It’s been quite a week. What should have been the launch of the Harper “good management of the economy” fiscal update ended up teetering the government on the brink of defeat.
Considering that the last election was called by Stephen Harper to end a dysfunctional parliament, it would be fair to say that the Prime Minister himself in this instance has poisoned the well.
The initial announcement to cancel the financial funding for political parties, based on the votes garnered in the federal election, effectively sideswiped what should have been a good communications week for the Harper Conservatives. Although the initiative itself is red meat for the Conservative core vote, it really is hard to tell how this could be considered a growth strategy for the Harper Conservatives. Instead, it appears to be aimed at weakening the opposition parties for Conservative political gain. It is little wonder that the opposition parties have cried foul.
Coming out of the last federal election with a strengthened mandate in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister’s post election remarks suggested that co-operation and problem solving would be the hallmarks of the next session of parliament. His first move in his second mandate reveals that he is looking to continue the divide and conquer strategy of his first mandate.
His withdrawal of the funding cancellation and delay of the confidence motion to December 8th is an acknowledgement by the PM he has overplayed his hand this time. Instead of dividing he had united the opposition parties around a common resistance to the government and likely given them a united platform to proactively attack the Conservatives on their proposed management of the economy.
Beyond quickly reversing the political funding decision and delaying the confidence motion to avoid defeat, it is hard to tell what will happen next. The Conservatives cannot govern without the opposition parties either capitulating or being divided. He has now given them resolve and temporarily, at least, united the opposition.
The latest Nanos national poll conducted earlier this month showed a tighter post-election race between the Conservatives and the Liberals, with Liberal, NDP and Green party support all up. Likewise, Canadians are in a dour mood on the economic prospects for 2009.
The risk, however, is not likely just for the Conservatives but also for the opposition parties. As Canadians worry about their job security, their savings and the future, they will likely punish the party or leader that plays politics in this time of economic turmoil.
What do you think about was has happened and what will happen?
Cheers,
NJN
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Here is the bottomline I do not want any NDP or Liberals running the country whe... more
Made In Canada Only (British Columbia) 01 Dec 02:51
Nik. I must say I am a bit surprised by your honesty and candor in this report. ... more
larryl (Ontario) 01 Dec 09:21
Is everyone else living in a dreamworld? The so-called "loyal" opposition part... more
Taylor Cutforth (Ontario) 01 Dec 02:54
Hi Larryl - Nik here (the pollster) - Thanks for the post - and for saying that ... more
(moderator) 01 Dec 09:38
titans...patience you will have a stroke. You will get your chance in 6 weeks... more
hollinm (Saskatchewan) 05 Dec 20:41
Nik, Can't wait for the next Nanos poll. I'm willing to bet that it is likely... more
RonaldODowd (Ontario) 14 Dec 20:05
Comments
Albertosaurus
I couldn't agree more what your assessment. Harper has completely overplayed his hand.
Another important consideration, I think, is for Harper's own future as leader. Its my belief that his leadership is substantially more tenuous than people believe. Media and political watchers (myself included) love to complain about/commend/idolize/demonize/dissect/write fan lit about the tight control Harper exerts over his caucus. People - and MPs and grassroots organizers are, after all, people - resent being tightly controlled.
We've also seen just how deep the divide between the policy positions Harper has taken and the policy wishes of his party's base truly is. This was made particularly clear two weeks ago in Winnipeg.
I believe that the grass roots and caucus members of the Conservative party put up with Harper only because of his "legendary" tactical brilliance. He keeps them in power, and as long as he does, they'll tolerate him. The instant he starts to slip though, his leadership is not just in danger, but almost certain to die. I believe we could be witnessing the beginning of the end of Harper not just as PM, but as leader of the Conservatives.
______
http://albertosaurustalks.blogspot.com
[updated Mon Dec 01 01:24:03 EST 2008]
01 Dec 01:24
11 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
Tom Good
Personally, I am most disappointed with Harper's actions as I rightly expected him to do everything in his power to make this parliament work. He asked for the job and he got it. He is peeved that HE did not get the majority that he believes he so rightly deserved. He almost seems to reject the fact that the opposition was elected by the same voter. He is in a position to make mischief like a naughty kid but, like those petulent kids, he will get his knucles rapped which just happened and he has had to reverse his behaviour. I wonder if historians will refer to Harper as "The Fox of the House" rather than the respected statesman he could have become. I suggest Harper has lost more than just this week in the House. Earlier I said that with this election, Harper was the best choice and, obviously, my decision was faulty.---I also said earlier that parliament would probably not function as it should until after both major parties had replaced their leaders and one party is in that process now.
