Let me tell you about the finance committee. I sat at the table last week and watched the Conservative members praise the minister of finance, and then argue against calling expert witnesses who might help the committee decide if the budget implementation bill needed fixing. Typical. Government MPs are there to represent the government. Not the people.
This is by design. The prime minister, Mr. Harper, the PMO, headed by unelected Ian Brodie, the House Leader, Peter van Loan and especially the Whip, Jay Hill, have put much time into ensuring the House of Commons committee system is destroyed. To have committees operating as they were intended – as independent associations of MPs monitoring legislation and representing voters in a more cooperative forum – is avoided at all costs. Those precious committees, as a result of their actions, are now politicized, confrontational, constipated and vestinginal. The Tory instruction manuals just publicized are the latest evidence. Taxpayers and constituents, as a result, are the ones most victimized. Parliament as a whole is weaker, less relevant and hobbled. Just as Mr. Harper intended. He won.
The Conservative members of the finance committee are Diane Ablonczy (Calgary), Rick Dykstra (St. Catharines), Dean del Mastro (Peterborough) and Mike Wallace (Burlington). The chair is Brian Pallister (Manitoba). None of them have any private sector financial experience. None were educated in finance or economics.
Mr. Pallister was nominated by the PMO and then committee members were ordered to elect him. Only by co-operating, would the Bloc and Liberal members (which included three former cabinet ministers and two professional economists) be allowed two vice-chair positions.
Ms. Ablonczy, the former Reform Party stalwart and most experienced member, is Parliamentary Secretary to Jim Flaherty, the finance minister. It is her job to represent the minister on the committee and ensure the government agenda goes through. Putting a PS on a committee is a recent development, and the results have been profound.
Mr. Wallace was a window and door salesman, and municipal councillor; Mr. Del Mastro was a car dealer; and Mr. Dystra was a political employee of John Baird (now environment minister), before being elected. None held this office before January, 2006. None had ever before served on a Parliamentary committee, making them perfect candidates for Harper-style indoctrination. Least experienced people on the most important committee. To these poor souls, this is what a committee does – the same endless partisan bickering as now dominates the House of Commons.
Mr. Harper’s people, and especially Jay Hill, have emphasized to these MPs time and again that their job is to represent the party, not the voters. This is expected in the riding, through party-generated “householders,†“ten percenters†and web sites with their names inserted; in the House of Commons, where virtually every vote is a whipped party vote; and on committees where they are instructed to act as a block, and to take the lead from the PS.
Indeed, such utter politicization of MPs has never occurred before. During my last stint in Parliament, I was a committee chairman when Brian Mulroney was PM. As chair of the Consumer Affairs committee I allowed an inquiry into credit card rates which recommended a floating cap, based on the prime rate. And although the minister was 100% against this, I voted for it – without consequences.
As we all saw it then, the role of a committee is to be a check on the power of the executive branch of government, the PM and the cabinet. It is also to bring to the national stage those issues which voters want addressed and which the government has no appetite to deal with. It might be credit card rates, gas prices, passport paralysis or income taxes. Whatever. Committees are, as the House of Commons rules puts it, masters of their own destiny. They can do the work the people want them to do. Unless, of course, one political party currently in power, decides they are dangerous, and need to be defanged.
This process started early in the Harper mandate. Four months after winning government, Jay Hill had clear instructions from Brodie and Doug Finlay. Committees were to be used as an extension of the party. No excuses or exceptions. And I clearly remember the conversation Hill had with me behind the curtains, near the back of the Speaker’s chair. If we put you on the finance committee, he said, we have to able to count on you, or the prime minister will not be pleased. He glared at me. It was a threat.
But, enraging Mr. Harper was the refusal of some opposition MPs to allow committees to die. Within six weeks one of them rebelled, disqualifying Mr. Harper’s friend, oil baron and EnCana CEO Gwyn Morgan, as head of a new secretariat overseeing government appointments. PMSH spoke of this incident with uncharacteristic open anger in caucus, vowed revenge on committees and announced his vaunted appointment process would be immediately abandoned.
Just a few dozen days later, it became clear just how far the prime minister would go in erasing a hundred years of Parliamentary evolution, and the last few specs of Reform Party populism.
At the August summer retreat national caucus meeting it was formally announced that committees, as generations of MPs had known them, were no more. Instead of being potential windows into the system for voters, they would become – at least for the Conservatives – party organs. Caucus members sat and listened as usual, in silence. But I could clearly see some more experienced MPs squinting in disbelief.
A PMO insider took the podium and made several announcements, which had the weight and force of the prime minister. First, committee chairs were ordered to meet regularly with the party leadership (Jay Hill and then House Leader Rob Nicholson), and instructed to follow an agenda supportive of the government. That would include tactics to prevent expert witnesses from testifying who might be hostile, as well as techniques to disrupt meetings and shoot down the opposition, including filibustering, agenda alterations, and quick adjournments.
Then, he went further.
All Conservative committee members, he said, will no longer operate as individual MPs. They will not speak in committee or ask questions without the prior approval of the chair or the PS. All Tory MPs on committee are required to caucus immediately prior to every committee meeting, to plan strategy, line up questions for witnesses, and hear the government’s agenda for the meeting. The Chief Government Whip would have a representative taking attendance at the pre-meeting meeting, and there would “be consequences†for those members who did not show up.
It was hard to absorb what I was hearing. My role as an MP representing the people who sent me to Ottawa was being wiped away. Already as a Conservative MP, I could not ask questions in the House without ministerial permission. I could not make a statement without the Whip’s permission. I could not speak in a debate without the House Leader’s permission. As an MP, I could not even speak, unscripted, in national caucus. And now, on direct order from the prime minister, I was not able to act as a representative of the people on an all-party Parliamentary committee.
So why be there, and how could I remain in this caucus? The decisions were unenviable – follow rules that defeat Parliament, or take on the prime minister. Be silent and acquiesce, or speak out, as my constituents expected. Be an MP, or a mindless partisan.
Driving home that night, I called Dorothy as I passed the twinkling lights of Kingston to the south of the 401. â€You will not believe this,†I said. “It’s the beginning of the end.â€
265 comments ↓
Garth,
Be an MP, or a mindless partisan.
I think that says it well, however, I would take it farther…Be an MP, or be GONE! We elect people as MP’s to represent US, not the party leader. Otherwise, I see no logical need for Parliament.
The Conservatives: Going Going..almost, hopefully, soon to be gone.
They are like people you have invited to a party and for whatever reason, it turns out they were not the best choice.
Would you want top send an evening with anyone in that crowd of rabblerowsers?
Just take them off you list on election day.
Eu Eh?
Canada wants EU trade pact…So what will call this one? EUFTA? (sounds very Swedish to me!) Euthanasia?
Boy, now we will really have to tighen up those cross border checks.
PASSPORTS! Get your PASSPORTS!
Actually, it makes more sense for Canada to have a Free Trade agreement with the EU than the U.S.. We are still tied to the British Commonwealth. Let the U.S. and Mexico freely trade.
LMAO Yeah right, what the Hell, half of Mexico is already in the U.S. doing most of the dirt cheap labour anyway!
Anyone who researched Stephen Harper’s beliefs as expressed before becoming leader might have expected this kind of behaviour. When asked about the word “grassroots” in an interview with the Alberta Report Harper had this to say:
“Among the volunteers, the tens of thousands of people who work for the party and contribute to it, they have a fair degree of freedom of speech and action–they’re volunteers. But for the professional wing of the the party, people in high and senior elected positions, I don’t think they can fall back on the term grassroots. They’re expected to act as a disciplined, professional, hierarchical organization.”
In other words, the members of the “professional” wing were expected to give up all freedom of speech and action to those above in the hierarchy (the leader). Even at the volunteer level under this theory freedom of speech and action were to be to a certain extent curtailed.
This kind of control certainly represents a new concept of government run by a totalitarian party. There is a good reason for the use of the term “New” to describe this kind manipulated and hierarchical concept of governing.
It would be interesting to know why Harper believed that this kind of governance would work in a country which prides itself on freedom of speech and action. Aligning himself with the police and the military, which has definately been one of his main strategies, may be a clue to his thinking.
Harper is making it easier and earier for me to plug my nose and vote Liberal in the next Federal Election. This is worse than Cretien or Martini. This Bush style, Neo-Con politics, the only difference is Harper can’t even master that playbook. The guy is a complete boob, and a very dangerous boob at that.
Our only saving grace is that;
1) Harper is now bleeding support from the grassroots of the former Reformers who do not like his pandering to left and center, and who are now calling for the formation of CRRAP.
2) Harper’s lastest Chaos manual exposes his true intentions to the rest of Canada.
Harper had one shot and he has blown it, the Liberals can now hold this over his head in the next election and beat him to death (politically speaking) with it. The Libs can bide their time and wait untill the polling numbers favour them for a majority, because Harper will never again see polling numbers for the CPC that will give him anything but another minority government (if he is lucky).
Let Harper swing by the length of rope he has drawn for himself and let the other parties wack at him like a mexican pinata.
Finally, yes finally, the MSM is paying attention and writing about it. Hopefully, people will “read” about what is going on.
Nevermind Mike Duffy, the Harper strategist, or the strategists he and others have on their shows – you get absolutely nothing but slam, bam, rhetoric. No debate on issues, nadda.
I actually prefer CPAC as they are non-partisan 99% of the time.
Don Newman at least tries to keep the arguments in some sort of order and tries to let everyone have their say, but again, having strategists on and MP’s who will only be able to use the constant meaningless rhetoric is a waste of time.
I find it amazing that certain journalists are more worred about insider stuff with the Liberals than what’s really happening and what “really important”.
I’m ashamed of our pundits/journalists most of the time.
It’s time to make people aware, enough is enough.
While nothing you’ve written in your post surprises me much, it does anger and sadden me.
We who said this government was dangerous during the last election, were summarily dismissed. We were told that we were paranoid, (and much worse), that the conservatives had no hidden agenda and we were simply trying to scare Canadians for partisan reasons.
My reasons were for the country and respect for our system. If the conservatives had been the Party of the PC’S, I would not have made those suggestions.
Now it’s been 16 months and look at what this group has brought us. Look at the damage they are doing, not to mention, how they have divided this country.
I’m glad that word seems to be slowly getting out there, but it’s taking too long, imo.
Hi Garth,
I have a message for our excellent Honourable Min Fin. This morning saw a story in the natty National Post, and it makes me want to tell Honorable Jim a thing or two. Would you mind giving him the news and the message the next time he’s on your MP TV?
Foreign-investment fight cuts both ways
Is protectionism better?
© National Post 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
“…the power to block (foreign takeover) deals is available if Ottawa believes the foreign buyer is not prepared to make the appropriate investments and live up to the rules. There are legal implications… and they deal with the country’s obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization. …Violations of such provisions could result in U.S. investors launching legal action against Canada under NAFTA, and the U.S. party would likely seek monetary damages.
“But Jim Flaherty, the Finance Minister, suggested recently that those looking for blocked deals may be out of luck.â€
“”Part of our policy goal is to make Canada an attractive place to invest,” he said in response to questions about the foreign takeover trend.â€
Oh Jim, the excellent Honourable Min Fin that you are, when you’re finished hobnobbing with the G8 Fin Mins, how would you like to make Canada an attractive place for Canadians to invest. Go back to FINA, the Finance Committee: apologize for failing to disclose that your tax data is false and your methodology seriously wrong, and withdraw your deeply flawed income trust legislation. If you don’t, Canadians may find the U.S. stock markets more attractive than the TSX. In the U.S., the investor gets things like investor protection legislation, the SEC, government or company officials who tell falsehoods to investors or Congress go to jail, and other things like that.
KNB,
As a, back then, Landed Immigrant from the U.S. I recall listening to The Reform Alliance candidates and leaders.
They were indistinguishable from the Far Right Funnymentalist Rethuglicans I left in the U.S. I kept trying to explain this to my new Canadian friends saying ‘Watch out, they are all in this plan together!’ but was laughed at.
I do not think they are laughing now. I know, as a citizen, I surely am NOT!
These people will destroy our Charter, and the nation with it if Canadians do not throw them out…and far away from politics when they do.
They talk law and order, but in reality abhor all laws that hinder their manifesto. Details like fair trials, independent courts and judges, the Charter, anything gets justified to promote their warped sense of superiority.
Let them become as extinct as their ancient source…the DoDo bird!
As for me, and my riding, I will be voting Green.
Here’s my prediction: once the pressure cooker of Parliament being in session recedes and all the MPs return to their constituencies, there will be some time for reflection. Even for the Cons.
Barbecues, family, alcohol. Maybe some reality will return and 1 or 2 will tire of being pushed around, of being denied the right to fulfill their duties as MPs. Or, they might just sense the direction the wind is starting to blow once they are out from under the grasps of Harper’s thugs. With a nasty environment like that, eventually something has got to give. Someone will at the very least dare to speak their mind. Maybe even lob a few thinly veiled public shots at Harper.
They’re not all scared, brainwashed automatons, are they?
KNB has it right – those who thought that Harper was ’scary’ and had hidden agenda matters were told to get over themselves – the sky did not fall when the CPC won a minority government, but I see heavy, heavy clouds forming now. Can any of us imagine what it would be like if PMSH had a majority government right now? Egads! He is definitely a very scary PM – and will soon have the entire summer to design a new plan of attack – and I fear that the attack will continue with a U.S. style propaganda campaign – I hope that we have seen how our friends to the South have paid so dearly for believing their governmental lies.
Sal,
They’re not all scared, brainwashed automatons, are they?
No, most are just power hungry COWARDS!
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it ’till I’m blue in the face and I’ll continue saying it..
If the Liberals, NDP and Bloc don’t like the way Mr.Harper is running this government, committee, QP or anything else…vote them down! The only way we, the people of Canada, can get rid of PMSH is in an election.
So what are you waiting for?
Oh, I know, you don’t know how well you’ll fair in the election. So the Liberal’s, NDP and Bloc are prepared to sacrifice the country to PMSH et al because they’re afraid they won’t win.
Don’t wait too long!
Stop wasting your breath on this blog – I am with you. However it is the unsteady Bloc and NDP who are preventing the defeat of this undeserving government. — Garth
Bill, watching it unravel in your former country is actually making it easier to draw the comparisons up here.
I am sorry for Americans that have had to endure this for so long. I hope that Canadians will wake up much sooner.
I hope your friends now understand the meaning of that word, friendship and treat your comments with a little more respect.
Sal, someone leaked the manual, so at least one is not happy.
As for the courage to say so in public, I somehow doubt it, unless of course they plan on retiring anyway.
Bill, while every fiber in my being screams “VOTE GREEN”, there is a logic cneter in my brain that screams “Tthe Harper CPC must be destroyed” Now, if the Kingston CRRAP Party on June 2nd deside to reform Reform and make the CRRAP, then Harper’s fate is sealed, because he will be bleeding support in the West and very few trust him the elsewhere and he has limited and questionable support in major Cities. So if CRRAP hits the election fan for the next federal election, I will vote Green, ortherwise I my seriously consider voting Liberal (not something I would be looking forward to doing, unless I lived in Garth’s Riding [but with Garth I would be voting for the Man and not the Party])
The problem is that the majority of people must truly be disconnected, for the Canadians I talk to don’t seem overly fazed by what is currently going on.
I’m afraid my apoplectic, florid-faced ranting and exhortations only have the effect of making various people think I’m a wacko as opposed to convincing them to wake up and start educating themselves about what is going on.
Would another round of nasty Con television ads simply wipe away the past months of incompetence and send them back up in the polls?
Billions wasted on wars and ill-thought out financial policies, kowtowing to the most dangerous and most failed U.S. president of all time, shameless and dangerous pandering to Quebec, a nasty style of leadership totally devoid of even a shred of decency or compassion…all these seem to have not really gained all that much traction.
Unfortunately it is those base, elemental things that all people can get their heads around that really resonate. Harper’s make-up artist, the Doan affair and possibly this play book on how to show utter contempt to Canadians and democracy.
All I can say is IT’S THE YOU TUBE ERA!!! Get those video recorders and shamelessly stalk your Con MP this summer! Catch them making some nasty comment that highlights their true character. Catch them in some nasty situation.
It could be the only way…
KNB,
Bill, watching it unravel in your former country is actually making it easier to draw the comparisons up here.
Yes, it definitely is. I CHOSE to become Canadian because I believe we have the best nation on this planet. Not in the same ’symbol minded’ way Americans believe their’s is the best, but because people have hope, are treated fairly, and respected.
To be honest I feel an empty hole in my heart to see Canada experiencing the same defeat and sham that Americans have. The American people are good people, in general, but very, very ill-informed of the world around them. They got that way by a corrupt MSM which feeds them propaganda day and night.
Here is a test. Read American news and then Canadian. Look back before 9/11 and compare the lead areticles. Back then Canada talked about Canada, things Canadian, and the world in general.
The American news media only talks about war, more war, FUD, Hollywood Losers, aka ‘Stars’, and meaninglesss tripe. No real world news unles it was or is directly connected to some military conflict the Yanks are engaged in.
The American news media is so politicized that is it nothing but propaganda. That is now starting to change, because change became necessary for their survival.
Here is another example. How many articles do you read, or see on their TV regarding Barak Obama? He is a phenomenol candidate for president.
No, they focus on Bush, Hillary Clinton, and then journey off to the same old bunch that have been there before. Fresh thinking is anathema to them.
They keep the people focused on FUD, and little insightful knowledge is passed on. No wonder blogs have become the place people go for discussion and insights.
We may disagree (the general blogospehere), but at least there is a lot more discussion as to WHY we disagree than the MSM brings to us. Do any of us really give a damn what clothes some VIP (Vicious Ignorant Pissant) wore to an event?
I do think things are changing for the better, and that must be driving people like Harper, the Control freak, insane…but we know that will be a very short trip. He has so deparately tried to control the media like Bush’s minions did.
