government of Canada.

[Argus]

I've always said that the Coalition needs to remain a strong threat but they should let Harper and his gang wear the mess they created for awhile.

Ah, I see, so Harper is responsible for the international financial crisis and the mess the auto industry has made of itself. How er, insightful of you.

Blowing 13 Billion dollars and allowing sub-prime mortgages into this country.

Why do you Lefties keep snivelling about the government giving us back our money? Is it because so few of you pay taxes that you don't benefit from taxes being lowered? You know he could simply reverse that by raising taxes by 13 billion dollars again. Are you advocating that?

[Argus]

The Prime Minister runs a tight ship. I think he makes all the decisions and is very vindictive. He made his biggest blunder turning Quebec against him just like Mulroney did with Meech. He had the last election in his back pocket but in order to appeal to his Alberta based support turned the art community against him and he lost Quebec.

I think he overestimated the intelligence of Quebecers - something very easy to do. Sometimes they seem even human.

He gave them $4.5 billion extra in transfer payments, and raised spending on the arts to record heights, as well as giving them the recognition they seem to feel they need as "special people". Miniscule realignment in the arts budget set Quebecers squealing and screaming like the spoiled, ignorant children they are, and they retreated to their ethnic brethren in the BQ. But that's hardly Harper's fault. It's just another sign of how backward and bigoted Quebecers are.

[Progressive Tory]

Quebec's language laws have nothing to do with race. They are no more or less racists then the rest of us.

The Prime Minister runs a tight ship. I think he makes all the decisions and is very vindictive. He made his biggest blunder turning Quebec against him just like Mulroney did with Meech. He had the last election in his back pocket but in order to appeal to his Alberta based support turned the art community against him and he lost Quebec.

Iggy wont join any coalition with the NDP and he wont vote against the budget. The Liberals are rebuilding....the NDP will continue with their base support and Olivia may lose her seat in Toronto if an election was held soon. Sorry Jack no one wants you in any government of Canada.

We can't ignore the facts and we certainly can't ignore the voting public.

1. Two and a half million voters chose NDP last election while little more than five thousand chose Conservative. Not a lambasting and there are many who want NDP in government.

2. Iggy DID sign the Coaliton letter of intent, but will support the budget if it's a legitimate budget and not another partisan attack.

3. Harper is now a lame duck Prime Minister who turned the gun on himself. He started a war where he not only launched the first strike but alienated his allies.

4. Harper came out swinging with his cries of 'Separatist' and 'Socialist', but we swung back with a signed letter of his deal with 'Separatists' and 'Socialists', and videotape revealing that he not only knew the Constitution but tried to use it to become Prime Minister without an election. And let's not forget that his proposed Coalition was at the throne speech; a clear attempt to overturn the results of the 2004 election.

5. Harper now has to play nice and at least pretend that he wants to be Prime Minister of Canada, more than he wants to be leader of the Conservative Party, because frankly there is a real possibility that he will lose both jobs.

6. If an election is held this year, you can't lose sight of the fact that 37% support does not a majority make, and since all indications are that the Coaltion will stay united for the next election, he and his caucus will be sitting on the other side of the room.

7. Cries for his resignation will probably be loudest within his own Party. If his hands are tied for the next year and a half, what good will he be? The Social Conservatives have absolutely no hope of mandating their proposed changes, with regards to equal marriage and abortion; and the fiscally Conservatives are extremely angry that he now has to do things like bail out the Auto Industry, when he and they are so anti-Union. They can no longer pin their hopes on a Harper Majority.

8. All indications for 2009 are that Conservative scandal will dominate the news as the house of cards is set aflame. Sooner or later Harper will have to stop trying to sue Canadans and deal with the allegations. We could very well see many Conservative MPs arrested.

[gordiecanuk]

Harper, like Mulroney before him tried to play to the soft separatist constituency...and as with Mulroney...it bit him in the ass.

Harper though is a cagey politician, and likely the best leader for the Conservatives. Being an evangelical Christian he's able to draw support form the Con's base of religious right voters, but at the same time he keeps his religious views tightly under wraps so as not to scare off those who are more secular in this country.

The NDP have reprensenation in the House, and in a democracy that gives them a legitimate right to pursue the agenda their supporters endorse. No one single party has won a mandate in this country with the backing of over 50% of the electorate for a very long time. That means there needs to be comprimise among the parties we elected...nobody gets everything they wanted. If a coalition does indeed end up forming it'll be Iggy on the hot seat, he'll need to do enough to keep the NDP and Bloc happy...but not so much that it alienates traditional Liberal supporters.

