Kyoto?

[cowman]

I found it really funny that Paul Martin was lecturing the Americans on their global responsibility to clean up the environment? It turns out that Canada, under the Liberals, have done a much poorer job than the USA under Bush! Canada has seen green house gasses rise 24-26% since Kyoto was signed and the American emmissions have only risen 13%! And yet this fool lectures Bush?
I wonder how much Canada spent complying with their Kyoto committments? I wonder where that money went? Did it go to another bunch of Quebec ad firms? Was it quietly slipped into someones pocket?
I truly can not understand how any Canadian can vote for these crooks and idiots we call the Liberal Party!

[silverback]

What are you talking about?? How is what Harper said a bad thing?? What is the problem??

He is saying that we should punish the people who commit crimes with guns, period. How does that make him a blue liberal??

Do you even realize that they have pledged to eliminate the long gun registry?? Does that matter to you? Before you get too holy on your platform, do some research.

[gwynplaine]

I think you may have missed the point of my (somewhat disorganized) posting. I was referring to dramatization of non-issues, and the lack of a "small-c" conservative policy.

And my research, mr silverback, into the Conservative platform has demonstrated nothing new or conservative. However, please correct me if I'm wrong, and show me where I can find the background I'm so obviously lacking.

[gwynplaine]

For some reason, I feel the need to qualify the opinion I expressed above.

My perfect Canada would have me here, in Alberta. Paying far less income tax, so that I might have the disposable income to provide for myself and those dependant on me. Driving a vehicle in which I had the right to choose whether or not I wear a seat belt. Hunting the backcountry with a rifle in my hands that may or may not have its serial number in a file in Ottawa, as I saw fit, and having the legal right to own (and defend) property.

While at the same time, having no concern in my mind whatsoever about what other people are doing in their bedrooms, watching on their TV, or who they're praying to in their churches. Also, with a federal government that is concerned merely with defending us from invasion and international trade inequity.

Hence, I support no federal party, and maintain my skepticism of them all.

[silverback]

And again, what Conservative party platform prevents you from reaching those goals?

You can vote or not vote how you like, but I don't understand what you do not see in a conservative gov't? The only way to change anything is to get into office and show people they are not a scary thing. Perhaps you are saying they do not have the reform party platform anymore?

[ivbinconned]

I one sense g-plaine is right (if the Conservatives win a majority, Ontario will rule) although Harper could have been clearer in his response.

[wilagro]

The only good 'kyoto' is a dead one.

Quite disgusting to listen to that pap and crap coming out of Montreal. Martin doesn't have a clue...he is still following the party line that old Chretien pushed.

Maybe, just maybe it is time for a change. I'm not convinced that Harper is our messiah but perhaps one has to gamble once in a while.

[cowman]

What could Harper do? If he comes out as a redneck he can kiss his butt goodbye! Got no choice but to play the game?
Even today, with all the watered down Conservative principles, the people of Ontario are suspicious of the Conservative party...mainly due to Harper! In reality they want "Liberal Lite" minus the blatant corruption and theft! Sorry gwynnplane, your politics just won't wash down east. And that is a sad thing because I think what you believe in pretty well reflects the western perspective? The reality is we are a very distinct society out here...we have a totally different way of viewing things than down east?
It has always been my firm belief that to live the way we want to we need a seperate country. And finally I see people coming around to that way of thinking!
If the Liberals win the insanity continues and a lot more westerners will move into the fold? If the Conservatives win I can see Quebec moving to leave and that might be a good thing? It might balance the country in a more meaningful way? It also might show us the way out of Canada?
Right now we need a strong leader in Alberta to start the ball rolling and an "incident" to get it going? If the Liberals get in and make the energy grab they must have to satisfy Quebec, then our time is at hand! I suspect BC will follow very rapidly and Saskatchewan not much later.

