The polling really seems to be coming back a bit after a huge Tory lead last week. Tory support has gone from 40% (borderline majority territory) back down to 36-37% (pretty much where they were last election). Meanwhile, the Greens have been steadily rising. The two questions are (1) How does this break down province-by-province? and (2) How commited are the Green voters, and will they revert to major parties when it comes time to vote?
Will the Listeriosis comments have any weight on the election? Probably not in that it will have blown over by the time of the vote, and Ritz's riding is about as safe as it gets, but it does put Harper on the defensive a little for the time being.
Nice commentary but does not address my arguments.
1. immediate action is not required. It is desired. Your statements only show why it is desired. The point, however, is that we should not be rushing blindly into bad plans because of some misplaced argument that doing ANYTHING is better than the status quo.
Well considering almost every major non-partisan Canadian think tank is advocating for a carbon tax (yes even the Canada West Foundation), I take issue with your categorization of such an approach as bad policy. You really haven't offered any analysis into why it is bad beyond it having extra costs.
I have countered saying that the effect on GDP is not nearly as bad as some claim. You retort with patently unimaginative and unconvincing language like "it's a Liberal tax grab" and it's a "green shaft."
Furthermore, we're splicing words here between necessary and desirable. Doing anything is better, I think that I've clearly pointed out that we don't have any time to waste. Disregarding the looming environmental costs (which will have significant economic costs), most modelling shows that the more we stall on implementing real GHG reduction policies the higher the costs to society future policies will have.
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2. Reducing GHGs is important, but it is not the only way in which we affect and pollute our environment. A truly green society will not be created by obsessively focussing on one thing. Especially when the only thing we've come up with on that one obsession are empty plans that do more to play into a guilt trip than actually helping the environment.
Couldn't agree more. Your argument lends credence to mine in that we need real policies.
Yeah I'm a troll all right for offering analysis that doesn't jive with Conservative party ideology.
coming from the perspective of a lurker in this thread i would suggest blaming Alberta for Ontarios manufacturing job losses has alot more to do with alot of people labeling you a troll then differing from a conservative ideology.
coming from the perspective of a lurker in this thread i would suggest blaming Alberta for Ontarios manufacturing job losses has alot more to do with alot of people labeling you a troll then differing from a conservative ideology.
This is getting tiresome.
Here's the storyline:
Poster A says that jobs are leaving Ontario because of GHG regulations.
I say that well because there actually haven't been any GHG regulations implemented that that is false and that Oil Sands investment is one of the reasons for manufacturing taking such a beating. Why? Because foreign investment has driven up our dollar. Nowhere did I say this was a 'bad' thing. I simply stated what is happening, Oil Sands investment is partly responsible for the ills of the manufacturing sector. This is not a normative argument.
Poster A says that jobs are leaving Ontario because of GHG regulations.
I say that well because there actually haven't been any GHG regulations implemented that that is false and that Oil Sands investment is one of the reasons for manufacturing taking such a beating. Why? Because foreign investment has driven up our dollar. Nowhere did I say this was a 'bad' thing. I simply stated what is happening, Oil Sands investment is partly responsible for the ills of the manufacturing sector. This is not a normative argument.
Actually the meteoric rise in oil prices, and the rapid decline of the US dollar were responsible for the rise in our dollar. That caused the decline in manufacturing, no longer do you cost 0.6 of someone in the states. Someones been watching too many Liberal ads where they demonize everything Oil and Gas related.
The fact that Ontario votes against the Con's (at least in part) because of the fact our economy is flourishing is laughable in itself. Sorry your god given right to be the most prosperous province in Canada has been challenged. Wow I wish Ontario would go away.
I have tried to read this entire thread, I'm not the most politically savvy guy but there are some great discussions going on in here which gives me a lot of knowledge and perspective. Also I'm in a political science class and the election is our main focus.
Yesterday my prof showed us this video in class
Just outrageous! Got to love the NDP trying too portray the Conservative Party as Nazi's
As stupid as that ad is, I give credit to the NDP for realizing there's a chance for them to do some major damage to the Liberal base this election. They should be spending more time discussing how weak a leader Dion is.
Are there any sites out there that monitor the sum of each parties election promises?
Last edited by HotHotHeat; 09-18-2008 at 12:35 PM.
Well Layton obviously believes he can win by bashing a leader of another country. Look, we are closer to Germany and the rest of Europe then you might think
Days counting down until the Liberals bring out the hidden agenda talk...
If you want to introduce a carbon tax and reduce corporate income taxes then tell people the truth what that means. It means almost over night inflation rises as the % of the tax vs the price of gasoline as everything costs more and yet incomes wont rise the same % if at all. And IF Canadians reduce their carbon footprint that means the Federal Government will collect less income to use for things like National Security, Healthcare, Roads, etc thereby weakening the Liberals version of Federalism.
Again, dont feed the troll: Member for less than a month, and within the first 24 hours post 3 times in the Canadian Election thread and almost half of all posts are in this one thread.
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MYK - Supports Arizona to democtratically pass laws for the state of Arizona
Rudy was the only hope in 08
2011 Election: Cons 40% - Nanos 38% Ekos 34%
Does anyone know if you can vote in this election if you are a Canadian citizen, but not a current resident? I've been gone for about 4-5 years now, but would still like to participate if they let me.
At the risk of being labelled a troll, I have to disagree with some of the things that you are stating here myk! The fact is that while some things are going to cost more, incomes are going to rise in the sense that the $15 Billion in income tax cuts will see the average worker take home more of their paycheque.
Sure, over the longer term the government might take less money. But the overwhelming majority on this boards seems to favour smaller government and less involvement in general!! Also, if you are going to talk about less income to be used for these programs you have to acknowledge that Harper cutting taxes is going to have the same effect.
Does anyone know if you can vote in this election if you are a Canadian citizen, but not a current resident? I've been gone for about 4-5 years now, but would still like to participate if they let me.
I believe any citizen can. Check with elections Canada:
EDIT: Apparently 5 years of living outside the country is the magic cut-off.
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Originally Posted by Table 5
Does anyone know if you can vote in this election if you are a Canadian citizen, but not a current resident? I've been gone for about 4-5 years now, but would still like to participate if they let me.
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Originally Posted by HOZ
Return to your riding or there is a mailing but you have to go online with elections Canada to find out how. I use to go to the Osaka consulate but that is closed so now I am not sure what to do.
HOZ and Table 5--
You should be able to get a ballot mailed to you by Elections Canada. I got mine about a week ago. I'm not sure what the lead time they need is, but I would contact them right away to find out.
And as for the 5 year rule--as long as you are physically present in the country at least once every 5 years you keep your right to vote in Federal elections.
I'm very excited to here the Greens in a national debate. Now I will be able to find out if my protest vote was worth it!
(sorry if this has been covered)
I don't mind conservative rule at all, but I do hope they stay a minority. Our minority governments have been working fairly well (to many surprise). I wonder, with more and more parties, if we might not have to change the rules to have a ruling party soon....
