Great news for Canada

[Paco]

Paul Martin's version of a 'government' has finally been been declared unfit to run the country!

A cherry of a topping will be if Canadian citizens learn to STOP VOTING LIBERAL! (Something tells me the east will not let that happen.)

Now how does that stupid hockey tune go: nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey ... GOOD BYE!

[gaystoryman]

Yeah well let's see, you must be from Alberta and the Ralph Klein version of How To Shoot One's Self In the Mouth...

Stephen Harper > Racist and wants to deny basic rights to gays.
Stephen Harper > If he doesn't like what the courts say, he'll just ignore it, (gee sound like George Bush wannabee?
Paul Martin > Roman Catholic but puts his own religious views aside to insure ALL Canadians have the same BASIC civil rights.
Liberals > Budget surplusses, past Tory governments.. Deficits to choke a bull elephant
Stephen Harper/ Ralph Klein > The poor can go stuff themselves, the working person can go stuff themselves, and let's all sing Yankee Doodle Dandy

Liberals > for Canada not George Bush & special Interests
Conservatives > Anything George Wants, he can have, as long as the Conservatives get to kiss his lilly white ass.

Yep, NANANANANNANANA...

[Blueyedb0y]

woooo great !!!

Now, who should I vote for?
Keep Martin in government? Vote in a dumbass like Harper? Or, give the Bloq more seats for a possible Refferdum* ?

oh, the decisions !?!?!

ya, I left out that NDP dude on purpose

[Paco]

Yeah well let's see, you must be from Alberta and the Ralph Klein version of How To Shoot One's Self In the Mouth...

Hmm... issues with our neighbour? Sure, may as well take Martin's side and let's sue their asses off! *BOOM*


Yup, it is clearly stated that I am an Albertan, and as for shooting one's self in the mouth.. why? Because I am happy to see the clown out of the office?

Yes, Martin surely did put his religious views/beliefs aside, when he turned his head, looking the other way while his crew delved in to the pot, and all because he was jockeying for (now you have to speak this part from the side of your mouth) dah cretin's job (ah yes, Chrétien, another fine upstanding & very honest Liberal).
Roman Catholic values set aside? NOT Looking the other way IS Roman Catholic ... like being touched by an angel (or priest) tell anyone and you'll be going to hell!
Liberals are a well organized syndicate, just like the RC and Vatican City.

The liberals have been spending over a billion dollars a day (24.5 or so) since they seen the ALMIGHTY hand started reachin down, from the clouds, for them. Scattering like rats they are.

and speaking of guns... what is the tally for the useless registry at now... hmm another billion (wasted), and they estimated it to be around two million. Oh yah, and how well is THAT working out?

Let's not forget the quality of friends the liberals keep, such as the very honest André Ouellet. Wonder if he knows any mobsters?

Sure Haper is an idiot, just like Martin.
Layton is an idiot with hidden agendas, just like Martin.

No matter how you look at it, our country is messed either way simply because Canadians seem to think they really only have two choice.

Oh, BTW, thanks for pigeonholing me: Alberta = Ralph Klein & Stephen Harper supporter.

I am a green supporter! (Let me guess, go figure, a pot head.)

[gaystoryman]

Ah a green man, well that is at least nice. YOu are right, shouldn't pigeon hole you, so my apologizes for that.

As for Martin, I'd rather piss away a few bucks than have to keep fighting for my civil rights, and while the greens are nice, and an attractive alternative, at least despite all the stupid moves of the Liberals, they have supported civil rights more than the Harper fanatics have.

I prefer a multi party system, I hate two party systems and my reasons for that, simply look south. Good enough reason right there.

And the only thing i would say is that No vote is wasted that is cast, only wasted Vote is that which isn't cast.

[desslock]

I'm curious - since Canadian gays enjoy marriage rights, plus you have policies of non discrimination in your military and (I assume) in workplace employment.... what are you worried about regarding Stephen Harper?

You guys have the laws in place. Are there additonal things that you or a liberal government had next to do?

Just from my observations, Harper is a pretty conservative guy, but are you sure you are representing him properly? I would also assume that there are conservative MPs who are supportive of equal rights for gays. And wouldn't the conservatives be sophisticated enough to know that if they want the power, they need to properly tune into this regarding gay rights or abortion.

If Canada would elect a conservative government that would set its priorities as decresing government spending, perhaps reforming the health system and ... something I'd love to see... improve relations with the United States, then good going.

You know if you guys deregulated your banking industry so that there were more smaller ones... like in the US ... you would have more competition and actually might have one or two that would carry adult business. Wouldn't that be nice?

