Dear Mr. Martin

[slowpoke]

A drop in popularity of the government is an EXCELLENT reason for an election.. it means the people WANT CHANGE.

So why have elections every 4 years when we could have them every time the governing party drops a fraction in popularity polls? Yeah....that'd work.

 

[xxxseer]

Some of you have started to sympathize with your abductors..

Who is abducting??

The Liberals have held us hostage for so long that you can not tell reality anymore.

It is you who can't tell reality. As I have spelled out to you : the REALITY is budget SURPLUSES 8 years running!!! Yeah some hostage taking.

When they finally get kicked out (please Lord - soon)... then we will find out the true depth of their corruption and lying. Whomever takes over will find quite a mess of "cooked" books I'll wager.

The provincial Liberals said the same about Harris' books as he said about Rae's. That is just politics playing to ones advantage. The real test will be if he (Harper) can get us into budget surpluses in the 2nd 3rd and or 4th year in power. Of course he will not. That is why it is best to stay the course.

 

[langeweile]

Your name suits you well. You look for the low light and not the highlights. Like I said, some tightening of the rules must happen, but thorugh all what you say this government has DELIVERED SURPLUSES 8 YEARS RUNNING.

Why is delievring a surplus a good thing?? I guess you want me to applaud a goverment that takes more money from it's citizens than it really needs?
Personally it makes me uncomfortable, that a goverment does that. By design and purpose goverments in general are not very efficent in using money. Knowing that and having them report a surplus, should tell you that they have way too much of your money.
This is not a reason to celebrate, this is a reason for the citizens to demand lower taxes.

 

[scubadoo]

Why is delievring a surplus a good thing?? I guess you want me to applaud a goverment that takes more money from it's citizens than it really needs?
Personally it makes me uncomfortable, that a goverment does that. By design and purpose goverments in general are not very efficent in using money. Knowing that and having them report a surplus, should tell you that they have way too much of your money.
This is not a reason to celebrate, this is a reason for the citizens to demand lower taxes.

They have lowered taxes over the past 10 years. They also eliminated Mulroney's 48 Billion Dollar Deficit and have paid down on our debt owed. When you get past all of this political fluff! I'll take a gov't who can pay down debt instead of giving tax breaks to the likes of all the big conservative friendly corporations!

To think.....Harper if he does get the largest amount of seats will still be a minority gov't propped up by the Block. Humm.......so how is that better than what we have right now anyway?

The current minority government could work if Harper let it, but he wants to be Prime Minister and that is his only goal. If you truly think he gives a sh*t about you or I you are sorely mistaken.

 

[xxxseer]

Bullshit bullshit bullshit. Stop giving the lying, heaving spending Liberals credit for the economy. Yes, there was a deficit when Mulroney left office, but you neglected to mention that the deficit was much lower than when he took office. You also negelected to mention that it was Mulroney, not Martin, that stopped the runaway spending. You forgot to mention that it was Mulroney, not Martin, that replaced the MST with the GST, you forgot to mention that Martin stipped our military of its capacity to do more than PR work, you forget to mention that Martin balanced the budget by screwing the provinces out of transfer payments.

Martin has lowered taxes, but only because he has shifted the responsibility to the provinces. That, and the damn Liberals jacked the taxes sky high to begin with.

Bullshit, bullshit bullshit. When Mulroney left office the deficit was basically the same (+- 1 billion dollars.) IN the middle of his tern the deficit did drop considerably, but by the time he left it was right back up there.
Mulroney was decreasing tranfers to the provinces looong before Martin did and he also did not contribute anything to the military either.

 

[langeweile]

I appreciate all your answers to my initial question on why a aurplus is seen as reason to celebrate?
I am not implying a goverment should run up a deficit. Incidently this is one of those points I don't agree with Bush on.
Goverment should live within it's means. It is our duty as citizens to define those parameters.
if I have learned one thing in my life, it is the fact that if something is for free, it tends to be abused..see social housing.

