kimmy Posted March 23, 2011 Report Posted March 23, 2011 No doubt there will come a time when the Conservatives expend the capital they have built with me. I will then need a strong alternative to give them the heave-ho. In view of my political leanings, if not the Liberals I have nowhere to go. I am pretty much in the same boat, except that for me Harper has already reached the point where I'm willing to seriously consider alternatives. For me the spending is the issue. I want somebody to convince me that they're willing to take good care of public money. I'm not convinced that Harper is the best guy anymore. I'm more than willing to listen to Michael Ignatieff and see what he has to say. There's some things that he could do to lose my interest between now and the election, but at the moment I'm all ears, and I am hoping he can articulate a plan that makes more sense to me than what the Conservatives have been doing for the past year. -k Quote (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ Friendly forum facilitator! ┬──┬◡ﾉ(° -°ﾉ)
TimG Posted March 23, 2011 Report Posted March 23, 2011 I am pretty much in the same boat, except that for me Harper has already reached the point where I'm willing to seriously consider alternatives.Harper has succeeded in pissing me off in many ways but I really see a need to reign in spending and the Conservatives are the only option as long as the Liberals keep talking about expanding entitlement programs like daycare (i.e. sure tough on crime policies cost money but they don't become 'untouchable' expenses if a later government changes its mind). Quote
Scotty Posted March 23, 2011 Report Posted March 23, 2011 For me the spending is the issue. I want somebody to convince me that they're willing to take good care of public money. I'm not convinced that Harper is the best guy anymore. I'm more than willing to listen to Michael Ignatieff and see what he has to say. There's some things that he could do to lose my interest between now and the election, but at the moment I'm all ears, and I am hoping he can articulate a plan that makes more sense to me than what the Conservatives have been doing for the past year. Good luck with that! Remember that Ignatieff's problem with Harper's 'incentive spending' was that it wasn't enough. The Liberals even tried to get them to put in a second big incentive spending boost. And everything I've seen of Ignatieff's economic promises seem to indicate a guy more than willing to spend whatever it took to buy popularity be it more money for a humongous child care, program, more money for masses of 'affordable' urban housing, or more money for hockey rinks in Quebec city. Quote It is an inverted moral calculus that tries to persuade the world to demonize one state that tries its civilized best to abide in a difficult time and place, and rides merrily by the examples and practices of dozens of states and leaderships that drop into brutality every day without a twinge of regret or a whisper of condemnation. - Rex Murphy
Molly Posted March 23, 2011 Report Posted March 23, 2011 (edited) I don't hold any great fiscal fear of the Liberals, nor any great regard for Conservatives on that front, either. I was brought to the point of absolutely no return on the Conservatives while watching John Baird spit disinformation about the fundamental nature of our governance in order to save Tory bacon after they took a smug and graceless stride too far, trying to bankrupt the other parties... What I saw then was extremely poor judgement (not just 'oops'), and an utter absence of integrity. He would have said anything, no matter how presposterous, to save his and his buddies' phoney-baloney jobs. Truth or the good of the nation had nothing whatever to do with it. He was 'playing the marks'. Until then, the only reason I didn't vote CPC was the specific candidate they offered me. There'll have to be a generational shift-- a decimation of the party, and a rebuild with all new blood before I could consider them again. Edited March 23, 2011 by Molly Quote "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" — L. Frank Baum "For Conservatives, ministerial responsibility seems to be a temporary and constantly shifting phenomenon," -- Goodale
Scotty Posted March 23, 2011 Report Posted March 23, 2011 There'll have to be a generational shift-- a decimation of the party, and a rebuild with all new blood before I could consider them again. Funny. That's kinda my attitude towards the Liberals. As long as the same group of liars, weasels and crooks are holding down senior portfolios, and likely to get back into cabinet again, I have no intention of voting for them. Quote It is an inverted moral calculus that tries to persuade the world to demonize one state that tries its civilized best to abide in a difficult time and place, and rides merrily by the examples and practices of dozens of states and leaderships that drop into brutality every day without a twinge of regret or a whisper of condemnation. - Rex Murphy
