What will Ignatieff do after the next Federal Election?

[madmax]

Not that old I just read alot.

Well, thats a good read....

However, while Harper and Ignatieff play posture and polls... its actually people like Diane Finley, who is taking flack for her criticisms of people laid off and collecting E.I. benefits.

If only they were still driving to work

Posted By ASHLEY HOUSE, Simcoe Reformer-June 24, 2009

House foreclosures, sleeping in parks, company lockouts.

These are the stories people across the province are sharing with the Ontario Federation of Labour Drive to Work; Journey to Jobs caravan.

The caravan of community activists and labourers cruised into Haldimand and Norfolk yesterday on their provincewide tour to document the devastating effects the economic storm has had on communities and gain support in spurring governmental change.

The first stop was in front of MP and Minister of Human Resources Diane Finley's office.

Labourers have taken offense to Finley's comment in the House of Commons in January as to why she won't reform the Employment Insurance (EI) program to help the extensive number of workers out of jobs.

"We do not want to make it lucrative for them to stay home and get paid for it," Finley said.

Imitating the couch potatoes they think Finley thinks they are, labourers sat their butts on couches outside her office

Edited August 4, 2009 by madmax

[madmax]

I think the CPC have targeted a weakness on Ignatieff. This straw poll reflects the perception of the LPC leader.

6 to 1 currently think Ignatieff will leave if he loses rather then stay.

This does make it appear as he is "Just Visiting".

The other number isn't that good in that only 6 of the 14 pundits here think Ignatieff can become the next Prime Minister.

[Moonbox]

Mapleleafweb is, however, probably not the best sample for this sort of poll.

The fact that we're interested enough in politics to actually talk about it while at work/in our spare time suggests that we're not typical of the stupid/ignorant/apathetic electorate.

[Keepitsimple]

I feel sorry for the taxpayer to have to pay for consultants to get Harper speaking engagements on U.S. TV.

In terms of value, what has it achieved? Talk about a voice in the wilderness.

It's achieved several things - first of all, it's common knowledge that Chretien and then Martin didn't have good relations with the US - and especially Bush Jr. Comments like "coalition of the idiots" and calling the US morons didn't help matters. So trying to heal the rift is one good thing......a very good thing. Secondly, admittedly from a political viewpoint - Harper was supposed to be very weak on foreign affairs...so whether it's the US, the Pope, or the G8 - seeing him on the world stage should comfort Canadians that he is able to hold his own - and apparently be liked and respected by world leaders. Lastly, for some reason, we in Canada don't seem to get much TV coverage of Harper's foreign exploits - all we get is the parliamentary sniping. It's nice to see a Canadian leader talk intelligently and substantively on world affairs - even if we have to watch a US TV station.

[jdobbin]

It's achieved several things - first of all, it's common knowledge that Chretien and then Martin didn't have good relations with the US - and especially Bush Jr. Comments like "coalition of the idiots" and calling the US morons didn't help matters. So trying to heal the rift is one good thing......a very good thing.

Showing we're friendly probably doesn't require taxpayer money paid to arrange dates on U.S. networks.

As the Wall Street Journal said, they don't need an intermediary to set time aside to talk to the Canadian prime minister/

[madmax]

True. So we shouldn't listen to economists? Any economists?

Just one variable. Edited August 4, 2009 by madmax

[jdobbin]

Are you an economist?

No, but our prime minister is.

[madmax]

No, but our prime minister is.

LOL.... I went to change that....

Well, I guess we are going down this thread drift path... LOL.

Good answer.. too..

[Topaz]

Of course, Harper will be selected as one of the senators by where he and Duffy can plan the battle field in the senate over the Libs. but don't you think his family would want to go back to Alberta?

[MontyBurns]

Michael Ignatieff - Just Visiting

[Topaz]

Well, thats a good read....

However, while Harper and Ignatieff play posture and polls... its actually people like Diane Finley, who is taking flack for her criticisms of people laid off and collecting E.I. benefits.

Do you know what is wrong with the backend style of EI. You got your 2 weeks waiting period, that ok, but you have to wait another 4 weeks before getting any money and if you are laid off and are living from pay cheque to cheque like most middle-income Canadians you are having to go to your RRSP's to help! Do the Tories think all canadians make over 100,000? Do they think most canadians have a HUGE SAVINGS ACCOUNT? It seems none of the Tories have collected EI or they would known what should have been done and when they say they had talked to Canadians and that what they wanted, well it must be only in the west that they talked to Canadians I don't think any laid off EI collector wants to go that long without money.

