Its seems its always been that way back East. I can remember back in the 50's and 60's the talk about peoples jobs in the East being tied to the Government in power and how it was difficult to get them to change their voting patterns. This business of being scared of Harper is not based on any intelligent assessment, rather on repeated BS.
Harper will have to hang on to his base in the West and make some kind of a breakthrough in Ontario. This could give him a Minority Government and after being in power for a while those Easteners might be able to raise themselves to a higher level of understanding of Politics and make some changes in their lives.

All three parties (I do not include the regional Bloc) are facing an uphill battle.

Good. Some contender's slope is steeper and the baggage carried from previous party lies and deceptions heavier.

We all end up disappointed in the long run anyways.

C'est la vie!

This is more evidence that the West needs to secede from Canada. Despite our large contribution to the Canadian economy, we still are treated and perceived as alien. We've tried to make a difference, from the Reform Party, to the Alliance, and now to the Conservatives. Our voice is gradually being weakened by the constant mergers required to appeal to Ontario and Quebec voters. The only way to make a difference any more is to take drastic measures. Despite the fact that the Liberals have shown to be corrupt, people are still voting for them. This mystifies me. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from a member of the Conservative party, but it's the closest thing we've got to a Western voice in government.

Furthermore, the existence of the PQ is asinine. The PQ is incapable of performing any useful function on a national level, other than to further weaken Quebec's voice in Parliament.

The only solace is that the Liberals tend to manage Canada reasonably well. I've got my own nits to pick, but we could have much worse in power. Look at the USA for proof of that.

Long story short, I'm growing increasingly disenchanted with politics. I know that the Tories will be elected in my riding. There's little doubt of that. So why even bother voting?

I have to agree with Canar.
I am of the opinion that the Liberals created the bloc to take away the conservative vote in Quebec (or at least split the vote to give the liberals the edge) Mr Harper has said a number of times "if it wasn't for the Liberals--there would be no Bloc."

Canar: "The only solace is that the Liberals tend to manage Canada reasonably well. I've got my own nits to pick, but we could have much worse in power. Look at the USA for proof of that.

Long story short, I'm growing increasingly disenchanted with politics. I know that the Tories will be elected in my riding. There's little doubt of that. So why even bother voting? "

That is exactly how I feel about the whole thing as well! However, the gun control issue will cause me to vote for a party that I never voted for in the past.

And it won't be Mr. Harper's party.

Happy New Year!

If you are a beneficiary of the Liberal way of life, why change?

If you have a job because of the Liberal government, why risk it?

If you have been aware of or been involved in the list of scams this government is responsible for, you may not want a change.

But, if you value honesty, integrity and unity for our country, you have a responsibility to expose and replace those who do not.

Why would the east ( in control and a known entity) want to venture into an unknown area (west)and chance letting them determine the direction of the country? Liberal fear mongering has been very effective using scare tactics.

Who do you think developed the "Gag laws"? The Liberals. They have done a great job in disarming the citizens of this country, silenced our voices and alienated us, one against another.

Remember this, true authority comes with unity. Unity of all members of parliament after they have been elected, not party against party.

Unity of the French and English. Don't be fooled by the Bloc. They don't represent the majority of Quebecers.

Unity of the native and non-native peoples. Much healing has been done in this area.

We must elect people who will represent the views of the people who elected them. If their party doesn't allow their voices to be heard, then your list of choices is shortened.

Why do so many feel voting is such a waste of time? That their voices are never heard anyway? That it doesn't matter who gets in, it will still be the same?

If you continue to think this way and don't do anything different than you have always done things in the past, then you will continue to experience the same results. Apathy is exactly what those in power want to achieve.

Disenchanged and disallusioned sometimes, but not pathetic. Chester

Chester, dear Sir! Your last post made it worth my while to have spent some time on this Opionion250 site!

Mr. Harper has Mulroney written all over him, too bad.

