The Official Canadian PS Politics Thread

[lynxamania]

Since the US PS Forums have it I decided we should start a thread discussing politics here in Canada and abroad. Let me know if we can keep this thread going!

[rd1000]

I still hold faith that politics is corrupt only if we let it be corrupt. I thought we sent a strong message with Mulroney, but the last three elections have really let the bar drop again. Maybe politics will always be about greed and power, but I don't think we should accept it. Which is what we are doing by allowing the Liberals to continue.

THe court in Ontario has said it is OK for politicians to lie and break written contracts with the people, but that does not mean WE have to accept it. I hope Ontario shows Dalton McGinty and the rest of the politicians that we are not going to accept it.

If it becomes blatantly apparent that we Canadians are going to accept 3rd world corruption and abuse of power from our government (and this next election will decide it for me) than I am out of here. I will use my democratic freedom to fight the government for what I believe in, but you can't fight the will of the people. Some have tried, and it always ends in failure.

I hope Canadians demand better. They certainly deserve better.

Rob

[rd1000]

Jean Cretien left because the Liberal PArty told him his time was up. He was no more scared of Adscam in power, than he is now. He engaged in a very sophisticated money laundering scheme, but he knows we do not send politicians to jail for stealing from the public purse.

Until we start, the theft will continue.

Rob

[shoplineca]

Rob
When you leave Canada, where exactly are you going?

While I do not accept corruption, and do not support it, and want to also see change, where would you go to avoid government corruption?

Believe it or not, we live in one of the least if not the least corrupt countries in the world. We wouldnt have all that we have if we were as corrupt as so many countries really are.

We also have the right to talk about corruption at every level of government, freely without threat of prosecution (save false and slanderous comments) which is becoming even more difficult to do in the US.

I know lots of people who benefit from supporting Liberals or from supporting Conservatives (depending who is in power). That was never for me. I was an idealist and involved in politics because I thought that iI could make a difference, now I am older and wiser and know better.

One thing for certain, I never believed that my vote made much of a difference, I believed that I could convince hundreds of people to vote, then that would make a difference and that was what I did.

Now I work just for myself within the system, just like with eBay. When the system goes through another change and I am adversley affected, I make a change to what I am doing or I make changes anticipating something happening, but I am in control of my destiny.

This does not mean that I am financially independant and free to sit on my laurels until I die. I will probably be working at 85 years of age, partly because I enjoy the challenges of business, probably more so because I will need the income.

But I enjoy not having any loosers that I have to report to as bosses. I enjoy the freedom of minimizing the effects of politics on my personal and family and business life.

Doesnt mean I dont enjoy talking about the fiascos and wishing it was better, its just that I prefer to carve out a good life for myself and family and not be dragged down by all the garbage.

Malcolm

[rd1000]

Yes governments are corrupt by their nature. I agree. And all governments are corrupt to an extent. It is the "acceptance" of that corruptness that I fear. I am afraid Canadians are really beginning to accept the theft and lies as "politics as usual", and nothing surprises us anymore.

Take for example the catch phrase of the election that handed victory to the Liberals. "I would rather vote for the devil I know, than the one I don't know." Each time I hear that, I want to climb to the top of my roof and scream till I cough up a lung. Talk about a defeatist attitude.

If I leave, it will be because the country is moving further and further to the left with no end in sight. It is becoming apparent to me that we now have a natural governing party. A one party state. Socialism is not for me. You know what you will find to the left of Socialism.

I am not bitter about it. If it is what Canadians want, then it is what they should have. Most of my family are Liberals. I am the black sheep. X-)

I just think it is a shame that we are willing to accept such a low standard. I don't believe we have one of the least corrupt governments anymore. I think we have just scratched the surface at the Federal level. And I fear we may never know the true extent.

Take for example the gun registry. At the original 2 million dollar estimate, it was still a dumb idea, but I could live with it. FOr 2 million, if it made some people feel safer than what the hec. At more than 500 times its original estimate, it is ridiculous beyond imagination. But that doesn't bother me the most. What scares me is that TWO auditing firms were employed to trace the expenditures of the gun registry. Both gave up in a matter of weeks with the same result. Not only could they not find where the was spent, they could not determine where the money CAME from. Have the Liberals perfected their money laundering schemes within government departments?

