Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Homer]

If Harper pushes for this and his party hits the wall in a forced election it will mean the end of the road for him. B. Lord from NB is waiting and has growing support and is a real conservative party politician (i.e. not some former Reform whack job).

I still thinks this push for an election is a huge mistake and that it goes against the wishes of canadians (most polls say that about 60-70% of them want to wait until the Gomery Report is tabled).

[Alias]

There will be a vote on the budget May 19th. It will be very close.

[FUBAR]

[Free World]

[turtlepi1]

The "problem" for the "Conservatives" is the same problem that has always existed in Canadian politics.

1979: Canada without Quebec decided the election (PC)
1980: Quebec decided the election (Liberal)
1984: Quebec & Ontario decided the election (Liberal)
1988: Quebec decided the election (PC)
1993: Ontario decided the election (Liberal)
1997: Ontario decided the election (Liberal) ** (demise of PC)
2000: Ontario decided the election (Liberal)
2004: Ontario & Quebec decided the election (Liberal)

So really the argument of isolating the West, only holds true if the new leader of the conservative party completely alienates the West as a voting block. Someone who can give the West a bit of confidence AND win the East is the only one that can bring an opposition back into parliment that represents Canada (whatever that means)

The East sees Preston Manning as a freak.
That other guy as a bigger freak (Stockwell Day).
And Stephen Harper to some a question mark, to others a small town conservative that won't represent big city interests, therefore will never win Ontario, and to others still, SATAN himself.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I don't find Harper all that extreme. He is middle of the road when it comes to social issues. Who I do find extreme is all those super-lefties calling the Tories "Reform in Disguise" when in fact they have a broad spectrum of MP's all across Canada. And when you take into consideration that they took 30ish seats in Ontario last time, and also seats in the maratime provinces, they can hardly be called a western party any longer.

I hope Harper makes mince meat of the corrupt Liberals.

[Alias]

If the Conservatives do form the next government it will be the first time the governing party does not have a seat in Quebec.

That would be perfect for the Bloc and PQ. They could really play that one to the separatist cause.

[Homer]

[Koreabound2004]

Harper is an idiot...through and through.....I will never forget when he wished our aboriginals a "Happy India Day"

Read on:


Harper's face red over native gaffe
Leadership candidate wished aboriginals Happy India Day
By Sue Bailey / The Canadian Press

Ottawa - Christopher Columbus mistook aboriginals for East Indians but Conservative leadership hopeful Stephen Harper should know better, says a furious native leader.

Harper's office drafted a letter of apology Thursday to the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres after wishing its members a happy India Republic Day.

"This is 2004, Mr. Harper, not 1492 - the last time a man got lost looking for India," wrote federation president Rick Lobzun in a letter dated Wednesday.

"Look what has happened to the aboriginal population . . . since then."

India Republic Day each Jan. 26 marks the day in 1950 when India's constitution took effect, cementing its independence from British rule. It's an annual celebration that heralds the sacrifices of Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom crusaders.

It has nothing to do with aboriginals in Canada.

Although the federation took almost a month to respond, Lobzun wrote to express his "shock and outrage."

"It is shameful, Mr. Harper, that you as a potential leader in this country choose such off-hand forms of communication which make you guilty of possessing a poor briefing staff at best and racist approaches to policy at worst."

Speaking to reporters after a rally Thursday evening in Toronto, Harper repeatedly blamed the gaffe on a "clerical error."

"Somebody put it in the wrong list and obviously somebody mistook Indo-Canadian for Indian," he said.

"It's a minor clerical error."

On House of Commons letterhead dated Jan. 26, Harper extended his greetings to the federation "on behalf of the Official Opposition in Canada's Parliament.

"As you partake in cultural festivities and events, which honour your ancestors and celebrate your heritage, I am pleased to pay tribute to the members of the Indian community in Canada. I salute you for your important and long-standing contributions to the economic and cultural vitality of our wonderful country, and offer you my best wishes for the year ahead."

Lobzun's response dripped sarcasm.

"As aboriginal people, hope is rapidly fading that we will be able to make 'important and long-standing contributions to the economic . . . vitality of our wonderful country'," he wrote.

"Facing barriers such as grinding levels of poverty, high teen suicide rates, low levels of education attainment and poor labour market participation rates, aboriginal people find it difficult to be successful. . . ."

The former Canadian Alliance, once headed by Harper and now part of the new Conservative party, angered many native people with its stance against the pivotal Nisga'a land claim in British Columbia. It also stirred resentment with arguments against what it called "race-based" treaty privileges for aboriginals.

The latest gaffe highlights an old pattern, said New Democrat MP Pat Martin, critic for aboriginal issues.

"What a bunch of buffoons," he said. "This type of Freudian slip is just an indication of the esteem in which they hold aboriginal people."

Conservative organizers were also on the defensive Thursday for a radio attack ad on the Liberals that some say is an offensive mockery of Barbadians.

The ad, which was expected to run in March, is narrated by a man with a mellow Caribbean accent who refers to tax breaks enjoyed in the Barbados by "Mr. Paul" - Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Copyright © 2004 The Halifax Herald Limited

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

How is making a mistake verbally worse than stealing money from the government and funneling back into a political party?

Sorry, I'll take someone who makes a mistake during an oral presentation over someone who steals from taxpayers anyday!

[SarcasmKills]

I don't see why people are so fascinated with Harper.. do you really think having him in power will lower your taxes? please.

Privatization of healthcare WILL happen under a Harper government, and once that happens, Canadian life will forever be changed for the worse..

Ya that sounds a little dramatic, but IMO it's an obvious truth...

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Harper won't privatize healthcare. He's too middle of the road to succumb to the far right.

Besides, logic dictates that if he privatizes health care, and the public gets cheesed off, and elect the Libs back, they would just make it the way it was before.

[Hyalucent]

[Free World]

[turtlepi1]