Bernie

A member since December 01, 2006 11:42

Message

Comment History

No Post Budget Bounce for Tories (Nanos Poll Completed March 12th 2010) (2010-03-16)

• Nik, I have to agree. I consider voting a sacred duty and when the other parties don't reflect my thoughts on good governance I vote Green. It's not a posit...

Budget Unlikely to Significantly Impact Currrent National Political Situation (Nanos/Policy Options Poll) (2010-03-15)

• "beware the Ides of March" Canadians have not awakened to the numerous little stab wounds to their back as yet, I guess it tak...
• Yes, Ronald, and John Crosbie said a politician who tells the truth will never get elected. I don't care about getting elected. I only care about what's ...
• lb Some laywers don't make all that much money
• Ronald. I wouldn't want Stronach making any policy that would affect me. She is too business oriented and governmant should not be run from a business pers...
• QCG if Bob Rae was leader of the LIberals I would give serious consideration to voting Liberal. I have a few minor reservations about him but most of what ...

Anxiety about Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan (Nanos Policy Options Poll) (2010-03-01)

• Of the choices given I would have to name reducing the debt as the number one issue. Strengthening pensions would be second. I am somewhat confident the gov...
• Tom. When one can only get the support of one third of your audience to accept your position, there can be several reasons for it. It could be because one...
• Tom : You wrote "In fairness, they have some good points they should capitalize on and they have some very unacceptable behaviours they should correct an...
• Tom : You wrote "In fairness, they have some good points they should capitalize on and they have some very unacceptable behaviours they should correct an...
• Ronald I completely agree with you. It's obvious that this is a bad government. Over 60% do not believe it is good enough to vote for. The first thing a...
• Ronald I hope you didn't think I was agreeing with Layton. I thought I made that clear. He has voted for bad budgets before. Now he against this one o...
• blackacadian To anyone absolutely stupid or partisan as to blind him/her self to the truth this a no brainer. In a democracy parliament is supreme. If we pr...
• Ronald I agree politicians, for the most part, by their own behavior are not worthy of respect. I will respect them when they decide to he truthful, honest...
• Sorry, yes, For a second I was thinking Harb was an MP. Yes, of course, being a senator he is free say what he likes. I like for all of them to express t...
• Ronal I agree and I have said the same thing many times.
• tee hee, I bet your mother said there would be days like this. I have them often and they seem to be increasing with the passing years. :-)

Canadians believe PMO has too much power, House of Commons not enough power (Nanos Poll Completed February 8) (2010-02-24)

• I will answer the questions in order. 1. Too much power. 2. Too much power. There should be no senate. 3. Too much power. 4. Too much power. 5. Ri...
• Tom; Not tin, but lead. Big and heavy and when they wear them around their necks, let them sink to the bottom
• Non-aligned: Prorogation should only be used when the majority on the members of parliament agrees to it. Only the GG can prorogate and she/he sho...
• Zachary Smith I don't care who's in power. I am only interested in democratic process. My comments are not partisan. Yours are. My comments apply ...
• Zachary Smith I don't care who's in power. I am only interested in democratic process. My comments are not partisan. Yours are. My comments apply ...
• Blackacadian You are absolutely correct. But I understand that 95% of Canadians know this already. The important point is not that the GG should select the...
• dm720 I agree. Yesterday, I was watching the Curling gold medal game . The well-known sportscaster said "She threw it perfect." If he had said she thre...
• Blackacadian You are so correct. I only wish I had said it that way. It just boils down to the simple fact that all power should reside in the people and a...
• I agree Tom. The H oc C makes the laws, The Supreme Court interprets them. That is how it should be. I can't see how else it could work in a democracy. The...
• Ronald I agree. As long as our government does not care about one of our citizens it may not care about any of us. You or I could also not be cared for i...

Canadians split on impression of political groups on Facebook; many uncertain (Nanos Poll Completed February 8) (2010-02-18)

• Unlike traditional political discussions and influences, where I know I'm an expert :-), on this issue I have given very little thought. A cursory opinion wo...

Nanos Leadership Index: Harper still strong (Nanos Poll Completed February 8th, 2010) (2010-02-15)

• I know I'm repeating this ad nauseum but I don't place leadership as a requirement for a politician. As a result I would have to answer " none of them". ...
• neveratory I am only human, so I can't be perfect. :-) One wrong statement is bad is it? I'll give you my reasoning. I consider it a sacred...
• Tom What you predict may likely come to pass. If Harper gets a majority I expect the Liberals will have a leadership convention. I can't see the NDP b...

Nanos National Poll - Canadians embrace Olympic peace (2010-02-11)

• This is a non-issue to me. Of course, all nations should declare peace, for all time, Not just during the Olympics, but even that short period of time is be...
• Ron. I agree that that permafrost analogy. That's the scary part. With social or political global warming, traversing that permafrost is a threatening under...
• Tom. On the previous topic there was a discussion between you and blackacadian that raised the level of discussion to what it should be. I was itching to joi...
• It's useless to carry on a conversation with someone who is so partisan as to be ignorant of the truth or if knowing it is unwilling to admit to it. When ...
• Ronald, another good post. Those things his advisers dream up for him to present a more acceptable appearance should get a "gold" for effort. But it didn't...

Tories and Grits Gripped in a Tie (Completed February 4th 2010) (2010-02-08)

• I haven't seen anything definitive in the polls for quite a while. There's a small volatility that swings with every "event" that takes place. It r...
• What kind of response is that? If I say Harper does something wrong and you respond with some previous PM did it too. Why not go back and list every PM wh...
• I agree the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP are tired old parties. They are locked into the status quo. I was talking about Canadians, not political par...
• No! The reason that there was a drop in support for Harper is because most Canadians believe in democracy. When people in a district elect a member to repre...
• Blackacadian Absolutely. I agree 100%.
• Hi Jason "He attacks everyone with repetative messages and insults for anyone who doesn't agree with him." Surely, you are describing Harper here!!!
• You are right, Karen. Even Con. supporters know this. tho only a few will admit it. Yes even Tom Flanagan, who was Harper's mentor and who brought Karl Rove...
• Ron Tee hee hee

Nanos National Poll - Views on Afghan detainees issue (2009-12-23)

• Just sticking to the questions in hand. It's inconceivable that only half of Canadians have heard of the Afghan detainee issue. I would have thought at lea...
• Hi Tom. "As Hollinm says, war is dirty and shit happens." Yes I am too well aware of that, but we should not accept it. We are far from having that halo ...

Nanos-Policy Options National Poll - Third Annual "Mood of Canada" Poll (2009-12-09)

• This is an easy poll to respond to. 1. We are going in the wrong direction. 2. I don't believe we have an improved federal/provincial relationship. 3. Th...

Nanos National Poll - Healthcare reclaims top issue of concern over economy (2009-11-24)

• I 'm wondering what the other 31.5% thinks!You all know where I stand. I put environment ahead of everything else. Health and the economy are predicated on t...
• Tom I'd prefer not having private clinics. They are there to make money. I don't trust anyone who makes money off the unfortunate sickness of others. Also...
• Tom I guess we could have several different models, let them operate for several years, then evaluate and see which model is judged best. If only our f...
• Yes, you are right. And this is only one area; excess weight and diabetes. also excessive smoking, drinking and drug consumption, some drugs do more harm th...
• to western football fans I and sorry to inform you that Montreal will win the (Earl) Grey Cup. Saskatchewan will be lucky ...
• Ronald I don't know much about football. I don't like the NFL and I like the CFL even less. My sports are hockey, baseball and soccer. I loved playing b...

The public opinion environment for Canadian-American relations (2009-11-19)

• I feel on shaky ground dealing with this topic. Unlike the other issues where I know I'm right :-) I really don't give it serious thought. I'm convinced th...
• Ron I agree with you. But I'd want to make certain that we don't lock ourselves into an agreement that in any way weakens our position. We have to be esp...

Conservative lead continues, Harper widens best PM advantage: Nanos Poll (Completed November 10th) (2009-11-14)

• It's worrisome that 38% of those polled would vote for the Conservatives. That's dangerously close to a majority. As long as Harper leads the party our count...
• There are people who needs food and shelter and a livable situation. The Military doesn't need it. The military is for defense. No one is or goi...
• Read Eckhart Tolle's "the Power of Now". :-)
• Tom I found one or two sentences to disagree with :-) It's my nature not to respond to posts I agree with. In you case it would be boring` All I'd have t...
• I have no fear for our national security. I am sick and tired of our politicians using that . It's a cop out for not dealing openly and honestly with the peo...
• twiens I generally agree. I would vote for a politician who would; 1. Abolish the senate 2 Abolish the GG, and replace with an elected "whatever you lik...
• Ron I agree.
• Tewchip Of course you know I didn't say the military doesn't need or shelter. And I can't recall asking you a question. But I support t...
• Ron, I agree. The French of Quebec are a proud and resourceful people. They would not hesitate to leave if they are treated badly enough or perceive that t...
• Exactly. That's my point. It can happen anytime. Ten years before 1995 it may have been 36% also. It doesn't matter who's in power in ottawa. When they think...
• Tom. I was about to say well this time I find nothing to disagree with Then I saw the last line.:-). I'll compromise; I'll agree if you include himself a...
• Ron I agree. That would be best. Being tried in civilian court in the US is a second choice. I have no faith in any other method.
• Who do you think I should vote for; 1. The worst government we've had in 55 years of political memory. 2. The Liberals , tho better than the Conservatives,...
• Edmonton Jim The post below, addressed to Tewchip was meant for you. PS Do you want to swap hockey teams?
• elf. I hope so. I knew that McKay was despicable when he reneged on an agreement with David Orchard. He has done nothing to change my mind since....
• "It is the very common practice by leftist and Liberals to dehumanize other individuals in order to try and gain what they perceived to be an advantage after...
• brusmit You should know al about sarcasm, ridicule and dehumanizing another human . You are an expert at it. Maybe I should take the next course yo...
• brusmit Unlike you I never deal in insults and personal attacks. No! Did you read Winnie the Pooh? It's just as authoritative.
• brusmit So sorry, I thought you were talking about humans. I was talking about inanimate objects, statues with wooden heads and stone hearts. D...
• brusmit No I am not the same as those I describe. I only called some one's actions inhuman. I could have used inhumane, but it's the same thing to me. I...
• elf He's known for playing word games instead of a engaging in a sensible discussion. He said, "the best way is to treat everyone with equal respect." ...

Nanos Policy Options Poll – Canadians overwhelmingly support universal health care; think Obama is on right track in United States (2009-11-06)

• How can I express what I wish to say about health care without writing a book or volumes of books. I can't do justice in the time and space provided here. I...
• By training young people and paying them a decent salary.
• Yeah, we should do like the Chinese; pay doctors as long as we are healthy but stop paying them when we are sick. :-) Many doctors see an patient and afte...
• Ron All parties depress me. The lives of our people could be so much better. I could be so much happier leaving this world if I could see my children and...
• More BS from bs. "... Liberal apologist extraodinary, Don Martin..." (The word is extraordinaire,BTW:-)). All media are conservative. The Nati...
• I'm just kidding, brusmit. I placed a smiley face after the sentence. It's my way of telling you that I don't take your posts seriously when you are so par...
• "Lies, damned lies and statistics"
• Tom and elf. While I generally agree on most things I respectfully have a different view re "end of life" issues. While I have no qualms about anyone want...
• elf my post to Tom was meant for you too.
• brusmit If you take my gentle kidding as insult then you have a very thin skin indeed. You'll never make it as a politician. However to suggest I'm a...
• Ron I agree. I wonder what brusmit would do if he were the object of real insults. He'd probably leave the forum. We wouldn't want that. Would we???

