View Full Version : Canadian Conservatves treading water...?
acushla
05-06-2006, 06:47 AM
the Conservatives are up to their necks and treading water frantically
Treading water you say?
Well let’s look at some of the major achievements the Conservatives have made in their first 100 or so days.
1. A successful resolution to the softwood lumber issue, something two Liberal Leaders had failed to achieve. A deal that once understood, was welcomed by both British Columbia and Ontario.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060428.wxsoftwooddeal28/BNStory/National
2. A successful budget that not only kept to the election promises but exceeded them in several areas. The major nay sayers were Native Indians who were hoping for the Conservatives to honour a Liberal proposal of 5 Billion over 5 years. A proposal which, given the Liberals track record on promises made to Health Care and Day Care Centers (policies that CUPE described as ‘a shell game’) would have never materialized.
http://www.cupe.ca/www/electionupdates/DAY_SEVEN_Liberal_ch
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/daycare/
3. Today’s ‘historic’ signing in Quebec. Or, as I heard it called…’Welcome to Politics’.
Public approval of Harper is higher than it has ever been…Public support of the budget was at nearly 60% and regardless of the nonsense the Liberals put forward in the media about the Budget you can bet your bottom dollar that it will pass in the Liberal dominated Senate. Not only is it a good Budget (unless of course you actually prefer more government) the Liberals are in such disarray that I doubt they could even mount a campaign to lead the country. An election is the LAST thing they want right now.
So…treading water you say?
Funny way to do it.
Well let’s look at some of the major achievements the Conservatives have made in their first 100 or so days.
Yes, let's.
1. A successful resolution to the softwood lumber issue, something two Liberal Leaders had failed to achieve. A deal that once understood, was welcomed by both British Columbia and Ontario.
Read: A sellout to the Americans that once again proves that "Free Trade" was a BAD Conservative idea that is nothing more than an open invitation for canadians to bend over and cough.
2. A successful budget that not only kept to the election promises but exceeded them in several areas.
Tead: A mandate for Treasury Board to slash and burn an already underfunded and demoralized Public Service (as only the incompetent idiots at TB can) in an attempt to cobble together the cash necessary to meet those promises. A 'reduction" in an "innovation" the Conservatives brought in to begin with that is a dog and pony show rather than a meaningful reduction in the hated GST. A so-called tax break that buys no one anything, least of all the middle class who bear the vast brunt of the real tax burden in this country. The public transport tax break is neat though - pity it's a drop in the ocean.
And I'm no Native Canadian.
3. Today’s ‘historic’ signing in Quebec. Or, as I heard it called…’Welcome to Politics’.
The last "historic signing" in Quebec was oddly enough another Conservative "innovation": Meech lake. I think the entire country knows what an abysmal failure that was.
Public approval of Harper is higher than it has ever been…
A step up from abysmal is indeed a step up. Pity the party doesn't share the same standing.
Public support of the budget was at nearly 60%
Really? Then how come everyone I talk to in real life, blogs and on the phone decries it? Nice work by the propaganda corps I'd say...
and regardless of the nonsense the Liberals put forward in the media about the Budget you can bet your bottom dollar that it will pass in the Liberal dominated Senate.
...only because no party is ready for another election. DUH! Not rocket science - even YOU should be able to grasp that not-so-slient point.
Not only is it a good Budget (unless of course you actually prefer more government)
"Understatement Of The Year Award" goes to... (may I have the envelope please)
the Liberals are in such disarray that I doubt they could even mount a campaign to lead the country.
Oh wow - you CAN grasp simple concepts - see above.
An election is the LAST thing they want right now.
...and that's the ONLY thing keeping Stevie and the inexperienced babes he has around him in power.
So…treading water you say?
vry Maybe I was wrong - they're actually slowly sinking but salt water is buoyancy enhancing though...
Funny way to do it.
That it is but they are trying VERY hard. Gotta give them points for that.
He must be doing SOMETHING right though - George W. STILL won't shake his hand and I count that as MAJOR Brownie Points.
acushla
05-07-2006, 07:49 AM
1.A successful resolution to the softwood lumber issue, something two Liberal Leaders had failed to achieve. A deal that once understood, was welcomed by both British Columbia and Ontario.
