RIP Jack Layton

[slamtart]

Jack was seen more as a man of the people.

Harper - while I'm sure everyone would be gracious, he (Harper) is not a man of the people. He just isn't. Kim Campbell once was supposed to tour some auto plant. Can't remember if it was Oshawa, or Oakville, whatever. When her handlers told her that she was going to tour the plant and meet with the workers, her response was, "what could I possibly have in common with them" Unfortuntately for Kim, word got out. But she was being honest. She has nothing in common with a guy who wields and impact wrench. Harper, pretty much the same. But Jack, you could see Jack sitting down for lunch with a bunch of guys cleaning out sewers and being ok with it.

Even Trudeau, as much as an intellectual as he was - he seemed to transcend the socio econic boundries in our country that guys like Harper just don't and never will.

Something about Conservatives - they're always seen as "the money party" The party of big business and old boy connections and doing things to help the rich. (Whether this is right or wrong is irrelevant - it just is the popular perception.) Hence they (Conservatives) don't enjoy the same popularity of those in the centre / centre-left. I'm wracking my brain trying to think of a Conservative politician who would be loved as a man of the people and I can't. Maybe Churchill, if that counts. And that would be about they only one I could think of. Reagan. Reagan was loved by those on the left and the right.

Case in point...I'm almost tempted to buy one.

http://www.zazzle.ca/ronald+reagan+ties

I agree with you man... there are politicians who purposely plan acts and appearances to make themselves seem more human or down to earth (i.e. Harper performing a Beatles song on the piano) and when that happens, your spidey senses tingle and they tell you that it's not genuine. Layton gave me a totally different impression....it's almost as if this politician had... dare i say it... INTEGRITY!

I was genuinely upset this morning when I found out about his passing. Truly a sad loss for us Canadians to lose a man like that in his political prime...

RIP JACK!

 

[Relic]

Jack was seen more as a man of the people.

Harper - while I'm sure everyone would be gracious, he (Harper) is not a man of the people. He just isn't. Kim Campbell once was supposed to tour some auto plant. Can't remember if it was Oshawa, or Oakville, whatever. When her handlers told her that she was going to tour the plant and meet with the workers, her response was, "what could I possibly have in common with them" Unfortuntately for Kim, word got out. But she was being honest. She has nothing in common with a guy who wields and impact wrench. Harper, pretty much the same. But Jack, you could see Jack sitting down for lunch with a bunch of guys cleaning out sewers and being ok with it.

Even Trudeau, as much as an intellectual as he was - he seemed to transcend the socio econic boundries in our country that guys like Harper just don't and never will.

Something about Conservatives - they're always seen as "the money party" The party of big business and old boy connections and doing things to help the rich. (Whether this is right or wrong is irrelevant - it just is the popular perception.) Hence they (Conservatives) don't enjoy the same popularity of those in the centre / centre-left. I'm wracking my brain trying to think of a Conservative politician who would be loved as a man of the people and I can't. Maybe Churchill, if that counts. And that would be about they only one I could think of. Reagan. Reagan was loved by those on the left and the right.

Case in point...I'm almost tempted to buy one.

http://www.zazzle.ca/ronald+reagan+ties

I grew up on a cattle ranch in Alberta and have done my share of hard- dirty work before I was financially able to start my own construction company. I also have not forgotten where I came from. I don't care if my PM has anything in common with the guy cleaning the sewer. The guy cleaning the sewer might be a man of the people as well, but I don't want him running my country.

I want a PM like Mr Harper who has an excellent understanding of economics combined with a high level of common sense. Mr Layton gave the impression that he cared about the people was an "everyman". Sometimes impressions can be deceiving.

 

[blackrock13]

I grew up on a cattle ranch in Alberta and have done my share of hard- dirty work before I was financially able to start my own construction company. I also have not forgotten where I came from. I don't care if my PM has anything in common with the guy cleaning the sewer. The guy cleaning the sewer might be a man of the people as well, but I don't want him running my country.

I want a PM like Mr Harper who has an excellent understanding of economics combined with a high level of common sense. Mr Layton gave the impression that he cared about the people was an "everyman". Sometimes impressions can be deceiving.

Well that explains a lot of your posts, but that's for another thread.

 

[someone]

Throughout my day I have observed that the "right" ,for the most part, has been very kind and gracious in their comments regarding the passing of Mr Layton. I cant help wonder however if these same kind comments would be extended to Mr Harper if the situation was different. Sadly this is a rhetorical question.

The more polished left wing politicians would likely make decent public statements of condolences. It would be harder for their hardcore followers as many of them blindly buy into their leaders’ propaganda about hidden agendas and the like. Once people buy into the idea they are supposed to hate someone, it is hard for them to reverse course. They don’t realize the people they believed were just playing politics. That being said, the majority of Canadians are not hardcore followers of any political party or ideology and I suspect would say nice things.

 

[red]

I want a PM like Mr Harper who has an excellent understanding of economics combined with a high level of common sense..

if only harper was like that

 

[Relic]

Well that explains a lot of your posts, but that's for another thread.

Still mad about the asskicking I gave you on the Global warming scam I see. I must have really got to you that you would highjack a thread about your hero just to take a shot at me.

