A 'Change in PM' and 'A Change in Government'

[expat voter]

Who else is tired of these Conservatives and this fractious house? Isn't it time for a change? Canada has had this since 2006.

I sense a possible change in government. The Liberals are succeeding in consolidating non-Con votes, leaving the NDP to their core. Assuming Ignatieff performs comparatively well in the TV debates (the big 'if'), in the latter half of the election they will have to concentrate a little on swing ridings in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and the Atlantic, but mostly on Quebec and the GTA.

Quebec has always had the power to decide things. I think strong debates by Ignatieff would not only help the Liberals in Quebec, but also the NDP who are gaining in the Outaouais region. Quebec voters, being the shrewdest in the country, instead of BQ/Con will also elect a few more New Democrats, giving us a Lib-NDP coalition, a change in government, and an end to this fractious house led by the Toxic Tories. (I do not count a majority for the Cons as a "change in government" - that's more like an intensification of misery and inequality.)

I fantasize somewhat, but I think there is some potential for a change in government. What do you all say?

[Bryan]

It's time for a change alright. Time for a Conservative majority so that we can put a stop to this fractious house of left-wing idiots, and get on with the serious task of governing this country.

[expat voter]

It's time for a change alright. Time for a Conservative majority so that we can put a stop to this fractious house of left-wing idiots, and get on with the serious task of governing this country.

A Conservative majority elected by a false majority of voters. A Conservative majority that 60% of Canadians DON'T want. A Conservative majority that uses fear of a coalition with the BQ, who win 65% of Quebec's seats with 38% of Quebec votes. A Conservative majority that will make the rich richer and the poor poorer.

Don't call it a Conservative majority, call it a Republican majority of right-wing idiots governing for the few at the cost of the many.

Edited April 11, 2011 by expat voter

[Keepitsimple]

Just another one of those voters from the Left side of the Liberal Party - angry, frustrated, irrational. As much as you MIGHT gain from the NDP by moving to the left, you'll lose centrist voters to the Conservatives - and that strategy will send Conservatives over the 40% mark - and on to a majority. Your hatred of Conservatives just serves to demonstrate how your ilk feels towards 40% of Canadians. Conservatives may not agree with many Leftist policies, but they very seldom demonstrate the vitriole that comes from the left. Many centrist Liberals would feel at home in the Conservative Party. Chill out.

[Shwa]

Just another one of those voters from the Left side of the Liberal Party - angry, frustrated, irrational. As much as you MIGHT gain from the NDP by moving to the left, you'll lose centrist voters to the Conservatives - and that strategy will send Conservatives over the 40% mark - and on to a majority. Your hatred of Conservatives just serves to demonstrate how your ilk feels towards 40% of Canadians. Conservatives may not agree with many Leftist policies, but they very seldom demonstrate the vitriole that comes from the left. Many centrist Liberals would feel at home in the Conservative Party. Chill out.

They would have - heck, I would have - but not any longer. And it has nothing to do with "vitriole" and more to do with trust and the run-around on Canadian democracy over the past few years. A Con majority SCARES "centrist Liberals" it does not endear them.

[islander]

So a Libral majority elected with 40% support would be more 'democratic' than a Conservative majority elected with 40% support? I don't get how peple can't seem to understand that if you have a 4 or 5 way race you will never get 50% plus 1.

Andif it is "this fractious house" that annoys you, you had better support FPTP, as most other systems (STV, MMP etc.) will produce more minority governments with even more parties.

[ba1614]

I'm not happy with everything the Conservatives have done, but it's a "lesser of available evils" thing for me. I hear the other candidates talk and I have this urge to grab my wallet.

[GostHacked]

We just need to fire the whole lot and start over.

[Sir Bandelot]

Yes I believe a major change is needed. But the change is more substantial than simply flipping chairs, and colours. It barely matters that Harper or Ignatieff wins, although preferably, no one gets a majority. I have joined the growing ranks of disillusioned Canadians who hear the chanting mantra of "hope and change" every time, but have come to realize, no matter WHO is empowered, it always smells the same.

