Day Eight
More doors today, before the rains set in. At the end of Week One, based on approximately 1,000 homes, here are the issues that have been brought up to me, in order of occurrence. I might add that this sample is almost as large as that upon which a pollster such as Decima comes to conclusions on national party standings and voter preferences. The top four:
1. Child care
2. Gas prices
3. Job loss, economy
4. MP’s role
Interestingly enough, concern about the Green Shift or carbon tax, has been virtually non-existent. Nor have I had one person mention Elizabeth May and the leaders’ debate. Mr. Harper’s cozy blue sweater is also a non-starter.
For those of you who get to vote in Halton, let’s take a moment to review where the Liberal and Conservative candidates stand on the top four questions of the week.
“What’s happening with the child care payments?”
Background: As you know, I posted at length on this a few days ago. Halton has tens of thousands of kids under the age of eight; child care costs an average of $13,000 a year; and there are no affordable spaces available. The current $100-per-month payment is inadequate, but welcome. So, what’s happening?
Conservative candidate: “When they compare leaders, parents face a clear choice. With Stephen Harper they’ll keep their $1200 universal child care benefit. With Stéphane Dion they’ll lose it.” Of a TV ad she endorsed which says the Liberals will end the payments, she said, “This ad is fair and it’s factual. It serves as a public service announcement that reflects the true Liberal position on the $1200 universal child care benefit and it clearly demonstrates what’s at stake in this election campaign.” (Conservative release, Sept. 9)
Liberal candidate: This is a lie. Conservatives dredged up an inconclusive interview Dion gave before he was even Liberal leader, and then misinterpreted it. There is no plan to end the hundred bucks a month, in fact Dion has said we will augment it by $350, and double it for low-income families. This is not what’s at stake in this campaign. It’s a fabrication. The real difference between parties is that Libs will restore funding to create affordable spaces in Halton.
“What are you guys doing about gas prices?”
Background: Gas prices soared by 13 cents a litre on the weekend, pushed up by speculators and commodity traders in anticipation of what damage Hurricane Ike might do. It was a good symbol of how Ottawa has abandoned energy policy to the oil patch, and the consequences this can have on family finances.
Conservative candidate: No comment so far. But, in fairness, her boss did announce the tax on diesel would drop a half cent per litre a year – not much help when it went up four cents last week alone.
Liberal candidate: Our government would immediately restore the office of Petroleum Price Information which the Conservatives killed off. This would provide an invaluable influence over the oil companies, forcing them to give advance notice of price hikes and assisting the competition watchdog with new information. Liberals will also strengthen the enforcement teeth in the Competition Act to put gougers out of business. More important in the long-term, we’ll pour new resources into making alternative fuels competitive, and helping people afford hybrids. Besides, the Green Shift will cut income taxes so people have more cash to offset obscene and capricious price hikes at the pumps.
“What will you do to preserve jobs, like at Ford?”
Background: In the last year, the country’s lost more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs. Here in Halton, the giant Ford assembly plant has gone through two downsizings in a month. The car business here, and in Oshawa, Cambridge, Kitchener, Guelph, St. Thomas, Windsor and Woodstosk is in obvious trouble. What can be done?
Conservative candidate: “What you hear from the Prime Minister is that in a time of worldwide economic uncertainty, what you have to have is a strong hand, good leadership and people who are going to act decisively and that’s why the Conservatives are the best people to deal with issues like that. If the people of Halton elect me, I’ll be in Ottawa making sure that when decisions are being made, Halton’s needs will be taken into consideration.” (Oakville Beaver, Sept. 10)
Liberal candidate: We should build the cars people want, and can afford. The guys who work at the plant, and the executives who manage Ford, tell me they need government to partner with them on developing and financing new technologies for alternative fuel vehicles. This is why the Libs have a $1-billion green manufacturing innovation fund to do exactly that. It’s why we will give people tax incentives to help them buy those electric and hybrid cars. It’s why the Green Shift will lower corporate taxes, let companies write off investments in new technology faster and hike the scientific tax credit for innovative companies.
“Why vote for you as the MP?”
Background: The Conservative candidate was appointed by the prime minister, and refused to take part in a nomination contest. As such, she was not selected by local party members, a fact this has caused major divisions in the ranks. It makes some people have second thoughts about a party leader who has given Halton the back of his hand twice – throwing out the sitting MP, then shutting down the democratic candidate-selection process.
In fact, one of the men very qualified to be the Conservative candidate today sent me the following letter, which he has filed with the local newspapers for publication:
To The Editor
I would like to take issue with the comments attributed to Lisa Raitt the appointed Conservative candidate and Will Stewart the riding association president concerning the supposed unanimous support of her candidacy. There is no way to confirm this since the decision was made during a closed door “In camera” session. In fact by making the statements they did they have violated the confidentiality rules of “in camera” meetings. What can be confirmed though is that during the open portion of the meeting at least 4 directors voiced their opposition to the undemocratic process used to appoint her as the candidate, while others sat on their hands but shook their heads as the party official from Ottawa tried to justify the party position. As to the supposed turn around, this can only be attributed to the promise of campaign cash and support from Ottawa if the board endorsed her candidacy. But I suspect it has more to do with the personal hatred many directors have towards Garth Turner. Their supposed endorsement of Raitt is driven more by their desire to see him defeated, then actual support for her.
As for Darcy Keene agreeing to be her campaign manager after denouncing her appointment as undemocratic and insulting to the riding association membership, well I would suggest to Ms. Raitt to be careful. Keene told me that Raitt can not win this riding and as her campaign manger he has placed himself in a position to ensure that happens. Following her defeat and having been seen as a team player by the party back room boys in Ottawa he will be well positioned to be the next appointed candidate for the Conservatives.
Rick Malboeuf
Conservative candidate: “She said that she and the local Conservatives are working well together, noting her campaign manager is even a person (D’Arcy Keene) who had sought the nomination before she was appointed. “Don’t we have bigger issues to talk about?” she said. “I think the people in Halton are more interested in the bigger picture between the Conservatives and the Liberals.” (Burlington Post, Sept. 14)
Liberal candidate: Actually, how people will be represented by the person they elect is a major issue for every citizen. The Conservative candidate did not sell memberships, knock on doors, work the phones, drum up support, go to a nomination convention or risk anything for her beliefs. She left her $231,000 government job for five weeks, and will go back to it when she’s finished here. If she were to win, she’d be answerable not to any supporters, but to the one person who picked her – Stephen Harper.
In any other riding, this might be overlooked. But this is Halton. Stephen Harper already tossed the MP for being too independent, too outspoken and for saying clearly he answered to the people, not the leader. He’s making sure that will never happen again if a Conservative is elected.
But he needn’t worry.
114 comments ↓
Since Monte Solberg has decided to retire from politics, a nomination meeting was recently held to find a new candidate. Here is an except from the report in the Calgary Herald on that meeting ……
There were three candidates in the race and around 260 ballots were cast in the nomination meeting. That’s less than what returning officer Gordon Elliott hoped for, but he attributes the numbers to the speed at which the riding was forced to organize the nomination meeting.
Elliott said it was extremely important for Conservatives in Medicine Hat to hold a contested nomination rather than appointing a candidate.
“The folks down here are strong believers in democracy and the importance of . . . selecting their own candidate,” he said.
rcuthbertson@theherald.canwest.com
Looks like the con brass get to pick and choose where democracy is allowed. Fine and good for Medicine Hat. But not in Halton. Rick’s letter here on this blog truly illustrates the measure of the man. Shame the con brass can’t see it. There was a time when grassroots democracy, honesty, integrity, transparency and truth meant something in the conservative party. Those days are gone.
I have exchanged emails with Rick many times over the last couple of years. The dialog I have had with him leads me to conclude that he is honourable, ethical, and a man of principle.
I suspect it must have been difficult for him to come forward like this, but I thank him sicnerely for doing so.
It is fortunate for us that the Halton CPC and especially the Conservative Party didn’t realize what kind of poetntial candidate they had.
Conservative candidate: “She said that she and the local Conservatives are working well together, noting her campaign manager is even a person (D’Arcy Keene) who had sought the nomination before she was appointed.
So, I guess Lisa misspoke. Perhaps, she should have said the Conservatives who are left are working well together.
Darc’y in the role of Brutus; who would have guessed?
Conservative candidate: “What you hear from the Prime Minister is that in a time of worldwide economic uncertainty, what you have to have is a strong hand, good leadership and people who are going to act decisively and that’s why the Conservatives are the best people to deal with issues like that. If the people of Halton elect me, I’ll be in Ottawa making sure that when decisions are being made, Halton’s needs will be taken into consideration.” (Oakville Beaver, Sept. 10)
If you look at the record for Colin Carrie CPC MP Oshawa, when Gen. Mtrs. announced the closing of their most profitable truck plant with the best quality rating to go with it, and employees were protesting, Colin Carrie was no where to be found, but other politicians of other stripes did go out and talk to these very upset workers.
It has also not been well known that Dr. Carrie has spent some of his time back in the riding maintaining his Chiropractic Practice which requires a certain amount of hands on hours to maintain his professional standing. We are hoping to send him back to his practice full time!
There are other incidents where his presence was either required or promised in the riding and he was a no show! I personally watched his performance in the HoC on CPAC during Question Period. Like most of the other trained seals he stood up and read his lines written for him in the PMO, with out any personal input, ingenuity or spontenaety. For him and some of the other well educated professionals to be so dogmatically brain washed by the unelected backroom boys in the PMO is one awful sad day for democracy in Canada. The CPC did not get it done and We the People have not gotten our money’s worth.
So Halton Riding, if you elect Raitt you need not expect to see her perform any different than Dr. Carrie, as it would be her pink slip from the party caucus!
Hang on to your hats because when the US markets open tomorrow it’s not going to be pretty.
