"The Border Will Open SOON"

[cowman]

rpkaiser: Who is trying to send you there? No one.
Vandalism is never justified. Why shouldn't the two American farmers be able to come to Canada and buy at a farm auction? What did they ever do to get their trucks vandalized?
Our struggle has never been with the American farmer? Sure they probably support a closed border...if we were in their shoes we'd do the same darned thing? I mean right now they are doing fairly well on cattle, right? And after all it is their country and their market. How would we feel if the shoe was on the other foot? For example if tommorrow the Canadian government decided it would float the idea of complete free trade in beef with say Brazil, how do you think we might react? What are the American farmers doing that is so evil?...expecting a decent profit? Is that so wrong?

[rsomer]

While I understand your comments cowman, I would point out that the same American farmer blocking access to our live cattle is the same American farmer who sold subsidized corn into Canada in 2002-03. They like to protect their markets just like we would, but they also demand we accept their imports even when it hurts our domestic industries.

[rookie]

Well cowman, I see you're drawing some fire... Personally, I like to hear the other half of opinions on this business, meaning yours. Personally I feel there is way too much complacency in agriculture and its become a slow death for an occupation. I mean, what has ever changed? If you rattling a few cages, does that mean anything ? Have a good day, its time to go to my off farm job p.s lets hope that the border does open soon...

[almoy]

Will electing Stephen Harper help our cause? He is so pro american that he will not stand up to the US at all. Any thing they do will be fine with him. Haven't heard much of an agriculture policy from him either.

[whiteface]

I've been a conservative voter my entire life and for the first time ever, I'm stumped. I don't think Harper will do anything for us but neither will the liberals and they are in fact as we've discovered, somewhat dangerous. Voting for a party that doesn't stand to gain a majority I think also is pointless as you end up with too many chiefs and not enough indians and decisions aren't made and nothing gets done. I honestly don't know what I'll do on the 28th.

[cakadu]

From what I gather of the conservative message, they want "freer" free trade, which I'm not so sure will help our cause any.

I heard not too long ago that one of the reasons that we are having so much trouble with this whole border issue is that agriculture was not properly included in the agreement, which was pointed out in another thread. The other really big concern for us is our water, which is also not definitively spelled out in NAFTA. Given that the Americans are beginning to run desperately short of water in some areas, this is or should be a big concern for us.

You're right - this is a crummy choice, no matter how you look at it.

[kato]

We're between a rock and a hard place, as the cowboys say.

I'm just going to vote for the best candidate in our riding, and not worry about the party.

[ALICIA]

I would guess that maybe the American's out bid for a piece of equipment that a Canadian wanted for a cheep price. It's too bad that soom people have to get that low, the farmer that has to sell his farm because of the situation, can't get a better price from a highter bidder just because he happens to be American.
Come on we all know that it's mostly goverment driven, not the average farmer, I can hadly wait to see if these few ant-amaricans turn down the offer to buy their cattle when the boarder opens, just because they are Amarican.

[ivbinconned]

Kato; Voting for the best candidate in your riding only makes sense if you live in a republic that is governed by rule of law.
In Canada a democracy(mob rule)where we elect a King or dictator every 4 years you best vote for the best King!

[cowman]

We have a chance to replace a proven den of thieves on June 28th. The only way this will be achieved is if we vote Conservative. A vote for the NDP or the Green party or the dope party is a wasted vote.
Will the Conservatives be any better? Who knows, but at least there is hope they might be better? Martin is tainted. He can't pretend he never knew what was going on or wasn't a part of it.
You all have a chance to throw the rascals out on June 28 and if you don't, then I would suggest you deserve to get screwed some more?
Rsomer: Yes the American farmer gets a lot of support(maybe to our detriment). How is that a bad thing? All this talk of ending the subsidies confuses me. How is that really any good for the American or European farmer? Probably very good for the international food conglomerates but not for the farmer? Isn't it really a case of trying to drag them down to our own pitiful level?
Instead of complaining about American or European subsidies why aren't we asking our politicians "Hey, how come you don't support us like that?"
The old stock answer of we are small and can't afford it, really doesn't wash, after we see the vast billions squandered and stolen in the various scandals out of Ottawa and Edmonton?

[cowman]

Rookie: I always seem to draw a lot of fire! But that is okay...it keeps the pot boiling! Might as well get all the How people think differently has always fascinated me and I always figure I can ideas out there, right?
learn something from everyone in this world!
In spite of rpKaisers continued "slamming" of my opinions and ideas, I totally enjoy his posts! His outspoken beliefs, although often volatile, are very interesting! I may not agree with him on a lot of them(or I may just express the opposite to keep him going!) but I always enjoy them!
I do detect a mounting frustration on a lot of these posts and I guess that is pretty natural, given our situation! Maybe it is a very good thing that we all have a place to vent a bit? Probably better than beating the wife or kicking the dog?

[ALICIA]

Cowman: I've been reading your postings for over a year. And I just bet that your wife can real a frying pan real good. So I advise you, not to try that if you want to keep posting on this web site, you need your hands to type.

[cowman]

Well Alicia, I don't have a wife(thank heavens). However I do have a dog! And I don't kick her! lol

[ALICIA]

cowman: May I ask way not. After a year we can get a little personal can't we. We all know bits and piece about each other.

[ALICIA]

You don't have to answer. I think it may be painful. I do know you have a son because you told us that a while back. Sorry I lost my mother in May of last year. My dad a few years before that, but you know I'd love to be able to ask him what he thinks of what is going on, you know a lot of people didn't like wait he had to say because he told it like it is too. I guess that is were I get my bad feeling on a lot of things too.