[updated Mon Dec 01 01:35:09 EST 2008]
01 Dec 01:35
36 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
larryl
Tom. None of this would be happening if the CPC had been given a majority. I still believe they did things in the last week of the campaign to make sure they didn't get that majority. They can now do exactly what they wanted to do which is to destroy the opposition . They are in a no lose position .
[updated Mon Dec 01 09:33:19 EST 2008]
01 Dec 09:33
Tom Good
Larryl: I agree that the conservatives would like the opposition to disappear but that is up to the electorate and where they place their votes. Admittedly, the Con's antics for the Quebec scene backfired although it may have resonated with their core Conservatives as likely does their minor move of trying to cut poltical funding to all parties -----that federal funding for political parties was designed to limit corporate funding thus limit corporate influence in the political process---excellent in my mind unless we want to be like United States.
[updated Mon Dec 01 15:25:58 EST 2008]
01 Dec 15:25
larryl
Tom. If the opposition is bankrupted by these measures and another election campaign, the CPC will have accomplished their main goal . They will be the ruling party for years to come with no viable alternative. Harper slipped up by pushing them so far they have no option but to form a coalition. By taking away funding they are dead so they might as well go down fighting for their lives. He has even aggravated some of his supporters as we have seen by Ronald's cross over to the Liberals . Our little group might be ahead of the masses that will sooner or later figure out how dangerous Harper really is.
[updated Mon Dec 01 16:28:25 EST 2008]
01 Dec 16:28
Tom Good
Larryl: Nothing is forever in politics and no matter what we may say, there is always something that comes up to set a new precedent. I think of Diefenbaker coming to power without any support from Quebec---unheard of. Mulroney leaving Kim Campbell with two seats--unheard of. We now have had a series of minority governments---unheard of. With the two major government parties throughout Canadian history there has been been "wave action" if you wish---the ups and downs of political fortunes. Most importantly, it is the electorate who will decide who to favour with their vote and party stalwarts seem to forget the impression their political theatre does or does not make on the usually unaffiliated voter.
[updated Mon Dec 01 17:59:44 EST 2008]
01 Dec 17:59
larryl
Tom. Could this be the impetus needed to get people off their butts and vote. I am surprised that Duceppe has signed on to this agreement and I am anxious to see what Quebecers will do with him supporting Dion as P.M. I expect Harper will prorogue parliament and need our experts to let us know if that will save him until he brings in a new budget.This is the biggest mess we have ever seen and was deliberately done by Harper . Better fill out an application for your new passport before the lineups form.
[updated Mon Dec 01 18:16:53 EST 2008]
01 Dec 18:16
Tom Good
Larryl: I respect Duceppe the man but not his political stance. Too bad he is not in one of the major parties as, to me, he appears to have integrity. Yes, Harper has knowingly taken the action to create this mess when he could have piloted this minority government along for probably full term if he had wanted to be a STATESMAN. I say Harper knowingly prompted this mess as he is not stupid. With our unstable government could we be referred to as "Italy of the West" ? At least there have been no fist fights in the aisles of the House of Commons yet as this political theatre unfolds at our expense----and I surely resent that.
[updated Mon Dec 01 19:50:30 EST 2008]
01 Dec 19:50
larryl
Tom. If we knew Harper's real motives we might understand why he took these steps. I believe he wants to break up the country. Why is a mystery. What happened back when he was a young Liberal to turn him into a seperatist?He was 22 in 1981 when the NEP supposedly destroyed Alberta's economy. Could he have lost everything he had and still hold the east responsible for that . Revenge does strange things to some people. Do they have fist fights in the Italian parliament. I thought they would be more likely to switch sides before the fighting started. Canadians are much too polite to get into brawls unless they have a hockey stick in hand. Never hold a session of parliament in a hockey arena. The carnage would be horrendous. Hey that might not be such a bad idea.