Lehman Brothers hanging by a thread as Greenspan warns of ‘worst economic crisis I’ve ever seen’
By Karl West
Last updated at 1:21 AM on 15th September 2008
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1055736/Wall-Street-giant-Lehman-Brothers-hanging-thread-Greenspan-warns-worst-economic-crisis-Ive-seen.html
—————
Crisis on Wall Street as Lehman Totters, Merrill Seeks Buyer, AIG Hunts for Cash U.S. Opts to Avoid Lehman Rescue, Stirring a Momentous Weekend for American Finance; Traders Brace for a Chaotic Monday
By CARRICK MOLLENKAMP, SUSANNE CRAIG and SERENA NG
September 15, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122139688846233147.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us_business
—————-
Forget about fear and greed ruling financial markets. This, on the heels of the US gov. bailout of Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac last week, probably means that global financial markets will be in panic mode tomorrow.
The fallout will surely trickle down to all of us in one form or another. I’m so glad that Harper squandered our surplus and that we’ll all be on our own when the stuff hits the fan.
Anyone looking to educate friends and family who are being bombarded by CRAP should use this link:
http://www.liberal.ca/rc_e.aspx
As for Darcy Keene agreeing to be her campaign manager after denouncing her appointment as undemocratic and insulting to the riding association membership, well I would suggest to Ms. Raitt to be careful. Keene told me that Raitt can not win this riding and as her campaign manger he has placed himself in a position to ensure that happens. Following her defeat and having been seen as a team player by the party back room boys in Ottawa he will be well positioned to be the next appointed candidate for the Conservatives.
Rick Malboeuf
Does Rick realize what he is doing by making this information public on this blog and in the paper?
Do you really think the party brass will appoint Keene as the next candidate after, according to Rick’s letter, Keene is going to ensure that she is defeated and this information has been put out in the public???
As I interpret it, I don’t think this should have been printed anywhere. Hope for Keene’s sake I am wrong in my interpretation. Raitt’s loss will look good on her and the Harper gang.
Garth,
My opinion. At age 62 I would rate priorities as somewhat different. Now, please know that I appreciate your ridings demographics and those are the ones you are duty bound to represent.
However, my riding’s demographics would be somewhat different I think. Ithink of my 81 year old neighbor, a widow, who needs a little help with some things. I offered to mow her lawn no charge simply as a good neighbor and real friend. She was elated to have a real neighbor. It will cost me a little gas, sweat, and time. She has given many times more as a Canadian.
Here were your’s:
The top four:
1. Child care
2. Gas prices
3. Job loss, economy
4. MP’s role
I would rank the priorities as follows:
1. Sustainable economy with protection of non-hazardous investments. That includes a new NEP that protects and serves Canadians over ALL other foreign interests.
2. Our environment without which we are basically toast. No breath, no life is the bottom line. Go after the BIG pollutters and make it a Criminal (Indictable) offense with forteiture of assets and stockholder liability.
3. Healthcare. Without our health the others points are MOOT. We need to really deal with this issue, not soothsay about it. Solution, select truly dedicated professionals who care more about people than money. Let the rest run off to the States where Life for Profit seems to be the norm.
4. True representative government consisting of real MP’s (Like yourself) who bring to Oddawahaha the issues of each riding, and where they get recognition and a fair voice together with real action or explanation as to why the solution cannot be done immediately or in a reasonable time frame.
In short, I want a government that is there, solid, responsive, and willing to help when I cannot do it for myself. That is their PRIMARY function IMHO.
Have a good night and rest well.
By Esther Shaye on 09.14.08 9:50 pm
You dear, sweet, protector of democracy. Keep up your spirits and help us all as opportunity presents itself. This Jarhead will still not mess you you. LOL
Goodnight!
“The Conservative candidate was appointed by the prime minister, and refused to take part in a nomination contest. As such, she was not selected by local party members, a fact this has caused major divisions in the ranks.”
All very true but also very similar to the way in which Michael Ignatieff was selected. Until ALL the parties stop doing this, my suggestion would be to stop throwing stones from your glass house.
I don’t buy that people are unconcerned about the Green Shift plan. Uneducated, uninformed….maybe. But unconcerned? I doubt it. If you guys would PLEASE start talking about it some more….explaining it….maybe I would have something to vote FOR this time around?
Second request: email me your address and I’ll come and explain it all. garth@garth.ca. — BTW, it’s the Conservatives who are upset at the poor choice of candidate. I’m sure not. — Garth
Esther, just you. Not you you! Oops! LOL
“The guys who work at the plant, and the executives who manage Ford, tell me they need government to partner with them on developing and financing new technologies for alternative fuel vehicles.”
A sad confirmation on the state of international investor confidence in Canada.
This blog site is exactly what will help get the proper people involved and discussing this federal election. People who care about the most important issue of our existence, which is saving the planet! Most the people blogging, analyzing, and offering their opinions, have for the most part talked about stupid things like who is better at shaking hands and kissing babies. The real issue is right here, how to get the correct information out to the smart people of Canada who care about our future and our environment and aren’t solely preoccupied with trying to save a hundred bucks a year on lower taxes or saving a couple of cents on diesel fuel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTMIGD7Bq3g Canada used to care about our planet, Stephane Dion was a pivotal player who helped get all the other countries of the world together to fight global warming (except USA and a few others): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SfO-Z3QWCY&feature=related Canada was a reputable country who other countries looked to for help and guidance, that has changed in a very short period of two and a half years, the same amount of time Steven Harper and his Conservatives took over our country: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHiNqji2ObM&feature=related We have also been lied to and they are continue to lie to us Canadians about who stephane dion is how their so called record has been and they want to scare us into believing the real issues of this election is the price of gas and the troubling times of our economy, these are lies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvE9EN4YPGM&feature=related Very smart people have come out and endorsed the Stephane Dion green shift plan that deals with doing our part in the world to change global warming trends and events: Changing the current direction Canada has been going with Steven Harpers so called leadership will be a challenge, however the more people continue to talk about and educate themselves about what really is going on here, than the greater the opportunity for success. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abAAi98DPkc&feature=related Thank you for taking the time to view my comment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux_s2l26dUc&feature=related
Conservative Red Herrings…
I seriously think that a lot of what the Conservative Government is throwing at the Canadian people are red herrings so that if they get elected with a majority they can start to fully implement their agenda.
And what might that be? …
http://www.straight.com/article/harperstein-0
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article.php/20060919132553106
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/the-man-behind-stephen-harper-tom-flanagan/
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=04785c40-82d9-47a4-84f1-701eea019217
http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/498565
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051213/elxn_harper_speech_text_051214/20051214/
Wow!
Rick is claiming that D’Arcy really is out to sabotage Raitt’s candidacy?
Wouldn’t it have been better to not let that be known publicly if it is actually correct? Kinda blows any chance D’Arcy has to do anything questionable, doesn’t it?
It doesn’t matter much whether the Con Riding types want her to win because they love her or don’t like Garth; the point is that they want a her in and the Liberal candidate out.
Is Rick a good source for sound comment?
Politics in Halton appears to look like something out of the twilight zone!
When an ad on the internet showed a puffin bird flying over Mr. Dion and dropping excrement on his shoulder, Mr. Harper was forced to apologize, calling the ad, “inappropriate and tasteless” and ordered the offensive ad removed from the CPC web site.
If Mr. Harper thought this was” inappropriate and tasteless”, one must wonder how he viewed the many other offensive smears and misrepresentations he made in parliament — some of which are described below.
Before the last election, Mr. Harper accused the Hon . Paul Martin of supporting child pornography because of a disagreement over the exact content of a bill being studied for implementation. This was certainly inappropriate and untrue. He didn’t apologize.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Harper made reference to Liberal M.P. Marlene Jennings and M.P. Diane Marleau having gotten jobs for their husbands in the civil service, as though this was typical example of Liberal nepotism. This was a drive-by smear which was not only insulting to these women, but absolutely untrue. While it is true that these two men had worked for the government, it was before thee women had even run for office. One of the women had even been separated from her husband. When this was brought to light, did Mr. Harper apologize?
When the Liberals objected to certain parts of a security bill, they were accused of trying to protect the reputation of Liberal M.P. Navdeep Bain, whose father was asked by the R.C.M.P. to answer some questions in reference to the Air India bombing. Mr. Bain’s father did not need protccting and this was not only untrue but was another drive-by smear against Mr. Bain. Did Mr. Harper apologize?
When the opposition parties were concerned about whether insurgent detainees were being tortured in Afghanistan, against the tenets of the Geneva Convention, they were accused of caring more about the Taliban than our own soldiers. Didn’t the Conservatives realize that if the detainees were tortured, that would give all the more motive and justification for the insurgents to torture our troops? At any rate, it was an insult and an obvious lie. Did Mr. Harper apologize?
A lot of time was spent by the Conservatives, in parliament, denying that any prisoners had been tortured. However,it turned out there was evidence, which they suppressed, showing that there had been torture. Did Mr. Harper apologize? He stone-walled.
Before the last election, Mr. Harper promised to eliminate the GST on gasoline if the price of a liter went over eighty-five cents . Instead, he took off two cents a liter and said
something to the effect that he couldn’t control the market. Did he apologize to the people who counted on his word that he would help them cope with the increasing price of gas in this way? Of course not.
The latest blatant lies which Mr. Harper, Jason Kenney et al have been perpetuating for months, both verbally and in attack ads — even after the Liberals released an official statement clarifying these policies — were that Mr. Dion would raise the GST and cancel the $1,200. child care benefit. Even on the Conservative website, the Conservatives advertised that, “Liberals’ not-so-hidden agenda will be exposed” and went on to say, “the Conservative Party today announced that it is launching a public information campaign to warn parents about the Liberal not-so-hidden agenda to scrap the $1200. universal child care..” This add is attributed to Halton Conservative candidate, Lisa Rait, in the English version, and to Quebec Conservative M.P. Josee Verner in the French version. The ad claimed , “This ad is fair and it’s factual. It serves as a public service announcement…” etc. The complete story was reported in the Globe and Mail on September 11/08 on the following website:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080911.WJohnson0912/BNSto
The truth, of course, is that Mr. Dion has announced he will double the $1200. child care benefit for low income families to $2400. and will, in fact, add a new refundable tax credit pf $350. a child per year and will invest to increase child care spaces. The Liberals never did agree with Harper cutting billions in child care funding plans with the provinces. The Conservative plan to increase child care spaces by 25,000 a year produced zero spaces. Has Mr. Harper apologized? He is still at it!