Have a great day. I have just received another PhD (Please Honey Do) from my wife. Time to pressure clean the patio. LOL
KNB,
I hope your friends now understand the meaning of that word, friendship and treat your comments with a little more respect.
Oh, indeed they do. Now, instead of making fun of me, they ask questions, and I give them honest answers.
Zorpheus,
As to voting Green. I have a lot of faith in my fellow Canadians. I think there will be a major turnover from past voting here in the Muskoka. Two-Tier’ Tony Clement has done a great job of defeating himself in the next election. People I talk with, who were die hard Conservatives are OUTRAGED at the Harper goobernment,. and specifically TTTC. Payback will be a bitch, well earned for him I think!
you wish. this party’s just getting started.
Garth
I recall Harper saying something to the effect of ‘Once I am finished with Canada, you won’t recognize it.’ What was your feeling then compared to now?
I’m having a nightmare in which I find out that Stephen Harper is actually a Liberal whose job it is to drive the point home that the country was better off before we de-elected them, and all his machinations are actually being directed by Ti-Jean Chretien! Then I wake up to find I wasn’t sleeping after all, and I’m afraid to get out of bed.
Read this and thought I should add it. Did the math at the bottom and it adds up to 104%. Guess this is one of those times that the +/- 4% actually factors into it pushing it over the top
Hello Garth and all, I can’t get over how Harper has already begun to show his true colors (even within a minority government).
So ya, all the PR spin was that Harper’s Conservatives would be moderates (yet for those who did their research on him in the past, they’d know otherwise). Indeed, Harper’s far-right tendencies are shining now more than ever!
In addition, I believe the Speaker’s power to kick out members who disrupt the functioning of the HofC should expand to include kicking out anyone who intentionally launces a personal attack on another MP.
Indeed, I really wish the Bloc and NDP would vote this darn government down already (and it being a minority government, we don’t even need an election to change the government: the Governor General can simply appoint the Leader of the Official Opposition as the new PM for the remainder of the 4 year term of Parliament.
In addition, we need more independent MPs (like you Garth) who’ll speak their mind without worrying about whether they’ll get kicked out of their party. After all, last I checked, they’re called MPs (Members of Parliament) not MPP’s (Members of Political Parties: and no, I didn’t mean that as an attack on the Ontario Provincial legislature)!
No Harper has not won – he has rendered his government ineffective, destructive and irrelevant.
Stephen Harper has undermined himself first and foremost. The lust for power, propped up with a desperate need to script and micromanage every event is showing the weaknesses of his government as we speak.
Canadians deserve better than this from our Prime Minister.
Want a real nightmare? Try looking at the various websites of the Conservative MP’s. It’s really, really bad. PM approved garbage with the PM required obsession with Dion. This is really sick.
I looked at various Liberal websites – gee they are individuals and set out issues and all – like grown ups do.
Haven’t checked NDP yet, but will do.
No Harper has not won – he has rendered his government ineffective, destructive and irrelevant.
Stephen Harper has undermined himself first and foremost. The lust for power, propped up with a desperate need to script and micromanage every event is showing the weaknesses of his government as we speak.
His critics need to start repeating how undemocratic his government really is – loudly and constantly.
Canadians deserve better than this from our Prime Minister.
I just checked out some of the NDP sites – and yes, they are treated like adults by their leader as well. Some common stuff on each site and individual as well.
Obviously, Harper’s MP’s have no say, no taste and constantly mislead on their PM approved sites. This is not a good sign.
James,
If voting down the government was that easy it would have been done already. You need all thee opposition parties to do it.
The NDP has 29 seats at present. They gained seats (15) as a result of the Income Trust/Goodale RCMP investigation and the other lies about the Liberals. So Layton will prostitute his party and vote with Government to hang on to his ill gotten seats.
The BLOC knows that they are bound to lose seats in an election so why create their own demise ?
The Liberals are still repairing damage caused by the events of 2005/2006. They have a new Leader who is slowly but surely getting comfortable in his job. It is good for him to be in opposition for a while which gives him valuable insight from both sides of the House. Stephane Dion is in no hurry for an election IMHO.
After Fridays revelations and seemingly the country’s outrage Harper has tumbled into a crater and now he is “strategizing” to crawl out of that crater. What if he finds it politically astute to call a Fall election (after the Ont election) ? Would that be a possible scenario ?
In any event , if and when he calls an election one of the main items in his election speeches will be that he feels sorry for Canadians that an election was necessary but he had no alternative because the opposition parties and especially the Liberals made it impossible for him to govern by obstructing and sabotaging each and every Parl. Committee and holding up crucial votes with the help of the “unelected Liberal Senate”. So it is all the Liberals’ fault that there is an election.
He will also make a great deal about the Liberals not standing behind the Armed Forces, particularly our men and women in Afghanistan.
Can anyone comment on my gut feeling about Harper’s “strategy” ?
Sal,
Regarding more attack ads. Here is why they work. People think they know who the enemy is, want to get some payback…Human nature. BUT! When the people learn that the ones providing them the prior satisfaction are REALLY the enemy, then they want BLOOD!
I think the C.R.A.P. should run more negative ads, because they illustrate what total HYPOCRITES Harper and his Goon Squad truly are! When this chicken comes home to roost there is going to be chicken CRAP everywhere!
Grog,
Forgive me, but the pun lobe kicked right in reading your handle. You’ve come a long way from ‘B.C.’, eh? LMAO!
Bob R,
You are spot on that whatever Harper’s strategy it will end in ‘Blame the Liberals!’ because he has accomplished nothing but wreak havoc on Canada since taking office.
Persoanlly, I think he wets himself thinking about an election because it will be his LAST EVER! I doubt he could win the CPC leadership (cough, cough!) election at this point.
he can’t. C-16 has recieved royal assent.
Bob R,
He will also make a great deal about the Liberals not standing behind the Armed Forces, particularly our men and women in Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, a leader stands IN FRONT of the troops and LEADS, not merely does photo-ops.
A little story. In Viet Nam we would get the fresh ‘Nuggets’ (2nd Lt’s) who knew they were the ‘Leader’ because they were senior to the NCO’s. The experienced troops insisted they lead by taking the ‘point.’ Life expectancy of a 2nd LT was 16 minutes in country!
Problem arrived. Problem Solved. No problemo!
John says -
“The Conservatives: Going Going..almost, hopefully, soon to be gone.”
Great thinking John. Were you out of the country for the past 13 years ???
You need to stay off the pasta and start eating foods that are good for your brain and memory.
Dont you understand that you are being used, and that liberals rely on foolish people that are, oh so very gullible and super naive.
The last thing Canada needs is another do-nothing, thieving, misleading, self serving, corrupt, foolish, wasteful, incompetent, lieing, inept, improficient, pompous, inconsiderate, pretentious and stupid liberal government.
When an election does come, will you be stupid enough to believe the liberal promises ???
Only a liberal could answer yes.
Fool.
Garth you said “Already as a Conservative MP, I could not ask questions in the House without ministerial permission.”
Garth I think your misleading the people who read your blog. You know the real reason why you can not ask question in the House is as a government MP you can ask your questions to a minister in caucus.
It needs to be the right of every MP to ask questions in public on behalf of their constituents. Ministers need to be openly accountable. Period. — Garth
Only a liberal could answer yes.
Only a person with a functioning cerebral cortex would answer yes .
Halton you have quickly become the biggest joke on this blog . And that is saying something considering your competition .
SPH,Shadow,KPK,Leasa,Catherine,Lorraine et al .
Ah, I see HJ is alive and posting, but alas, as usual, has the facts confused.
The last thing Canada needs is another do-nothing, thieving, misleading, self serving, corrupt, foolish, wasteful, incompetent, lieing, inept, improficient (I bet HJ just got a new Thesaurus…wadda ya think folks?), pompous, inconsiderate, pretentious and stupid
liberal governmentHarper Goobernment.Halton John,
The last thing Canada needs is another do-nothing, thieving, misleading, self serving, corrupt, foolish, wasteful, incompetent, lieing, inept, improficient, pompous, inconsiderate, pretentious and stupid government lead by Stephen Harper.
When an election does come, will you be stupid enough to believe Harper’s promises ???
Only a CPC Kood-aid drinker could answer yes.
Bob R. I think your sense of what some of Harper’s strategy will be is right, but I’m not sure it will stand up anymore.
The “noble lie” is quickly losing it’s credibility and then he has all this bother with rogue MP’s. He’s caught there in two ways during an election.
He has those who follow loyally, but they froth at the mouth if challenged and will certainly trip up. Then you have those who are fed up at being treated like children and they too may not toe the line very well.
It’s up to all opposition parties to hold their feet to the fire and further expose them for who they are. As it stands, they, (the con’s) are doing most of the work.
Oh, and if Jack and friends could lay off the Lib’s for a while, that would be good too,
.
Stop wasting your breath on this blog – I am with you. However it is the unsteady Bloc and NDP who are preventing the defeat of this undeserving government. — Garth
1. Its my breath to waste…not that I think I am. Although I’m preaching to the converted 90% of the time, the other 10% need convincing, especially the Dippers and Bloc bloggers! Party vs. country?
(The Tory bloggers are as arrogant as PMSH…they’re a hopeless cause!)
2. I’m glad to hear you’re with me. But apart from Mr. Dion rightly tearing into Tory policy, I don’t believe I’ve heard him say categorically that we need an election.
3. Yep, the NDP and Bloc are up against the ropes..so until the next budget, when PMSH and Flaherty won’t be able to buy the Bloc, the Tory’s can do anything they want!
I guess I won’t hold my breath for the next election.
Now back to demolishing the blue retaining wall in my patio that’s crumbling just like PMSH’s support. Very theraputic!
To Halton John:
“The last thing Canada needs is another do-nothing, thieving, misleading, self serving, corrupt, foolish, wasteful, incompetent, lieing, inept, improficient, pompous, inconsiderate, pretentious and stupid liberal government.”
So we can change the word liberal for conservative and the result will be the same! But….but….this so called new government campaigned on the fact they would be accountable and transparent and different. The same government who authors handbooks on how to kill the democratic process in committee. That sure is different!
Go ahead John and vote for them…I did last time but never again…
I intend to stand up for Canada and vote them out!
Bill, your comments on the media in the US are interesting and it’s a discussion I’ve been having with my partner for years. It’s circuitous I guess and we just agree to disagree. I, like you tend to think the media dumbs everything down and plays to the lowest common denominator, (witness the Anna Marie 24/7 coverage). My partner on the other hand thinks that the media gives people what they want.
There is truth is both arguments of course.
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel quite a bit and nowhere I went was as self focussed as the US.
I think they are good people too and part of me sometimes thinks, you can’t know what you don’t know.
KNB,
There is truth is both arguments of course.
Yes, I totally agree! Some people go through life and evolve their minds…others merely dissolve their minds, er, that gelantous mass between their ears.
you can’t know what you don’t know.
Unless you are Donald Rumsfeld, then ‘you will know what you don’t know, even if your don’t know you dont’ That’s why they have the CIA (Can’t Interpret Anything) to provide those Cabinet breifing each day!
Where is Karnak The Magnificient when he is so desparately needed?
[...] Garth (21 May 2007): This process [of enervating committees] started early in the Harper mandate. [...]
The Media is financed by advertising.
Large corporations buy advertising. Large corporations merge diverse Media outlets into MegaMedia. The Media is the Message. The Media becomes the massage.
We shouldn’t be surprised that the Media is biased.
We, the people, have to become our own Media. Garth’s Blog is a glimmer of light, as long as he keeps it uncensored. The light is diffused and scattered by the numerous and varied Blogs. In your individual Blog, linking at every opportunity to Garth’s site would focus the ray of information and public input.
Research and post stories that just cannot be ignored by the Corporate Media. We need a “General Revulsion” about the current Regime, while we can still do something about it.
Re: Bob R on 05.21.07 4:12 pm
A good summary of how the parties are feeling. I’m not sure Jack Layton is selling out to the Tory’s just to keep his seats. I think its a case of the Liberals and NDP not thinking quite on the same track, see the Afghan votes, leaving the Tory’s to go straight through.
So I agree if getting an election was so easy, then it would have been done. So in that case we should all stop moaning about PMSH, get on with life, and wait for the opposition parties to get their act in order. If they can’t so that by the next budget…none of them deserves to form the next government…Liberals included Garth!
Now why would Canada agree to a unified currency with a country that has a National Debt of 9 Trillion and increases 1.29 billion each day? A country whose currency is on the verge of collapse. Stay tuned.
London stock trader urges move to ‘amero’
But it’s all just an Internet Urban Legend, so don’t worry. Sleep, sleep.
North American Union threat gets attention of congressmen
I see the cons are falling apart.They are lying so much, people can’t remember what they stand for.
They should get up and say, we stand for lying, but they couldn’t do that, cause, that’s the truth.
Charles,
Hear! Hear! Well said.
Charles,
That ‘general revulsion’ was known as a ‘happening’ back during Woodstock! LOL
NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!
Oil rises on gas worries
WOWSERS! A seagull CRAPed on an oil rig and VOILA…price increase.
Okay, enough of this, I am triple billing my clients as of tonight, because tomorrow, the next day, week, month, may not be as good as I want!
Let’s see who goes out of business first? One friggin’ guess…only kidding…A seagull did CRAP on my car, but not a critical area…it was a ‘near miss’, but not on me, so I guess the price has to stay the same. Something about integrity, commitment to my fellow human beings, yada, yada, yada! Damn, its not fun being honest, and sure not profitable in the short term!
What we need is a good solid disaster like Katrina so I can sell bottled water at $10 a 500ml used plastic container (Listen, they were rinsed…Whatsamatter you?) ‘ICE, Get your ICE…only $25 a bag!’
$1.5T more than that is you count that useless stack of IOUs they’ve made of their Social Security fund.
I thank you again Garth for your inside look at whats really going on in Harpers little dictatorship.It time for canadians to stand up and get rid of this guy.His arrogance is beyond belief and what the future holds with this guy in power is the scariest thing i have seen in my 62 years on this earth!He operates above the law and uses every form of deception to hinder anyone who defies him. The sponsership scandal will be small potatoes compared to the handfulls of cash he has thrown out in every destination where he was trying to buy votes with little or no research!
Charles,
Actually, the U.S DEBT is $57 TRILLION..I do not think Canada’s printing presses can even print that many bills?
Just say NO to the NAU/SPP!
David,
They should get up and say, we stand for lying, but they couldn’t do that, cause, that’s the truth.
I can hear the hissing from the Death Star all the way up here in the Muskoka! ‘TRUTH?’ Hissssssssssssssssssssss Begone Satan!’
with all due respect that isn’t the debt, that’s the fiscal deficit, which is an entirely different beast. Canada’s (I can’t remember how much it is) can sound quite shocking too if you don’t know what it is.
it represents present assets less future expenditure commitments (eg, pensions) for which the needed revenue has yet to be collected.
Bill, I stand corrected. I was looking at that Debt Clock, but now notice it’s only the “Public Debt”.
57 Trillion? Greenback to Brokeback in 36 years. But who is counting?
No wonder Bush wants a countryman at the head of the World Bank although Blair is being suggested…the circle of “Elite” must be a very small one.
Did you notice Garth is being called an Elite? It’s called empty-quiver attack syndrome……throw the same barbs back at the critics because you have no ammunition of your own.
did I say fiscal deficit?
I meant to say fiscal gap.
Rob R and James:
The Dippers and Bloc will keep Harper in gov because they know they will lose seats next election.
Dion is still not well enough known and regarded nor have the Libs a big enough war chest to attempt to pull the plug.
So the Libs and Dippers will do a lot of snorting but nothing else.
The Bloc will shut up as they have a cushy job and Duceppe doesn’t need any more embarassment in losing seats.
Harper only needs one of them to stay put,so no election in 2007 or 2008.
David: Brilliant–may I use that line with my own Con M.P? Though I don’t think he would get it.
It needs to be the right of every MP to ask questions in public on behalf of their constituents. Ministers need to be openly accountable. Period. — Garth
By Jackie Chen’s right hand on 05.21.07 5:03 pm
Gee ! You think up that handle all by yourself. Idiot .
By haltonjohn on 05.21.07 4:51 pm
When an election does come, will you be stupid enough to believe the liberal promises ??? Only a liberal could answer yes.
Well Halton John, You must be politically distraught and I feel your intense betrayal in by your writing.
See, I was like you, a true believer, and I took a Tory memnbership card, an election sign and I volunteered and gave money to the them years ago. My big mistake was I believed.
You too have time to cast off your hope in these Harper guys, cause, it just ain’t there.
At the appropriate time, either with a couple of gins or the correct alignment of the stars and maybe both you too will have a political ephinany.
I have come to realise, that the grits for the mostpart have been better governors than the Tories.
Occasionaly my mind slips back to the past and I think about tommorrow which is the 28th Anniversary of Joe Clark’s PC win (May 22, 1979). How I long for the old days.
But in the meantime Halton John, I shall be markin’ X’s for the federal Liberals and will probably be doing the same thing for the provincial liberals. I voted for a PC candidate in the last provincial election.
Oh, Oh, and by the way Halton John, I always thought I was a conservative but do you know under closer examination I was really a Liberal. I was the only one that didn’t know it. I got all hung up on the name thing.
I have seldom changed my core political views, however whast I have waytched Halton John, is the incredicble political dance all the parties have done shifting from left to right and back again all those years.
So for now, I say ‘yes’ to the federal liberals.
Brian Dondo,
No, au contrare mon ami. The U.S. deficit is their differential between the government’s budgeted funding and their actual abilitiy to pay from their Treasury. The U.S. debt includes what Americans are in the red for. That, at last report I read, was $57 TRILLION.
I call it ‘Wimpy Economics’ meaning ‘I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!’
VooDoo economics is what the U,S., Goverment uses to establish their budget, which basically means 50% of every federal tax dollar goes to the military/industrial complex for ‘defense’, and what is left over will look like the pic Garth had of the stanked outhouses…’Trickle Down Economics’!.