Gonna be interesting...I'd rather have another election. The talk is we're gonna be hit with a deficit in the neighbourhood of 30 billion...so 300 million to vote again is a drop in the bucket.

[Progressive Tory]

I think he overestimated the intelligence of Quebecers - something very easy to do. Sometimes they seem even human.

He gave them $4.5 billion extra in transfer payments, and raised spending on the arts to record heights, as well as giving them the recognition they seem to feel they need as "special people". Miniscule realignment in the arts budget set Quebecers squealing and screaming like the spoiled, ignorant children they are, and they retreated to their ethnic brethren in the BQ. But that's hardly Harper's fault. It's just another sign of how backward and bigoted Quebecers are.

Aside from setting the record for voter apathy, this is exactly what Harper has done. His campaign of hatred to turn Canadians on each other, has done more for Separatism than Gilles Duceppe ever could.

In the end I think it will be his own caucus that sends him packing. Who knows. You may see some of them join the Coalition that has set aside partisan politics for the good of the country.

[Progressive Tory]

Ah, I see, so Harper is responsible for the international financial crisis and the mess the auto industry has made of itself. How er, insightful of you.

Why do you Lefties keep snivelling about the government giving us back our money? Is it because so few of you pay taxes that you don't benefit from taxes being lowered? You know he could simply reverse that by raising taxes by 13 billion dollars again. Are you advocating that?

First off my politics are mostly centre. Just left of centre with regards to social programs and right of centre fiscally. I do pay taxes and have paid taxes for many years. My husband has always had a Union job (teacher) and believe me, tax credits rarely find their way into our pocket. We're not rich or poor enough to avoid paying our share.

I was a Tory most of my life (a Red Tory) and a strong supporter of Flora MacDonald. I disagreed with the PCs uniting with the Reform/Alliance, but that ship has sailed and I've moved on.

My favourite colour is blue and my favourite Beatle was Ringo.

And no, Harper did not cause the global economic crisis, but could have done a better job protecting us by not squandering a surplus during good times and by not allowing Sub-Prime mortgages from US firms, make our mortgage industry vulnerable.

[Progressive Tory]

Harper, like Mulroney before him tried to play to the soft separatist constituency...and as with Mulroney...it bit him in the ass.

Harper though is a cagey politician, and likely the best leader for the Conservatives. Being an evangelical Christian he's able to draw support form the Con's base of religious right voters, but at the same time he keeps his religious views tightly under wraps so as not to scare off those who are more secular in this country.

The NDP have reprensenation in the House, and in a democracy that gives them a legitimate right to pursue the agenda their supporters endorse. No one single party has won a mandate in this country with the backing of over 50% of the electorate for a very long time. That means there needs to be comprimise among the parties we elected...nobody gets everything they wanted. If a coalition does indeed end up forming it'll be Iggy on the hot seat, he'll need to do enough to keep the NDP and Bloc happy...but not so much that it alienates traditional Liberal supporters.

Gonna be interesting...I'd rather have another election. The talk is we're gonna be hit with a deficit in the neighbourhood of 30 billion...so 300 million to vote again is a drop in the bucket.

I don't think you'll see another election anytime soon. Harper himself said "I would not want the Prime Minister to think that he could simply fail in the House of Commons as a route to another General Election." Besides, it took 2 1/2 hours for the him to convince the GG to allow him a time out. It'll take 18 months for him to convince her that we need another election.

Iggy won't wear this.

[Topaz]

The Cons will bring in a good budget to avoid an election and I think the coalition should stay with the "threat" to Cons because that is the one way to control a PM as Harper has been. I also believe that the Cons will take advantage of the deficit and run it up for their own reasons and I think the coalition should let the Cons stay to clean up their own mess they will create financially and maybe destroy this party and let the PC's appear once again in Ottawa. Harper and his Alliance party has done nothing good for Canada.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

I think it is safe to say that Harpers hold on power is weak at best. On the other hand Iggy has no power at all in his own right. It will take all of the opposition parties to topple the government. Any attempt to do that is a risky venture, you might get an election and then again you might not. That decision belongs to the GG, who is free to decide as she sees fit.

