Harper Bombs, Bye, Bye Majority

[Evening Star]

One would think that if Jack does well, it will be at Iggy's expense, not Harper's.

Not necessarily. In many blue-collar or Western ridings, the contest is between the NDP and the Conservatives. Likewise, in QC, the NDP mostly seems to be eating into BQ support, although this might not amount to many seats.

[Bryan]

I would hope that all parties would be encouraging every eligible voter to vote - yes?

I understand in Australia you are fined if you do not vote - not a bad idea as long as the fine is reasonable. How about a $100. fine if you don't vote.

Absolutely, as long as that vote is carried out properly.

[Harry]

Another bad day for Harper what with trying to deprive students of their vote in Guelph, Ontario, and dealing with Helena 'Harper tossed me under the bus' Guergis. Hamilton, the Harper Conservatives Party's lawyer, must have made big bucks today.

Edited April 16, 2011 by Harry

[WWWTT]

I would hope that all parties would be encouraging every eligible voter to vote - yes?

I understand in Australia you are fined if you do not vote - not a bad idea as long as the fine is reasonable. How about a $100. fine if you don't vote.

What about paying the voter to vote?

Oh and by the way if I was fined for not voting I would file a civil law suit against the government for trying to circumvent my constitutional rights.

If this has not happened in Australia it would be because they don't have any rights there.

WWWTT

[Harry]

Sondage: Harper irrite, Ignatieff ennuie, Layton et Duceppe suscitent l'intérêt

Après visionnement de l'extrait, on demandait ensuite à chacune des 1000 personnes de dire ce qu'ils pensaient de façon globale de la performance des candidats. D'abord, des constats généraux: dès que Stephen Harper ouvre la bouche, l'irritation des répondants monte en flèche. Auprès des francophones, le premier ministre ne passe tout simplement pas.

Pour Michael Ignatieff, ce n'est guère mieux: l'ennui domine largement.

Au contraire, quand Jack Layton et Gilles Duceppe s'expriment, c'est l'intérêt qui prend le dessus.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/elections-federales/201104/15/01-4390247-sondage-harper-irrite-ignatieff-ennuie-layton-et-duceppe-suscitent-linteret.php

[Sandy MacNab]

All the hate shown towards Harper is pretty irrational and pathological. Of course, the majority comes from Liberals who see what they have in comparison and break down from the trauma of excess envy.

[August1991]

All the hate shown towards Harper is pretty irrational and pathological.

IMHO, it's a Canadian version of Bush Derangement Syndrome.

While the English-Canadian Left generally despises Americans, they invariably copy them.

[Battletoads]

All the hate shown towards Harper is pretty irrational and pathological.

Funny as 99% of what the right says about Iggy amounts to childish personal attacks.

[Sir Bandelot]

IMHO, it's a Canadian version of Bush Derangement Syndrome.

While the English-Canadian Left generally despises Americans, they invariably copy them.

Well my understanding is, it's not based on the personality or the party name, but how they appear in the public eye. They represent the big interests, corporatists, banks, increased profit for the already- wealthy, enthusiasm for warfare and more military spending, bigger prisons, longer sentences without rehab programs, deconstruction of social programs even if beneficial, ignoring facts for the purpose of maintaining an ideology. In other words, injustice and lies.

To hate that, doesn't seem irrational.

[Harry]

All the hate shown towards Harper is pretty irrational and pathological. Of course, the majority comes from Liberals who see what they have in comparison and break down from the trauma of excess envy.

Hate is such a strong word. Perhaps you might want to chat with August and ask him to stop using this kind of terminology as he just can't seem to let it go.

How about 'disagreeing with Harper's policies' or even 'dislike Harper's policies' instead?

However for someone to suggest they don't want a Harper majority, because they believe Harper's policies are wrong, is not an expression of hate.

[Wild Bill]

However for someone to suggest they don't want a Harper majority, because they believe Harper's policies are wrong, is not an expression of hate.

That's just backpedaling, Harry! Some of the stuff posted here about Harper has been so over the top as to suggest some members need to check their meds.

Some simple perspective is needed. No matter who wins the election, the world will NOT end! Harper is not going to sell us out to the lizard folk from "V". Ignatieff is NOT a fifth columnist for the Americans. Layton is NOT a commie undercover agent.

True, some choices would mean getting taxed more and/or losing out on some services. So what? That's what it means to be Canadian! We ALWAYS get screwed!

Yet we still survive!

I always remember what a friend in B.C. told me about their provincial politics. He said the reason why they keep alternating between a Liberal and an NDP provincial government is because they needed one to throw them a party and then the other to pay for it!