Bottom line is merging the Canadian Loonie with the American Dollar means Canada becomes liable to the IMF for ALL the U.S. debt…Make no mistake about it. Why do you think the U.S. wants control of the World bank? Because otherwise their Credit Card is cancelled by any intelligent bank. Also do not forget that we are now operating under an ‘oil’ not a gold based economy.
Lets have a spelling bee:
Please read these words to whatever remaining conservative friends you have and ask them to spell. If need be you can sound it out for them a couple of times. If they look puzzled give them siome positive reinforcement.
INCOME TRUSTS
CHILD CARE
ATLANTIC ACCORD
this is a tuffy : ENVIORMENT
RESPECT
KINGSTON REFORM PARTY
DEFEATED
FORTUNE TELLER
That Conservative Committee Playbook has me just roaring. All I can say is ha,ha,ha,ha. How dumb! Harper has nothing to work with in his cabinet. However if you look at it the other way the cabinet probably doen not have a lot of confidence in him either. The Conservatives go round and round and down and down! Too bad, so sad, sucks to be them!
my bad
I meant to say fiscal gap.
Charles – although WorldNet Daily is sometimes an amusing read, the push for the “Amero” is coming from sources a little closer to home, such as the governor of our own Bank of Canada.
This SPP thing has progressed from “internet urban legend conspiracy theory” to “clear and present danger to our nation” extremely fast.
“Not another Liberal prime minister from Quebec” .. and that will be the deciding factor in any next election. The recent SES April 5th leadership polling confirms this.
http://www.sesresearch.com/library/polls/POLNAT-S07-T230.pdf
Of the following individuals, who do you think would make the best prime minister?
CANADA:
Harper—- 42.2%
Dion—— 16.7
Duceppe— 6.9
Layton — 16.4
QUEBEC:
Harper—- 42.5%
Dion—— 10.1 (viande morte)
Duceppe— 26.4
Layton — 13.0
What is it about Dion that Quebecers know that the RoC doesn’t know? Chantal Hebert wrote that in French ridings, the Liberals are only pro forma candidates. Harper is set to win upwards of 50 ridings in Quebec on his way to a majority government.
Once Dion is flushed out in a general election, his unpopularity will most certainly drag down the rest of the Liberal party … and that’s why Liberal candidates will treat Dion like poison .. and I doubt Garth will want to bring Dion into Hilton riding unless he is desperate.
So the big question is how and when will the minority government be defeated for another election, where Canadians will be told there will be another election within 12 months if they elect another minority government. Should be interesting.
Garth you’re so talented, so skilled, so experienced…yet you’re a backbencher? Please explain.
Cam
“None of them have any private sector financial experience. None were educated in finance or economics.”
So Garth, please do tell us from which university, you received you degrees and in what disciples were these degrees?
It’s like your Liberal colleague, Denis Coderre, an ex-insurance salesman, who critiques the government’s military policies and strategies and foreign affairs matters. Maybe he should get some advise from his communications director, Mark Dunn, and how to, at least, present his questions and arguments properly.
It should also be noted that the Stephan Harper Conservatives have retained the old Reform agenda item that would transform Canada from it’s current parliamentary system to a US styled republic by supporting an elected Senate. By definition this makes them a type of separatist party just like the Fenions of old or the the present day Bloc.
Nightmare on tax street–Globe & Mail
Once known as a straight shooter, Jim Flaherty is in danger of becoming a parody of Ottawa politics at its most convoluted.In his March budget, the Finance Minister made what was billed as a small tweak to the tax system. When that small tweak turned out to be a huge blow to the international competitiveness of Canada’s corporate heavyweights, he at first vowed to stick with it anyway. Then he hinted at changes in the implementation date. Then he changed his original policy to deal only with two tax strategies that he did not specifically mention in the budget. Those clarifications came with coloured charts and formulas that could flummox an accountant. Finally, late last week, he admitted that companies would find a way around the two tax ploys that his clarified plan was designed to thwart – but he was sticking with his plan.
http://www.cagle.com/working/070221/deadder.jpg
Halton John and Catherine – give your foolish heads a shake. Just try looking into the credentials of the CPC caucus – very, very limited.
Now, look into the credentials of the Liberal Party – bingo.
Remember – Harper’s adviser said intelligence is not important only electibility – boy does it show.
Actually, all the opposition parties have very smart people in them. Too bad Harper doesn’t have any.
“None of them have any private sector financial experience. None were educated in finance or economics.â€
So Garth, please do tell us from which university, you received you degrees and in what disciples were these degrees?
I have 30 years of experience in International Money Markets on Wall Street and Bay Street, but no degree.
So what is your point Catherine?
oh, oh, oh, oh
KINGSTON REFORM PARTY
Spelling
C,.. R,… R,… A,… P,….
CRRAP
KINGSTON REFORM PARTY
Chris Ariens is correct, this SPP train is well underway. That Dodge article snapped my eyelids open this morning…Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge says North America could one day embrace a euro-style single currency. the ‘Comments’ section is interesting.
I suppose there will now be a lot of calming noises of being “misunderstood” and qualifications of what “one day” means. Dodge’s remarks about the free flow of labour are puzzling considering the new Alberta agreement.
To Observer –
Thanks for the poll link. Many blogers here will be deeply hurt by these resent poll results. Oh well, poor Dion and friends.
http://www.sesresearch.com/library/polls/POLNAT-S07-T230.pdf
As I said before, only those with a weak mind and a, oh so very short memory think Dion would be a good PM.
________________________________________
Good question Cam,
“Garth you’re so talented, so skilled, so experienced…yet you’re a backbencher? Please explain.”
Garth will need to learn to work with people, earn respect from peers, and stop being so condescending before any promotions come around. I hope this helps. Even liberal MP’s roll their eyes at Garth. That is on film.
________________________________________
John says –
“I took a Tory memnbership card, an election sign and I volunteered and gave money to the them years ago. My big mistake was I believed.
Years ago ??, what are you talking about. The 80s. If I follow your comment,
“My big mistake was I believed.”
Get a grip man, don’t tell me you believe Liberals now ???? John, remember this little poem that I wrote just for you and your A.D.D. friends.
FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU,
FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME,
FOOL ME ALL THE TIME, THEN I’M AN IDIOT.
From your poet, Halton John.
Garth, how come this blog of yours is totally dedicated to attacking any policy that CPC and the Harper government put through to the house without any mentioning of the Liberal alternative. As a Liberal, this blog should be first and foremost, a platform for Liberal ideas and policy discussion with electors. Or you Liberals do not have any and are hiding your inability to come up with solution to Canada’a problems through attacks to the government?
Obviously you have not taken the time to read through the last 500 or so posts. Suggest you do that before you embarrass yourself further. — Garth
Let me make the day and work-week of the neo-Con operatives detailed to “watch and shoot” here –
Garth, you deserve the “Hon.” in front of your name not for your brief tenure in Cabinet, but for what you have done for Canadian politics as a simple MP. Thanks, and keep alerting voters to the reality under the veneer.
Hi all, I wish to comment on this quote, “James,
If voting down the government was that easy it would have been done already. You need all thee opposition parties to do it.
The NDP has 29 seats at present. They gained seats (15) as a result of the Income Trust/Goodale RCMP investigation and the other lies about the Liberals. So Layton will prostitute his party and vote with Government to hang on to his ill gotten seats.
The BLOC knows that they are bound to lose seats in an election so why create their own demise ?
The Liberals are still repairing damage caused by the events of 2005/2006. They have a new Leader who is slowly but surely getting comfortable in his job. It is good for him to be in opposition for a while which gives him valuable insight from both sides of the House. Stephane Dion is in no hurry for an election IMHO.
After Fridays revelations and seemingly the country’s outrage Harper has tumbled into a crater and now he is “strategizing†to crawl out of that crater. What if he finds it politically astute to call a Fall election (after the Ont election) ? Would that be a possible scenario ?
In any event , if and when he calls an election one of the main items in his election speeches will be that he feels sorry for Canadians that an election was necessary but he had no alternative because the opposition parties and especially the Liberals made it impossible for him to govern by obstructing and sabotaging each and every Parl. Committee and holding up crucial votes with the help of the “unelected Liberal Senateâ€. So it is all the Liberals’ fault that there is an election.
He will also make a great deal about the Liberals not standing behind the Armed Forces, particularly our men and women in Afghanistan.
Can anyone comment on my gut feeling about Harper’s “strategy†? ”
As Brian pointed out, Bill C-22 has made fixed election dates the law of the land not only for now, but until someone decides to change it.
So ya, Harper can’t call an election at will: he has an engineer a bill so outrageous that all the opposition vote it down (Like I dunno, declaring Alberta a nation within Canada,perhaps?_)
Ah, and a top of the morning to all of you,
Here we see the gleeful news Canada needs takeover debate, but alas, Harper thinks everything is just peachy keen, and is off to Afghanistan for another taxpayer funded photo-op.
Maybe we will all get lucky and he will do a man-a-mano with the Taliban, a little fund raiser. They would definitely vote for him and his C.R.A.P. because they are one and the same funnymentalist gene pool.
He might, however, have a little power struggle between them and him for the leadership?
Catherine: From your comment you must believe that many M.P.’s assignments are way over their heads. Cabinet ministers lacking experience in their assigned portfolios as well as critics unschooled in their responsibilities as well.
Observer: Your comments are based on old data. AFghanistan, Court challenges, environment are all issues hurting Harper in Quebec.
He has lost support there, not gained it. A lot can happen between April 5 and May 22.
What you didn’t mention is that Dion has not lost support in the polls. Only Harper has done that.
In my opinion this attempt to destroy what little democracy that we have left by crippling the committees that previously worked together (at least tried to) is far more important than the daily BS raised in QP. It is fundamental to our parliamentary system. The ongoing attempts to control the media (which finally seems to be failing) and hide this sort of back room boys agenda is part and parcel of the way this government seems to operate. The quickest way to destroy demoracacy is for the citizens to loose faith in the manner in which the government of the day is running parliament. I for one am getting increasingly disheartened each day.
The only other issue that is as important is the NAFTA/NAU/SPP “agreements†being negotiated behind our backs (indeed with no input from our elected representatives). Both have the potential to do immense harm to our Country and/or Democratic systems.
We understand Garth, that you must fully investigate and understand the implications of the SPP before commenting, in that you new Party (under previous incarnations) implemented the initial SPP talks. Trade talks are necessary but much of this is about “harmonizing†regulations and obtaining access to our natural resources. Negotiating anything with the US is like a mouse trying to strike a deal with an elephant, you can pretty much figure out who is going to get the worst of it!
Bob R, James and Smitty
I as well believe that the only reason the dippers and the bloc (appear to) side with Mr. Harper on many issues is for political survival. The next time around the NDP are going to get smoked by the Greens. The bloc is going down to, but I’m not sure who will pick up their votes.
I believe the Libs should work as closely with the Greens as possible to create a stronger alliance and more coalitions like the Dion-May deal in Central Nova.
Vote splitting on the left is the only reason the CPC got its minority, and this was with extreme neg feelings across the country to Paul Martin’s Libs to boot.
My $0.02
-R
Catherine,
So Garth, please do tell us from which university, you received you degrees and in what disciples were these degrees?
And please tell us where you got your elementary school certificate? We wish to send the Board our condolences.
Oh barf. I turn on the news this morning and what do we see? Harper’s so-called surprise visit – taxpayer funded photo-op in Kabul. Does this mean I have to watch his face everywhere? Please spare us.
I don’t think anyone would be surprised Harper is over there to try to manipulate Canadians minds about Afghanistan – duh Harper – do you think we’re stupid.
Now, what would this trip be costing us? How much with your make-up lady, flight, security and photos? How much?
Let’s talk about the housing fiasco. So, you want to buy a house and make a home?
Okay, let’s say it is a ‘previously occupied’ residence, and it is dated back a few decades. The plumbing is a tad congested, the wiring is, well, ‘challenged’, and the structure has aged and become less ‘acceptable’ than when it was built. The insulation factor is well…missing, unles you count old newspapers stuffed in the wall. The attic is a convention site for rodents, who have left their little ‘presents’ for posterity.
Now, we check the lot number, and original land sale. AHA! It was a Land Grant by the Crown. Free land given for homesteading, a little good old fashioned ’sweat equity’.
Then we look through the records and see that it was originally sold for a mere $100. As time has passed by we find that each successive sale increased the price reasonably to pay for the improvements made.
Then we hit about 1970 to 1980 and we see the price skyrocketing. The current asking price is $300,000 Cnd.
So, looking closer we find things like Second Mortgages…Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
So, the current asking price includes all the debt acquired by the previous and current owners, but yet the house is now an energy sucking shell that qualifies as a ‘fixer-upper’. Oh, did I mention that the furnace hasn’t had a normal operation for 10 years?
We also know that the banks have been using this particular property to secure their loans for vacations, furniture, gambling debts, the usual plethora of our modern materialistic world economy, the ‘Wimpy Economic Theory.’
So, now you are all set to sign that sales contract, which of course includes the brokerage fees for a little paperwork, the bank gets its points up front, and the inspection report tells you you will still need to spend another $20 to 40,000 to bring things upto reasonable modern levels. Not to worry you have Master Card and Visa. Yessir, just run to Home Depot, Rona, or Home Hardware and buy what you need. Heck, if you find the right store you won’t even have to pay for it until 2009.
You are now living the modern Western dream, but better play it safe at work because you are in debt upto your eyebrows.
Oh, did I mention that the mortgage will be paid back at 300% of the principle when we include the compounded interest?
Meanwhile, your provincial and local governments are building new play toy for a select few, like themselves, and your property taxes WILL BE GOING UP!
So, you better consider renting out part of this great buy to help makes ends meet. Sorry, that you have had so many parolees and drug addicts make application. But this is your ‘dream home’…right?
Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of Wimpy Economics. Now, hurry up and get ready to commute for an hour, in bumper to bumper traffic, to get that paycheck to make those payments. What? You are already over-extended? Not to worry, just take out a second mortgage and consolidate all your debt. Cut up those credit cards…they will send you more anyway.
Yes, you are free and self-sufficient…just like you always dreamed you would be…until foreclosure, and bankruptcy, or a foreign corporation buys up your employer and you are laid off. Remember, that Steve is running the country and he will look after you as long as you are an obedient member of the C.R.A.P..
Ain’t life grand?
my guess would be property rights. not by any fault of their own, it has the complexity needed to go over the average voter’s head.
hope the opposition is doing its homework.
HJ says FOOL ME ALL THE TIME, THEN I’M AN IDIOT.
Well, you are the one supporting Harper. Your choice, and yes, HJ, you have properly assessed yourself. Thank you.
By Bill-Muskoka on 05.22.07 9:10 am
Bill, now I know you are nuts. If you think that Mr. Harper’s trip to Afghanistan was just a photo-op, then your hate and bias has finally taken over every working cell in your brain.
Dion, like Chretien who sent us to Afghanistan and Martin who upped the mission, would not have the balls to actually go to Afghanistan and see what’s going on.
There is one reporter with Mr. Harper, Robert Fife and he says that Mr. Harper has one on one meals with the troops where the press isn’t allowed. He says that this trip isn’t a photo-op and Mr. Harper really does care. The troops are elated when Mr. Harper visits. Why do you have a problem with that?
In one and a half years Mr. Harper has for the first time in 40 years diminished the threat of Quebec separatists, introduced heavy crime legislation which the liberals are holding up in the senate, reduced the hated GST, made road racing a federal offence, is reforming senate, given power back to the provinces…the list goes on. In 13 years the Liberals did….??? Oh yeah, stole our money.
You know, I shouldn’t waste my time on you. Your kind of hate is so deep that when someone talks facts and reason all you hear is white noise.
When you diminish the PM’s visit to Afghanistan you are undermining our troops and giving the Taliban strength. But, you’ll never ‘get it’.
Mr. Harper is the best Prime Minister in Canada’s history. L
Brian,
Maybe Harper will decide, whereas he is our new King (in his mind anyway and the Kool-Aide sucking CRAP followers) that all that Crown Land should never have been given away.
AHA! Write a Bill that rescinds all those land grants. And here we thought the First Nation’s Land Claims were a pain in our arse?
I say if Harper wants to go to Afghanistan, let him. It leaves Van Loan and Hill minding the shop. That oughta be good for a few laughs.
Hopefully by this time the opposition has learned that if by chance he says anything controversial over there its probably not by accident. The quote will still be there tomorrow.
now there’s an angle I hadn’t thought of.
and speaking of photo-ops I gotta tell you that picture of Karzai that rolled out this morning is, like, WAY the wrong shade of lipstick. Maybe its the lighting.
Or you Liberals do not have any and are hiding your inability to come up with solution to Canada’a problems through attacks to the government?
Obviously you have not taken the time to read through the last 500 or so posts. Suggest you do that before you embarrass yourself further. — Garth
By AD on 05.22.07 8:57 am
lol Ad a slap on the wrist and you should be embarrassed. The Libs won the 93 election by attacking the government over GST, NAFTA and media corruption. The lied about GST, they used NAFTA and they optimized media corruption with adscam.
If you had read the 500 or so threads you`d see from the Lib trolls here that`s all they know how to do, attack. There is no debate on this page which clearly shows it`s not this blog that makes Garth so popular with his Tory colleagues it`s the town hall meetings. For further proof read the idiotic posts from the Lib trolls which must be driving die hard Libs to vote Tory.
Not to pump up the Tories, the federal government is dysfunctional and has been for decades so any debate is superfluous anyway which makes attack the only viable option short of carpet bombing Ottawa and bringing in a nominated federal government.
Loved it when Goodale said 65% of Cdns didn`t support the Tories. Guess he`s forgotten 70% didn`t support the Libs and then there`s the majority which I belong to that didn`t support any federal politician or Party.
You should consider if it`s worth $1.75 to support criminality or join the majority protest.
Dion, like Chretien who sent us to Afghanistan and Martin who upped the mission, would not have the balls to actually go to Afghanistan and see what’s going on.
