NDP should focus entirely on the Liberals

[mirror]

From now on until the next election the Layton New Democrats should focus their entire on what they represent, attacking the Liberals, and completely ignoring the Cons.

From here on in Harper is a lame duck leader and the Conservatives will be going nowhere until he is replaced and the Cons substantially moderate their policies so that they will appeal to a much broader cross section of the Canadian public.

- from SES Research released yesterday:

"Polling clearly shows that Stephen Harper's image is in a free fall.  In the past 90 days the percentage of Canadians who believe he would make the best Prime Minister has dropped from 27% to 14%.  Jack Layton has mathematically placed second, the first time in SES Best PM tracking."

And quite frankly I do not think there is a bigger baffoon in the country than David Frum. He is so out of touch with the average voter in this country that he would do much better as a Yuk Yuk comedian than a political commentator.

[shoop]

That is totally and utterly the best thing for the CPC.

The only thing that saved the Liberals in 2004 was stealing ND votes.

If the NDs go full-barrel after Martin he will have to swing to the left which will leave huge tracts of land for Harper to get votes.

Thanks for the help.

[mirror]

Spoken like a true ostrich.

[mirror]

Layton calls for energy tax on exports to the US to conter the softwood lumber duties imposed by the US.

I agree. It is time to play hardball with these Yankees.

And where is Ralph Klein on this issue? I remember him stating we should all stick together during the BSE crisis.

Canada suspends softwood talks with U.S.

Finance Minister Ralph Goodale said Washington has to understand that "Canada takes this very, very seriously."'

NDP Leader Jack Layton has said Canada must play "hardball" with the Americans by imposing export charges on oil and gas. Otherwise, he said, the United States won't take the issue seriously.

[mirror]

Layton calls for energy tax on oil and gas exports to the US to counter the softwood lumber duties imposed by the US.

I agree.

It is time to play hardball with these Yankees, and the Martin Liberals wimp approach is totally useless.

And where is Ralph Klein on this issue? I remember him stating we should all stick together during the BSE crisis. His silence is deafening!

Canada suspends softwood talks with U.S.

Finance Minister Ralph Goodale said Washington has to understand that "Canada takes this very, very seriously."'

NDP Leader Jack Layton has said Canada must play "hardball" with the Americans by imposing export charges on oil and gas. Otherwise, he said, the United States won't take the issue seriously.

[Leader Circle]

Layton calls for energy tax on exports to the US to conter the softwood lumber duties imposed by the US.

I agree. It is time to play hardball with these Yankees.

And where is Ralph Klein on this issue? I remember him stating we should all stick together during the BSE crisis.

Canada suspends softwood talks with U.S.

Finance Minister Ralph Goodale said Washington has to understand that "Canada takes this very, very seriously."'

NDP Leader Jack Layton has said Canada must play "hardball" with the Americans by imposing export charges on oil and gas. Otherwise, he said, the United States won't take the issue seriously.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes lets tax the guys that keep our economy going, great idea! Why not just resurrect the NEP? These stupid lefties that have their judgement so clouded with "social programs", they can't see what drives our economy!!

Who the hell are you to call anyone an ostrich? Better to have your head in the sand than so far up your ass, you can't see your welfare cheque!

[Riverwind]

Layton calls for energy tax on exports to the US to conter the softwood lumber duties imposed by the US.

Once again, Layton demonstrates that he lacks any knowledge of economics. Applying an export tax on any good or service will not hurt the Americans a bit since they will just buy the same product elsewhere.

[mirror]

Let them. We have lots of potential buyers for our oil and gas.

Can anybody speak Mandarin?

Can anyone spell C_H_I_N_A?

[Riverwind]

Let them. We have lots of potential buyers for our oil and gas.

Can anybody speak Mandarin?

Can anyone spell C_H_I_N_A? 

Can anyone spell R_O_C_K_Y M_O_U_N_T_A_I_N_S?

[mirror]

I don't hear any constructive alternative suggestions for resolving the softwood lumber dispute than to impose an oil and gas export tax which is being proposed by the Layton New Democrats.