Mr. Harper has claimed that a carbon tax would cause a recession in spite of a document that the Green Party has obtained a report under the Access to Information Act in 2007, that clearly states this is not true. The report was done for Natural Resources, Canada, by M.K. Jaccard and Associates (MKJA), and concludes that the GDP impact of a $50/tonne tax shift is less than 0.1% of GDP per year and by 2010 would produce a very good result for Canada. To read this story, go to:
http://www.greenparty.ca/en/releases/12.09.2008
Did he apologize for misleading Canadians? Does Mr. Harper believe in the “noble lie’?!
The sweater and the smile aren’t working for me. Do they work for you?
And the beat goes on.
Oh, yes, I haven’t mentioned the Canadian Wheat Board manipulation. and the broken Income Trust promise, but then, there are so many things to tell. Another day.
they want to scare us into believing the real issues of this election is the price of gas and the troubling times of our economy, these are lies:
Frankly Canadian on 09.14.08 11:26 pm
What will you do to preserve jobs, like at Ford?”
Background: In the last year, the country’s lost more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs. Here in Halton, the giant Ford assembly plant has gone through two downsizings in a month. The car business here, and in Oshawa, Cambridge, Kitchener, Guelph, St. Thomas, Windsor and Woodstosk is in obvious trouble.
Garth Turner on 09.14.08 @ 9:22 pm
If you`re not scared yet the Halloween numbers will do it for you.
fifth paragraph from the bottom should be clarified- “He’s still at it” should read:
He’s still telling these lies.
Who is holds “extremist views” in this election?
While Harper is presenting himself as a kinder, gentler Conservative these days, in the past, as a Reform MP, head of the National Citizens’ Coalition and leader of the Canadian Alliance (successor party to Reform), he staked out quite radical positions.
If Canadians want to re-elect a Harper government, perhaps they should THINK again…
What would PM do with majority? TheStar.com – Federal Election – What would PM do with majority?
September 13, 2008
With the Conservatives poised to win a majority, as indicated in today’s Star/Angus Reid poll, it is imperative that Prime Minister Stephen Harper tell voters what he would do if he were unfettered by the opposition parties.
To date, Harper has sought to deflect this question by playing down his chances of winning a majority. “We believe in all likelihood it will be a minority,” said Harper at his campaign kickoff.
The polls are suggesting he’s wrong.
So what would Harper do with a majority? There have been few clues to any dramatic changes in direction so far in the Conservative campaign, which has focused largely on negative attacks on Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion and his proposed carbon tax. (“It would wreak havoc on Canada’s economy.”)
When he hasn’t been attacking Dion, Harper has been making incrementalist promises, such as a reduction in the federal tax on diesel fuel and an increase in the threshold for foreign investment reviews.
While one can quarrel with these moves (and the opposition parties have), they don’t suggest that Harper is planning a Mike Harris-style revolution after the election. Nonetheless, Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams – a Progressive Conservative – was ringing alarm bells this week about a Harper majority.
“Even without a majority,” Williams said, “he (Harper) has cut funding for minorities, cut funding for literacy, cut funding to students, volunteers, museums, and arts and culture groups right across the country. His government cut funding to women’s groups and, in fact, his government actually went so far as to remove the federal mandate to advance equality for women. This all happened under a minority government. What in heaven’s name will happen if he gets his majority government?”
Good question.
While Harper is presenting himself as a kinder, gentler Conservative these days, in the past, as a Reform MP, head of the National Citizens’ Coalition and leader of the Canadian Alliance (successor party to Reform), he staked out quite radical positions. He has called Canada “a northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term,” has denounced the “moral nihilism” of the Liberals and the left for opposing the Iraq war, has suggested building a “firewall” around Alberta, and has called for “market reforms” for health care, “further deregulation and privatization,” and “elimination of corporate subsidies.”
With a Conservative majority in sight, it is fair for Canadians to ask Harper whether he still holds these views and would implement them once in office. And if the answer is No, Harper should use the remaining four weeks of this election campaign to tell voters just what he would do with a majority.
Mr. Harper has claimed that a carbon tax would cause a recession in spite of a document that the Green Party has obtained a report under the Access to Information Act in 2007, that clearly states this is not true.
Pat G on 09.14.08 11:40 pm
The study leaves out much of the equation.
Factor in the following. Cdns are over spent, over mortgaged and under saved. Credit card debt, personal loans, mortgages and savings equal per capita to Americans as they fell off. The unwinding of the 40/0 will, along with current job losses and falling demand for our resources, have the most serious consequences.
I do agree that a carbon tax will not put us in recession as we are already on the way, it will however make things worse. Not as much as the 40/0 but worse none the less.
By Simon on 09.14.08 11:35 pm
I can assure you that Rick is a “Good source for sound comment”. I have had many email discussions with him over the last two and a half years. He has been a ‘good soldier’ for the Halton CPC, and aspired to be the candidate in the election just called.
Sadly, he was never given the chance because Mr. Harper and his sycophants do not trust the CPC riding association.
I would point out, that the easiest thing for him to do would have been to say nothing. As a man of principle, he clearly felt that what was being done to the Halton CPC was fundamentally wrong.
I congratulate him for his dignity and honour in what has to be a very stressful situation for him.
I just went back to click on the two websites in my previous post. The Green Party site comes up but the Globe and Mail story doesn’t come up. I wonder why? If I have time tomorrow, I’ll ‘phone them and ask.
Hey garth would love to send you a donation but I just lost it on Lehmans. They are filing for bankruptcy tonight! Fed is changing its bailout mentality, ok for bear not ok for lehman. Unfortunately the few billion it would have cost to backstop the loans for the buyer Barclays or BoA is peanuts to the loss of value in the markets across the world that will result tomorrow! It won’t be the last one to fail though!
As I interpret it, I don’t think this should have been printed anywhere. Hope for Keene’s sake I am wrong in my interpretation. Raitt’s loss will look good on her and the Harper gang.
BY BONNIE L ON 09.14.08 11:06 PM
Bonnie,
As a fellow observer of this, and the undemocratic glimpses you and I get through the media, I see that Garth and M. Dion are dealing with the Ultra NeoCon Gang and their dirty bag of tricks in the only way they should.. with honesty and openness, in full and clear sight. I think people should be grabbed by the balls, of the feet, and held to the fire.
I would rank the priorities as follows:
1. Sustainable economy with protection of non-hazardous investments. That includes a new NEP that protects and serves Canadians over ALL other foreign interests.
2. Our environment — Go after the BIG polluters and make it a Criminal offense with forteiture of assets and stockholder liability.
3. Healthcare. Without our health the others points are MOOT. We need to really deal with this issue — select truly dedicated professionals who care more about people than money. Let the rest run off to the States where Life for Profit seems to be the norm.
4. True representative government consisting of real MP’s who bring the issues of each riding, and where they get recognition and a fair voice together with real action
In short, I want a government that is there, solid, responsive, and willing to help when I cannot do it for myself. That is their PRIMARY function
~ by BILL-MUSKOKA (NOT ANYMORE)14.08 11:06pm
Bill No Mo’
Perfect post. Your four points could have come from my own heart, or most Canadians. This is what our ancestors wanted, this is what we want, this is what we hope for future generations.
Please, please, please, Canada, please don't vote Conservative this time.Did he apologize for misleading Canadians? Does Mr. Harper believe in the “noble lie’?!
By Pat G on 09.14.08 11:40 pm\
Nope!—- He just lies.
FRANKLY CANADIAN 14.08 11:26pm
F. C. ~
Your post is going to be sent out in email tomorrow. You’ve captured the essence of the quick, impactful catchy message, and sometimes that’s just what we need to get important points across. As far as something I can email to friends and family, you nailed it.
Thanks, I needed that.
Muskoka covered perfectly what we want. You’ve covered what we have, and what is within our grasp.
PAT G., I know that’s a lot of work so I’m grateful you posted that. As suggested awhile back by Kpn, Bonnie and others, I’m going to send that around to friends too.
It’s one thing to have a list of lies and broken promises, but you illustrated the double-talk, insincerity and maliciousness of the Harper New Conservatives.
Had dinner at friends’ tonight.. four more Calgary Liberal voters.
Stephen Harper claims economy is strong
Lehman Brothers just declared bankruptcy. Bank of America buying(should be bailing out) Morgan Stanley.
Add AIG Insurance to the list of dead man walking.(the fourth largest company in the world)
Harper may have waited to long before calling the election.
Global financial marketplace is in the process of delevering. Possibly Harpers election hopes are in the process of delevering also. Such a sad state of affairs.
“a lot of what the Conservative Government is throwing at the Canadian people are red herrings so that if they get elected with a majority they can start to fully implement their agenda:
Harperstein
http://tinyurl.com/5osabj
Deep Integration Planned At Secret Conference Ignored By The Media
http://tinyurl.com/5eve2v
The Man Behind Stephen Harper
http://tinyurl.com/b26ra
What would PM do with majority
http://tinyurl.com/6yzqwe
Full text of Stephen Harper’s 1997 speech
http://tinyurl.com/dvtm4
~ by GEOFFREY L. 14.08 11:31pm
______________________
GREAT group of links Geoffrey!
Making an intelligent choice for Prime Minister this time, by simply doing some reading and homework, is a heck of a lot easier than the inevitable uprising we’ll have to wage if Harper gets in again.
Read.
Email the above links.
Knock.
Talk.
