Job Discussion Forums

[Yawarakaijin]

The time is fast approaching. How concered are you that Harper is going to win the election? From everything I have been reading it seems like a real possibility. If there are any Americans or Europeans out there who have any opinions I would love to hear your two cent on the possible shift as well.

[canuck]

All the problems started with Trudeau and Chretian as the finance minister. Let's spent, spent, spent irresponsibly and tired to keep Eastern Canada happy. The Torries tried to clean up the mess, were marginally successful, and then the Liberals continued on...scandals after scandals, representing Eastern Canada once again.

Hopefully Harper comes in and brings some political accountabilty to the government. Hopefully the back scratching and back door deals stop. There's a reason why, it's finally time to topple the current government.

I'm not concerned about Harper winning the election.

[Guy Courchesne]

On economics, I think the Liberals have done a great job. Scandals will bring you down though, even if some of the shenanigans are normal party politics, whatever colour you wear.

I'm more concerned about a Conservative government's actions in international affairs, such as Iraq and the war on terror. I liked that Chretch and Martin held to the UN line. That's the best place to be for Canada and in sync with most of the world.

[Hoser]

Looks like the Conservatives are in. I don't see what's stopping the Liberals and NDP from forming a coalition government though.

[Synne]

This whole "every man for himself" policy the Conservatives are bringing in is going to have its downfalls.

Either way this is going to be interesting to see what they can do.

I did not mind the Liberals.

12 years can't be wrong.

Canada was and will hopefully remain the absolute brilliant country it is.

I personally voted NDP.

[Guy Courchesne]

Interesting results...no major changes. The West voted the same, and conservatives picked up only just enough in Ontario and the Maritimes to make a minority. It's like, people are tired of Liberal scandal but scared of Harper. The Conservatives won't be able to push a social agenda, so what's left? Longer prison terms? That's it? Watch the Liberals regroup quickly with some fresh faces and force a vote again later this year.

[seanmcginty]

[canuck]

[quote="seanmcginty"]

[angrysoba]

Any thoughts on Michael Ignatieff's victory in Toronto?

[Cshannon]

I figure the current election result won't change much of anything. If Harper's minority gov't had substantially more power than it now does, it would be bad for most Canadians. Fortunately it does not, so it'll be right back to compromising, and I think the rest of Parliament won't accept any right wing BS. Many Conservative policies are too outrageous, some even on par with the Bush administration across the border.

The Liberals weren't bad, and Paul Martin could have been good PM for years to come had it not been for such an unfortunate campaign and getting bogged down in all these petty scandals.
I personally didn't care much about these little corruption scandals because they're basically unavoidable in any gov't (and despite all the rhetoric, Harper won't change a damn thing in that regard and I could see the Conservatives being even worse, again if they had substantially more power). Plus the scandals that did happen were relatively inconsequential, especially in light of how well the economy has been doing. Not saying corruption in any form is good, but it could be a lot worse.
Anyway, say whatever you want but the Canadian economy has been doing quite well under the Liberals. Period. People just forget that when they zero in on the petty scandals.

Hopefully the Libs have learned their lesson and we'll see them back in shortly.

[canuck]

[Cshannon]

Canuck: that's fine, I can understand you are likely a staunch conservative, and I can respect that -- but since our political persuasions probably differ fundamentally, we may just respectfully have to leave it at that.

However, I would say that we both have our opinions, and saying the economy is doing well despite the liberals (bearing in mind how long they've been in power) is an opinion, which I don't fully agree with, but again I doubt either of us will persuade the other. I don't consider the Conservatives to be a radical government either, but some of their policies I find quite worrisome. I don't think I trust Harper and I do believe the Conservatives have a hidden right-wing agenda despite recent refutations to the contrary.

I was essentially happy with the way things were for the time being despite the scandals and I personally don't feel that the change was worth the risk. Did the Liberals deserve to get punished for abusing the public trust? Probably. Will the Conservatives be any different, if not worse? Probably not. But that's just my opinion. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
We both agree however that not much has changed in this election as a minority gov't is still just a minority gov't

BTW, I wouldn't cite the Frasier Institute too often to press your case on these issues as it is well known to be a right wing think-tank (and hence I would say biased) and I guess most left-minded people would not consider it authoritative (not speaking just for myself).

[canuck]

[Guy Courchesne]

[chirp]

Just another thought: Since Mr. Martin has decided not to lead the Liberals in a future election, what do you think the chances are that Conservatives will change leaders going into the next election? I mean really, Mr. Harper couldn't get a majority government (twice) even with all scandals and bad press plaguing the Liberals.

I agree wholeheartedly that change was needed but I could not be more opposed to Mr. Harper's personal views on a number of hot topics. That being said, I do not believe that all the members of the half Conservative-half Reform party share his opinion. We'll just have to see if he allows a free vote...