Are we really allowed to critisize the government? Take this thread for example. Very few people dare to venture in and voice an opinion. I don't blame them. They could be labelled racists or bigots. As soon as a Conservative voices an opinion, the mainstream liberal media is all over them with the "R" word. Harper ran some ads in minority newspapers voicing his support for the traditional definition of marriage. The papers the next day were all screaming "Stephen Harper is a racist". Now how come in 1999 when the same legislation was tabled in the house of commons, almost every single Liberal(including Paul Martin!) stood up in the house and voted against legalizing same sex marriage. Anne MacClellan stood up and said " This government will never agree to legalize same sex marriages. Not now or in the future." I didn't hear a peep of racism mentioned. And still don't.

When Canadians see Conservatives like Stephen Harper ruthlessly attacked by the media, I think it shames them into remaining silent.

I have to disagree with you, Malcolm. I think politics is hotly debated in the US. From both sides. There are Conservative media, and there are Liberal media. Neither is afraid to report. That is not the case here. Do you think CHOI FM was shut down because of a not so nice remark about the mentally ill? I don't beleive so. It was shut down because it spoke out against separitism and liberalism. CRTC could not allow that. Look at the kicking and screaming it took to allow FOX news into Canada.

The Liberals are trying to shame us into silence, and it is working.

Rob

[shoplineca]

On the subject of US Censorship:
Two former presidents of the US were publicly told to shut their mouths by the Republicans (Clinton and Carter). A huge ban and boycott of the Dixie Chicks was started by the Republicans. Nearly all US stations including the covented CNN, gave conflicting reports on Iraq to what every other sin the world reported INCLUDING CNN outside of the US. There are thousands and thousands and thousands of incidents not to mention what happend in the first GWB election (a total fix for him to win).

Media bought and paid for. Judges bought and paid for. Politicians bought and paid for. I could list at least a dozen former US mayors of major cities (Atlanta, Washington and others) on rackateering, prostitution and drug charges. Corruption due to power money and opportunity. Police forces bought and paid for.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Internationally, the US has done more to lead to international corruption and even worse by supporting the likes of the Marcos, the Shaw of Iran, Poppa and Baby Doc Duvalier, Noreiga, and on and on and on. Lets not forget the billions given to Saddam and the Tali Ban to fight the Russians in Afghanistan.

Even today, there are countries wiping out hundreds of thousands of their citizens while the UN waits for a report to see if the report refers to the massacres as being genocide.

Two of the countries who suffered the greatest losses due to the Tusuami had been hiding the extent of the damage and loss of life so as to not lose any more tourism.

On the news I watched a high ranking government official washing his house clean with drinking water supplied from a truck destined for the people dying for clean water. And of course the Princess of Sri Lanka was vacationing here in Canada in a $2,000 per night room 2 weeks after her country suffered its worse disaster.

Corruption, lack of caring and disregard for fellow humans is all over and far far worse than you will ever experience in Canada.

Rob, you are falling into the trap of singling out a party rather than the problem within our society. The problem lies far deeper than any single party or Leader.

Take a drive around Ottawa and try to figure out how some civil servants can afford to live in a $650,000 home or a $2 million home on their salaries.

Forget the politicians, its the guys who have been working the system under Liberal and Conservative rule that have figured out all the loopholes.

A politician is appointed a cabinet minister and is lucky to hold the position for a full terms. For perhaps 2-3 years they are Minnister of Indian Affairs then moved to become Minister of Defence.

Its the people below thm that are running the government, that have taken advantage of the loopholes, that they in fact helped create.

Thats not to say a Minister may not catch wind of something suspicious but it becomes easier to avoid it than to try to tackle the problem becuase it is often so deep, so far entrenched and goes back for so many years that to truly try to deal with it becomes political suicide.

Having worked government contracts, you cant tell me that you havent seen things from some of the high ranking civil servants, those DMs and ADMs that raised your suspicions.

I havent worked for the government but living in Ottawa, and with the people I know, I have seen enough to satisfy myself that it is the system that is corrupt and the people that are employed in that system, not elected to it, that have created some very profitable lives for themselves, their friends and families.

Malcolm

[rd1000]

THe media is bought and sold. I agree. BUt in the US for example, at least it "reports" from both sides. All national media in Canada is now left wing. Even the National Post. Commentary is being passed off as news. The CBC is a LIberal propaganda machine. CTV is scared to death of the CRTC. CPAC provides some balance, but is watched by few.