Read: A sellout to the Americans that once again proves that "Free Trade" was a BAD Conservative idea that is nothing more than an open invitation for canadians to bend over and cough.
Funny how those parties who are most affected by this decision are very, very happy with it, while those who sit on the sidelines keep insisting that a success is actually a failure.
2. A successful budget that not only kept to the election promises but exceeded them in several areas.
A 'reduction" in an "innovation" the Conservatives brought in to begin with that is a dog and pony show rather than a meaningful reduction in the hated GST. A so-called tax break that buys no one anything, least of all the middle class who bear the vast brunt of the real tax burden in this country. The public transport tax break is neat though - pity it's a drop in the ocean.
January 1, 1991 – GST Introduced: A new tax on consumption (Canadian Economy, The Fiscal Monitor)
The GST was created in response to a deficit created under Pierre ‘Idiot’ Trudeau and Finance Minister Jean Chretien. After Trudeau and Chretien's legacy of debt, the Progressive Conservative party under Mulroney was voted into power. Mulroney made a tough choice to rescue the country from Trudeau and Chretien, and created the GST. His party was almost destroyed for it during the next election. Chretien and his Liberals were voted back into power, riding on the lie that they would scrap the GST.
The 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a relatively new tax that came into effect in Canada on January 1, 1991. It replaced the out-dated 13.5% Manufacturers’ Sales Tax (MST), which had been in effect since 1924. The MST was generally levied at a rate of 13.5%, but was also highly complex in that it was subject to no fewer than 22,000 special provisions and administrative arrangements.
The GST is a simpler, fairer and more visible tax than its predecessor. It is a multi-stage value-added tax levied on a broad range of goods and services Businesses are entitled to receive a fully refundable credit (i.e., and input tax credit) for the GST they pay on the goods and services they purchase as inputs into their production and distribution processes. For this reason, the tax is said to apply only to the value added by a business. The GST applies to a broad range of goods and services; it doesn’t apply to items that are “zero-rated” or exempt, such as basic groceries, most medical services and devices, prescription drugs and residential rents. To offset the regressive impact of a broader taxation base on low-income Canadians, the GST credit, a refundable income tax credit, was introduced along with the tax.
The replacement of the MST by the GST has helped to make Canadian manufacturers more competitive. The GST applies to all imported goods and services, but does not apply to Canadian manufactured goods and services that are exported to other international markets. The GST has also made consumption tax rates more equal across commodities, thereby reducing relative price distortions in the economy.
On April 1, 1997, three of the Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador—combined their provincial sales taxes with the GST to create a single harmonized value-added tax structure. In partnership with the Government of Canada, these three provinces introduced a new 15% joint federal–provincial Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).
In 2001, as noted in the Public Accounts, the GST generated over $24 billion in net revenues. In addition, the provincial portion of the HST generated an additional $1.8 billion for 2001 for the three provincial governments. In the same period, the federal government provided nearly $3 billion to low-income Canadians through the GST credit.
There was a budgetary surplus of $2.1 billion in October 2005, up $1.0 billion from October 2004.
Budgetary revenues rose $1.8 billion, or 11.6 per cent, to $17.2 billion. Strong gains were posted in personal income tax and GST receipts.
(much snippage)
This post (and the rest of this thread) I'm going to leave completely alone for the following reason:
I've already poured a healthy dose of reality on the propaganda / PR spin you tabled here and any Canadian with half a brain will read that and go "aye". The rest of the fantasy land I'll leave to the castle-builders-in-the-sky department.
By the way, you're very good at that. Were you responsible for Bespin?
acushla
05-08-2006, 01:53 AM
(much snippage)
This post (and the rest of this thread) I'm going to leave completely alone for the following reason:
I've already poured a healthy dose of reality on the propaganda / PR spin you tabled here and any Canadian with half a brain will read that and go "aye". The rest of the fantasy land I'll leave to the castle-builders-in-the-sky department.
By the way, you're very good at that. Were you responsible for Bespin?
I respect your decison...here's why. What I have come to understand in a deeper way than ever before is that a person's perception of the progress of a government is wholly dependent on what the core values of that person represent.
