Are you afraid of Harper and/or a hidden agenda?

[killer_carlson]

Yes or No.

I don't want this to turn into another stupid spin machine thread where everyone ends up sounding like Mukham Singh, Bobby the Brain, or Jimmy Hart. I don't want you to say that you are afraid of a hidden agenda on a certain issue, because there have been so many accusations that every single issue in the campaign has a hidden agenda accusation with it. (edit: so there are no misconceptions, I only want a yes or no answer for the time being)

The reason I ask is I never really thought people believed that Harper is scary and has a hidden agenda - or will implement a hidden agenda - until a co-worker who I have great intellectual respect for stated that they were afraid of it. I thought people merely used it as an excuse because they were embarrassed to say they were going to vote Liberal, or uncomfortable in explaining why they were voting Libs, or NDP or Green. Obviously I was mistaken (not the first time).

So, please answer:

Are you afraid of Harper and/or a hidden agenda?

[transplant99]

No.

[JiriHrdina]

No. Harper is dull, but not scary.

[MolsonInBothHands]

No

[Blaster86]

Yes.

[Mike F]

Is it absolutely, strictly Yes/No, or can I say what agenda I'm scared of (if any) as long as I promise not to argue about it or anyone else's answer?

Edit: MarchHare said more or less what I was going to say -- there is a conservative agenda backed by many Conservatives (and some Liberals) which, IMO, would like to use the promised free votes to let majority rule decide minority rights.

So my answer depends on whether you consider that a "Harper Hidden Agenda"

[Shawnski]

No

[RougeUnderoos]

Not really. Even if he becomes PM, he won't have the clout to actually do anything drastic. I still don't like him though.

[MarchHare]

No, I don't think Harper personally has a hidden agenda.

However, I think there are several Conservative Party candidates who have views well to the right of the Canadian political mainstream, and I believe these individuals have been very effectively muzzled by the CPC during this campaign. Should the Cons win a majority, will they come out of the woodwork and try to force their views onto the country? Who knows...but Harper himself has said he that as PM he will allow more private-members bills and he will also allow a free vote on those issues.

[CaptainCrunch]

No I'm more afraid of Martin and the prospect of a guy who can't lead a effective campaign and bumbling an election and fear mongering being the prime minister of Canada. If there's a hidden agenda its that the Liberal's have been able to hide Martin's stupidity and lack of leadership skills for the past dozen years.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

No, I don't think Harper personally has a hidden agenda.

However, I think there are several Conservative Party candidates who have views well to the right of the Canadian political mainstream, and I believe these individuals have been very effectively muzzled by the CPC during this campaign. Should the Cons win a majority, will they come out of the woodwork and try to force their views onto the country? Who knows...but Harper himself has said he that as PM he will allow more private-members bills and he will also allow a free vote on those issues.

Fundementally (sp? two beers) isn't the introduction of members bills a key part of democracy as well as free votes, its when a party whips its members and an individual MP has to vote against the desires of his constituants that democracy fails (three beers waxing poetically)

[FlamesAddiction]

I'm not afraid of Harper. In fact, politics aside, I think Harper is probably a very good person.

As for a "hidden agenda" - I don't really like the term. It insinuates that there is something conscious or planned. I don't think that is the case. However, I do think there are some people within the party who are going to try and push some strong right wing views when they have the chance, and those people are being conspicuously quiet right now.

I think Harper is genuine when he says he will take a moderate approach and not promote conservative social policies that are not in discussion right now, but I'm not sure if he will be able withstand pressures from within his own party. Especially if they get a majority.

The other thing I worry about with Harper is that internationally, he holds little clout. International reputation is huge, especially in gaining support in trade disputes with the U.S. Say what you want about Martin, but he has friends in high places.

So no, I'm not afraid of Harper, but I have doubts that he will be a strong Prime Minister. But I am thinking lately that maybe he at least deserves a chance.

Maybe.

[Flickered Flame]

No.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The other thing I worry about with Harper is that internationally, he holds little clout. International reputation is huge, especially in gaining support in trade disputes with the U.S. Say what you want about Martin, but he has friends in high places.

Um at this point and post election, Martin if he gets back into power has no clout and no negotiating strength with the American government in place, and with the way the Democrats continually bumble things down there, likely not for a long time. As long as Martin is in power, softwood and other key issues will fester and never be solved or handled badly.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Um at this point and post election, Martin if he gets back into power has no clout and no negotiating strength with the American government in place, and with the way the Democrats continually bumble things down there, likely not for a long time. As long as Martin is in power, softwood and other key issues will fester and never be solved or handled badly.

I'm talking about within the international community, and don't think for a second that that does not come into play. Having international favour can influence the U.S. more than any single Canadian Prime Minister could.

One other more personal apprehension I have about a Conservative government are jobs in my field. Right now, I work at a federal research station. There is some talk among the scientists I work with that much of the work will be cut back, especially the work I am involved with concerning greenhouse gas emissions. If Harper takes Bush's lead on this, then there is a good chance that I will not have a job this time next year.

[Alpha_Q]

No.

There are two types of people in Canada, those who believe that Harper has a hidden agenda, and those who can think.

[Agamemnon]

Nope. Its the Conservatives overt agenda and ideology that I dislike.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Fundementally (sp? two beers) isn't the introduction of members bills a key part of democracy as well as free votes, its when a party whips its members and an individual MP has to vote against the desires of his constituants that democracy fails (three beers waxing poetically)

I'm trying to remember that compensation issue a couple of years ago where the Liberals voted against it, and there was quite a bit of backroom grumbling about the issue.

Was it compensation for people contracting Hep C from the Red cross? It was something similar.

You are bang on CC, 1 man deciding the fate of Canada is no better at deciding what is better for the Majority/Minority than a Free vote in the Commons. Maybe if we get a real senate, we can actually have some checks and balances, badly missing from Canadian politics.

[CaptainCrunch]

It was the HEP C compensation vote and the party was whipped into voting against it.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Not really. Even if he becomes PM, he won't have the clout to actually do anything drastic. I still don't like him though.

With a Liberal dominated Senate, you wonder why people are worried about truly fruit loop things being punched through on the Conservative side . . . . . frankly, it would probably be more dangerous with a Liberal majority.

Cowperson