The Sri Lanka princess vacation was maddening. But what did Paul do? Send the DART to Sri Lanka. Toronto votes are more important than moral standards. Too little, too late, and to the wrong place. ( By the way, they are mostly senior offices and staying in 5 star hotels, by the way)

You are right about the beaurocrats. And not just senior. The rot runs deep. How many Paul CHampagnes are out there? Taking duffel bags of cash to the Turks and Caicos. $130 million missing with a shrug of the shoulders.

I believe ALL goverment beaurocrats and employees should be subject to a random audit of assets vs income. When a $60 000 a year civil servant ends up with an $8 000 000 home in Ottawa, I say he has some explaining to do.

Maybe it is the employees in the system that are the corrupt ones. Then it is our elected officials that must put a stop to it. I believe that employees take their cue from their leaders. IF they see a free for all. A cash grab to pad their retirement. Take what you can while you can. Then they say "if they can do it, then I can do it".

Accepting it as business as usual does not work for me. We deserve better. We have to demand better.

Rob

[barriemetals]

I think that alot of people in this country demand better from our government and the resonating response from them is "What are you going to do about it?" This is of course is not said in that fashion but spinned in a way that makes it seems like they are listening. When it comes down to it freedom never really means you are free. For a democracy I can honestly say. I have never voted for or against a law, a tax increase or a in-party election/promotion.

This raises the question what exactly do we get a say in. We get to vote for a party but what they do after election is entirely up to them.

Don't get me wrong I do love this country and would be one of the first to step forward and say so... but when it comes to how democracy works I am sick of watching how things are done and realizing that nothing is what is seems, and what we are told is basically what a parent tells a child, a toned down version so we won't take it the wrong way. Too bad the wrong way is the right way.

Steve

[rd1000]

HI Steve,

YOu asked "what do we do about it?" . We kick them out is what we do. We did it to Brian Mulroney in 1993, and we should have done it to the Liberals in 2004. I know the response "well no party is any different". But that approach means we reward for deceipt and dishonesty by re-election. We sent a strong message to Mulroney. It destroyed the party actually. You see we can make a difference. This country could destroy the current Liberal party as well. And do they ever need to be destroyed.

Believe me, after a while they will get it. I know it is frustrating. But if we throw up our hands and give up, we lose.

We do have a say, and it is at the polls.

Rob

[shoplineca]

Our system needs to be changed. I dont have a vote for the leader and I think that is wrong.

I may want to elect the local candidate who lives in my riding and best represents me and for that single vote for a single person I end up being responsible for electing an entire government and the leader of the country and then I am to believe that I have a say in how the country is run.

So then I say in the next election, I am going to vote for the leader, so I end up voting for a local candidate that I dont want, who will not serve me or my community who represents a party I may not agree with in hopes that his party leader wins and becomes Prime Minister.

... and again I am to believe that my vote counted for something after that?

Sorry but our system stinks.

However if you think that you can sit at home for 4-years and go to the polls to make a difference then you are part of the problem.

If you want change then you have to do alot more than sit around bitching for 4 years. You have to get off your a$$ and work for the party and make certain that EVERY person that is to represent the party as a candidate, represents your views and what you want to see done.

You have to make certain that the philosophy of the party will be the future for the country that you envision. Then you go out and convince others to help. But dont believe that your vote every four years is going to make a difference or has made a difference in the past.

The people of this country moved from voting in parties along time ago. Instead, we tend to vote out parties.

So either become politically active or accept the government that we have as put in by those who were more active than those who chose to sit at home and simply vote.

Change only occurs when the will of the people express themselves and we live in a country of complacancy.

I had been extremely active in 3 feredal elections and 5 municipal elections when it was of interest to me and pleased to state that my candidates won in all 8 elections and I would like to believe that it was in part to my efforts beyond sitting at home and waiting until election day to cast a single vote.

Malcolm

[barriemetals]

As you stated "work for the party and make certain that EVERY person that is to represent the party as a candidate, represents your views and what you want to see done"
I wish it were so simple but I don't share any of the parties views completly. I support some ideas but oppose others. I would not join a party for only half of my views.
I vote in every election some of my canadites have won and some have not. That is fine with me because in my opinion the better man/woman won.
Rather then join a party I talk with the canadites (usualy via e-mail) and choose the one with the best answers.
I think joining a party is not an option for most. I do agree with you Malcolm in that just voting is not enough.

Steve

[rd1000]

I don't think anybody would support every single policy of a party. All you can do is choose the one that best represents your views.

Phone calls to your local representive may be seem like a waste of time, but actually if they get enough calls they will take notice. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes public opinion can sway them.