A Liberal vision of Canada and a Conservative vision of Canada are, especially today, very, very different... Obviously, under that criteria, practically anything that I think is good is something that a Liberal would not.
I would submit that it may well be healthy to have a change of Government every 12 years or so...to bring in fresh approaches and new ideas culled from standing on the other side and having the luxury to analyze rather than govern...if you know what I mean.
Finally...something I am in the habit of saying a lot these days...whatever one's personal feelings...I would like to think that ALL of us, as Canadians, wish Harper well, well enough that we can ALL, in the end, regard him as one of the greatest PM's this country has had. Not that he is now...he isn't...but that he might become. It is something we should desire of all out PM's, irregardless of Party affiliates (with the exception of Hedy Fry, not that we need to worry about that happening!) He has learned and changed considerably since those early days...nothing to suggest he can't continue to evolve.
You mentioned in an earlier post something to the effect of the Conservatives being 'babes'...well, yes, that's true...but where else did you expect them to begin?
Whatever works best for Canada and the World...that's what I'm in favour of...whether it stems from a Liberal or a Conservative Government....and if one is having a bad time of it, then lucky for us we can substitute a new 'Quarterback' to lead us. Many countries in the world do not share our good fortune.
As for Bespin...if I was responsible for that do you really think I'd be typing this from a lowly studio in the heart of Toronto?:)
acushla
05-09-2006, 05:38 AM
Miracle of miracles...sometimes we agree in the most unlikely places:
CFRA Radio -
MP's Pass NORAD Treaty
Josh Pringle
Monday, May 8, 2006
Canada's new NORAD treaty with the United States has passed through the House of Commons.
The Conservative Government and the Liberals support the legislation to renew and expand the treaty.
The new treaty expands NORAD's watch over sea approaches as well as air and space.
The NORAD pact is now permanent, eliminating the need for five-year renewals. Both countries retain the right of periodic review and can drop out on a year's notice.
The NDP objects to provisions of the treaty, which they say will compromise Canadian sovereignty.
All for one and one for all.:)
I for one am very happy we have Stephen Harper and the new Conservatives in power. I feel proud of my gov't for a change, we're not coming off so weak and 2nd rate on the worlds stage. We're getting things done at home and abroad!!!! I can wave my flag proudly again, yes it was flying very low for the side talker years.
It won't happen overnight, but we're making more progress than the Liars err Liberals could ever dream of. Let Belinda or some Liberal clown run against Harper, bring on another election... he or she will be squashed like a grape!!! :)
http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,568878,00.jpg
He reminds me of J.F.K.
God Bless Canada!!!
WHAT?
05-09-2006, 05:45 PM
You go Neo!
http://www.xav.com/scripts/search/test/binaries/Oh_Canada.mp3
http://www.brianduffy.co.uk/Canadian-Flag-Rocky-Mountai.jpg
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
http://www.bugbog.com/images/maps/canada_map.jpg
acushla
05-09-2006, 08:54 PM
http://www.bugbog.com/images/maps/canada_map.jpg
Very nice map...but let's remember we are in a world-wide forum and I am sure that the majority of members feel just as patriotic about their countries as we do about ours. With that thought in mind we can do our individual flag waving at home.
If you know what I mean.:) :) ;)
WHAT?
05-09-2006, 09:06 PM
Very nice map...but let's remember we are in a world-wide forum and I am sure that the majority of members feel just as patriotic about their countries as we do about ours. With that thought in mind we can do our individual flag waving at home.
If you know what I mean.:) :) ;)
Yes I agree.
HEHEE::silly:
Question Deleted, Got Answer. :)
WHAT?
05-10-2006, 03:13 PM
?:ponder:
rorythedog
05-10-2006, 05:03 PM
This place is becoming way too sanitized, IMHO. Neo didn't seem to be waving his flag to decry others. What's the problem? Maybe we need another sticky containing these revised rules.
Got to say though, from the picture, that guy looks more like Hitler than JFK.
WHAT?
05-10-2006, 05:43 PM
No, it's just a High-5
Hey! Wasn't JFK a liberal, NEO?
Funny thing that!..... in the US...