capricorn Posted March 23, 2011 Report Posted March 23, 2011 Traditionally, both parties have been so close to what Canadians view as the political center that it's "the times" that cause people to tilt one way or the other. Obviously, the Liberals did not get this memo or they misfiled it. Is it a coincidence that the Liberals have inched further and further to the left since they brought in Bob Rae, a former NDPer? I don't know for sure. Proof of a shift left is the litany of new social programs shaping up as their policy platform. Top this up with the coronation of Ignatieff as Liberal leader, who spent 30-odd years in other countries. Canadians may not pay much attention to politics between elections but nevertheless they are cognizant of political developments and shifts of that magnitude. In my younger days, I voted for Trudeau because I wanted something fresh and less stodgy. I also voted for Chretien the first time. Same here. Additionally, as a federal employee, I loved the humongous pay and benefits increases the Liberals of the day granted me. I never had so much disposable income as in those days. Young and fancy free, I never looked beyond the next pay cheque. Quote "We always want the best man to win an election. Unfortunately, he never runs." Will Rogers
capricorn Posted March 23, 2011 Report Posted March 23, 2011 I'm more than willing to listen to Michael Ignatieff and see what he has to say. There's some things that he could do to lose my interest between now and the election, but at the moment I'm all ears, and I am hoping he can articulate a plan that makes more sense to me than what the Conservatives have been doing for the past year. -k To take a serious look at what Liberals offer as a blueprint for the country, I'd have to get past my dislike of Ignatieff, not as a person but as a political leader. I simply will not vote for the Liberals while he's leader. Like Scotty, I'm also not keen to jump in head first on spending on all the new social programs they propose. Even more so in light of the present deficit. Quote "We always want the best man to win an election. Unfortunately, he never runs." Will Rogers
Jack Weber Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 You know,it's funny... During my hiatus I would go to free dominion and just see what some of the nuttier right wing types were thinking about the contempt charges... I figured most would be that it was a political sham and the opposition was just trying to make political hay... I was shocked!! There were more than a few that were extremely upset at the Conservative attitude towards parliament... One quote I remember was ,"I did'nt vote for a king!" If the hardcore base has got some serious misgivings about what's gone on over the last few weeks,ya' gotta wonder if there are some cracks in the Conservative base armour?? I'm not suggesting they will vote for the other party's,but they might not vote at all... Quote The beatings will continue until morale improves!!!
Scotty Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 I'm not suggesting they will vote for the other party's,but they might not vote at all... I suspect a few weeks of listening to Ignatieff will persuade them to get out to the polls. Quote It is an inverted moral calculus that tries to persuade the world to demonize one state that tries its civilized best to abide in a difficult time and place, and rides merrily by the examples and practices of dozens of states and leaderships that drop into brutality every day without a twinge of regret or a whisper of condemnation. - Rex Murphy
nicky10013 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 I suspect a few weeks of listening to Ignatieff will persuade them to get out to the polls. Considering he comes from the right side of the spectrum within the Liberal Party, it could very well happen. They won't vote for Ignatieff, but consdiering how left leaning the budget is, there is a possibility some voters could stay home. Quote
nicky10013 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 I think this is a good primer for the upcoming election. Every party has positives and negatives going in, but like I've been saying all along, the only unknown factor is Ignatieff. We've seen Layton, Harper and Duceppe campaign before, but not Ignatieff. The result of the election hinges on his performance more than any other leader. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/the-election-hinges-on-one-guy-michael-ignatieff/article1952596/ I smile everytime I hear a Conservative say the election is already sewn up. Seems as though hubris is a requirement of being a Conservative these days. Going into this election, Mr. Ignatieff has low expectations. His polling numbers across a wide range of indices have been embarrassingly low. In politics, low expectations can be a considerable advantage.Another thing need worry the Harper Conservatives. In recent times, Mr. Ignatieff has been operating with increasing confidence and strength. For long periods in opposition he appeared plagued by ambivalence. He now seems resolved, comfortable in his own skin, ready for the fate that awaits him. The campaign will begin with Mr. Harper