CPC Leadership Predictions

[Newfoundlander]

Bernier's past calls his judgement into question, plus he's a French Quebecer. There will be a reflexive backlash against the idea, especially from the West, of all three federal leaders being French Quebecers. Chong has no following nor is he particularly charismatic.

I'm guessing it will wind up being between McCay and Kenney.

The NDP don't have a leader and it doesn't seem likely they'll have a Quebecker leading them in the future. His past is a problem.

As for Chong I think he's the most credible underdog in the race. He may not have a big following within the party but that's where expanding the party comes into play, as Patrick Brown did in Ontario.

[Derek 2.0]

Yeah. Chong is a guy you want to have around for his input, but you don't want him actually making decisions.

I agree.......I think the appeal of Chong, from those that will never vote CPC, is that he stood up to Harper and doesn't tow the party line.

[Big Guy]

Glad to see Bernier get into the race. For a while it looked like a Leitch and Chong show!

[overthere]

Glad to see Bernier get into the race. For a while it looked like a Leitch and Chong show!

LOL

Daves not here!

[PIK]

He also quit on the party . He is toast.

[waldo]

often spoken of as 'the next one'... as the 'heir apparent' - Jason Kenney; perpetually viewed as always planning, always making moves with the leadership in mind following the eventual departure of Harper. Well, it appears Kenney has shifted gears in recent weeks taking on a more visible profile after being somewhat reserved and closed-off since the election defeat: Jason Kenney claims Canadian schools "hard-wire" youths with anti-conservative beliefs

... the potential Conservative leadership candidate had an interesting explanation as to why Canadians under 30 do not identify with conservative values.

According to Kenney, that's because millennials are "the first generation to come through a schooling system where many of them have been hard-wired with collectivist ideas," a process he suggests begins in primary school:

"I think it's the first generation to come through a schooling system where many of them have been hard-wired with collectivist ideas, with watching Michael Moore documentaries, with identity politics from their primary and secondary schools to universities. That's kind of a cultural challenge for any conservative party, any party of the centre-right, and we've got to figure out how to break that nut."

oh my! Canadian schools are brainwashing millennials to not identify with 'conservative values' - who knew!
.

[PIK]

Very true in ONT.

[cybercoma]

oh my! Canadian schools are brainwashing millennials to not identify with 'conservative values' - who knew!.

Conservatives are threatened by an intelligent and informed electorate. That's nothing new.

[waldo]

The education system in ONT is not being run by intelligent people. Spoiled rotten overpaid under worked self centred young teachers is what we are stuck with today.

how does your opinion of the Ontario education system and Ontario teachers translate into presumed leadership candidate, Jason Kenney's described, "tough nut to break"?... how does that translate into Kenney's assertion that Canadian schools are brainwashing "manipulating" millennials to not identify with 'conservative values'? MLW member PIK, how do you propose to break Kenney's nut, vis-a-vis the Ontario education system/Ontario teachers?

.

[Big Guy]

often spoken of as 'the next one'... as the 'heir apparent' - Jason Kenney; perpetually viewed as always planning, always making moves with the leadership in mind following the eventual departure of Harper. Well, it appears Kenney has shifted gears in recent weeks taking on a more visible profile after being somewhat reserved and closed-off since the election defeat: Jason Kenney claims Canadian schools "hard-wire" youths with anti-conservative beliefs

oh my! Canadian schools are brainwashing millennials to not identify with 'conservative values' - who knew!

.

Is that because they teach evolution?

[Argus]

Is that because they teach evolution?

I would assume it would be because they are overpaid and fight strenuously to avoid their poor work habits and poor results being judged. There is a reason why they've fought to hard for 'tenure' a system which makes it virtually impossible to get rid of incompetents. It allows someone of low intelligence to coast through their career making big money and collecting a generous pension where they would otherwise have been dismissed due to sub-par performance.

As for what they teach. I'd be happy if they could teach reading and arithmetic, but that seems increasingly too complicated for them.

