Question for Conservatives

[The Terrible Sweal]

Many Con supporters ask repeatedly why Canadians support the Liberals. Whenever anyone explains that these Tory policies are undesirable, the Tory supporter tends to go intoa bizarre form of denial. So, maybe your replies to this poll will help clarify what you're saying.

[cybercoma]

I have a feeling there are going to be replies in this thread that will be much too long to read in one sitting.

[The Terrible Sweal]

Now I'm pretty sure there's more than one Conservative around here. C'mon out and have your say ...

[cybercoma]

Now I'm pretty sure there's more than one Conservative around here.  C'mon out and have your say ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The question is too vague and you're lumping a bunch of stuff together. I wonder if there's someone actually involved with the CPC who could answer this the most succinctly.

[PatM]

Here's an article by Joseph Stiglitz, former vice president and chief economist of the world bank, describing the difference between "good policy" and what the Reform party want to do. Of course he doesn't mention the Reform party by name, but the description of countries harmed by globalization show its the same platform.

Globalism's discontents

One real good thing about this article is that it points out how globalization CAN be good if done correctly.

Edit:

When he talks about capital inflows and outflows, he's talking about things like NAFTA - which was all about the free movement of money, not trade. 98% of NAFTA's trade regulation was formerly known as GATT, the remaining 2% were things like chapter 11 that give foreign corporations the right to sue governments for impeding trade e.g. gasoline additives that pollute water supplies cannot be banned under environmental legislation.

[kimmy]

I take it that this thread is the only response I'm going to get to my "what's so great about Paul Martin?" queries.

Very well.

"Deference to the U.S., shrunken Fed. government, more input from religions, reduced social benefits."

I think differences between the CPC and LPC on issues of "shrunken gov't", "input from religions", and "reduced social benefits" are largely hype. Basically due to a combination of political pragmatism and the courts, I don't think you'd see the Conservatives attempt anything very dramatic on any of these fronts. I think the Conservatives would be more likely to review existing programs with a critical eye toward efficiency. I think that the Conservatives are less likely to attempt a big showpiece program (think National Daycare) that has the potential to turn into a big disaster (think Gun Registry.)

As for "Deference to the US" ...well, after reading PatM's recent posts regarding "deep integration", well, I'm not sure the Liberals are the tireless defenders of sovereignty that they wish people to think they are. I'm concerned at how long it took Paul Martin and Bill Graham to get their story straight on missile defence, and concerned that Paul Martin's decision appears to have been dictated to him by the Quebec Youth Wing of the party, and ultimately I'm pretty confident that we'll discover that by hook or crook we're in BMD anyway. My feeling is that on issues of sovereignty (as on pretty much everything else) the Liberals are far more show than substance. People immediately think of Carolyn Parrish and her antics, but that's just a side-show for the easily distracted.

-k

[The Terrible Sweal]

I hope it won't be too objectionable if I note that the current vote count on this poll makes for an interestong indicator of what the public is trying to sort out about the Conservatives.

[willy]

If you take the wording of you poll and make any judgments with its finding, you have been drinking your own Kool-Aid too long.

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All governments should review programs and spending every few years. Because something was a good idea at one time does not make it a good idea forever. Our world reality changes political, and technological.

The Conservatives to provide good government should do a review of all programs and spending.

Our government’s purpose should not be to grow or shrink. Our government’s purpose should not be to increase its outputs but to focus on the outcomes that will make this a better country. A great example would be spending, more does not fix anything. E.g.. Sponsorship program in Quebec.

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The US is a valuable trading partner and giant elephant. We need to be diplomatic with our friends and make sure we work together.

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Religion in government is a red haring. People of all faiths make up all parties in the house. They all have personal values that help them in formulating policy that is aimed at fixing the problems in this country.