This is not necessarily a bad thing! At least the people get a party once in a while.

For Pete's Sake, LIGHTEN UP!

[Shakeyhands]

That's just backpedaling, Harry! Some of the stuff posted here about Harper has been so over the top as to suggest some members need to check their meds.

Funny comment given the very personal attacks coming from the CPC and their Booster Club for the last year + about Ignatieff....

[Harry]

Harper must now be regretting triggering an election by not accommodating one of the three opposition parties in the budget. And Canadians have been watching Harper who did not have a majority government, trying to act like he does by bullying the opposition, and have said no thanks we don't want Harper to have a majority government. As a result we will be having another hung Parliament. Too bad for Harper that he never learned how to play nice.

Liberal and NDP gains dampen Tory hopes for majority three weeks in With only two weeks left to go in the campaign, the likelihood that Stephen Harper will win a majority government has diminished. But though both Michael Ignatieffs Liberals and Jack Laytons Democrats are on the upswing, there might not be enough time left to scuttle the Conservatives chances of a stronger minority mandate.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberal-and-ndp-gains-dampen-tory-hopes-for-majority-three-weeks-in/article1988534/

Edited April 17, 2011 by Harry

[Smallc]

Harper must now be regretting triggering an election by not accommodating one of the three opposition parties in the budget.

Harper did accomodate the NDP. The NDP just wanted more.

[punked]

Harper did accomodate the NDP. The NDP just wanted more.

Not true Jack told what he would have to do to not go to an election and Harper didn't budge. It was all or none and Jack made that clear

[Harry]

Harper did accomodate the NDP. The NDP just wanted more.

Harper only got 38% of the vote, was only the leader of a minority government, so Harper should have accommodated one of the opposition parties enough to avoid an election. Harper acts too big for his britches.

Thanks for making my point.

Edited April 17, 2011 by Harry

[Smallc]

Not true Jack told what he would have to do to not go to an election and Harper didn't budge.

Yes he did. He gave him an increase in the GIS (not all of what he wanted) and he restored the eco energy refit grant.

[bloodyminded]

Harper did accomodate the NDP. The NDP just wanted more.

But if it's true (though I can't vouch that it is) that the amount of money Jack was demanding spent--which "fiscally prudent" Harper refused--was the same amount that the election will ultimately cost...well, then that raises certain questions about Conservative spending priorities, certainly.

[Smallc]

But if it's true (though I can't vouch that it is) that the amount of money Jack was demanding spent--which "fiscally prudent" Harper refused--was the same amount that the election will ultimately cost...well, then that raises certain questions about Conservative spending priorities, certainly.

That is certainly true. I think that he should have given him all of the GIS. There's nothing he can do on pensions on his own.

[capricorn]

Liberal and NDP gains dampen Tory hopes for majority three weeks in With only two weeks left to go in the campaign, the likelihood that Stephen Harper will win a majority government has diminished. But though both Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals and Jack Layton’s Democrats are on the upswing, there might not be enough time left to scuttle the Conservatives’ chances of a stronger minority mandate.

http://www.theglobea...article1988534/

I prefer lower Conservative polling numbers going into the election. If the numbers were too high that might indeed spook some voters into voting for another party. As a result, swing voters will feel less angst about voting Tory.

[bush_cheney2004]

...I prefer lower Conservative polling numbers going into the election. If the numbers were too high that might indeed spook some voters into voting for another party. As a result, swing voters will feel less angst about voting Tory.

Is this to be interpreted as a concerted effort to keep all parties hobbled enough to never form a majority? Is Canada afraid of a majority for any party?

[Harry]

Not the best timing for more dissention to be brewing within the Conservative family.

Mulroney at odds with Harper's lapdog leadership on environmental file

http://www.corporateknights.ca/Mulroneyexclusive

Edited April 17, 2011 by Harry

[capricorn]

Is this to be interpreted as a concerted effort to keep all parties hobbled enough to never form a majority? Is Canada afraid of a majority for any party?

A coalition of the left would soon cure Canadians of their fear of majority governments.

[bloodyminded]

Is this to be interpreted as a concerted effort to keep all parties hobbled enough to never form a majority? Is Canada afraid of a majority for any party?

You know, now that you mention it, that certainly seems to be the case.

Some people wish for a majority for this or that, but a lot of people aren't too eager.

[capricorn]

Not the best timing for more dissention to be brewing within the Conservative family.

I resisted my desire of clicking on the link to listen to Elizabeth May in conversation with Mulroney.

I'll say the same thing I've said about ex-Liberal PMs. The less I have them in my face the better, and that includes Mulroney.