[treehugger]

Yes I believe a major change is needed. But the change is more substantial than simply flipping chairs, and colours. It barely matters that Harper or Ignatieff wins, although preferably, no one gets a majority. I have joined the growing ranks of disillusioned Canadians who hear the chanting mantra of "hope and change" every time, but have come to realize, no matter WHO is empowered, it always smells the same.

It seems to me that none of you read the news much. Canada has fared better than all major countries in the world through the last recession. All you want to do is complain, complain, so typical of left wing groups. Ask not what shape the country is in cause I don't care. Ask what the country can do for ME. Me me me I gues it's the billions of $$$$$$$ that the liberals and the other socialists the ndp are offering to you that makes you happy.

Edited April 11, 2011 by treehugger

[Tilter]

Who else is tired of these Conservatives and this fractious house? Isn't it time for a change? Canada has had this since 2006.

I sense a possible change in government. The Liberals are succeeding in consolidating non-Con votes, leaving the NDP to their core. Assuming Ignatieff performs comparatively well in the TV debates (the big 'if'), in the latter half of the election they will have to concentrate a little on swing ridings in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and the Atlantic, but mostly on Quebec and the GTA.

Quebec has always had the power to decide things. I think strong debates by Ignatieff would not only help the Liberals in Quebec, but also the NDP who are gaining in the Outaouais region. Quebec voters, being the shrewdest in the country, instead of BQ/Con will also elect a few more New Democrats, giving us a Lib-NDP coalition, a change in government, and an end to this fractious house led by the Toxic Tories. (I do not count a majority for the Cons as a "change in government" - that's more like an intensification of misery and inequality.)

I fantasize somewhat, but I think there is some potential for a change in government. What do you all say?

I don't know where you are hearing your news or reading a newspaper but wherever you are you must be following the Torstar line fairly closely because that's the only place where you

I sense a possible change in government.

Even CTV's chicken hawk is seeing a stronger Conservative government coming and if one watched the CBC--- (impossible to imagine,) they are seeing who will be buttering their toast for the next 4 years and mentioning the CPC as a possible government.

Unheard of.

Edited April 11, 2011 by Tilter

[ToadBrother]

Wow, I've never such wishful thinking from both sides.

Live with it guys, the odds of the Tories forming a majority is slim at best, and a Liberal majority is well nigh impossible.

The reality is that it's shaping up to be the same Parliament we just had, and so everyone is going to have dance the same dance, or possibly finally admit that some sort of coalition government, formal or otherwise, is going to be necessary.

[Sir Bandelot]

It seems to me that none of you read the news much. Canada has fared better than all major countries in the world through the last recession. All you want to do is complain, complain, so typical of left wing groups. Ask not what shape the country is in cause I don't care. Ask what the country can do for ME. Me me me I gues it's the billions of $$$$$$$ that the liberals and the other socialists the ndp are offering to you that makes you happy.

Maybe you can'st read too good neither, since I condemn them all as charlatans. As for the country doing "good", if I'm to respond to that at all, seems to me a little knowledge of history is in order. So read up on it.

Paul Martin as finance minister put this country in the good financial situation we were in, when the Conservatives inherited it. Thereafter we have only deficits again, we have now lost the advantages that he, and every Canadian who had to make sacrifices ever gained. And no, I'm not a liberal. I just try to speak the truth. but I swear for some of you if the truth ever dared come out your mouths, it would be like acid and melt off yout tingues and lips. Then it would reach around and cut off your own heads.

[ToadBrother]

Maybe you can'st read too good neither, since I condemn them all as charlatans. As for the country doing "good", if I'm to respond to that at all, seems to me a little knowledge of history is in order. So read up on it.

