Peter Stoffer for Leader of the NDP

[Canadian Blue]

Just wondering, would anyone here ever consider voting for Peter Stoffer if he were to become leader of the NDP? I would join the NDP, and volunteer to see him get elected, I think he could offer a new choice for Canadian's. So far I have been impressed with his stance on the issues, and how he has differentiated himself from Jack Layton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Stoffer

[mikedavid00]

Just wondering, would anyone here ever consider voting for Peter Stoffer if he were to become leader of the NDP? I would join the NDP, and volunteer to see him get elected, I think he could offer a new choice for Canadian's. So far I have been impressed with his stance on the issues, and how he has differentiated himself from Jack Layton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Stoffer

I don't look up to people to vote, I look to baseline principles.

Is there a reason you don't like the conservative party? Is it the GST cuts? The federal accountability act? Paying off our debt by 2015? Lowering income taxes each year? The investments in healthcare? The investments in cities? The income splitting? The $100 given to each family with children? Taking a firm stance on issues? What is it?

Why would you choose the NDP party over the concervatives? Do you think they are going to make our country function properly?

[Canadian Blue]

No, I'll probably vote Conservative in the next election. However I also want an alternative, and a strong opposition. I can see myself easily voting for a Stoffer lead NDP.

I think if the NDP adopts the third way, they can allow the country to function properly while also addressing social issues.

[punked]

I would vote for him and will vote for him if he runs of the leader of the NDP.

[Saturn]

Just wondering, would anyone here ever consider voting for Peter Stoffer if he were to become leader of the NDP? I would join the NDP, and volunteer to see him get elected, I think he could offer a new choice for Canadian's. So far I have been impressed with his stance on the issues, and how he has differentiated himself from Jack Layton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Stoffer

I don't look up to people to vote, I look to baseline principles.

Is there a reason you don't like the conservative party? Is it the GST cuts? The federal accountability act? Paying off our debt by 2015? Lowering income taxes each year? The investments in healthcare? The investments in cities? The income splitting? The $100 given to each family with children? Taking a firm stance on issues? What is it?

There are plenty of reasons I don't like the conservative party:

The GST cuts amount to nothing.

The federal accountability act is an oxymoron - it does not provide for any kind of accountability, quite the contrary.

Paying off our debt by 2015 would mean surpluses of $50 billion/year. If the conservatives continue to pay it off as they currently are, it may be paid off by 2150 or so.

Investments in cities???

The income splitting isn't happening either.

$100 for families with children is wasted money - it in no way provides for any kind of economic growth, just for more junk made in China and more trips to Florida. And I guess buying votes.

Firm stance? On what issues?

[geoffrey]

$100 for families with children is wasted money - it in no way provides for any kind of economic growth, just for more junk made in China and more trips to Florida. And I guess buying votes.

Beer and popcorn cost the Liberals a huge chunk of support last election... I think most parents in Canada could easily use that $100 to better their child's life with maybe things like books or education toys or even help pay for child care. It also allows the parents to decide what's best for their child, not the government.

Being said, I oppose this because I don't feel like anyone should pay for a clear choice others made. I understand the argument that it would make more women work... having a child care program that is. But with wages where they are today, there is no need.

[Canadian Blue]

Hey Geoffrey, do you think Kennedy will try to get elected as an MP here in Alberta come time for the next election.

[jdobbin]

Just wondering, would anyone here ever consider voting for Peter Stoffer if he were to become leader of the NDP? I would join the NDP, and volunteer to see him get elected, I think he could offer a new choice for Canadian's. So far I have been impressed with his stance on the issues, and how he has differentiated himself from Jack Layton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Stoffer

He's not bilingual. It is one reason why Blaikie didn't get the leadership either.

[gc1765]

Beer and popcorn cost the Liberals a huge chunk of support last election... I think most parents in Canada could easily use that $100 to better their child's life with maybe things like books or education toys or even help pay for child care. It also allows the parents to decide what's best for their child, not the government.

Being said, I oppose this because I don't feel like anyone should pay for a clear choice others made. I understand the argument that it would make more women work... having a child care program that is. But with wages where they are today, there is no need.

Opposed to the $100 per month, or just to the daycare?

If I can play devil's advocate: You pay for other people's children to go to school. But you went to school once too, so you are simply paying years later for something that you have already benefited from. Now, I realize many years ago when you were a child there was no $100 per month, but in 20+ years when these kids grow up they will pay taxes too to help pay for the next generation of kids.

[mikedavid00]

The GST cuts amount to nothing.

They save my household about $40 a month. Another percent would be $80 a month.

The federal accountability act is an oxymoron - it does not provide for any kind of accountability, quite the contrary.

It's still a step in the right direction even if it is flawed. It's holding people accountable which we should all welcome!

Paying off our debt by 2015 would mean surpluses of $50 billion/year.