Nanos National Poll: Conservatives widen advantage over Grits: Nanos Poll (Completed October 18th) (2009-10-22)

• The Conservatives seemed to be in majority territory now. A few weeks of a good selling program would put them over the top I was surprised with Quebec. I w...
• syl, I don't have any faith in judging what the Quebec or Ontario voters may do in the future. They seem to be ignorant of what is happening now or don't car...
• elf I've been waiting a long time to hear that. Finally a majority of Canadians are realizing how silly and backward we are to still have ki...
• Trudeau did not write the constitution. We are all to blame if our system is not right. We can force change anytime we care enough to do it. I would recom...
• I don't want to waste time talking about personalities, leaders or parties, or power or strategies to acquire it. Only policy, issues or files interest me. ...
• "lies, damned lies and statistics" Disraeli. The latter being the worst scenario.
• I don't differentiate between the parties. Lies are still despicable whether Conservative, Liberal, NDP or Green. Only one difference, that is, when they or...
• bs said ``a lie, is a lie, is a lie regardless who is saying it.` True, but the consequence arising from who said is a very different issue. When you ...

Nanos National Poll - Canadians don't want a fall election; Majority preferred but minority expected (Completed September 11) (2009-10-01)

• I am proud to be among the 22.6 intelligent ones. :-) I want an election every day until Harper is gone. I want our country to progress; not regress as it h...
• "Lets manage the environmental issue in concert with our continental partners" First, If Harper's said that then like nearly everything else he has said it...
• I am conservative, probably in more ways than you. I'm trying to save the planet. Not for myself, I may not be here much longer. but for the future of my off...
• Ans. to first question YES To the second, Yes, he can but he won't try. Every thought he has is a c***e [edited by moderator]. I know he **** [edited by ...
• Ah, my friend, principles produce the best results. If you believe the one who harps will make us wealthier, then I have a lovely sea-side property in Saska...
• "Majority governments are more efficient, and I'll choose efficiency over "fairness" every time." Then let's have a benevolent dictatorship. Most efficeient...
• While both of them are crooks, Harper is the bigger one. However the HST is one of the few good things. too bad it's not 3% higher. We might get better healt...
• tvj The low turnout of voters is regrettable. I've never missed a vote in my life. It may not have done much good but at least my voice was heard and that's...
• Excellent Ron. I am not a Liberal but I agree with you totally.
• "But instead of examining the problem, you just want to throw money at it." NO, I do not wish to throw money at it. I see several other problems problems. ...
• "Yes, a benevolent dictator would obviously be ideal, and your opposition to the idea only demonstrates how irrationally you approach the issue." Thanks for...
• jlam Yes, our first past the post is ridiculous. I don't know why Canadians don't rise up and demand change. I can only assume that they are not that int...
• Yeah, I agree. But there may be singular specific isues that come up after the election that this group would have opposed to if they had arisen before the e...
• Why be satisfied with half service? Yes I want to control doctors salaries as I control any public employees' salaries. I feel certain that there are enough...
• We all do that. We have our beliefs on what knowledge we have up to the time of expression. If you wait to obtain every bit of information that exists about...
• But it is correct
• What studies? Who made them? More important who paid for them? Who interpreted the data collected? I'll evaluate them when I see them. When a private prov...
• You don't want me to write a book on it, do you? I can include all those things you mentioned. They all come down to one simple conclusion. There is nothing...
• Of course we all do it. There never been anyone who ever lived in this world who was able to accumulate every bit of info about any given subject before maki...
• "but it would appear you haven't ever read any study on this subject" Thanks for making my point. You, too like all the rest of us, form an opinion, reac...
• "We don't have competition in health care devliery. That's the problem. As such, it is bloated and inefficient." That's a good thing. If we did we would h...
• No your previous post was about what is required to make a judgement about anything.
• Ron. I am in full agreement The government's withholding of this kind of information is anti-democratic. But this is in keeping with the whole policy.They a...
• Yes, elf, I agree with you. The only reason Harper got elected was because he was able to persuade enough voters that "he was NOT going to be like the Libe...

Nanos National Poll - Canadians prefer controlled stimulus; Harper scores well on issue management (Completed September 11) (2009-09-24)

• Amen.
• There was a study done a little while back in the US. It asked a group of those who believed that Bush did the right thing by going into Iraq. They even narr...
• Tom On this issue I agree with Ron. I'll go further and say only tax payers' money should be the only source of funds for political parties. Ron's conten...
• Tom. I not sure if you understood what I'm saying. Parts of your post make the argument for me. Corporations, unions or individuals should not be allowed t...
• Tom We may not be disagreeing on much. (only on how it's financed) No where did I say we give tax dollars to parties. Rather just to individual candidates....
• Tom I would never restrict anyone from running What i meant was I would give taxpayers funds to those who didn't into the category. They could run all they...
• Lex "Your no party idea is unenforceable," I don't know why! "and your fixed party idea is dreadful." Probably, it was only a suggestion. Libertarians...
• "Canadians are largely in favour of further spending to stimulate the economy" Stimulating the economy is an abstraction to me. If I had to choos...
• I want to correct something I said above. Corporations didn't cause the problem . They are inanimate entities. We caused it. All of us, by not demanding t...
• Dion is no longer there and Ignatieff did not sign it. What Ignatieff signed was a letter to the GG, not a coalition agreement. Harper knows this but as is h...

Nanos Economic Monitor - Confidence in economy up - but Canadians still worse off than a year ago (2009-09-21)

• The economic indicator is an indication of what? What is the economy? How is it measured? Is the stock market an accurate indicator? I say not. As I see...
• Further to the above post. just a few minutes after I had sent that post i was reading the Toronto Star. I was surprised and pleased that Carol Goar said ess...
• elf Like you I am slightly worse off than ten years ago and like you I am not that worried about it. I feel confident I'll get by relatively safe for whatev...

Nanos National Poll - Election speculation fuels Tories (Completed September 2nd) (2009-09-09)

• There's not much validity when you speculate who you might vote for in a speculative election. We may not be having an election for quite a while. I like ...
• I agree syl. To me he seemed like one of those right-wing Neo-Nazi group leaders. Scary! How can his party tolerate him?
• Lex Minority governments are often slow to innovate and are not as efficient as we would like. but we've had some good ones in the past and they can be goo...
• Lex Whenever we have a minority there is rule by coalition. Just because they sign an agreement and formalize it doesn't alter it's true nature. If more ...

Nanos National Poll - Canadians' views on minority governments and Harper's re-election a mixed bag (2009-08-22)

• I don't care whether it's minority or majority as long as it's good government. Efficiency is good only when the government is enacting good laws and gover...
• syl (Inactive) I somewhat agree with you. However there's one area where I have a different viewpoint. I am not so sure that previous Liberal voters voted ...
• Many of us were in the ABH camp in the previous election. I hope there will be many more in the next. BTW. I would much rather Dion than Ignatieff. He's a...
• Why is that McKay or Harper never apprise Canadians of how things are going in Afghanistan. Only when asked do they say anything and then it's not dealing wi...
• Ignatieff can't force an election. Tho, I wish he could and would. An election will not affect the Home Renovation Tax Credit. It will continue no matter ...

Nanos National Poll - Economy slides as an issue of concern - no political dividend for Conservatives, yet. (2009-08-10)

• It doesn't appear that the political scene has changed much for the last while. If an election were held now I think the Conservatives would receive a minori...
• Yes, I am a perfect voter for Iggy to win over. But also for the Conservatives to win over. However that could never happen as long as Harper is around. Wh...
• Jason Kenney is more rightwing than Harper is. He would never get accepted east of Manitoba. Prentice has a chance. At least, he hasn't shown a negative sid...
• Thanks for the info. The past three years I have watched the Canadian Medical Association general council meetings on CPAC. I was appalled. I thought they we...
• I don't receive any. But what I find most objectionable is Steve (The-One-Who-Harps) campaigning with taxpayers money. Instead of distributing the 'stimulus ...
• I agree Katrina. I do not argue with fools lest I become myself. He is afflicted with the worst case of the disease he accuses others of. I don't read his po...

Nanos National Poll - Strengths and Weaknesses of the Liberal Party (2009-07-03)

• "Looking at the weaknesses of the two parties, there are interesting threads of opinion. For the Conservatives, many of their brand weaknesses relate to thei...
• "There are only two ruling parties either the Harper Conservatives or the Ignatieff Liberals--------one we know and the other we know nothing about.' Tom,...
• I agree, and that's why we don't have a democracy.
• "Refusal is not an insult and is BTW, prefered by the priest." That is correct Katrina. It is not refusal. One who is not a Catholic remains in one's pew ...
• When I first starting this I thought to myself, this must be written by Harper. This is pure BS. Then when I reached the end and saw it was from the Fraser...
• Diefenbaker= good; Pearson= good; Trudeau= best since John A; Clarke= good intentions; Mulroney= despicable, Campbell= nothing; Chretien=good; Martin= no int...

New Nanos National Ballot - Impressions of Harper and Ignatieff measured (2009-06-27)

• There's no doubt that there's a serious concern about the economy, especially in Ontario.What's relevant, tho, is not so much that there's a downturn but the...

Strengths and weaknesses of Conservative government (2009-06-13)

• In the past there was not much difference in the two parties. Really one party with two groups who took turns running the party. However this present governm...
• Harpers truths would make a good paragraph. His lies would fill several volumes.
• larryl. You may be right about my voting voting method , but you are not entirely correct. The worst don't always get in. But I get your point. And I wasn'...
• Gordo I mostly agree with you. I got a chuckle in your last sentence, tho. You used the word "sincere" in reference to politicians When you said "everyone'...
• Gordo He is The Un-informed One. Ignore him.

New poll on effectiveness and impact of Ignatieff attack ads (2009-06-08)

• IMO attack ads are effective in undermining the support for those who use them. The attack ads give me a more negative opinion of Harper. It would take aw...
• Excellent Tom. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
• I can't see why anyone would take a monent to be revolted by negative ads and as time goes by be more angry with those who use them.
• I may be wrong but this is how I see it. Because one thing happens before something else doesn't mean that the first caused the second. There may not be a...
• I'm not sure that the media should private conversations. If they do it just to get attention, or an entertainment event, then I'm opposed to it. However if...
• Gordo. I heard Duffy's comments and much worse from many others. I think they are rabid Conservative ideologues or totally ignorant of the realities. I ha...
• larryl Exactly. Not only would he call an election, I bet he would win it too. He had more political acumen than all those in the house now combined. He tru...

Liberal advantage over Tories widens (2009-06-06)

• To quote Yogi Berra " one thing I can't predict is the future". :-) It appears to me that the Liberals have enough support east of Manitoba to win an electi...
• Larryl I would prefer that over what we have now. Unfortunately I could never allow the government to tell me how to spend it. I TELL THE GOVERNMENT! IT ...
• Larryl No need to apologize. Your advice is appreciated. However it's only fair to let you know an ornery cuss and don't listen to advice readily :-). I have...

Nanos poll shows Canadians think Oliphant Inquiry poor use of tax dollars - mixed on necessity (2009-05-11)

• I was not asked. If I had been asked I would answer YES; a 5, to both questions. The second question first. What is the price of democracy. Every instance...
• "recruit people to government who are100% honest, 100% of the time and are only there for the good of their fellow man" You know and I'm sure you know that...
• Tom. Either of the parties would do well to hire you as campaign manager or as policy formulator. Notwithstanding my exasperation at the political naivety o...

