Stephen Harper is an enemy of Canada

[bradm]

Just seems that at this particular time they have more chance to secure lefty-liberal votes by calling attention to the lack of leadership of the Liberals.

I wonder if, by going hard after the Conservatives (harder after than I think I've seen Dion go), they're almost doing that implicitly. I also wonder how many Liberals, who may not necessarily agree with the NDP platform, would be willing to compromise on what disagreement they have to get as strong a leader as Layton is trying to appear.

It's also interesting how there seems to be an imbalance between the targets of the NDP's and Conservative Party's advertising: the NDP are targetting the Conservatives, while the Conservatives aren't: they're only going after the Liberals (so far anyway). And if the Liberals (or Conservatives) decide to go after the NDP, that'll effectively split their offence.

Aloha,

Brad

[Birdy]

I think the Liberal party is comprised of the hardcore Liberals who come thick or thin, would never break from the party, the left ideologues who the NDP could stand to sway over through compromise and a more centrist group who could swing the CPC way and who apparently are, the more Harper packs away the populist/Reform end of his party. Kudos to the Liberal campaign as they're getting it on both ends and that's gotta suck. I think they'd (and all parties) would fair better if they'd drop the whole "Harper is evil" edge of their campaigns and get down to actually talking, explaining and debating their policies. I think the continued attack of a Harper with horns on his head could actually stand to the detriment of both the NDP and the Liberals, especially the latter. Harper (aside from his ridiculous ministers who can't seem to keep their mouths shut) has been running a pretty tight campaign so far and is capitilizing on his opponents who just can't seem to get it together. Perhaps because they thought Canadians would listen to them by playing the CPC=evil card? I don't know. But I don't think that angle is working wonders for them.

Edit to add:

Outside of Toronto and jambands.ca of course.

Edited September 23, 2008 by Guest

[The Chameleon]

There is one.

Have you glanced at the national polls or are you going off of what's happening in Toronto? The Conservatives have been teetering on the border of a majority since week 1 of the campaign.

C'mon you know those polls mean very little in the long rn and we're only 2 weeks into the election process.

And did you here about the recent conservative debacle by a 28 year old member Chris Reid Toronto??!!

He is advocating people carrying concealed handguns and bascially calls the people on the Grey Hound (where that guy was beheaded a while a go) cowards..

Birday, there is lots of time for the Cons to fuck this up and they thankfully look like they are.

And c'mon Harper is so pro gun and pro oil. And if he could he's let Bush mount him.

[Kanada Kev]

And did you here about the recent conservative debacle by a 28 year old member Chris Reid Toronto??!!

Just look at his face. You can tell he's concealing SOMETHING!!!

[Birdy]

Guys, you two were all about advocating Heather Mallick blatantly and abusively attacking republicans calling them 'sexual inadequates' and then going on to outright insult Sarah Palin with blatant generalizations and outright dirty insults. And i'm not even a Sarah Palin fan.

And now, in a different thread you're attacking the 'private' blog of someone who feels different than you on other issues. What's up with that? At least we're not funding it.

[can-o-phish]

And c'mon Harper is so pro gun and pro oil. And if he could he's let Bush mount him.

It's hard for me to believe as for years I've been saying that the "Young Offenders Act" is a fugging joke and youth violence punishment has to be overhauled and it turns out to be Harper who's finally addressing this topic. I've NEVER been a fan of the Conservatives but KUDOS for them for at least having the balls to say enough is enough...12 & 13 year old kids kicking a student repeatedly so that student could not attend classes for days; kids with guns killing kids; innocent kids being caught in the crossfire...

There is no easy fix or solution to this rapidly growing epidemic but it can no longer be ignored in our "True North Strong & Free"...

[mattm]

The quality of universal healthcare in Canada is substandard in comparison to the privatized system in the USA.

But if I'm dying here and can be saved then I most likely will whereas in the states I will only if I have enough money, if I'm poor and can't afford it then I die because my life isn't worth saving and that's a shame (yeah, I could buy health insurance but from what I've seen and heard it probably wouldn't cover whatever I had and insurance companies are notorious for doing anything in their power to avoid paying out).

[Birdy]

And c'mon Harper is so pro gun and pro oil. And if he could he's let Bush mount him.