And you base that bit of deep insight on what exactly?
Oh Bill, Go home will you.
Leasa…your bias is just… I don’t have words.
Leasa, or should I say Sandra Buckler.
What colour is the sky in your world? Harper is only about the optics of this visit. He is desperate to get out of Ottawa as his 200 page manual for clogging up Parliament is embarrassing his gov’t daily. If this guy, whose job he thinks it is is to keep Parliament from working, is the greatest PM ever we’re in deep sh*t.
As for the hated GST. It’s a tax on what I buy, not what I earn so the only time I hate it is when I spend money. The Liberals wanted to leave the GST alone and lower my income tax which actually puts money in my pocket as opposed to taking less out. Harper ignored the lessons learned by other countries and instead of lowering income tax and raising consumer taxes is impoverishing us and the gov’t coffers. It was, like everything he does, done to increase the chances of getting a majority.
With a majority you can look forward to long days spent barefoot in the kitchen reading from the bible (the concept of God is the biggest scam ever perpetrated on the human race) while you give birth to ever more dumb populace who believes reason should be trumped by resolution and decisiveness. My member is resolute and decisive but it’s a well know aphorism about the dangers of letting it lead you anywhere but you thinking being governed by a man who believes that it’s qualities are the most important is good.
Whatever happened to letting the smart, thoughtful people lead?
Let’s look at it another way. The member of parliament you elected has been silenced and fed talking notes by the PMO and you’re actually happy with that.
Do they just pass out stupid at birth or do you have to get prescription for it?
When you diminish the PM’s visit to Afghanistan you are undermining our troops and giving the Taliban strength. But, you’ll never ‘get it’.
You really believe these stock lines out of the “propaganda 101″ manual don’t you?
Imagine, the Taliban is reading comments on a blog in Canada and being bolstered by that or, if they aren’t reading the comment, perhaps they are just picking up on the thoughts of some Canadians who don’t agree with this PM and growing stronger off that energy.
Just a tad preposterous wouldn’t you say?
In one and a half years Mr. Harper has for the first time in 40 years diminished the threat of Quebec separatists, introduced heavy crime legislation which the liberals are holding up in the senate, reduced the hated GST, made road racing a federal offence, is reforming senate, given power back to the provinces…the list goes on. In 13 years the Liberals did….??? Oh yeah, stole our money. – Leasa
The threat of Quebec separating has been reduced…I’m not so siure Harper did that, his budy Jean C. (Fed Tory turned Pov. Libereal) didn’t so so well.
Liberals holding up stuff in the senate, maybe, but what ever happened to the Clean Air Act…held up by Baird!
Reforming the Senate…didn’t Harpo appoint some to the upper chamber?
Given power back to the provinces….did he fund this, if not some will call that downloading!
As for what the Liberal’s did for 13 years, guess (and it isn’t too difficult) why the Canadian economy is so properous versus the US, and why Flaherty has money burning holes in his pocket? Look to the UK who are having the same success. Its called fiscal responsibility. Tony Blair’s New Labour (Labour read NDP) was just as fiscally conservative as Paul Martin. Now look at George to the south! They haven’t faired so well despite the booming world economy!
As for making street racing illegal, that wasn’t front page news for the Liberals. Now it is and PMSH is reacting how any PM would. This part of your argument is totally hypothetical.
BTW Ralph Goodale predicted PMSH would show up in Afghanistan last week! Does he have an in to the PM’s appointment book…I strongly doubt it!
Leasa, please – best Prime Minister in Canada’s history? Really now…
My question of the day refers to the Committee Chair book that was ‘leaked’ to Don Martin. Since the PMO has asked that all be returned in order to find out who gave their copy to Don Martin – which one hasn’t shown up? Or, has anyone thought – just maybe to keep one’s keester covered, they had the book copied and that was the one given to Martin. I believe this will be a long summer of reflection for many of the Conservative MPs.
Leacha,
You know, I shouldn’t waste my time on you.
Will we ever be so lucky? You are so
brainneuron washed that you are disgusting.HJ,
Oh Bill, Go home will you.
I am home Dipstick!
Hey, do you live on First Nation’s land? Then you better get a packin’ and go home!
In The Nerve of David Dodge The Toronto Star reports that
in 1993, David Dodge told Paul Martin “I don’t know if anyone’s noticed, but we’re broke.”
Now the USA is broker than broke. Their factories and jobs have moved to lower wage countries. Canada has energy, lumber, water and land to offer in an era of extensive Climate upheaval and record prices. Canada also seems to have a Business and Governnment elite, ready to sell these goods in return for the debt dollar. Cons/Lib partisanship won’t preserve your children’s heritage.
Canada is a cooked goose.
What exactly can the USA bring to the negotiating table? They only have one card to play…Security. Watch for it.
I think Mr. Harper is in Afghanistan to talk with the Taliban. According to a recent poll by The Strategic Counsel, there is almost 2 to 1 support in Canada for the notion.
http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?178863
It makes sense; we all know how Mr. Harper needs polls to lead.
-R
Not a photo-op, eh Leacha? BS!
Read Harper’s OWN WORDS you friggin’ twit. Listen to your Lieing Lover!
“I’m not here because of the polls. I’m here because it’s the right thing to do,†Harper said.
(Yeah right, so why even mention the polls if that is not on his mind?)
The prime minister tried to put a brighter face on the mission this morning as he visited the Aschiana school in the capital’s downtown, where 200 boys and girls attend classes.
“Why don’t we get a photo with the children,†Harper said, as he accepted roses proffered by a group of girls and boys.
Harper makes trip to Afghanistan
Oh, and did he forget his copy of ‘My Pet Goat!’?
Mr. Harper is the best Prime Minister in Canada’s history. L
By Leasa on 05.22.07 10:14 am
I read this an hour ago….
My sides are still aching…That’s gotta be the funnest damned thing I read in weeks. thanks Leasa.
Obviously you have not taken the time to read through the last 500 or so posts. Suggest you do that before you embarrass yourself further. — Garth
Garth, I have been reading your blog almost daily, howvere I still have to find a post of yours where, while you critisize the governmet for their actions or non-actions you also present the Liberal posision on the issue and the steps a Liberal government will take, when in power, to address the issue.
Now, in all fairness, I would also suggest you reread your posts before you suggest them to me, if you have any.
Oh, and how green is it for Harper, and O’CONnor to FLY to Afghanistan to discuss how things are going? Doesn’t he know how to make an international phone call?
Not a photo-op my sweet arse, and again, at Canadian taxpayer’s expense. geez, if only they would not allow him back into Canada! Maybe someone can get him on the No-Fly list quickly?
Halton John; I see your back & just as insulting as ever. What you should of said is, “The last thing Canada needs is another do-nothing, thieving, misleading, self serving, corrupt, foolish, wasteful, incompetent, lieing, inept, improficient, pompous, inconsiderate, pretentious and stupid ALLIANCE/TORY government”.
When an election does come, will you be stupid enough to believe the ALLIANCE/TORY promises ???
Only a ALLIANCE Member could answer yes.
PS; Your comments sounds just like what Vic Toew’s would say. Take your medicine, meds etc. Could you be him? We do know that your government is checking Garth’s site very closely & posting blogs. A bit of advice though, buzz off. Your only making matters worst for your party. Go to blogging tories & rant all you want.They like you there.
An election can’t come soon enough. For you NDP’s Blocs etc, grow a back bone. Quit propping the Tories up for political favors. It’s not working. Your being used & losing members in the process. Do this is for the sake of OUR country. Lets keep it Strong & Free.
Regards, Irene
Ralph Goodale predicted PMSH would show up in Afghanistan last week – By Moi.
I love to make fun of radio broadcasters that do what I just did.
PMSH didn’t show up in Afghanistan last week. Ralph Goodale predicted last week that PMSH would show up in Afghanistan.
Or as one CBC announcer said, “The father went to the parade to see the Mayor on a float with his son.” Was the son on the float? No. The father went with his son to see the mayor on a float!
So watch out…I’m looking for the doozy of the week!
“Mr. Harper is the best Prime Minister in Canada’s history. L”
By Leasa on 05.22.07 10:14 am
Are you Finlays assistant in Simcoe or something?
This man has destroyed our country.
He should be known as the Divider.
Observer: Your comments are based on old data. AFghanistan, Court challenges, environment are all issues hurting Harper in Quebec.
He has lost support there, not gained it. A lot can happen between April 5 and May 22.
What you didn’t mention is that Dion has not lost support in the polls. Only Harper has done that.
By Judy on 05.22.07 9:18 am
You are correct, Judy. In the latest Ipsos poll the Cons dropped down to 36% while the Libs are holding at 32%. This poll is a general poll on parties and not leadership as is the SES poll mentioned above.
What you don’t appreciate is that Dion is despised in Quebec, even during the Martin government. What is it that Quebecers know about Dion and the Liberals that the rest of Canada doesn’t?
Also it doubtful that Canadians will want to elect Liberals to have another prime minister from Quebec … from Trudeau in 1968 to Martin in 2006 … enough is enough !!!
So lyin’ Stevey gets another chance to wear his,stupid, Possum Lodge vest . How cute .
Trying desperately to turn his sinking poll numbers around with another dumb photo-op that will cause howels of derision .
Best PM ,this week maybe, he certainly is the dumbest to ever attain that office .
Troops don’t need that idiot prancing around Afghanistan pretending he’s a general .
Moron should just stay home . But nobody likes him .
Doofus is thy name .
Liberals virulently hate Harper because they can’t love Dion, it’s so obvious.
So lyin’ Stevey gets another chance to wear his,stupid, Possum Lodge vest . How cute .
Trying desperately to turn his sinking poll numbers around with another dumb photo-op that will cause,nothing but, howels of derision in all parts of Canada .
Best PM ,this week maybe, he certainly is the dumbest to ever attain that office .
Troops don’t need that idiot prancing around Afghanistan pretending he’s a general .
Moron should just stay home . But nobody likes him .
Doofus is thy name .
Liberals virulently hate Harper because they can’t love Dion, it’s so obvious.
By Allan on 05.22.07 12:20 pm
Back ! back,back to the Bloggingmorons.
You nit wit .
In the “horse race” portion of the poll released Friday, the Conservatives lost two percentage points in popular support compared to a late April poll (percentage point change from the April 21-24 poll):
* Conservatives – 34 per cent (-2)
* Liberals – 31 per cent (+1)
* NDP – 16 per cent (+3)
* Bloc Quebecois – 10 per cent (+1)
* Greens – 9 per cent (-12)
Donolo noted that Canadians hold the military in high regard.
Here are the real numbers Observer.
So lyin’ Stevey gets another chance to wear his,stupid, Possum Lodge vest . How cute .
Trying desperately to turn his sinking poll numbers around with another dumb photo-op that will cause howels of derision .
Best PM ,this week maybe, he certainly is the dumbest to ever attain that office .
Troops don’t need that idiot prancing around Afghanistan pretending he’s a general .
Moron should just stay home . But nobody likes him .
Doofus is thy name .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 12:17 pm
Please provide us with your assessment of Dion or Layton as our next prime minister, instead of heaping contempt on Harper.
Personally, I would prefer Garth as PM over Dion or Layton ..!!!
Leasa
You truly must be a member of Harper’s caucus to be so blinded by partisan politics.
And be honest – PMSH approved the script you posted, didn’t he. Of course he did…or it wouldn’t have been posted.
Leasa ,
Now it makes sense. You are the one that actually makes up Harpers lies and spins.Do you really believe the crap you say?
Google Sandra Buckler and it all makes sense.
Short but bang on, Allan. When I was a Garth supporter last year (not any more)I never thought I would ever see such a level of hate and name-calling as there is on this blog. Too bad.
By Zorpheous on 05.22.07 8:23 am
oh, oh, oh, oh
KINGSTON REFORM PARTY
Spelling
C,.. R,… R,… A,… P,….
CRRAP
KINGSTON REFORM PARTY
Very very good Zorephous. I am truly impressed. I have no idea what you politics are but I believe in the merit of everyone and positive reinforcement. You not only know how to spell but you too have depth.
Would you like to try another word from the spelling bee shown above Zorpheus?
Here are the real numbers Observer.
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 12:39 pm
Thank you Jackie Sinistral. What I want to know is when will the Liberal popularity numbers rise from the 30% +/-2% range and exceed the Conservative popularity? Will it happen during an election campaign, or is it coming soon?
I wager never, as long as Dion is Liberal leader. Do you think that Liberal popularity would improve if Ignatieff (or even Garth) was the Liberal leader? Ignatieff Liberals must be considering this possibility, because even Ignatieff had more support from Quebec than Dion in the leadership race.
Please curtail you hatreds and address political reality.
So why be there, and how could I remain in this caucus? The decisions were unenviable – follow rules that defeat Parliament, or take on the prime minister. Be silent and acquiesce, or speak out, as my constituents expected. Be an MP, or a mindless partisan. –Garth
So did you choose to be a mindless partisan? Because you waited until the Conservatives turfed you from caucus instead of taking the high(er) road of quitting caucus.
I chose to speak honestly and forthrightly with Canadians, as evidenced on this site. I urged my party to change, to respond to voters, to live up to its commitments, to be more open – all those those things you Cons trashed me for at the time. The choice, as I said above, was to acquiesce, or speak out. I chose to speak. Mr. Harper reacted by throwing me overboard. I apologize for nothing. — Garth
Liberals virulently hate Harper because they can’t love Dion, it’s so obvious.
By Allan on 05.22.07 12:20 pm
Thats a pretty weak comment. Your desire to go liberal while not allowing yourself to let go of the con name is quite obvious as well.
Don’t let the partisan game get a hold of you allan. This government is a horrible mistake in Canadian history. Quite frankly I would LOVE to see Dion in power. I think he has what Canada needs to go into the future, sovereign and prosperous.
PM makes surprise visit to Afghanistan
‘I’m not here because of the polls,’ Harper tells reporters
Reporters were warned they could be arrested for breathing a word about the prime minister’s travel plans.
So, why tell the reporters about his ’secret trip’!
That Kool-Aide is spiked with peyote, definitely the Divine Source of their delusions I think!
Dion is a man of superbe instincts and intellect .
Being a native son of Quebec puts him light years ahead of Dopey (Harpo)
The con vote in Quebec is ,very,very, soft almost non-existent .
ADQ members have little or nothing in common with the neo-Reform/Alliance .
Declaring Quebec a nation state moved the polls exactly zero per cent .
Provincially the ADQ counts for something ,federally they are a big fat doughnut hole .
Dopey imagines his party of neo-con freaks will do well in Quebec .
The ten seats they gained were an aberration not to be repeated .
Once the Van Doos are fully engaged in Afghanistan his polling numbers will be in the basement where they belong .
Oh, and if it is not a photo-op then why did they give reporters advanced notice and instructions to be at a military hangar to ride along on this ’secret trip’?
The CPC and Harper have to be the DUMBEST MORONS to ever hold office…even worse than Bush (of course Bush his own 747 called Air Farce On)!
Do they honestly think Canadians accept this CRAP?
ROMA LUCIW
Globe and Mail Update
Latest comment posted at 1:21 PM EDT 22/05/07
Calgary-based utility says it is eyeing a sale in the wake of Ottawa’s trust tax changes; analyst expects ‘reasonable amount’ of interest from domestic and international buyers …
H. Umble from Ponoka, Canada writes: I have a small question. The Finance Minister wants Transalta LP to convert to a SIFT in 2011, at which time it will remit 31.5% of the income to Ottawa. When that happens, Transalta will not be good value for the unit-holder. What happens then? If the LP is sold to a Canadian private trust, all of the income will go into the trust tax-free. This compares to now where only some of the income goes into RSPs and RRIFs tax-free. So, if a Canadian private trust buys the LP, the problem of tax-free income gets worse. If the LP is sold to a foreigner doing a leveraged buy-out, there will be no withholding tax on interest expense (a foreigner friendly feature) of the recent budget; thus after capital cost, overhead charges and interest expense, there will be no taxable income and no taxes payable. What about the ‘old’ unit-holder? Suppose she takes her “maximized value†and invests in preferred shares of a Canadian bank. Her cash-flow income will be reduced by 50%. But because of the dividend tax credit on the preferred share dividends, her taxes payable on the dividends compared to LP distributions will be reduced over 80%. Where the Minister now gets $25 in taxes, in future he’ll get $5. How is this better for the investor or the Minister?
Posted 22/05/07 at 1:21 PM EDT |
So, why tell the reporters about his ’secret trip’!
That Kool-Aide is spiked with peyote, definitely the Divine Source of their delusions I think!
By Bill-Muskoka on 05.22.07 1:26 pm
Okay,your on double secret probation Mr.
I chose to speak honestly and forthrightly with Canadians, as evidenced on this site. I urged my party to change, to respond to voters, to live up to its commitments, to be more open – all those those things you Cons trashed me for at the time. The choice, as I said above, was to acquiesce, or speak out. I chose to speak. Mr. Harper reacted by throwing me overboard. I apologize for nothing. — Garth
By GGF on 05.22.07 1:09 pm
With all due respect Garth .You are wasting your valuable time responding to GGF who has proven time and again to be blindly partisan and full of rhetoric .
He has been here long enough to know the absolute ‘truth’ of the matter but chooses not to accept it; to try and pillory you with your own,well chosen, words .
JCLH,
Okay,your on double secret probation Mr.
Sure hurts when logic reveals truth…doesn’t it?
Signed Secret Agent Man!
P.S. Jackie, I bet they have posters in the Death Star of us both…no face, just labelled ‘Our Number One and Two Enemy’ depending on the day of course?
Funny too, that I am not even a Liberal, just an honest Canadian. In fact, I have never belonged to the Liberal Party. I will consider making a few donations to honest Liberal candidates, as well as Green candidates. I haven’t seen any evidence of honest CRAP candidates.
And we thought the illusion in ‘the Matrix’ was bad? Imagine the mind melting drugs that CRAP Kool-Aide contains?
