.

[capricorn]

Thanks, I stand corrected on that. Lucien Bouchard just seemed too Liberal to be Conservative at all.

Speaking of Bouchard, a Quebec journalist made the link between his cane and Layton's cane.

les gens ont un faible pour les leaders qui triomphent de l'adversité. On disait Layton sur la voie de la retraite parce qu'il relevait d'un cancer et d'une opération à la hanche... Au contraire, ces épreuves l'auront drôlement bien servi, surtout au Québec, où Lucien Bouchard n'a jamais été autant aimé que dans les mois suivant son amputation. À la canne de Bouchard, succéda celle de Layton...

En passant, et moins sérieusement, un conseil à Jean Charest: c'est le temps qu'il s'achète une canne, ce serait sa meilleure chance de rehausser son image!

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/chroniqueurs/lysiane-gagnon/201105/03/01-4395550-le-bloc-meurt-le-quebec-vit.php

The gist of what she said is "people have a weakness for leaders who overcome adversity. Some said Layton was headed towards retirement because he was recovering from cancer and a hip operation ... instead, these challenges have oddly served him well, especially in Quebec, where Lucien Bouchard was never more liked than in the months following his amputation. Bouchard's cane was succeeded with that of Layton.

By the way, and less seriously, advice to Jean Charest: it's time he bought a cane, it would be his best chance to improve his image."

[Pliny]

Hard decisions aren't necessarily right decisions.

They aren't necessarily wrong decisions. Reason must generally prevail but sometimes force must over-ride ideology.

[Pliny]

Speaking of Bouchard, a Quebec journalist made the link between his cane and Layton's cane.

I said that to my wife when the Orange crush became apparent in Quebec. The cane has a symoblic significance.

[ninjandrew]

Question: Is the main appeal of the CPC the money that people will get? All over facebook people are yapping about the parties, and all the pro-Tory voters are talking about getting more money with the CPC. Is this their major appeal to voters? Getting more money?

[nittanylionstorm07]

Question: Is the main appeal of the CPC the money that people will get? All over facebook people are yapping about the parties, and all the pro-Tory voters are talking about getting more money with the CPC. Is this their major appeal to voters? Getting more money?

That's how it is in both Canada AND the US. All they see is cut taxes = more money in the pocket. They don't realize that is a short term gain and eventually hurts everyone.

[ninjandrew]

It certainly makes them difficult to argue with. I'll raise a billion reasons to dislike the Harper, and they always talk about getting money.

For the record, I'm not TOTALLY distraught by the election results. Im not hardcore anti-Harper, just modestly so.

[Bonam]

That's how it is in both Canada AND the US. All they see is cut taxes = more money in the pocket. They don't realize that is a short term gain and eventually hurts everyone.

Why do lower taxes "eventually hurt everyone"? Do you also believe the converse, that higher taxes will eventually benefit everyone?

[ToadBrother]

Why do lower taxes "eventually hurt everyone"? Do you also believe the converse, that higher taxes will eventually benefit everyone?

Is there any particular reason to believe that either simplistic formulation represents reality?

[nittanylionstorm07]

Why do lower taxes "eventually hurt everyone"? Do you also believe the converse, that higher taxes will eventually benefit everyone?

Look at the United States. Bush cut taxes in 2001. How did that help at all? The only reason there was a boom 2003-2006 was because of the housing bubble... we saw what happens when that pops. Now look where we are. With the low taxes, we can't fund services to help people, and we are suffering in numerous areas... poor schools, underfunded troops and veterans, ridiculous healthcare.

People need to be responsible and realize that there are bills that need to be paid, and that requires higher taxes among other things (inserting tariffs on Chinese goods for a start).

Edited May 3, 2011 by nittanylionstorm07

[RNG]

People need to be responsible and realize that there are bills that need to be paid, and that requires that they don't piss all their money away on things they don't need and look after themselves.

FTFY

[capricorn]

The NDP may have made history in another way. When Jack and Olivia move into Stornaway, this may be the first time that a power couple occupy the residence. The leader of the official opposition and his wife who is also a Member of Parliament. I can't recall this ever happening.

[nittanylionstorm07]

FTFY

Yeah... military, healthcare, education, stable regulations, and jobs are totally things people don't need and should take care of themselves.

[ToadBrother]

Yeah... military, healthcare, education, stable regulations, and jobs are totally things people don't need and should take care of themselves.