This is not a conservative vs liberal issue. it is an issue of "we the people" holding our goverment responsible.
Part of the goal in this partisan bickering over money, is turn people off, so that those in power, can do as they pleased.
If you don't beleive this, than you are naive. Power (and money) corrupts. READ your history.
No country EVER in history has taxed itself in to prosperity, quiet the opposite is happening and has happened.

 

[langeweile]

.

The problem Lange that you and your fellow conservatives...
.


bbk

You are missing the point...you sound like a broken record.

BTW there are more socialist(or communist) goverments that have failed than any other

Russia, East germany,Polen, CSSR,Bulgaria, Romania...Germany, france, and the verdict is out on China...do I need to go on???

 

[someone]

Some of you have started to sympathize with your abductors.. The Liberals have held us hostage for so long that you can not tell reality anymore.

I take it that you read that letter to the editor in the Globe today about Canadians suffering from the Stockholm Syndrome. I have to admit, it is a better explanation for some of the posts here than any I can think of.

 

[someone]

Bullshit, bullshit bullshit. When Mulroney left office the deficit was basically the same (+- 1 billion dollars.)

By the time Mulroney left office the deficit largely involved interest payments on debts run up by either the preceding liberal government or interest on the interest on the debts of the past liberal government. He actually ran an operating surplus. Although I would have liked him to have done more to bring the deficit down, the fact is that going from an operating deficit to an operating surplus was an important first step. Moreover, his policy initiatives on the free trade and GST from were important in leading to the economic growth that helped turn the remaining deficits into surpluses.

Although paying down the debt is important, reducing the tax burden is also important.

 

[K Douglas]

Parliament is only frozen because Hidden Agenda Harper and Seperatist Duceppe are not following the wishes of the citizens of this country. Blame them, not the Liberals.

Who would you replace the Liberals with?? Seriously think about this. People are in a huff because of a $150 million scam. While the manner which this scam operated is not excusable and the holes should be plugged to not let it happen again, $150 million is spit out (GDP) bythis country in less then 2 hours. Also keep in mind that for the past 8 years Canada has had healthy budget surpluses in the BILLIONS of dollars. Therefore in order to correct this scandal the people feel to replace a party that has brought surpluses for years with a party that will most certainly, at best, break even. Translation : loose $10 Billion in light of a $150 million scandal. Doesn't make sense to me. Look at the big picture - the one that matters.

Look at the big picture - $150 million is alot of damn money that could go to good uses. But its not just about the volume of the money stolen - its about changing the system and the philosophy of politicians, senior bureaucrats and party members. Its about having respect for your position with which you've been entrusted with, and for the hard earned money that overtaxed individuals pay for the collective well being of society.
Lest we forget the other squandered $$ - the gun registry that was supposed to cost $200 million, now over $2 billion; the unaccounted for $2+ billion in HRDC dept.; the broken helicopter deal which cost taxpayers $50 million; the spending excesses of senior bureaucrats on fancy dinners, expensive bottles of wine, and other "gifts"; the rampant abuse of blackberry's, internet and cellular phones by public servants for their personal use.........................This madness has to stop now. And I truly believe that the only party that will check this practice is the Conservative Party of Canada.

 

[K Douglas]

Bullshit bullshit bullshit. Stop giving the lying, heaving spending Liberals credit for the economy. Yes, there was a deficit when Mulroney left office, but you neglected to mention that the deficit was much lower than when he took office. You also negelected to mention that it was Mulroney, not Martin, that stopped the runaway spending. You forgot to mention that it was Mulroney, not Martin, that replaced the MST with the GST, you forgot to mention that Martin stipped our military of its capacity to do more than PR work, you forget to mention that Martin balanced the budget by screwing the provinces out of transfer payments.

Martin has lowered taxes, but only because he has shifted the responsibility to the provinces. That, and the damn Liberals jacked the taxes sky high to begin with.

Wow, Winston - definitely the most intelligent post you've ever come up with. You hit the nail on the head! But actually when Mulroney left office the deficit was higher than what he inherited in 1984 but you also have to remember we were just coming out of the worst recession since the Depression and income tax revenues were way down.

 

[Keebler Elf]

...This madness has to stop now. And I truly believe that the only party that will check this practice is the Conservative Party of Canada.