Stimulus, sure - just watch the cost - Nanos Comments for the GTR Economic Summit (2009-05-07)

• Before I read this here, I had read it in the Toronto Star. On the surface and in general it was a good article. But there some urban myths being accepted a...
• Tom, I agree with you except for the last paragraph and maybe I agree there too, in this particular case and time. But generally I like to see taxes raised...
• Yes, running a country is not easy. It becomes even more difficult when those with money, power or influence exerts pressure on governing bodies do what is i...

Close federal race continues - Tories down in Quebec up in Ontario (2009-05-02)

• I was a little surprised with the results of this poll. Everything I had been reading and hearing suggested that the Liberals were opening a more significant...
• I agree, syld. As I've said many times before, I don't rely much on polls. I trust my own knowledge and instincts more. I believe that the Liberals have al...
• Sorry for butting in, Ronald, But I would be calling for an election as soon as possible. I'm not for any party. (well, possibly Green) but I love my countr...
• You always get a fullsome response from, Tom. I, too, am not up to scratch re BC politics. That which I have heard and read leads me to agree wholeheartedly...
• Ronald, I read you. You know politics better than I, so I suspect you are right. My politics are more different than they are disagreeable

Nanos Poll: Environment Trumps Prosperity for Oil Sands Development (2009-03-25)

• Nik, this is a necessary poll. More important than those dealing with the buffoons running around the country trying to project themselves into...
• "perception that Oil Sands Development was environmentally damaging." That's not perception. That's reality. Proven beyond the shadow of a...
• Hi Tom You've made a lot of reasoned sensible comments. A few things I have a different way of looking at. This is not a criticism of your viewpo...
• Yes, Tom, the "rest of the world" is where the biggest problems will arise. As you say they are a much bigger population and much higher birth rate. Before...
• I do care about what the international thinks about us., especially when they are right and we are wrong. And when when their industries are wrong we shoul...
• Anyone who appears on FOX or even watches it, reveals what he/she is!
• Non-aligned wrote "Luddites were also passionate in their destruction of machines in the 18th Century." What would you do if the "elites' or those i...
• hollimn I think you are very intolerant of others viewpoints Above you called someones comments ".. a load of bunk" You just called mine "hogwas...
• Thanks Tom. I never heard of brasscheck before. However I got a laugh out of that. It reminded me of the FOX program a few days ago. I have come across do...

Liberals and Conservatives still close - Trend favours the Liberals at the expense of the NDP (2009-03-21)

• Those numbers don't reveal an appreciable difference form previous polls. An election now, or soon, would give us a minority government. The only difference ...
• You read too much into what I say. Yes I said Ignatieff is more honest. That;'s not to say Ignatieff is honest. It's a matter of degree. Maybe I should h...
• Hollinm, Those are two lies. Fact 1. The Liberals did a lot when they were in power, all parties do. Tho, not enough for me to vote ...
• It's wiser to remember this quote from bernie "Democracy is the average voter."
• I beg to differ. IMO, you are the one in denial Not managing every minute detail in not stealing. Money is given to operatives of all parties. Conservative...
• I agree with most of what you say.
• I have no idea what the financial situation of any party is. Nor do I care. When parties eliminate their policy deficits then I will support them
• "Brown envelopes stuffed with cash being passed in a restaurant is not standard operating procedure for any government. I still maintain my position." Ar...
• Again I can only say I agree with you. I can't understand why, in the 21 century, we haven't developed a system whereby we are better served. The average C...
• Tom I agree generally with all your previous posts. We have to insist on more equal representation for all parts of Canada. However that in itself will not...
• Yes, unfortubately the people are not leading. When they demand good governance and find someone to deliver on their wishes, we will see governance.
• A most intelligent perspective. Any leader who consistently deals with reality rather than playing political games will win the trust of the people. Those wh...
• I am not a good writer, so I'll take the liberty to attach a poem which better expresses a thought I have about the four parties that make up ...
• Hi syld. Ignatieff shows a lack of good judgement whenever he arrives at a conclusion that is different from mine.:-). I'm sure that's true for you an...
• I agree with your comments on Harper. In my books he is beyond redemption. So much so I think he is deliberately bad. I think Ignatieff is bad but not delibe...

Nanos - UB Poll: Majorities in Canada and the US support greater co-operation (2009-02-18)

• It is not surprising to see general agreement on a range of issues relative to both countries. We are relatively similar in language, demographics, culture e...
• Manitoban Of course! There's no question about that. I've known that since his days with the NCC and I have written about it here. That's only one of ...
• You are right, Helen B. I don't supports the Liberals either but I am not afraid to be honest and truthful. Some Conservatives will never accept what ha...
• Jack! I agree up to a point. I think he would appear even better if he didn't have Harper as a boss. I feel that sometimes he must be squirming when he has t...
• I agree Ron. They are too stupid to realize that most Canadians are good decent people(unlike them) and hate that kind of behaviour.

New Nanos Poll: Measuring Political Coat-tails - Leader Impact on Local Party Candidates + Budget Performance (2009-02-13)

• Nothing turns me off faster than those in public office who tell me they are a leader. They must follow the lead of the public. They must tell me what thei...
• A wise and sensible approach. You are right. You always focus on the w things are; I on the way they should be or at least the way I think they should be. ...
• I agree he been a major disappointment. But not because he "allowed" 6 NL PM's to vote the way they did. they were right. Ignatieff was wrong It's the con...
• I disagree . I don't believe the polls. I think the majority would support a coalition of Liberal, NDP and Bloc support opver a Harper government. Now th...
• "...you are suggesting the MP's are allowed to vote as they see fit." You are damn right. They should be. That fact that they are not, is why we don't ha...
• That's why we still have this BS. People are willing to accept it. It's not good enough for me and I don't want it to be passed on to my children or futur...
• Of course it is responsible. It is responsible even more so if the representatives form all NDP districts decide to anyway they want provided it is what thei...
• Hi Tom; I understood from the beginning what you meant by "that's politics" and anybody who has read any of your posts over the last couple of years woul...
• Ans. to first question: Yes, of course. What the majority of the constituents want takes priority. Ans. to No. 2 Yes, of course, What the majority want...
• Yes I agree. We can hope that some day it will become more equatable. One little proviso, tho, re the House of Commons members. There should be some consi...

Nanos-Policy Options Poll - Canadians see recession lasting into 2010; Support deficits and Infrastructure spending (2009-01-25)

• I have no idea how how deep this recession will go or how long it will last. I don't believe anyone else knows either. I have no faith that Harper or Flahert...
• I agree with your first paragraph. Your second one is what I said, Dion was laughed at for supporting what he didn't agree to because he was in a vu...
• Tom, you could have written my post for me. Except that one little line about tax cuts. I am opposed to tax cuts. Definitely not during a recession....
• Hollinm. IMO, Dion supported the coalition to put an end to bad government and to have government run by the majority of representatives and because he be...
• I agree with, Tom, except the last sentence. It would not harm me to eat 15% less ho Ho. Seriously The few pennies I get back with a tax reduction woul...
• I am not an economist. I don't know how far this budget will go to alleviate the economic situation we are in. I would not support it and I ...

Nanos Poll - Ignatieff still unknown, Harper too well known (2009-01-18)

• Tom It does one good to see such a balanced viewpoint and have it expressed in a balanced tone. I cannot do other than to express agreement.
• Personally I don't give a damn about what either Harper or Ignatieff is like. I only care about what they do or what they are likely to do. Nor can I under...

New Nanos National Poll - Lib 34, CP 33, NDP 19, BQ 7, GP 7 (completed Jan 7) (2009-01-09)

• I'm a bit surprised about the height of the bounce.( that's all it is). I would expect to see support rising for the Liberal party but at a more gradual rate...
• Good morning Ronald. I am not the one you should ask re what advice to Layton on building momentum for him or his party. However I would give him the same a...
• Tom. I would not wish for another election. The polls may show that most Canadians would prefer an election. That too could change in a couple of weeks. ...
• ``How do you explain how Schwartznegger was propelled into office in California??? `` Ho Ho and how about Jesse Ventura (the wrestler ) in Minnesota ...
• I agree Tom. The West has a right to complain about the unfair representation by population. I am sure the grassroots people of Central and Eastern Easter...
• "OK, Westerner, and what is the constructive or positive comment to keep the discussion going ????" Hi Tom. What a great question! Appropriate...
• An excellent point, calmecam. Any negatives that Harper can paint Ignatieff with, he has himself in spades, only much worse.
• You are absolutely right calmecam. Personally I would waste my time and effort trying to educate those so indoctrinated as to be blind to any new learning.
• I agree Michael C. We had a PC party here in Ontario for 43 straight years. It was relatively good government. I can support that. Later we had eight year...

Harper has "poisoned the well" in parliament - path forward is uncertain (2008-12-01)

• Nik. Once again one cannot find fault with your comments on our present situation. By the necessity of neutrality of your position you are required to be r...
• Hee Hee Yes Chris! Perdition is what Harper is involved in. What you say be very well happen. But remember Harper cannot dissolve Parliament. He may ...
• Good morning, Ronald, Yes, California would be nice now. However I was outside Toronto in August for the first time in 29 years. I'm afraid it may be that l...
• The bottom line, in fact the only line, is the government is "the government of the most votes in the house". There has never been in Canada, or in...
• And it was wrong every time. Now it's time to do things right. Majority rules, always.
• Yes, I did. There is no question now that Harper is our worst PM ever. It must be the times . Bush is the US worst. It's time to place people of integrity ...
• Your are right Stephen It's sad when an egomaniac is able to persuade his supporters that he and they have the right to override the democratically elected...
• Ronald Yes, I believe they should defeat them immediately. And when they form the government enact a law that states that immediately following an electi...
• No, The GG and the previous GG are/were excellent. I don't think we should have one, but that's beside the point. She was in an unenviable position, put th...
• The election is over. The polls don't count. We have an elected house. The majority of votes is not being allowed to form the government. That is not democ...
• Fact: We just had an election. Fact: We elected 308 representatives to the House. Fact: 160+, ( a majority) wants to form the government. Fact: A m...
• Instead of a dialogue the rogue wanted to prorogue I wonder what was in his perogies I guess there's not much in common in my DNA with that of Shakesp...
• No I don't think she had a reasonable choice. Harper knew that. That's why he ungenerously dumped it in the lap. He forced her to make a political decision. ...
• Ok, yes, I agree
• I agree! the Progressive Conservative Party was responsible national party Now there is no viable alternative to the Liberals, unfortunately Canadians don'...
• All private media is conservative. They are companies or corporations thereby by definition are conservative. The CBC , PBS, TVO, NPR being public are as ...
• I agree bud. Since the Cons are aflush with cash. I'm surprised Harper hasn't bribed enough of the coalition to cross the floor. He could offer each a coupl...
• Harper is so insecure that he can't help himself. He will never fight fair. Lies and demonization are modus operandi. I expect Harper will link him to Nicol...
• Harper is not serious about anything except gaining and increasing power. He will do anything to achieve that, even temporarily make fake offerings to the o...
• Yes it's just a ploy to hold onto power. he has no intention in using that power for the betterment of Canadians I hope the opposition holds together and ...
• Hope I forgot to add this to the previous post. Yours name (Hope) is a very appropriate one. I hope Harper is defeated ASAP. However I als...
• Nik has any previous topic generated as many posts? Does this mean the m ore Canadians are waking up and getting more involved in politics. I know it hasn...

