Now.
Would be a good time for the LPC to release our Urban Plan For Canada.
Now.
To highlight the Liberal positive concern for Canadian cities and their suburbs.
Thanks Harper - for taking Quebec, and now Toronto off the table. Now, just repeat your statement about the "defeatist attitude" in the Atlantic Provinces... Or better yet, let's roll on to Vancouver/Lower Mainland...
Living in Calgary for many years, the seething hatred towards Toronto (and to a lesser extent Vancouver and Montreal) was visibly on display by most all of the Reform crowd. Colorful language is often used to describe Vancouver, TO, or other large, non-Conservative cities... Harper and his ilk never hid their hatred for the "Big Smoke"... Perhaps childhood traumas for our PM???
Anyways, it appears today that their "gift" to Toronto is more like a big "F You Toronto". I mean, c'mon, they clearly KNEW what the summit would bring. They knew that holding it in Toronto would bring protest and more. They had mega-police protecting the fences, while the rioters laid waste to the rest of the fair city.
There's a lot more to the reason the summit was held in Toronto. First the disgusting waste of taxpayer funds... Now the realized Conservative dream of chaos and destruction wished on the good people of Toronto, our nation's largest, most diverse city. We often heard Conservative comments in Alberta and "off mike". Now we see what they really wanted for the "Big Smoke"... Real smoke, it appears.
Pathetic. Infantile. Reform-a-Tories...
... 16 Billion $$$s on a SOLE SOURCE fighter contract with the US. Canadian Forces go along, even though they never buy single-engine fighters (due to the vast barren North that we have to defend)... Report indicates that new fighters could have been sourced much cheaper if the bidding was open and competitive.
Just one more way your Conservative "government" wastes YOUR taxes.
Posted earlier.
Liberal success will come from recognizing an Urban-Rural synergy of 100-mile diets, organic and market farming, and the true needs of cities. As civilizations progress they urbanize, and we need to address the issues which arise as a result. Tying that in with "sustainable" agriculture and resource management is key to success in the new millenia.
Discuss...
The Conservatives could well be prompting a "hyper-charged" security community simply to ensure that they can "justify" their billion dollar spending spree on the G8/20.
Yesterday they captured a gardener buying fertilizer.
Who knows what they'll come up with? Brown people wandering around downtown Toronto? Uh... that could be a problem.
Seems like there is a "mutually beneficial relationship" between increased such incidents and justification of Summit security costs...
Just sayin'... Someone may be playin'... Just tell the security folks to be on "extra-special super-duper high alert" and arrest anyone and everyone right? Methinks there may be more to this than meets the eye. Perhaps not the actual investigation - which is legit - but the media feeding frenzy around it - which the government benefited from the distraction of...
Are you there Iggy?
It's me - Grit.
The rumours of coalitions didn't end with your very forceful statement to the otherwise. How to fight this?
Try this:
1) Once again rule out a merger - ABSOLUTELY
2) Laugh about the "anonymous party insiders"
3) Walk over to Jack's office (yes, YOU walk over to Jack) and work out a "non-aggression pact" for Parliament AND the election ahead. Come out with a strong joint press conference indicating that cooperation between parties is essentail to Canada and Canadians. Let Jack do a LOT of the talking. Indicate again that there will be no merger between the two proud parties, but that we need to rise above the current state of the House (created by Harper) and work for the MAJORITY of Canadians who would like to see him removed.
4) If it's about not having enough funds to fight an election right now, or every two years, introduce a private members bill that would support a spending cap and a ban on "off-season/non-election" advertising. This is CRUCIAL to our democracy. There will never be a level playing field if Conservative interest groups continue to fuel that attack ad machine.
5) Get out to Kelowna BC for the "Stock Car Experience", where - instead of sticking a logo on a CASCAR car, you can actually pilot a real stock car, and partake in your favorite sport. A real spectacle for ordinary Canadians, and a great way to divert from all this talk. More policy news conferences will get you nowhere at this point. You need to pull the "piano trick". Now.
This isn't really happening.
No, seriously. It's not.
The talks of merger are just a "shot across the bow" of the Harper party... who are terrified of such a prospect.
Fact is, if the public is exposed to enough positive talk about a merger... then we end up with "just" a coalition, or better yet, a "cooperation agreement", they will be much more accepting. This is precisely what is currently going on.
Go back to worrying about Harper's destruction of the Canadian economy people... The LPC is still the LPC. We may "work with" others, but "we're" still "we".
Loved James' post "The Sky Is Falling..."
To be sure, there IS a desire to kill off the Liberals...
For the Conservatives, it means they can push out of the way a party that stands for the majority of Canadians, who are moderates. Without a moderate "middle party" Canada would swing like a pendulum between right and "left" as in the USA (I put "left" in quotes, because in the USA there is no party of the left)...