The Bush Administration has screwed around with crappy policies like keeping out Canadian beef and lumber... so I would find it interesting to see how now with an idealogically friendly party running things whether they could actually create an improved atmosphere.

Steve

[gaystoryman]

I'm curious - since Canadian gays enjoy marriage rights, plus you have policies of non discrimination in your military and (I assume) in workplace employment.... what are you worried about regarding Stephen Harper?

You guys have the laws in place. Are there additonal things that you or a liberal government had next to do?

Just from my observations, Harper is a pretty conservative guy, but are you sure you are representing him properly? I would also assume that there are conservative MPs who are supportive of equal rights for gays. And wouldn't the conservatives be sophisticated enough to know that if they want the power, they need to properly tune into this regarding gay rights or abortion.

If Canada would elect a conservative government that would set its priorities as decresing government spending, perhaps reforming the health system and ... something I'd love to see... improve relations with the United States, then good going.

You know if you guys deregulated your banking industry so that there were more smaller ones... like in the US ... you would have more competition and actually might have one or two that would carry adult business. Wouldn't that be nice?

The Bush Administration has screwed around with crappy policies like keeping out Canadian beef and lumber... so I would find it interesting to see how now with an idealogically friendly party running things whether they could actually create an improved atmosphere.

Steve

No I don't think that the answers are to deregulate our banking system, as that is part of why our economy is growing and yours isn't. We insure that our banks are secured, financially. Deregulation is a conservative ploy that might work in some countries, but not up here.

1. We deregulated the airline industry under Brian Mulroney, a conservative, and the result is we have only one national airline barely treading water. Before we had two solvent entities.

2. Deregulated Ontario Hydro and now it might be bought back because it isn't responsive to the needs of the people. It has made too many mistakes.

Gay Rights are set, but under our consititution, there is a 'not withstanding clause' in which the government can over rule the high court decisions such as gay rights. Stephen Harper has publicly time in and time again has said he would use that clause to end not just gay rights, but woman's right to an abortion.

In addition, Canada does not wish to become engaged in your Iraq war, Harper has stated repeatidly that he would join the Bush led war on terror, including sending troops to Iraq. The past Liberal government and this current one have refused basing their decision that occuppation of a nation without dealing with the underlying social and religious issues of that nation will not create a stable nation. Even Britain is waffling now because it was lied to.

Canada is the largest nation in the world in land mass. That in itself presents several unique situations given we have a population base of under $30 million. Deregulation of industries are not going to insure proper rail service to outlying areas, or such. That is why we have banking regulations that not only insure competition, but insure that smaller out of the way places still have access. Something deregulation removes.

In addition, Stephen Harper has clearly maintained that he wants a two tier health care system. We see how it works for the States and so again, I wouldn't vote for Stephen Harper. Our system is far from perfect, but when it comes down to it, its a 1000% better than having nearly 30% of the population having no health care as currently exists in the States.

As well, Harper has this notion that his religious views need to be mine. I am sorry, but I cannot ever vote for someone who wishes to govern by religious decree. Our past Prime Minister and this one both have the guts, tenacity and balls to admit that they don't see being gay as something great, but that it is not a reason to deny basic civil rights to those who do. Harper says that God's will must be enforced. In short, George Bush clone and we all can see how well he's done.

As to the actual vote for same sex marraige, the conservative voted against it, en masse, along with some liberals. The NDP and Bloc members voted for it, which shows this. That to begin with the Liberals were able to allow its members to vote its conscience, while the conservatives held their line or at worst, were made up of narrow minded bigots. You can take your pick.

So, no, I am not being reactionary or exaggerating the seriousness of what a Harper led government would do. It is from his own mouth, and no not ten years ago, not five even five years ago, but all within the last year in various speeches across this country.

[gaystoryman]

In regards to improved relations between the USA and Canada, come on Steve, how many times does a country have to bend over before they say enough?

Canada is tired of the US bullying, pure and simple and if that means frosty relations, so be it. It isn't of our making, and Canadians are simply tired of listening to the bellyaching from Bush and the others, including Hilary.

Reformed health care? Yes, but not on your country's example as that simply does not work. When people are forced to work at two jobs to maintain health care insurance, when most low income workers have no health care, how is that a system to be proud of?

Ours may indeed have waiting lists, but you know what, so does yours. Only thing is if you got the cash you can go ahead of the list such as pro atheletes do regularly. So no, reform yes but not the way you might be thinking, but with stricter controls over administrators and health care workers.

As to banks, mine loves my adult business, but again the issue of them handling adult for say VISA is not because of our regulations, but because US VISA is a spoiled brat. They want control over our industry, which currently rests under VISA International. Something US VISA objects to, hence why Canada is basically left in no man's land where that applies.