[updated Mon Dec 01 20:45:30 EST 2008]
01 Dec 20:45
Tom Good
Larryl: There are all sorts of extreme undercurrents that we see on this blog----they are not politically all encompassing as they should be in a federation. The positive route is to try to make the federation work for the benefit of all rather than fighting like spoiled children as it seems to be in the House at the moment. Certainly, there have been injustices in the past but we can do nothing about that and history depends on who writes it. What we can do is to remove injustices by being part of the political process for the future rather than threatening separation or cutting off sections of the country we happen to think we do not like.
There has always been the tension between the West and the Ontario-Quebec axis but that is slowly changing today with the emerging economic clout of the West. There was and still is the perception that Ontario controls Canada. There is the perception that Quebec has received undue benefits within the federation and they should be cut adrift until they suggest that may be a viable option and all hell breaks loose. There is that dinosaur the Senate that, in my opinion, should first abolished in the morning then a regionally ELECTED representative Senate established in the afternoon---similar to the US Senate. There is my favourite issue of representation by population which is terribly unjust in Canada today where the Atlantic provinces are over represented by 10 MPs and Alberta and BC are under represented by 10 MPs. It is much more reasonable to work from within to resolve these issues. I want Canada to grow and prosper as a united entity. I want the governance of Canada to evolve into a modern representative democracy where voting is equal and fair. Canada is a mighty fine country today and it did not get that way with a bunch of bumbling idiots as some imply------we have been fortunate to have had mighty reasonable governments that have allowed us to live in rather enviable conditions compared to the rest of the world.
[updated Mon Dec 01 22:12:03 EST 2008]
01 Dec 22:12
JamesH
I think Harper did what he did because he thought he could get away with finally getting to work on his real agenda, e.g. taking away workers' rights, preventing pay equity, using the public purse to attack the opposition (notice he didn't try to reduce the tax credits for political donations, which would save far more money than the vote subsidy). Harper is an arrogant bully whose first instinct is to extract revenge on anyone who stands between him and his agenda. And like all bullies, he has finally revealed his true cowardice by proroguing Parliament.
[updated Thu Dec 04 14:20:35 EST 2008]
04 Dec 14:20
hollinm
Hi Tom:
As I said in my posting I am so angry with Harper I could spit.
He keeps wanting to walk to the abyss and peer over it. He has done that since he was elected leader. In 2004, 2006 and now 2008 he made stupid comments which caused no end of grief for the party and its supporters during the elections.
Now he has gone too far and it is only the GG that will save his government if she is inclined. Given the apparent unity of the opposition parties it would seem the end result is inevitable.
However, normally when there is a coalition proposed it is the official opposition and one other party who have the number of seats that exceed the government. This coalition, if it is to be stable and survive, needs the support of the Separatist party as well.
Knowing it is the intent of the Separatists to break up the country and to make demands which could cause irreparable harm throughout the country causing further instability she could elect to allow the government to continue until a budget is presented. Given the Xmas break this is a short period of time and this would allow Harper and his government to gain the confidence of the House once again if that is possible.
Despite this it is undemocratic to have opposition parties trying to gain indirectly what they could not get directly from the electorate. An election is the best outcome for the country.
[updated Mon Dec 01 21:45:27 EST 2008]
01 Dec 21:45
Tom Good
Hollinm:--Yes, Harper has messed up and here I keep saying he is an excellent tactician but unfortunately I am finding out he surely is lacking in some leadership traits especially in Canada where "compromise" within the federation for generations has been synonymous with good stable government.
I am with Ignatieff and do not think this "coalition" with Dion in the chair will go anywhere. If I am correct, Duceppe is not part of the coalition except he has agreed to work with it for a time period and not pull the plug. The Liberal heirarchy and caucus was weak kneed when they allowed Dion to still sit as leader. This current scenario was anticipated and why they ever allowed Dion to stay is beyond me. Complication upon complication.
I have a feeling you may be right in regards to the Govenor General saying "cool it" until the budget. Maybe Harper and the opposition may have learned something new over the Christmas period but do not hold your breath.