That is one thing I like about the US system. They elect far more offices then we do. As well as getting to vote referendum questions on the ballot. I think there were over 250 ballot questions in their last election.

Ultimately though the election day is the final say. I wish more people would get interested and dig into more than just their paper or channel of choice. I have to read 3 or 4 different sources at times to get some semblance of the facts.

Rob

Rob

[shoplineca]

If you want change, then get involved with the Party that most closely represents your views as to where the country should head.

From there, help change the few policies that you dont agree with. Be part of the group that helps decide which candidates best represent the views of the party. Solicit others of like mind to join you in your work and then consider yourself making a change.

Voting out a Party is NOT a vote of confidence for another party and I feel it is a wasted voice in the free world. Get more active and join a party and participate in its future by being proactive.

You can give as little as a couple of hours per month and have taken a far bigger step in our democratic procedure than waiting to vote on election day.

I used to and I felt really good about it, a strong sense of pride and accomplishment. I felt that even as a young Canadian, my efforts helped the country by electing people I worked with as a volunteer.

I also felt they listened and as such believed that I had a voice that counted for alot more than a simple vote.

If I let politics get under my skin again, I would get right back into it, rather than sitting on the sidelines waiting for the next election.

Malcolm

[rd1000]

I am a member of the conservative party.

When I said the Liberal party should be voted out, I meant they should not be rewarded with re-election. Period. If I was a Liberal, I would find he next best party to represent my views, as many of us did in '93. They have just gone too far, and we need to send a message to all politicians.

The comment was made "what are we going to do about it?". If nothing else, you can always exercise your right to vote on election day. If you are not happy with a current government, but don't really have any preference, then you can at least try to vote out the one that is in. At least you are giving yourself a chance at change.

That is why I got so frustrated in the last election. Many voted with the logic "better to vote for the devil I know". That is not even giving yourself a chance at improvement.

Rob

[shoplineca]

Rob
I must totally disagree with you. You think the Liberals won because people voted on the basis of "better the devil you know".

That is both an excuse the hard line conservatives came up with that just doesnt fly as well as those who dont follow elections sufficienty to know how and why the vote went the way it did.

If anything I would say that the Conservatives DIDNT win because of the "devil we know" being Harper.

I personally find Harper to be a political weakling. I would be embarrassed to have someone like him leading this country. His appearance, his stature, his very presence offers little assuredness of any political might to run this country and liase with leaders from around the world.

He is one step up from your last leader and a mile away from anyone the majority of Canadians could seriously consider as Prime Minister.

Stop blaming the people of Canada who exercised their vote and take a close look at who you have running your party and maybe then you will realize why they didnt and wont win an election.

The last I heard, it was a fair election unless you know something that I dont. So people exercised their vote and then get bashed by hardline conservatives as if their vote didnt count as the only reason they voted the way they did was because they voted for the "devil they knew". BS!

Dont underestimate or be-little the Canadian electoral process. People voiced their decision and that decision didnt include Harper as Prime Minister.

As a member of the Conservative Party, I would hope that part of your responsility would be greater than Liberal-bashing and more on what can you do to help the party win in the next election.

That includes examining the qualities of your leader and if you feel that your leader is the right guy, well then accept defeat in the next election because the majority of Canadians dont share that vision.

However I would suggest that the Conservatives get their a$$ in gear and start looking for someone new to run their party that may take them to a majority government.

... or not, and just keep blaming the people of Canada for voting the "devil they know" for the next 10 or 20 years. That's not the reason why I voted the way I did nor many others I know, but if that is what you want to believe or need to believe, then go ahead.

Malcolm

[rd1000]

I think you have misunderstood me.

I have already said that I accept the way Canadians vote. If I decide it is not for me, then I will leave.

I believe that catch phrase, which was played over time and again, played a big part in the election. What is more frustrating is that it was a conservative that coined the darn phrase.

This is a democracy and people can vote for whom they want. I would not want it any other way. I totally accept it. (I guess I have no choice).

I believe that this goverment does not deserve to be in power. That is my opinion. Not because of their policies. But because of the theft, incompetence and lies. THe policies I believe in are no more correct than policies that socialists believe in. They are just different. What is wrong is corruption and stealing. If the Liberal party put forth Kyoto, national daycare, tax increases, welfare, and more public services in a reasonably honest and respectable fashion, I would accept that. It is the peoples will. But the billion dollar boondoggles, the 500 times original cost gun registry, Shawinigate, Adscam, etc, etc I believe are reasons to vote "out" a government. I don't think Harper or Layton are that unacceptable that we should be rewarding Liberals. Again, it is all my opinion.