Thanks for the laugh! That was the funniest thing I've read in a long time!!!

 

[Quest4Less]

See this typical of the idiot right that you are head cheerleader for - are you so blinded by ideology to think straight.

And you are the typical idiot on the left side.. you seem to think that having a corrupt bunch of lying thieves (alleged) in power is better than anything else. Talk about blind loyalty...

I have a problem with allowing the kind of garbage that is happening now continue. I believe that the answer lays in change. Let Harper have a chance... he couldn't possibly do any worse than the "Fiberals".

If there is a "surplus" then where is my piece? I'm tired of paying more and more for less and less service. I'm tired of hearing about wasted billions, and missing millions. I'm tired of hearing how new jobs, grants, etc.. are going to help the friends of Liberals (like this new airplane factory going to Quebec). I'm tired of seeing Liberal's using MY money as their own.

I want CHANGE & I hope I am not alone.

 

[Keebler Elf]

The Liberals will win the next election, just like they won the last election. And it will piss the conservative people off to no end. But ya know what? It will teach the conservatives a very simple lesson that they just can't seem to get their heads around: there are more Canadians who agree with Liberal policies than there are who agree with Conservative policies (does the average Canadian think the gun registry is a bad idea? No, they just think it costs too much. Does the average Canadian care if two guys can get married? No, the average person couldn't care less. Does the average Canadian oppose abortion? No. And on and on and on). Harsh as that may sound to some people, it's the truth. It's the same 'ol same 'ol conservative complainers who I hear lambasting the Liberals over and over again. Their vote wasn't enough last time and it won't be enough next time.

Is Conservative support up b/c of the Conservative policy platform? No. It's up b/c people are dissatisfied with the Liberal scandal (at the moment). And when the election comes Canadians are going to realize that they don't like the conservative platform, just like they didn't like it last time, and the Liberals will win again. And the Conservatives will be left standing around with their thumbs up their asses looking like a bunch of morons for toppling the gov't only to lose AGAIN!!!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Conservatives will not win until they dump their western leadership. Eastern Canada just doesn't trust 'em, and I don't blame them. Until you have someone in charge who is NOT from the west (the party itself doesn't need to get rid of its western influence, it just needs to get rid of its western leaders), the taint of the Reform Party will continue to haunt the Conservatives. When an eastern leader is in place (Mike Harris anyone?) and when the Conservatives get some policies that will actually appeal to enough Canadian voters, then they will win an election. Not before.

 

[Keebler Elf]

And you are the typical idiot on the left side.. you seem to think that having a corrupt bunch of lying thieves (alleged) in power is better than anything else. Talk about blind loyalty...

Where exactly did he say that?

Typical conservative extremism...

 

[K Douglas]

BBKing wrote "The debt in Ontario went from 20% GDP before he took office and max. out at 29% GDP all the while giving some of the most generous tax cuts in Ontario history"

I have a hard time believing that is the case. Please provide a reference for those figures. When Harris got in to power the provincial tax was 58.5% of the federal tax. That means anyone earning over $60,000 per year was paying about 54% in personal income tax. He had no choice but to cut tax rates, there was an exodus of high paying jobs leaving the province - no taxes were being paid. By cutting the tax rates more jobs are created and your revenue base is increased - its simple economics. They also cut social spending at the same time - welfare and public education (Health spending was actually increased contrary to popular opinion) and balanced budgets for 6 years while at the same time getting the shaft from Paul Martin through reduction in transfer payment percentage increases. So if you're 29% of GDP is true the blame doesn't solely rest on the Tories shoulders.

 

[Keebler Elf]

He had no choice but to cut tax rates, there was an exodus of high paying jobs leaving the province - no taxes were being paid.

MORE conservative extremist bullshit. Please provide references to prove otherwise...

 

[K Douglas]

The Liberals will win the next election, just like they won the last election. And it will piss the conservative people off to no end. But ya know what? It will teach the conservatives a very simple lesson that they just can't seem to get their heads around: there are more Canadians who agree with Liberal policies than there are who agree with Conservative policies (does the average Canadian think the gun registry is a bad idea? No, they just think it costs too much. Does the average Canadian care if two guys can get married? No, the average person couldn't care less. Does the average Canadian oppose abortion? No. And on and on and on). Harsh as that may sound to some people, it's the truth. It's the same 'ol same 'ol conservative complainers who I hear lambasting the Liberals over and over again. Their vote wasn't enough last time and it won't be enough next time.