It's hard for me to believe as for years I've been saying that the "Young Offenders Act" is a fugging joke and youth violence punishment has to be overhauled and it turns out to be Harper who's finally addressing this topic. I've NEVER been a fan of the Conservatives but KUDOS for them for at least having the balls to say enough is enough...12 & 13 year old kids kicking a student repeatedly so that student could not attend classes for days; kids with guns killing kids; innocent kids being caught in the crossfire...

There is no easy fix or solution to this rapidly growing epidemic but it can no longer be ignored in our "True North Strong & Free"...

I'm a little uneasy about this. Something about the possibility of sentencing a 14 year old to life in prison doesn't sit right with me.

[Thorgnor]

Not too mention the cost of sending a 14 year old to prison for life is waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy less than a couple of school books and some real interest in his "arts and cultural acheivements"... ahhh, fuck that that... we should arm ourselves and let the fuckers buy their own education, and if they try and take my Alberta... BOOOOOM!

"Whether Canada ends up as one national government or two national governments or several national governments, or some other kind of arrangement is, quite frankly, secondary in my opinion… And whether Canada ends up with one national government or two governments or ten governments, the Canadian people will require less government no matter what the constitutional status or arrangement of any future country may be." - Speech to the Colin Brown Memorial Dinner, National Citizens Coalition, 1994

“But I'm very libertarian in the sense that I believe in small government and, as a general rule, I don't believe in imposing values upon people.â€

(Stephen Harper, National Post, March 6, 2004)

"Human rights commissions, as they are evolving, are an attack on our fundamental freedoms and the basic existence of a democratic society…It is in fact totalitarianism. I find this is very scary stuff."

(Stephen Harper, BC Report, January 11, 1999)

From a speech to the Council for National Policy, a conservative American lobby group, June 1997, as reported by the CBC

"[Y]our country, and particularly your conservative movement, is a light and an inspiration to people in this country and across the world.

It may not be true, but it's legendary that if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing except for your own country. Which makes you probably knowledgeable about one more country than most Canadians.

ome basic facts about Canada that are relevant to my talk... Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it.

In terms of the unemployed... don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance.

While [Montreal] it is a French-speaking city – largely – it has an enormous English-speaking minority and a large number of what are called ethnics: they who are largely immigrant communities, but who politically and culturally tend to identify with the English community.

[W]e have a Supreme Court, like yours, which, since we put a charter of rights in our constitution in 1982, is becoming increasingly arbitrary and important. It is also appointed by the Prime Minister. Unlike your Supreme Court, we have no ratification process.

[T]he NDP is kind of proof that the Devil lives and interferes in the affairs of men."

Harper's a fucking hero.

Edited September 24, 2008 by Guest

[d_rawk]

[T]he NDP is kind of proof that the Devil lives and interferes in the affairs of men.

I love that quote - it was my sig for awhile 'round here. In sort of neutral-stance fairness, many of those quotes were attempts at comedy (for all the comedy that Harper can muster .. have to give him some credit for giving it a try). A nugget of what he believes, but stretched and exaggerated for comic effect.

I likes me some NDP, and I still think that quote and some of the others are actually pretty clever and well written given the context of the speech.

[Birdy]

Not too mention the cost of sending a 14 year old to prison for life is waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy less than a couple of school books and some real interest in his "arts and cultural acheivements"... ahhh, fuck that that... we should arm ourselves and let the fuckers buy their own education, and if they try and take my Alberta... BOOOOOM!

Er, i still think the YOA needs to be re-hauled, big time, bigger than big time. I don't really see any correlation between the cost of punitive measures for a kid who kills someone, and sending him to school (the costs of which are primarily controlled by provincial governments).

I wish people around here would ease up on the whole yee-haw alberta, Harper is the Reform party thing. Most of the party who ARE old-school reformers are pissed at him for the new centist route he's taking. Only thing is, they have nowhere to go but to disunite the right. And that there is a touchy subject.

Edited September 24, 2008 by Guest

[Thorgnor]

"In terms of the unemployed... don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance." - Not very funny.

Birdy, systemic rascism across Canada is not provincial. I wish people would get off this "the liberals are standing in the way" bullshit... work with teach other or have the reality of voter dissatisfaction fall down around you. It may take a second "meaningless" term where we have to listen to more "booo-hoooo, the liberals aren't just blindly doing what we say and the NDP is opposing us... booo-hoooo...." Are we still living in a Mulroney economic hangover or has it moved on to Chretien?... Martin? or is it finally the responsibility of the current sitting (and not new) government? Is Ontario's manufacturing policy responsible for the Canadian economic downturn, really?