[updated Mon Dec 01 22:36:48 EST 2008]
01 Dec 22:36
hollinm
Tom:
While I agree with you the fact is that whether it was this economic update or the next budget or whatever, Layton/Duceppe have been conspiring to remove Harper for sometime. Harper gave them the excuse and when they had their deal they were able to bring the Liberals on side because they were fighting for their financial survival.
Dion will be a terrible prime minister and the people of Canada will have to watch for the next 6 mos. as this guy stumbles and bumbles his way through. Who knows how it will work out but it is certainly destablizing the country at a time when all the focus needs to be on the economy.
I think you underestimate the power that Duceppe will have. He will have to agree to every piece of legislation whether a confidence matter or not. If he does not think it benefits Quebec he will refuse and Dion/Layton will capitulate because they want to retain power. That is a lot of power to put in the hands of a party whose soul reason for existence is the break up of the country.
What happens if the three stooges spend billions of dollars to stimulate the economy and it remains mired in recession because the U.S. remains in recession and are not buying our goods.
We could see our debt load increased massively, inflation come back and interest rates move up. How is that good for the country? Bob Rae tried to spend himself out of recession and we saw where that landed Ontario. They are still trying to dig themselves out from all the debt.
[updated Tue Dec 02 06:41:40 EST 2008]
02 Dec 06:41
Tom Good
Hollinm: We would not be in this mess if Harper had done the job he applied for. If the coalition does come into play, then it will be the job of the opposition to keep them on the straight and narrow---that opposition will be the Conservatives and I am sure they will not be lacking for words. On the other hand, why worry about something that may never happen.
[updated Tue Dec 02 11:58:27 EST 2008]
02 Dec 11:58
hollinm
Tom Good: The opposition will have little power to stop anything and will get little attention from the media.
If the majority in the House supports legislation and the Liberal dominated Senate simply rubber stamps it whether it is good for the country will be inmaterial.
If the coalition goes through the Bloc will think they have won the lottery. All that power to ensure that Canada does not function properly and can push their separation agenda without a problem.
[updated Tue Dec 02 13:45:02 EST 2008]
02 Dec 13:45
Tom Good
Hollinm: The policies of the Bloc are one thing and what the electorate of Quebec want is more than likely not the same thing. The Quebec provincial legislature distribution of parties does not line up with the federal distribution of parties. Their provincial election in a couple of weeks should be interesting to see if the mess in the H of C and the proposed coalition spills over into the provincial election and skews the results.
There have been uniquely provincial parties before although none , except the Bloc, supported separation but they have been protest parties. There was the United Farmers Party of Alberta, Socreds of Alberta that spread to BC in 1952 and to Quebec around that time, the roots of Reform were in Alberta and now Saskatchewan has a home grown party in office. I believe the CCF had its roots in Saskatchewan and were rather vilified at the time. The West has done quite well so what is so upsetting about Quebec having its home grown protest party ? Danny Williams, a Conservative ?, was protesting loudly and clearly in the last federal election and now, that they are oil wealthy, possibly they wish to rejoin the United Kingdom but I very much doubt it----all their absentee votes will be in Alberta--Ho Ho.
The protests have been directed at Ottawa and possibly the dominance / indifference of Ontario on the Canadian political scene but even that is changing. To my knowledge, the only provinces not to protest have been the Maritimes who have political influence well beyond their population numbers and have been the recipients of federal largesse.
[updated Tue Dec 02 14:48:33 EST 2008]
02 Dec 14:48
hollinm
larryl.... this scenario is absolutely great for Duceppe. It is all love and kisses now but the demands will come and whether its in the best interest of Canada or not the Libs and NDP are so desperate to retain power they will agree to virtually anything.
As for proroguing parliament Harper needs the approval of the GG. Would she grant it who knows? She may think this is Quebec's time to get everything they have being asking for and so will deny the proroguing of parliament. I hope I am wrong. Its a crap shoot I would suggest.
[updated Mon Dec 01 21:33:59 EST 2008]
01 Dec 21:33
Lex Llewdor
I've seen pundits dsuggest that the best course of action for the Conservatives now would be for Harper to ask the Governor General to offer the office of Prime Minister to Dion. It would look statesman-like, and it would force this inherently unstable coalition to try to govern for a short while.
However, I don't think that would be good for the country. With this economic crisis, I think the worst thing that could happen would be to have this coalition in power. So, here's what I think Harper should do (and keep in mind I mostly like Harper as PM).