I don’t know why the liberals and the media haven’t gotten on the backs of the conservatives over the faults with their excuse for an environmental plan. Why is the Green Shift the only thing that gets talked about? The Libs try to explain it, the Cons attack it…. no one says anything about the Con’s plan.
If the Liberals took even a week and started to attack the Con’s and put them on the defensive, it might help turn things around in the polls.
Garth,
I hope you are well….seems like you guys are well organised and supported in Halton. I’m more concerned about the national campaign.
I’ve been emailing close friends that I have know for years regarding the election since election speculation had even begun. I think theirs and my gauge of Southwestern Ontario is reliable.
Woman in Ontario are afraid of Harper and the Progressive Conservatives, like me, want to see a government taking solid action on the economy. These people aren’t likely to trust Harper to manage the economy or the environment. Canadians want to be one or two steps ahead of the US, Harper doesn’t get this.
In fairness to the Conservatives, I think they have done well in cleaning up the punitive side of the justice system. Moreover, I dont trust them to manage the economy, the environment or the nation’s finances. As far as I have seen they have shown nothing but disrespect for the federal treasury….spend spend spend spend spend.
Daryn
Re. Ms. Raitt.
I just heard that a similar backlash with the CPC riding association is taking place in Harper’s backyard, Edmonton, where Mr. Epp will not be running again, and Harper has is using the parachute candidate.
I understand the real CPC candidate is running as an independant.
While the leaders of the CPC claim to be a grassroots party ala Reform, I guess Harper hasn’t been able to take the Reform out of the grassroots!
He may win this election, but the cracks due to heavy handed top down leadership are starting show.
Journalists in the mainstream media continue to be entranced by the manner of message-making rather than the content of the message*** coming from the [Polymorph] Conservative Reform Alliance Party.
***Speculation that Ezra Levant will replace Birdy Birdy Numb Numb Ryan Sparrow in the C.R.A.P./S.H.I.T.’s war room, effective immediately.
Revolt within the con party in the holy land as well.
‘What happened here is not democracy’
Bitter battle over nomination in Edmonton-Sherwood Park riding leaves conservatives fighting among themselves
Darcy Henton, The Edmonton Journal
Published: 2:03 am
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=7ed95d59-2013-4a90-9793-7133d256d361
Conservative messages undergo ‘severe’ editing
‘New quotes’ even added to better reflect Harper’s stance, documents reveal
Margaret Munro, Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, September 15, 2008
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=b86dd2cb-18aa-436c-bb33-76900d27a0bd
MEANWHILE, a realist, from the Maritimes, ponders what the have-not provinces will do when they go to the Ontario pump and find it has gone dry.
SNIP…
“The Oct. 14 vote will be a highly unusual federal election for Ontario’s citizens.
For the first time, their income per capita is at the national average and moving on a trend that would see it fall significantly below that level.
Over the past year alone, Ontario has lost 6 per cent of its manufacturing jobs.
Ontario’s key customer, the United States, is in a financial crisis more severe than anything seen in 60 years, a crisis that already has reduced the capacity of Americans to buy goods and services from us.”
http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/498615#
…AGAIN….MEANWHILE….
There are FORTY-ONE C.R.A.P./S.H.I.T. incumbents in Ontario, who are more than willing to “stand idly by” while Ontario is DENIED ITS FAIR SHARE UNDER EQUALIZATION, as well as actively participating in DENYING ONTARIO ITS FAIR SHARE UNDER REPRESENTATION BY POPULATION, BILL C-22.
“The vice is tightening on Ontario and unfortunately the federal government is doing much to help it close. Ottawa is still taking about $80 million every working day from Ontario to fund subsidies, including equalization, for Manitoba, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
This is dangerous: In the past four years, equalization alone has grown from $10.9 billion to $13.6 billion, an increase of 25 per cent. According to one Maritime expert, it will almost certainly cost $30 billion 10 years from now. The equalization bill for Quebec alone is up a remarkable 67 per cent in the past four years and Ontario’s taxpayers have paid for nearly half that amount.”
The appointing of a women in your riding is no different than Mr Dion appointing Liberals to run in ridings. Why the double standard?
Women have a more difficult time to gain a nomination and to level the playing fiel requires appointments from time to time. This is good for parliament. If all parties would appoint more women to run against each other we probably have a better system of government.
Look at the mess the Liberal Senator has created for the Liberals in Quebec by her dictatorial powers. It has put the party in disaray.
I fail to see how gender has anything to do with this. In any case, from a personal political point of view, I am quite pleased. — Garth
2. Our environment without which we are basically toast. No breath, no life is the bottom line. Go after the BIG pollutters and make it a Criminal (Indictable) offense with forteiture of assets and stockholder liability.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 09.14.08 11:06 pm
Hi, Bill,
points 1,3 and 4 you’ll get no argument.
On this one though, I would say that shareholders will get their dues when the stock prices falls due to the large fines the company should pay. The criminal charges, those should be filed against the officers of the company, CEO, CFO, VPs etc. whose responsibility it was to ensure that the company had policies and procedures in place to prevent the pollution.
Peeder MacKay is sending ONE HUNDRED, repeat …100 HALIFAX RIFLE RESERVISTS to Canada’s North, to defend against would-be intruders. Isn’t that a feel-good message?
Not only that, but also this;
Canada’s contribution to Afghanistan, post-2011 withdrawal of our fighting forces, will take the form of rebuilding infrastructure*** and
training Afghan National Army and Police.
***Rebuilding Infrastructure will absolutely require a military force to defend the rebuilding activities.
Did Peeder MacKay learn his strateg[er]y by watching Dubya?
no one says anything about the Con’s plan.
By Joe in NB on 09.15.08 4:24 am
‘Morning Joe in NB. I was born-ed down there, in a small hamlet*** near Penniac Bridge.
Nobody is talking about ANY Harper environmental plan, because Harper DOESN’T HAVE ANY environmental plan.
***Yes, living in a hamlet, on a farm, you would naturally raise pigs, dairy cattle, some beef cattle and learn to become a versatile utilitarian lumberjack-fisher.
Stephen Harper claims economy is strong
Lehman Brothers just declared bankruptcy. Bank of America buying(should be bailing out) Morgan Stanley.
Add AIG Insurance to the list of dead man walking.(the fourth largest company in the world)
Harper may have waited to long before calling the election.
Global financial marketplace is in the process of delevering. Possibly Harpers election hopes are in the process of delevering also. Such a sad state of affairs.
By Don Bool on 09.15.08 2:10 am
Don’t you mean “Bank of America buying(should be bailing out) Merrill Lynch?
Remember that Stephen Harper has said that “We are a party of free enterprise, free markets and free trade.” This means uncontrolled. Just think of the financial meltdown in the United States and the price of gas to illustrate the potential of this kind of freedom. The U.S. government cannot stop the meltdown partially because it is so massive and partly because it has spent itself into a desperate situtation.
Free trade in capital flows means that we will be hit by the implications of this ideology. An ideology that gives free reign to human greed is not the kind of ideology that will ensure a soft landing as the bubble breaks.
Gas is top priority? Liberals are really on the cutting edge! Have a look at the gasoline futures this morning. Wherever government steps into control prices the result is higher prices! I am really suprised Liberals have support of 25% should be less than 10.
At least Liberals can read. I said this was a priority of voters. — Garth
Free trade in capital flows means that we will be hit by the implications of this ideology. An ideology that gives free reign to human greed is not the kind of ideology that will ensure a soft landing as the bubble breaks.
By C. B. Innes on 09.15.08 7:55 am
Free Trade constrained only by unscrupulous greed meets gravitational reality which is then known as Free Fall.
Lehman brothers, Merrill Lynch have a good understanding this morning of the principle.
Crisis on Wall St. as firms collapse
I think I will watch the Nostradamus Epic ‘Wall Street’ with Michael Douglas again tonight. We have had many warnings, but the Sheeple just kept on.
Heck, the schmucks in the pic even look like Douglas’ character. Another mindless religion that has collpased by the Clang Bird principle.
Next up is ‘The Environment!’ Stay tuned for a major storm near you.
Well Garth I wouldnt want to own a gas station right now. Every time they fill up there tanks the price drops with the exception of the IKE factor.So gas stations have to hold out and try to keep the prices up to avoid losses. It has to be difficult to make money when the prices are retreating because if you dont sell fast enough you will get stuck with the high price gas.
The criminal charges, those should be filed against the officers of the company, CEO, CFO, VPs etc. whose responsibility it was to ensure that the company had policies and procedures in place to prevent the pollution.
By James- Chatham on 09.15.08 7:27 am
I still say include the stockholders for damages, not criminal charges. UNLESS there are only a few stockholders with the vast majority of the stock. They form the Board of Directors and ARE to be held criminally liable. Let us not forget that Chairman of the Board are the majority stockholder in most corporations.
Now, when I say stockholders to be laible for damages I am following one of the oldest investment plans on record Lloyds of London, where each ‘investor’ (I forget their unique term at the moment) is held liable for their share of all losses, especially major ones like Exxon Valdez. Remember that scenario?
GaryV.: And I am stupefied at the apparent lack of awareness that the Con supporters display.
Since Harper took the reins Canadians incomes have increased by about 7%, while the costs of basic grocery items have increased 26% and fuel costs have increased 15%. And this in only 2 years!!
Give Harper 4 more years and we will all be in the poor house.
And I am wondering if Flaherty is still out there “fiddling”?
Heaven help us from the Americanization team here in Canada.
Dion will be in Halifax tomorrow. I shall be attending.
I agree with Joe. Why aren’t the media asking Harper about his so-called environmental plan? I know that the Green Shift plan is a key component of the Liberal platform, but I think when questions are posed about the plan, Dion somehow should point out that the environment is a top concern of Cdns and point out some of the flaws of Harper’s Turning the Corner plan. There’s enough info out there – e.g. the ratings provided by the Sierra Club.
Looks like 57 ridings will make the difference? Then again, this may be the most unpredictable election in Canadian history?