I can't stand any extremism, either of the Left or of the Right, so
I shall not be apathetic either, I will go and vote, but I'd rather vote for the devil I know than for the devil I don't.

Happy New Year!

Ben, your wrong about your claim that the liberals created the bloc.

The facts are that the bloc is a creation of the political forces of Power Corp, a $500 Billion dollar Canadian mutual fund holding company.

Power Corp has been behind the Prime Ministers Office since the days of Brian Mulroney. I wonder if people think it is healthy to have a corporation controlled by French shareholder interests controling Canadian politics through their agents in Canadian politics, which include such powerfull politicians as the Martin family, the Chretien family, the Mulroney law firm, and the Bob Rea ndp insiders?

I don't think that kind of foreign influence in our political system is acceptable. Power Corp's parent corporation Total Fina of France, the fourth largest oil company in the world with huge oil contracts with Saddam, is a company natorious for its influence peddling convictions in courts around the world for spending billions buying influence in third world countries that corrupted national interests in favour of Total Fina financial interests.

In Canada Frances Total Fina subsidiary Power Corp, controller of $500 Billion in Canadian mutual fund equity voting interests, used their offices as the base for Mulroney's negotiation of the Canada US Free Trade Agreement. Computers where linked between offices and Power Corp was in effect the negotiator of Canadian interests.

The people of Quebec who had nationalist sentiments felt betrayed by Mulroney and the pc party for selling out Canadian and therefor Quebecs interests. The result was the creation of the bloc as a last straw to protect Quebecs French culture from the cultural and economic implications of a free trade deal that was designed to divide Canadian interests for the political and economic advantage of an economic elite. The reform party was create at the same time for very similar reasons, and Stephen Harper was the author of the original reform blue book that was taking aim at this same problem.

The Power Corp interests in the 1980's controlled both the pc party and the liberal party of Canada. They engineered all the negativity towards the pc party so they could be seen as a change in government with the election of the liberals. The result was a sepratist party in Quebec and a reform party in the west dividing Canadian politics along regional lines that would play into the interests of Power Corps new liberal government under Chretien, father in law to the son of Power Corps Chairman.

Power Corp gets to control the design of Canada's economy for their own economic interests, while simultaniously creating the conditions for a new French State in North America.

Ontario was easy to play using their fear of losing control of their Canadian Empire with the politics of fear used to assassinate their political opponents in the West and Quebec. Ontario's power was created with John A Macdonald's 'National Policy' of high tariff's on foreign imports, which since day one was a bone of contension for BC interests who prior to joining Canada had a free port status. The national policy created Ontario's economic base at the expense of Atlantic Canada and the West. The heart of Ontario's distrust of the rest of Canada lies in Ontario's historical privilage via policies oriented around the so-called 'national policy'. It is so ingrained in the Ontario's psyche that it is a usefull tool for manipulating their fears of the rest of Canada.

In Atlantic Canada they have no economic freedom from the power of Power Corp and the other elite economic interests that bankroll the liberal party of Canada. Between these private economic interests and the public dollar economy that comes from their power base they see support of an independent view as a scary notion that has unknown implications for them. Like the 'Diplomat' poster on this thread they choose the devil they know rather then the unknown that could harm the economic interests they have been tied to for the last hundred years. Atlantic Canada are slaves theat do not know of political nor economic freedom.

In the West we have a level of economic freedom from the elite economic interests in Canada and therefor are much more ready to stand up and fight for our Canada.

In Quebec they don't trust the outsider anymore, hence the creation of the bloc. Its the only way that was seen to stem the damage done from alien political forces. In recent years the 'action democratic party' of Quebec has risin as the third way in Quebec as a political force at the provincial level advocating a strong and independent Quebec within a strong and independent Canada. This sizable segment of the population is the segment that can think for themselves and is the segment that Harper should appeal too.

In the end what we have is a bloc and reform movement that was created from similar circumstances. For the first time in Canadian history we have a choice in this election between the economic elites of the Power Corp's of Canada represented by Paul Martins liberals against the Canadian patriots who are for the first time standing in solidarity as opposition parties against the corruption of Canadian politics.

