let's talk politics (federal)

[Wetundies]

I would vote for them if they took me for a spin in one of those F35 and let me fire some missiles.

[joel]

The tory fitness tax credit proposed sounds pretty intriguing, especially if it'll count towards playing hockey. woot!

[geForce]

Too bad it's not slated until 2015 for adults... by that time, who knows who will be in Office to make it happen anymore.

[Wetundies]

Everything proposed is based on a balanced budget in 2015 if we can get a balanced budget.

[se7entse7en]

And since those stealth fighters probably don't even come with engines...

[joel]

so to fuel the discussion here is a "brief" (although not that brief) summary on the budget the tories proposed that was voted down by the coalition.
http://www.budget.gc.ca/2011/glance-ape ... f-eng.html

[joel]

Some other links to party platform news:

Liberals - faster internet in rural areas:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/liberals-targe ... 5-245.html

Tory - Double TFSA Annual Limit:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/harper-expecte ... 3-335.html

Tory - End deficit a year earlier:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/harper-release ... 8-914.html

any thoughts or comments?

[Wetundies]

[geForce]

[nature boy]

yeah, i'll agree with gordon. it's not what they say they can do, but what they were able to do in the past.
which again, makes it almost impossible for the green party to ever do anything lol.

and i don't like how some people vote for certain parties because they have chinese representation, or even christian representation. just because someone comes from a certain ethnicity or religious background doesn't make them any better to do other things (i.e. run a government).

[joel]

if it's the case that you only judge the government based on what they have done so far, then doesn't that only give you information on the the most recent party in power. also how do you choose which new party to vote in versus the others, if they haven't yet had an opportunity to accomplish anything yet

[geForce]

That's only my own personal view on the political parties... I've never voted for a new party because they haven't established themselves. I guess that's why the new parties don't get much penetration into public popularity.

[nature boy]

which is why i was saying that the green party is hooped.

but i guess there needs to be a balance. not all parties would be able to live up to their promises, but which parties blatantly lied? which parties, with proof through their previous actions, have the integrity to live up to what they say?

i have a feeling that this is how many of you vote anyway. i'm just trying to feel included here.

[Keiho]

Wow...where do I begin?

First things first, the no confidence motion was actually for the Tories being held in contempt of parliament. The budget vote was not due until a couple of days after the no confidence motion on the contempt issue.

Secondly, the Tories have the benefit of a sound economy in Canada that is largely due to the governments that long preceded it (Chretien and Martin, both Liberals). And the stimulus package was actually introduced and "pushed" through by the opposition parties (Liberals, NDP and likely the Bloc), so no, the Tories haven't really done squat to steer Canada out of the recession. Canada's strong banking industry and fiscal resiliency is due more to the regulations that were already in place prior to the Tories ever coming to power. And if you keep up with the news from both left and right leaning media, you'll see that the majority of the stimulus money goes towards ridings that have Tory MPs while other ridings go ignored.

Canada needs new fighter jets, that is the simple truth. However, the F35 in my view is a colossal waste of money as it does not meet the operational needs of Canada. There's quite a bit of information out there regarding this issue that's easy to find, and cost isn't the only issue at play. I like fancy jets as much as Maverick does, but the F35 is pointless when you consider the military role Canada plays and as much as Harper would like you to believe that the Russians are coming the truth is Russia is not going to be invading Canada anytime soon. Not to mention (if the reports are accurate) that the F35 does not even have full capability to fly coast to coast and back to base on one tank of fuel. So we can scramble a couple of jets to meet the Russian "threat" and then our pilots will have to abandon the planes and hitch a ride back with polar bears. Real smart.

Anyway, I am sure it's quite clear which way I lean towards politically so there's no need for me to go further. I'll just say this, educate yourself by reading both left and right leaning media outlets, decide yourself how you want the country to run and be run, and what the future Canada you want the country to look like. On paper both the Liberals and Tories seem similar, however where they differ is in the direction they want to take the country. This election the Liberals are running a campaign based on investing in Canada's future (education), health and being able to care for all Canadians. Tories far as I can tell are running on their same platform of offering boutique tax cuts for niche population segments that are solely dependent upon them being back in power and for the deficit to be reduced. Oh, and let's not forget their campaign of fear and attack, and of Harper's idea of democracy (do not forget that it was him who set fixed election dates which he promptly then disregarded when it appeared to suit him) and almost totalitarian control of the government.

I can go on and on and on about why Harper is quite honestly the worst thing to have happened to Canada in recent history, but I'm sure if you're curious you can find lots of information about that. But come May 2nd go out and vote!

Oh and also don't forget to vote to keep the HST come June.

[geForce]