The 57 Ridings that can Change Election’s Outcome
This day is shaping up to be interesting so far, what with the ground shaking and all. Not from a hurricane, but from the news on Lehman Brothers. Then good news that crude has dropped to the $94 range. Given that damage from Ike was light re: gulf coast refining and petroleum installations, will the Oil companies be issuing rebates to consumers for the 13 cent plus gouging? According to news reports, prices in some areas of the US jumped from the high $3 dollar range to $4.60 per gallon range. Will hell freeze over first?
Listening to CBC news morning program some interesting things there too. They report Mrs. Dion is going to campaign separately from her husband in the near future. That should add a new dynamic.
On the same program, Dion is beginning to hammer on Trust. Second major blunder by Harper, to focus on trust. Appears Dion caught the screen pass, now question is will he be getting the blocking necessary to score?
Also noteworthy in my view was Dion taking multiple questions from the press in a live broadcast. He made some good points but was still a little too much on defense. Which may have undermined somewhat the importance of making himself available.
To emphasize my point, I say it takes a Leader to stand in front of the crowd and make himself available. Any manipulator can campaign based on sound bites. They work for sure, but not like standing up LIVE and saying here I am, this is me. Bring it!
Another story re: Afghanistan. Differing views, as expected. One saying we have done our share. Another said if we leave, Afghans who believed in us would think us traitors. The last reference said, I have been there twice, I have lost too many friends. Please stop.
On this issue, in my opinion Dion fumbled the ball at the goal line. Harper now wants to politic with it.
Recent report says domestic violence rising among returning Afghan Vets.
It tears at your body. It tears at your mind. In the end, you get a small granite marker at the corner of your grave.
Gunner 8th Battery RCA
Tories to put NDP, Greens on hot seat
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Find your riding’s profle 10 hot ridings to watch Photos: Election call Layton keeps PM in sights
NDP Leader Jack Layton will ratchet up his attack on Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the second week of the campaign in addition to making cornerstone announcements on health care and poverty, a party spokesperson says.Will no longer solely target Liberals for criticism
Sep 15, 2008 04:30 AM
Comments on this story (3)
Bruce Campion-Smith
Ottawa Bureau Chief
OTTAWA–Stephen Harper takes his campaign into the key battlegrounds of Ontario and Quebec this week, promising to step up attacks on the NDP and the Green Party.
http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/499311
I wonder if this is such good strategy on the part of the cons. I’d be surprised if both the NDP & especially May will counter attack much more ferociously than Dion has so far. The NDP already have a nasty TV attack ad against Harper running in Quebec. BTW, I’ve read that Harper is trying to say the Libs are irrelevant.
What’s your opinion?
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 09.15.08 8:41 am,
The problem is that the Liberal Party will never challenge this concept because it is such a fundamental part of their belief systems. Instead of challenging the whole concept they try to find ways to make it more acceptable to the general public.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 09.14.08 11:06 pm
While I agree with your list of priorities, Bill, I would like to add our involvement in Afghanistan. How much money is being spent on the war that could be used to deal with 3 out of 4 of the priorities you have listed, not to mention helping the many children and seniors living in poverty.
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. – Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. general and 34th president (1890 – 1969)”
Leadership from the ground up.
My Liberal MP coming to my door and asking me what I want, what I think, what I need.
That’s what I like about the Liberal Party these days. The voters, the team, my MP, all of us together having a say in the future of OUR country.
On the other hand Harper’s top heavy leadership has built a house of cards.
It might look impressive from a distance but…
One strong wind and down she comes.
By David Halfkenny on 09.15.08 7:17 am
David,
There has to be a fundamental difference when you parachute a candidate in at the last possible minute. Mr. Harper has had more than two years to select a candidate to run in the Halton Riding.
In the meantime the Halton CPC had been trying to nominate a candidate, had at least two eager and qualified people prepared to contest the nomination, and were trying to run a riding organization the way it was supposed to.
You don’t honestly believe parachuting a woman into the riding at the last possible minute has anything to do with giving women an opportunity, do you?
I mean, really, two years ago Mr. Harper and his staff could have asked the Halton CPC to do their best to recruit a qualified female candidate if that was their goal.
Your comments are disingenuous, at best, or you are just naive.
Uf you’re an artist, or even if you’re not checkout Impolitical’s blog at
http://impolitical.blogspot.com/2008/09/oakville-riding-progressives-department.html
Monday, September 15, 2008
Oakville riding progressives: Department of Culture meeting Tuesday p.m.
There is a meeting in Oakville Tuesday night for any progressives interested in working to help ensure the Conservative candidate there does not succeed in that crucial swing riding:
Tuesday September 16 at 7:30 PM.
Oakville Galleries at Gairloch Gardens:
1306 Lakeshore Road East
Oakville, ON, L6J 1L6
Spread the word.
Hi Garth,
I think it is time to bring out all Harper’s scandals to the average Canadians. Listing them in a website called, “scandalpedia.ca” clearly is not working at all. Maybe try putting them on news media advertisements or just plain printed sheets with the following heading, “If This Is A Leader, How Is Harper Leading You OUT Of HIS Jungle OF Scandals?”
Go GT Go.
And just how was Garth nominated ? How many opponents did he have at the nomination meeting ?
There was a time when grassroots democracy, honesty, integrity, transparency and truth meant something in the conservative party. Those days are gone.
By Esther Shaye on 09.14.08 9:50 pm
I have been through three open nomination processes in the last three years. I won two Conservative nods, and one Liberal. — Garth
One thing I know will happen if the Conservatives get a majority is that they will allow Bank mergers to go through. My contacts in the business community have said as much.
A story about the despicable Sparrow and what he’s prepared to do, even to “take a bullet” for his Beloved Leader.(Don’t tempt people, please, Mr. Sparrow.)
Sparrow will stop at nothing, by Chip Martin for the London Free Press
“…the [dissing the father of a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan] incident showed the sort of stunts the Conservative pit bulls use to advance their cause.”
It gives some background on Sparrow’s screwing up parachuted-in Diane Haskett’s Con attempt at a seat in London North-Centre.
When Cons came in third after the Lib and the Green (Elizabeth May) candidate and Diane Haskett went back to Washington,
“…Sparrow packed up and headed back to Ottawa to take on any assignment that might come his way.
The loyal Tory attack dog just kept climbing up the party ladder.
The incident last week tells much about Ryan Sparrow. But also about the people who gave him increasingly important responsibilities.”
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Columnists/Martin_Chip/2008/09/15/6766901-sun.html
Harper’s real problem is that once voters discover his past misleading promises, they will seriously question his trustworthiness.
From David Olive’s Blog, Toronto Star…
http://thestar.blogs.com/bigpicture/2008/09/ten-issues-to-c.html#comment-129995728
Sparrow will stop at nothing
By CHIP MARTIN, FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
Ryan Sparrow, the Conservative communications chief who made headlines in Ottawa last week, did his best to help shape headlines not so long ago in London.
Sparrow worked behind the scenes to make former mayor Dianne Haskett the Conservative member for London-North-Centre. He had trouble in that job, too.
It’s all been part of the job for the political operative who has been described as so loyal to Prime Minister Stephen Harper that he’d take a bullet for him.
Sparrow, 26, will do anything to advance the cause of his party and his leader.
But last week he went too far in remarks he made about the father of a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan. Sparrow said the father was a Liberal supporter, suggesting the father being upset about Harper wanting to end the Afghanistan mission in 2011 was perhaps understandable.
Sparrow caused a furor, embarrassed his party and angered his leader, who said the remark was “unacceptable.” Sparrow was suspended from his duties for the balance of the election campaign. He apologized to the soldier’s father.
On top of the puffin-poop Conservatives applied to Liberal Leader Stephane Dion’s shoulder in an advertisement, the incident showed the sort of stunts the Conservative pit bulls use to advance their cause.
Sparrow will be remembered for slamming a hotel door in the faces of unwanted journalists back in April at a briefing session limited to reporters the Conservatives deemed sympathetic to them. If there was a dirty job to do, Sparrow was more than willing to it.
London saw plenty of Sparrow during the November 2006 byelection, prompted by the resignation of Liberal Joe Fontana in London-North-Centre.
The Conservatives saw the departure of the region’s senior Liberal MP as an ideal opportunity to capture a seat in London.
Federal operatives, you may recall, helped nudge aside another candidate and orchestrated the nomination of Haskett as the Conservative candidate.
Elected twice as mayor, Haskett had the appropriate right-of-centre views and appeal to Christian fundamentalists that appealed to the tall foreheads at Conservative party headquarters. Heck, she had even been fined by the Ontario Human Rights Commission for her steadfast refusal to issue a gay rights proclamation.
Sparrow was picked to oversee Haskett and ensure the former mayor, who made a hasty return from Washington to contest the race, didn’t get out of line.
This was a tall order because Haskett, a bright and rather spontaneous individual, had been known to speak her mind, a trait that endeared her to supporters but could enrage her opponents.
Sparrow arrived to ensure the orderly transition of London-North-Centre from the Liberal camp to the Conservatives.
Driving a gus-guzzling SUV with Alberta plates, Sparrow went about his London assignment with vigour. He inserted himself between Haskett and reporters with whom she’d had an easy rapport during her time as mayor. He wanted to vet questions, brief the candidate and help craft her answers.
It was obvious Haskett chafed at the level of control that was placed on her. And it’s doubtful she ever knew of Sparrow’s highly partisan e-mails that went out to reporters behind the scenes slagging her rivals and their campaign teams. Haskett would never have approved of Sparrow’s bag of dirty tricks and smear tactics.
In the end, Liberal Glen Pearson won the byelection. Green party Leader Elizabeth May, seeking the first seat for a Green, placed second. Haskett, shaken and unhappy at losing her first campaign, placed third in the race and soon afterward returned to Washington.
Sparrow packed up and headed back to Ottawa to take on any assignment that might come his way.
The loyal Tory attack dog just kept climbing up the party ladder.