First, he should explain this whole plan to the GG, because she's more likely to co-operate if she understands it. Then, he should ask her to prorogue parliament. This keeps the coalition's socialist paws off the economy until the new administration down south can firm things up.
Then, he should resign. By immediately stepping down as CPC leader, Harper would be demonstrating that his motives for proroguing are not as attempt for him to hold onto power. He could explain (in a televised address - the PM can do that) that Canada needs sensible governance, and right now the best government is an inactive one. And then he leaves.
So then we have some other CPC MP as PM (temporarily) while we wait for parliament to come back next year - when it's safe.
[updated Tue Dec 02 14:09:15 EST 2008]
02 Dec 14:09
elf
Tom Good - takes a big guy to recognise he has made an error in judgement - Harper has made errors and should step down - we all make mistakes but most of us have the common courtesy to admit the mistake and do something to change things - Harper is a disappointment - I am not a Harperite at all however I was prepared to accept he had a minority and I was prepared to give him a fair shot - Like other Libs though we were watching and noticing all the mis-steps he has made - the many times he has told a lie to get himself off the hook in the house or on TV - but the last straw was the idea that he could destroy our democracy by cutting all funding to his opposition - the man MUST step down -
[updated Wed Dec 03 14:44:22 EST 2008]
03 Dec 14:44
Tom Good
Elf:--I agree with your position regarding Harper----he must go as he is becoming or has become as big a threat to Canadian unity as anything that has come out of the separatist camp in Quebec. I only regret that the Liberals did not have enough common sense to allow caucus to choose a leader under these unusual circumstances and get Dion out too as he is an albatross about the neck. This current situation was predicted within 24 hours of Dion's decision to stay as leader until the leadership convention.
[updated Wed Dec 03 15:16:45 EST 2008]
03 Dec 15:16
elf
tom good - keep your fingers crossed - things will turn out the right way - it's karma - the law of cause and effect - That's where Harper is now he has mmade certain choices and is haveing to deal with the result of those whoices - his intentions have not been honest and that's why he is getting all this opposition. Mr Dion may be a bit of an odd ball and not strong but he is inherently a good man and ultimately right is might !!
[updated Wed Dec 03 17:26:38 EST 2008]
03 Dec 17:26
Tom Good
Elf:---I agree that Dion is essentially an honest, decent man but he is a disaster as a politician. The events of the last week suggest to me that Harper is a greater threat to Canadian unity than anything that has come out of the separatist camp in many a long year.
[updated Wed Dec 03 21:25:43 EST 2008]
03 Dec 21:25
elf
yes Tom you're right however, unless he resigns forthwith, he is the leader. My hope now is that when they get back the Coalition will be better pulled together and when that no confidence vote fails to get Harper what he wants - that the GG will decide not go to the polls but will l then give the others a chance. She can't be seen to be too partisan and really has to lean towards taking the advice of the PM - this way she gives the Opposition a chance to pull together better - there will no doubt that Harper will want to go to the polls if he loses the vote, then he will be back before the GG and then she will have to make another decision.
[updated Thu Dec 04 15:56:36 EST 2008]
04 Dec 15:56
Whiff of power overwhelms Liberal reservations about Dion as PM
Monday 1st December 2008.
Whiff of power overwhelms Liberal reservations about Dion as PM
Joan Bryden, THE CANADIAN PRESS Joan Bryden December 1, 2008
OTTAWA - The tantalizing prospect of regaining power proved stronger for Liberals than their reservations about handing the country’s reins to Stephane Dion.
The normally fractious Liberal caucus gave unanimous support Monday to a proposal to defeat Stephen Harper’s minority Tory regime and replace it with a Grit-NDP coalition, propped up by the Bloc Quebecois. The deal would install Dion as prime minister for five months, until his successor is chosen in a May 2 Liberal leadership vote.
According to insiders who attended a closed-door caucus briefing on the deal, MPs and senators were pumped about forming a new government but less enthusiastic about having Dion run it, even temporarily.
Indeed, when Dion at one point argued that he’s the most experienced choice to fill the prime minister’s shoes, there were quiet groans from some Liberals who blame his inept leadership for the party’s drubbing in the Oct. 14 election.