 

[Mervyn]

The more polished left wing politicians would likely make decent public statements of condolences. It would be harder for their hardcore followers as many of them blindly buy into their leaders’ propaganda about hidden agendas and the like. Once people buy into the idea they are supposed to hate someone, it is hard for them to reverse course. They don’t realize the people they believed were just playing politics. That being said, the majority of Canadians are not hardcore followers of any political party or ideology and I suspect would say nice things.

+1

Even those who don't have anything nice to say, I believe many would simply say nothing.

 

[Jennifer_]

Seeing the negative posts here really makes me sad...
There's no need. No matter what your political view point is ~ no one can deny that Mr. Layton loved our country and worked hard for all of us. I've never known of a politician who I believed to be so sincere.

Show some respect and save your negativity for another day.

 

[K Douglas]

he was earnest, humble, eternally optomistic and dedicated to his life's work: social justice through politics....too bad we won't have him pointing out harper's real agenda and contempt for fair and open democracy in Ottawa.

Give it a rest. I get it you don't agree with Harper's policies but this bullshit about hidden agendas and attacks on democracy is ridiculous.

 

[K Douglas]

I don't share Jack Layton's vision, nor am I particularly enthralled with some things he has done in the past. That being said, this thread is no place for negativity or personal attacks on his character or views. I admire the man for his work ethic, for his principled vision, for making the NDP relevant and for his recent success in the federal election, despite being sick and in pain. It is a sad day for all Canadians and I extend my condolences to his family and close friends and supporters. He will be very tough act to follow for the next leader.

 

[moviefan]

Seeing the negative posts here really makes me sad...
There's no need. No matter what your political view point is ~ no one can deny that Mr. Layton loved our country and worked hard for all of us. I've never known of a politician who I believed to be so sincere.

Show some respect and save your negativity for another day.

I agree.

Most people in politics genuinely believe they can help make the country a better place. You don't have to agree with their ideas to respect their contributions, and you can still offer condolences on a tragic loss.

 

[james t kirk]

I want a PM like Mr Harper who has an excellent understanding of economics combined with a high level of common sense. Mr Layton gave the impression that he cared about the people was an "everyman". Sometimes impressions can be deceiving.

I think you mean Paul Martin.

 

[wetnose]

And....heeeere's Jack with Rick Mercer....in better days...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok_hTUyP1sQ

 

[wigglee]

Throughout my day I have observed that the "right" ,for the most part, has been very kind and gracious in their comments regarding the passing of Mr Layton. I cant help wonder however if these same kind comments would be extended to Mr Harper if the situation was different. Sadly this is a rhetorical question.

Even Conservatives could see that Jack was honest and postive by nature, even if they think he was deluded by fantasies of socialism....but Harper is generally perceived as a vicious, deceitful, controlling jerk ( whether or not you agree with his American Republican vision of governing.)

 

[Relic]

..but Harper is generally perceived as a vicious, deceitful, controlling jerk ( whether or not you agree with his American Republican vision of governing.)

A vicious, deceitful, controlling jerk that Canadians apparently like and have confidence in given his majority win.

 

[ogibowt]

I don't share Jack Layton's vision, nor am I particularly enthralled with some things he has done in the past. That being said, this thread is no place for negativity or personal attacks on his character or views. I admire the man for his work ethic, for his principled vision, for making the NDP relevant and for his recent success in the federal election, despite being sick and in pain. It is a sad day for all Canadians and I extend my condolences to his family and close friends and supporters. He will be very tough act to follow for the next leader.

a classy post from a rightie..thanks Dougie...this was a very sad day for me...Jack was a class act and will be missed

 

[luvzgirlz]

A vicious, deceitful, controlling jerk that Canadians apparently like and have confidence in given his majority win.

I think the perception is he won't screw things up too badly. People wanted stability. There is no way that many conservatives were just spawned out of an oil rig, nor do the majority of Canadians fall in line with Harper's POV on most social issues. I have never, ever heard anyone, left wing or right wing, say they actually like Stephen Harper. He has never really displayed any personality of any kind and he is not regarded even by his most ardent supporters as a charismatic leader. This puts him into great contrast with Mr. Layton, who most people, as you've seen in this very thread, tended to find likable even if they were at odds with his politics. Polls during the election confirmed that. Harper does project that he is essentially competent, but my issue with him is I believe him to be too far to the right based on statements made in pre-leadership years, his religion, and I feel that with a majority he may now start to legislate his beliefs. That scares me, quite frankly.

I do hope someone can carry on Layton's legacy. He will truly be missed.

 

[nova5]

Jack Layton led his people out of the wilderness, and then died …

“Like some political Moses, Jack Layton led his people out of the wilderness, only to die within sight of his own Promised Land.”

Canadian Business …
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/art...ed-his-people-out-of-the-wilderness-then-died

 

[lovelatinas]

Jack was a great man. He will be missed.

 

[Possum Trot]

I grew up on a cattle ranch in Alberta and have done my share of hard- dirty work before I was financially able to start my own construction company. I also have not forgotten where I came from. I don't care if my PM has anything in common with the guy cleaning the sewer. The guy cleaning the sewer might be a man of the people as well, but I don't want him running my country.

I want a PM like Mr Harper who has an excellent understanding of economics combined with a high level of common sense. Mr Layton gave the impression that he cared about the people was an "everyman". Sometimes impressions can be deceiving.

I think you have hit the nail on the head here. Read Christie Blatchford`s column today. She has the balls to say what a lot of us have been thinking.