New Nanos National Poll - CP, 32%, LP 30%, NDP 20%, GP 10%, BQ 9% (2008-11-19)

• I was a little surprised with this poll and the direction it's going in. It's immaterial . It has no significance now that the election is over , other than ...
• Tom, "... elections are related to the stock market ..." an excellent analogy. Emotion is the prime ingredient. Intelligence, judgement and common sense ...
• Tom, I place leadership much farther down the list. In fact i don't consider it at all. I can be cynical but never so much as to tolerate "blood sport". You...
• Chris30. So are you saying you don't care about policy. If the Liberals, NDP, Greens or some other party had a fantastic platform you would not vote for th...
• In an interview yesterday Page said the deficit may be 3.9 billion but it could go to 14 billion. We cannot depend on what Flaherty says. We know what he sa...
• Your points are well taken. I don't agree with deficits either but in an emergency and a plan to reverse it in a short time, I would accept that. I know not...

On the Harper election win (Nanos Sun Column) (2008-11-04)

• Nik, yours is a sensible, reasonable analysis of the election results. Early in the campaign when the Conservative support was nearing 40% I said that Harper...
• Hi Tom It's good to hear the voice of sense and rationality here again. While I don't always agree with what you say, but even when I don't I like the way...
• Tom I wish you wouldn't refer to Ontario and Quebec as "the East". They are the centre. Next, Atlantic will be calling us the West. :-)
• Yes, I never thought of it that way. I guess you have justification. hee hee
• "Isn't it interesting that LPC supporters like to point to meaningless numbers "The fact that nearly 80% of eligible voters ....."" Oh, do they? I wasn'...
• Tom , what you say makes sense but I wish to say how I feel about it. I don't concern myself too much about the trade policies of other countries. I expect...
• That's a good question, larryl. I don't know if it's possible to answer. I don't think for a moment that we are moving to the right. I think we are gradual...
• No question about it. Trudeau was our greatest PM ever with the possible exception of John A MacDonald.
• I don't know if they have the right but they certainly are not going to get listened to. Nor should they. They had the opportunity to express their opinion ...
• Education is a wealth producer! A great investment!
• I would abolish the Upper House altogether. I agree with equal representation by population But I also believe there should be some adjustment for very l...
• On the beginning of your post, for the first two sentences, I was saying "this guy is spot on" Then that sentiment came to an abrupt end. I disagreed with ne...
• Yes it's obvious we have a very different philosophy. Mine has served me well for a long lifetime. So I will stick with it until someone shows me a better one.
• This is the most insightful and accurate comment on the election that I have seen here. Thanks for saying what I have been thinking. I have difficulty putt...
• You must be looking through distorted glasses. This is the most false representation of what actually happened.
• You must be looking through distorted glasses. This was the most false representation of what actually happened.
• I agree it may have been an objective. If so they will not be successful. No party built on false objectives will succeed. Temporarily maybe but the people...
• hollinm. Some what you said I agree with but i have a different opinion about other things. The way I see it (and I don't support any party) The electorate...
• Mother Nature will force some degree of co-operation on them. It will not be a priority for Obama for a while. He has an enormous task ahead of him.. The Re...
• I don't believe any party can destroy another. The voters are the determinants of that. Most voters in Canada are philosophically there. While there will be...
• To answer the first question; because they didn't vote for the Conservatives. I figure if they really wanted the Conservatives they would have voted. I...
• Worse still; all those educated and highly skilled workers that are driving production in Alberta may return to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Then Alberta wi...
• Just joking HC. I am happy to see Alberta do so well. I wish every province was so lucky. I never gloat over the misfortunes of others. I've been in that pos...
• hollinm there were a series of good posts there by yourself, Ronald and Tom. A welcome relief from the usual crap However I can't agree with some point...
• hollinm I was going to respond the more of your previous post but since you replied to mine, I'll have to deal with this first. You said, "Bernie...you...
• And now Harper is helping out the banks with 75 billion of taxpayers money. I guess the banks need it but the poor of our country don't
• I'll continue replying to your post. you said , "You suggest Dion is moral," I don't remember saying that. but you are right in saying I don't know that. ...
• What are envirofascists? Are they like econofascists? Which is more important; the environment or the economy? You can have an environment without an econo...
• Correct. I am not. I don't support any party. Parties are a big impediment to democracy. I am only concerned with policy. I vote against the parties with ...
• I am realistic, very realistic. We see things differently and for that reason I will be disagreeing with your interpretation. So there is not much point in ...
• I have never seen or heard of anyone who would advocate going backwards. "Yes we can change from a fossil fuel based economy to a green economy but it wi...
• hollinm "Bernie....Once again while you type the words your comments do not really acknowledge there is no quick fix here. Read my words. there is no qu...
• Yes, Harper has been behaving quite well since the election Yes I deliberately used "give", I know what happened. I just want to counteract the Conservat...
• Yes, I understand that is what happened. You gave a clear explanation of it. However one thing still bothers me. If before the transaction the banks ...
• My words were "with the possible exception of MacDonald." In spite of all you said I still think he was the best. I shouldn't say best because it's a toss ...
• I couldn't get the Star article, but I read the other one. My understanding was that this would be returned to non polluting activities. Therefore revenue n...
• Tom, I agree to a point A healthy birthrate would be the optimum. Of course that is not the situation now and is not likely to be in the near future. A s...

CPAC-Nanos Daily Election Tracking CP 33, LP 27, NDP 22, BQ 10, GP 8 (ending October 9) (2008-10-10)

• I agree mike. And this is only one of the dozens of deceitful and underhanded ways Harper has used to gain power. He is following the playbook, using the ...
• Yes larryl. The banks have the licence to print money. I've been complaining for years. They probably have only 2 or 3 % in reserve. I would like to see them...

CPAC-Nanos Daily Election Tracking CP 33, LP 29, NDP 20, BQ 10, GP 7 (ending October 8) (2008-10-09)

• The greatest threat to Canada today is a Harper majority government. The most intelligent thing any Canadian can do is to prevent that from happening. S...
• There used to be a "robini" here. I wonder if he/she is related to Nouriel Roubini the famous economists and write on financial affairs. Here's a sample of w...

CPAC-Nanos Daily Election Tracking CP 34, LP 31, NDP 18, BQ 11, GP 6 (ending October 6) (2008-10-07)

• Anyone with half a brain can understand. Collect taxes from those who pollute and give money to those who don't pollute. What's so difficult about that.

CPAC-Nanos Daily Election Tracking CP 34, LP 29, NDP 20, BQ 11, GP 6 (ending October 5) (2008-10-06)

• This is preferential to what we have now. I have no objection to MMPP or STV either. We could argue over the merits of one system as oppos...

CPAC-Nanos Daily Election Tracking CP 34, LP 30, NDP 19, BQ 10, GP 7 (ending October 4) (2008-10-05)

• I agree. I wouldn't be uncomfortable with a minority Liberal government either. Your second paragraph is spot on. They should rid themselves of Harper, ...
• Interesting! This may be off topic but since it will eventually affect us, I'll say it anyway. I don't believe the Feds bailout of the Market...

CPAC-Nanos Daily Election Tracking CP 35, LP 28, NDP 19, BQ 10, GP 8 (ending October 3) (2008-10-04)

• You are correct Zab. The way I see it since the Trudeau era the Liberals have been somewhat to the right of centre. Under Dion they still are far eno...
• Well! we'''ll have to disagree on this. If we could use a numerical representation of the political spectrum i.e. absolute left by ...
• Pray tell! What kind of reasoning would suggest that my vote would help Harper?

CPAC-Nanos Daily Election Tracking CP 35, LP 30, NDP 18, BQ 10, GP 9 (ending October 2) (2008-10-03)

• The fact that it was plagiarism and the fact that it was 5 years ago, while serious, is not the most important issue. What is serious is that...
• I thought Layton won the English debate., with Dion a close second. In the French debate I thought Duceppe won with Layton second. Not that that`s impor...
• Coryphaeus Excellent! With few exceptions all politicians are liars. Anyone who says something that is false and he knows it to be false is telling a ...

CPAC-Nanos Tracking CP 36, LP 26, NDP 20, BQ 10, GP 9 (ending September 30) (2008-10-01)

• I have not been making any comments since the start of the daily polls., since I am not interested in them. The Oct. !4 poll is the only real one. ...
• larryl I am quite aware that I can't vote for Elizabeth May personally. I also know that the Green Party candidate will not get elected in this riding. ...
• Craig, come on, be serious. "bad" is too nice a word. Surely you don't want to relate the dozens of "bad" things he has done . Everyone who has an IQ abo...
• I don't vbote for persons, nor parties. I voter for the best policies. Partisanship is for those who need someone else to do their thinking for them.
• I disapprove of intemperate language but here I partly agree. The moderator has the option to allow what he/she chooses. But also has the responsibility to...
• yes you are right. Can anyone be 100% sure? I feel I' m 99% sure and one makes decision based on the high probably of being correct. Otherw...

CPAC-Nanos Tracking CP 37, LP 26, NDP 21, BQ 9, GP 7 (ending September 23) (2008-09-24)

• christine Harper knows as well as you and I that he cannot do this. He knows it is in violation of the Supreme Court ruling and also the United Na...

CPAC-Nanos Tracking CP 36, LP 31, NDP 20, BQ 7, GP 7 (ending September 20) (2008-09-21)

• User1 AMEN
• nanosfan Criag gave the explanation but there's another point to be considered. Polls should about 20% undecided. That's not entirely accurate because we ...
• I prefer minorities. It keeps the bad guys from doing too much damage.Even Harper boats that things got done in the last 2 1/2 years. and ...

CPAC-Nanos Tracking CP 38, LP 29, NDP 18, BQ 7, GP 7 (ending September 19) (2008-09-20)

• Who is there on the left to be united. The Cons are far right. The Libs are a litle right. The NDP who used to be left are now close to centre. The Greens ar...
• I agree. I will not be supporting the Liberals but I believe in truth and honesty. And I don't believe the "Sponsorship Scandal" was such a big deal as sca...
• Peggy I, too, was upset with this. This especially was despicable. Also all these gaffs are not really important. The politicians keep bringing them up as ...
• larryl Right on Flanagan trained him well. The Republican administration must be proud of him.
• Hope All us thinking people know this long ago. That the economy is dependent on the environment. We have to take care of the environment first then our e...
• Hi rsharp. Man you struck a chord there. The very moment that I feel the slightest pressure to conform, I react the opposite. I was reading that McCain's ...
• User1 No vote is a wasted vote. You should always vote your conscience. You should vote for policies that closest reflect your own. Otherwise you are...
• TPQ John Cannis , the Liberal, has won here 5 times and I feel sure he will win again. So i will give you the same answer as I gave User1. You should ...

CPAC-Nanos Tracking CP 39, LP 28, NDP 18, BQ 7, GP 7 (ending September 18) (2008-09-19)

• bamciver47 You must be wearing different glasses from me and hearing things through different filters. "people are leaving the Liberal brand...

CPAC-Nanos Tracking CP 38, LP 31, NDP 17, GP 7, BQ 7 (ending September 16) (2008-09-17)

• I don't know why you asked about leadership. I assume those who want their representative tell them how Canada should be governed; that is, dinosaurs are sti...
• What about the candidate who when he received "in" money and then was ordered to send it back "out", He had to pay $21 of his own money. He tried to get a re...