So what can reasonably be expected is that Harper will provide both a throne speech and a budget that is acceptable to opposition parties. He gets to keep his job if he does this. Meanwhile Steve is smart enough to know what an order in council is and I would expect him to utilize this powerful tool to do pretty much anything he wants. Legislation will continue to be put forth, but Harper will not allow a confidence vote to come of any of it. He will appear to be walking the walk, but he will be just talking the talk.

Iggy has about one, maybe two chances to deal with Harper before the Commons takes its next break. If he does not act immediately he will have to wait, and that isn't a bad thing for him or the Liberals. If he waits, then Harper get a lot of rope to play with. There are simply too many things going on for Harper to come off looking good. Right now, until the economy improves, whoever is in power is going to be roasted alive without being able to do anything about it. There are no "right" moves only wrong ones.

[Argus]

Aside from setting the record for voter apathy, this is exactly what Harper has done. His campaign of hatred to turn Canadians on each other, has done more for Separatism than Gilles Duceppe ever could.

In the end I think it will be his own caucus that sends him packing. Who knows. You may see some of them join the Coalition that has set aside partisan politics for the good of the country.

Are you a comedian or a troll? The coallition setting aside partisan politics? What a joke.

[Argus]

First off my politics are mostly centre. Just left of centre with regards to social programs and right of centre fiscally.

I'm curious. Just where do you imagine the centre is? Would Fidel Castro be your idea of a good centrist politician?

You are NOT fiscally conservative. You are left of centre, and not "just" left, both fiscally and socially. You believe in big government and high taxes, and are outraged when the government cuts taxes.

I was a Tory most of my life (a Red Tory) and a strong supporter of Flora MacDonald. I disagreed with the PCs uniting with the Reform/Alliance, but that ship has sailed and I've moved on

.

Red Tories are Liberals who simply didn't want to be called Liberals. So go ahead, and call yourself a Liberal.

And no, Harper did not cause the global economic crisis, but could have done a better job protecting us by not squandering a surplus during good times and by not allowing Sub-Prime mortgages from US firms, make our mortgage industry vulnerable.

One of the main ideas for combating a slowing economy is cutting taxes. So you could say that his cutting taxes helped insulate Canada in the runup to the recession. Perhaps that's one of the reasons we lag behind most of the rest of the world in the slowdown As far as the subprime market goes, it doesn't look like that was ever their intent. If you could blame anyone it looks to me like the head of CMHC would be the one to axe.

[madmax]

You are NOT fiscally conservative. You are left of centre, and not "just" left, both fiscally and socially. You believe in big government and high taxes, and are outraged when the government cuts taxes.

And you like your high government salary and being a part of that big government you love to criticise. Its like having your cake and eating it too. You are part of the problem, yet wish to point fingers at everyone else around you, saying they are the problem.

Your belly is at the trough Mr. Fiscal Conservative.

[madmax]

Ah, I see, so Harper is responsible for the international financial crisis and the mess the auto industry has made of itself. How er, insightful of you.

He is responsible for the fiscal management of the federal government since taking power.

[Progressive Tory]

And you like your high government salary and being a part of that big government you love to criticise. Its like having your cake and eating it too. You are part of the problem, yet wish to point fingers at everyone else around you, saying they are the problem.

Your belly is at the trough Mr. Fiscal Conservative.

That's 'Ms Fiscal Conservative' to you. I do support equal marriage but have not practiced it.

I am not, nor have I ever said that I am for Big Government. I am for less government and it was why I questioned Harper's plan to have 30 more seats in the House of Commons. We don't need more, we need LESS! I also opposed his overstuffing the cabinet with higher salaries, limos, drivers, and perks.

I'm all for lowering taxes but lowering the GST only helped those with expendable income. I would have preferred lowering income tax, especially for the middle class who bear most

of the tax burden.

In theory, I loosely support Harper's vision for a new federalism. I think the provinces should get to keep more tax dollars and look after more services. There is too much overlap and far too much bureaucracy. However, my patriotism will not allow me to do more than discuss the option.

[jdobbin]

But that's hardly Harper's fault. It's just another sign of how backward and bigoted Quebecers are.

Harper ought to have known. He, of all people, should have known that you can't create long term peace with checkbook federalism.

[madmax]

That's 'Ms Fiscal Conservative' to you. I do support equal marriage but have not practiced it.

Are you Argus? I was responding to Argus and his sense of public entitlement vs his spoken but not practiced beliefs of fiscal conservatism. Thus Argus is quoted and not "Progressive Tory". Hope that clears up any confusion.