Paul Martin as finance minister put this country in the good financial situation we were in, when the Conservatives inherited it. Thereafter we have only deficits again, we have now lost the advantages that he, and every Canadian who had to make sacrifices ever gained. And no, I'm not a liberal. I just try to speak the truth. but I swear for some of you if the truth ever dared come out your mouths, it would be like acid and melt off yout tingues and lips. Then it would reach around and cut off your own heads.

You might have noticed that somewhere in there was a major global recession which Canada has weathered fairly well, while countries like the UK are still going through major austerity measures to get through in one piece, while other countries are having to be bailed out.

[Sir Bandelot]

You might have noticed that somewhere in there was a major global recession which Canada has weathered fairly well, while countries like the UK are still going through major austerity measures to get through in one piece, while other countries are having to be bailed out.

Yes I know. It's because we came into the recession on an excellent footing. Again I assert, it's thanks to Paul Martin. I don't think Canadians fully realize what he did to help this country. The Quebec question has sabotaged our future, again.

[RNG]

I'm not happy with everything the Conservatives have done, but it's a "lesser of available evils" thing for me. I hear the other candidates talk and I have this urge to grab my wallet.

A wise man, you are.

[Saipan]

Again I assert, it's thanks to Paul Martin.

For stealing E.I. and pensions and adding it into general revenues to show "balanced" budget? He was also the only one to benefit MOST from Mulroney's GST.

[Sir Bandelot]

For stealing E.I. and pensions and adding it into general revenues to show "balanced" budget? He was also the only one to benefit MOST from Mulroney's GST.

From what I understand, he didn't steal the pensions. He took the SURPLUS MONEY from those pensions. It may have been unfair, and we can debate that but the question is, what else would be done with the money, that doesn't set a precedent for every other pension fund you can get in Canada.

I don't necessarily agree with eveything he did and he is a politican, therefore, liar by trade but at least he had to make some tough decisions, and made them accordingly. And the outcome was successful for the country as a whole, not just a few well paid businessmen at the top.

[Saipan]

From what I understand, he didn't steal the pensions.

Call it all you want. He put both in general revenue to show "balanced budget".

We call it cooking books.

[Bryan]

Call it all you want. He put both in general revenue to show "balanced budget".

We call it cooking books.

Indeed.

Don't forget to add in just not paying billions and billions in obligations for things like healthcare and education.

Leaving bills unpaid is not a surplus.

[Moonbox]

I don't necessarily agree with eveything he did and he is a politican, therefore, liar by trade but at least he had to make some tough decisions, and made them accordingly. And the outcome was successful for the country as a whole, not just a few well paid businessmen at the top.

Interestingly enough almost all of the Liberals' fundraising came from those 'few well paid businessmen at the top' until Harper changed the fundraising guidelines.

[Tilter]

Maybe you can'st read too good neither, since I condemn them all as charlatans. As for the country doing "good", if I'm to respond to that at all, seems to me a little knowledge of history is in order. So read up on it.

Paul Martin as finance minister put this country in the good financial situation we were in, when the Conservatives inherited it. Thereafter we have only deficits again, we have now lost the advantages that he, and every Canadian who had to make sacrifices ever gained. And no, I'm not a liberal. I just try to speak the truth. but I swear for some of you if the truth ever dared come out your mouths, it would be like acid and melt off yout tingues and lips. Then it would reach around and cut off your own heads.

Those damn conservatives--- they didn't isolate us from the global depression and so we are in deficit again. If the Honorable P Martin had led this minority government he would have thrown in all the money from the unbid government contracts his steamship got and solved the deficit problem right there.

Oh, wait---- "Canadian" Steamship lines don't pay Canadian taxes, they pay them, or don't pay them, to Panama or Liberia or Swaziland or somewhere on which he isn't too sure

[Smallc]

Interestingly enough almost all of the Liberals' fundraising came from those 'few well paid businessmen at the top' until Harper changed the fundraising guidelines.

The Liberals are actually the ones that made the most substantive change. Harper simply lowered the personal donation limit further.