Harper and his buddies have been in power for three years and all excuses aside, has yuor personal income gone up? Do you have an easier or more difficult time paying for things? Regardless of new tax laws, do you have more money in your pocket? Is that the official opposition's fault?

"It is imperative to take the initiative, to build firewalls around Alberta, to limit the extent to which an aggressive and hostile federal government can encroach upon legitimate provincial jurisdiction."

(Stephen Harper, National Post, January 24, 2001)

“If Ottawa giveth, then Ottawa can taketh away… This is one more reason why Westerners, but Albertans in particular, need to think hard about their future in this country. After sober reflection, Albertans should decide that it is time to seek a new relationship with Canada. …Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status, led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for the task …Having hit a wall, the next logical step is not to bang our heads against it. It is to take the bricks and begin building another home – a stronger and much more autonomous Alberta. It is time to look at Quebec and to learn. What Albertans should take from this example is to become “maitres chez nousâ€.

(Stephen Harper, National Post, December 8, 2000)

I believe "Maitre chez nous" translates to "a house of our own"... very unifying words there darling and not at all Alberta-centric.

Edited September 24, 2008 by Guest

[Birdy]

What are you talking about? The Liberals, if anyone, HAVE been letting Harper do as he pleases since elected. Like i said before, Stephane Dion surely wasn't acting like the leader of the Opposition when he repeatedly voted in favour of the countless confidence motions Harper put before him. He voted so much in favour of this government that I was even starting to wish he wouldn't.

Our economy has *maybe a little to do with Jean Chretien and Brian Mulroney* but moreso to do with the USA, free-market collapse, legislation which drives business away to open up in developing countries cuz it's way cheaper, rising Chinese, Russian, Middle-Eastern economies, the war on terror, job loss because of the afore mentioned, the list goes on. I don't understand how anyone can blame THIS government for the state of our economy when you elected them as a MINORITY government only TWO YEARS AGO! Is Canada in it's own little bubble, completely free and void of the global market? Hell no.

Since Harper's been in government not really much has changed in my life, aside from the raise I got back in January... oh and rising gas prices which, YES, i don't like. (But that surely isn't Harper's fault, and if you claim it is, sorry, but i seriously would have to calculate your intelligence.) He has done absolutely NOTHING that I would consider has "ruined Canada". And frankly, all these talks of *hidden agendas* only further detracts from my like of the left.

And please, for the love of god, stop quoting from 7-8-9-10 years ago. Not only is there absolutely nothing wrong with those quotes considering Harper is an Albertan and was involved with the Reform party, people are ALLOWED to grow their political philosophy. Contrary to what the left thinks (ONLY when it concerns the right i might add), the political philosophy of a 30 year old, doesn't necessarily apply to that of a 40 year old, and so on down the line.

Edited September 24, 2008 by Guest

[hamilton]

As much as I dislike Harper, I have to agree that it's pretty hard to pin the economic state of a nation (good or bad) solely on the leader or governing party of said nation. There is a multitude of external factors over which politicians have little control. Furthermore, it's possible that effects (again, positive or negative) of changes made by a party can't be seen until a later date.

I'm still not voting PC, though.

[can-o-phish]

I'm a little uneasy about this. Something about the possibility of sentencing a 14 year old to life in prison doesn't sit right with me.

Respectfully, we all are entitled to our opinions...I just can't ignore the situation anymore. Just this week a 16 year old causes a school to be put through an ordeal...granted all he had was a pellet gun but at the time it was seen as a gun...

I have friends who work on several different police forces and ALL are well-balanced individuals (a couple are even Deadheads!) and all have said that the kids causing trouble and violence fully know what they are doing and that they will receive little more than a slap on the wrist but what it does for them in the eyes of their peers is raise them to a certain status of "badness/don't fug with me"...

The Young Offenders Act is a joke. I'm not saying that a 14 year old should be given a life sentence but the system has to be changed as it was put in place in 1984 and Canada as well as the world has gone through massive changes in the past 25 years. The YOA needs a massive overhauling.