[Big Guy]

I would assume it would be because they are overpaid and fight strenuously to avoid their poor work habits and poor results being judged. There is a reason why they've fought to hard for 'tenure' a system which makes it virtually impossible to get rid of incompetents. It allows someone of low intelligence to coast through their career making big money and collecting a generous pension where they would otherwise have been dismissed due to sub-par performance.

As for what they teach. I'd be happy if they could teach reading and arithmetic, but that seems increasingly too complicated for them.

I understand. It is very apparent that they did not do a very good job in your case. But cheer up. There are a few successes. Possibly you might sue for being educated so poorly and forcing you into a negative attitude towards teachers and the world in general.

If your evaluation of that particular profession is correct then it appears to me that you might qualify to join that profession, make all that wonderful money instead of casting your wonderful seeds of knowledge on the sterile grounds of an anonymous opinion board. At least you would be "making big money" for spending hours boring students instead of getting nothing for spending hours, boring posters.

Edited June 4, 2016 by Big Guy

[?Impact]

There is a reason why they've fought to hard for 'tenure' a system which makes it virtually impossible to get rid of incompetents.

Certainly there are lots of pitfalls for tenure track positions, I agree there are some teachers coasting because they are protected by the system. What also needs to be considered are that not all public school teachers are tenure track. First they need to have a minimum of three year probationary period, intended to weed out the incompetents. Many teachers are what are termed LTO (Long Term Occasional), which is essentially full time non-tenure positions. Finally, the reason that tenure track positions were created in the first place over a century ago was because of the political interference in the education system. With people like Jason Kenney around, it seems those reasons have not vanished.

As to being overpaid, who do you think is more valuable? A teacher with a bachelors degree from a university and another year at teachers college (many also have additional Master and PhD degrees), entrusted with the education of our future workforce, or a high-school dropout driving a truck? Many high-school dropouts earning over twice what the average teacher makes, and several times the entry level salary. I have nothing against either, just pointing out that 'overpaid' is a relative term.

Edited June 3, 2016 by ?Impact

[Big Guy]

.... I have nothing against either, just pointing out that 'overpaid' is a relative term.

You are taking the bait.

[taxme]

So there's a lot of names being bandied about. What are some of your CPC leadership predictions?

Some of the less common ones that I think are interesting are Jean Charest and Bernard Lord. The latter I would take very seriously if he enters his name into the running. He's a lawyer and fully bilingual, as well as being from the east coast, where the Conservatives were annihilated this election.

I don't want any franco to become the leader of the Conservative Party. If the liberals only want francos as leaders in their party, then the Conservatives should only have anglophone leaders. The francos already are over represented in Ottawa. One might say that they already run and own Canada as one must be bilingual to pretty much work in Ottawa. That was not suppose to be the case when Canada was declared bilingual by a franco I might add. When I watch the politicians in the house go back and forth in English and french, it makes no sense to me at all. As a anglophone visitor in the gallery and trying to understand as to what is being said when they start going back and forth in English and french makes for confusing times. I am not getting the gist of what is being said and is going on. The only language that should be spoken in Parliament is in English.

[taxme]

It IS that hard, especially since Francophones have a demonstrated history of being much more intolerant to fractured French than Anglos are to fractured English.

The francos are much more intolerant to the English language. Didn't quebec declare french the official language of quebec, and has outlawed anyone speaking English on an intercom system in grocery or retailer stores. And you must answer the phone in french only. And by law all grocery products like cartons and cans on shelves has to be facing out and English facing in. And when one tries to speak french to a franco, they kind of have that dumb look or smirk about them I know this because I am originally from quebec. They are the most intolerant people around.

[Newfoundlander]

Steven Blaney is now considering a leadership bid. It looks as though Maxime Bernier's proposal to get rid of supply management was the tipping point for him deciding to go for it. Former Trade Minister Ed Fast and Quebec MP Luc Berthold have come out against Bernier's proposal, as has Michael Chong.

[Argus]

I understand. It is very apparent that they did not do a very good job in your case.