They have already spent that much this year. It's tough but has to be done. Who else has one that?

$100 for families with children is wasted money - it in no way provides for any kind of economic growth, just for more junk made in China and more trips to Florida. And I guess buying votes.

Well I could sure use that $100. Every bit counts.

So with the $100 when I have kids and the 2% GST cut I'll have $180 more to spend into our economy to help employment. I can almost lease a new car with that money.

Firm stance? On what issues?

Hezbollah. Pro-Isreal etc.

[geoffrey]

Hey Geoffrey, do you think Kennedy will try to get elected as an MP here in Alberta come time for the next election.

No, he'll likely try to take Parkdale-High Park for the Liberals. That was his MPP riding and is currently held by the NDP Federally. The vote difference was only 2,000 last election and Kennedy is a big shoo-in anywhere in Ontario (I really am shocked the Liberals just don't get that aspect).

Where will he run in Alberta? Calgary?? HA! Edmonton!? There is one seat in Edmonton that he'd win, and that's against Rahim Jaffer. But why? You can bet the CPC would throw every last resource into defeating him in Edmonton as well, it wouldn't be productive.

Let me tell you, if he ran in Calgary, it'd be a message like none other. If he ran hard, and had all the money he needed to back him up... well... I still don't think it'd be enough. His target would have to be Ander's riding, it's the only one that would budge. It includes the University (though obviously Kennedy isn't an academic), those folks tend to be more Liberal. It's a wealthy riding, pretty much the whole west side of Calgary is, so the people aren't hicks and aren't really the socon supporters of the CPC.

He'd have a good showing, but would ultimately lose anywhere in Calgary IMO.

Calgary wants to go at least 50 years between Liberal MP's... we're getting close.

[hiti]

(geoffrey Posted Today, 08:41 AM) They save my household about $40 a month. Another percent would be $80 a month.

What on earth do you spend $4000 taxable dollars on each month?

The federal accountability act is an oxymoron - it does not provide for any kind of accountability, quite the contrary.

It's still a step in the right direction even if it is flawed. It's holding people accountable which we should all welcome!

Transparency has disappeared with this new act. Freedom to Information will be worse.

Paying off our debt by 2015 would mean surpluses of $50 billion/year.

They have already spent that much this year. It's tough but has to be done. Who else has one that?

Spending $50 billion a year and paying $50 billion a year are different. And what Flaharety was talking about was "net" debt while using pension funds like to CPP, Teachers Pensions, etc to make his "net debt" look rosier. It's a sham.

$100 for families with children is wasted money - it in no way provides for any kind of economic growth, just for more junk made in China and more trips to Florida. And I guess buying votes.

Well I could sure use that $100. Every bit counts.

So with the $100 when I have kids and the 2% GST cut I'll have $180 more to spend into our economy to help employment. I can almost lease a new car with that money.

You need the "taxable" $100 per month if you continue to buy $4000 worth of gst taxed goods each month.

I think this family allowance of $100 per month for kids under the age of 6 years is a joke. It won't even buy beer and popcorn after paying the taxes. It certainly doesn't provide for the needs of a family. like Headstart or day care for parents who are forced to work and need child care spaces.

Firm stance? On what issues?

Hezbollah. Pro-Isreal etc.

Inexperienced and immature stance.

[madmax]

Just wondering, would anyone here ever consider voting for Peter Stoffer if he were to become leader of the NDP? I would join the NDP, and volunteer to see him get elected, I think he could offer a new choice for Canadian's. So far I have been impressed with his stance on the issues, and how he has differentiated himself from Jack Layton.

I am not certain if I would vote for Stoffer as leader of the NDP. However, If I were in his riding I definitely would vote for him. As a former Gunner, Stoffer reminds me of guys like Scott Taylor, in a political forum. He brings a fresh breath to the NDP and appears to be having successfull influence as the Veterans First motion.

I like the brains and diversity in the NDP caucas, and I think Stoffer is a great addition, and the NDP could use more like him.

[normanchateau]

Beer and popcorn cost the Liberals a huge chunk of support last election... I think most parents in Canada could easily use that $100 to better their child's life with maybe things like books or education toys or even help pay for child care. It also allows the parents to decide what's best for their child, not the government.

Being said, I oppose this because I don't feel like anyone should pay for a clear choice others made. I understand the argument that it would make more women work... having a child care program that is. But with wages where they are today, there is no need.

So you think there is no need to allow more women to get out and work? Take a look at what the average Vancouver house costs and what the qualifying income is for a mortage:

http://www.rbc.com/economics/market/pdf/house.pdf

[geoffrey]

(geoffrey Posted Today, 08:41 AM) They save my household about $40 a month. Another percent would be $80 a month.

What on earth do you spend $4000 taxable dollars on each month?

That's not my quote, by the way.

However, for someone with a family, I can't see that not being the case. I spend about $3000 taxable dollars a month and I'm living solo.