Kids need to have things available to them. Programs such as sports, arts, recreation to occupy them and give them direction. But those are always the first things to get cut in budgets. Nothing new there.

[Birdy]

I think the most important thing kids need available to them (moreso than sports, arts and recreation) are their parents. Extra-curriculars have become so important for kids because their parents aren't playing that strong of a role - whether it's because of single-parent families, the need for dual income, just plain lack of caring, whatever, it's a sad reality. Social programs have taken over parenting, teachers are the new parent. Provincial governments have most of the power here.

I agree with you on the YOA. I think it pretty much sucks. I just don't agree a 14 or 15 year old kid in the same frame of mind an adult is when they commit crimes. The whole "badness/don't fug with me" thing is kinda proof. But harsher sentences, big time. Life in prison, not so much.

[can-o-phish]

Well as with most "punishment for the crime" I would have to think that the worst punishment would be a life sentence for the worst-case scenario. Definitely wouldn't be a simple "guilty, off to jail for life"...

Whether or not the offender is aware that they could be charged with a life sentence and thus giving pause for thought is hard to say...

Yes, totally agree that parents have to play the first role in raising a child and having avenues available besides financial support...

My main point was that I was glad that finally a party has recognized the need to overhaul the YOA...this conversation is not new or fresh, especially for those living in cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, etc.

[Thorgnor]

Stop blaming the last government for everything and I'll stop using his own words against him as if he were being vetted or tried or judged or some other thing that an election isn't?!?!?!?... poor little stevie.

YOA needs a rehaul... so do all of our social programs such as participaction (nevermind... scrapped), or cultural funding... which has somehow in Mr.H's opinion gone up after the most recent funding cuts?!?!?!?!?!?! So does healthcare... let's privatize it, that way it's not our fault if it goes south, literally.

Why do we produce so much oil yet pay so much when a storm *almost* hits American rigs... is that a federal thing or provincial too. I'm tired

[d_rawk]

Why do we produce so much oil yet pay so much when a storm *almost* hits American rigs... is that a federal thing or provincial too.

A panicked global market reacting to a shortage of refining capacity and wanting to lock in supply with the threat of 20-30% of what little refining capacity exists being hammered by on oncoming storm? No one sets the price of gasoline, a market of buyers bid against each to set what they will pay.

Don't necessarily disagree with the rest.

[edit:] Oh, wait, wait. That was your point. You can't blame the government for everything. Gotcha. Sorry, I must be tired too...

[Birdy]

I think it was prior to the 2006 election in the debates that Stephen Harper announced the Conservative party would not support privatization of our health care system.

When he spoke of 'cultural funding going up' after his budget cuts, he was talking about subsidies, which did.

Participaction was 'scrapped' in 2001 due to Liberal budget cuts, it was re-introduced in 2007 by Harper's government.

I don't blame the last government for anything, like I said, I liked Paul Martin. I can't find any good in the word 'blame'... moving on is always better... imo.

[can-o-phish]

Stop blaming the last government for everything and I'll stop using his own words against him as if he were being vetted or tried or judged or some other thing that an election isn't?!?!?!?... poor little stevie.

YOA needs a rehaul... so do all of our social programs such as participaction (nevermind... scrapped), or cultural funding... which has somehow in Mr.H's opinion gone up after the most recent funding cuts?!?!?!?!?!?! So does healthcare... let's privatize it, that way it's not our fault if it goes south, literally.

Why do we produce so much oil yet pay so much when a storm *almost* hits American rigs... is that a federal thing or provincial too. I'm tired

Actually i wasn't blaming the last government...I am happy to finally see this issue addressed and possibly overhauled...

I'm tired as well...with all the low-brow ignorant ads that we're being subjected to...do they really sway a person's vote?...if anything I'd choose not to vote for the party with the obscenely ridiculous ones!!!

[Birdy]

oops! I read trogdor's post in response to me... but maybe it was you! who knows! i'm tired too.

oh wait - trogdor, in hindsight i think you were talking about Stephen harper blaming the previous government... but i guess in his defence, he is campaigning and that's what you do when you campaign. On the other side, he's getting blamed for things that are nothing but pure speculation (which i think is a little bit worse).

Edited September 24, 2008 by Guest

[d_rawk]

Conclusion: we all need a nap, every one of us

[Thorgnor]

indeed

[SaggyBalls]

Harper really IS an enemy of Canada. Click here.