Sen.Blutarsky 0 #1 January 24, 2006 Roll back the taxes and break out yer Bibles, eh? You betcha … Canada wakes up to new Conservative government Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:00 AM ET By Janet Guttsman and David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadians elected its first Conservative government in 12 years, but gave it only limited minority mandate to change policies and priorities. Newspapers on Tuesday highlighted the government's likely fragility, and one described it as party leader Stephen Harper's "Thin Blue Line." Blue is the color representing the Conservatives in Canada, while the Liberals are red. "Canadians did not endorse neoconservatism when they elected him last night," the Globe and Mail newspaper said in an editorial. "They voted against a Liberal Party that had become smug and arrogant." Callers to radio talk shows said it was time for change but they agreed were not willing to revamp the entire Canadian political landscape by handing the Conservatives a majority in Parliament. The Conservatives won 124 seats, below the 155 needed to form a majority. The ruling Liberals won 103 seats while the left-leaning New Democratic Party won 29 seats. The Bloc Quebecois, which campaigns only in the French-speaking province of Quebec, won 51 seats. "Each and every day, I will assure you of one thing -- I will dedicate myself to making Canada more united, stronger, more prosperous and a safer country," Harper told an ecstatic crowd in the Western Canadian city of Calgary after his win. The result was a huge triumph for Harper, a 46-year-old economist who created the Conservatives in late 2003 by pushing through the merger of two squabbling right-wing parties. He will be the first prime minister from the oil-rich Western province of Alberta for 25 years. Opinion polls had pointed to a Conservative minority. But the number of Conservative seats was somewhat below forecasts, indicating an unstable government unlikely to last for long. Minority governments in Canada rarely last longer than 18 months. The outgoing minority Liberal government stayed in power for 17 months before it was defeated in November 2005 over a kickback scandal. Unlike the Liberals, who governed with the help of the New Democrats, the Conservatives have no natural allies in a four-party Canadian Parliament and will need the support of political rivals on an issue-by-issue basis. Harper has pledged to work with other parties to push through his agenda, which includes a cut in consumption taxes and a balanced budget. The defeat was a humiliating blow for outgoing Prime Minister Paul Martin, who inherited a large majority when he took over in December 2003, only to see support fade amid scandals. He has said he will not lead the Liberals into the next election. The Liberals, long viewed as Canada's natural governing party, slumped in the polls after police said in late December they were investigating whether the finance minister's office had leaked information about proposed tax changes. "Canadians voted for hope over fear and accountability over corruption," senior Conservative Jason Kenney said. The Conservatives won 36.3 percent of the popular vote and the Liberals won 30.2 percent, their second-worst showing since Canada gained independence in 1867. Harper also vows to clamp down on crime, cut waiting times for health care and improve strained relations with the United States, with whom Canada has a number of trade disputes. He says he will allow a free vote in Parliament about whether Canada should repeal laws that allow gay marriage. There will be one independent, a Quebec talk show host who made a career out of lambasting politicians and railing against what he calls the Ottawa establishment. (With additional reporting by Amran Abocar, Robert Melnbardis, Rachelle Younglai, Randall Palmer, Gilbert Le Gras, Cameron French and Jeffrey Jones) Source: http://today.reuters.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=uri:2006-01-24T140004Z_01_N19193346_RTRUKOC_0_US-POLITICS.xml&pageNumber=1&summit= Blutarsky 2008. No Prisoners! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,651 #2 January 24, 2006 Good - incumbents should be shown the door more often.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #3 January 24, 2006 I'd like to see "unstable" governments in all elected democracies. I think they are beneficial, since governmental gridlock is usually the best way to ensure protections of citizens' rights. Governments pass laws. Laws, by their nature, restrict conduct. If they can't get anything done, they can't restrict conduct. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,435 #4 January 24, 2006 >Governments pass laws. Laws, by their nature, restrict conduct. If >they can't get anything done, they can't restrict conduct. Yep. My ideal for the US would be a republican senate, a democratic house and a libertarian president. Nothing would get done unless it _really_ needed to get done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff.Donohue 0 #5 January 24, 2006 I second Bill's slate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markd_nscr986 0 #6 January 24, 2006 ***Yep. My ideal for the US would be a republican senate, a democratic house and a libertarian president. Nothing would get done unless it _really_ needed to get done Brilliant! Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #7 January 24, 2006 Bill understands. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GTAVercetti 0 #8 January 24, 2006 This thread is so very happy. I agree too. dammit.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #9 January 24, 2006 Quote>a republican senate, a democratic house and a libertarian president. Nothing would get done unless it _really_ needed to get done. Yay! Edit: Nothing would get done unless it could benefits the crooks of all 3 parties...... Yeah, think about it. But at least they'd continue the worthless posturing legislation we see so much of. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #10 January 24, 2006 This is a good day for democracy except that Canada remains as divided as ever. Not a single riding in one of Canada's large urban centers (Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver) voted for the Conservatives. Much of French Montreal continues to support the seperatists Bloc Quebecois and English Montreal and Toronto continues to support the status-quo "corrupt" Liberals. The other large urban center, Vancouver is a mixture of the Liberals and NDP (a socialist party who insists on large government and high taxes ... because the good people of Canada couldn't possible be able to support themselves and need big government to look after everyone ... rubbish I say). Anyway I can only hope that Canadians (more importantly parlament) gives the Conservatives a chance to govern and to show the country that they aren't as evil as the opposition parties made them out to be with their unfounded scare tactics. But time will tell ... nevertheless, it is a good day for democracy. At least we have the ability to change governments without shedding blood in the streets. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #11 January 24, 2006 QuoteI'd like to see "unstable" governments in all elected democracies. I think they are beneficial, since governmental gridlock is usually the best way to ensure protections of citizens' rights. Governments pass laws. Laws, by their nature, restrict conduct. If they can't get anything done, they can't restrict conduct. Agreed. Here in Texas, the legislative session is limited to just 90 days, every other year. That helps keep them from having too much time on their hands to dig into our wallets. And it was designed that way from the beginning for that reason. Oh, by the way: Congratulations, Canadians! Now, about that $2 billion gun registry debacle... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,147 #12 January 24, 2006 It is a good day. Though, it is unfortunate that all major urban areas did not support a conservative government. Since it is a minority government, I hope that in the 2 years I give them, they can affect enough positive change to win a majority government next time aorund. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 37 #13 January 25, 2006 QuoteIt is a good day. Though, it is unfortunate that all major urban areas did not support a conservative government. Since it is a minority government, I hope that in the 2 years I give them, they can affect enough positive change to win a majority government next time aorund. I think Calgary is a major urban area (population close to 1 million) and we defintiely supporterd the conservatives. "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #14 January 25, 2006 QuoteI think Calgary is a major urban area (population close to 1 million) and we defintiely supporterd the conservatives. And in celebration of this sweet shift in Canada's political landscape, I hope the Av's deliver a nice ass kicking to the Flames tonight. . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #15 January 25, 2006 QuoteNow, about that $2 billion gun registry debacle... It will be interesting to see if they can do away with the Gun Registry. The Liberals and NDP will oppose getting rid of it and I doubt that the Bloc Quebecois would support any attempt to remove it as it was the Marc Lepine mass murder of young university women in Montreal that helped precipitate its formation. Depends on what the Conservatives offer the Bloc in return.....-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richards 0 #16 January 25, 2006 Good riddance to Paul Martin and his corrupt cronies. I look forward to more accountability in our government, better relations with the U.S., actual funding for our military (or whats left of it), and a government that is willing to put criminals behind bars for more than five minutes. It is a good day for Canada, and for democracy. Hoo-ahh!!! Richards My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMURRAY 1 #17 January 25, 2006 QuoteQuoteNow, about that $2 billion gun registry debacle... It will be interesting to see if they can do away with the Gun Registry. The Liberals and NDP will oppose getting rid of it and I doubt that the Bloc Quebecois would support any attempt to remove it as it was the Marc Lepine mass murder of young university women in Montreal that helped precipitate its formation. Depends on what the