The bloc has a leader who knows what this election is all about, and so does the conservative party. The ndp has party members that understand what this election is all about and I suspect their leader does as well, but the ndp also has trojan horses of Power Corp within their ranks to say nothing of the diamond thief variaty. The liberals on the other hand have an elite who would like to change the subject with political smears comming from the party leadership, and has candidates that know nothing and are instructed to stick to the liberal party talking points.

Maybe 5% of the voting public really understands what this election is all about, and the others will have to be brought along by other means, which is why you will not hear any of the political figures talk about the 10,000 pound elephant in the room for fear of being labled a conspiracy theorist for what at minimum in the factual reality could only be described as coincidence.

Time Will Tell

A quick Google search will reveal that Mr. Harper attended at least one meeting of the Bilderberg power cabal just like Martin did a few years ago.

For those who don't know what this think tank of international power brokers stands for it would be useful to get some information before making any pronouncements that getting a different horse out of the stable to pull the wagon would change the direction of the trip for any of us captive passengers.

There is a complete list of attendees on the net, covering a number of years in the recent past.

Diplomat thats nothing I saw you on George street once so that must mean that you are a drug dealing hooker? Same logic.

The facts are that Harper has fought against the corruption of politics by elites his whole political life, so I don't think his attending a meeting with hundreds of others who have gathered to discuss global events makes him a compromised candidate.

Martin on the other hand was an employee of Power Corp before entering politics. Martin was sold Canada Steam Ship Lines by a Power Corp mutual fund for 10 cents on the dollar when Martin became the Finance Minister; and paid for Canada Steam Ship Lines with a loan from Power Corp paid back with the profits from Canada Steam Ship Lines. Martin now owns a billion dollar company that is the largest shipping company in the world paid for without one cent of his own money.

That my friend is a compromised candidate that owes billions to his handlers that 'made' him the politician he is today.

Martin was finance minister when hundreds of millions of your tax dollars were given to his political conections for media advertising supporting his handlers political agenda.

Martin's PMO was the source of a leak on recent 'trust' legislation that enabled his handlers to make millions on insider government information that is no different than the insider trading that took place prior to 9/11. Martin's defence is that this kind of insider trading is normal practice in the financial markets.

These are facts that can not be lied away.

If I were to believe everything you wrote it would make Canada appear to be worse than many third world dictatorships!

At least THERE the people KNOW that the top elite is a bunch of criminals and those on top don't pretend that they are saints!

You are saying that the majority of Canadian voters are totally unaware of the criminals at the top?

And, yes, many people don't go to George Street because.....well,
you know.

Happy New Year.

May the least worst candidate and his party win!

Diplomat. With all due respect, I would invite you to do some serious inquiring into the background, experience and values of Mr. Harper. Especially if you don't know enough about him.

He is not unknown in political circles. Why do you think PM Martin is so concerned? He is a credible opponent.

I would have difficulity voting for more of the same (Liberals), just because I didn't know enough about the alternatives.

Mr. Harper has a long history with the National Citizens Coalition. He definitely understands politics. He has been our watchdog for years. He also understands the issues.

It's fairly easy to find out what he supports and what he doesn't support. You don't have to agree with everything he believes. But, surely you can't agree with much of what the Liberals have been responsible for over the past number of years?

So, I encourage you to do your homework on Mr. Harper. If you still can't see him as your PM, at least you will have made that decision on your own.

And I do respect anyone who has reasons for not supporting a particular person.

It would be unfortunate that a lack of information or knowledge, would not be the basis for deciding who not to vote for. Chester

>Mr. Harper has a long history with the National Citizens Coalition.<

Yes, I know. I used to get their Newsletter when he was in charge.

I do know a lot about Mr. Harper, but I am always open to new information, nevertheless.

As far as I am concerned Harper went on my blacklist when I saw him fraternizing with lying brian m. on television.