CPAC-Nanos Tracking CP 38, LP 31, NDP 17, GP 8, BQ 6 (ending September 15) (2008-09-16)

• rsharp I will not be voting Liberal but I agree with what you say. The evidence is there for all to see. Only those blinded by partisanship cannot se it ...
• I voted for Rae and maybe if he were the Liberal leader I would vote for him again. He did a masterful job of bringing us through a recession that he had no ...
• We are going to pay dearly for burning fossil fuels. We should started paying have long ago. We had better start now. the longer we leave it the worse it wil...
• rsharp Exaclty. Laxer is right on. And so are hundreds of the best economists in the world,, winner of Nobel prizes for economics. Corporations are alway...
• The following is an edited excerpt from the Editorial in that communist rag :-) the New York Times. They have more educated economic experts, gr...

CPAC-Nanos Tracking CP 37, LP 31, NDP 18, GP 9, BQ 6 (ending September 14) (2008-09-15)

• larryl I have to disagree with you with " know they will never be anything but an opposition party." We don't know that. I still insist that ...
• gretag Harper is trying very amateurish psychology. He did the same thing in saying he didn't think he would receive a majority. Silly really. May...
• rsharp Spot on. Even if Obama wins I doubt very much that he will be able to undo the damage of corporate administration under Cheney (Bush was just a fig...
• Peter3 I don't know anything about Quebec politics but what I hear and read doesn't show that the NDP will get more than 2 or 3 seats, unfortunately. You m...
• rsharp So far i see 26 replies. None of them dealt with your question. I know mitpicking but "Mr. Harper, you are an avowed believer in free enterprise ......

CPAC-Nanos Tracking CP 38, LP 30, NDP 15, BQ 9, GP 8 (ending September 12) (2008-09-13)

• Adfter one week into the campaign it looks like the Conservatives are at the border of majority territory. If he can hold onto that position Har...
• Ronald I find no disagreement with you except for the statement, "The Liberals seem to be in a slow free-fall" I don't see any evidence of that. It could...
• Dion is the most trustworthy political leader since Tommy Douglas. His voting record has nothing to do with it. He was in an untenable position and Harper b...

LP 35, CP 33, NDP 17, BQ 8, GP 7 - Harper leads as best PM (New Nanos Poll) (2008-08-29)

• This is the first thing to grab my attention after returning from a 30 year delay for a vacatiuon. I will be happy to anticipate Canadian voters who will be ...
• I hope he gets tha cold shoulder while touring the Arctic!
• I agree. As your first paragraphs explains has he lost his marbles?
• The CBC is independent and fair. All the others are conservative.
• I agree. The devisiveness is the work of the political parties. They are more interested in fighting each other than doing what they were elected to do, th...
• larryl: Most of the time and much of what you say I agree with. However I don't accept the conspiracy theory. To be facicous I don't think politicia...
• right on, waynorth
• Nik; The Saturday Toronto Star states the latest Angus Reid Poll shows the Conservatives have an eight point lead over the Liberals, 36% to 28 %. I am su...
• I thought it was the same type of polling that Nik does. Thank you the response. That would explain it.
• Exactly Ronald Nothing is of value unless we have democracy. We must support everything that advances democracy and conversely oppose everything that det...
• Right on; larryl May representsd me and possibly nearly a million like me. How dare the leaders of other political parties abuse their power my not allow...
• Again, rsharp, I agree. Rather than vote for who we want. We are forced by the great danger to Canada by Harper to vote strategically. His policies are so...
• I was elated yesterday to see Mr. Layton and Mr. Harper change their position with respect to allowing Ms. May take part in the political debates.. It's sad...

Both Harper and Dion face greater risks than their rhetoric suggests (Nanos Sun Column) (2008-07-21)

• There is too much emphasis placed on the personality of the lead actors. If we put our trust in person of the leader we will be disappointed. All p...
• You may be right, but, if I were Dion, I would much rather not wait to see what Harper does, nor worry about the polls. Stand out there in front of everbody...
• Tom, a voice of sense and reason As I see it, you have two overriding beliefs. One is the the majority of Canadians are centrists and are reasonably toler...
• Hi Tom: I don't recall hearing that we were headed for an ice age. If so I don't think it was predicted by scientists. Or Maybe a few pseudo sc...
• Tom: I agree. Too often politicians take important issues and turn them into political football. It's especially true when the ruling party perceives itsel...
• Tom, I don't like butting in into other peoples discussions, but I have to say i agree with your observations exactly. The points you raise are about pol...
• This is how I see it. It's about a far bigger picture. Khadr is only a small piece of it and if his name was Smith or Jones I would feel the same wa...
• I will try to say something about the circumstances surrounding the Kadr affair. From all indications his father was an agressive, dominating tyrant. Can y...
• Greenfish 66. I agree.
• Tom 100% agreement. The only point to remember re the Kadr case is this. There is a war. (they are not over there playing tiddlie-winks). In the war a ...
• Tom, exactly. Finally we see that someone with some degree of authority agreeing to do the right thing. Unfortunately there were not enough people...
• larryl. The accusations I'm aware of and am used to . Most let others express their point of view and repl;y without such negativity but just express the...
• Hi Tom. That's another 'trick' they use . They make new words to offset the negativeness of the actions they undertake. Those words make their unethical ...
• Yes I'm aware of "the Calgary School"., A right wing think-tank. You know what a think-tank is? To quote Naomi Klein, it's where you are told what to thin...
• Exactly Tom. Martin committed us to Afghanistan to placate George Bush. Any other stated reason is pure fiction.
• Tom The Fraser Institute is extreme right wing. They periodically come out with reports. These reports would provide an evening of entertainment for my lef...

Who Canadians trust on the issues (New Nanos National Poll) (2008-07-07)

• Niik. "What do you think?" I think you word the question wrong. Since I don't trust any of the parties in any of those categories to do wh...
• Nik; I notice that there are about 250 posts on this topic (there was over 700 on another). I wonder what percentage of them was on the respective topic. ...
• larryl When Lyin Brian lied, I had a feeling he did it apologetically, and with a smile an a twinkle in his eye. Deceivin Stephen does it with a sneer, a...
• Hi Tom. I think you probably know now that on many of the general issues I agree with you. They are about a half dozen specific things where we have difff...
• Yes Tom the religious side of the argument has been going on for hundreds of years. I don't agree that they could be described as eloquent. On second thoug...
• Hi again, Tom. I said I would comment further but this is a continuation to the previous. I've just read larryl's post and you reply. I believe you ar...
• I hear you, Tom. and right on. Politicians should have that last statement pou8nted on a plaque and always in front of them on their desk. If they con...
• larryl, that's a good description of our present form of government. I'm usualy talking about the way it should be; in my humble opinion. I'd like to see...
• larryl, that's a good description of our present form of government. I'm usualy talking about the way it should be; in my humble opinion. I'd like to see...
• larryl, that's a good description of our present form of government. I'm usualy talking about the way it should be; in my humble opinion. I'd like to see...
• larryl, that's a good description of our present form of government. I'm usualy talking about the way it should be; in my humble opinion. I'd like to see...
• larryl, that's a good description of our present form of government. I'm usualy talking about the way it should be; in my humble opinion. I'd like to see...
• sorry folks, something went crazy with my computer just as I was sending the previous post
• Yes , I agree.
• Yes, I realize it is a touigh situation. But we are capable to facing up to and dealing with tough decisions. My belief is that we do not have the right to...

Democracy Online - Pushing the limits or creating a new frontier (Video Blog Post) (2008-07-04)

• Nik I agree with your comments. While the internet may not have had a large impact on the democratic process yet, I believe the results of the impact will b...
• jgallinger. While I appreciate your argument I cannot accept it. It's not because I have a previously held opinion and am unwilling to change. It's because...
• Made IN Canada Only Yes, I agree politicians, whether they be municipal, provincial or fereral, monitor the mood of voters. They now use the internet as w...

Liberal Green Shift - High Risk and Potentially High Reward (Video Blog Post) (2008-06-23)

• Before I comment on the different aspects of the "Green Shift" that Nik elicited I will make an initial reaction to it. BTW, I dislike policians placing nam...
• Finally getting back to my previous post. Nik stated that, "Polling shows that Canadians are concerned about the environment but that when a price tag is ...
• Tom! A tripple AAA for your post. While I don't adhere to the Malthusian theory, I do believe we must excerise common sense There is a limit to what to wha...
• larryl Time prohibits further comment on your post. Suffice to say, I am in 100% agreement.
• Revenue neutral is NOT a joke. It is reality. Harpers lies won't change tit. I am a senior and I have a lot less than the average income. Unlike the Cons....

The Bernier Resignation - Is it more than political "eye candy"? (Video Blog Post) (2008-05-30)

• I am not familiar with the expression "eye candy" but from the context I can guess the meaning. My reaction to this latest episode of bad...

The Economy - Political Opportunity and Minefield (2008-05-26)

• "There is likely an opportunity to engage voters in a dialogue on the future of the Canadian economy, how jobs can be created and how our economy can be stro...
• Hi Tom! I don't necessarily disagree with your message, but maybe with the words you use to send that message. I guess, in the narrow specific sense when...
• rsharp. I tend to agree. The two party system is a hindrance to democracy. I don't suppose we can ever get a perfect democratic system. I want a system tha...

Leadership Tracking - Harper personal image untouched by controversy (Analysis with video) (2008-05-09)

• Who gives a rodents rear end about "personal image" or "leader" I'd vote for a tasmanian devil if he presented me with a good policy platform Stalin, Hit...
• georgine The Conservatives didn't bribe Cadman! hee hee O J Simpson didn't kill two people! Some people will believe anything. They will do anythin...

The House Returns - Ethics, Accountability and the Big Picture (Nanos Sun Column) (2008-04-28)

• A slowdown in the economy is always an albatross around the neck of a ruling party. While our economy has not had a hit yet, there are obvious signs that we ...

Federal Tories and Grits Tied - Are NDP voters in Ontario strategically parking with the Grits? (Nanos Poll completed April 9) (2008-04-11)

• Frankly, I was surprised by these numbers. Some of the polls were showing Harper in the lead by 10%, even a point or two in Ontario The attacks on McGuinty...
• vandaphil, Yours is a thought-provoking post. At least it got me thinking about the issues you brought up. My thoughts are different from yours. I oft...
• (continuation) "the Ontario Liberal leaning media, re: CBC etc" The media is conservative. There is no Liberal ...
• Vandaphil Re CBC that is not a fact. I'll grant you it's the conventional wisdom. When people says something loud enough and often enough it's considere...
• vandaphil Re biases: Of course I don't have a party I agree with 100%. There are many and some who post here who do or appear to. In fact there is no...
• hi vandaphil By what authority have you the right to diagnoze my mental state? Do you normally go around telling people that there's something wromg with ...
• hi vandaphil By what authority have you the right to diagnoze my mental state? Do you normally go around telling people that there's something wromg with ...

Last week should have been a good week for the PM - he was sideswiped (Video Blog Post) (2008-04-07)

• To answer your questions I'll start with Blackburn. I don't know who he is or what he said. From the context he must have said something re opening the con...

The Federal Tories - Poking Ontario with a sharp stick (Sun Media Column) (2008-03-31)

• Interesting reflections on the Harper/McGuinty! The first thought that comes to mind is how someone who has risen to the position of PM engage in such petti...
• I plan to vote Green But if the choice is between Harper or Dion. I'd choose Dion, no question. Harper is no better than Bush or maybe Mugabe. Only sheep...
• A good response Have you noticed that, not all, some some Conservatives especially the right wing types, do two things quite often. One, if you don't com...
• RonaldODowd Hear! Hear! Isn't it astounding how supposedly adult, mature persons can act so childishly in view of the whole nation. Do they think they...