Conservatives offer the Bloc in return..... most items will need to wait until/if they get a majority in 18 months or so. They may be able to get a cut in GST through, maybe manditory time for possessing or using an illegal handgun. I'm only disappointed the Greens did not get a seat in BC. Harper should drop the "God bless Canada" bullshit. That is not what a lot of people want to hear from a PM. rm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peacefuljeffrey 0 #18 January 25, 2006 Quote Good - incumbents should be shown the door more often. That seems to be a knee-jerk reactionary statement. How can that be axiomatically true? What if those incumbents are DOING A GREAT JOB?! Should they be removed from power simply for being incumbents? How much sense does that make? How about we just "show the door" to ANY government that is corrupt and ineffective? You know, whether they're incumbents or not? --Jeffrey "With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #19 January 25, 2006 QuoteWhat if those incumbents are DOING A GREAT JOB?! WHERE!! . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peacefuljeffrey 0 #20 January 25, 2006 I didn't say they were. I said, WHAT IF they were? Should an incumbent that's doing a great job be ousted just for being an incumbent? That seems rather silly. --Jeffrey "With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #21 January 25, 2006 QuoteShould an incumbent that's doing a great job be ousted just for being an incumbent? That seems rather silly. No, term limits are a bad idea just because of that. I do wish the public would be more careful to elect people I think are doing a great job, though. . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 37 #22 January 25, 2006 QuoteQuoteI think Calgary is a major urban area (population close to 1 million) and we defintiely supporterd the conservatives. And in celebration of this sweet shift in Canada's political landscape, I hope the Av's deliver a nice ass kicking to the Flames tonight. Damn! They did too! Calgary 4 Colorado 7 (FINAL) "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richards 0 #23 January 25, 2006 It is not neccessary to throw an incumbent out just because; however in Canada we have had Liberal domination of our country for so long that it was unhealthy. A country needs at least two viable alternatives for government if the interests of democracy are to be served. A monopoly is a monopoly whether it be a store or a government. For example if there was no real Republican alternative in the U.S., Americans would only be able to choose WHICH Democrat they wanted as President rather than choosing between a Democrat and a Republican. In this case it is also worth noting that for the first time in my life we have a PM who is not from Quebec. Nothing against Quebec but the unwritten rule that Prime Ministers can only come from Quebec also raised serious questions about whether or not the interests of Canadians were being served. Imagine if for example as a result of Civil War bitterness there was an unwritten rule that a President could not be from the south, or for that matter couldn't be from anywhere but one northern state. I think in THIS case it was healthy to throw out the incumbent regardless of the job they were doing (which was a bad job in this case), however you are right to say that such an act should not be automatic. Cheers, Richards My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiles 0 #24 January 25, 2006 QuoteHarper should drop the "God bless Canada" bullshit. That is not what a lot of people want to hear from a PM. Exactly!! I shuddered when I heard those words. Strong opposition is gooood! Will be a tough ride for conservatives as minority-- (hurry up and wait) I was getting scared they might get majority!! this is cute: A little boy goes to his dad and asks, "Whatz Politics?" Dad says, "Well son, let me try to explain it this way: I am the head of the family, so call me The Prime Minister. Your mother is the administrator of the money, so we call her The Government. We are here to take care of your needs, so we will call you The People. Your nanny, we will consider her the Working Class. And your baby brother, we will call him the Future. "Now think about that and see if it makes sense." So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what Dad has said. Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. He finds that the baby has severely soiled his diaper. So the little boy goes to his parent's room and finds his mother sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny's room. Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed. The next morning, the little boy say's to his father, "Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now---The Prime Minister is screwing the Working Class while the Government is sound asleep. The People are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit." SMileseustress. : a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,147 #25 January 25, 2006 Quote(hurry up and wait) I was getting scared they might get majority!! Why? Afraid the liberals would have to stop lining heir own pockets with tax payers money? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