Sorry, but my disgust with the conservative politics of Mulroney is beyond description. Most of the people that had anything to do with the Airbus affair are serving time in prison, except one important one. I think Harper should have avoided that person like the plague. It was, in my opinion a totally unbelievable faux pas!

Chester, you said:" And I do respect anyone who has reasons for not supporting a particular person."

I like to thank you for your thoughtful comments on the topic and especially for the respect you are showing for other opinions. These days, that attitude seems to be a rare commodity, indeed.

DIPLOMAT

Harper at this time would make us the best Prime Minister, he would get tough on crime, and clean up Government. If we do not support him, then we will be in a position of having Paul Martin and others of his ilk in power for the forseeable future. This is unacceptable, the Liberals need a rest.

What possible harm could Stephen Harper and a Conservative Government do to this Country in the next 4/5 years that the Liberals have not already done. (NONE).

Canada is a very small country on the world stage, and anyone who is isolated in the Interior of British Columbia or in Northern Ontario or in the big cities running around saying **STEPHEN HARPER SCARES ME** is only doing it to hear the sound of there own voices, as the comment is never backed up with any facts, and is at best juvenile.

Stalin,Hitler,Mao Tung,Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, The Kmyer Rouge, Ide Ammin, The President of North Korea, these people might scare me, but I would never be scared of Stephen Harper, or any other Canadian Politician.

In the big picture of SCARE they dont rate.

>Stalin,Hitler,Mao Tung,Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, The Kmyer Rouge, Ide Ammin, The President of North Korea, these people might scare me,<

Most of these are toast. GWB gives me reasons for great concern at the present.

Diplomat..All the super bad guys might be dead. But I bet People that think like you never got them out, your a little person with no will to fight,you bi**ch but let other people do the fighting...it is because of PEOPLE LIKE YOU,this country is so screwed up.
Don

>Diplomat..All the super bad guys might be dead. But I bet People that think like you never got them out, your a little person with no will to fight,you bi**ch but let other people do the fighting...it is because of PEOPLE LIKE YOU,this country is so screwed up.
Don<

Keep the insults coming!
They slide off me like rain off a duck!

You are identifying yourself as the mental midget that you are!

Your BS sure is contaminating this otherwise pretty good site!

Somebody should take your posting privileges away from you!

Lets reveiw Harpers platform
1.Reduce GST 1% to 2%.
2. $1200.00 per year per child for each child under 6 years of age.
3. Establish 125000 new child care spaces.
3. Reduce taxes and allow income splitting.
4. Mandatory jail time for Second offences. Get tough on crime and gangs.
5. Revive the Armed Services so that they are able to defend themselves.
6. Establish a Canadian Military presence in the North.

Theres more but this should suffice for the moment.

Harper born in Ontario, raised in Alberta, Married with 2 children, good family man with a sense of values.

Now the question is.

Whats scary about this???

Well here we go again. The east will dictate the outcome of the election as they normally do!
Yes, I support Mr. Steven Harper!
I just can’t bow down to a corrupt government such as the federal Liberals. Can those that support them be truly that blind? Have you all forgotten every scandal that, they have been either caught in or accused of?
Again there is a scandal with the stock market!

You know, I at one time was patriotic to Canada. My passion as a Canadian was that of a raging fire. I would brag to people all over the world about how great of a country I live in!
That feeling is now nothing more than a flicker, now I am no longer passionate of this land.
The feral liberals stole my raging fire and turned a born and bread true Canadian into nothing more than a lost stranger in his own home!

…I will support the division of Canada now.
I think it is high time we form a separate country! We would be better off, and probably become one of the strongest countries economically in the world!
I know this will never happen in my lifetime. I after about five years of great pondering made the hardest decision a man could ever make!

I have decided to immigrate out of Canada if the federal Liberals get voted in again. I will under no uncertain terms bow down to that beast. Them good ole boys back east sure like sucking up our tax money!
God bless those that see what really is going on here.

I remain; Give me a break