[Red Mile Style]

There's something to be said about blind patriotism...

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Muzzles candidates - I see you convieniently left out the proof. Handpicks candidates - the overal body politic is allowed to override the riding association in all 3 English Federal Parties - ala the Liberals placing visible minorities and women in party ridings.

So, I guess disqualifying Turner and not allowing other candidates to run against Anders isn't muzzling? How much proof do you need? They have only been in power for ten months!!!! Regardless of what is "allowed" - it's still what it is - muzzling.

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Limiting Media Access - again you convieneintly left out proof, if you mean that no one spilled the beans about the Income Tax structure change well then its a good thing no?

Since you've apparently been living under a rock for the past ten months, here's what the CPC have been up to in regards to banning the media:

http://www.law.ualberta.ca/centres/c...dia-Policy.php

Freedom of expression is of great importance to a representative democracy. Political speech and freedom of the press are fundamental parts of what is protected under section 2(b) of the Charter. A government media policy that restricts the free flow of information and impairs efforts to question politicians and report on current political events is certainly at odds with Charter values. In order for Canadians to make informed political decisions and understand what their elected representatives are doing, it is essential that the press is able to gather and report political news. If the government is unwilling to provide this opportunity, one has to wonder... who will?

Originally Posted by mykalberta

You seem not to know about what affect the media has on political parties - especially the right of centre ones.

You do not seem to realize the impacts of a non-transparent government. Hiding issues that do not threaten national security is dangerous. Who cares what the media does with the information, if the information is never presented in the first place? What exactly is Harper trying to hide? What is he so afraid of? Oh, yes, but the liberal bias in the media... always a good excuse not to provide the real agenda of the government... who cares about the freedom of the press in the charter. I personally love it when people throw out the slant of the media - especially when all the newspapers and television stations in the country are owned by huge corporations that would definately benefit from a Conservative government. Liberal bias my ass!

Originally Posted by mykalberta

In a perfect world yes, that yahoo with the hat from Lethbridge would be able to mouth off on Mansbridge Live about how he is against gay marriage, and blah blah blah.

That would be pretty far from a perfect world, as since sexual orientation can not be used as grounds for prejudices in Canada, I'm pretty sure whatever that yahoo would say, would be derogratory.

Originally Posted by mykalberta

In a perfect world he would be seen as one man with one opinion, in our world he is seen as the mouthpiece face of the party so Harper tells him to shut up and dont show up at events in Toronot so he shuts up because the Conservatives made a choice, its better to bend your morales and be in power than be true to them on the outside looking in.

aha ha, spoken like a true Conservative. Believe it or not, some people hold their morales in higher regard than that.

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Has the Conservatives done one thing the Liberals said they would do:

Do we see Canadian Jeeps and Tanks running down Centre Street patrolling for crime - NO

Maybe not OUR center street, but there are definately Canadian Jeeps and Tanks running down streets. 42 Canadian soldiers dead since the Conservatives took power - there's something else that the CPC has accomplished in a short ten months... too bad there is a media ban on the coffins of the soldiers by Harper.

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Have they converted public medicare into private - NO

Have they done anything to better the health-care system? NO. It would be political suicide to axe medi-care - but by cutting funding and making the system worse, changing people's attitudes towards a public health system, well, that is definately on the agenda. The health-care system will not be axed, but I can guarantee the amount of Canadians that disagree with a public healthcare system will rise while the Conservatives are in office.

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Have they banned abortion - NO

Not yet...

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Have they banned gay marriage - NO

Well, actually, Harper has called for a free vote on the issue with intentions to introduce a bill to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/inde...m/itemID/13648

Originally Posted by mykalberta

When you play the political game you must also play the media game, that game is underhanded and backstabbing but thats how the game is played so you play by the rules.

You also have to play the law game, which includes upholding the Charter, including the part about freedom of the press. But, I guess as long as you're in power, you're allowed to bend your morales, right?

Allowing Canadians to know what their government is doing is what responsible government is all about. Hiding what is going on behind closed doors is not democratic, and is definately something that seperates us from places like North Korea.