Harper rises in leadership poll

Wild Bill · September 18, 2012

The point is you are leaving out whole sections of the country and pretending they don't exist.

What else is new? The Liberals pretended the West didn't exist for decades! :lol: :lol: :lol:

punked · September 18, 2012

What else is new? The Liberals pretended the West didn't exist for decades! :lol:

They still pretend it doesn't exist. That doesn't make it right.

jacee · September 18, 2012

There's a reason those ridings are huge. Very few people live in them.

Northern BC, Northern Manitoba, and Northern Ontario and Quebec. Except for Atlantic Canada the rest of that map is Blue.

But the NDP do not represent only a small section.

madmax · September 19, 2012

Why is this even an issue worth discussing lol? The election is eons away. Bob Rae isn't going to have good numbers because it's known he's not a permanent leader. Mulcair's numbers are low because he's brand new and shadows in comparison to Layton in terms of charisma. Harper's numbers are high because (duh) he's PM, he's run several successful elections and because he appears to have an iron grip on his party.

OK, if you are right, and that's a big ifffffff IF IFIF well, then we'd have to find something else to talk about lol....

But other then that.... pretty straightforwardanalysis quoted above

Topaz · September 19, 2012

Let's see what the polls say after the Tories decided how much MP's are going to pay on their own pensions, at what age they start, right now is 55 while they have changed CPP to 67, and when this goes into effect. I wouldn't be surprised if they say the rules will be for any NEW MP in the next elections. News reports say some of the Tories are fighting the paying half, must be the front row.

Smallc · September 19, 2012

I wouldn't be surprised if they say the rules will be for any NEW MP in the next elections.

Neither would I. Why should it be any different? The changes to OAS are being phased in over years a decade from now, so...

Newfoundlander · September 19, 2012

Let's see what the polls say after the Tories decided how much MP's are going to pay on their own pensions, at what age they start, right now is 55 while they have changed CPP to 67, and when this goes into effect. I wouldn't be surprised if they say the rules will be for any NEW MP in the next elections. News reports say some of the Tories are fighting the paying half, must be the front row.

While MP pensions need major reforms I don't agree with imposing them on all current MPs. Some could have retired in 2011 under old rules but chose to run again, they may have retired had they known there were new rules being imposed. Some MPs may have never run for parliament had there been a different pension plan.

Bonam · September 19, 2012

Some MPs may have never run for parliament had there been a different pension plan.

Any MP that chose to try to gain that position just because of the pension plan should never have been an MP to begin with.

Newfoundlander · September 19, 2012

Any MP that chose to try to gain that position just because of the pension plan should never have been an MP to begin with.

If someone is leaving a job for a new one they have to take all those things into consideration. Would you not consider salary and pension plan when getting a new job?

Topaz · September 19, 2012

Well, its just like I thought, IF this goes through the Tories want it to start in 2016 and the age to get it is 65 not 67 like Canadians waiting for OAS. The NDP is calling for a independant committee to deal with pensions and pay raises for the MP's, will the Tories go along with that? It's wrong for the government to give themselves pay raises, it should be private citzens that have no connection to politics. Is this also going to include the senators? http://ca.news.yahoo.com/conservative-caucus-takes-wheel-sensitive-topic-mp-pensions-210418321.html

Topaz · September 19, 2012

If someone is leaving a job for a new one they have to take all those things into consideration. Would you not consider salary and pension plan when getting a new job?

First of all, most of the time people running for MPP or MP, are not necessarily qualifed to do the job, its more of a "nice guy or nice person" mode that gets them elected. The ones that run for office that really DO care about this country, really don't care about the benefits but I think those are hard to find. Then, of course, you have those who have a special agenda to change the country, sometimes for the better, most the time not.

Keepitsimple · September 19, 2012

Well, its just like I thought, IF this goes through the Tories want it to start in 2016 and the age to get it is 65 not 67 like Canadians waiting for OAS.

What's your point? When the OAS eligibility rises to age 67 10 years from now, so too does the proposal for the MP's pension. What is it you are upset about?

The current proposal, a Conservative source said, would raise the eligibility age from 55 to 65 by the end of the government's current term in 2016. When the eligibility for old age security (OAS) increases to 67, so too would MPs' pension eligibility.

jacee · September 19, 2012

First of all, most of the time people running for MPP or MP, are not necessarily qualifed to do the job, its more of a "nice guy or nice person" mode that gets them elected. The ones that run for office that really DO care about this country, really don't care about the benefits but I think those are hard to find. Then, of course, you have those who have a special agenda to change the country, sometimes for the better, most the time not.

The only ones who can afford to work for measly pay and benefits are the rich.

Decent pay and pensions allows ANY Canadian to be an MP, not just 'rule by the rich' as it was historically.

That's the purpose of the limitations on political fundraising too.

(CPP starts at 60, if you want, or 65 for full benefits. )

Given the time committment, STRESS, travel, being away from family ... it never appealed to me.

BUT the fact remains that for those who do aspire to be MP's, in Canada you can, whether you have money or not ... if you can win.