AS for sour grapes over the election loss, that is just how the Democrats (and many Canadians here) feel about George Bush. THey deny he won in 2000 and they deny he really won in 2004. It was the media, it was the religious zealots, it was bribary, it was election tampering, etc. But in no way was it a poor campaign by Kerry and the Democrats. I guess it is somewhat natural to feel frustrated and hard to accept the loss.

I will feel the same way when Dalton McGinty is re-elected, which I believe will happen. It is not his policies. He is doing what Liberals do. Raise taxes, support government programs, look after the environment, etc. I will be angry that someone can bold face lie their way into power and be rewarded with a return to office.

I guess my point is, I am not trying to bash Liberals. I may disagree with them. I may have totally different priorities. I see things differently. But I will definitely bash lies, corruption, theft, greed, and incompetence, regardless of political stripe.

I hope we can continue to debate. But if anger arises, then I will cease to comment. We are still Canadians. X-)

Rob

[shoplineca]

Rob
I am not angry. Politics dont frustrate me at all. If I were angry, I wouldnt suggest that people get more involved with the Conservative movement to see that they win with a good platform and a good leader, something that I see lacking right now.

I just get really tired of hearing those that supported the Conservatives chalk up the Liberal win to voting for the lesser of 2 evils, or the devil they know. That diminishes those of us who vote with compassion and intelligence.

Provincially, I dont think Dalton will win the next election. He is simply incompetent and everyone can see that. It is not a conservative, liberal or NDP thing. He is simply not up for the job at all. I never suspected that he was and I would never vote for an imbicile like him.

Same way I dont believe that Harper is up for the job so I will not support him nor get involved with a party that does.

As far as Canadians finding it hard to accept that Bush won the 2nd term, I dont believe that for a minute. I think we readily accepted it, while not necessarily enthusiastically, we accepted it and we encouraged Martin to continue forging a better relationship than Chretien had (which was non-exesistent).

The only ones who feel truly bad about it are the millions of Americans who began a campaign of apologizing to the world for their allowing Bush to win again. They have to live with it.

On the good side, Bush will probably be pretty laid back this term as he is now being held accountable by his own Republicans as he has proven to be about as fiscally irresponsible as any President could be.

I dont believe that Bush won the first time but I do believe that he won the last election, primarily on the Southern Christian vote. But half of his senior people have since left him after his win because they didnt believe that he would win and now that he has, they dont want to serve a 2nd term with him.

That paints quite a story. By the way is corruption, lies and deceit waiting for a month after the US election to formally announce that there were no WMD?

What would have happened had they made that announcement a month before the election was held. I bet the debates would have been more interesting. But I suppose the ink wasnt dry on the report for 30 days after the election.

I still believe that in Canada the Civil service needs a serious shake up from the top down. There is so much corruption and tax payer waste there, that is where the majority of theft is.

Its not unlike Ottawa City Hall where none of the elected people have any control over the senior staff who are the ones really running the City and handing out the cheques to themselves and their relatives.

Same as Federally, they continue to pull the wool over the eyes of the elected people.

That is not to say that I dont believe Chretien and a few others werent doing their share of playing favourites with money going to their ridings and into their friends' pockets.

But the flow of cash out is a daily thing and it is a number of highly paid civil servants and not elected people who are raking in the money.

Malcolm

[rd1000]

I agree with you there. Many of the civil servants are a large part of the problem. Unfortunately we can't do much about them, except rail at our elected officials to do something about it.

I hope you are right about McGinty. I really believe that he will win again though. Partly because I don't think the conservatives are very united. They are already arguing over getting a seat for Tory. Tory is a very centrist conservative, and I think that is bad. I think we have seen examples to show that strong principled conservatives win elections, not wishywashy middle of the road stuff.

That is one problem with Harper. I think he should just be a conservative. Loud and clear and don't act like it is something to be ashamed of. I know it is hard when you are constantly being accused of racism and bigotry, but I think most conservatives can see through all that and where it is coming from.

Were you one of the nine people that showed up at the city budget hearings a couple weeks ago? X-)

I guess people here have realized that the Cullen-Chairelli-Deans trio already have their minds made up just what kind of tax increase is coming. Here is a wild stab in the dark - 7% this year and 8.5% next year.