Afghanistan Vote and the Issue Environment (Video Blog Post) (2008-03-14)

• I will be as clear and precise as I can. I will never support a Canadian political party that is favour of having a military operation in Afghanistan. We h...
• Yes, I agree Tom. I find some difference which may not be significant. Martin was in a good position and had support yet he was slow to make a decision. t...
• Except for "withdrawl of troops from Afghanistan" I disagree with evry statement you made.
• Hi Mike, I agree except, " But withdrawing them in February 09 really was not an option; " Without sounding like the Mulroney/Turner debate, "yes , sir ,...
• A nice way of putting it, Tom. :-) There is a difference, tho, re Martin and Dion. Martin had the support of hacks and backrooom boys. Making a decision s...
• "Maybe but it would have played havoc with our international reputation." I don't think so, Mike. The other 166 nations know NATO for what it is; a tool ...
• "It was totally unjustified and done in the heady aftermath of 911 when the whole country went a bit mad for a while." I forget the name of the document ...
• Exactly! Non-aligned NAFTA is just a baby version of those other institutions developed to give monopolistic advantages to giant US corporations. The Worl...
• Hi writching I was hoping that the LIberals would win all four. Mostly because I want every obstacle possible placed in the path of Harper. However the ...
• Hi Tom "handup and not a hand out" is what all parties believe. No party wants it otherwise. That is just a phrase constructed by Rad-Cons to demonize op...
• Tom, I am not sure that are getting what I'm trying to say I think if I was talking face to face I would do a better job of getting through If I could write ...
• "Human incentive must not be tampered with, in my opinion." And I agree. but is there a greater disincentive than poverty to a better lifestyle? However it ...
• "I think that 7 out 10 Canadians will find this question a no brainer and vote Harper." I think 7 out of 10 will not. First neither Harper nor ...
• The present US government is a tool of the Corporate World.. Canadians corporations are a tool of the US corporations. Harper is a tool of Canadian corporati...
• The present US government is a tool of the Corporate World.. Canadians corporations are a tool of the US corporations. Harper is a tool of Canadian corporati...
• An excellent post 'and never the twain shall meet' I blame the "state indoctrination system" ( aka depts of education) They fail in instilling critical th...
• Hi Tom Another good post. I can't answer it fully at this time. I'll just deal with one issue " their rightful inheritance" as best, as simple as I can. ...

What will be the impact of the Cadman affair? (Video Blog Post) (2008-03-09)

• I think the RCMP will investigate but I don't think they will take any further action. There doesn't seem to be any proof that would stand up in court. There...
• maybe it is because she is unscrupulous honest like her husband. Some, but not many, politicians are.
• "unscrupulously honest" Did I say that! hee hee. Some Harper Conservative gremlin intercepted my message during transmission and inserted "un" before scru...
• I read Tim's post before yours. The explanation for "unscrupulously honest" is there. I don't think they offer him a seat. they knew he was dying. So they...
• I am in full agreement with you. I think the NAFTA-gate is quite serious. One has to dig deep and unpeel the multi-layers of political chicanery to get ...
• Tom, these current politicians are not doing much to alleviate your cyncism. Nor are they encouraging youth to get involved in politics and there no incentiv...
• You are right, Parnell. Anyone who looks at the numbers can easily see that conservative governments are greater spenders that other parties over the last ...

Election fraught with risks - Nanos Ballot - Lib 33, Con 31, NDP 19, BQ 10, GP 8 (2008-02-08)

• The numbers are what I expected they would be. There is no outstanding issue to cause a political change. As it stands there is no hope of a majority for eit...
• Gordo05 I guess everyone is waiting for a new topic. I had thought that they were waiting for the budget but since that has past there is still no new pos...
• Gordo05 I guess everyone is waiting for a new topic. I had thought that they were waiting for the budget but since that has past there is still no new pos...
• Hi Blossom Another great post. You made some insightful comments. However I have different opinions re Liberals and elections. I want an election not fo...
• Blossom Political wisdom seems to be an ozymoron. They are so sure that they are wise when say or do "smart" things to promote themselves or their parties...
• Blossom I just read your post and the one to Nik I'll reply to the latter first When you mentioned Mr Adler's name I had no idea who you were talking...
• Hi Blossom I don't get 940AM. In this area I listen to 970AM . That's NPR, National Public Radio from the US, the same as PBS. But most odten I listen t...
• Blossom. I'm so happy you did this. Isn't funny how we kept on in the other thread where it was so narrow that now it's approaching one word per line. I gue...

Too many election risks (2008-01-22)

• Nik, that seems to be an accurate observation of the situation as it exists today. However I have a strong feeling that there will be an election. I'm su...
• Hi wlloydm I checked it out but I'm not surprised. It's typical of Faustian Manley. he has no more integrity than when was high up in the Liberal party. I...
• Gordo05 An excellent post. I'm in full agreement. Now having read the next posts I see you answered exactly as I would have. I have been accused of hating...
• Exactly. I guess they all do it to some extrent. But Harper seems to do it more often and in situations whereby he would be better served if he would just ...
• Gordo05 I agree. It looks like Dion will not defeat Harper over the Afghan issue. My telling him that I will not vote for him unless he votes to take us ...
• Gordo05! I saw yestery's cartoon in the G and M. There was also a very funny one in the Toronto Star. I guess the Conservatives will will...
• Hi Blossom; Thank you for the kind words appreciated, tho not deserved I see you are still as passsionate about politics. I must admit occupyi...
• Gordo05 If I knew the answer to that I'd sell such info to the Conservatives and become rich :-). There is such a large immigrant population here as ther...
• Hi Blossom As you know I agree with you ninety percent of the time (or higher). However I have one difference; that is re Afghanistan. ...
• gordo05 Yes, It was a rant. That's an accurate description. Whether it was positive or negative , is in the eyes of the beholder. Oil was principally on ...
• Hi Blossom Having read your comments I was wondering whether your were responding to Gordo05 or me. Sometimes it's easy to use the wrong name I know yo...
• Hi Blossom Yes, you are absolutely right., when we know who we are talking to we don't write as diplomaticly. Friends can express themselves more freely. ...

Federal Political Year in Review - Challenges and Opportunities for 2008 (2007-12-27)

• Nik, that's a good summary and analysis of the political scene for the past year. Who's knows what 2008 will bring us! Harper performance as PM will not in...
• With those predictions, parnel, you reveal yourself to be a brave man. However, I would not bet my two cents against you. If nothing unforesee...
• Thank you Blossom. I hope you had a good Christmas and I wish that 2008 will be the best ever for you and yours. You mistook what I said re Duceppe...
• Exactly, Doug. That's something that should have been said here a long time ago. Debate or discussion is one thing but BS verbiage has no positive value. ...

Canadians are remarkably optimistic (Nanos Mood of Canada Poll) (2007-12-12)

• I hope their optimism is justified. In the longer term I would be optimistic too but for the shorter term I think not. By nature I am very optimistic. I ha...
• Nik. About six weeks ago your poll showed remarkable optimism among Canadians. Do you think that same optimism exists now vis a vis the downturn in ...

New Nanos Poll - Canadians moving away from all party leaders (2007-12-03)

• Hi Tom "The only trouble is not keeping up the routine of regular bathing and changing into clean clothes on a daily basis ..." So you are saying politic...
• All media is conservative. They are by nature or they would have a very difficult time surviving. Acknowledging that they do a poor job, they do criticize ...
• Tom, you may be right, but I look at it differently. I don't think the Liberal party is headed for disaster. I think they have reached bottom and are about ...
• Hi Blossom It's good to see you back. I see you are still as passionate about the Liberals as holinm is about the Conservatives. However, unlike holinm, yo...
• Good morning, Blossom. I just read in another of your posts you said "It seems that we are always returning to the exterior packaging, and forget to loo...
• Hi Tom My thinking is at variance with yours on some points that you mentioned in your post. I think all human life is invioable. We have NOT the right t...
• Tom, I agree completely with your whole first paragraph. But that's not an argument against circumstantial evidence. That's against the system ,the police, ...
• Tom , I'll try to finish replying to your comments of a couple of days ago. I think you know by now that I have very little faith in our politicians and e...
• Hi Tom, Yes, we all have different opinions and it's a good thing. It would be very boring otherwise. "Bernie, you are as entitled to your opinions as I am...
• I agree Zena, When I see Harper answer questions during Question Period sometimes it's absolutely false what he says. Another thing that angers me is whe...
• Hi Blossom, I agree with you. It's dispicable the way the US and Canada are acting on this. Canada is taking a big hit on this in the eyes of the rest of ...

Latest Nanos Poll - Federal Deadlock - Tories 35, Grits 34, NDP 17, Bloc 9, Green 6 (2007-11-14)

• The polls appear very consistant. One poll I saw 3 or 4 days ago gave the Conservatives and the Liberals tied at 32%, but it showed the Green one ...
• Mccuaig I completely agree with you. In comparison with yours, my weak expressions are insignificant. I particularly agree with your references to the NC...
• Doug, you make some good comments on the present political situation in Canada and also some good general political observations. I have some minor ...
• I agree Doug, especially with regards to the relationship between NL and Ottawa. My understanding is that this was not just a run of the mill election prom...

Canadians Support PM/Dalai Lama Meeting - Tibetan Rights Trump Trade with China (SES Research Survey) (2007-10-26)

• Yes, Harper sjhould meet with the Delai Lama. He should meet with any civilized person who wishes to meet with him. If we can't maintain our way of life fo...

Speech from the Throne - Tories Continue "Leadership" Narrative (2007-10-17)

• I didn't see the Throne Speech last evening nor have read it yet this morning, but from what others have said about it I would vote against it if I were Dion...
• Hi kschell "Bernie, perhaps you should read it before you comment" No it's not necessary as I explained I was responding on what others said about it. Si...
• Nik, I meant to write further on the throne speech but after wacthing yesterday's charade I'll just comment on that. I was totally perplexed by the actions o...
• calmecam, I have been following the posts and find myself agreeing with you with nearly everything you say. (and also that of Parnel) It's unfortunate that ...

Canadians want limits on accommodating minorities - SES Research/Policy Options Survey (2007-09-25)

• By definition the term "reasonable accommodation" has its limitations. Having no accommodation would not be reasonable, nor would total accommodation. I wou...
• wilson! This is excellent. I wish I had said that way.
• Bernard I emphatically disagree.
• Bernard "I hope it's not the line "Canadians are peace loving tolerant people and we want to keep it that way." :-)" As you already know, of course not....
• Blossom, I agree. The only area where we ought not to be tolerant is where harm is being done either to an individual or to society. Do what the Romans ...
• Tom, this is a broad topic and it's hard to discuss as is. When it's broken down into individual units, things to comment on re they are tolerant or not woul...
• Blossom, a very good morning to you. I do nearly all my computer work in the AM Again I didn't explain myself clearly. Of course I didn't mean harm in the ...
• Bernard, I detect a lot of negative bias in Mr Winn, if not outright bigotry. I've read several books on Islam. Books by S Huntington, B lewis, M Chaudry, G...
• Hi Blossom, Thanks your correcting me about how the Commission started. It may have been some opposition party member I heard who blamed it on Charest. And a...
• hi parnel. I agree we don't put much emphasis on nationalism. I don't know if that's good or bad. Nationalism taken too far is the chief cause of war. Some...
• Hi Blosom, No, you are not the only. I lose posts too. I can't always blame my computer. sometimes it my big clumsy fingers hitting the wrong key or clic...
• Hi doral and blossom. Forgive me for butting in but this is so interesting I couldn't resist. I may sound self-contradictory here. I am for separation ...
• Hi Blossom We agree on most things and where there are differences we can 'accomodate' the other's point of view. Iv'e been listening to the debates too. ...
• Hi Tom Thanks for the explanation of how things are in BC re the education setup.It seems to be working well for the most part. John Tory leader of the PC...
• Hi doralh It's obvious we have a different philosophy. Yes, your post was a rant. I'm not saying that in a negative way. We'd be better off if there was mor...