Bill-Muskoka says –
“Hey, do you live on First Nation’s land? Then you better get a packin’ and go home!”
Tisk, tisk, Bill. Are you Wild Bill or what ?? I guess your anti native american comment reflects the Liberal do-nothing approach to the current native american issues. You have humililiated and dishonored yourself. You are shamefaced and an embarrassment to the liberal cause. Your not very creative Bill. Eat some fish. It will help you think better.
_______________________________________
Jackie Chan says –
“Dion is a man of superbe instincts and intellect.”
Jackie, Do you meen “Super Bee” or is that “superb” ? Superb means unrivaled, excellent and marvelous. Surely you are not referring to Dion. How silly would that be. I think you ment “Super Bee”.
Zorephous???
Zorpheus???
Used in a sentence as a proper noun,…
“Zorpheous is an evil miscreant.”
Z-O-R-P-H-E-O-U-S
Leasa – best PM? You don’t get it. You wish he was so hard you believe but there’s one thing about the statement that just doesn’t cut it – you have to do something outstanding to be best PM. He hasn’t done anything yet.
Catherine: do you just make statements for the sake of bashing? Do you not read or do research before you open your mouth? Garth went to both University of Toronto and Western University – is that enough education for you?
What a pair of nutbars – I get it, you both work for Harper.
Your hijacking of one of the greatest pieces of political writing in the history of this country is just sad. I can only imagine George Grant rolling over in his grave at the thought of a member of “the only political party able to ease our transition towards becoming members of the American universal homogeneous state” abusing his words.
Relax, already. The borrowing of the title was deliberate, and intended to be an ironic juxtaposition. You did not see that? Actually I was a Waffle in college. Laxer was a hero. Weird, eh? — Garth
By Charles on 05.22.07 11:35 am
http://www.thestar.com/article/207808
“It was Dodge who relentless pushed for a tough-love budget that would put Canada on the road to surpluses.”
lol, what a bs article. Canada is one of the few countries that manipulate currency for economic advantage.
Dodge was instrumental in devaluing our dollar causing trillions of dollars in loss to the Cdn GDP.
If he had not helped pull off that hoax we could have increased taxes enough to pay off the debt twice and not noticed a single cent out of our pockets.
Surpluses, lol over taxation and commodities while central Canada has been shedding jobs faster than Kyoto sheds hair.
Lovely story if you like feel good bs, lol.
I LOVE all the posts the NeoCon supporters of PMSH and dictatorial government make on this blog. Every lunatic post they make here reinforces what unthinking followers of Herr Harper they are. Don’t you folks ever get tired of backing up Herr Harper’s continous telling of Lies.
I do hope Garth never bans these folks from this blog as they make it clear what people who support the Cons are like and by extension show the mean spirited, unfair, lying ways of our “new” government.
TRUST Harper to LIE
So, we have the ‘Committee Management’ book, but here is the BIG PICTURE of the game plan harper is following.
Democracy in trouble, Gore says in book
Gore released a new book on Tuesday, The Assault on Reason, which describes U.S. politics as a rigged game that suppresses honesty and rewards deception.
Sound familiar Canada?
As a young, well-educated and politically aware Canadian I can’t help but be dismayed at the rhetoric and partisanship that plagues the comments following each post. Instead of discourse I see diatribes and silly sparring. It all seems so childish. I guess it isn’t any different than in Ottawa…parties of all stripes seem to be nothing more than amoral opportunistic vote and point-scoring machines.
It leaves me apathetic, and cold.
The parliamentary system seems to be a relic that is as inefficient as it is abused and what is said there is parroted here.
I’m not advocating any senseless or violent replacement, I’m not an anarchist or an extremist – I find it hard to be anything.
In a world where every media channel seems compromised and every political action attracts partisan flak, I’d hope that people would want to have reasoned conversation when given the chance.
I’m naive, I know — but as much as I try I can’t be part of a system that’s “In with the new boss, same as the old boss”, and readers here just mouth the chorus.
I apologize for nothing. — Garth
I never asked you to.
Bill-Muskoka,
So, why tell the reporters about his ’secret trip’!
1. Because reporters like to report the news
2. Liberals would accuse him of not being open with the media if he only invited his personal press with him.
Tories reverse course, will fund more summer jobs
New cash available by June, Solberg promises
By JOSH VISSER
The Conservative government faced sharp criticism about the changes during question period last Thursday and Mr. Solberg said that they would re-think the program.
While not a complete turnabout, Mr. Solberg did admit that there were lessons to be learned.
“Change is hard,” Mr. Solberg said. “There was a misunderstanding between the department and the groups that applied” for funding.
“In the past, the criteria never changed much for many years . . . (the groups) didn’t appreciate that we were asking them to put a lot more emphasis on how students would get a better work experience and learn things that would apply to their studies.
“It’s really just a communication breakdown and that can be resolved.”
He added that the department would take a serious look at changes in the criteria for next year.
See http://www.herald.ns.ca/Search/836842.html
In Chronicle Herald May 22/07
Just another example of a screw up – oh, excuse me – just another MISUNDERSTANDING.
Its unbelievable how incompetent this ‘New Government’ is.
It needs to be the right of every MP to ask questions in public on behalf of their constituents. Ministers need to be openly accountable. Period. — Garth
By Jackie Chen’s right hand on 05.21.07 5:03 pm
Gee ! You think up that handle all by yourself. Idiot .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.21.07 9:39 pm
It takes one to know one!!
Garth, how come this blog of yours is totally dedicated to attacking any policy that CPC and the Harper government put through to the house without any mentioning of the Liberal alternative. – AD
Simple. The Liberals have no alternatives.
Remember the Chretien/Martin Liberals? No action for 12 years. Pathetic.
In response to:
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 1:28 pm
Dion is a man of superbe instincts and intellect .
I thought so too when he was elected leader, but the first words he uttered from his mouth about the Harper Conservative governement was “right-wing, neo-con, pro-Bush” .. and you call that intellect and elevating the level of debate? Dion’s conduct in the HoCs is also deplorable for a man of so-called instincts and intellect, all because he knows that the only way to defeat the Conservatives is to drag them down below the basement level of the Liberals. Dion displays the signs of a man who is insecure in his leadership.
Being a native son of Quebec puts him light years ahead of Dopey (Harpo)
Dion is utterly despised in Quebec, even moreso than Chretien, and labelled “Le Rat (devenu Castor)”. The recent SES leadership poll just confirms that Dion is rejected as a “native son” and in Quebec even Duceppe rates higher than Dion as a “prefered prime minister of Canada”. Calling Harper “Dopey” is evidence of your desperation.
The con vote in Quebec is ,very,very, soft almost non-existent .
Can you provide any statistics for that statement, or is that just your wishful thinking?
ADQ members have little or nothing in common with the neo-Reform/Alliance .
Declaring Quebec a nation state moved the polls exactly zero per cent .
Provincially the ADQ counts for something ,federally they are a big fat doughnut hole .
Harper accepts the notion of “autonomous nation” within Canada for Quebec as does ADQ Dumont, and that will deliver the conservative ADQ ridings to Harper in any next election. Charest also owes Harper bigtime for saving his sorry butt even though it’s only a minority. Your comments again reek of desperation. Harper stands to win over 50 Quebec MPs in the next election, because Quebecers are turning Right provincially and federally.
Dopey imagines his party of neo-con freaks will do well in Quebec .
The ten seats they gained were an aberration not to be repeated .
Chantal Hebert opines in the Toronto Star that: “In francophone Quebec, the Liberals are still in no shape to make more than a pro forma appearance on the ballot.” Even though this refers to possible upcoming byelections, I submit this is the reality in Quebec. Polling confirms that the Liberals are “viande morte” in Quebec. Their only real strongholds are in Montreal and Toronto (Ignatieff country).
Once the Van Doos are fully engaged in Afghanistan his polling numbers will be in the basement where they belong .
I understand this, but for you Liberals to depend on the death of Canadian soldiers to improve your standing with Quebecers and Canadians only reveals your abject desperation. You admit that the Dion Liberals can only improve by dragging down the Conservatives below your current abysmal standing amongst Quebecers and Canadians.
Your desperate rhetoric will do nothing to stop the inevitable collapse of the Dion Liberal party in Quebec, and Canada too. Now if Ignatieff was the Liberal leader then Harper would have something to worry about.
“Catherine,
So Garth, please do tell us from which university, you received you degrees and in what disciples were these degrees?
And please tell us where you got your elementary school certificate? We wish to send the Board our condolences.
By Bill-Muskoka on 05.22.07 9:28 am ”
Well, Bill M, it’s too bad that your basket weaving degree didn’t give you any debating and analytical skills.
So go for it Bill M. attack people personally, because you simply can’t debate politically based on policies or ideologies.
Oh Bill M., I do feel sorry for your grand kids. They sure do have a very angry grampa.
Jackie Chan’s Left Hand,
With all due respect Garth .You are wasting your valuable time responding to GGF who has proven time and again to be blindly partisan and full of rhetoric .
The pot calls the kettle black. I post links to articles, you make ‘facts’ up. You blindly support the Liberals and anyone you call anyone that disagrees a ‘twit’, ‘retard’, ‘partisan’, etc. Just because I don’t agree with Garth or the Liberals on everything, that doesn’t make me totally partisan. If Kennedy won, I might have even considered voting Liberal.
He has been here long enough to know the absolute ‘truth’ of the matter but chooses not to accept it;
I accept it. Garth is a Liberal. I am purely interested in the details of how his mind worked during that turbulent period. To blindly follow something without questioning it is folly. Even Garth knows that.
to try and pillory you with your own,well chosen, words .
I don’t think Garth needs a Liberal fan-boy’s help defending him. He is quite capable.
The CPC and Harper have to be the DUMBEST MORONS to ever hold office…even worse than Bush (of course Bush his own 747 called Air Farce On)! – BILL-MUSKOKA
And you are one of the dumbest morons to post on this blog.
To SJ re: 05.22.07 1:22 pm
Could you expand on your accusation that the Conservatives are a ‘horrible mistake in Canadian history’? Just saying so doesn’t make it so.
Also could you tell us why you ‘..think Dion is what Canada needs to go into the future, sovereign and prosperous..?
Do you agree that Canada should participate in international carbon trading to mitigate our 35% excess GHGs over our Kyoto targets? Dion as Minister of the Environment in 2004-06 was planning to purchase $5 Billion in Kyoto Carbon Credits from Asian countries. Would this be your definition of ‘prosperous’?
By haltonjohn on 05.22.07 8:44 am
Years ago ??, what are you talking about. The 80s. If I follow your comment,
Well you see Halton John, it’s like this. I was around conservative ridings and campaigns for a long long time. So I’ll bet at the very least I was around before you were messing your diapers much like your neo-con buddies are doing now.
Relax, already. The borrowing of the title was deliberate, and intended to be an ironic juxtaposition. You did not see that? Actually I was a Waffle in college. Laxer was a hero. Weird, eh? — Garth
lol as someone who has actually read some of his silliness I am shammed to admit that even you do not fall as far from the Tory tree as Laxer does.
Excellent use of irony by the way. I was going to comment on the irony of a individualistic liberal using technology to spread his word under the banner of Grant, but I thought it would go over a few heads.
Dion would not make rotten PM if he governs like he acknowledes emails sent to him. Garth over a month and still waiting.
At least Harper acknowledges my emails re Dion’s no show at Vimy and the Veterans Misister even took the time and replied. While Dion on the other hand doesn’t even afford me the courtisy of an acknowledement to my email.This alone says a lot about Dion and his suppossed credibilty which from my experience with him is next to nil and my Liberal vote along with it. But, what the hell does he care I am only one vote.
Prime Minister Michael Ignatieff
Minister of Finance Garth Turner
Minister External Affairs Scott Brison
(No Dion, Kennedy, Goodale, a few others.)
Alan…could you please explain the Harper book designed to destroy the committee process in parliament?
Since a lot of you CPC folks like to ask questions, maybe you could answer one?
Word for the Day: Autonomous
Observer says “Harper accepts the notion of “autonomous nation†within Canada for Quebec”.
Extrapolating from this, do you think that Harper would also accept Canada as an “autonomous nation” within the North American Union?
Does it matter what the Canadian people think of these Biggie notions?
To GGF
“To blindly follow something without questioning it is folly.”
Would that apply to CPC backbenchers who are told how to vote and to take it further, would that apply to all party backbenchers who are whipped to vote?
CRRAP … The ThunderCLAP that precedes Canada going into deficit
Globe & Mail–Tuesday May 22 2007
Nightmare on tax street
Once known as a straight shooter, Jim Flaherty is in danger of becoming a parody of Ottawa politics at its most convoluted.
There was no surplus cash in the kitty beyond 2008-09, except for the $3-billion set aside as a contingency reserve. But Ottawa needed to find almost $6-billion in extra cash to shave another percentage point off the goods and services tax in 2011-12. So officials set out to scrounge more money, and pounced on the elimination of the interest deduction as one source. They argued that, in an ideal tax system, companies should not be allowed to effectively subsidize their ventures abroad by deducting the interest costs of their borrowing at home. After all, the money that a foreign affiliate pays to its Canadian parent – its so-called exempt surplus dividends – is not taxable.
These changes, he added, would not take effect for five years. Experts would look at the fine print. Another expert panel would examine the fairness of the whole tax system. Within hours, experts in most accounting firms had already found a way around Mr. Flaherty’s proposed anti-tax-haven measures.
Now what? In Ottawa terms, Mr. Flaherty has successfully handled the issue, spinning out the problem in time and dumping it on somebody else’s desk. In the real world, Mr. Flaherty has complicated the tax system, endowing the tax-avoidance specialists. Why couldn’t he just admit his error?
First the ANGER, closely followed by the FURY, immediately followed by the DESIRE FOR REVENGE.
Every person in CRRAP’s cabinet and their stable of PA’s is INCOMPETENT.
2. Liberals would accuse him of not being open with the media if he only invited his personal press with him.
By GGF on 05.22.07 2:56 pm
Personal press ? And who would they be the editors of ‘Mad’ magazine .
To Catherine:
I asked you a question, regarding your point about qualifications some time ago…I haven’t seen your response as yet?
JCLH,
Hey, they are restless at the Death Star today, eh? LMAO!
Full turnout of the Kool-Aide drinkers posting away here.
Love this self-destroying bit of hypocrisy from Catherine though So go for it Bill M. attack people personally, because you simply can’t debate politically based on policies or ideologies.
Oh Bill M., I do feel sorry for your grand kids. They sure do have a very angry grampa.
Personal attacks, then mentions my innocent grand children.
There is no use in even responding to such a complete brain dead POS as her, or the others from CPC HQ.
Now, the real war shall begin. Lights, cameras, action…legal action that is.
We will be watching every CPC member, and recording their little forays.
YouTube is going to be the Number ONE show on this continent.
And I am not even a Liberal…just one fed-up Canadian.
By Trevor on 05.22.07 2:49 pm
Well said Trevor….you are not alone!
There is no use in even responding to such a complete brain dead POS as her, or the others from CPC HQ. – BILL-MUSKOKA
By saying this, you did respond to her, you idiot.
And, if you’re not a Liberal, I don’t know who is.
Are you taking stupid lessons from Chan?
By Trevor on 05.22.07 2:49 pm
As a young, well-educated and politically aware Canadian I can’t help but be dismayed at the rhetoric and partisanship that plagues the comments following each post.
Trevor, you obviously have never been on a conservative type blog. Check out Free Dominion.
Geezers Unite!
Trevor, don’t paint the posters here with too broad a brush. Some do not sing with The Chorus.
The other day someone called this the time of the YouTube generation. The poster proposed that we do videos to expose political corruption and ineptitude.
I disagree.
This is still “the Pig in the Python” Generation. The seniors now have a powerful demographic and they will vote.
If Senior Canadians don’t take control of the direction of this country, if they don’t demand democracy now, their remaining years will be the equivalent of the digested remnants of that pig.
Geezers have to unite under one banner to save our Canada. Especially now, that the “Security and Prosperity Partnership” has been decloaked.
The CAITI site is a good starting point.
We will be watching every CPC member, and recording their little forays. – BILL-MUSKOKA
This sounds like a threat. Where you a member of the Hilter youth when you were going up?
We will be watching every CPC member, and recording their little forays.
YouTube is going to be the Number ONE show on this continent.
And I am not even a Liberal…just one fed-up Canadian.
By Bill-Muskoka on 05.22.07 4:00 pm
Yea, Billy . Five new neo-con retards from the ‘Death Star’
Guess we wore out Hogan,Leasa et al .
Man, they are such easy targets .
ROTFLMAO “Enemy one and Enemy two ”
I am honored .
Where you a member of the Hilter youth when you were going up?
By EF on 05.22.07 4:15 pm
Ya, that’s right, Erik von HILTER yout’
wit’ Joe Peschi. Bill was da judge!
U.S. politics as a rigged game that suppresses honesty and rewards deception.
Sound familiar Canada?
By Bill-Muskoka on 05.22.07 2:48 pm
Axe the Tax
Gun Registry
Fix health care for a generation
(adscam) A few million dollars missing, it was good for Canada, qui?
low dollar is good for Canada
Carbon Trading
Charter of Rights
best interests of the child
crime rate going down
YEP, YEP and triple YEP, glad you noticed Bill
I wonder what the so-cons think of the way Harper handled the same sex marriage issue? Does anyone think that the so-cons may leave for the Greens or will they just stay home for the next election?
This sounds like a threat. Where you a member of the Hilter youth when you were going up?
By EF on 05.22.07 4:15 pm
How juvenile!
Oh WOW! We have a new Death Star Troll named EF. Does that stand for EFfluent? You know the CRAP that comes from a sewer.
Give it your best shot Bozo Brain because you will find out how ineffective your tripe is here.
Come’on Hit us with your best shot….you know like your bathroom wall with the Playboy magazine. what does your family think of those long stays in the bathroom BTW?