That's for sure. I learned so much more once I left the dull-witted government drones behind!

Now, whenever I meet a teacher, I'm amazed at the depths of their ignorance on almost every issue!

Possibly you might sue for being educated so poorly and forcing you into a negative attitude towards teachers and the world in general.

More like Canadian taxpayers, especially those in Ontario should sue for the miserable performance of teachers and how poorly our children perform on tests.

If your evaluation of that particular profession is correct then it appears to me that you might qualify to join that profession,

Any moron qualifies to be a teacher, and many a moron has! The only people I know who wanted to be teachers were those too lazy and too unimaginative to have any interest in real work. They chose teaching because it paid well, was guaranteed, and had LOTS of time off.

At least you would be "making big money"

Teachers are wildly overpaid, but only a government drone would call it 'big money'. I make more in a couple of months than some drone teacher makes in a year.

for spending hours boring students instead of getting nothing for spending hours, boring posters.

People squawk at my posts a lot, but not a one has called them boring - especially as compared to the brainless sanctimonious sermonizing some like to engage in.

[Argus]

Finally, the reason that tenure track positions were created in the first place over a century ago was because of the political interference in the education system. With people like Jason Kenney around, it seems those reasons have not vanished.

And yet teachers do not hesitate to politicize their classes at every opportunity.

Also, Kathleen Wynne has had no difficulty in inserting her political and social views into Ontario's schoolrooms.

So why do we have tenure again?

As to being overpaid, who do you think is more valuable? A teacher with a bachelors degree from a university and another year at teachers college (many also have additional Master and PhD degrees), entrusted with the education of our future workforce, or a high-school dropout driving a truck?

I believe in the law of supply and demand. Given we have massive oversupply of teachers - so many people wanting a cushy, guaranteed job - it's very clear teachers are overpaid. In addition, international testing scores show we keep falling further behind other countries where, shockingly, teachers aren't paid nearly as well and don't have all those degrees.

The fact is, you don't need a degree to teach most subjects; certainly not at the elementary level. If you have the personality, you can be a great teacher with just high school. If you don't, then the degree doesn't really help at all. Few teachers are actually teaching in the area their degree is from anyway.

[Big Guy]

That's for sure. I learned so much more once I left the dull-witted government drones behind!

Now, whenever I meet a teacher, I'm amazed at the depths of their ignorance on almost every issue!

More like Canadian taxpayers, especially those in Ontario should sue for the miserable performance of teachers and how poorly our children perform on tests.

Any moron qualifies to be a teacher, and many a moron has! The only people I know who wanted to be teachers were those too lazy and too unimaginative to have any interest in real work. They chose teaching because it paid well, was guaranteed, and had LOTS of time off.

Teachers are wildly overpaid, but only a government drone would call it 'big money'. I make more in a couple of months than some drone teacher makes in a year.

People squawk at my posts a lot, but not a one has called them boring - especially as compared to the brainless sanctimonious sermonizing some like to engage in.

I fully agree with most of what you have posted and find nothing surprising in your attitude. As to you great earnings, I assume that takes place in spite of the time you spend here on posting. I congratulate you on your income and fully believe everything you say about yourself especially that you make more in a couple months that some drone teacher makes in a year. Some might suggest that you are living in a make-belief world but I would not.

BTW - Do you sell bridges in Brooklyn?

If you do then I will buy one, just as I would buy anything else you are trying to sell.

Not sure what this has to do with CPC Leadership but perhaps you have decided to run? Since apparently you could probably afford to finance your own campaign and certainly exhibit the character required you should consider the idea.

You really are something else!

Edited June 4, 2016 by Big Guy

[Argus]

I fully agree with most of what you have posted and find nothing surprising in your attitude. As to you great earnings, I assume that takes place in spite of the time you spend here on posting.

I work at home, and have spaces of time throughout the day which are too short to do anything useful but too long to sit there and twiddle my thumbs. So I come here to counter the toxic influence of bigots and nazis, and the squalid little left wing minds who hate anyone successful and want to punish them for it.