Is Conservative support up b/c of the Conservative policy platform? No. It's up b/c people are dissatisfied with the Liberal scandal (at the moment). And when the election comes Canadians are going to realize that they don't like the conservative platform, just like they didn't like it last time, and the Liberals will win again. And the Conservatives will be left standing around with their thumbs up their asses looking like a bunch of morons for toppling the gov't only to lose AGAIN!!!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Conservatives will not win until they dump their western leadership. Eastern Canada just doesn't trust 'em, and I don't blame them. Until you have someone in charge who is NOT from the west (the party itself doesn't need to get rid of its western influence, it just needs to get rid of its western leaders), the taint of the Reform Party will continue to haunt the Conservatives. When an eastern leader is in place (Mike Harris anyone?) and when the Conservatives get some policies that will actually appeal to enough Canadian voters, then they will win an election. Not before.

You're wrong! Its the taint of the old Conservative party (Mulroney, GST) that is haunting this party more than the old Reform party elements . I truly believe that people want a change in politics, they're fed up with the same old same old, they want a "new school" party. Just look at the increase in the popularity of the Green Party as an example. The Reform/Alliance started as a regional grassroots movement that approached politics with a different agenda than the normal traditionalists. Unfortunately, extremist elements within the party hurt their chances in major urban centres where people have become borderline socialist, due in large part to media bias. But I think the blend of the the two parties - the social conscience and stability of the Conservatives and the philosophy/platform of the Reform/Alliance makes this a different party than the traditional Conservatives under Mulroney and the regional somewhat extremist Reform/Alliance under Manning and Day. I think that Canadians should at least give them a chance.

 

[tribble]

You're wrong! Its the taint of the old Conservative party (Mulroney, GST) that is haunting this party more than the old Reform party elements .

Gonna have to differ with you on this. It's the spectre of a W style reformer running the country that has Ontarions everywhere scared. Mulroney would have a better chance today than preston or harper ever would.

 

[langeweile]

You truly are pathetic - you are comparing a totalitiarn regime to Canadian Liberalism - if you want to go that line need I remind you how Conservative Hitler, Mussilini and Franco were. Not to mention the white regime in South Africa - need I go on.

See this typical of the idiot right that you are head cheerleader for - are you so blinded by ideology to think straight.

The fact remains the level of cuts Harper is proposing is as dangerous as spending the same amount of money on silly and wasteful programs. Need I remind you that there are an equal number of economists that believe government spending is more helpful to a growing economy as there are those who believe that tax cuts are more helpful. The truth Lange is somewhere in the middle and not that pathetic BS rant about how Canada is somehow like a totalitiarn and criminal regime. If in your eyes we are a totalitiarn regime, then leave, get the fark out while you have the chance, you never know when a Stalin might take over Canada - geeez what a fool you are.


bbk

You still don't get it.
Please point out the passage where I ahave accused Canada to a totalitarian regime.
I didn't think i had to do this, but here it is.
Govermental missmanagment of money and corruption is not specific to conservative, liberal, Canadian, American or any other nations goverment. It has to do with human behavior.
If you give politicinas access to free unlimited funds, and don't hold them accountable the chances for corruption, miss use and wasting of funds is high.
This is not true for politicinas only. Look at corporate expense accounts. Look at corporate missmanagment. Look at the state of "free healthcare". Look at the conditions of social housing.
If something belongs to you and you had to work for it, you will trest it differently, than if it's freely given to you.
Hell, this starts when you raise your kids.

Would you stop acting so defensive, please.
Neither side is above abuse of power, it is human nature.

I am little surprised by your blind faith in goverment. Over the past few month i had the impression, that you are not somebody that waits for a hand out. You seem to be an very independently thinking person, which doesn't match your passionate defense of goverment.
Maybe i was wrong about you.