Love the Newbies…thinking they be all big and bad.
EF: Your right, that does sound like a threat…imagine, holding politicians to account…what a huge threat to the CONs.
The Can. dollar is at $0.92 U.S.. It’s got me worried!
Want bad economic times? Elect
conservatives, it seldom
fails.
If you are being sarcastic, you do not understand the implications. (1) 70% of our exports are sold to Americans, which means our products just got more expensove and we got less competitive (2) A high dollar is very likely, along with increased inflation, to trigger a Bank of Canada rate increase. Exactly what the residential real estate market does not need, with Canadian mortgage debt at an all-time. This is not what we want. But it sounds like you do. — Garth
JCLH,
ROTFLMAO “Enemy one and Enemy twoâ€
I am honored.
I also. Reminds me of those heady days in ‘Nam when the Nuggets came swarthing in all Big and Bad in their brand new shiny Nugget Bars.
I would ask them this question ‘Tell me Lieutenant, how does it feel to fly into combat in an aircraft built by the lowest bidder?’ Watching the blood drain from their Hot Jet Jock faces was priceless.
I bet the Prozac order at the Death Star has tripled since they came here to play. This ain’t no Blogging Whories!
Word for the Day: Autonomous
Observer says “Harper accepts the notion of “autonomous nation†within Canada for Quebecâ€.
Extrapolating from this, do you think that Harper would also accept Canada as an “autonomous nation†within the North American Union?
Does it matter what the Canadian people think of these Biggie notions?
By Charles on 05.22.07 3:54 pm
Of course Canada is part of a “North American Union” whether we like it or not. Is it 87% of our trade is with the USA and if that does not make us integral with the USA .. well !!
Only Lefty political opportunists use the spectre of the big bad USA to spook Canadians into believing we are somehow an “autonomous nation” which can assert it’s “sovereignty” by declaring our displeasure with the Americans.
It would be nice if all politicians accepted the reality of the dominance of the USA on Canada — commercially and culturally.
GARTH:
The Can. dollar is at $0.92 U.S.. It’s got me worried!
Want bad economic times? Elect conservatives, it seldom fails.
———————–
If you are being sarcastic, you do not understand the implications. (1) 70% of our exports are sold to Americans, which means our products just got more expensove and we got less competitive (2) A high dollar is very likely, along with increased inflation, to trigger a Bank of Canada rate increase.
Exactly what the residential real estate market does not need, with Canadian mortgage debt at an all-time. This is not what we want. But it sounds like you do. — Garth
So how would you collapse the Canadian dollar if you were the Minister of Finance or head of the Bank of Canada — zero percent prime rate?
The goal, of course, is stable fiscal and monetary policy and very small currency fluctuations. Sure am glad you are not running the BoC. — Garth
It would be nice if all politicians accepted the reality of the dominance of the USA on Canada — commercially and culturally.
By Observer on 05.22.07 5:09 pm
Words of a traitor .
e Can. dollar is at $0.92 U.S.. It’s got me worried!
Want bad economic times? Elect
conservatives, it seldom
fails.
If you are being sarcastic, you do not understand the implications. (1) 70% of our exports are sold to Americans, which means our products just got more expensove and we got less competitive (2) A high dollar is very likely, along with increased inflation, to trigger a Bank of Canada rate increase. Exactly what the residential real estate market does not need, with Canadian mortgage debt at an all-time. This is not what we want. But it sounds like you do. — Garth
By John on 05.22.07 4:55 pm
Not one bit! I understand all too well the implications. Want bad economic times, elect conservatives
PJW,
Would that apply to CPC backbenchers who are told how to vote and to take it further, would that apply to all party backbenchers who are whipped to vote?
As long as the MPs question and debate in caucus. Just because you question, doesn’t mean you don’t fall into line come voting time. Even Garth does that.
Ah, more brilliance from Observer(aka Neighborhood Voyeur).
It would be nice if all politicians accepted the reality of the dominance of the USA on Canada — commercially and culturally.
Yes folks step right up. The U.S. has no federal crime for murder, but 50 States have various laws for the same. Canada has ONE federal Criminal Code, and that is how it will stay.
The U.S., especially Bush, his campaign manager, and the Governor of Michigan, all thought our Prime Minister was named Poutine back during the first election. Bush even admitted ‘I personally know Prime Minsiter Poutine’ on THH22M’s ‘Talking With Americans’ thanks to Candian Rick Mercer.
The U.S. has a $57 TRILLION USD debt, a massive War Machine, and the military industrial complex to support it, and be supported by the government.
The U.S. has a regional culture that fails to comrehend any of the others….then there is Texas…that land which Mexico owned before the Alamo, but has been since re-populated by…TADA Mexicans.
I love it when blubberheads try to compare the U.S. with Canada. I was born an American and know the country from east to west and north to south.
I am now proudly a Canadian and have lived across this great land as well.
Canada is NOT the U.S. and never will be. We have values that Americans simply cannot grasp, because they have been ‘indoctrinated’.
Actually, many Americans would be more Canadian than Candians would ever be Americans. 500,000 former Americans have made the change…the others just haven’t discovered things as yet.
Give it your best shot Bozo Brain … – BILL-MUSKOKA
Bozo brain? What are you, like, 100? Well, I guess your senility explains why you sound like you do.
And, as for the Playboy comment…
I heard from several sources that you can’t even get in your garbage because of all the Playgirl issues.
I find it strangely ironic, and yet somehow poetic, to watch the evolution of the commentary section on this blog over the past few months.
Garth starts the discussion by describing the current situation of Parliamentary committees in manner that pretty much sums up the role of an MP. According to Garth, an MP’s role now is akin to a “party transmission belt” of the former Soviet bloc. Yet if my memory serves me correctly this was exactly what the CPC howled about when they were in opposition.
So, for the most part instead of discussing how the committees could be set up to work better in the future we read:
• personal attacks/jibes (flaming) with at times incredibly vitriolic content (from all sides) and “high fives†when scoring points;
• little or no concrete content that can be debated (though to be honest some topics do fare better than others); and
• when someone does post something of substance related to the discussion topic, the zealots, depending on what view they hold, either fawn over the piece or attempt to tear it apart.
There is very little debate, or exchange of ideas, resulting in a synthesis of the various salient points of view. Though I thought that was the point of this blog, especially with the all the stuff circulating about digital democracy. The usual suspects post on the blog with such incredible regularity, and let’s face it they monopolize the “conversation†with their versions of “the truth”. Those that complain about the holier than thou attitude of the current government, themselves show disdain if not outright contempt for differening (not necessarily opposing) points of view. God help you if your opinion differs from that of Hogan, Leasa, JCLH, or Billy M. Given the tone of many of the exchanges, I am sure that newbies, or those with more moderate views, would rather contact Garth directly than post a comment in this forum. Most likely however, they won’t even bother.
Now before someone spouts off a “whaaa ….cry baby ….toughen up or go home†type of message, here’s something to think about. What Garth is describing is a form of thuggery that stifles non-partisan debate and the exchange of ideas. It specifically excludes compromise and the acceptance of differences of opinion, as these are seen as a threat. What I find utterly fascinating is how some regular contributors to this blog, from both the “right and the leftâ€, mirror the partisan rhetoric/behaviour found in Parliament these days.
Rather than helping to change how Parliament functions, I would argue that digital democracy has helped to entrench and enhance certain negative characteristics of the system. Go ahead prove me wrong……
Talk about dumb .
Every penny our dollar goes up against the greenback costs 10’s of thousands of manufacturing jobs . Real jobs with real pay cheques .
So far we have shed in excess of 250,00 manufacturing jobs in Eastern Canada .
A dollar at par would be an unmitigated disaster for Canada .
Our imports cost more as well as our exports .No advantage .
Economically we are far better off with a dollar in the low to mid 80’s or lower.
Our exports become more affordable around the globe .
Obviously you have not grasped, even, rudimentary economics .
Speaking of Banks – They won’t wait for Dodge – two just raised their mortgage rates last week, the rest are expected to follow.
_______________________________________
Speaking of Spooks – here’s a guy that insists that Canadian politicians should accept Canada’s subservient role to the USA in both cultural and economic matters.
That sounds like a Harper quote…. “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.†Is that you again Mr. PM?
quote from http://thinkexist.com/quotes/stephen_harper/
I am interested in this new proposed alignment of seats in the House, if I read this correctly Alberta and Quebec will get 1 new member for every 100,000 increase in population while Ontario get 1 new member for every 200,000 in population increase. Is that because Ontario voted in too many liberal members in the last election? I am intrigued as well that we would be paying for more members to be told how to vote by the party leader. I thought the reason for these new members was so people would have more representation not less. I can’t figure this out at all. It seems just another opportunity to fleece the taxpayer.
I think a North American Union should be presented to the Canadian people in the form of a referendum. It should not be decided by any government, minority or majority. Trade is one thing, security and total fiscal union is another. Allow the people of Canada to speak on this!
And a little good news!
Alcan rejects Alcoa takeover offer as ‘inadequate’
Alcan’s board has rejected Alcoa’s hostile takeover offer, calling it “inadequate in multiple respects.”
“[The Alcoa offer] does not adequately reflect the value of Alcan’s extremely attractive assets, strategic capabilities and growth prospects, does not offer an appropriate premium for control of Alcan, and is highly conditional and uncertain,” Alcan chairman Yves Fortier said in a statement released after the markets closed.
“Furthermore, it is clear to us that Alcan and Alcoa have fundamentally different approaches and track records in creating shareholder value,” Fortier said.
Now, that is the Canada I love and admire! The one with Big Ones to say NO!
Thanks Garth re:
So how would you collapse the Canadian dollar if you were the Minister of Finance or head of the Bank of Canada — zero percent prime rate?
The goal, of course, is stable fiscal and monetary policy and very small currency fluctuations. Sure am glad you are not running the BoC. — Garth
Obviously, you do not agree with the current Conservative government fiscal and monetary policies, but what would you do to create that stability?
Surely you must recognize that the Harper government is trying to buy the votes of Canadians come the next election, as did the Martin government, and that’s normal politics. Going from 16% to 15% tax rate by Martin was exactly that.
Once again if you were the Minister of Finance what would you do specifically to collapse the Canadian dollar?
I would not collapse it. Read what I wrote. Gradual fluctatuations are the goal and there are a myriad of ways of achieving that. Man, do some research. — Garth
It would be nice if all politicians accepted the reality of the dominance of the USA on Canada — commercially and culturally.
By Observer on 05.22.07 5:09 pm
Words of a traitor .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 5:17 pm
Traitor to what .. your twisted view of Canadian reality?
If you are being sarcastic, you do not understand the implications. (1) 70% of our exports are sold to Americans, which means our products just got more expensove and we got less competitive (2) A high dollar is very likely, along with increased inflation, to trigger a Bank of Canada rate increase. Exactly what the residential real estate market does not need, with Canadian mortgage debt at an all-time. This is not what we want. But it sounds like you do. — Garth
Point 1 is the problem. Its not a case of a strong CDN dollar, but a weak US dollar. Maybe if we traded more elsewhere and were not so tied to the US. this would not be such a problem.
And the last thing we need is an interest rate increase because that would drive the CDN dollar even higher!
e Can. dollar is at $0.92 U.S.. It’s got me worried!
Want bad economic times? Elect conservatives, it seldom fails.
By John on 05.22.07 5:22 pm
Central Canada has been shedding finished goods jobs long before the Conservatives took power.
I`m curious why you think a devalued currency is good for Canada. It only benefits one sector of the economy and what did they do with 12 years of windfall profits? They didn`t reinvest for productivity such as retooling. On the flip side ever penny they make from a devalued dollar comes out of the rest of the economy, mostly Cdn consumers.
The bigger picture asks the question, why can`t Cdn companies compete with American companies a par value? We have the raw resources and energy and we live next door to the best customer in the world.
Time for everyone to get their heads out of the sand and stop blaming one Party over another. It`s the whole works of them peddling crap like a low dollar is good for Canada or tough on crime is the answer.
Or do like me, sit back and say `I told you so` every time things screw up, many of which Garth has spoken about but the attack dogs have no use to debate.
In the “horse race†portion of the poll released Friday, the Conservatives lost two percentage points in popular support compared to a late April poll (percentage point change from the April 21-24 poll):
* Conservatives – 34 per cent (-2)
* Liberals – 31 per cent (+1)
* NDP – 16 per cent (+3)
* Bloc Quebecois – 10 per cent (+1)
* Greens – 9 per cent (-12)
Donolo noted that Canadians hold the military in high regard.
Here are the real numbers Observer.
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand
And despite everything that has happened they are still ahead of the Libs. How pathetic.
Hmmm – Catherine silent on the news of Garth’s education.
I looked up Jay Hill just for fun – he only finished high school. Hmmm….
“I asked you a question, regarding your point about qualifications some time ago…I haven’t seen your response as yet?
By PJW on 05.22.07 3:58 pm”
Well, unlike you, I do work and have other duties when I get home, so my time is limited on the net.
So to answer you, what does my first comment have to do with Garth? First, Garth, attacked his colleagues in House. He asserted that the members on the Finance committee should not be there because they don’t have the education or experience. Therefore, Garth opened the door for us to ask him what qualifies him as a finance committe member. He has an English Lit undergrad degree from UoT. So based on his own criteria, Garth qualifies as reporter or an author of books – not as a financial member.
Hope this helps you, PJW.
Catherine, I have been a financial journalist, commentator, author and broadcaster for most of the last three decades. I have written seven best-selling financial books, and lectured to thousands of people across the country on personal finance, real estate and economics. I wrote and hosted the most-watched financial show on television (and owned the company which produced it), edited for the Globe’s Report on Business, lectured at three universities on economics, completed the Canadian Securities Course and have consulted on financial strategies to many large corporations. Maybe not good enough for you. But it’s probably a better background than selling new windows or used cars. — Garth
“Catherine,
So Garth, please do tell us from which university, you received you degrees and in what disciples were these degrees?
And please tell us where you got your elementary school certificate? We wish to send the Board our condolences.
By Bill-Muskoka on 05.22.07 9:28 am â€
Well, Bill M, it’s too bad that your basket weaving degree didn’t give you any debating and analytical skills.
So go for it Bill M. attack people personally, because you simply can’t debate politically based on policies or ideologies.
Oh Bill M., I do feel sorry for your grand kids. They sure do have a very angry grampa.
By Catherine on 05.22.07 3:14 pm
Well Catherine ‘Garth is sure not a ‘disciple’ of your saviour.
I just can’t understand why you and your ilk love to troll non-neocon sites and spew your garbage. You’re not gonna convert the non neo-cons who saw through Harper and his anti-Canadian, anti-democratic, pro Bush type of propaganda. Why don’t you take your garbage to all those BTn sites where you can at least comiserate with the likes of Leaza, et all. You really have nothing to add here – other than a few laughs at you for your total devotion to your leader – think of N. Korea and China!!
There is no use in even responding to such a complete brain dead POS as her, or the others from CPC HQ. – BILL-MUSKOKA
By saying this, you did respond to her, you idiot.
And, if you’re not a Liberal, I don’t know who is.
Are you taking stupid lessons from Chan?
By EF on 05.22.07 4:08 pm
EF, as I said to Catherine, and that goes for Leaza and you neo-cons, I can’t understand why you guys bother to post on non neo-con sites. You’re not going to convince the rest of Canadian voters with your Harper, neocon smears and lies. Go have an orgy on the blogging Tory sites – just remember – scot towels are better than kleenex
-
KPK: After 13 years of so-called Liberal neglect and Harper has had 16 months and has fallen like a stone!!!
Now I call that pathetic–Harper thought he had it made in the shade with the sponsorship scandal–thought he was coasting to a majority with a newly elected Liberal leader.
OOPS! Several miscalculations and jumping the war-room gun on the Cons part.
Now what party is in disarray?
Judy,
A 2% drop from where he was elected (36%) is falling like a stone? I think it shows indifference among the public ie they believe they are ALL liars and cheats.
You’re not going to convince the rest of Canadian voters with your Harper, neocon smears and lies.
By kpn on 05.22.07 7:28 pm
Stupid replies from the lib trolls is doing that. One only needs reading through one thread to find the best reason not to vote Liberal. Not only that but I have yet to see one reason to even vote.
After 13 years of so-called Liberal neglect and Harper has had 16 months and has fallen like a stone!!!
Now I call that pathetic – Harper thought he had it made in the shade with the sponsorship scandal–thought he was coasting to a majority with a newly elected Liberal leader.
OOPS! Several miscalculations and jumping the war-room gun on the Cons part.
Now what party is in disarray?
By Judy on 05.22.07 7:28 pm
Taking your comments to a logical conclusion, what do you think would happen if we had a federal election now?
Is it your belief/hope that the Dion Liberals would vault over the Harper Conservatives, going from 30% in the polls to say 40% .. while the Conservatives would drop from 36% to say 30%?
What would precipitate such a huge turnaround given that the West is still strongly Conservative, rural and small town Ontario is Conservative, and Quebec has swung to the Right with the ADQ and their natural allies would be the Harper Conservatives?
Current polling confirms these Conservative constituencies … whereas your predictions seem to be tinged with naive hopefulness. If these are your feeelings speaking, you should just admit your emotional bias.
But it’s probably a better background than selling new windows or used cars. — Garth
Not very likely,as they have spent time in the real world. Your comments would indicate that you consider yourself an academic which really doesn’t amount to much in the real world. But then again who said politics or politicians was about the real world. But then gain the most honest politician that ever was a cabinet minister was actually was was a used car salesman. Know him Garth? Hint: He as Transport Minister in the 80’s. He was from the prairies.
OOPS! Several miscalculations and jumping the war-room gun on the Cons part.
Now what party is in disarray?
By Judy on 05.22.07 7:28 pm
Judy don’t bother with KPK he is just a delusional little jerk .
While the Liberals were in power they polled in the mid-40’s .
Numbers Harpo can only dream of .
Work with that ‘ya stupid moron .