The incident last week tells much about Ryan Sparrow. But also about the people who gave him increasingly important responsibilities.
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Columnists/Martin_Chip/2008/09/15/6766901-sun.html
An ideology that gives free reign to human greed is not the kind of ideology that will ensure a soft landing as the bubble breaks.
By C. B. Innes on 09.15.08 7:55 am
There should be a law.
Wait a minute, there are laws.
Chretien said government corruption is good for the country.
The rule of law has failed which suits the `ideology` of outlaws.
A little reality please CB, the system is broken by corruption and will not fix itself.
From the Centrist, which includes the Rightie in me.
Reports from recent months of high incidents of stress leave among Civil Servants.
Guaranteed paycheck, extraordinary benefits, pay levels far exceeding private industry norms (disclaimer, in most cases), very early retirement options available, etc.
Gunner 8th Battery RCA
That’s Royal Canadian Artillery for those who aren’t aware. That encompassed a great deal. A whole other definition of multi tasking.
Re: Lehman Bros and Merril Lynch. Isn’t it a continuation of Orwell’s thoughts?
Where there once were five, now there are 3. When will there be one?
It keeps on, keeping on.
Remember this. China manages 1.3 billion people with a blend of Mao and Nixon.
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
Thomas Jefferson
Long live the Tank Man
A little reality please CB, the system is broken by corruption and will not fix itself.
By unintended consequences on 09.15.08 10:52 am
If we cared enough we could do a great deal to fix the problems. Not enough people have been personally affected so far. The solutions you propose would make the system even more unresponsive to public pressure.
Garth.. Here my riding there are only Liberal Signs posted (Mike Savage) I have also heard others say the same. Could this be In and Out 2008 version in so much they are sending the money to only close riding they feel they (Layton & Harper) can win or something like that?
Harper announces today an “opt in” ptrogram for small business on parental leave.
Another “sounds good” promise, but how about asking how many of these small business owners could actually take the time off?
Really an empty promise except for very few businesses that could afford top have new management or no one at the helm for a long period.
What a joke.
September 14, 2008
Carbon Tax vs. Cap-and-Trade
Too bad that Dion can’t explain his “Green Shift” plan as clearly as Elizabeth May seems able to when discussing the Greens’ own proposed carbon tax. If you missed this face-off between her and Jack Layton over their respective plans on CTV’s Question Period earlier this summer, here it is again.
Contrary to Jack’s glowing assessment of the European experience with cap-and-trade, the reality is quite different as this article from last year that appeared in the Washington Post details. Another report from Business Week indicates that despite creating a massive new level of bureaucracy, the EU Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) has little to show for itself in terms of environmental benefits. In fact, Europe’s carbon dioxide output actually rose 1.1 percent last year.
He’s got two videos and check out the comments.
Contrary to Jack’s glowing assessment of the European experience with cap-and-trade, the reality is quite different as this article from last year that appeared in the Washington Post details. Another report from Business Week indicates that despite creating a massive new level of bureaucracy, the EU Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) has little to show for itself in terms of environmental benefits. In fact, Europe’s carbon dioxide output actually rose 1.1 percent last year.
http://redtory.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/carbon-tax-vs-cap-and-trade/#comments
Should also have added that the Turning the Corner plan is based on intensity targets. Stevie is avoiding any discussion of the con non-plan, however. And, the so-called journalists aren’t questioning him on it from what I’ve read/seen. Why not?
And the Liberal Party has never, ever appointed candidates and bypassed the local riding association.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/story.html?id=0fc4b7d6-a464-428b-825b-3416d5cdcc9b&k=36747
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070818.wappoints18/BNStory/National/home
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/305911
While I aggree with you that the appontment of candidates over the preferences of the local riding association (and by extention, the local voters), it is a bit disingenious of you to not mention that the Conservatives are not the only party that does it.
I’m not complaining. I like the fact nobody voted for her. It’s the local Cons who are going nuts. Tell this guy: pm@pm.gc.ca. — Garth
Mr. Harper answers with a news conference of his own. He does take questions. Makes some good points. But…
His move on changes re: Employment insurance and the self employed targets women only. The one million self employed women, (his claim) and offering benefits re: maternity leave etc. What about the rest? Let’s offer the women a cherry and tell them, they are important too.
Of course they are important. Of course they have proven that they can run the machine. What the hell does that have to do with anything? Votes?
Mr. Harper, don’t patronize them. You could raise the issue of Prostitution and it’s ramifications. I would respect you for that, as it is a real consideration. It takes conviction to address the hard issues, and we, The People are not all Sheep.
Forget Lehman, here`s the real story about global demand for products and consequently demand for our resources.
Currently 57% of Cdns put the economy as #1 issue, with not a plan in sight. My prediction about 30M really pissed off Cdns takes a step closer to becoming a reality.
Better not delay the election till after our August numbers are out, none of the above will landslide it.
http://ca.news.finance.yahoo.com/s/15092008/2/biz-finance-u-s-industrial-output-drops-worse-expected-1.html
U.S. industrial output drops worse-than-expected 1.1 per cent
Mon Sep 15, 9:38 AM
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON – U.S. government data show the nation’s industrial output plunged in August by nearly four times the amount that had been expected.
——-
Does `our economy is on thin ice`, `cash is good`, `the melt is on` sound familar?
Harper’s real problem is that once voters discover his past misleading promises, they will seriously question his trustworthiness.
By PYOTR PETROBITCH on 09.15.08 10:34 am
And yet Dalton McGuinty got re-elected go figure…
The theory behind Stephen Harper’s criticism of the Green Shift is quite interesting. It is based on the theory that by putting a tax on pollution, polluters will not just download the cost onto consumers but they will use it as an excuse to price gouge. As a party of free enterprise, free markets and free trade the Conservatives would never do anything to prevent price gouging so they are evaluating the tax realignment from the perspective of their economic ideology.
In their ideology there is nothing wrong with price gouging because certain conditions in the marketplace, such as a neo-monopoly situation, allow it to take place.
For example, the Conservatives are claiming that gas prices will rise although the new tax does not apply to gas.
New Conservatives support market created monopolies to control price.
I fail to see how gender has anything to do with this. Garth and that also you are pleased.
Maybe the conservatives wanted a woman to represent that riding. who knows !! You are the person who raised the issue and you did not use a genaric. If you are pleased one would think a person would not mention it to raise awareness.
The point is the Liberals have hand picked candidates as well so why is this so terrible to happen in your riding. The individuals who opted to run under their banner may have failed the test.
If she is a parachute candidate she is definitely going to have an uphill battle.
From your post I take it that you are running as an Independent. The Liberal party have not released a platform to my knowledge. We got an announcement in BC last week on Immigrtion and we got one today in NFLD on the fishery.
Our paper had a review of the promises of all parties with the exception of the Bloc. I failed to see anything mentioned similar to the ones in your post.
It appears the train is on two separate tracks.
To Ed Brooks
We all have an opinion and that is yours. To say my comments are naive would assume that you are in Harpers head. What makes you think that you are correct. You are implying that the Liberals do not appoint people or parachute them into ridings. Go ask Marc Garneau. Also do not tell David Orchard. Was there not a by-election out West last winter when the Liberal leader choose and NDPer who lost to a member of the RCMP. They lost becuse the Liberals would not support her. The same thing could happen to this women in Turner’s riding. I will say again why the double standard.
We do need more women in politics and the only way to ensure this is by all parties nominating or appointing women to run in certain areas excluding men from the ticket.
I’m not complaining! I’m happy nobody local voted for her. It’s the Conservatives who are vexed. Talk to them. — Garth
The solutions you propose would make the system even more unresponsive to public pressure.
By C. B. on 09.15.08 11:23 am
Non-swimmers should stay out of the deep end of the poll.
Hung up in the filter so I changed links.
Forget Lehman, here`s the real story about global demand for products and consequently demand for our resources.
Currently 57% of Cdns put the economy as #1 issue, with not a plan in sight. My prediction about 30M really pissed off Cdns takes a step closer to becoming a reality.
Better not delay the election till after our August numbers are out, none of the above will landslide it.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080915/economy.html
U.S. industrial output drops worse-than-expected 1.1 per cent
Mon Sep 15, 9:38 AM
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON – U.S. government data show the nation’s industrial output plunged in August by nearly four times the amount that had been expected
pressure in coming months as some of America’s biggest overseas markets in Europe and Asia face the threat of recessions.
—————-
Does `our economy is on thin ice`, `cash is good`, `the melt is on` ring any bells?
And yet Dalton McGuinty got re-elected go figure…
By KPK on 09.15.08 11:45 am
Alright, ChatterBox, what’re you talking about? Faith-based schools? The inherited $5.6 Billion deficit? The poison pill in the revenue stream? What?
http://www.harperlied.com/
Currently the number 1 lie is Income Trusts. You can vote too! Put on the sidebar of your blogs if you have one.
So, with a decade-long depression (yes, that’s and -ession with a “d”) looming on the horizon in the U.S. and the effects it will have here, how much is the war most of us don’t want in Afghanistan costing us? Why do ya wanna know?
“…[E]stimates of the National Defence portion of the bill have ranged between $6 billion and $7 billion, plus nearly $2 billion more in reconstruction and aid. But these numbers do not reflect costs incurred by other departments and agencies such as CIDA, veterans affairs, foreign affairs, the RCMP and Treasury Board.
http://www.nupge.ca//news_2008/n12se08a.htm
Funny how Harper has thrown out arts funding and financial support for court challenges as “programs that people don’t want”, when the really, horrendously expensive unwanted program is swept under the carpet.
Last time I looked, programs that provided money for gigantic balloons shaped like bananas didn’t kill too many people or cause the locals to declare endless war on us.
Alright, ChatterBox, what’re you talking about? Faith-based schools? The inherited $5.6 Billion deficit? The poison pill in the revenue stream? What?
The pledge to not raise taxes.
Three more years? With the U.S. doing this kind of thing, all foreign soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan are in mortal danger.