Edited September 19, 2012 by jacee

Newfoundlander · September 20, 2012

First of all, most of the time people running for MPP or MP, are not necessarily qualifed to do the job, its more of a "nice guy or nice person" mode that gets them elected. The ones that run for office that really DO care about this country, really don't care about the benefits but I think those are hard to find. Then, of course, you have those who have a special agenda to change the country, sometimes for the better, most the time not.

So what are the list of qualifications to be an MP?

Topaz · September 20, 2012

Then go look at Nanos' website, what difference does it make if they were polled for the first time or not?

W

When they do these polls they should included where these people live and if they have been polled before.For example, if most of the polling was out West, then Harper would get a good polling but if was polled in the East, he may not. Besides that, how can 1002 people, be the example of what most Canadians think?

Wild Bill · September 20, 2012

Besides that, how can 1002 people, be the example of what most Canadians think?

Because that's the way statistical mathematics works, Topaz. Math doesn't lie.

That's why casinos and smart gamblers make tons of money, while most people who gamble just lose.

You may not understand the math behind polling but if you worked on a politicians campaign you had better trust polling.

Or you will lose!

Newfoundlander · September 20, 2012

W

When they do these polls they should included where these people live and if they have been polled before.For example, if most of the polling was out West, then Harper would get a good polling but if was polled in the East, he may not. Besides that, how can 1002 people, be the example of what most Canadians think?

They do the breakdown and like Bill said that's how polling works.

Edited September 20, 2012 by Newfoundlander

PIK · September 20, 2012

So what are the list of qualifications to be an MP?

Win and that is it, the NDP showed us that in quebec.

Edited September 20, 2012 by PIK

Mr.Canada · September 20, 2012

It's easy to see why he is on the rise. he has proven himself a competent leader who is compassionate and caring not a distracted billionaire like PM Martin or Harvard professor like Ignatieff. Harper is not wealthy, he is not even rich, he is just like you or me. Trying to make a difference in the country that he loves. That country is Canada.

PM Harper isn't a high priced wealthy lawyer and University professor like Mr. Mulcair. PM Harper isn't a power hungry Rhodes scholar like Bob Rae. He's just Steven. A man with a desire to make Canada a wonderful place to live, come to and invest in.

A picture of Harper should be in every Canadian home and public place. Even in our wallets so we may gaze at him during during times of hardship and ask ourselves. What would Steve do?

Smallc · September 20, 2012

A picture of Harper should be in every Canadian home and public place. Even in our wallets so we may gaze at him during during times of hardship and ask ourselves. What would Steve do?

Quit trolling.

Edited September 20, 2012 by Smallc

blueblood · September 20, 2012

It's easy to see why he is on the rise. he has proven himself a competent leader who is compassionate and caring not a distracted billionaire like PM Martin or Harvard professor like Ignatieff. Harper is not wealthy, he is not even rich, he is just like you or me. Trying to make a difference in the country that he loves. That country is Canada.

PM Harper isn't a high priced wealthy lawyer and University professor like Mr. Mulcair. PM Harper isn't a power hungry Rhodes scholar like Bob Rae. He's just Steven. A man with a desire to make Canada a wonderful place to live, come to and invest in.

A picture of Harper should be in every Canadian home and public place. Even in our wallets so we may gaze at him during during times of hardship and ask ourselves. What would Steve do?

This is why so many people get turned off of centre right politics. Nut bars like this person. No wonder the republicans are in trouble...

Newfoundlander · September 20, 2012

Win and that is it, the NDP showed us that in quebec.

Exactly. It's stupid to criticize someone as being unqualified for a position that doesn't have a job description.

PIK · September 20, 2012

And when the polls say canadians say this or that, how do we know that they were canadians on the other end of the phone? Or just somebody off the boat with a different veiw of how things should work here.

Wild Bill · September 20, 2012

And when the polls say canadians say this or that, how do we know that they were canadians on the other end of the phone? Or just somebody off the boat with a different veiw of how things should work here.

Good point! We let people vote who aren't even citizens! It's totally an honour system that everyone is afraid to challenge, for fear of being called racist.

Topaz · September 20, 2012

It's easy to see why he is on the rise. he has proven himself a competent leader who is compassionate and caring not a distracted billionaire like PM Martin or Harvard professor like Ignatieff. Harper is not wealthy, he is not even rich, he is just like you or me. Trying to make a difference in the country that he loves. That country is Canada.

PM Harper isn't a high priced wealthy lawyer and University professor like Mr. Mulcair. PM Harper isn't a power hungry Rhodes scholar like Bob Rae. He's just Steven. A man with a desire to make Canada a wonderful place to live, come to and invest in.

A picture of Harper should be in every Canadian home and public place. Even in our wallets so we may gaze at him during during times of hardship and ask ourselves. What would Steve do?

Harper may not have been rich when he became PM but he is now a millionaire, and will get over 300,000 in pension. Most people who become MP's leave a lot richer then most Canadians. I'm sure there could be a picture of Harper in a home over the dart board. Who would have a picture of any PM in their home unless they were a close friend or relative? your dreaming.