[John Doe]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

However, people need to realize that party ads are paid for by the party, through donations from supporters, not from taxpayers.

Yes, the parties pay for the ads, but they are reimbursed for half of their costs by the taxpayers. As well, the people making the donations get tax credits, so the taxpayers are subsidizing the spending by the parties even before their rebates.

Originally Posted by CroFlames

During the economic downturn, many countries suffered immensely. Canada suffered as well, but no where near as bad as the USA in many parts, select EU countries, and the majority of Asian and third world countries. I attribute this to sound economic management of the aforementioned "line" by the government, more precisely attributed to Flaherty, Harper, and the like. I am willing to award that with my vote in the next election to see if they can continue managing the economy into hopefully a brighter economic outlook over the next 5 years. I worry Mulcair in the interest of more equality will damage the way business is done. I also think Trudeau doesn't necessarily have a plan other than "Let's just do the opposite of Harper".

The main reason our system held up well is because of the regulations that we had in place, which the Conservatives had voted against while in opposition. The stimulus package was forced on the Conservatives by the opposition, as Flaherty had said that they were not going to do anything of the sort that fall. How well Canada has done financially since the Conservatives have been elected is up for debate, as is how well we are positioned for the future. As for the economic policies of the NDP and Liberals, which ones do you have issue with?
http://canadianelection2015.tumblr.c...atform-summary

http://www.ndp.ca/issues

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I hope people think critically of the issues. I hear all sorts of rhetoric like "Harper is a dictator. Vote him out". Yes, but no. He's a PM and he didn't dictate anything. He's got a majority and majorities can get a lot of their platform through compared to a minority.

He has the power in a majority to do pretty well whatever he wants, but he gets the "dictator" title from his strict control of his MP's, from cutting off debate on a multitude of bills, from refusing to submit to parliament documents (contempt of parliament issue), from appointing senators strictly on the basis of how well they will do his bidding, etc..

Originally Posted by CroFlames

As far as people not being "proud to represent Canada anymore abroad" I say PHOOEY to that. I assume you are saying that because of Canada's military actions recently. Personally, I am proud when I hear the Canadian military is doing meaningful things around the world. Canada has always had a proud military tradition, and it GMG when people say what Harper does with the military is anti-Canadian or something.

Canadians are not ashamed of our military. They are ashamed of the government's disruptive actions on climate control internationally, their unconditional support of Israel, etc..

EDIT: (Disclaimer: I do not speak for all Canadians, nor do I want to.) I do not feel that all Canadians are ashamed of our government's disruptive actions on climate control internationally, their unconditional support of Israel, etc... nor do I want to imply that all Canadians are not ashamed of our military. I just want to say that I feel that many of the Canadians that are not "proud to represent Canada anymore abroad" feel so because of the actions of the government and not because of the actions of the military.