“A controversial new US tactic to mount counter-terrorist operations inside Pakistan has met with fresh hostility, it emerged yesterday, as Pakistani tribesmen representing half a million people vowed to switch sides and join the Taliban if Washington does not stop cross-border attacks by its forces from Afghanistan.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/15/pakistan.usforeignpolicy
Garth.. Here my riding there are only Liberal Signs posted (Mike Savage) I have also heard others say the same. Could this be In and Out 2008 version in so much they are sending the money to only close riding they feel they (Layton & Harper) can win or something like that?
By David Bakody on 09.15.08 11:26 am
David, Mike’s my MP as well. Last Friday driving thru Clayton Park, all, except one – NDP – signs were Geoff Regan. Not a con sign in sight.
A lot of what the Conservative Government is throwing at the Canadian people are red herrings so that if they get elected with a majority they can start to fully implement their agenda: (links thanks to ~ by GEOFFREY L. 14.08 11:31pm)
Harperstein
http://tinyurl.com/5osabj
Deep Integration Planned At Secret Conference Ignored By The Media
http://tinyurl.com/5eve2v
The Man Behind Stephen Harper
http://tinyurl.com/b26ra
What would PM do with majority
http://tinyurl.com/6yzqwe
Full text of Stephen Harper’s 1997 speech
http://tinyurl.com/dvtm4
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article.php/20060919132553106
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/the-man-behind-stephen-harper-tom-flanagan/
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=04785c40-82d9-47a4-84f1-701eea019217
http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/498565
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051213/elxn_harper_speech_text_051214/20051214/
By Geoffrey L. on 09.14.08 11:31 pm
We can safely say that a majority Harper government would:
- Decentralize (weaken) federal powers to such a degree that trade protection of Canada’s economic sectors is no longer an option. Such decentralization includes the balkanizatio of Canada and weakening MP powers of elected officials in the House of Commons.
- Destroy the CWB
- End medicare
- privatize all federal crowns (CBC etc.)
- Phase out EI
- Join the next U.S. resource war as Harper wanted to go into Iraq and stay in Afghan as long as possible to spend money on defense. This is in keeping with U.S. corp motives to go to war for resources, as well as defense kickbacks by way of directorships, brown bags of cash and overseas bank accounts.
- Anti union laws
- Relax any regs in favor of Foreign M & A’s of Canadian corps
- Remove protective barriers that keep our Canadian banks from being swallowed by foreign (U.S.) financials. This one alone, I think would end Canada’s economic sovreignty as we know it and risk crashing Mutual funds that are heavily laiden with Canada’s financials.
- Deregulate media to encourage media concentration by CTV & Can West Global (and its really worth knowing why they are so bias towards Conservatives now with January’s CRTC rulings this year in favor of monopoly media concentration and further market share of both oligarchy/monopolies)
- Deregulate telecoms to insure further U.S. corporate market share in the telecom sector
We can stop right there. This IS the Harper plan. Increase U.S. corporate ownership and control of ALL of Canada’s economic sectors. Stripe Canada of any protection through deregulation and get government out of providing any essential services so that U.S. multinationals can increase market share.
U.S. ownership/control/expansion of Canada’s economic market share is the Harper agenda.
It can easily be found here:
Harper’s agenda? Its blatantly pandered at the NCC where Harper prez’d for 5 years just before becoming Con leader in 02?.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Citizens_Coalition
Note the above campaigns that the NCC took on for decades before, during and after Stephen Harper.
- Canada Health Act
(a law passed through the commons that guarantee’s nurses and hospitals as publicly financed and run. Why oppose? To privatize and with it, consumer pricing will skyrocket as it is in the U.S. Essentially, the NCC is U.S. corporate multinationals that want the feds to loosen all regs, destroy all boards and remove all trade barriers (especially in M & A’s) that ensures U.S. corporate access and takeover of Canada’s economic sectors to increase and/or outright own market share)
- Canada Wheat Board (with the destruction of the Wheatboard, U.S. grainhandlers/sellers will own the Canadian market overnight)
- closed shop unions (they are union busters all the way)
- Campaigned against Vietnamese boat refugee’s (racist, bigotted, hardly the kind of organization that should be trusted with immigration laws)
Read the wiki link above is telling in itself.
What is the NCC doing now? The same thing. Lobbying for U.S. corporate expansion into Canadian markets.
http://nationalcitizens.ca/cgi-bin/oms.cgi?rm=show_category&cid=1
All of them. Including government now with Harper at the helm. National Citizens Coalition, Frasier Institute… both evil twins with a dire plot for Canada and their puppet plant leader is now in the PMO.
http://nationalcitizens.ca/cgi-bin/oms.cgi?rm=show_product&pid=2
I do agree that a carbon tax will not put us in recession as we are already on the way, it will however make things worse. Not as much as the 40/0 but worse none the less.
By unintended consequences on 09.14.08 11:59 pm
Just curious U C, but what are you basing your assertions on? A study by Natural Resources Canada seems to indicate that you are full of CRAP, and that even a $50/tonne carbon tax will actually help the economy.
“The government’s own analysis proves that a $50 carbon tax shift will benefit businesses and individuals, and will achieve deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.”
Provide a link to support your claims or keep your BS to yourself.
Thanks.
By David Halfkenny on 09.15.08 11:56 am
David,
Tell me where in my post I implied in any way that the Liberals don’t “appoint people or parachute them”? I’ll happily acknowledge that this is done by other parties. It would be idiotic to claim otherwise in light of established behaviours.
The fact you are reading something into my post that isn’t there just reinforces the fact that you are either being disingenuous or naive. Take your pick.
I note that you did not argue with any of my statements relating to how the Conservative Party handled this. Do I need to repeat myself?
If this had been about affirmative action to get more women into politics, they could have set a process in motion two years ago. They did not. As a matter of fact they turned down numerous requests from the riding association to go through a candidate nomination process.
Instead, they tossed the candidate in to a riding that is virtually in disarray at the last possible minute. This is neither fair to the candidate nor to the voters in the riding.
We are all entitled to our opinions, and I guess if you see this as a magnaminous gesture of affirmative action by the Conservative Party, knock yourself out.
I think it is pretty obvious that it is not; but that’s just my opinion.
Provide a link to support your claims or keep your BS to yourself.
Thanks.
By Reefer Sutherland from the Big Smoke on 09.15.08 12:55 pm
My BS claims all came from Garth, job losses, the 40/0, slowing global resource demand, excess spending by government and a few not noticed, increased hiring public service employees to make the employment numbers look good, loss of investor confidense, hedging against the US dollar.
Try not to take your angst out on the people that can keep up.
Provide a link to support your claims or keep your BS to yourself.
Thanks.
By Reefer Sutherland from the Big Smoke on 09.15.08 12:55 pm
Here`s some more info with links I can`t seem to get by the filter.
———————–
Hung up in the filter so I changed links.
Forget Lehman, here`s the real story about global demand for products and consequently demand for our resources.
Currently 57% of Cdns put the economy as #1 issue, with not a plan in sight. My prediction about 30M really pissed off Cdns takes a step closer to becoming a reality.
Better not delay the election till after our August numbers are out, none of the above will landslide it.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080915/economy.html
U.S. industrial output drops worse-than-expected 1.1 per cent
Mon Sep 15, 9:38 AM
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON – U.S. government data show the nation’s industrial output plunged in August by nearly four times the amount that had been expected.
pressure in coming months as some of America’s biggest overseas markets in Europe and Asia face the threat of recessions.
—————-
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080915.welxnmarkets0915/BNStory/politics/home
Harper unfazed by market crisis
Globe and Mail Update
September 15, 2008 at 12:52 PM EDT
“My own belief is if we were gong to have some kind of big crash or recession, we probably would have had it by now.”
** It would have if the 40/0 hadn`t keep the housing bubble going.**
————
Does `our economy is on thin ice`, `cash is good`, `the melt is on` ring any bells?
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. – Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. general and 34th president (1890 – 1969)”
By Lana on 09.15.08 9:28 am
That was the same man who had the insight to design, promote, and implement the highly successful American Interstate Highway System!
Ike was a highly practical person and a very skilled coordinator of talent. Unlike the current crop of Republicants!
He saw the need and responded with the solution. His disciplined thinking and talent coordination was in part the result of his military life/career.
That was the same man who had the insight to design, promote, and implement the highly successful American Interstate Highway System!
Ike was a highly practical person and a very skilled coordinator of talent. Unlike the current crop of Republicants!
He saw the need and responded with the solution. His disciplined thinking and talent coordination was in part the result of his military life/career.
By Truth B Told on 09.15.08 1:17 pm
Agreed. However, the real reason for the U.S. Interstate Highway system was to afford troop and supply movements in times of National emergencies. The taxpayers still got to use them, but were the Cold War to have turned HOT, then those roads would be under the Defense Department for military use.
Just want to not let that little bit of fact slip away into the darkness.
The American Interstate Highway System is the single most enabling factor in the success of the American Economy over the past four decades. In Canada we lack this infrastructure development and coordination. It is more efficient in the long run to have major highway bypasses around our denser city cores. This is noticeable in most of our major cities where the ring route is incomplete, and the on-off ramps are improperly designed. It takes some diesel fuel invested now to same much more later on! Most knowledgeable transborder freighters can cite so many instances as examples, it would take hours to record these. And now in today’s news there are more calls to ban intransit cell phone calls. Let me point out again that the American Interstate System has Rest Areas, and Service Plazas every 30 to 50 miles where ALL drivers can make proper voice or test communications. The tollway in Chicago has six or more while our 407 toll road in Ontario has NONE! Wake up Canada, we are being scammed by our politicians in so many ways it is pathetic. Service Plazas = more jobs, too!
same much more later….should read:
save much more later. too hasty SORRY
By unintended consequences on 09.15.08 1:12 pm
U C, You missed the point (not surprisingly). You try to assert that a carbon tax will make matters worse. I want to know where you get that information from, especially in light of the fact that there is evidence to the contrary.