enjoying a good-sized lead as he did in the 2008 campaign. But then he was up against the wobbly Stéphane Dion. While Mr.Ignatieff’s polling numbers are just as weak, he is considerably more gifted in terms of leadership potential. He is more articulate and trenchant. He is stronger in debate, better organized and surrounded by a better team. There will be no grainy videos arriving late at TV studios as there was under Mr. Dion. Mr. Ignatieff is unlikely to have to restart an interview several times, as did Mr. Dion, occasioning an embarrassing mishap at a critical period in the ‘08 campaign. In 2008, Mr. Harper did not start the campaign under a cloud of ethical controversy as he does this one. The prime minister has done well to trigger the election now before evidence of more scandal can accumulate. His budget is politically effective in that it appeals to the moderate middle of the political spectrum. But it offered little that was bold or innovative. It signalled a stay-the-course campaign. That could work, but with little new to put on the table, he may find himself on the defensive for long stretches over the abuse-of-power allegations. Mr. Harper goes into the race as the strong favourite. His powerful machine is primed. But the outcome is beyond his control. The wild card is the Liberal leader. If Mr. Ignatieff displays the kind of mettle some think he is capable of, he will reach a velocity that will make the race tight. Quote
ToadBrother Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 I think this is a good primer for the upcoming election. Every party has positives and negatives going in, but like I've been saying all along, the only unknown factor is Ignatieff. We've seen Layton, Harper and Duceppe campaign before, but not Ignatieff. The result of the election hinges on his performance more than any other leader. Iggy will have to be some sort of campaign superman to get the Liberals into minority territory. Unless there's some huge revelation, like Stephen Harper being a necrophiliac or being the genetic clone of Adolf Hitler or something... I realize that party supporters are supposed to suspend disbelief and all, but this is like asking me to believe that Elizabeth Taylor didn't die, and is in fact at this very moment in a UFO racing to Pluto to join Elvis, Henry VIII and Marquis de Sade for a game of bridge. Quote
WWWTT Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 Iggy will have to be some sort of campaign superman to get the Liberals into minority territory. Unless there's some huge revelation, like Stephen Harper being a necrophiliac or being the genetic clone of Adolf Hitler or something... I realize that party supporters are supposed to suspend disbelief and all, but this is like asking me to believe that Elizabeth Taylor didn't die, and is in fact at this very moment in a UFO racing to Pluto to join Elvis, Henry VIII and Marquis de Sade for a game of bridge. When did Henry VIII learn how to play bridge? Quote Maple Leaf Web is now worth $720.00! Down over $1,500 in less than one year! Total fail of the moderation on this site! That reminds me, never ask Greg to be a business partner! NEVER!
BubberMiley Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 Wha...Elizabeth Taylor died!?! Sorry...back to sleep.... Quote "I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
ToadBrother Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 When did Henry VIII learn how to play bridge? While he was a guest of the King of Neptune, silly. Geez, do I have to explain everything around here. Quote
Shakeyhands Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 Elizabeth Taylor didn't die, and is in fact at this very moment in a UFO racing to Pluto to join Elvis, Henry VIII and Marquis de Sade for a game of bridge. Sounds deliciously painful! Quote "They muddy the water, to make it seem deep." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Jack Weber Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 While he was a guest of the King of Neptune, silly. Geez, do I have to explain everything around here. I guess you do because I heared it was while he was hanging out with Captain Jean Luc Picard... Quote The beatings will continue until morale improves!!!
capricorn Posted March 26, 2011 Report Posted March 26, 2011 I thought I knew a lot about Ignatieff but I didn't know that his childhood dream was to become a bulldozer driver. “When I think about who I want to serve I think of a wonderful young woman I met a couple of weeks ago in Newfoundland,” he recalled. “ ... she said to me, ‘you know what I want to be, I want to be a bulldozer driver. And I said, you go girl because you’re going to achieve a dream I’ve had since I was a child’.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ignatieff-channels-bob-dylan-to-introduce-his-election-theme/article1958230/ Looks like I'll learn a lot about him throughout this campaign that he omitted from his books and ads. Quote "We always want the best man to win an election. Unfortunately, he never runs." Will Rogers
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