Harper is not a leader. He is impulsive. He would have taken us into the war in Iraq with Bush when Harper was the opposition leader. How could he have ever been concerned with the enviornment. Harper referred to green house gases as so called green house gases, then out of the blue smoke, he turns green. Why such a concern all of a sudden. Harper said they would not play around with income trusts , but they did. No, Harper does not leader, he in fact is easily lead. He is no leader. Harper is impulsive!
ol, what a bs article. Canada is one of the few countries that manipulate currency for economic advantage.
Sux Rope :
Your an utter and complete idiot .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 5:17 pm
Traitor to what .. your twisted view of Canadian reality?
By Observer on 05.22.07 6:01 pm
Your the twisted one ass-hat .
You want to sell out to the US so we can have the devalued greenback .
What nonsense.
Grow up and learn something .
Your so called vision will never come to pass unless it is done by invasion .
HERE YEA! HEAR YEA! If you want to sit here and quote polls, at least do your research first….Follow this link
http://www.nodice.ca/elections/canada/polls.php
Your an utter and complete idiot .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 8:06 pm
Sorry Jacqueline, didn`t mean to embarrass you, didn`t know you were ignorant of the way things work.
Next time I`ll ask if you have knowledge of the subject before I release it to save you further embarrassment
Hope you accept my apology.
Nelson,
Thank you for the comparison. It looks like a Scatter Gun result to moi! LOL
So much for polls!
You know it ,really,is hilarious all these ‘Death Star’ inhabitues posting to Garth’s Blog .
Voyeur , Effluent , KPK , Hogan , Leasa ,
Catherine , Van , jmmcain ,to name but a few .
They,actually, believe their stupid arguements will sway someone over to the dark side .
Their arguments are non-sensical in the extreme they are barely literate , whine and cry when someone calls them on the BS they post and they expect respect.
They feel they can attack others with impunity .
Gutless,snivelling worms all .
They sit at their key boards and imagine themselves as heroes to the neo-con cause .
They drink gallons of tainted Kool-Aide wear eight day old underwear eat day old pizza and dress in rags .
Do yourselves a favour and get
educated .
An educated human would never,ever vote for the neo-cons .
If you are being sarcastic, you do not understand the implications. (1) 70% of our exports are sold to Americans, which means our products just got more expensove and we got less competitive (2) A high dollar is very likely, along with increased inflation, to trigger a Bank of Canada rate increase.
Exactly what the residential real estate market does not need, with Canadian mortgage debt at an all-time. This is not what we want. But it sounds like you do. — Garth
I am not sure that this concept is valid anymore. Economic theories that once seemed to be good predictors now don’t appear to work.
It may be in part because of the decline in manufacturing and the increase in resource trade. Unless there is a rapid decline in the need for energy, trade with the U.S. will remain high. At the same time, as the U.S. demand for commodities falls international demand increases. For example, iron ore which once was exported to the U.S. now goes to China.
The prices for consumer goods in the United States today are similar to those in Canada because they are manufactured outside the U.S.-Canada trade area. A large percentage of U.S.-Canada manufacturing trade is the movement of automobile parts back and forth across the border. If we take the automobile manufactures, agricultural production, and energy out of the equation I would guess it would leave a big hole.
Remember that most of the increase in the Canadian dollar we see is the result of a sagging US dollar and the increased demand for Canadian commodities outside of North America.
Is this a positive development? That is another question but the high Canadian dollar does not appear to be having a great deal of impact.
You want to sell out to the US so we can have the devalued greenback .
What nonsense.
Grow up and learn something .
Your so called vision will never come to pass unless it is done by invasion .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 8:13 pm
The invasion has happened long time ago, and it is only a few deluded lefties who still think that Canada is a great and sovereign nation that can rebuff the US commercially and culturally. Unfortunately, Canadians are completely tied to the US economy and prefer US culture to Canadians hokey.
What you are expressing is your belated opposition to anything US, while reality has left you behind in your delusions.
Garth…
After rereading your blog entry, I must ask you:
“Are you happier in the Liberal caucus where the priority is to sabotage and defeat the government in all the Parliamentary commitees and frustrate them in the Liberal-controlled Senate?
I see you on the right side of the political spectrum (“Progressive Conservative sect”) together with Ignatieff, Brison, anybody else?
Come and sit with me in committee for a few hours. You will soon see where the sabotage is coming from. — Garth
HERE YEA! HEAR YEA! If you want to sit here and quote polls, at least do your research first….Follow this link
http://www.nodice.ca/elections/canada/polls.php
By Nelson on 05.22.07 8:20 pm
What for it’s bull shyte
Only pollster worth his salt is Nik Nanos .
Mike Wallace on the Finance Committee ? How sad, he was not even a good Burlington City Councilor. !!! or a particularly good window salesperson. How sad is that ??
You’re not going to convince the rest of Canadian voters with your Harper, neocon smears and lies.
By kpn on 05.22.07 7:28 pm
Stupid replies from the lib trolls is doing that. One only needs reading through one thread to find the best reason not to vote Liberal. Not only that but I have yet to see one reason to even vote.
By got rope? on 05.22.07 7:54 pm
Great – That’s some attitude. But, just don’t bitch and complain about our next govt. I have no use at all for those who do not choose to use their democratic right to vote – even if they think it stolen as in the 2000 & 2004 elections in the US. If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain. I’ve voted for various parties in my lifetime and my parents, when we lived in Quebec, (until I was 26) at times voted for different parties and cancelled each others vote, but at least they voted.
I may not like the candidates that we have at times, but I will always vote. To do otherwise, in my mind, is to totally give up.
Mr. Chan, you wrote;
“Every penny our dollar goes up against the greenback costs 10’s of thousands of manufacturing jobs . Real jobs with real pay cheques .
So far we have shed in excess of 250,00 manufacturing jobs in Eastern Canada .
A dollar at par would be an unmitigated disaster for Canada .”
Before I embarrass you again are you aware that a higher dollar has created more jobs in all sectors excluding manufacturing than were lost by the higher dollar. Commodities are fueling the government but it`s consumer spending that`s powering the average Cdns economic situation.
I could give you more information once you come down off the Liberal kool-aid high you`re on.
The invasion has happened long time ago, and it is only a few deluded lefties who still think that Canada is a great and sovereign nation that can rebuff the US commercially and culturally. Unfortunately, Canadians are completely tied to the US economy and prefer US culture to Canadians hokey.
What you are expressing is your belated opposition to anything US, while reality has left you behind in your delusions.
By Observer on 05.22.07 8:52 pm
I am not sure Observer if you really believe that the Straussian universe has already unfolded with its focus on militarism, insecurity, and division of civil societies into warring class based factions.
I am more optimistic and have more faith in both American and Canadian civil society.
Are we facing the same threat as is destroying civil society in the U.S.? Of course we are, but we have their experience on which to draw. I see a future in which both Canadian and American civil society work to take back our countries from a self-interested, greedy elite that cannot see beyond their own blinkers. This will include a respect for each countries differences and sovereignty and will realize that the interests of the majority have become removed from the class based global corporatism that is destroying security and freedom far more than any “terrorist” threat.
I may not like the candidates that we have at times, but I will always vote. To do otherwise, in my mind, is to totally give up.
By kpn on 05.22.07 9:14 pm
I respect your decision to endorse the criminal element. Perhaps one day you`ll respect my decision to support the rule of law.
Many people say that because I didn’t vote, I now have no right to complain. But this is one of the most ridiculous myths ever perpetuated by democratic societies. By saying this, are we not also admitting that we essentially elect a dictatorship every three or four years? Is government only responsible to its citizens when the politicians jobs are on the line? This is either ridiculous or a sad statement on how well our government represents its citizens. If we are truly citizens, we have every right to voice our opinion and expect our government to do what’s best for us, regardless of whether or not we exercise every right we have.
So please, if you want to be a good citizen, don’t just go through the motions. To be a good citizen means that you have obligations and responsibilities, these obligations are why we have rights as citizens in the first place. It is the citizens who protect and uphold the system, not the government.
Stevie in AFghanistan, me I’m a turncoat I guess. From Creekside. About Joya who was just dismissed from the Crooks and Liars that sit on Kazaam’s parliament.
__________________________________________
Not for calling for war crimes trials against both the Taliban and our allies, the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan, which the western media prefers to call the Northern Alliance.
Not for referring to Karzai as a U.S. puppet and her fellow MPs as drug lords and war criminals, specifically the vice president, named by Human Rights Watch as a war criminal; the minister of water and power; the anti-corruption chief, a convicted drug trafficker who served time in a Nevada state prison; the deputy interior minister in charge of the anti-drug effort, a famous drug-trafficker; the chief of staff of the Afghan army, also named by Human Rights Watch as a war criminal; and various senators and advisors to Hamid Karzai.
Not for speaking out against the increasing violence towards women and children as perpetrated by the Afghan state.
Not for her speaking engagements abroad, in which she argues that “Afghans are deeply fed-up with the current situation and every day that passes they turn against the government, the foreign troops and the warlords, and the Taliban make use of this resentment to increase their influence amongst the commom people.”
Not even for calling the US-installed Afghan government a “B52 democracy”.
No, Malalai Joya has been ousted for referring to parliament on national television as “a zoo”, or in some other translations, as “a stable of animals”.
That, apparently, was just too much for them.
On her return to Afghanistan after visiting Canada in September last year, Joya was at pains to explain to her countrymen that support for the US invasion of Afghanistan was not the fault of the Canadian and American people.
“I didn’t realize how much they don’t know,” she said. “Their government lies to them, and the media.”
I respect your decision to endorse the criminal element. Perhaps one day you`ll respect my decision to support the rule of law.
By got rope? on 05.22.07 9:23 pm
You raise an interesting point. The Conservatives have just granted another firearms amnesty to non registered firearms owners.
If that is the case, I suggest that the government does not know who they gave the gun amnesty to. In other words the people who have the long gun amnesty some of whom conceiveably could be criminals. How would the the Governmnet know if they have not seen these peoples faces, know their names or what firearms they have. The conservative government may have granted gun amnesty to some of the criminal element.
That being the case who then is soft on crime? Well I would say it would be the conservatives.
The invasion has happened long time ago, and it is only a few deluded lefties who still think that Canada is a great and sovereign nation that can rebuff the US commercially and culturally. Unfortunately, Canadians are completely tied to the US economy and prefer US culture to Canadians hokey.
What you are expressing is your belated opposition to anything US, while reality has left you behind in your delusions.
By Observer on 05.22.07 8:52 pm
So turn in your Canadian documents and move to the US. ‘Ya Yankee bastard .
C. B. Innes on 05.22.07 9:20 pm
Absolutely one of your best comments. BRAVO!
Welcome Sandy!
The invasion has happened long time ago, and it is only a few deluded lefties who still think that Canada is a great and sovereign nation that can rebuff the US commercially and culturally. Unfortunately, Canadians are completely tied to the US economy and prefer US culture to Canadians hokey.
What you are expressing is your belated opposition to anything US, while reality has left you behind in your delusions.
By Observer on 05.22.07 8:52 pm
Observer – I agree that we can we be able to rebuff the Chinese, Indian and ethe rest of the East Asian economy. Sorry if I’m putting words in your mouth.
I think that the majority of Canadians prefer our ‘Canadian’ culture to that of the US ‘hokey’ culture. Unfortunately, we, and much of the world, are bombarded with US ’sub’ culture. So Observer – we should just give in and accept that we have to not only live with, but embrace, a US dysfunctional culture & political system. What I will bitch about is that I cannot live outside of this country for more than 6 months without having my OAP (and CPP) recinded. Yet I paid into them since their inception and the govt. made lots of interest off of them. If I could, I’d go live in Norway or Denmark (my ancestral countries and for which I have great respect)or France (my husband’s birth country) to which I shall soon spend another glorious 3 weeks with his family and old friends and hopefully forget all about the lying Harpercrite.
Wow, who let the Neo-Con Trolls out tonight? Did someone forget to close the gate or something?
Right now Harper is bleeding support in the West and Ontario as old guard Reformer’s start making noise about Reforming Reform, or the Canadian Rebel Reform Alliance Party (CRRAP, as I like to call them). The Hardcore Neo-Clowns on FreeDominion are in complete and open rebellion against Harper and the CPC. The CPC has lost serious ground in Quebec, dispite the ADQ victory (the French Canadian Conservative don’t like Wertern Canadian Conservatives) Harper’s handling and mis-truths (putting politely) about Afghanistan are niting him in the arse, the “How to Create Chaos Manual” only further displays Harper’s complete disregard for or Governmental System. Add in Emmerson, the failed Lumber deal (hey it only cost us a billion to get screwed by American Lumber Interests), Fourtier appointment, increaded spending like a drunken liberal politican (no offence Garth), increased income taxes, income trust sellout,… Harper has handed the Liberal more cannon ammo in 16 months than the Liberals gave Harper in 13 years. The Neo-Clowns keep piping that Dion isn’t a leader, well Harper is neck and neck with Dion,… doesn’t say much for HArper now does it.
Ok, Neo-trollies, let fly
I can agree with you on the commercial front, but not on the cultural. Perhaps I live in a cocoon, but I find that in both literary and musical genres, I partake in a much higher volume of Canadian content than US. I revel in finding the MAPL and FACTOR labels on recordings; aside from the top drawer authors like Margaret Atwood, there is a whole host of others producing all manner of written work (eg. in crime fiction, Kathy Reichs sets her works in the underbelly of Montreal, Alison Preston in Winnipeg; war history and fiction finds the likes of Margaret MacMillan, George Blackburn, Eric Walters; and so on). In film, Canada (outside of Quebec), still has much work to do, but even there, I personally find myself watching as much UK and foreign-language film as that of any US production. But perhaps even those seeds are starting to take hold. In recent years, high calibre films like Water, Barbarian Invasions, Bon Cop-Bad Cop (well more of a pop product, but with references ONLY a Canadian can fully appreciate), and the just-now-released Away From Her, show much promise. And look at how many Canadian actor and comedians are involved in US entertainment (check out the content in shows like 24). The US would like to commercially dominate our culture, but thank goodness it was left out of NAFTA.
I think if you do an eyeball fit of a trend line on the Nodice data, you’ll find the Blue Line trending this way ↓, and the Red Line that ↑.
Only pollster worth his salt is Nik Nanos .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 9:02 pm
Then you will LOVE this SES poll taken April 5th:
http://www.sesresearch.com/library/polls/POLNAT-S07-T230.pdf
Of the following individuals, who do you think would make the best prime minister?
CANADA:
Harper—- 42.2%
Dion—— 16.7
Duceppe— 6.9
Layton — 16.4
QUEBEC:
Harper—- 42.5%
Dion—— 10.1 (viande morte)
Duceppe— 26.4
Layton — 13.0
………………………
So left hander, how do you reconcile these results with your twisted view of Canadian politics … quite a kick in the sweetcheeks .. eh ..??
Garth…
After rereading your blog entry, I must ask you:
“Are you happier in the Liberal caucus where the priority is to sabotage and defeat the government in all the Parliamentary commitees and frustrate them in the Liberal-controlled Senate?
…………………………………
Come and sit with me in committee for a few hours. You will soon see where the sabotage is coming from. — Garth
By Observer on 05.22.07 8:59 pm
My understanding is that the majority opposition members of the committees are manipulating them to their political advantage, rather than working together as independent MPs …. resulting in a backlash action taken by the governing party against your political dirty tricks.
What happens is that the Liberal MSM takes the ongoings of the Parliamentary committees and propagandizes it in favour of the opposition, and that forces the government to control if not sabotage these opposition tactics.
I think you will agree with me that the only way to resolve the current political impasse is to have an election asap, and both Dion and Harper can campaign for Canadians to give either of them a majority government so that the Parliament is not sabotaged by political opportunism as we are now witnessing.
The current minority govt will not serve the urgent needs of the country as we go into the future. Election now .. agree, disagree ?
I have already argued here directly for an election. No news there. As for the committee experience, you clearly have not experienced this first hand. Until you do, your opinion is worth little. — Garth
Observer: Once again, I remind you. This is an old poll. Before the detainee fallout, before the court challenges fallout, before the brown plan, before the playbook on crippling committees.
Harper has since fallen from his perch. He is the only federalist party leader to lose support.
A poll is only valid on the day it was taken.
Observer: I am not emotional. Just stating the facts. Why has Harper dropped from near 40% to 32-36%? Why has Dion remained steady at 30-31%? Why is Harper dropping in Quebec and the Liberals pulling ahead of him?
I say slow and steady wins the race. Which is exactly how Dion is running this one.
Hey,Voyeur :
Keep spouting ancient polls.
It really is good for a laugh .
You hero Dopey is a dead duck walking .
Talk to some Albertan’s about how they feel including his chief apologist Dave Rutherford .
He is fed up with all their bull shyte as is every thinking Canadian .
Sorry about your lack of brains .Get over it .
The all moron party will be lucky to get 50,seats in the next election .
Oh,yea Chantal Hebert is wrong more oftern than she is right same as all political pundits .
The latest SES Research poll completed May 1st shows a drop in Conservative support and an increase in support for the Green Party. Nationally, the Liberals registered the support of 33% of decided voters followed by the Conservatives at 32%, the NDP at 17%, the Green Party at 10% and the BQ at 9%. One of the major shifts has occurred in Quebec with the Liberals picking up nine points and the Conservatives dropping 11 points.
Last month the resurfacing of the sponsorship scandal and the arrest of Lafleur hit the Liberals in Quebec. This month the focus on Afghanistan has put downward pressure on Conservative support in Quebec. The Conservative-Liberal political see-saw continues.
Ain’t that a bitch Voyeur !
Observer: Once again, I remind you. This is an old poll. Before the detainee fallout, before the court challenges fallout, before the brown plan, before the playbook on crippling committees.
Harper has since fallen from his perch. He is the only federalist party leader to lose support.
A poll is only valid on the day it was taken.