Bottom line seems that if we elect a government who will jump when the USA says so, is fine with the Americans, but when we want some considerations for that, well that seems a different story. Treaties are supposed to be honoured, in the case of the lumber dispute, the US Congress has repeatitly ignored the treaty, ignored the independent panels set up for disputes simply to appease US based contributors to the two political parties, so no, having a boot licking, ass kissing government will not benefit Canada, and last time I checked, we were still an independent nation.

[Paco]

And the only thing i would say is that No vote is wasted that is cast, only wasted Vote is that which isn't cast.

Excellent point, and I would like to add, any person that does not intentionally vote should not (more like does not have the right to) complain about our government or political system.

I do hope that someday we can have an honest and accountable government, but that is simply the green/dreamer in me speaking.

[gaystoryman]

As a side note, today Stephen Harper announced that if elected he would vote to define marraige as between a man and a woman.... once more proving that he is not concerned with civil rights for all, that his religious views only, are what counts.

Canadians must vote.. for anyone but the conservatives!

[Paco]

As a side note, today Stephen Harper announced that if elected he would vote to define marraige as between a man and a woman.... once more proving that he is not concerned with civil rights for all, that his religious views only, are what counts.
Canadians must vote.. for anyone but the conservatives!

Yes, I totally agree: so that is big fat NO to conservatives & an even larger NO to the Liberals!

All I can say is GO GREEN!
The only other option is to vote for Duceppe / Bloc Qebecois (whom only cares about siding with that which benefits Quebec! Does that mean Alberta? :honest: ).

[Jasun]

Quite Honestly, I'm not a big huge fan of the liberals, but who the fuck else are you gonna vote for? The NDP, though I like Jack Layton, will spend the country into so much debt that it will end up like.. well.. America.

The Conservatives will roll back every single right that gays and lesbians have won. And they're all borderline Nazis when it comes to women's rights, immigration, abortion and the poor.

So yeah, Celebrate all you want, Paco, but you know as well as I do that the Liberals will not only win this election, but they may actually get a majority out of this.

Let's hope Steven Haper is thrown out on his fat Racist, Homophobic, Sexist ass.

[Jasun]

I would also assume that there are conservative MPs who are supportive of equal rights for gays.
Steve

Well, you'd be wrong. I believe that when the vote came in, they ALL voted against the bill. And this is the party where MPs were saying that if you had gay employee, that you should move him to the back of the store so customers woudln't complain.

[desslock]

No I don't think that the answers are to deregulate our banking system, as that is part of why our economy is growing and yours isn't.

Well not to pick nits, but the US economy is growing faster than Canada's and our unemployment is lower. According to last week's Economist I have here, they show US growth last quarter at 3.6% vs Canada at 2.7%. Unemployment in the US is 5% compared to Canada's 6.6%.

Actually Canada's not doing badly at all, and I don't invoke that to imply "mine's better than yours." France or Germany would love having economies like ours.

It isn't really discussed much, but the reason risky businesses (like adult) have more trouble in countries outside the US is because of laws and regulations that prevent the banks from engaging in risky business.

I know too that European countries especially have lots of laws restricting and limiting credit card use. Not only restrictions on interest rates, but laws requiring CREDIT or DEBIT labelling on cards, and places like Belgium where you can't carry more then $750 credit lines. I figure this is why "cellphone porn" is a phenomonon in Europe... it's a necessity of financial life.

I'm not saying that "deregulation" is a panacea! But I found it interesting that you read in school about how a system of less regulations will allow banks to engage in higher risk endeavors... then lo and behold where is the most creative and able environment to operate an adult business?

Gay Rights are set, but under our consititution, there is a 'not withstanding clause' in which the government can over rule the high court decisions such as gay rights. Stephen Harper has publicly time in and time again has said he would use that clause to end not just gay rights, but woman's right to an abortion.

Thanks for explaining this. I enjoy learning about the political systems in other countries. Actually to my ear, that sounds like "rights" are more ephemeral... what one group can give, the very next group can take away a few years later. One thing I find comforting about the US is that is so much more difficult to accomplish.

I'm sure you have read the news in the US of the vacancy on the Supreme Court, and the President's selection of Sam Alito. Pro life conservatives may now be realizing that even with him, the American system effectvely prevents a court or a legislature to just change the law and criminalize abortion.

Alito's position is pretty much you cannot overturn the Roe v Wade decision, but you can be critical that it was too broad. This means that a future court might allow notification laws or maybe restrictions in the last three months of a pregnency, but they can't just boot it altogether. To ardant pro-lifers, I think that is pretty strong medicine.


Steve