Equalization payments

[cakadu]

The point is that this gong show has got to stop and the lows that ALL of these players are stooping to are very hard to believe. One of the political analysts was saying that there hasn't been as much muck racking in parliament since the flag incident in the 1960's. I'm too young to remember that or more is the point - be aware of politics.

Why is it that the average Canadian is more embarrassed and upset about the goings on than the elected?

Emrald, I don't want a passable PM, we've had that (and less) for far too many years. What I would like to see get voted in are people who will make a difference and most importantly, stand behind what they say they will do. The very fact that the Conservatives (or Reform or Alliance - whatever you want to call them) are cozying up to a group whose sole aim is to separate from Canada leaves me very concerned indeed. What will they have to do in order to keep the Bloc happy? That thought alone is enough to give one nightmares for a very long time (or until the minority is toppled).

If people thought there was no clear choice a year ago, what are we to think now?

[cakadu]

Linda, I am positive that all thinking Canadians want a Prime Minister that is a strong leader. The obvious corruption of the Liberals is far worse in my opinion than anything that could transpire with the Bloc. We don't really know what the Bloc wants, but we do know that another minority Liberal government is going to result in another election in a year and we cannot continue to spend millions on elections and not get the work of government done.

Harper hasn't had a chance to show us what he can do, and I for one am willing to take a chance and see what he is made of, vs having another round of Martin and his crew. Layton is going to try and force the issue on social programs, some of which I do agree with, but the mere fact that he would choose to prop up a crooked government by deal making makes him look very suspect to me. Did the Conservatives and the Bloc have any choice but to band together to attempt to defeat this mess....I don't think so. They have not publically been touting any DEAL like the Liberal/NDP's have, nor have the agreed to blackmail like the Liberal/Kilgore shambles !!!

[ivbinconned]

First of all Quebec has not seperated from Canada and most likly never would...we pay them to stay in CON-federation.

Also remember this, Harper LEFT Reform early on because of differences with Preston! His view of how a confedeation should work is behind his approach to the bloc because he, and they, would like to see less federal intrusiuon in things provincial.

You must beware cakado that the national media will, at every opportunity spin as bad an image of Harper as they can. First because he is conservative, second because he is from the west, third because he would be a threat to the gravy train.

[ivbinconned]

Less federal intrusion in provincial business would be a welcome change in my opinion. Ed Stelmach made some very honest and appropriate statements regarding Alberta being owed money from the feds., the next day the Premier is disputing Stelmach.....

[cakadu]

It is the back room deals that bother me emrald - what aren't they telling us? Sure the Bloc and Conservatives have not made any statements publicly, but could there be a reason for it?

It would behoove us all to get out and vote and once and for all get the broom out and do some serious housekeeping. I don't want to be back here again in a year's time with yet another minority government and paying the kids to throw sand at each other for another year. I don't think there is anyone out there who can say we have gotten value for our taxpayer dollars certainly over the past year and maybe for a few years prior to that.

There is a duty owed by an MP to the people who elect that MP. Breaking away from the party that you a member of when you got elected - unless it is mandated by the people you represent - is in my opinion a slap in the face to the people who elected you. We have seen far too much of that in recent years and the Reform party has been the most guilty of that. How would Harper feel if that was done to him? Wouldn't you think that a person who would do that is continually on the lookout for that to happen to him/her? After all, if they'll do it with ya, they'll do it to ya. The infighting that has gone on amongst the Reform/Alliance/Conservatives is likely what has done them the most harm - that and not walking the talk on certain issues.

Even if I thought that Harper could do the job, I would be hard pressed to cast a vote for the MP that I have now.

There are things brewing in the background of the Conservatives that could also throw them off balance too - one of them being Belinda. Is there any party that has some semblance of stability that goes along with it?

[cakadu]

Linda, Belinda has as much chance of ever becoming the leader of the Conservatives as she does becoming the Queen !!!

At the March Conservative Convention she swept through the delegates with more of an entourage in tow than Michael Jackson !!!

I doubt that she will go anywhere even with Daddy's money. With regard to your local MP....did anyone run against him and if so did people who don't like the guy get out and vote ? I am surprised that he is running again, would have thought that he would have decided to go out to pasture by now.

Regardless of the Bloc, I am sure that there will be less damage to Canada and particularly the west with the conservatives than there is now with the Liberals.
Social programs will be number one for the NDP and I for one am tired of paying more and more taxes for the social programs that are in place now and are either being abused or the aid is not getting to those who really need it.
Regardless of who wins if there is an election our country is in a royal mess, and its doubtful if things will improve unless there is a huge majority for one party or the other and I can't see that happening.
My gut feeling is that if the Liberals are defeated Martin will step down.

Interesting that one of the candidates ( unsucccessful ) for the Westlock Conservative nomination had run as a Liberal last year......and is quoted as saying that the individual who was chosen isn't the right person for the party !!!!! Makes sense doesn't it, if you want a real conservative choose a liberal !!! LORD GIVE ME STRENGTH !!!

[ivbinconned]

cakado, everything you say about "reform, alliance and conservatives" we KNOW...CAN BE SAID about the NDP and liberals???

The liberals are guilty, and the NDP are inbed with them!

The reformers, alliance and the present conservative coalition, with a western leader, never have been!!

So why do you paint with such a wide brush...seems a little unfair to me...surly they are innocent until proven guilty

[ivbinconned]

I really do think that it is time we had a western Prime Minister. I am concerned with the possibility that the east and Ont. may decide to support the NDP vs the Conservatives. I don't think we can survive with an NDP government....there would be no incentive for corporations and they are the ones that employ Canadians.

Heck, Martin may survive the vote of non confidence on the 19th, who knows.

[cakadu]

If I have my history correct, wasn't Diefenbaker the last Western PM? If so, then what did he have that all that have tried since then don't? What was the reason that he swept into power with a majority that has never been equalled?

Emrald, I wouldn't want to see Belinda get in there at all either because like you, I am no fan of hers. I do wonder about her ambition and daddy's money and influence though.

[cakadu]

Linda, Dief was a rabble rouser and a leader.....Joe Clark and Kim Campbell were not.
Joe was a nice guy but that didn't get him anywhere in the East. Kim was hopeless. I really don't think Belinda really wanted to be involved in politics, she was recuited by the eastern tories because they didn't want Harper.

[cowman]

There was nothing wrong with the original Reform message, in my opinion, but it got watered down when they morphed to the Alliance, and further when they turned into the Conservative party. Along the way they lost some of their better ideas?
Linda I can assure you, your MP will win in a big big way. Probably one of the highest counts in any riding in Canada. The Liberal and NDP might get 20 % of the vote? The point here isn't necessarily what he has done or not done, but that he represents a party that has the support of most voters in this riding?
I view this whole thing with a lot of enthusiasm! For the first time I see the possibility of the beginning of a "New Canada"? Now don't get me wrong...I have not suddenly become a federalist! My hope would be that the west can become an independent country, that could still function as part of a loose union similar to the EU?
The west needs to make decisions for the west instead of having them mandated to us by the eastern power block if we ever hope to become a real prosperous nation. Canada just doesn't work for the west.
I find it amusing that Klein is trying his best to keep his mouth shut and not stir the pot! Stelmach comes out and says Alberta wants a deal like Ontario got and Klein immediately says we don't? I wonder what he will say the day after the election?

[cowman]

cowman, the feds have given AB over 450 million in fuel rebates and the Provincial government is singing their praises.

Stelmach is a front runner for the leadership of the PC's in AB., he has my support if he keeps flogging at the feds to get a fair shake for our province, and I don't care who is in power federally.