Except that the last item on the list is not something any government can guarantee, and in fact, with the risks still present of another recession (particularly if the Eurozone goes into the crapper even more), we may see unemployment rise no matter how much the Tories may wish otherwise.

[Bonam]

Is there any particular reason to believe that either simplistic formulation represents reality?

Of course not. I am merely pointing out how untenable nittany's statement is.

[ToadBrother]

Of course not. I am merely pointing out how untenable nittany's statement is.

I think setting taxation levels is a complex thing, and there may be times, even during recessions, when it is necessary. I'm thinking here, for instance, of the UK Coalition's upping of the VAT. Clearly not a great thing to do, but when your revenues are plummeting, you'll have to raise something.

[RNG]

I think setting taxation levels is a complex thing, and there may be times, even during recessions, when it is necessary. I'm thinking here, for instance, of the UK Coalition's upping of the VAT. Clearly not a great thing to do, but when your revenues are plummeting, you'll have to raise something.

I really disagree. Martin is about the only one who got this right. The whole western world, and I'm limiting my statement to that because I'm not familiar with the rest, seems to forget that it isn't that much of a revenue problem as it is a SPENDING problem.

[Smallc]

I really disagree. Martin is about the only one who got this right. The whole western world, and I'm limiting my statement to that because I'm not familiar with the rest, seems to forget that it isn't that much of a revenue problem as it is a SPENDING problem.

It isn't always a spending problem. Sometimes it really is a revenue problem. There are monies that have to be spent. If you can't meet your basic obligations, then you have a revenue problem.

[ToadBrother]

I really disagree. Martin is about the only one who got this right. The whole western world, and I'm limiting my statement to that because I'm not familiar with the rest, seems to forget that it isn't that much of a revenue problem as it is a SPENDING problem.

There are political realities to be dealt with. People expect, whether you agree with it or not, to have government provide certain services. Cut that too much, and your doomed.

[Mr.Canada]

The blue wave washes over Ontario. So many high ranking Liberals turfed by the voters who sent the Tories to Ottawa with a majority. I laughed my ass off when watching the coverage last night.

So many people here said the Tories would lose seats and were totally wrong. How does it feel? Will the world end because Harper has a majority?

The most amazing thing aside from the landslide victory for the Tories was the decimation of the Bloc in Quebec. My hat goes off to the NDP who crushed the Bloc in Qc. I'm glad it happened and it was well deserved. Congrats NDP you ran a good campaign and crushed the separatists. A feat no other party could do...kudos again!

Also amazing was that the Tories won almost every riding in the 905 and got 9 seats in the 416 as well...amazing. They crushed Ken Dryden, Joe Volpe, Martha Hall Findlay and even Ignatieff is gone. That was just amazing...amazing.

Finny how all the loud mouths are so quiet now...lol. They must be too embarrassed, I know I would be...lol.

Edited May 3, 2011 by Mr.Canada

[Roger Steele]

I am retired military after 30 years of service and not in the catagory of your focus. However I am old enough that I clearly remember vividly that previous Conservative majorities all the way back to 1957 have been disaterous to Canada.Harper may well be the best of what is available at this time but not to the extent of a blank check majority.We needed a minority to keep his reform agenda buried.Now he will be able to pull out that agenda and vote down anything in his path. That my friend will not be good for the country. Young people who seem to vote heavily for Harper need to be carefull of what they wished for.

I agree the snafu Deef pulled with the CF105 Avro Arrow may have been the biggest hit this country and perhaps the world ever experienced in aeronautical advancement, but it was likely influenced greatly by the US. I feel the most long term damage that was done to this country was cause by Trudeau and his Liberals. Trudeau and his cohorts raped and pillaged the country to cater to their rich friends and supporters in the east and after his 13 year spending spree we were in a severe depression with a huge dept, unemployment was very high as were mortgage rates and it has taken many years to recover. Yet to many Canadians Trudeau is considered the best Prime Minister we have had.

[Roger Steele]

I think it is great that the NDP have quashed the Bloc in Quebec, my only reservation is that Quebec has little representation in the governing party. While they are no longer represented by separatists, what have they really gained?