[cowman]

It definitely is time for a change! The Liberal party continues to fall further and further into the gutter with the thieves!
Everyone is being offered an alternative? If you believe that big corrupt government that caters to every lobby group around is the way to go, then what can anyone say? Your choice.
Maybe Harper wouldn't do any better, who knows? He brings some new ideas and a committment to do things differently? Is he a liar or will he deliver? I don't know, but I do know the Liberals are liars and no they haven't delivered on their promises!
How smart is it to listen to a snake oil salesmans pitch when he just screwed you the week before? Now he is going to be honest...I don't think so?
I believe after the New Year this election is going to get down and dirty! The Liberals can be counted on to bring out the scare tactics and to try to pit one area of the country against the other...proven tactics for the Liberals! The Conservatives are going to hammer the corruption message home...which is reality? One is built on truth the other on snake oil! Will you buy into truth and facts or will you get fooled once again?
We should all vote our conscience.

[crusher]

My neighbour received extra $$ from CAIS yesterday. It was the Alberta pilot project top up. He received about 25% of his original payment. He also claims he was the second person in Alberta to send in his claim. Not sure if/when the rest of us will see some bucks. I'd rather get mine from the canola market, but am still thankful for anything.

[gwynplaine]

Nothing specific, silverback, prevents me from reaching my goals... But when a senior conservative party strategist says "We Will Do Anything To Get Elected", it more or less proves they are willing to water down any semblance of conservative ideology, and continue to venerate the Sacred Socialist Cows of Canada, that are in effect ruining her. Doubly, it increases the Eastern fears of the hated "Hidden Agenda", and rightly so, because I surely HOPE they're fostering a hidden agenda.

Now cowman, we've butted heads before, here, mostly over semantics, but I think we're mostly of the same mind. I however, am a proud Canadian, and would prefer to stay in Canada, obviously with more independance. This however, may no longer be a viable option, as you've expressed so many times.

[cowman]

Well gwynnplane, I don't consider myself a conservative, never have, more of a Libertarian? From what you say I suspect you probably could be described the same way?
Now I wonder, if not the Conservatives...then who would you consider as a party that best promotes your ideals? Would you say it is the Liberals or the NDP or the Greens? Who will give you the most freedom to live your life how you see fit?
Maybe none of the above? If that is the case then what do you do? Do you stay away from the polls and just say to hell with them all? It would seem that is about what 40% of the population did last time.
You say you love Canada and would like to see Canada stay together with some more independence for the regions? I don't see that happening? Even on a very minor scale?
When the people of Alberta elected two senators how did our Liberal masters treat that? I mean we elected two guys to a basically symbolic role and the "king" can't even appoint them? I thought this was supposed to be a democracy?
Have the eastern dominated Liberals ever let us get out of their grip? If we start to get a few bucks and lure business into our region, what do they do...NEP! Steal our money and shut down our economy...for the "National" good of course, always the "National good"?
As long as these dogs are running the show we are never going to have any sort of freedom...they will always be holding the leash, ready to choke us down if we get too far ahead.
Maybe Harper and the Conservatives will be no better, but in reality what do we have to lose? A party with a strong base in the west and a leader who proposed a stronger more independent Alberta or a Liberal Mafia from Quebec...you get to choose?

[gwynplaine]

I concur, cowman, that there is no other choice. I will vote conservative, because they are closest to my ideology. As a card-carrying Conservative, I've participated in the last 3 rounds of leadership elections, and Mr Harper was never my choice. I was actually in the Orchard camp, prior to the 'merger'. (so you see, silverback, most of my research into Party Platform has been... influenced by my involvement...)

[ivbinconned]

gwynplaine first you say, "Hence, I support no federal party, and maintain my skepticism of them all."

Then you say you were involved in all three leadership races??

You also tell us your views which are small "C" or maybe libertarian!! But yet supported a lefty, socalsit chup like Orhard who has always been surrounded by the FAR left NDP types...and you can't argue with me here because I KNOW him and his history!

You are not consistant!

[gwynplaine]

Whoops, a litte unclear up there. Sorry!

I've voted in the last three Conservative Leadership elections, first as a PC-er, then as a Conservative. Definatly not for any other party, sorry that wasn't more clear. True, my support of Mr Orchard probaly isn't consistent with my postings, here. I was against a merger of Reform and PC, I still don't really like Peter McKay, and I don't think NAFTA was an improvement over the previous FTA.