So, one more time…provide a link or keep your BS to yourself.
By Ed Brooks on 09.15.08 12:59 pm,
There are other ways to assure women receive nominations. The Progressive Conservatives had Women’s Organizations designed in part to help women achieve nominations and provide support for women. The new Conservatives supported the view that women should not need special organizations to help gain nominations and should be required to compete on an even basis with men.
I am not sure that members interpreted this to mean that the central party would get to select both male and female candidates rather than the members.
Well I guess KPK has run off somewhere. I think he should step out of his cubicle at StarDust and ask Guy Giorno what really transpired during the time Harris & Eves turned the party from Progressive Conservative to Professional Criminals’ Party.
More when KPK completes his conversation with Guy Giorno, whose post-era comments I have on record.
Try not to take your angst out on the people that can keep up.
By unintended consequences on 09.15.08 1:12 pm
Your former wife waved to me from your former shiny new wheels. I didn’t wave back because I know exactly how you feel.
http://homepage.mac.com/dorlando/.Pictures/AMG_Blog_Photos/photo_was_his.jpg
PS–I saw Julie over t’Maxime’s. She called me Harley and shouted, “Vrroom Vrroom!”
http://tinyurl.com/6rey8p
Harper positive despite collapse of Lehman Brothers
Updated Mon. Sep. 15 2008 1:55 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper sought to reassure Canadians about the economy after U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 protection Monday — the biggest bankruptcy filing ever.
Harper said Canadians can expect a continued period of slower economic growth but he didn’t think a recession was coming in Canada or the United States.
“I don’t think now the atmosphere should turn to one of complete doom and gloom,” he told reporters gathered in Ottawa.
go to website to read more
So, one more time…provide a link or keep your BS to yourself.
By Reefer Sutherland from the Big Smoke on 09.15.08 1:58 pm
If you had bothered to read the entire reply I listed serval factors that the report didn`t us in it`s evaluation of effects of a carbon tax.
Obviously not taking current economic situation into account greatly skews the results. For instance how to do sell new and improved (and more expense) green products to an already in debt trouble consumer. Ask around and see how many people will put $10,000 into green products they can`t afford on a promised few thousand in tax rebates. Any tax will make their situation worse.
Try my name link or be more specific to the link you want.
“I don’t think now the atmosphere should turn to one of complete doom and gloom,” he told reporters gathered in Ottawa.
go to website to read more
By Bonnie L on 09.15.08 2:30 pm
When will Harper “open up” about suicides and family life disruption in Northern Ontario forestry communities? Don’t sweat it, Bonnie, I already know it will be NEVER.
How many opponents did you have before being nominated Liberal candidate ? Will you ever tell us ?
I won two Conservative nods, and one Liberal. — Garth
By smoker on 09.15.08 10:06 am
None came forward. Not unusual with an incumbent. — Garth
Maybe the conservatives wanted a woman to represent that riding. who knows !!
We do need more women in politics and the only way to ensure this is by all parties nominating or appointing women to run in certain areas excluding men from the ticket.
By David Halfkenny on 09.15.08 11:56 am
The only way to ensure Democracy is to let the best person represent according to the wishes of the riding association.
I’m somewhat surprised that you would play the gender card David. I would have thought your roots and your stated service to your country would have raised you above gutter politics.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 09.15.08 1:31 pm
Yes, Bill, I knew this, but using the KISS principle felt it not germain and would only tend to confuse those biased anti-military individuals with facts that obscure the major synergistic effects of the greatest business success story in our time.
By the way, if we ever meet, I have some interesting stories for you from the “Junk Yard” I know you will appreciate. A White Freightliner is really an old model, if it is still “in shape” it is museum material! I had supper with one of the “graduates” of the streets of Gary. He was in that news reel footage from Saigon where the police Colonel shot his prisoner in the square during the evacuation retreat! Some tales of Nam are learned at truckstop meal tables. Had many an interesting encounter while pigging out!
The detective that arrested John Wayne Gacy, the first black beret in to Mai Lai, the W.O. helicopter pilot wounded in the wrist over Nam that continued the mission to extract grunts, these men have “retired” to the highways and byways, have a picture that needs to be documented in a classic tome but probably won’t! Some of their memories are utterly fastinating all the while nearly incredible! Some have already passed on, now. Take care, now!
Give Harper 4 more years and we will all be in the poor house. And I am wondering if Flaherty is still out there “fiddling”?
Heaven help us from the Americanization team here in Canada.
~ by JUDY 15.08 8:55am
Amen to thatCensorship is alive and well under the Conservative government.
This is an outrage
From the CBC website:
All the news that’s fit to approve
Posted in Political Bytes Posted on September 15, 2008 02:32 PM | Permalink
Whether it’s due to threats by the Taliban or fears of a negative story mid-campaign, reporters embedded with the Canadian Forces at the Kandahar Air Field have been told it’s going to be much harder for them to do stories while the federal election campaign’s going on in Canada.
Unlike the situation before the election call, all media requests in Kandahar seeking access to do embed stories will now have to have them approved by National Defence headquarters in Ottawa — at least until the day after voting day.
As a result, CBC’s already been forced to cancel at least one story it had been working on.
What’s that phrase about the first casualty of war?
— Paul Hunter
What news is so bad that the Conservative feel Canadians can’t handle it?
I am sick and tired of these poseurs running my country.
By C. B. Innes on 09.15.08 2:11 pm
…and if that had been the intent in Halton, the Conservatives have had two years to accomplish it.
Wake up Canada, we are being scammed by our politicians in so many ways it is pathetic. Service Plazas = more jobs, too!
By Truth B Told on 09.15.08 1:33 pm
Actually, the 400 Highway DOES have Service Areas. South of Barrie to the 401.
You are correct about the American Interstates though, they have then at regular intervals.
As to on/off ramps, yes they are often atrocious engineering mis-designs. the worst being the southboud off/on ramps at Highway 88 and the 400. They are fatalities waiting to happen, especially for truckers.
Another Fatal Fiasco is the southbound 404 where it merges with the 401. terrible si9gnage, and then the lane end in a concrete wall. The 400 series highways are terribly maintained IMO. I avoid then whenever possibledue to bad road surfaces and a plethora of machismo morons who should not be on any road..
Canada could learn a lot from Germany on highway design. The Ausfahrts/Einfahrts (Exits/On-ramps) are designed to allow proper accelleration/decelleration for heavy vehicles.
Our MTO is way behind on many things.
I haven’t been driving around (Calgary) much this week, but the only campaign signs I have seen so far:
liberal -- 2
nd -- 1
con -- 0
Another puff of smoke. I’d wager that most self-employed individuals do not pay into the EI program and hence would not qualify for this. Of the remainder that do, I suspect few are pregnant women.
The ability to opt-into the EI program for the self-employed is a relatively new phenomena. Anyone who has had to rely on EI, with its caveats and restrictions, know it’s not exactly the panacea that one might hope it to be. The smart and self-reliant amongst the self-employed choose to opt out and instead set aside their own “rainy day” fund for those down periods, a fund that can collect interest and grow, and as a consequence provide longer and more fulsome coverage than EI.
Nice try though. It might have the effect of strengthening the vote for non-self-employed onlookers who attribute more depth to the policy than there actually is, a further boost to the “family friendly” view. However in reality, candy, a case of pure optics, that smoke arising from a Popeye Cigarette.
So those self-employed women who choose to can sign on to contribute to and collect from EI if they see it as something they believe works for them.
Outrageous!
Actually, the 400 Highway DOES have Service Areas. South of Barrie to the 401.
You are correct about the American Interstates though, they have then at regular intervals
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 09.15.08 5:33 pm
Hey, Billy, I was on about the 407 TOLL ROAD. It is now about 80 miles long or 1 1/2 hours travel time WITH NO PLACE TO PARK, PEE, PHONE, & then PEDAL! This is a huge rip off and lack of planning.
This spans all three provincial political parties time in power, too! I have used it twice full length East bound and I did not even see a place for a snow plow to pull over and park!
This is what the politicians and bureaucrats think about us working stiffs, just go pee your pants because we don’t care about your silly problems, then when some sorry assed 4 wheeler cuts off a big truck causing a huge cluster they always blame it on the trucker! We alswas talked about a three day truckers strike to bring it to the attention of the public that the store shelves and gas pumps are empty now due to how we are treated. But trying to organize that crowd of original back stabbers is like trying to sell insurance to a bank robber!
Our MTO is way behind on many things.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 09.15.08 5:33 pm
Remember that asphalt tanker that rolled over Westbound 401 Express to Collectors in Trawnna, you know the basket weave between Jane and Keele? Well I knew for a decade that the sign warning to slow down to 8oKm for the S curve underpass was placed too far into the curve to be of any use. Semi operators especially with multi-axle configs for higher load weight capacity need more advanced distance warning, ie. 3 to 5 times the distance cars do, or more. That poor bugger died of his burns later in hospital. If the MTO is at fault we will never hear as those kind of cases get settled out of court with non disclosure clauses. THAT IS ANOTHER OUTRAGE> ALL SETTLEMENTS SHOULD BE PUBLIC WHEN IT IS PUBLIC MONEYS! Regardless if it is an insurance payout!
The reality is that it is not that big of a deal. By their nature, the self-employed tend to be less risk averse and would rather keep the money up front. They know they’d be better off managing the funds that they would otherwise pay into the program themselves, an option that as a self-employed person is available to them (and had been exclusively so up until only a couple of years ago).
But I suppose on the surface it sounds nice. Depth of policy doesn’t seem to be a strong point.
Agreed.
My point is that those who choose to avail themselves of it will do so and those who choose to pursue other options won’t. I’d imagine the onus was mostly driven by those who claim it was discriminatory that self-employed folks had to contribute to EI if they have employees and they couldn’t have the same opportunity. No doubt self-employed folks have some opportunities unavailable to employees.
At the end of the day I don’t see it as a major change for good or bad.