While most MPs and senators gave Dion a standing ovation for his role in negotiating the coalition deal, a number pointedly remained glued to their chairs.
But whatever doubts remained, caucus members kept them to themselves after the three contenders vying to succeed Dion - Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae and Dominic LeBlanc - rose one after the other to offer their full support for the plan.
"After those people give the signal, who the hell is going to say no?" said one disgusted MP of the love-in that ensued.
The MP said his colleagues swallowed their reservations so they could begin courting favour with the current and future leaders who’ll be handing out coveted cabinet positions.
Other Liberals privately agreed with that cynical assessment.
"They’re all gung-ho because there are 18 cabinet positions and 18 parliamentary secretaries (to be appointed)," said a caucus member.
"You’ve taken care of 36 of 77 (Liberal MPs). That’s almost half."
Another caucus member added simply: "The majority (of Liberals) like the idea of power."
In private meetings with his would-be successors prior to the briefing, Dion essentially promised all three they’ll be included in his cabinet. An insider said he told the candidates he couldn’t imagine forming a cabinet without including three of the brightest lights on the Liberal bench.
His virtual promise is surprising given that Dion wouldn’t allow any declared candidates to play a role in his shadow cabinet on the theory that they couldn’t devote their full energies to being critics while campaigning across the country. Moreover, Dion didn’t want to inadvertently help or hinder any candidates by assigning roles that might not be equal in importance or profile.
Ignatieff, Rae and LeBlanc all maintained Monday that being in cabinet should pose no challenge for leadership candidates. Their strategists suggested the dual roles might even make the contest more collegial and civil.
The collegiality of Monday’s caucus meeting may have been partially due to the fact that all three leadership contenders stressed that Dion has assured them he will hand over the reins of power to his successor on May 2. That assuaged fears among some Liberals that Dion might be using the coalition as a pretext to cling to office indefinitely.
Going into the caucus briefing, there was some open unease with the prospect of Prime Minister Dion and even with the whole idea of defeating the Harper government.
Toronto MP Jim Karygiannis said "a lot of my constituents" are saying Dion should go. He also complained that MPs had been kept out of the loop on the coalition negotiations.
Judy Sgro, another Toronto MP, said she was hoping that Harper would avert a crisis by offering additional measures to stimulate the flagging economy, as demanded by the three opposition parties.
"I would suggest that Mr. Harper should be reaching out and saying, ’Let’s sit down all of us as parliamentarians and see if we can find a solution to the current problems we have on behalf of Canada,’ " said Sgro.
She said her preference was for a negotiated solution even if it meant allowing the Conservatives to remain in office.
"We’ve got to do what’s right for Canada," she insisted.
Still, both Sgro and Karygiannis said they’d live with whatever caucus decided, and by the end of the briefing it appeared that the discipline of power was already taking hold.
"You know what? Caucus spoke. It’s immaterial what I think," said Karygiannis.
==============================================
Be proud of your party. Stand up and salute the fascists.
[updated Thu Dec 04 16:00:47 EST 2008]
04 Dec 16:00
Tom Good
Elf: This "recess" is a blessing for the Liberals if they have the guts to act and move the leadership race up to the second week of January under "extraordinary circumstances". After January 28 and the presentation of the budget with the likely non-confidence vote, Canadian acceptance of Dion's leadership of the following Coalition or Dion's leadership of the Liberals in the following General Election would be a disaster as we saw in the last General Election. Dion has to go pronto.
Now, if the Conservatives have the guts to act in the "recess" and get rid of Harper, then this constitutional crisis will be defused and we will be able to turn away from a constitutional crisis that Harper has turned into a unity crisis for political advantage. I fear he has already done a lot of damage in the province of Quebec and, no doubt, that damage will be reflected in the Quebec provincial election results in the coming week.
I have always suggested there was an element of uncertainty holding Harper back from attaining a majority and that "feeling" has been justified with the events in the current new parliament. (This uncertainty was recognized by the Cons too when they had Harper try to change his image with the "sweater") I was more than willing to give Harper a chance but he has failed miserably to become the Statesman he could have become. I cannot understand how Harper so ruthlessly blew his chances of the leadership of Canada and stirred up an unnecessary unity issue. I wonder how historians will view his tenure in the House of Commons ? Are there some similarities with Diefenbaker who was almost paranoid at the end of his tenure ?
