Can You Believe This!?

[magpie]

Had a conversation with a long time MP shortly after may 20 when meetings were being held on how, government was going to respond to BSE. Basically he said in order to receive any response from this government, is to embarrass them into action. There might be some truth in this, after all these politicians talk of empty promises when they are campaigning, but once they are elected its how not to do something stupid until election time again. Look at the scandal going on in Ottawa today, rather embarrassing for the government today. Do you think maybe Quebec’s producers are better at this game than western producers? IS this what it really has to come to in order for government to respond?

[ivbinconned]

Sounds logical cowman but I beg to differ. To bad our memory fades.
Even in the Mulroony years Quebec and Ontario still ruled and Mulroony would have had a majority with out one western seat.
Don't forget it was during the MUlroony years (1987)that yet another party of western discontent started...Reform. Which I opposed, because to me it made no sense to go down the same road as the CCF, Socreds, and Progressives. They had already proved that the bridge was washed out.
Why just keep on repeating history? Go ahead and vote Liberal...in the west you will still be irrelevant.
Because in Canada the only question asked by a federal government is...what does Quebec want, and what does Ontario want.

[cowman]

Actually ivebinconned you are preaching to the converted but I'm just trying to keep the conversation going! Mulrooney was a typical Quebec politician taking care of business, for sure. But he did give us the free trade deal and it was a good deal for the west, or so I believe?
I wonder who you will vote for in the upcoming federal election? Personally I am going to vote for the NDP! Now if I actually thought they stood a snow balls chance in hell of getting elected I wouldn't...but it seems like a nice safe protest vote? For all my ranting about voting for the Liberals I doubt if I could! I believe my hand might wither or something if I did! Although in my riding the Liberals would definitely be a protest vote too! Unfortunately we will elect the same old dullard we've had for the last twelve years...money completely wasted, but what can you do?

[cakadu]

We might not have too much to worry about if the Liberals continue to free fall in the polls the way they have been. Between this whole promotional scandal, the escalating governor general's costs (approximately $20 million per year now - almost double what they were before Ms. Clarkson took office) and lord knows what else is going to fall out of the tree, the Liberals are sinking like a stone. Even the NDP have risen in the polls.

I'm a little worried about the increasing move towards the re-vamped Reform party, but time will tell for them as well.

If I were involved in any way shape or form with Public Works in the last few years, I would be very afraid! We all know what rolls down hill and there will be someone taking a huge hit.

[cowman]

Martin is definitely walking a tightrope and it will be interesting to see if he can pull it off. I suspect he could just about do anything short of **** and murder and they'd still vote for him in Quebec and Ontario?
Old Alfonso looks like he might have to take the fall, but we musn't forget, before politics he was a Mafia accountant so he might know a little bit about covering his butt and double dealing? Would he be willing to fall on his sword for the good of the party? After all he is a Chretien man!
When all the smoke clears and we finally have an election, I fully expect when we turn our TVs on we will hear Peter Mansbridge say "Welcome viewers in Alberta on election night...We have a majority Liberal government!"

[bombay_43]

Years ago I was taught, never to discuss religion or politics, however being a cow/calf producer in Western Canada, puts us right smack dab in the middle of politics!

My biggest fear regarding Mansbridges announcement, is who will be leading this majority government! Will his name be "Jean Chretien"?

I am no Liberal either, and would probably have more than my hand wither off if I voted Liberal, but I have to wonder if Mr. Chretien will be the Liberals salvation. Who else could pull it off if Mr. Martin continues to slide?

Didn't we see a similiar situation with Mr. Trudeau after he had said his good byes and all of a sudden returned to save the Liberals bacon?

OOOOhhh... the thought just gives me shivers!!

[cakadu]

Let's face it - Chretien must have had some inkling that this was coming - how better to get payback against someone who had been plotting for many months to force him out?

I don't believe for a second that Martin didn't know what was happening either - but that "river" is a pretty long one.

What you're talking about Bombay is the stuff nightmares are made of. Better not read these posts so close to bedtime.

[carebear300]

Don't anybody be writing off Martin and the liberals yet. You must all have a short memory, they arre survivors, the most successful political machine in the history of canada. It may all just be a carefully laid plan to deceive us all. I wish I wasn't so cynical but have watched them spin their websd for the last three decades so am never surprised or shocked at anything they say or do. By the way for the first time in my life I am going to vote liberal, I like Martin.

[cowman]

I believe the Conservatives and the NDP have a plan to paint Martin with a black brush. Had it from the day Parliment opened, with the Steamship thing?
Now Paul surely isn't lily white by any means and his continued "I didn't know" either means he is the dumbest guy in Canada or the biggest liar...and we know he's no dumbie? He needs to come clean and then maybe we can forgive him. After all we forgave Ralph Klein for abusing the bums when he was drunk?
And you can bet old Jean screwed him good and maybe has a few more dirty tricks waiting in the wings? I suspect Jean is a vengeful man?
But the basic opposition message is "Same old den of thieves" and they are fairly effective at showing that? I mean how do you cook the books from $37,000 to $161 MILLION as in the Canadian Steamship deal? Or $250 million up in smoke in Quebec? Can't happen without a whole lot of people knowing about it!
Martin tried to come across as a new deal but his actions just show it is the same old deal. No real free votes on anything important. Don't face the tough issues...just delay, dither, and more delay.
Martin is slipping in the polls because he looks bad. He's starting to look like just another lying cheating Quebec politician manipulating the Canadian public? He needs to show us that he is different...if he is? And I hope he is different! I don't think we can afford much more of this crookedness?

[ivbinconned]

Random thoughts....the secret to Martins success boils down to his ability to show the depth of his sincerity...whether he means it or not.

I sit on a mans back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means---except of getting off his back. Leo Tolstoy