Who would have guessed a 30% tax hike from amalgamation? Kind of leaves you shaking your head in total disbelief.

Rob

[rd1000]

I forgot to respond to the WMD report. You are right. The timing of the report is - er - how do we say it - suspicious. I think we all know it was more than coincidence. This is the part of politics that I can stomach. The little spin doctoring that goes on for political gain. THe report was issued. The timing may have hurt the Democratic party, at the gain of the Republicans. They all do it, and if this is the worst government did, I can live with it. The raids here in Ottawa on the federal immigration offices on the day Parliment recessed for winter break was, to me, very convenient. A little too much of a coincidence for me. BUt I can live with crap like that. The idea that they can influence the RCMP is a little disturbing, but again, the raids were carried out. It was just the timing that was suspicious. I think people that are paying attention can see through these kinds of things, and it actually comes back to haunt them.

On another note, I think the US got the WMD a long time ago. His name was Saddam Hussein.

Rob

[shoplineca]

Rob
Living in Ottawa makes you wonder why people would want to retire here. Aside from all the beauty and perks, how can anyone budget to reture when faced with increases in taxes like we see.

Lets also not forget the other tax ibncreases that they do not call tax increases such as sewer surcharge when the water bill costs an extra $100 or so every 2 months.

The City wouldnt put in any money into hockey that draws 25,000 people to the games and tens of thousands watching on TV but puts up $25 million for a new arts centre for 200 people to be able to pay $20 a ticket instead of $45 a ticket.

No I wasnt at City Hall. I am completely out of politics and no more involved aside from voting. I put in my time years ago and now devote it to my family life.

I know of so many scams pulled off by civil servants, one by someone's wife that I know, that it just sickens me that these ba$tard$ dont even hide behind what they are doing. It is all over the place.

Its theft and it should be investigated by the RCMP however I can tell you stories about them as well, all from extremely reliable sources.

Politicians wont clean it up because these things enevitably lead to political suicide as both parties have run the government when theft was prevelant.

I also dont believe that the people of Canada are as concerned about spilled milk as believing that a lid has been put on the milk jug. This is especially true when the economy is doing well.

Rob, the Conservatives need a leader that will stand up to the press and everyone else. If Chretien was a Conservative, do you think that he would take a back seat to anybody?

Like it or not, the leader must have charisma and tenacity while maintaining complete control of his party and Harper lacks charisma and tenacity. The control he has over the party is partly because the party doesnt know who else they could have to run the party right now so they follow him a little closer than if there was an alternative in the wings.

PS, I dont believe that Martin has alot of charisma (or any) either but I believe that he is tenacious and that sets him apart from Harper.

Anyway, it seems that you and I are the ones primarily keeping this thread going and I am not certain if anyone else even cares.

What is funny is that I warned how these things can cause friction amongst people posting and here you and I are often at different ends of the spectrum politically tossing around both supportive and contrary thoughts and beliefs without incident.

That is because the common thread is wanting a great Canada. Neither of us is so locked into one party that we wouldnt, and havent voted for the other party.

Its getting easier to do that given each party has made such massive sways to the 'other side' from time to time on so many issues.

Malcolm

[rd1000]

Debate is healthy. I believe, anyway. That is what Democracy is founded on. Multiple viewpoints in an open and free discussion. I am thankful I am free to speak my mind. I am sorry to see that more people are either not interested or don't feel free to voice their opinion. I can understand a reluctance given the forum, but we seem to be doing OK.

I enjoy politics, as frustrated as I get sometimes. Let's face it - it affects each and every one of our lives, and our children's lives.

There is a huge crunch coming in health care. It is only a few years away. I don't think any amount of money is going to stop it now. It is like the perfect storm in health. Aging population, fleeing doctors and nurses, and ever spiralling costs. This might get more people talking.

No, Chretien would not take a back seat to anybody. I at times have criticized Harper for lack of public appearances, although given the press he gets I do understand his reluctance. I don't mean the commentary. Everybody is going to get that. I mean the nasty and untrue headlines. THe media should report facts, unless it is labelled as commentary.

There are better conservative candidates. I wish Mike Harris had run.

THe policy convention may help. They are still a new party with several different priorities. Hopefully they will become more united.

I think what could be really interesting is the Peter MacKay/ Belinda Stronach romance. United, they would have considerable influence. Could be interesting.

I will be staying tuned. X-)

Rob