I suppose though that will mean that the NDP will NOT sweep Alberta in the next election!

[Leader Circle]

Let them. We have lots of potential buyers for our oil and gas.

Can anybody speak Mandarin?

Can anyone spell C_H_I_N_A? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't remember China spelled with underscores!!

And China is stuck in the 50's, they buy our coal. Good ole non-polluting countries!!!

[mirror]

You can't have it both ways. You wanted the rest of Canada's assistance when the US stopped importing Alberta beef. Now some folks in Canada are getting screwed once again by the US over softwood lumber duties.

If you have a solution better than imposing an energy export tax let's hear it. I haven't heard any so far though, so an energy export tax on oil and gas to the US it has to be.

Go NDP Go! They will be getting my vote this time around.

[Riverwind]

I don't hear any constructive alternative suggestions for resolving the softwood lumber dispute than to impose an oil and gas export tax which is being proposed by the Layton New Democrats.

Sure. Keep talking wait an see if the Americans decide to stop posturing. Talk to America's other trading partners - start making a big stink about how America can't be trusted to live up to signed deals. Start raising import duties on American products in industries where Canadians have alternate suppliers - cattle, poultry, etc. Actually, if we really wanted to get the attention of the Americans we could put a tax on all American movies and television programs that are distributed in Canada.

[mirror]

Even the Martin Liberals have decided to stop talking. Today they walked away from the talks as the US are just stroking us. How many times now have the tribunals ruled in Canada's favour? Perhaps we need to cancel the trade agreements with the US as it seems their word is no good when it comes to resolving disputes.

It is way past the time to talk here. Canadian softwood suppliers have already lost is it $5 billion dollars now in crooked US duties. The US is stealing from us. Scumbags is what they are.

[mirror]

The reality is that we are now in a serious trade war situation with the USA.

Are we going to stick together as Canadians or are some of you going to be traitors to Canada?

Because if Ralph Klein and others are going to be traitors then perhaps Ottawa should nationalize all of Canada's energy resources.

[mirror]

I thought this was already being discussed.

----------------------------------------------------------

This is a brilliant suggestion by Layton to impose an export tax on oil and gas going to the US to counter their stealing

$5 billion from Canada in softwood lumber duties.

Trudeau wanted us to diversify but he was labelled a commie, etc. for that, but he was so right it is sickening. The sooner Canadians realize we need to reduce our trade with the US the better. And we'll see where Ralph Klein fits into the scenario as well. He wanted all of Canada to climb abord the BSE situation and we did. Let's see if he is going to be there for Canada now or will he be a traitor.

BTW Venezuela agreees with Layton:

Venezuela threatens anew to turn off oil spigot to US

When you have a better solution to the problem that Layton suggest one. So far the silence is deafening.

We need some Canadians with balls running this country, not wimps.

[mirror]

Here are some suggestions.

Canada must take steps to combat double standards of U.S. on trade

[mirror]

Canada should definitely cancel the sale of Terasen Gas to Kinder Morgan as it is NOT in our national interest. I can't believe that this sale was ever allowed to be considered in the first place. What is the matter with those Martin Liberals anyways?

[Riverwind]

Canada should definitely cancel the sale of Terasen Gas to Kinder Morgan as it is NOT in our national interest. I can't believe that this sale was ever allowed to be considered in the first place. What is the matter with those Martin Liberals anyways?

Perhaps because the CPP stands to make a bundle:

The $6.9-billion cash, stock and debt deal gives Terasen shareholders a 20-per-cent premium on the stockprice of the past 20 trading days. And the CPP Investment Board is not the only Canadian institutional investor that stands to benefit on behalf of Canadian clients. The B.C. Investment Management Corp., which manages funds for the public sector inBritish Columbia, the Caisse de Depotet Placement du Quebec, the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board, Canada’s big mutual fund companies —Investors Group and AGF — and the investment arms of the Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, Royal Bank, TDCanada Trust and HSBC Canada all stand to make an enviable return on their investment.