By today’s standard, Yesterdays Liberals, were similar to today’s Conservatives, in certain ways. That is to say that I think the conservatives fight to keep in place the very things the Liberals brought to the table at one point, and is still in place today.
I know that statement isn't so true in ALL matters. But a lot!
Hence the concept of "conservative" I guess. Keep things closer to what they are. Less radical change.:ponder:
Matters of the-Religious-Right is a whole different ballgame, which I won't dare touch here today! Although JFK was Catholic, and everyone knows how conservative the Roman Catholic Church is~
just one mans opinion;)
Hey! Wasn't JFK a liberal, NEO?
Funny thing that!..... in the US...
By today's standard, Yesterdays Liberals, were similar to today's Conservatives, in certain ways.
That is as it should be. The world is thankfully moving continually towards a more liberal and less tight-assed posture. It is inexorable and has been happening for centuries. That’s why I say that so-called “morals” are negotiable – yesterday’s absolutes won’t apply today and today’s won’t apply tomorrow. The less said aobut the conservative attitude of the Catholic Church the better.
Arch Conservativism is a dying breed, although unfortunately it is not dying fast enough.
WHAT?
05-10-2006, 06:51 PM
Now that you see it this way and agree! Can you see the other side of it too!
Can't a point be made that having a slow change, one that has resistance, and proponents, keep things in check, and less runamuk?
There is a place for far right and left, "way of thinking" as long as it's not one sided (society-wide). Such was the case with Hitler, and Stalin, and a few well know dictators throughout history.
MOST OF THE TIME IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY, WHAT COMES AROUND, GOES AROUND!
At first the pendulum swings ever so broad.
Then less and less 'till the middle it rests!
Signed,
Sensible moderate!
Leaning to What's Right:ponder:
Ahhhh! no more puns!!!!
Now that you see it this way and agree! Can you see the other side of it too!
Can't a point be made that having a slow change, one that has resistance, and proponents, keep things in check, and less runamuk?
Not when the ones resistant to change are a vocal and irritating minority. That just gets annoying. :) :) ;)
There is a place for far right and left, "way of thinking" as long as it's not one sided (society-wide).
I'm more toawards the middle with a slight swing to what was once (but no longer) considered the left.
MOST OF THE TIME IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY, WHAT COMES AROUND, GOES AROUND!
You're assuming a democratic society exists. There is no such thing as a true democracy.
At first the pendulum swings ever so broad.
Then less and less 'till the middle it rests!
The problem is that during those wide swings in either direction people get hurt. The fanatics on both sides never notice this.
WHAT?
05-10-2006, 07:29 PM
Not when the ones resistant to change are a vocal and irritating minority. That just gets annoying. :) :) ;)
Ahhh yes, annoyance! Life is but a bore without it!
I'm more towards the middle with a slight swing to what was once (but no longer) considered the left.
Middle? Sarc sarc sarc. love ya Roj, Just ribbin';)
You're assuming a democratic society exists. There is no such thing as a true democracy.
Yes true, gotta have that republic flavor added to it to make it work!
The problem is that during those wide swings in either direction people get hurt. The fanatics on both sides never notice this.
wORD dAT!
This place is becoming way too sanitized, IMHO. Neo didn't seem to be waving his flag to decry others. What's the problem? Maybe we need another sticky containing these revised rules.
Thank you RtD, I truly wasn't waving my flag just for the sake of it or to decry.
Hey! Wasn't JFK a liberal, NEO?
Funny thing that!..... in the US...
Indeed, he was a Liberal/Democrat... but the Dem's of the past are quite different from the Dem's of today. JFK in my opinion was the best U.S. President ever. Stephen Harper's hair is what reminds me of JFK. :grin:
acushla
09-29-2007, 11:15 PM
[B]An election is the LAST thing they want right now.
...and that's the ONLY thing keeping Stevie and the inexperienced babes he has around him in power.
So…treading water you say?
vry Maybe I was wrong - they're actually slowly sinking but salt water is buoyancy enhancing though...
Funny way to do it.
That it is but they are trying VERY hard. Gotta give them points for that.
Do you still adhere to these statements...and the 'bozo' one and all the others as well?
Would you really prefer to see Mr. Dion lead this country?
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