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Originally posted by Moral Hazard Very good points but I cannot see your prediction for results rigning true. The problem is that the NDP and the Liberals will draw from the same seats. Any gains the NDP will make will be at the Liberals expense. Now it is possible that the Liberals could win seats away from the Conservatives, however, I don't see anything in the public opinion trends that would support that. I think the most likely outcome is that the Conservatives and the Liberals will end up in nearly a dead heat with a slight seat lead going to the conservatives. They will attempt to form a government but will need either the NDP or the BQ to support them in order to do this, they will not be able to get such an agreement(as the NDP is fearful of the Conservatives and the BQ will not work with anyone). The NDP and the Liberals will form a colalition government.

Current polling indicates that one of the most significant shift in seats if an election were held today would be from the Liberals to the BQ in Quebec, in the order of approximately 10 seats or so. That's a fair bit of ground the combined Liberal-NDP team would have to make up at the expense of the Conservatives.

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Originally posted by ShadoWolf Interesting, as that was an idea put forth by the Reform party. The CPC's free vote policy is related to that notion. http://www.conservative.ca/document...DECLARATION.pdf In fact, former Alberta premier Ernest Manning and his son Preston wrote a book on that subject... many consider it to be the most important book on Canadian politics in the past 50 years. It's called: "Political Realignment: A Challenge to Thoughtful Canadians"

Any Canadian who wants to change anything is labelled "un Canadian". "sell out" or "extremist"

So dont expect anything to drastically change anytime soon.

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Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

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Originally posted by Jayx1 That would be a nightmare. Endless deficits and money thrown down the toilet on national daycare and environmental projects that would have minimal impact. Not to mention how the NDP is famous for funding every little pet project and artsy fartsy grant under the sun. No thanks! What we need is reform and spending, not JUST more spending. Right now we just keep throwing good money after bad.

I have to admit, I have not looked into the proposed national daycare program, however, in theory a well run national daycare program is one of the most economically beneficial things that any country can do. Not only do you allow people to enter the workforce by providing supervision for their children but you create jobs within the system. This results in a great deal of people having more disposable income then they would have had without the program. Disposable income gets disposed of... this would create further jobs in manufacturing and service. Again, please note, this is in theory and is not an endorsement of the currently proposed national daycare program.

Wait, are you saying that Federal money shouldn't go to fund training program to help homeless people learn to make wine from dandylions?

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

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Originally posted by Moral Hazard I have to admit, I have not looked into the proposed national daycare program, however, in theory a well run national daycare program is one of the most economically beneficial things that any country can do. Not only do you allow people to enter the workforce by providing supervision for their children but you create jobs within the system. This results in a great deal of people having more disposable income then they would have had without the program. Disposable income gets disposed of... this would create further jobs in manufacturing and service. Again, please note, this is in theory and is not an endorsement of the currently proposed national daycare program.

I have a friend who works in a government funded daycare centre through the YMCA. She tells me about how they are constantly wasting money. First there is hardly any accountability for funds. Second she tells me that because so much money gets sent to the centre they are constantly throwing out perfectly decent toys and materials simply because they have money to buy new ones. She tells me that this place bleeds money and that no one cares because the government will just send more money.

This is exactly why im against the government getting involved in more than actual governing. This is also why our health care system is a mess. Not to mention we cant even support national health care let alone a daycare program.

I forgot to mention that welfare moms already getting fully subsidized daycare (which does not make sense since they are on welfare!!!!!) so why not just fund daycare for those who truely need it?

Public daycare will INCREASE cost not lower it. Not to mention that they will then organize into public unions which will pretty much double the salaries.

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Wait, are you saying that Federal money shouldn't go to fund training program to help homeless people learn to make wine from dandylions?

LOL yeah that and funding documentaries on asian handicapped transvestites and how they live in Toronto. LOL

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Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

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Originally posted by Jayx1 LOL yeah that and funding documentaries on asian handicapped transvestites and how they live in Toronto. LOL

Now come on.... are you trying to tell me you wouldn't want to see a film about that. That would be great!

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

ahahahahhaha

no id rather have the government sponsor the CHIN bikini contest

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Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

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Originally posted by Moral Hazard Last time this happened was Trudeau's minority in the mid 70s.... While I agree that a lot of waste happened at that time a lot of good came of it as well. IF my prediction were to be correct you can bet on a lot of spending on social issues, I'd hazard to guess the entire budget surplus would be spent on social issues.

I'd be fine with that scenario too.

Further proof of the Conservative agenda for simply taking power is in today's Star...Martin offered May 19 as the day to vote on the budget, but apparently that's not good enough for Harper:

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“We’re not going to wait another week so the prime minister can use the Queen as a prop,” the Conservative leader said, referring to the monarch’s visit next week to Alberta and Saskatchewan. Then Harper went further. “We’re not going to play another week so that he can hope the health of some members of Parliament deteriorates.”

lame...he wants a confidence vote...Martin sets a date for one on his budget, a mere week from now...not good enough, for some bizarre reason that Harper would spin as wishing for the deterioration of health of parliament members?

It's *crystal* clear than ANY vote is going to require ALL members of EVERY party to be present in order that it be conclusive in everyone's eyes. Setting the date a week from now ensures adequate time for each party to ensure that all of it's memebers, and the independents, are available to be present or to reschedule any conflicts.

Seems reasonable to me...

Nothing "wrong" with looking to the polls for an indication of when to act...but Harper should beware followig them at all costs...this is the same person who was proclaiming a Conservative majority in the weeks leading up to the last election, lol.

I still think he's going to get burned and lose this election. People ARE upset with the Liberals, and rightfully so, but when it comes time to mark their ballot, I suspect that many will have great difficulty casting a ballot that could help make Stephen Harper the PM.

I will no doubt be voting Liberal again. I trust that additional scrutiny and checks will be put into place to ensure that a similar $$$ mismanagement will not occur again. I still think that a Liberal win, coupled with NDP involvement, is in the best interests of ALL Canadians.

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"We're not going to play another week so that he can hope the health of some members of Parliament deteriorates." He was referring to two Tory MPs and one Independent who are undergoing treatment for cancer.

oh god, Harper is such an asshonle....

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Sadly hes right. They are delaying the elections for 3 reasons.

First they want to try and use upcoming events for spin such as the budget and the queen. Thats obvious. There is no better feel good photo than a prime minister next to the queen.

#2 its very true that there are MPs who have very grave health problems and are getting worse. Delaying the vote betters the chances that the Liberals will have the advantage.

#3 The Liberals want to stave off dissolution of parliament so they can see what the outcome of the byelection is which i believe is on May 22. This could potentially give them one more seat in which to play with.

You cant blame harper for calling the government on it's sleaze. Dont shoot the messanger. At least this is one guy willing to talk about it instead of sweeping it under the rug. But i suppose Canadians cant bring themselves to realize that our government IS corrupt and dirty.

Sometimes i think Harper's problem is that he is too honest and the public does not ever want to hear the truth. If only he were a master at spinning like the liberals.

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Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

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Originally posted by MarkT I still think that a Liberal win, coupled with NDP involvement, is in the best interests of ALL Canadians.

So would you be willing to fork over my share of the tax increases that are inevitable under this scenario?

The government already has it's hands in my pocket (and enough control over my life) as is.

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Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

While I don't see a Liberal/NDP relationship as necessarily equal to payming more taxes, I'm quite prepared to do so rather than have the old Alliance running this country.

I'm willing to ante up a few more bucks for what I see as the best option for improving the entire country...can you say the same? You'll note that I rarely, if ever, talk about "me" or "my money" when debating politics.

So yes, you're quite right on that one.