For the NDP, it means no-one to run from the "left" to govern from the middle - and marginalize their party to 4th party status...
For the mainstream media (MSM), it would make things simpler to understand and report. You see, the days of journalism school grads is over. Many reporters are nothing more than runway models/ex-jocks and used car salespeople who wanted a bit of continued spotlight. The MSM is just too stupid to understand the intricacies of a multi-party system - so they would rather just have to report on "black and white", "with us, or against us", etc., etc. It's a LOT easier filing a report from a simple script of "right vs. left" (you don't even need to leave your desk) than it is to actually do some research and go out and get 4 or 5 differing opinions on an issue.
Thought provoking, isn't it?
And, yup. The Liberal Party is NOT going anywhere - and certainly not "merging" with any other party. Sorry suckers. This party WILL be the next government.
Forget coaltions, "treaties", and "agreements to cooperate". We need to establish a SPENDING CAP that ensures a level playing field between parties. Think about it. Parties could only raise up to a certain limit (make it attainable – so maybe 7-10 million), and can only use it in a year – and the advertising portion ONLY during elections. Any monies parties collect over and above the limit is put into public coffers, and money not spent by year’s end is also forfeit.
A spending cap WOULD level the playing field. The voter $1.95 could still be kept and worked into the final cap amount. Our main issue is with the runaway spending on year round advertising by the 1st place party. A cap would at least help control that.
People say the Cons do it “one member/donation at a time”. Bullshit. They have the religious right church machine raising funds for them. It’s like the unions, but not … lol… They are starting from a position of power.
Cap it. It's the logical next step to Chretien's electoral reforms.
So let's see...
If there is an issue that makes a Conservative Minister look bad (Isotopes, Bernier, Guergis, Jaffer, etc., etc., etc.), then it is the FAULT OF "JUST A STAFFER"...
Yet, if a Parliamentary Committee calls said staffers to witness before a committee (as is the law of the land and/or Parliament), Conservative MPs create childish antics to DISRUPT THE VERY WORKINGS OF DEMOCRACY ITSELF.
Seems Conservatives have a serious problem with democracy.
Contempt of Parliament doesn't just cut it anymore. These clowns are a disgrace to the institution of Parliament, and a disgrace to Canada.
Some good reading over at the Scott Ross this morning... Talking about coaltions, cooperation, and such...
Still, in all this discussion, we tend to miss a central theme... A point to be made about modern democracies, Parliamentary systems, and democracy in general.
Throughout Commonwealth Parliaments, there have been coaltions, and many of them have not involved the party with the most seats.
What do you do if the Cons have 100 seats, the Liberals 99, and the Dippers 78?
The FACT remains that in our system the MPs have the RIGHT to elect their own "leader in the House", or PM if you will. And.. NOTHING states that you have to talk to the "first place" party. Nothing. Nada. It is only for "appearances" that comments are made about "talking to so-and-so first".
Just like in the case of any vote in the House, the majority rules. It is the most simple of democratic principles.
But - Harper doesn't really like democracy does he? How else can a right wing, Prairie-centric religious fringe group - a small minority of Canadians - dictate to the rest of us how we should live our lives?
It's kind of pathetic, really, that the rest of us haven't stood up and decided to take back our government.
edit: And I'm no big supporter of a pre-election coalition here. Pre-election "cooperation/pact" maybe. We forget that we are not two "polar opposite" parties (that would be the NDP and Conservatives). We sit on the center of the political system in Canada. Most Canadians do to. We have enjoyed more governments than any other party - by ADHERING to that center. We have "run from the left" to be sure, but also "governed from a position of responsibility". We can agree with the NDP on most of their "social" issues/moral issues. We WOULD have differences on economic ones... but only SOME economic ones.
This is one area the Liberal Party does not differentiate itself enough in the public eye. We are a party that supports business - but its small and medium sized businesses that are home-grown. We do support large Canadian companies. We traditionally haven't supported "global corporate overlords" or foreign ownership - although we've been dragged into WTO/NAFTA, and like all nations (pretty much) have had to go along, or be left out.
Our support for any big businesses is usually paired with a strong concern for the impact on Canadians. The Conservatives, on the other hand, have always looked at "friendships" with large MNCs as a way to improve the bottom line of the "shareholder class"...
These are only some of the miriad differences between the Liberal economic/world view and that of the NDP and Cons... While we may agree on a small number of points, economically, we have FAR more common ground with the NDP on social issues. If we do end up cooperating with the NDP in some way, it should be made clear to the public that it is on one of these social issues - which the Conservatives take very un-Canadian views on - that we stand and fight. The NDP must kowtow to us on the economic front - perhaps with the promise of some job-creation strategies in the Green Sector as a compromise.