I am not, nor have I ever said that I am for Big Government. I am for less government and it was why I questioned Harper's plan to have 30 more seats in the House of Commons. We don't need more, we need LESS! I also opposed his overstuffing the cabinet with higher salaries, limos, drivers, and perks.

I am for less government as well, starting with the abolition of the Senate, not the appointing of party hacks with all those same perks, salaries and limos etc.

The size of Cabinet is proof that Harper is not a fiscal conservative, which reflects the current state of the federal finances.

I'm all for lowering taxes but lowering the GST only helped those with expendable income. I would have preferred lowering income tax, especially for the middle class who bear most

of the tax burden.

The GST punishes poor people. Eliminate the GST, we lived without this tax prior to the Conservative government, and we can live without it today. The government has become fat on the GST and THin on the delivery of Services.

In theory, I loosely support Harper's vision for a new federalism. I think the provinces should get to keep more tax dollars and look after more services. There is too much overlap and far too much bureaucracy. However, my patriotism will not allow me to do more than discuss the option.

What does that mean?

[madmax]

Harper ought to have known. He, of all people, should have known that you can't create long term peace with checkbook federalism.

Checkbook Federalism.

Very good. Sums up the bankruptcy behind this government.

[fellowtraveller]

First off my politics are mostly centre. Just left of centre with regards to social programs and right of centre fiscally. I do pay taxes and have paid taxes for many years. My husband has always had a Union job (teacher) and believe me, tax credits rarely find their way into our pocket. We're not rich or poor enough to avoid paying our share.

I was a Tory most of my life (a Red Tory) and a strong supporter of Flora MacDonald. I disagreed with the PCs uniting with the Reform/Alliance, but that ship has sailed and I've moved on.

My favourite colour is blue and my favourite Beatle was Ringo.

And no, Harper did not cause the global economic crisis, but could have done a better job protecting us by not squandering a surplus during good times and by not allowing Sub-Prime mortgages from US firms, make our mortgage industry vulnerable.

You keep bleating this same tired old tune.

The only thing even remotley approaching subprimes in Candian residential mortgages are zero down mortgages. The total exposure is around $10 billion, and the majority of those will not default, and those won't be eveident for at least a couple of years, and that assumes that their local market declines in that time.. It's peanuts, and every penny is insured. Every single borrower who got a zero down mortgage had to qualify under strict CMHC rules regrading creditworthiness and ability to pay, same as every other borrower.

You have been listening too much to Garth Turner, who is an alarmist idiot.

Please respond when you have a clue.

Thank you.

[madmax]

You keep bleating this same tired old tune.

The only thing even remotley approaching subprimes in Candian residential mortgages are zero down mortgages. The total exposure is around $10 billion, and the majority of those will not default, and those won't be eveident for at least a couple of years, and that assumes that their local market declines in that time.. It's peanuts, and every penny is insured. Every single borrower who got a zero down mortgage had to qualify under strict CMHC rules regrading creditworthiness and ability to pay, same as every other borrower.

You have been listening too much to Garth Turner, who is an alarmist idiot.

I have to agree based upon what I am finding locally. However, outside of these schemes, the number of foreclosures are rising but the industry is trying to keep this trend away from a prying media. It will only make things worse as the housing market stalls.

[Topaz]

On the weekend I just happen to read the London Free Press, and I didn`t realize how many people within the auto sector, their homes were coming up for foreclosures. It`s truly sad to see someone lose their home to unemployment and I think we here in canada but especially in Ontario, the housing market will have surplus of homes empty and if 200,000 jobs are lost it could be worse than the 1970`s. So where will these people go? How many will ended on the street to live?

[Progressive Tory]

Are you Argus? I was responding to Argus and his sense of public entitlement vs his spoken but not practiced beliefs of fiscal conservatism. Thus Argus is quoted and not "Progressive Tory". Hope that clears up any confusion.

I am for less government as well, starting with the abolition of the Senate, not the appointing of party hacks with all those same perks, salaries and limos etc.

The size of Cabinet is proof that Harper is not a fiscal conservative, which reflects the current state of the federal finances.

The GST punishes poor people. Eliminate the GST, we lived without this tax prior to the Conservative government, and we can live without it today. The government has become fat on the GST and THin on the delivery of Services.

What does that mean?

Sorry. I'm still learning how to navigate the board.

[Argus]

He is responsible for the fiscal management of the federal government since taking power.

Quite enough burden to bear, imho