I prefer logic, which I know is an uncomfortable word for you. Who bitches about taxes who isn't paying hefty taxes? I note you never complain about taxes, for example. I didn't complain that much years ago either. Now I do. A lot. Some people might have noticed.

On the other hand, who supports hugely expensive government programs without care about the cost, and who has no problem with big raises being given out to government unions? Why, someone not paying taxes.

[BC_chick]

Argus didn't you use to work for the CRA? It sounds like you have gone into consulting now and paying your own taxes? Maybe having to physically cut that cheque hurts more than having it deducted for you?

There is no reason for your taxes to go up that much unless you were making median income before and started making 300+ overnight (doubtful).

Also, I don't suppose you have kids yourself otherwise you wouldn't belittle teachers so badly. They work very hard taking care of the future of our country. Cut them some slack they deserve everything they get.

Edited June 4, 2016 by BC_chick

[Big Guy]

I work at home, and have spaces of time throughout the day which are too short to do anything useful but too long to sit there and twiddle my thumbs. So I come here to counter the toxic influence of bigots and nazis, and the squalid little left wing minds who hate anyone successful and want to punish them for it.

I prefer logic, which I know is an uncomfortable word for you. Who bitches about taxes who isn't paying hefty taxes? I note you never complain about taxes, for example. I didn't complain that much years ago either. Now I do. A lot. Some people might have noticed.

On the other hand, who supports hugely expensive government programs without care about the cost, and who has no problem with big raises being given out to government unions? Why, someone not paying taxes.

Well, there are many things that cause people to become bigots and even more excuses to rationalize that shortcoming. It begins with an attitude where you begin to think that others have squalid little minds, then it progresses to demeaning others who do not look like you or speak like you and may even progress to interesting salutes and burning crosses.

You will have to control any impulses in that direction if you intend to run for the leadership of any political party. Perhaps with all that money that you are making you might hire a PR firm. Have you considered writing a book which will tell other how to make all kinds of money while sitting at your computer terminal and twiddle your thumbs.

Have you decided yet on your run at the Conservative leadership?

[Argus]

Well, there are many things that cause people to become bigots and even more excuses to rationalize that shortcoming. It begins with an attitude where you begin to think that others have squalid little minds,

But some people DO have squalid little minds. That's one of the reasons I entertain myself here by pricking their enormous egos and challenging their beliefs - beliefs they barely understand themselves given their squalid little minds...

[Argus]

Argus didn't you use to work for the CRA? It sounds like you have gone into consulting now and paying your own taxes? Maybe having to physically cut that cheque hurts more than having it deducted for you?

I used to work for myself but got tired of the uncertain remuneration so went to work for the government. It is true that having to make big payments rather than having taxes deducted from my biweekly cheques is more painful, but then too I used to be paying about 28% of my income in taxes and now I pay over 50%. When you have to start sending off quarterly tax payments (in advance) of $30,000, believe me you start paying attention to how that money is being spent. If it was being spent well I'd complain a lot less.

And yes I got lucky, but also persisted for decades, through a lot of hardship.

There is no reason for your taxes to go up that much unless you were making median income before and started making 300+ overnight (doubtful)

That is actually pretty much what happened.

Also, I don't suppose you have kids yourself otherwise you wouldn't belittle teachers so badly. They work very hard taking care of the future of our country.

But my assessment of whether someone is getting the money they deserve has little to do with how 'hard' they work! The guy who dug the holes for my fenceposts worked hard. The guys building my deck are working hard.

Teachers might or might not work hard. It's not essential given tenure. But they get paid more than their counterparts just about anywhere on earth, yet we don't see better results for our generosity. To the contrary, we see a high illiteracy level and students faring worse and worse in international testing.

In fact, that is the case with almost all government jobs at all levels. We, as taxpayers, pay top rate salaries and benefits at every level for sub-par performance. And if there was one thing I would like to see in a Conservative party leader it would be someone who recognizes this and has an intelligent plan to counter it.

Edited June 4, 2016 by Argus