Duceppe Provokes Election Showdown (2007-09-22)

• Yes, this is a surprising development. Then again on the other hand not much suprises me. When the decision making resides in the leader of the party and not...

Reading the entrails of the Quebec By-elections (2007-09-16)

• Needless to say, the Liberals and the Bloc were very disappointed about yesterday's results. The Conservatives and NDP are elated. The results were not entir...

Green Party of Canada - Likely the Political Wildcard in the Next Election (2007-08-30)

• More good commentary, Nik,. I agree. Of course, May should be allowed in the debates. She is spokeperson for a large group across the country They should h...
• Hi Tom It seems you write from the viewpoint of 'how things are', whereas I from "the way it should be" Tho, we both crossover sometimes. There are some go...
• An excellent point. And I completely agree.

Jack Layton & the NDP - The Minority Challenge (2007-08-27)

• Nik, I agree with the sentiments expressed in your piece. The NDP under Jack Layton has had an excellent opportunity to advance the cause over the last two ...
• Then the statisrics are not true. Check again the spending of the Mulronet government and the Harris government in Ontario. Free spending Conservative govern...
• Exactly Tom, That's what I was trying to say in my own crude way. The NDP has to define itself, stick to that definition and spread their gospel for all its...
• Hi Blossom, Yes 'meritorious' makes sense. Only convoluted English would distort the meaning. (dictionaries be damned) It should mean "give merit to". I my...
• Unless you provide substantive proof to the contrary, I stand by my original assertion that Harris ran bigger deficits than Rae and the Mulroney ran bigger d...
• A fair response. Yes, I made the first assertion so the onus is on me. I'll see if I can get the info from Stats Canada or from back issues of the Toronto ne...
• Hey, you beat me to it. Those numbers surprised me, except for the last two or three years. I knew things had turned around in the economy by then. I gue...
• Sorry, since it relates to my post, I feel I must respond. Unless you are talking about the few extreme left you are greatly inaccurate. The responsible lef...
• Thanks for the encouragement, Blossom. You write so much better than I. In the furure I should throw the thought out there and let you do the write-up abou...
• kschell: I agree with a lot of what you say. I think the main reason that one of a particular political color gets angry and see the other poitical party ...
• Hi Blosom How do I answer that. First MMP! I have not received anything about it. There is going to be a referendum on it here in Ontario. I am going to ...

New SES Research Poll - Federal Tories and Grits Close - Harper Best PM Advantage Weakens (2007-08-14)

• The cabinet shuffle will not alter voters perceptions to any appreciable degree. They are the same personalities. Many voters can't tell who is in what mini...
• You make an absolutely false comment. Ontario does not always vote Liberal. Provincially They have voted conservative far more than any other party Once th...
• Blossom, I agree with except in one area. That is in our perception of Peter McKay. Most in Atlantic Canada (outside his own riding) see him as a lying, dece...
• I agree Tom, Your living analogy is spot on. There's nothing I could add to your comments.
• Firstly, You did not specify federal or provincial so I said both to cover all bases. What I said is true Federally as well Second if voters vote for the ...
• "This defines the blind loyalty that exists in Ontario for the Liberals, particularly in the GTA .." I would never suggest that Saskatchewans have blind l...
• Tom, I couldn't agree more. Of course the corporations who sell those China-made products here play the game of blaming the Chinese when the products are fou...

New ailment strikes leaders - Nik's Sun Media Column July 31, 2007 (2007-08-01)

• Nik: I have a different perspective, not so much with what you say but with the topic itself. Have you done polls to see what significance voters give to ...
• Hi Tom. High rate of agreement there. "cult of personality" If you read my reply to Blossom you will see what I meant there. I didn't mean that it's not...
• Blosom, my reply to you two days ago has not shown up in this forum so I guess it's flying around in cyberspace somewhere. I'll try again. I didn't contac...
• Tom, just a short note, re the Arctic. I think this is just another charade to gather a few more votes. I don't believe for an second that our sovereingt...
• Hi Blossom I know how you feel. I have done the same. It's especially annoying to me because I type so slowly. Also I sometimes hit post without preview and...
• Hi Tom Yes, the Northwest Passage is a serious issue. It's inside our jurisdiction and it shouldn't be questioned. Does the US seriously contend that? I ...
• Hi Tom, I had forgotten about Wilkins comment. However I think it's bluff. I don't believ the international community would agree with him. On the other h...
• Blossom, they were also barred from going anywhere near where the SPP meeting is to take place. That's where the corporations decide how our society is to b...
• Blossom, I will start with the questions for Dion. I was happy to hear that you would be attending. That should be interesting. Ask him when is he going to...
• Hi Tom. I agree the cancelling of the Arrow was a gigantic boo boo.Anfd he made a couple of more. Also his "single-handed" running of the country was a pers...
• Blossom Dallaire shows such great common sense. He did everything possible to stop the genocide in Ruanda, but no one would listen What he saw and the wor...
• Blossom, You should be writing a column. There is a need for good columnists There's so much that needs to be said and there are not enough good people peop...
• Tom I need much more time to do justice in replying to your comments. . "...a vibrant .economy should allow the "trickle down" effect for the benefit of ...
• Tom, I had not finished the previous post when I hit 'post comment' by mistake then I had to run. Now I'm back again I'll continue. The child poverty rates ...
• Hi, I agree about Wilkins, but he could be a little diplomatic sometimes, when he felt the need. But the previous ambassador Paul Cellucci was the most und...
• Blossom, you have many posts that I need to respond to. However, not at this time, I may be away for a day or two. I can only answer the last one. But I'...
• Blossom How can I reply to that? I can't type that fast. I can't even think that fast :-). Where do I begin? When I die I'll ask you to do my eulogy based ...
• Blossom I did watch "the three Amigos" conference. To me it had the about the same degree of seriousness as The Three Amigos movie. What they said, (the ...
• Hi Blossom Just another short reply to your long comments and as usual I agree with you. I am for free trade too and if it's really free it's also fair. ...

Summer will be serious for PM - Nik's Sun Media Column July 16, 2007 (2007-07-16)

• Hi Nik, What do you mean, "What do you think?" What do I think about your writing a column for Sun Media, or about the current political scene re Harper and...
• Nik, further to yesterday's comments. The two brushfires your mentioned. Yes I agree these appear to be the two biggest concerns for Harper right now. Ho...
• Blossom. We should try to have an enjoyable and peaceful summer. I suspect it may become quite hectic in the fall, especially if an election is called I...
• Hi Tom: I've followed your and Blossom's conversation with interest and I could not resist jumping in. I agree with both of you, not only to content but als...
• Tom, my worst fear has come to be. Dick Cheney as US president, albeit for a short time today. Whlie George was asleep undergoing a colonoscopy the Dick wa...
• An excellent written piece and well thought out. Whichever party uses truth, honesty and comes clean with the voters will win out. I don't think Harper can c...
• Sorry Blossom , the previous post was meant for Smithy. I clicked on the wrong place. I agree with your comments to Smitty, too.

Conservative NASCAR Sponsorship – Likely more risk than political payoff (2007-06-21)

• I just read the article in the Star. I am not familiar with Susan Delacourt but I find the piece a fair discussion of the issue. I agree with Nik's reported...
• I agree Pressman. If they want to win a majority they ought not to antagonize voters in Atlantic Canada and Sask. They ought not to break promises and sign...
• Hi Blossom "Bijou, was a popular name for dogs; for dogs that barked a lot!" A great name for some politicians I know! :-)
• Hi Blossom I agree with the comments you made about the PM. He doesn't seem to have the political astuteness that I thought he might have when he was first ...
• Blossom, as you know I am a harsh critic of the media. You know how they like to claim that they are a mirror of society, that they are the peoples bulwark ...
• Hi Hope I used to want majority governments in my younger idealistic years. I longed for efficiency, but, with experience, I've seen what havoc "efficiency...
• Hi Blossom I'm afraid I can't do justice to your comments. I am such a poor typist. It would take me all day. I think you could crack off a book in a sh...
• Hi Tom I agree with you . I get a chuckle when I hear or read right wing or conservative commentators say a newpaper, radio or TV is left leaning. "left wi...
• Iceman_Aragorn None of us take seriously the rantings of idiots. We are aware they exist everywhere even at least one in BC. Every race and every place has...
• Hi Blossom It is obvious that you put serious thought to how we are governed and others issues. I wish everyone did. If we al did and kept our representat...

Bill Casey and Tory Political Brushfires (2007-06-10)

• I don't know Mr. Casey that well but I believe him. He demostrated the integrity that I would like to see in all politicians. A politicians should dispense ...
• Hi Blossom "I wish we had more heroes, and less despots." Yes, I agree, but we have to remember that hero-worship can lead us down the wrong path too. Y...
• Hi drgmobile I'm afraid I see things in a different light. maybe not from you but from Coyne and Ivison's point of view. I don't know much about Ivison but...
• Hi Blossom I agree with your definition of heros and in the context you use, role models, really I don't mind paying taxes, it's how the government spen...
• Exactly! The crux of the matter. Newfounfland has a long slow burn over Ottawa's not living up its terms of union when NL joined Canada. With justification t...
• But he was correct in what he said.
• Right on, Mike. I don't care too much which party is in power as long as most of their policies are in the public interest. But this Rad-Con group is taki...
• That's not the only promise. But let's deal with that one first. If you are relying on the promise of the government, especially this government, your securi...
• Ken, a good analogy "Captain of the HMS Harper" However rough the voyage has been previous captains have got us through the storms, somehow. Now the "n...

SES National Ballot Tracking (as of May 1) - Liberal-Conservative Dead Heat - Greens Up (2007-05-08)

• It sure looks like Harper will not be calling an election soon; until or unless some unforseen significant event or issue arises. All polls are short ter...
• You may be right. Or is it that you don't believe any poll that doesn't show support for the Conservatives?
• SS1, I don't know much about the Regional Government Scheme. I've never got involved in any discussion about it. Without that knowledge, just on theory, I'd...
• Hi SS1 I thought regional governments were only in the rural areas where several neighbouring communities pooled their services etc. I live in Toronto. I ...
• SwathingScientist1 It's been the same with me. I cannot recall ever been called. I recent years it would not have made any difference. We've adopted a polic...