I personally hold Terasen stock and am not that thrilled at the takeover even though it has given me a great short term return. I bought it because I wanted a stock with a steady dividend in Canadian dollars - something that I will be losing because of the takeover.

[mirror]

How We Got Screwed on Terasen Deal

Hydro next?

Can Hydro be far behind? Premier Campbell says “no” but he also told us he wouldn’t privatize any part of Hydro – and he has. He also promised to keep BC Rail – and he hasn’t. He had Terasen under Canadian control and gave that up.

I only raise Hydro because if that is sold to American shareholders it will be the same as with Terasen – power and water for greedy and thirsty Americans first and the needs of British Columbia for those commodities last.

We are quickly moving to the place where American needs for oil, gas and water will trump our needs for the same. Moreover, the environmental problems this will raise will be ours not theirs and the profits not ours but theirs too.

We have taken a Canadian company that controlled the natural gas we use and turned it over to a foreign owner to use what should be our profits, public profits, to build American pipelines from the tar sands to America

Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad.

[mirror]

You also have to remember that oil rigs themelsves are scarce resources.

If Layton's folly were to become reality, watch how quickly rigs head north to Alaska and south to Texas.

Buh bye Alberta boom.

But really what are the odds of Jack Layton ever becoming PM? Less than Harper, even in Mirror and THELIBERAL's fantasy worlds. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Einstein........what's your brilliant solution? All you right wingers do is bitch and complain, and never ever come up with solutions. No wonder you are in freefall in the polls!

[err]

NDP Leader Jack Layton has said Canada must play "hardball" with the Americans by imposing export charges on oil and gas. Otherwise, he said, the United States won't take the issue seriously.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes lets tax the guys that keep our economy going, great idea! Why not just resurrect the NEP? These stupid lefties that have their judgement so clouded with "social programs", they can't see what drives our economy!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

NAFTA works great, except in the few fields where Canada can actually outperform the United States. Softwood lumber is one of these... The USA feels that NAFTA tribunals only have valid findings when they are in the USA's favour... And they don't have to follow the rules.

I agree with Jack Layton. If they aren't going to play by the rules, we'll certainly get their attention by pinching the oil pipeline a bit....

I cannot agree with Leader Circle, who thinks we should have our Prime Minister come back from NAFTA talks with stains on the front of his suit like Brian Mulroney did..... Bending over for them doesn't get respect or a positive result for Canada....

[err]

I don't think the NDP needs focus exclusively on the Liberals. I think the NDP has to stick to its own messages, and promote its own policies.

[shoop]

Hey Einstein........what's your brilliant solution? All you right wingers do is bitch and complain, and never ever come up with solutions. No wonder you are in freefall in the polls!  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Treat the U.S. with respect and build a healthy relationship. That doesn't mean bending over and taking it up the arse.

When Mulroney chose NOT to participate in Star Wars he did it the right way. Called Reagen directly and explained that he couldn't take part for practical reasons back home. Martin was a complete dick to Bush over the issue. There was no reason for Martin to string Bush along for so long on WMD. If he had handled their relationship more professionally from day one, it would probably be healthier. How to handle it more professionally? Call Bush and tell him personally. Don't announce it in a press conference.

You say we sell our oil to the Chinese? Ahhh, who bears the huge cost of shipping? Alberta oil producers? Great idea. So Alberta takes it up the arse so Jack Layton can make a stand agianst the U.S. Potential Prime Ministers should at least pretend to represent the entire country.

Do you honestly think the U.S. would give up the softwood lumber duties because of that move? What is to stop them from using that cash to subsidize oil imports?

Get the point. The U.S. economy is ten times the size of ours. They will win everytime we try and force a pissing contest. Layton is just pandering to retarded reactionaries such as yourself who have no idea about economics, but think Canada is better everytime we 'slap the U.S. in the face.' Grow up!

[SirSpanky]

Good post shoop.

A tug of war with the states will only end up with our face in the mud.