[M.Dancer]

...if you are laid off and are living from pay cheque to cheque like most middle-income Canadians ...

I serioulsy doubt most middle income canadians are that stupid.

[madmax]

It seems none of the Tories have collected EI or they would known what should have been done and when they say they had talked to Canadians and that what they wanted, well it must be only in the west that they talked to Canadians I don't think any laid off EI collector wants to go that long without money.

I highly doubt the Tories or the Liberals have spent time collecting EI, although it would be a benefit to society if many of them were voted out of office.

The Liberals are Hypocrits beyond compare and the Tories are being loyal to their ideology.

I know the problems with EI, and I would never ever trust a Liberal campaign promise to fix EI.

[madmax]

I serioulsy doubt most middle income canadians are that stupid.

you'd be in for the rudest of rude awakenings then.

Those people now losing their jobs are facing just that and they come from all spectrums of society. Some are positioned to handle the job loss better, and often in a lower income bracket because it is less likely they are dealing with large mortgage and car payments etc.

The fact is, that luckily many of those middle class Canadians are not about to lose their jobs and can continue in their lifestyle while they work. And often this is only two to 8 paychecks away from disaster.... and problems. Especially if you cannot find similar paying income, should you lose your job.

Just last night.... I had another conservation with a young women who found herself handed the pink slip on Tuesday including all her coworkers and shopfloor employees. And she does Payroll.... LOL, now the controller will handle the details of the winddown.

There is plenty of talent and plenty of competition. I expressed that she get one more course to highlight a potential skill. Her severance will cover until EI kicks in, but EI isn't enough, and EI claws back if she goes on to earn money.

There are alot of benefits in EI but there are just as many clawbacks and drawbacks, and things that can actually hold people back.

It is government after all... why should you expect anything different.

Regardless, I'd say that if this company left the way many companies are leaving the province, by moving to another country and filing for bankruptcy, thus denying the employees termination and severance, I'd say that this women would be in a HUGE pickle and the 2 weeks and 6 weeks delay is only the start of problems, especially the way many of these dirty companies operate.

I'd say she is the lucky ones of the Unemployed, and she will have a different set of problems, such as how much the Government will take of the severance in Taxes and then EI takes the rest.

But my experience with middle income earners... and upper middle income earners, is that bankruptcy happens very quick as the dominoes start to fall.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

you'd be in for the rudest of rude awakenings then.

Those people now losing their jobs are facing just that and they come from all spectrums of society. Some are positioned to handle the job loss better, and often in a lower income bracket because it is less likely they are dealing with large mortgage and car payments etc.

The fact is, that luckily many of those middle class Canadians are not about to lose their jobs and can continue in their lifestyle while they work. And often this is only two to 8 paychecks away from disaster.... and problems. Especially if you cannot find similar paying income, should you lose your job.

Just last night.... I had another conservation with a young women who found herself handed the pink slip on Tuesday including all her coworkers and shopfloor employees. And she does Payroll.... LOL, now the controller will handle the details of the winddown.

There is plenty of talent and plenty of competition. I expressed that she get one more course to highlight a potential skill. Her severance will cover until EI kicks in, but EI isn't enough, and EI claws back if she goes on to earn money.

There are alot of benefits in EI but there are just as many clawbacks and drawbacks, and things that can actually hold people back.

It is government after all... why should you expect anything different.

Regardless, I'd say that if this company left the way many companies are leaving the province, by moving to another country and filing for bankruptcy, thus denying the employees termination and severance, I'd say that this women would be in a HUGE pickle and the 2 weeks and 6 weeks delay is only the start of problems, especially the way many of these dirty companies operate.

I'd say she is the lucky ones of the Unemployed, and she will have a different set of problems, such as how much the Government will take of the severance in Taxes and then EI takes the rest.

But my experience with middle income earners... and upper middle income earners, is that bankruptcy happens very quick as the dominoes start to fall.

If you are waiting for the big plunge, I think it will happen in October. That is as long as I think lots of folks can hang on until. It will start as a housing crash in Ontario as thousands of homes are either walked away from or foreclosed on.