New SES Research Poll - Canada's Mission in Afghanistan - Obstacle to Harper Majority (2007-05-06)

• The way politicians communicate their message about the issues, namely foreign and domestic may determine whether those priorities take precedence. Judging ...
• Smitty, you compressed the central into a nutshell, and you are exactly right.
• "Let me get this straight" No, Beach Boy: !!! You got it wrong on all three counts. That we have our opinion because of party affiliation.; that the medi...
• James, you shouldn't imply that those who oppose our bieng in Afghanistan do not understand the "mission". It's because we understand it so well that we op...
• Well said, SwathingScientist1. One can accumulate quite a lot of wisdom in 7 decades. It's wise to pass it on to those who would listen.
• To try to compare our being in Afghanistan with the World War 1 and/or 2 is ridiculous. There is absolutely no basis for comparison.. It's leadership t...
• Most of your comments about the media we can agree on. You must have read my previous comments on how I view the media. I don't watch much TV. I never watch ...
• Yes, the Taliban are criminals. What do we do in civilized societies with a criminal? Does one member of our society go and kill him with a big stick? No, ...
• I also believe we should allow people (as many as feasible) whether they have any education or financial resources, for humanity sake, if they are in dire st...
• NNL. I certainly agree with those comments and you've expressed them better than I could.
• Candace, we are in Afghanistan because Geaorge Bush wanted us to go in, Martin was too chicken to say no. NATO is an adjunct of the US. It should have di...
• I'm not too fast, Tom, in fact I'm rather slow. :-) And you are right, it depends on what side of the fence you are on. I choose to be on the right side....
• I must say I don't see any of the negative things that I hear others talk about re immigrants or immigration. I am just not aware of it. It's not that I'...
• "I have absolutely no idea where you come up with your arguments" Candace, I was about to ask you the same thing. You seem to think that I said Georg...
• Top o' the mornin' to ya. I find myself agreeing with you, even when I have a different perspective. I guess because of different experiences. Yes, Castro'...
• "...greater numbers are accommodated in the government sponsored refugee catagory where they are given welfare at a higher dollar figure than Canadian pen...
• "WOW----Bernie, your last paragraph would open up a hornets nest." Ha Ha Yes, that would be a real mess wouldn't it. Well it was just a rhetorical or spec...
• Blossom, did you buy your computer at Wal-mart's? Just kidding. We avoid them like the plague. They have too much money. Money gives power and they use t...
• Yes, Wal-Mart like most big companies can get away with a lot of things. Our governments should be more pro-active and see that these companies don't impose ...
• Thank you, Blossom. I think we both agree on how we should treat other human beings. I think we should treat them with respect. Unless or until they give u...
• Hi startrooper, Sorry I didn't get back to you before. I was unable to log in to nikonthenumbers for a couple of weeks. I certainly agree with you and yo...
• Hi Blossom. I am happy to be back. I couldn't login for a couple of weeks. Everything is OK now. And I see there is a new topic. I will be busy for a littl...

New SES Research Poll - BQ supporters would Tilt to Tories and NDP (2007-04-17)

• I don't feel qualidied to make a credible comment on Quebec politics and even more so on such a hypothetical question. From the little I do know, I feel th...
• I totally agree. What Harper says now has no bearing on what he believes. That's just an attempt to get a majority. His true beliefs are those revealed as h...
• Hi Tom There were three excellent articles on the Opinion page of the Toronto Star today.. Hope you have access to them. One by Gordon Laxer an economist f...
• Hi Blossom I was here biding my time, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for Nik to give us a new topic. I agree with everything you said. Yes, Harper is alread...
• Unfortunately Blosssom, as individuals we don't have much impact except in rare cases. But we have to keep trying. There are a lot of others who feel like w...

SES Research Poll - Comfort with Harper Majority - Support/Opposition to Election Call (2007-04-12)

• Ans. # 1. I support. Ans, # 2. yes. Two reasons why I want an election. One is to see exactly where Canadians stand. An election is the only poll I b...

SES Research Poll - Best PM - Harper 42%, Dion 17%, Layton 16% (2007-04-10)

• Right on, Tom. I have been following that SPP deal but it's hard to get anything on it. The press is hopeless in that respect The covert operations going on...
• Thanks, Tom. Actually I watch CPAC and get their schedule. I am not a big TV viewer. I am very selective in my viewing. Most of what I see is on CPAC, CBC,...
• "Libs.........shift back from the left" WHAT? Why do you think they were voted out of office?. The latter part of Chretien's reign they were moving too ...
• Ron, Only a select secretive few know what's going on with SPP., and they are not telling us. Not only do lots of Canadians not know that, many Canadians kn...
• We don't know if SPP is a 'red herring' because we don't know the nature of the discussions, since they are in secret we have every right to be suspicious. O...
• Hi Blossom Generaly speaking, when people get informed, when they know the truth, they make the right decisions. When they know the truth they do not allo...
• Tom, what you say about the Arctic is true. They never heard of the Arctic in Ottawa until it was brought to their attention by corporations who saw an oppo...
• Hi Blossom, Thanks for the kind words. I just ry to express my opinions as best as I can. ometimes it doesn't come out exactly as I would like. I don't kn...
• Tom I know an Australian who came from the hot country and married an Inuit and lives in Nain (the most northerly community in NL. Don't ask me how he was ...
• Yes, I think your bet is quite safe
• Sorry to butt in. I agree with both of you. Tom, you mentioned NATO, one of my pet peeves. When the Soviet Union broke up and the Warsaw Pact dispanded why ...
• Blossom you have a great understanding of the issues. I wish I wish you had voice to address all voters and help them all see the light.
• Hi Tom, books I read 40 years ago. You have good tast in reading. The Afghan, Pakistan border is an artificial drawn by westerners. It means nothing to t...
• Fuzzy, as far as I am concerned, you are welcome to butt in at any time, Even if your argument is fuzzy, even if your think a viewpoint different from your o...

Federal Grits Drop in Quebec – Tories Still Short of Majority (2007-04-08)

• " the Tories still short of majority" What a happy thought to start off Easter Sunday morning. A Conservative majority is the last thing we want. As long as...
• nps, I agree. In minority governments there is less tendency for dictatorial governance, there is greater chance of stopping a PM from making a disasterous ...
• When I say Conservatives I am talking about Stephen Harper and that bunch of Rad-Cons that surround him. Conservatism is a legitimate political philosophy. W...
• e guye See my reply to platty.
• Yes, I think you are probably right. I was not trying to say that Dion's fortunes will rise in Quebec soon. What I was trying to do is get inside Harper's ...
• e guye. I disagree. The effects of adscam was not a big deal in the rest of Canada. It was most significant in Quebec. No one ever claimed it was the provi...
• Thanks Bloss, Yes, I agree with sometimes it gets depressing and you have to get away from it for a while. I do that too, to recharge my batteries. I can't...

New SES Research Poll - Likely Impact of Federal Budget on Harper and Charest in Quebec (2007-03-19)

• Tom, you express MY opinion exactly. Many times I don't reply to your comments because, first you have already said it and second, you say it so much better,...

Nuclear Power - Is it part of our future or past? (2007-03-10)

• Is nuclear power part of our energy future? I hope not. The potential for disaster is too great and maybe a greater concern is what do we do with waste. I...
• yes bloss, I agree. The dangers are too great. And the longer we hitch our wagon to non-renewables and dangerous sources, the longer we will delay utilizing ...
• "A comparison of deaths to coal miners, pollution from any fossil fuel, smog effects from fossil fuels, etc. etc. against the problem of nuclear waste dispo...
• As long as we makes excuses for using nuclear or fossil fuels we delay using sources that are clean renewable and sustainable. "The Candu reactor which is u...
• A wonderful thought. That's the attitude we should all have. It's especially so for essentials like clean air, water and food. and also for basic necessitie...
• I agree with you , except that we shouold not use nuclear generated energy as source.
• Tom , I can't fully agree with you. We may not have to use nuclear generated energy. I want to ban it completely. One is because of the danger of accidents c...

The Green Party: Political Force or Political Phantom? (2007-03-04)

• To answer the last question first. Yes. Elizabeth May should have evry right to advertize her policies as well as Harper, Dion, Duceppe or Layton. The Greens...
• Hi blos. There are a couple of things I don't see the same as you. I don't see the Green Party as a wild card. And I most certainly don't agree with te...
• I found your comments the most intelligent and useful I've read so far. I agree 100%
• It's a conservative mind that shuts off when listening to someone with a different viewpoint from oneself. If you listen to Elizabeth I cannont understandhow...
• I don't know what you mean by"the media elite of the golden triangle". If there is such an animal I'm sure it's conservative. and they would be much more res...
• "It's OK to disagree...otherwise we would all stay stagnant!" hi blos Yes and also dull and boring. Your points are well taken. I can tolerate min...
• I've never heard of such a rule I thought it was the Party leaders who debated , not necessarily MPs. One can have a party leader before he/she gets elected....
• Well said. I agree completely. I only wish I could have expressed it as well.

SES-University at Buffalo Poll of Canadians and Americans - Americans Keen on Co-operation with Canada (2007-02-26)

• Pressman, I agree. You've expressed it better than I could. These are three separate issues and require separate and maybe different answers. An understandi...
• I am in favour of cooperation but not integration. (If it means what I think it does) However I have apprehension as to what cooperation would be like with t...
• I must agree with you, Tom. There are many more examples our 'cooperation' is to our detriment. I especially agree with your last statement. It's probably...
• Yes I am very concerned but I will not let that concern interfer with my decisions to make sure our policies are in the best interests of Canadians. We must ...
• I hadn't read that last paragraph carefully before. On re-reading it I have some questions. Where was that poll? Who did the polling and what was the nature...
• Your response is appreciated. The narrowness of a context can enfluence the replies to the poll. I would like to know the age, education and other characteri...
• It's OK, Nik. I'm satisfied with your answer. You may may detected that I may be overly cynical from my previous posts. I am when it come to politicians an...
• Yes, I agree. It should generate a lot of commentary. My original thought was that this topic would be useful at any later time and on a long term ongoing a...
• Hi bloss Thanks. Don't you agree we have every right to be sceptical?

Influence of Quebec Provincial Election (2007-02-20)

• I don't have much faith in polls predicting political results and I don't have faith in any ability I may have seeing into the future either. However ju...
• From Ontario, I support Harper's $ 350 million (I wish it was more) for Quebec if it's used to protect and enhance the environment. It will help Quebec wit...
• I watched Charest deliver his message yesterday. I thought it was a politically smart program. He didn't leave much that an opposition could jump on and make...

Harper Scores on CPAC-SES Leadership Report Card (2007-02-12)

• Leadership! What a useless characteristic for a politician. It may be fine in the private arena but never in politics. A politician is a public servant (the ...
• Harper vealed hinself to me a long time ago, as head of the National Citizens Coalition and reinforced by things he said and did as he tried to organize the...
• Blossom, I agree with you. I have faith in the majority of the average citixen. I think they will make the best decision in the long term, although they ...

Federal Dead Heat - SES Research Poll Completed February 8 (2007-02-09)

• I have little faith in any of them, SES included. Even when they say that they have been nearly accurate, it is them saying it. I don't see independent evi...
• As I said before, I don't pay much attention to polls. The situation is very volatile. It could change a lot in a short time. "the Conservatives up in Queb...
• Two swallows don't make a summer!
• Only the uneducated will believe them.Thank heavens, the majority see through them. Even when I agree with a party's policies if that party uses "attack ads"...
• I agree. When neither of the two parties are providing good government then why not look to a third or fourth. The media is notorious for not paying due atte...
• I think Rona Ambrose was ineffective as Environment minister, but John Baird is a lot worse. He's too beligerent. I saw him at the Senate Committee on the E...
• Right on, Mike. Too many think that the economy is everything not realizing that it is just a small part of the environment. It cannot function without a via...

Wajid Khan and Changing Political Stripes (2007-01-16)

• I am not a slave to the party system. I vote for the individual who will best represent my interests, regardless of the party. If a politician ...

Environment as an Issue - Is it over-hyped? (2007-01-08)

• No, it is not over-hyped. All other issues are predicated on it.

Harper Cabinet Recalibration - Will it make a difference? (2007-01-04)

• It's just window dressing. Harper will do what he thinks will help him win a majority. If that happens, watch out. The true colours will be revealed.

What is the Paul Martin Legacy? (2006-11-30)

• Paul Martin was a disaster for the Liberal Party. Before he was chosen as Liberal leader I wrote the party and warned them not to select Martin as their lead...

What Canadians like and dislike about the Liberal Party of Canada (2006-11-23)

• The political parties are an impediment to democracy. They don't understand the purpose of government.They are more intersested in the party or the party's "...