DON PITCAIRN The Green Party Candidate and sometimes reporter for The White Rock Sun is having a ROA$T RU$$ HIBERT BBQ outside of Hiebert's office. BBQ Monday - RUSS HIEBERT'S Office 152nd at 24th by IHOP & TD Bank complex 10 - 2 p.m. May 31st
On Monday May 31st, 2010 it is your turn to let Mr. Hiebert know how you feel about his high-flying spending habits. Just as Russ likes a free lunch at someone else’s expense, you can have one too - in front of his offices on 152nd St. and 24 Ave. next to the IHOP in south Surrey. Community activist and Green Party of Canada candidate Don Pitcairn will be there to roast Mr. Hiebert in effigy, serving up wienies and marshmallows cooked over a fire from 10 am to 2 p.m.
If Russ happens to show up, he will not receive the regular fare but instead will be served barbequed duck in recognition of constantly ducking the media, ducking his constituents and being a lame duck M.P. All food served will be paid for by Mr. Pitcairn with his own funds, not taxpayer dollars.
Mr. Pitcairn also asks people in the South Surrey, White Rock and Cloverdale riding to check their mailboxes for the latest copy of Russ Hiebert’s newsletter that were delivered by Canada Post to residences across the riding on Friday. It is Conservative propaganda leaflets such as this that account for much of the $82,000 in printing costs that Mr. Hiebert authorized during the 2008-2009 spending year. Don would like to make sure everyone is aware that these mail-outs can be returned to Mr. Hiebert’s office free of charge without any postage.
Instead of trashing these offending flyers into the recycling bin, Mr. Pitcairn asks you to instead give Russ Hiebert your two cents worth by letting him know how you feel about these newsletters and wasting your tax dollars. Instead of answering the loaded questionnaire, simply write your feelings in large letters across the page, using such slogan as “No More!”, “Save MY Money”, “Not Worth $82,000” or your choice of profanity.
Kenny should resign... He's responsible, according to his own words... Shouldn't be some poor 20/30 year old earning a living on the Hill, right?
If South Asian Canadians didn't get it already... all Harper and Kenney want to do is pay lip service to the issue, while continuing to undermine immigration from certain areas that don't "fit" into "their Canada" - as the old Reform Party bigots used to say...
Back to the Future...
Nice story coming up in the Peace Arch News (South Surrey/White Rock paper):
www.peacearchnews.com for editorials. Commentary, articles and letters to the editor
EDITORIAL: But what has Hiebert done?
Updated: May 27, 2010 2:36 PM
It would be uncharitable not to spare some sympathy for Russ Hiebert.
The beleaguered South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale MP began his week thinking he was defending himself against a single news item, that listed him as one of Canada’s costliest MPs, by pointing out this was to allow his family to fly with him to Ottawa.
By week’s end, he’s found himself turned into a poster-boy for government waste.
Taking Hiebert’s explanation at face value, it’s a legitimate – if arguable – position. Do we really want our family-aged representatives to risk separation from their children to do our time-intensive bidding half-way across the country? But before we ponder this, we must ask whether Hiebert is not being miserly with his explanation.
Fact is, travel is only one facet of our MP’s expenses that are higher than average. Printing and telephone expenses are both excessive, which he defended later in the week – via the shielded forum of email, naturally – as the cost of communicating with his constituents.
As well, Hiebert justified his rankings by noting both that the report was old and that his travel costs are for a family of four, conveniently sidestepping that during the period in question – the 2008-’09 fiscal year – the Hieberts were merely a family of three, making us that much more incredulous about the mounting comparative costs.
What is particularly interesting is the number of people who have said that they would be far less critical if they felt they were getting something of value for their tax money in their representative in Ottawa. Instead, they are getting a party loyalist whose accomplishments are somewhat intangible.
While it could be argued Hiebert has done no real damage as a member of Parliament, even his most fervent supporters must be asking what he has succeeded in actually doing in this Conservative-friendly constituency that couldn’t be accomplished by any yes-man or yes-woman. (Yes, we appreciate any grant money to come our way; and yes, we deserve it.)
By most accounts, Hiebert seems a pleasant person. He shows dedication to his causes, is quick to offer a kind word and his enthusiasm for civil niceties is to be admired.
Indeed, Hiebert makes it difficult not to sympathize with him.
Yet, after years of listening to his partisan rhetoric about curbing government spending, it is more difficult to support him.
What is more worthwhile?
a) A billion dollars spent on the meetings of rich fat-cat leaders - for 3 days of photo-ops (with NO clear end results - ever)?
b) or, a billion dollars spent on a gun registry which helps save lives, helps police do their jobs, has the backing of police unions and police chiefs across Canada, and the backing of womens' groups?
