Canada goes to the polls on May 2, 2011 in a vote nobody wants. At least, no average citizen wants. There are obviously politicians with other ideas!
Michael Ignatieff clearly wanted this election. What amazes me is that he seems to really believe that Canadians wanted this election! Huh? Does he live in a glass dome? Or perhaps his failure to read the mood of Canadians is down to the length of time he spent in the United States. This guy just doesn't get it. Not only do Canadians not want an election, I think most of us are very upset at the cost of this unnecessary election - likely close to 1/2 a billion dollars! There's a very good chance this arrogance will cost Ignatieff. Current polls have the Conservatives flirting with majority government territory.
Why are the Conservatives flirting with a majority? I believe the answer is twofold. First, Canadians did not want this election, in fact we are sick of the constant elections - four in seven years! Many Canadians blame Ignatieff for this unwanted election and he is suffering because of it. How do we prevent this constant uncertainty? Elect a majority government. Harper has the best shot at this and the numbers are reflecting this.
The other reason that the Conservatives are moving into majority government territory is that Canadians no longer view Harper as the dangerous right wing ideologue that the Liberals have painted him as in the past. The Conservatives have governed for the past five years with a steady hand. We have fought our way through a recession and Canada has remained one of the most prosperous nations during that time. The proof is in the pudding.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Thursday, November 11, 2010
| In | ||
| | Between the crosses, row on row, | |
| | That mark our place; and in the sky | |
| | The larks, still bravely singing, fly | |
| | Scarce heard amid the guns below. | |
| | | |
| | We are the Dead. Short days ago | |
| | We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, | |
| | Loved, and were loved, and now we lie | |
| | In | |
| | | |
| | Take up our quarrel with the foe: | |
| | To you from failing hands we throw | |
| | The torch; be yours to hold it high. | |
| | If ye break faith with us who die | |
| | We shall not sleep, though poppies grow | |
| | In | |
| | | |
| | - John McCrae | |
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Good Bye Dear Dalton
Dear Dalton,
Hope you enjoyed your stay. Remember your trip through Ontario with fond memories. Or should I say your second trip? When we invited you you said you wouldn't increase our taxes. Remember? Within six months you had broken this promise and imposed a new health premium, but of course this was that Mike Harris fella's fault right? What did we get for this new premium? You eliminated OHIP coverage for eye exams and physical therapy? Who needs to see right?
During your second visit you decided to harmonize the PST and the GST. Many saw the logic in this, after all you were going to exempt any items that weren't currently taxed under both systems right? Wrong! Much better to enjoy that extra tax revenue! And what about the eco tax? Why wouldn't we all want to pay even MORE tax on items such as hairspray, detergent, batteries etc.?
Finally, you were thinking about banning the Double Down sandwich from KFC? Good thinking! I mean we all know the citizens of Ontario can't think for themselves right? Good thing we have Uncle Dalton along to do that for us!
So once again, hope you enjoyed your stay. I think it's time to go now though. Please don't forget to close the door on your way out.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
F-35 A Firm Military Future
Ignatief continues to grasp for anything that might secure his political future. So he keeps pounding on the government's contract to buy 65 new state of the art jet fighters from Lockheed-Martin. This is the wrong move. Canada must maintain a strong military presence, and we must do it in conjunction with our staunchest allies!
The F35 is the right plane at the right time. Our CF18's can't wait any longer to be replaced. They are becoming a danger to our pilots. Even if you were to grant that the bidding process wasn't transparent enough - this contract must be allowed to proceed. Canada can't afford the billions it would cost to our economy in cancelling these contracts. Ignatief never seems to mention that Canada's cooperation in this venture will, in all probability, contribute more to our economy in subcontracts than our government shells out for the actual planes. He is playing politics with our money, and the safety of our military personnel. Let if go Michael. Let it go!
The F35 is the right plane at the right time. Our CF18's can't wait any longer to be replaced. They are becoming a danger to our pilots. Even if you were to grant that the bidding process wasn't transparent enough - this contract must be allowed to proceed. Canada can't afford the billions it would cost to our economy in cancelling these contracts. Ignatief never seems to mention that Canada's cooperation in this venture will, in all probability, contribute more to our economy in subcontracts than our government shells out for the actual planes. He is playing politics with our money, and the safety of our military personnel. Let if go Michael. Let it go!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Summer Showdown
Well it's been a while since I've written in this space. My humble apologies! I have been dealing with some personal issues. As I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel I can once again find the time to write.
I wanted to take a moment to look at the ongoing saga that is our federal government. Once again we came close to a crisis this past week. Ignatieff cried foul over the governments handling of the current economic crisis. In particular he wanted to see changes to E.I. and a faster roll out of the stimulus package.
Harper for his part dismissed this as political posturing. He claims the stimulus package is moving along rapidly and that while he is willing to listen to suggestions for improvement to E.I. - these things can not take place overnight. So who's telling the truth here?
The answer probably lies somewhere in between. Let me first make it clear I have always been conservative in my political leanings. I make no secrets about that. Having said that, these are extraordinary times and such times require everyone to take a long hard look within themselves. What I've discovered, is that simply saying that the government should stay out of everything and let the free market rule is short sighted and narrow. The government has to provide assistance to Canadians and not just in difficult times. This is what separates us from our American cousins. I think most Canadians agree with this philosophy in some form or another. What separates us is how far we think this social safety net and government intervention should go.