By Judy on 05.22.07 10:56 pm
_______________________________________
Observer: I am not emotional. Just stating the facts. Why has Harper dropped from near 40% to 32-36%? Why has Dion remained steady at 30-31%? Why is Harper dropping in Quebec and the Liberals pulling ahead of him?
I say slow and steady wins the race. Which is exactly how Dion is running this one.
By Judy on 05.22.07 11:06 pm
_______________________________________
Judy .. The April 5th SES leadership poll reveals that Dion is well down in popularity as a leader both in his home province of Quebec and the RoC too. The other polls you depend on reflect overall party popularity and that is greatly influenced by how the respondents voted in the last election … so they are backward thinking polls. This is recognized by the polling organizations, and polls that differ a great deal from the 2006 election splits are suspect when taken outside an election campaign.
Harper has not dropped in popularity, the Conservative party has dropped slightly within the margin of error. Dion is not at 30% .. that’s the Liberal party. Dion is personally mired at 16.7% in Canada and 10.1% in Quebec .. making him a huge detriment to the Liberal party’s hopes in any next election. As goes the leader, so goes the party during an election campaign.
Dion is not marketable as a leader and next prime minister of Canada, and that must be obvious to all. Once Canadians are presented in an election campaign with Dion as another Liberal leader from Quebec wanting to be the next prime minister, the Liberals will drop like an anchor. Canadians will not want another prime minister from Quebec .. enough is enough.
As for Dion running a slow and steady race, he had better get Liberal polling above 35% very soon or else the Liberal party will be forced to have an early review of his leadership and replacing him with somebody like Ignatieff, who was more popular than Dion in the Quebec section of the leadership race.
Only pollster worth his salt is Nik Nanos .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 9:02 pm
_______________________________________
Hey,Voyeur :
Keep spouting ancient polls.
It really is good for a laugh .
You hero Dopey is a dead duck walking .
Talk to some Albertan’s about how they feel including his chief apologist Dave Rutherford .
He is fed up with all their bull shyte as is every thinking Canadian .
Sorry about your lack of brains .Get over it .
The all moron party will be lucky to get 50,seats in the next election .
Oh,yea Chantal Hebert is wrong more oftern than she is right same as all political pundits .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.22.07 11:33 pm
Oh that must rip you .. having Nik Nanos telling you that Dion is less popular than Duceppe for PM of Canada in Quebec.
The Liberal party is at ~30% overall popularity while leader Dion is sucking the hind teat at 16.7% according to your SES poll. Man will that drag down the Liberal party come the next election, when Lib candidates beg Dion to stay away from their ridings. As goes the leader so goes the party, and Dion is tanking badly across Canada and particularily in his home province of Quebec. That must really piss you off !!
I’m betting that Dion will be removed as Liberal leader because he is an assured loser, and the Liberals will not go into the next election led by loser Dion. Since the next election is scheduled for the Fall of 2009, that should give Ignatieff enough time to bump out hapless Dion, and stop the other pretenders too.
Here is another interesting Nik Nanos-SES poll that reflect the thinking of Quebecers as they turn to the Right.
_________________________________________
Detailed below is a glimmer of a potential new political reality.
[Bloc voters only] If the Bloc Quebecois did not exist federally and you had to choose between the federal [rotate] Liberals, Conservatives, NDP or Green Party, which federal party would you vote for? Values in parenthesis represent the change in support if the BQ did not exist.
Canada without Bloc:
* Conservative Party 39% (+3)
* Liberal 34% (+1)
* NDP 19% (+3)
* Green Party 8% (+2)
* None 1% (0)
Quebec without Bloc:
* Conservative Party 41% (+13)
* Liberal 21% (+3)
* NDP 23% (+10)
* Green Party 12% (+8)
* None 4% (0)
_______________________________________
I particularily like the Quebec only numbers that give the Conservatives a huge support in the minds of Quebecers. Come the next election, these sentiments will result in many more Conservative MPs from Quebec.
Once again Garth, why let the truth get in the way of a rediculous and flawed rant? If you had in fact looked into the educational background of your former colleagues, you would find that several of them have significant business educations and background. I bet that I have in fact completed more university accounting, finance and economics courses than you have and demonstrate both education and experience regularly at committee. It is truly sad that you feel the need to try to deminish others in an attempt to make yourself look better. If you actually spent some time listening to anyone other that yourself, perhaps you might learn something about others and their needs (but then again it would only matter if you actually cared about others).
Thanks for the post, Dean. If you have personal credentials you’d like visitors here to know about, regarding your work on the finance committee, then I am very happy to pass that information on, without comment. However, I would be more interested in your views on the larger issues in the article ‘Lament for a nation,’ namely, the direction Conservative MPs receive with regard to committee work. I know you are a new member who has not experienced the constructive work of all-party committees in the past, but surely you must have some views on the paralysis which has gripped this Parliament and the intense partisanship that has washed over from the House onto these panels, which are intended to be constructive and progressive. Has the committee done what you had hoped? Has it had a positive role in forwarding new ideas, bringing voters’ concerns to the table, substantially improving proposed legislation? Or has it been only a place to argue? If the latter, how do we change that back? I am sure another MP’s perspective would be warmly welcomed here. — Garth
Voyeur-Goof extraordinaire .
Don;t bother aiming any more of your stupid drivel at me . I won’t respond .
You are too,too stupid to even consider a worthy opponent .
Now beat it back to grade three .
To Catherine:
“Well, unlike you, I do work and have other duties when I get home, so my time is limited on the net.”
Thanks for your sarcastic response. You had time to post after my question to others so your excuse is pretty lame.
If you really had a point to make, you might have checked out the sitting members experience in the financial field. Like many elitists, you think a degree is the only way. Sorry to inform you that sometimes experience can also be extremely educational and valuable.
Have a nice day.
Observer,
If, as you say, Quebeckers are increasingly enthralled with Harper what do you see as the reason? Is it his successful attempts at buying their votes? Do they like his dictatorial style of leadership? Is his strategy of dividing the country into warring factions working?
When Harper was in opposition he defined himself by concentrating on “principles” which he referred to as conservative. He managed to mitigate if not overcome the “hidden agenda” concept that plagued the Reform and Canadian Alliance Parties.
We know that it worked to a certain extent because of a Liberal Party tainted by unethical and corrupt behaviour.
With the behaviour of himself and his own party now being questioned because of concrete examples of unethical and corrupt behaviour is it the expectation of the party that the voters will simply give up the attempt at achieving ethical governance?
Personally, I will not give up that struggle, even although the bulk of the establishment and their media voices appear to be content to excuse that kind of behaviour. There are some here, including former Harper supporters, who have much higher expectations of our elected representatives. We are persistent rather than wealthy or powerful or partisan.
The party system has become a means of destroying democracy rather than facilitating it and it needs a major overhaul. This tinkering around the edges is making the system worse not better.
Setting aside all partisan anything I will simply say this. I want a Leader who has a vision for all of Canada.
We need a national project that all Canadians can feel part of. Perhaps a lesson can be learned from this past experience, which I lived through, and to this day defines what a national leader and vision should be. I say that because I remember the great feeling shared by all during those days of terrible uncertainty, yet elated joy.
Invoke Kennedy, not Chamberlain
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country
Theo, your post on Digital Democracy was an excellent summation.
Gee, I’m away for a week and Jackie still can’t get over his obsession of me. Bud, get over it.
So now Dino has greater experience/education than Garth.
That’s a hoot .
Prove it big boy and steer the finance committee into calm waters where actual progress is made, on finances , instead of this partisan BS .
Talk is cheap Dino and a politicians talk is the cheapest of all unless you are willing to back it with concrete action .
By now the entire nation is aware of the ‘Dirty Tricks’ manual handed to all committee heads . Pretty tough to live that one down Dean .
Why not debate Garth in a public forum I am sure the CBC would be delighted to broadcast such an event .
If,as you say, you have more education/experience than Garth then I would suggest you prove it to the country .
Yes, Dion your seat is in jeopardy of going Liberal/Green .
At the moment you are a punchline to a joke .
Grow up and do something positive for the nation otherwise as Van Car Loan is always admonishing Garth to do-Resign .
Why not debate Garth in a public forum I am sure the CBC would be delighted to broadcast such an event.
Why would you have such a momentous occasion on a station with such a small percentage of viewers? I’d be willing to bet that Foxnews probably has more viewers in Canada than the CBC and that’s saying something since Foxnews is not on cable.
Voyeur-Goof extraordinaire .
Don;t bother aiming any more of your stupid drivel at me . I won’t respond.
Observer, he says that to everyone. Then he goes against his word and replies again and again. Its like shooting fish in a barrel.
I was never politically active in my life until last year.
What I have witnessed since the Harper government came to power has forced me to speak out for what I believe in.
There’s too much at stake for anyone who cares about Canada to stay silent. We’ve already lost so much on so many fronts because of the agenda of this particular government. And we’ve lost the respect of so many people around the world.
All around me, people are talking about the need for change — how we need to get rid of this manipulative, mean-spirited government before it does any more damage to our country, our institutions, and what the world has always understood to be our values as Canadians.
Garth, thank you for continuing to speak out.
This manual for the partisan abuse of Parliamentary committees and turning committee chairs into partisan operatives of the CPC first underscores the true level of utter contempt Harper and those surrounding and supporting him feel for the Canadian democratic system as it actually exists. This notion that it is only the majority of CPC MP’s opinions that count when regarding committee chairs is a good example of this in action. See, while the CPC has the right of holding the chair, it takes the majority of all committee members to actually confirm/fill that chair with a CPC MP via a vote of that committee, and therefore they equally have the right to expel the chair if a majority chooses to down the road. This is what happened in the Official Languages committee.
Now, while the Opposition cannot place one of their own members in that chair, they do have the right to expel the specific CPC MP in that chair and require the CPC to place another MP for consideration as the new chair. That is how it is supposed to work, but under the Harper CPC, no under Harper’s Rules of Order (yes sarcastic reference to Robert’s Rules) it turns out only CPC MPs have any say in this, even though they are *NOT* the majority of the committee. To even try and advance this argument as legitimate is an exercise of naked contempt for Canadian Parliamentary democracy. That there is a 200 page manual which includes this technique as one among many to totally manipulate the committees into being only partisan tools/extensions of the minority CPC government and prevent any and all testimony that would reflect poorly on the government in any manner proves that all those that warned of Harper’s contempt for the rule of law when it interferes with his “grand vision” of how Canada should be were if anything understating matters, not overstating them.
We are seeing the undermining of our fundamental way of life and governing by this CPC government, and that they are willing to do this much while in this weak a minority position also underscores just how much worse they would be if they had received a majority where they would be both unchecked and essentially unaccountable for 4 years. As it is they are managing to keep most of the worst stuff hidden thanks to the lack of interest/understanding of the minutia of how our government actually operates/works, and under what principles and what precedents. Take the claims on this manual that all parties have them that CPC defenders were advancing; this is made with zero evidence to support it, yet was treated as if scientifically proven beyond all doubt. What does that show about the willingness to assume that the voters do not know any better, especially since it is so easily refuted with only a minimum of looking into?
No, this manual is something new and extremely dangerous, as is the mindset of those that prepared it and wanted it in place, aka our Prime Minister and his loyal circle. This is something that underscores yet again why the CPC are not at all like the PCPC, and indeed may well prove out to be something worse than Reform ever would have been as a government (despite their issues/faults, and I say this as someone that opposed Reform from its birth) although I would not give the same benefit of the doubt to the CA. This is something that shows why this government must be defeated in the next election and defeated decisively. Anyone that can defend this sort of treatment of our Parliamentary traditions and basic fundamental operating principles is someone I would describe as acting in a manner that I can only call unpatriotic. I do not use that word lightly, and I do so with all due consideration and deliberation. I am sorry to have to need to use such an emotionally charged descriptor, but nothing less emotionally charged fits, and the others that do fit that come to mind are even more so charged.
Observer, he says that to everyone. Then he goes against his word and replies again and again. Its like shooting fish in a barrel.
By Sean P. Hogan on 05.23.07 2:11 pm
No,Hogan taking shots at you is too easy by half .
You are an easy target . What you post most times is hilarious it is so stupid and irrelevant .
A-holes like voyeur don’t need advice from you .
It makes you wonder what Mr. Harper’s real vision for Canada is? We do have alot of resorces he could sell off one by one. Doors opening boys, take what you want.
Scotian,
I agree with all your comments.
There is another point. I suspect that the reason Harper wants to prevent other points of view from being addressed in the committees is to prevent his own caucus from considering these opposing arguments. In fact, I would argue that the party elite wants to keep the backbench MPs as ignorant of the issues as possible and the control of the committees is aimed more at them than at the opposition members.
Anyone who went through the merger knows that one of the main strategies was to try to prevent interaction between those in the PC Party who understood the implications of the merger. They did not want those arguments voiced to the membership to ensure they would follow the dictates of the leader.
Central to this plan was Mr. Van Loan who, as far as can be determined, held memberships in both the CA and PC Parties and who, as a past president of the PC Party, was in a position to manipulate the outcome of the process. For example, someone in authority in the party had to have given the Canadian Alliance access to the PC membership lists before the vote. PC members opposed to the merger were denied access to membership lists.
The willingness to systematically corrupt any kind of democratic process was ingrained into the new Conservative Party from its birth.
It makes you wonder what Mr. Harper’s real vision for Canada is? We do have alot of resorces he could sell off one by one. Doors opening boys, take what you want.
By Tom on 05.23.07 6:13 pm
If he tried that there would be an armed insurrection .
C B Innes:
Good points, especially regarding how the CPC from the manner in which it was created onwards always showed this kind of fundamental contempt for any POV that dissents from that of the leaders of the party. Of how afraid they are of facing a fair debate on contentious issues and will rig voting as was clearly done with the hostile takeover of the PCPC by the CA thanks to the traitorous actions of those like MacKay and Van Loan. I used to believe that Harper was a true believer in his positions and that despite what I thought of his views that he had some degree of personal integrity/honesty. While the merger didn’t exactly give me much reason to continue believing it I always saw the main treachery coming from the PCPC side in MacKay, the CA and Harper at least were honest all along in their desires to assimilate the PCPC into their own party, unlike the “no merger” PCPC leadership candidate that won, MacKay that sold out his party and destroyed it less than a half year after becoming leader on that no-merger pledge, even after formally signing a contract to that effect to gain the votes he needed at the convention to become that leader in the first place.
It was the Grewal fraud and subsequent cover-up by Harper that convinced me this is a man that places his interests ahead of all other considerations, ethics and law among them. At best he was not a party to the initial fraudulently created recordings released on May 31 05 and only covered it all up once the fraud was exposed. I say this because he blamed the Liberal war room and the Liberal media bias/conspiracy whenever they asked about any CPC wrongdoing in the matter saying it was all nonsense created by his political enemies that any CPCer had done anything wrong in this affair, this despite the recordings from the moment of recording to that May 31 05 release were solely in CPC hands which means that it had to be CPCer(s) that made those edits in the first place to falsely support the accusation of Senate seat selling for MP votes/crossings. At worst he was a party from the outset, but that is impossible to know/prove given the cover-up. Even at best though he showed a blatant contempt for slandering his opposition with specific criminal allegations that were unsupported/false when actually examined, and worse were faked by those within his party at that. That showed a level of dishonesty and contempt for the rule of law by a party leader that scared the dickens out of me and placed me into total opposition to him and any party he leads/shapes the policies of. I have seen many dishonest politicians in my lifetime, but this man is something else yet again.
Sorry it took so long to respond, but shortly after I wrote the first comment I shut down the computer for the night. I hope you get to see this response. BTW, thanks for your kind words regarding my late submission into this thread.
No,Hogan taking shots at you is too easy by half .
You are an easy target . What you post most times is hilarious it is so stupid and irrelevant .
A-holes like voyeur don’t need advice from you .
By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.23.07 6:12 pm
Hey bud, relax, take another valium. Don’t forget about your promise not to reply to me again. I believe that was about 50 posts ago. *LMAO* Cheer up bud.
So Garth, I had some time to look up the conservative committee members’ bios.
So the following is their pre-fed experience and education.
Diane Ablonczy: Prior to being elected, obtained teaching and law degrees from the University of Calgary. Has a varied professional and business background which includes teaching elementary and junior high school, managing a grain farm operation and building a successful law practice.
Mike Wallace: Is a graduate of the University of Guelph, majoring in Economics and Political Science. Has municiple experience.
Brian Pallister: Taught high school in rural Manitoba and later founded Pallister Insurance and Financial Services in 1980. Holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Brandon University.
Rick Dystra: Has a degree in Political Science from Brock University, and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from York University. Served for twelve years as president of Dykstra Landscaping, a family business.
Dean Del Mastro: Attended the University of Windsor where he earned his Honours Bachelor of Commerce. Vice-President of the family based business, Del Mastro Motors Ltd. and Chairperson of the Suzuki Canada Dealer Advisory Board.
So please do tell us why these people do not qualify to sit on the finance committee. I see that the Liberal members were municipal admin, a lawyer, and an economist. Not any different that the conservative bunch.
Now there’s Jim F and Ralph G. Jim F was a practicing lawyer before entering politics in his fourties. Ralph G. received his law degree and entered politics @ 24 years old and only had 5 years private life experiences when he was defeated and then re-entered politics.
So Garth, why do you put down people, just because you are on the other side of the fence. It’s doesn’t serve any good.
I have seen them in action. You have not. More research is required. — Garth
I have seen them in action. You have not. More research is required. — Garth
Well, I’ve seen them in action. I do watch the committee meetings on CPAC. Even before the 2006 elections. I find the Liberals are more beligerant in this session than the Conservatives were when they were in opposition. I also find that the Liberals and the NDP members tend to attack the witnesses – be they government emps or private specialists.
It would not matter if Einstein was a CPC committee member. When the only task these guys have is to vote the way they are told and do damage control, what difference would it possibly make? That was the point of my post. This prime minister is destroying the free will of Parliament. And shame on him. — Garth