give wheat ... get tax reciept

[cowman]

Linda: I don't think you picked a very good example with Kyoto? We signed on but did absolutely nothing except spout rhetoric and spend untold millions? The USA did not sign on but did twice as much, so in fact Kyoto was not worth the paper it was written on? It truly is a joke.
All the other "important issues"? I doubt there is anything any government could do about most of these problems?
The fact is we are moving closer to an integrated economy with the USA everyday despite the protectionist forces in both countries best attempts to thwart that? We are in fact being slowly absorbed into the American state?
Now I realize that might cause a lot of stress in nationalists who see Canada as a distinct society but the fact is we are one people, we share a common culture, and eventually we will be one country(if not in name at least in fact)!
For the logger does he care if he works for Macmillan Bloedal or Weyhauser? Who cares if you work for Shell or Ecana? Bank at the Royal or Chase Manhatten?
And frankly I wouldn't get too concerned about our international status? The US, China, India are not part of Kyoto...I doubt anyone would even miss us? We are like the mouse that roared in the big picture.

[cakadu]

Harper is campaigning on getting us out of Kyoto - I was merely pointing out that it isn't just a matter of saying "we're out". There are a great many who were/still are in agreement with what Kyoto represents, which is to take a look at what we are doing to the environment.

The ramifications of getting out of an international agreement extend far beyond this one. It has more to do with integrity and trust than anything else. Kyoto may seem like small potatoes to some but there is an underlying bigger picture that also needs to be looked at. I don't think it prudent to be shortsighted when dealing with international matters.

I think it was Rex Murphy who asked the question "are they talking about issues that are important to you?" If issues are too complicated for them to deal with now, what are they planning to do after January 23rd? Skilled labour shortages, lagging productivity, "brain drain", capacity to get further into the value chain to more effectively compete and many other things are being ignored and the focus is on scandal. Fine, we can all agree that there has been scandal - what are you going to do beyond that? Investigations will lead to criminal charges if necessary so let the process take care of those sorts of things. What are you going to do to ensure it doesn't happen any more?

Saying that we should have tougher laws and longer jail sentences is great, but where is the money going to come from to house these people - particularly when Harper said in the debate that we don't necessarily need to spend more money on the system - where is the money going to come from to build more jails because they are already filled to capacity etc. It is one thing to talk it, another thing entirely to bring it into effect.

I believe it was FarmRanger who raised the issue of another minority government. Even if the Conservatives manage to get in with a minority, how effective do you expect them to be when they will be fighting to stay in power? How much actual governing has gone on in the last 12 months? Have the MP's earned their salaries in that time period?

The focus is on scandals and change, but what about after the scandals and what will the change actually bring. I know that many of you will say that this is a new Conservative government, but under past Conservative governments we have witnessed interest rates triple, de-valuing of the dollar, unemployment, slow down in economic activity etc. etc. Is that where we want to go again? I'm not saying it will happen, rather we should be asking questions to gain a better understanding of just what is being offered.

[silverback]

Come on Cadaku, do you really think that the big media players in this country want to discuss the important issues to you and me???

They are going for ratings and the only way to get them is to report dirt and mud. For example: Ralph Goodale said the conservative plan is going to be a huge deficit even though the conference board reviewed it and said it would work. Now who would believe Ralph under the current circumstances?? (Besides f_s) But the media reports it to try and stir things up, they don't investigate if it is true, they just put it out on the air. Taxes and other important issues get shoved aside if they can smell blood with the social issues.

[ivbinconned]

"Investigations will lead to criminal charges if necessary so let the process take care of those sorts of things. What are you going to do to ensure it doesn't happen any more?"

You are oh so wrong here cakado...with out a change in government the "process" will be narrow and limited and justice will not be done.

[ivbinconned]

If another party winning the election does nothing else but clean the crooks out of the system and bring some sense of accountability to government it will be an improvement over what we have now.
Today Martin is promising the gas tax rebate to cities etc. will be a permanent fixture, where in hell has he been for the past 12 years when municipalities both rural and urban have been hard pressed to maintain and replace necessary infrastructure.
Running around promising the moon a week before the election is too little too late in my view.
If Harper does form the next government I am sure his feet will be held to the fire by Canadians to deliver on what he is promising now.

[jluimes]

In order for this to benefit the farmer, he would have had to make taxable income somewhere in the last couple of years.

[ivbinconned]

it is going to be interesting to hear what Jack Layton has to say after the election about private health care. He had a hernia repair at the Shouldice clinic and when the media became aware of the news he said he didn't know the Shouldice Hospital was a private clinic.
The Shouldice Hospital has been in existance as a private clinic for over 55 years...in fact, many of my friends that are RN's or LPN's were well aware of the international reputation the clinic has for hernia repair during their training some 30 odd years ago. It will be tough for Jack to sqirm out of that one.

[ivbinconned]

Oh come on Emerald...give the guy a break, there is probably alot, that Jack Chow doesn't know.

[cakadu]

Wouldn't the questions be better posed to your own MP and/or the wannabes that are knocking at the door as opposed to waiting for the media to report on them using whatever slant they might use to sell papers?

Some of the questions and issues are tough, but if there is going to be a change, then the elected folks better have some answers before they get in there and are expected to produce some sort of results.

Cowman, the issue isn't one of whether or not Kyoto is a good example, it's a matter of two wrongs not making a right. If the Liberals were wrong to sign us on to Kyoto because there was no perceived consultation prior to signing us on, then wouldn't it be just as wrong to sign us off without the consultation, if we are speaking from a "change" in government stance?

I more than understand that people want a change - lord knows I want one too - but we need to know what we are changing to and changing for.

Sending career criminals or those convicted of more hienous crimes to jail for a longer period will cut down on the revolving door at the jails, there isn't much doubt of that. Remember though - it isn't as easy as you would think to close the loopholes that allow some criminals back on the streets. Many can afford the legal help necessary to get back out there or not even get sent to prison in the first place. Make the laws tougher and you have lawyers that can find ways around the laws. It is all subject to interpretation and who can make the better case. Rarely does it ever go as neatly as it does on TV or on the big screen.

It would appear, from the polls, that the Liberals are loosing their grasp and that the Conservatives will get in - whether it is with more or less power remains to be seen.

[shamus]

All of the socialists spout healthcare until someone gets sick in their own family. Then off to the private clinic. They ain't dieing on a waiting list; no sireeee. They all make me sick...