Liberals will move to topple Conservative Gov't

[Resolute 14]

So the Liberals, despite not having any money, decide to force an election now because of the economy. And what? Either another conservative minority, or a liberal minority?

So really, either we get the status quo, or Ignatief has to jump into bed with the socialists or separatists. Just a dumb move by the Liberals trying to rush into this rather than build their party back up to majority territory.

Though, at least Ignatief down on his knees in front of Layton and Duceppe would be a lot less hypocritical than Dion's proclamations of always fighting for Canadian unity even as he held the hands of the separatists in a pathetic bid to gain power.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by ikaris

I would speculate that herein lies their strategy. My thoughts are that the Liberals are gambling that the NDP will keep the Conservatives afloat. The NDP will likely gain some concessions from the Conservatives and claim that they are listening to the people by avoiding an election. The NDP cannot really afford an election right now even moreso than the other parties as I would argue that they have the most to lose.

The Liberals can use this to their advantage when eventually a non-confidence motion would pass likely in the Spring. I think that the Liberals wanted to show for political reasons that they will not support the Conservatives any more as they have shown to be weakened under the leadership of Dion and partially under Ignatieff.

Canadian politics

That's an interesting thought, but there is another possibility, which is that the Liberals are gambling that when faced with the choice at the polls, many NDP voters in close ridings may decide that a vote for the NDs is a vote for the Tories. It's worth remembering that the Tories (though they are popular in the West) are not an especially popular government out East, including in Ontario where they currently hold 51 seats but got less than 40% of the vote.

One reason why polls are tricky in Canada is that nationwide polls are meaningless. The top line numbers might not change, but if there's a big change in one region (which would be hard to detect in a randomized nationwide sample) it can tip the whole election.

[CaptainCrunch]

The one thing that could really harm the Liberal's is if there is a back lash against them for causing yet another election, the Conservatives get a narrow majority, and they bring the party funding into focus again.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Just what we need. Spend $400 million on an election no one wants and will not change anything as far as total seats are concerned.

Good work Michael.

Idiot.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'm absolutely amazed that there hasn't already been calls from the Conservative ranks for Harper's resignation. If he couldn't win a majority against the Dion-led Liberals (who suffered their worst-ever election defeat), how will he ever win a majority?

I think Liberal and NDP supporters are amazed about a lot of things when it comes to Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party. .... or maybe its just jealousy.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

How do Ontarions feel about this though? I imagine their viewpoint is different, relying so much on Manufacturing. Maybe this is what the Liberals are hoping for? A clean sweep of Ontario? That's the part that worries me.

I voted Tory and will again if this goes through, if only for hope of a majority government. Colour me suprised that we are doing as well as we are in these economic times with a minority government.

[flamesfever]

In my mind, I think the Conservatives have done enough good things to get re-elected:

1. creating the TFSA to enhance the ability of people to finance their retirement.

2. prudent monetary policy

3. tieing help for the auto industry to what is done in the US.

3. maintaining our military commitment in Afganistan

4. doing more in the North to influence our Arctic Sovereignty

5. creating work with the home renovation tax credit

However, I would like to see:

1. incentives to encourage people to be more carbon neutral

2. the Federal Government become more assertive with the Yanks, particularly when it comes to NAFTA

3. the Federal Government become more protective of its citizens travelling abroad, whether they are in trouble with the law or not

4. the abolishment of the manditory registration of long guns

5. letting us know what the plan is for Afganistan to survive economically, long term, when we and others pull our troops out.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by nik-

A quick google search of random political sites shows the number to be around $300 million as well.

2004 = $277 million
2006 = $270 million.

So this will be almost 900 million over a 4 year period.

Maybe the Liberals figure there's nothing like an election to help spend your way out of a recession?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Are you seriously saying that the Liberals wouldnt of spent more than the Conservatives?

Wasnt that what the whole friggin charade of the coup was based on...that the Cons werent going to do enough to "stimulate" the economy, but the Lib/NDP were going to make sure it was done.