[updated Thu Dec 04 17:23:01 EST 2008]
04 Dec 17:23
The public have passed judgement on DION and Harper. The fact Dion is hated and incompetent is evident.
Your hate for the CPC namely Harper is also a fact. Too bad the "losers" don't get to decide on the leaders of the CPC.
The CPC don't get to choose you next leader, so fix your party and try a class in ethics.
[updated Fri Dec 05 04:39:28 EST 2008]
05 Dec 04:39
Tom Good
Informed----Try to be constructive.
[updated Fri Dec 05 12:19:42 EST 2008]
05 Dec 12:19
Are you a liberal staffer who will lose your job?
Why do you think the opposition can't raise money from Canadians? Really
They are corrupt and the public refuse to open their wallets to donate $ 10.00 to those fringe parties.
[updated Wed Dec 03 15:19:36 EST 2008]
03 Dec 15:19
elf
oh get lost un - INFORMED 1 - I'm tired of your sniping
[updated Wed Dec 03 17:27:50 EST 2008]
03 Dec 17:27
What's wrong? Are you upset the "unwashed masses" don't want 3 or 165 changing the election results?
Is Dion Ver 2.0 a problem?
Your political or union job perks threatened?
It's cool you hate Harper, but he has given us good responsible government and the voters on October 14, 2008 passed judgement.
I am looking forward to judgement on the leaders of the "Separtist Coalition" on the next general election and their parties.
Put again I applaud the great tactical move to subvert democracy from those silly voters.
Viva Fidel and Hugo!
[updated Wed Dec 03 17:46:24 EST 2008]
03 Dec 17:46
elf
well my dear un-informed 1 - no, I I am not a union worker - I work for myself and struggle along with all the other unwashed masses - you are really way out of line - you clearly didn't take my advice from the other day soi will repeat it - chill - take a valium - get a cat and stroke it ( furry animals help you relax ) I do not hate anyone actually - I happen to think Harper is a mean spirited and nasty man, he is very bad for the country and yes, he is also dishonest - I for one would like to be able to respect the leader of my country for his integrity not his ability to bully others - this is my last comment to you un - informed 1 - so zip it buddy !!
[updated Wed Dec 03 18:00:02 EST 2008]
03 Dec 18:00
I am quite a happy person but thank you for the suggestions.
I am not upset about any leader from any party. I dont "hate Harper" or label him a liar and pretend the other leaders are honest. That is delusional.
I guess the facts the opposition leaders promised no coalition but had planned it for a long time after losing another election is a non-fact.
Funny thing is what the liberals said about Dion how stubborn he is and how he is not respected by his own party is again one of those non-facts.
Can you elaborate for me what policy Harper has done to make him "nasty" or dishonest?
Have a great night and a glass of red wine with dinner, it helps.
Cheers.
Don't forget to tune in at 7:00 pm for our PM speech.
I am hoping he apologizes to help diffuse the situation. But we both know the opposition are "all-in" and can't go back now.
It will be funny to hear them attack his speech afterwards again.
[updated Wed Dec 03 18:35:45 EST 2008]
03 Dec 18:35
RonaldODowd
Informed1,
Ask the PM to spell the word: A-P-O-L-O-G-I-Z-E and he immediately and instinctively draws a blank.
Enough said.
[updated Thu Dec 04 18:19:24 EST 2008]
04 Dec 18:19
Ask the Traitors to spell TREASON.
[updated Thu Dec 04 19:41:04 EST 2008]
04 Dec 19:41
Peggy
So who is it you respected as leader before? Martin/Chreitien who stole millions from taxpayers in the sponsorship scandle and lined the Lib accounts to support their elections in the 90's? They should be in jail and they shouldn't even have access to being in the gov't for 10 years after something like that! Why now the Cons or Canadians are supposed to say "poor Libs" they have no money and that mean Harper is trying to take thier $1.95 from them. People who are finding out about this across Canada are not in favour of it and can't believe it was happening. People who are not politically engaged don't know these things and as they become aware they are going to see the truth of it.
[updated Thu Dec 04 10:27:38 EST 2008]