Canada's Conservative government has totally wrong priorities. They could have still held the summits - at a fraction of the cost. But... being paranoid as conservatives tend to be about "security" (real, or imagined) they set the place and time - then cranked up the spending... This will be the most expensive meeting in world history - anywhere. Ever. And little old Canada (ahem... sorry - CANADIANS) will be footing the bill.
Harper thinks it's fine for us to pay a billion for a meeting, but not for our own safety. Shows where the Conservative priorities lie - with their gun lobby friends...
Choices.
The name of the oil rig which has caused the greatest environmental disaster in human history seems to be quite prophetic... A "horizon" signalling a new era... the dawn of a new age.
A new age may certainly be dawning in "Um-urika"... An age of doubt about Big Oil, and oil in general. The Southern USA is likely bordering on a toxic pond... how's the beachfront property in the Ol' South?
What is ALREADY there - spilled in the gulf - is already a calamity. There is still a LOT more to come.
BP resisted actually trying to plug it up until last night. Why? Because that's billions of dollars of oil that's shooting up from the ocean floor! They tried to collect it in a giant upside-down bucket, then in a giant straw... Now, with public opinion really turning as toxic as the Gulf Stream, they're starting to work on the most unlikely of solutions.
And... they won't let 3rd party observers in!
Time for the break-up of the American Corp-ocrisy... It's a real shame when a corporation - whose only goal is profit - is able to tell the government (who is supposed to be looking out for the welfare of the people) what to do.
Posted this earlier elsewhere:
The Gulf is already f@cked. Oil companies love to talk about the shoreline impact of oil spills - because THAT is all the public can really usually see - and they pretend if it doesn't hit shore there's no real environmental impact. Kind of like their "chemical stew" solution to the problem: just add some toxins, and let it all sink to the bottom of the sea. Thing is, the impact on the subsurface biomes in the Gulf are far more catastrophic than can be imagined. Right now, reefs are beginning to die, entire hatching areas are being engulfed, and full sized (mature, breeding) sea species are being wiped out. This is not only going to kill off the shrimp/shellfish fisheries (don't let anyone ever feed you shellfish from that area again - even 25yrs after Valdez we're still seeing toxins in the sea life), but it is also going to eradicate the general fishery for years to come. One of the greatest tourist attractions in the Gulf region is deep sea fishing - catching the prized Marlin, etc. That just won't be happening - and where there will still be a few left, they're probably not going to reproduce for long. Swimmin' with the dolphins? Nope. Petting live sharks? Maybe in an aquarium. There is ONE solution to all this: ban offshore drilling. Period. Begin a full infrastructure investment in electric technology/hydrogen fuel, etc. This (however unfortunately) is just what Obama needed to force the US into a "Green Shift". The US - if focusing it's tech on this event - can become THE leader in green tech around the world. If they led the petroleum revolution at the turn of the last century, imagine the golden lining in leading the electric revolution? Imagine how the developing world (that is awash in sunshine) would pay for advanced solar technologies, wind tech, etc.? Offshore platforms should only be used to house wind turbines, and as oceanic research stations. Drilling should cease, and all oil companies need to pay for the cleanup around the rigs (the environments are usually toxic because there is always leakage before, during, and after drilling.
Enough is enough. The earth is sending us a message. We should heed it before Gaia rolls over and squashes us...
Latest Goodale update...
INVESTING IN FAMILIES WILL BOOST CANADIAN COMPETITIVENESS
At the Regina Chamber of Commerce last week, I urged the federal government to make targeted investments to ease financial pressures on middle-income families, while bolstering the overall productivity of our economy at the same time.
The aftermath of last year’s recession is far from over. A debt crisis is rippling through Europe. Financial markets continue to gyrate. And Canadians have suffered a four-percent drop in their living standards.
Most seriously -- Canadian families are now the most indebted in the western world.
When interest rates go up later this year, that crunch will get even more severe as families wrestle with affording child-care, the high cost of higher education, the homecare needs of an elderly parent or a disabled family member, and broad-based pension insecurity.
These are the human priorities that should get attention from the Harper government, instead of further tax cuts, reserved by the Conservatives for only the largest corporations (which already benefit from the second-lowest tax rates in the G-7).
As a better choice, Liberals would increase child-care spaces, reduce financial barriers to post-secondary education, fight illiteracy and bolster on-the-job training. We would reinforce Canada’s pension system and increase support to caregivers. And we would invest in innovation, especially for cleaner energy.
Such measures would both help families and improve productivity. They would secure Canada’s recovery from recession and build an economy that is smarter, more innovative, more inclusive and globally competitive.
Canadians can also count on Liberals for prudent financial management. When we turned over the government to the Conservatives in 2006, we left them a booming economy and the best fiscal record in the western world.
It’s tragic that in less than three years – BEFORE there was any recession – Stephen Harper squandered that financial strength and put Canada unnecessarily back into deficit again.