Well, Stephane Dion would have outspent the Conservatives, that's why he's not the party leader anymore. The Liberals have outflanked the Conservatives on fiscal policy before, and they can do so again. It really wouldn't be very hard, considering Harper's record.

Bad timing for an election though from the Liberal point of view... should've been earlier. Harper will gain momentum with the economy.

[metallicat]

As long as Elizabeth May is banned from a political debate televised nationally, they can hold as many damn elections as they please.

[transplant99]

The same old crap from the same old gang...and i thought the spin from the Libs would be bad...oy vay.

[Ducay]

Its not 300 million wasted, its an economic stimulus

[Stranger]

Is there anyway to delete Jack Layton from my TV. If I have to go through another election of listening to his meaningless blabbering I think I'll give up TV and Radio for the election month.

[Shawnski]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Its not 300 million wasted, its an economic stimulus

I almost posted this in the LAST election but thought that people wouldn't get it.

If you think about it, yes it is a good one. Who mans (errr, womans...) all the voting stations? Seniors. I can't think of any direct costs that are spent that result in moneys moving OUT of the country. The money they make, they spend.

That said, c'mon.... another election???? I cannot see anything that is worthy of a change in government at this point in time. If anything, this could backfire huge on Ignatief if he is silly enough to think this is his time.

He had a boost during his "placement" as leader of the Libs, but hasn't done anything to bolster that boost since then. He is dropping in the polls over the summer as Harper has been in the spotlight (and hasn't stumbled in any apparent way).

Stupid move.

As for the current government, the only beef I have with them is the copyright mentality. I do not agree whatsoever that we as consumers cannot format shift with purchased material. If I want to make a copy of my CD onto MP3, that should be A-OK. Do I endorse any piracy protection software being downloaded onto my PC in any way shape or form? NO, hell NO. If you have to alter the capability of my PCs in at all in order to play your content, I am not buying that content.

But there is that other side that thinks it is their right to download movies and songs for free. Sorry, I don't agree with that. Should you have the ability to hear a song in full to determine if you want to buy it? Absolutely, especially if you want to know exactly what version you are buying. But sharing movie and song files is theft, pure and simple. The current mindset (primarily of the younger generation) of entitilement to these is simply mind boggling to me. But then again, here on CalgaryPuck, we have a plethora of people who surf here instead of doing their jobs. When someone is paying you to work, you work. If you don't have anything to do, find something... improve something... earn your keep. In the long run, you will be valued. Trust me.

'Nuf said. Bring on any election if you like. The Liberals would come in from a position of weakness in almost every aspect, except the "anyone but Harper" crowd that have been yakking that for years without merit.

My beer is empty... gotta go.

[Canuck-Hater]

Whats the point? its gonna turn out to be another conservative minority.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Before this thread is over-run by conservatives, let me say: WOOOHOOO! GO Liberals!

We don't need another election and the 300 million cost that goes with it.

Iggy reminds of the little boy who cried wolf. Always making threats and then doing a double face when the time comes. I have no use for that guy.

The eonomy is rebounding and election would only stall that effort. We need stability and not another election.

[Hemi-Cuda]

i like to think of myself as a Liberal person, but i didn't vote in the last election because Dion is a tool and i won't vote in this one because i'm sick of this election every year BS. the Liberals have done nothing to prove that they're more ready to take power than they were a year ago, and i don't even view Ignatieff as a Canadian. it's such a desperate bid for power when he has lived outside of Canada for the majority of the last 3 decades, only to move back when it's convenient for him to run in an election

i hope the Liberals get pounded even harder than they were last year, they're starting to look no better than the NDP with all the incessant whining

[Dion]

[Shawnski]

Fan-freakin'-fantastic Photoshop Dion!!! I'd thank you twice if I could! Well done!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Shawnski

Fan-freakin'-fantastic Photoshop Dion!!! I'd thank you twice if I could! Well done!

Sorry to disappoint you but it wasn't me

I found it while surfing the net and thought it was hilarious