Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Canada: Stephen Harper at La Francophonie

Amaras · 10-02-2006, 09:14 AM

I do not consider myself to either a conservative or a liberal.
On some issues, like national defence and foreign policy, I am a staunch supporter of Canadian independence from following the US. On these issues, Harper impressed me.
For instance, his claiming our sovereign rights to the North. If we keep this up, I believe that at the present rate of ice floe change in the North, it will be of major importance if the Northwest passage ever opens up. I would even say it's visionary of Harper.

Putting more money towards supporting our military in field is also important to me. Once we decide putting people in the field, we should do everything we can to give them the ability to not only defend themselves, but to quickly wax any bastards who come after them. Sorry, but these are Canadian lives, and we should minimize the risk wherever possible, rather than sending out these brave souls virtually naked. An improved (albeit still modest) military would also allow Canada further independence from the Shrubs of this world.

On social issues, I would like to think I am fairly liberal. If Gay marriage comes up for debate, I am solidly in support of anybody having the right to marry (no matter how foolhardy the proposition seems). I think he'll get burnt in Eastern Canada if he pushes a typical conservative agenda. However, I'm not sure that we in the East (I'm in Mtl) realize just how different the West sees these issues. His bringing them up for debate could be quite divisive along geographic, rather than political, lines.

On the economic side, I believe fiscal responsibility to be job #1 of Government. Do what you want with your own money, but be careful with the community chest. Alberta is pissed at our deficits out East, are we going to redress this imbalance? Is Quebec going to threaten one referendum too far? How will he react to what is most likely to be a majority PQ victory in the next Quebec election? Sadly, the Quebec question has been the bane of all of our PM's for the last 30 years. His take on these issues (assuming he still in power, which I believe is a safe bet) will make or break him in the long run.

How about investment in our infrastructure? Most of our major public works are reaching the end of their designed lifespan. It's estimated that 50% of our water is lost through faulty pipes. I know we have a lot of water, but that's ridiculous.

Investment in alternatives to fossil fuels would most likely alienate him from his power base on the prairies. Does he have the stones to be a visionary?

Lots of questions remain, but so far, I give him a B+. And this is coming from a lifelong Liberal voter. As a Quebecer of English descent, I frankly feel like I haven't had a choice.

10-02-2006, 09:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
Amaras Junkie Location: At my daughter's beck and call.	I do not consider myself to either a conservative or a liberal. On some issues, like national defence and foreign policy, I am a staunch supporter of Canadian independence from following the US. On these issues, Harper impressed me. For instance, his claiming our sovereign rights to the North. If we keep this up, I believe that at the present rate of ice floe change in the North, it will be of major importance if the Northwest passage ever opens up. I would even say it's visionary of Harper. Putting more money towards supporting our military in field is also important to me. Once we decide putting people in the field, we should do everything we can to give them the ability to not only defend themselves, but to quickly wax any bastards who come after them. Sorry, but these are Canadian lives, and we should minimize the risk wherever possible, rather than sending out these brave souls virtually naked. An improved (albeit still modest) military would also allow Canada further independence from the Shrubs of this world. On social issues, I would like to think I am fairly liberal. If Gay marriage comes up for debate, I am solidly in support of anybody having the right to marry (no matter how foolhardy the proposition seems). I think he'll get burnt in Eastern Canada if he pushes a typical conservative agenda. However, I'm not sure that we in the East (I'm in Mtl) realize just how different the West sees these issues. His bringing them up for debate could be quite divisive along geographic, rather than political, lines. On the economic side, I believe fiscal responsibility to be job #1 of Government. Do what you want with your own money, but be careful with the community chest. Alberta is pissed at our deficits out East, are we going to redress this imbalance? Is Quebec going to threaten one referendum too far? How will he react to what is most likely to be a majority PQ victory in the next Quebec election? Sadly, the Quebec question has been the bane of all of our PM's for the last 30 years. His take on these issues (assuming he still in power, which I believe is a safe bet) will make or break him in the long run. How about investment in our infrastructure? Most of our major public works are reaching the end of their designed lifespan. It's estimated that 50% of our water is lost through faulty pipes. I know we have a lot of water, but that's ridiculous. Investment in alternatives to fossil fuels would most likely alienate him from his power base on the prairies. Does he have the stones to be a visionary? Lots of questions remain, but so far, I give him a B+. And this is coming from a lifelong Liberal voter. As a Quebecer of English descent, I frankly feel like I haven't had a choice. __________________ Propaganda is to a democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state. -Noam Chomsky Love is a verb, not a noun. -My Mom The function of genius is to furnish cretins with ideas twenty years later. -Louis Aragon, "La Porte-plume," Traite du style, 1928 Last edited by Amaras; 10-02-2006 at 09:25 AM..