This is the crux of the argument between the governing Conservative Party and the Liberal Party of Canada. While I think Ignatieff was clearly trying to tap into the fear of Canadians in these uncertain times - which was cynical at best - for once I think he has a point. The stimulus package needs to be rolled out faster. Many Canadian families and businesses are bleeding money right now. We face an uncertain few months and the governments efforts will make all the difference. Canada can and should emerge from the current crisis a world economic leader. What we don't need is an election. Fortunately this has been avoided. So kudos to our political leaders for getting it right for once!
I wanted to take a moment to look at the ongoing saga that is our federal government. Once again we came close to a crisis this past week. Ignatieff cried foul over the governments handling of the current economic crisis. In particular he wanted to see changes to E.I. and a faster roll out of the stimulus package.
Harper for his part dismissed this as political posturing. He claims the stimulus package is moving along rapidly and that while he is willing to listen to suggestions for improvement to E.I. - these things can not take place overnight. So who's telling the truth here?
The answer probably lies somewhere in between. Let me first make it clear I have always been conservative in my political leanings. I make no secrets about that. Having said that, these are extraordinary times and such times require everyone to take a long hard look within themselves. What I've discovered, is that simply saying that the government should stay out of everything and let the free market rule is short sighted and narrow. The government has to provide assistance to Canadians and not just in difficult times. This is what separates us from our American cousins. I think most Canadians agree with this philosophy in some form or another. What separates us is how far we think this social safety net and government intervention should go.
This is the crux of the argument between the governing Conservative Party and the Liberal Party of Canada. While I think Ignatieff was clearly trying to tap into the fear of Canadians in these uncertain times - which was cynical at best - for once I think he has a point. The stimulus package needs to be rolled out faster. Many Canadian families and businesses are bleeding money right now. We face an uncertain few months and the governments efforts will make all the difference. Canada can and should emerge from the current crisis a world economic leader. What we don't need is an election. Fortunately this has been avoided. So kudos to our political leaders for getting it right for once!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Undemocratic Senate Proposes Undemocratic Bill
Well, the wheel continues to turn. Not to beat a horse to death, but I just had to comment on the latest Liberal tactic to deal with the Tory attack ads targeting Ignatieff. Now they've sicked a senator on an unsuspecting public. That's right! They don't like the way the Tories are expressing their right to free speech so they're trying to introduce a new censorship bill in the senate.
Liberal senator Dennis Dawson introduced a bill today to force political parties to include all advertising produced in the three months prior to an election as an election expense. Apparently, the best way to deal with criticism is to ban it! They offered some lame excuse, suggesting their actions were an attempt to even the playing field. The truth of the matter is they have employed the same tactics themselves when they were in a better financial position. The ads must be having their desired effect!
Liberal senator Dennis Dawson introduced a bill today to force political parties to include all advertising produced in the three months prior to an election as an election expense. Apparently, the best way to deal with criticism is to ban it! They offered some lame excuse, suggesting their actions were an attempt to even the playing field. The truth of the matter is they have employed the same tactics themselves when they were in a better financial position. The ads must be having their desired effect!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ignatieff's Feeling the Heat
After a brief' sabbatical I'm back, and I'd like to take a closer look at the recent Tory ads criticising Ignatieff. He came out with his defense today - typical Liberal tripe! He's trying to turn the Tory criticism of his timely return to Canada to join the Liberal political machine into an attack on all new Canadians and immigrants. What? I don't know too many "new" Canadians who enter politics within months of their entry to our country.
The Tories are not suggesting in these ads that new Canadians, or returning Canadians, can not be a valuable part of the political process. In fact, I would argue they would welcome their participation. But new Canadians come to this country for a better life not to be opportunistic. Ignatieff returned to Canada to further his own ambitions - it's that simple. The Tory ads are simply focusing the Canadian public on a fact few may realise.
Let's review the facts. From 1978 to 2000 Ignatieff resided almost exclusively in the U.K., working at both Cambridge and Oxford. Did he return to Canada after this? No! He spent the next 5 years in the U.S. as as professor at Harvard. He returned to Canada in 2005 to take a position in Toronto, and almost immediately began rumblings about his ambitions in the political arena. By 2006 he was elected to parliament.
Clearly Ignatieff returned to Canada for political ambition - not for love of country. He is now using the standard Liberal arguments against the Tories to deflect criticism away from himself. You know the arguments, the Tories are anti-immigrant, racist, and of course do not stand for anything regular Canadians do. The fear mongering has started. The Liberals must be running scared!
The Tories are not suggesting in these ads that new Canadians, or returning Canadians, can not be a valuable part of the political process. In fact, I would argue they would welcome their participation. But new Canadians come to this country for a better life not to be opportunistic. Ignatieff returned to Canada to further his own ambitions - it's that simple. The Tory ads are simply focusing the Canadian public on a fact few may realise.
Let's review the facts. From 1978 to 2000 Ignatieff resided almost exclusively in the U.K., working at both Cambridge and Oxford. Did he return to Canada after this? No! He spent the next 5 years in the U.S. as as professor at Harvard. He returned to Canada in 2005 to take a position in Toronto, and almost immediately began rumblings about his ambitions in the political arena. By 2006 he was elected to parliament.
Clearly Ignatieff returned to Canada for political ambition - not for love of country. He is now using the standard Liberal arguments against the Tories to deflect criticism away from himself. You know the arguments, the Tories are anti-immigrant, racist, and of course do not stand for anything regular Canadians do. The fear mongering has started. The Liberals must be running scared!
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