I hope that the Conservatives continue along the line that they were forced to follow during the coalition government. During a global recession they lowered the GST by 2% and still managed to improve Canada's economy to the point where we are envied by our world trade partners. They have begun to upgrade our Armed Forces which have been ignored and left to deteriorate for far too many years. I was embarrassed when we first deployed our forces to the middle east with the wrong colored gear and they had to hitch rides with other countries because our large transports were in no condition to take them. I am proud of the job our Armed Forces have done around the world despite the antiquated equipment that they are provided.

As several have already stated in this thread, it is not the revenues coming in that make a good government it is how that money is spent that will be remembered.

While I am happy that the Conservatives have a majority I do not agree with Privatized Health Care. Over the past 5 1/2 years I have had dozens of trips to hospitals and specialists. One of the best things Canada has for it's citizens is our Public Healthcare System. The last thing we want to do is let our system become like that in the US. The only people that would benefit from a privatized system are the owners of the clinics and some of the doctors all at the expense of the sick and dieing. Due to illness I will not see what transpires over the next 5 years, I can only hope that Canada will still be one of the best places in the world to live.

[capricorn]

So much for bonhomie in Canadian politics. Despite the huge Conservative win Monday night, there are Tories who are miffed Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff did not even bother to call Stephen Harper to congratulate him on his victory.

Jack Layton, the NDP Leader, called on election night, offering his good will and best wishes on winning a majority government.

Green Party Leader – and first-time MP – Elizabeth May says she is still trying to set up a call. “The PM was airborne most of the day,” Ms. May told The Globe.

Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe has not yet called, the PMO confirmed. But that doesn’t rankle as much as it does that Mr. Ignatieff – who lost his own seat and almost lost the Liberal Party along with it – did not make an effort to personally speak to the Prime Minister.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/tories-pout-after-ignatieff-opts-against-congratulatory-phone-call-to-harper/article2009716/

On May 3, the day after the election he resigned as Liberal leader and alluded that he was not a sore loser.

He (Ignatieff) noted that the “only thing Canadians like less than a loser is a sore loser”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ignatieff-resigns-after-liberal-defeat/article2008182/

Pointing out that Ignatieff did not call Harper on election night to offer congratulations, as is customary, might seem petty. It's his subsequent comment about "sore loser" that brings things into context. Thankfully, I've seen the final illustration of Ignatieff's inconsistencies and lack of acumen as a politician. Sore loser!

[SuperFreak]

While I am happy that the Conservatives have a majority I do not agree with Privatized Health Care. Over the past 5 1/2 years I have had dozens of trips to hospitals and specialists. One of the best things Canada has for it's citizens is our Public Healthcare System. The last thing we want to do is let our system become like that in the US. The only people that would benefit from a privatized system are the owners of the clinics and some of the doctors all at the expense of the sick and dieing. Due to illness I will not see what transpires over the next 5 years, I can only hope that Canada will still be one of the best places in the world to live.

Harper wouldn't even want the US model if the public didn't care. Medicare costs way, way more then our health care does. So Canada would have to raise taxes to pay for it.

Private companies then have to pay for health care, and the costs are also ridiculously high. Companies would essentially be getting a corporate tax hike and employees wages would get reduced to help cover private insurance.

Oh and Canada has a higher life expectancy.

Edited May 4, 2011 by SuperFreak

[cybercoma]

And the cost of health care in the United States is higher. That's why they try to buy their drugs here.

[Wild Bill]

While I am happy that the Conservatives have a majority I do not agree with Privatized Health Care. Over the past 5 1/2 years I have had dozens of trips to hospitals and specialists. One of the best things Canada has for it's citizens is our Public Healthcare System. The last thing we want to do is let our system become like that in the US. The only people that would benefit from a privatized system are the owners of the clinics and some of the doctors all at the expense of the sick and dieing. Due to illness I will not see what transpires over the next 5 years, I can only hope that Canada will still be one of the best places in the world to live.

There always seems to be some confusion when we debate private health care. Some of it is deliberate!

You see, many on the left define private health care as anything non-unionized! Most hospital staff belong to unions. There has been a growth of private clinics, especially in Quebec, that provide many of the services formerly available only at a hospital. These of course almost always employ non-union workers.

So many critics on the left will make the claim that these clinics are "private health care" and should be closed down. In reality, these clinics are still covered by the Canadian Health Act. Nobody has to pay for their services. Public health care covers these costs exactly the same as if the care was done buy a hospital!

These private clinics save the system money. To label them as inherently "evil" by virtue of being "private health care" is really a sneaky trick.