The Canadian Election - Liberals Win Majority

[LaBamba]

It sounds more like something you pulled out of a cookie jar

have you ever played frost the cookie?

[ScotianLifestyle]

So refreshing seeing Harper getting stomped.

[aGENT]

have you ever played frost the cookie?

Sorry, I don't own a PS4.

[Mr.Habitat]

By the by.

In case people missed it

Mulcair got Harper to admit that the country IS in a recession.

Harper realized and absolutely miserably tried backtracking

When has Harper said they weren't in a recession?

[DeNiro]

The nuclear deal lifts economic sanctions against Iran. Saudi Arabia and Iran are mortal enemies. Obama has funded Iran for a war.

Obama opposes the Keystone Pipeline. The biggest step towards NA energy independence. People who cry about pipelines need to look at the oil in the ocean. The blood on the desert sand. All in the name of OPEC. Compare that with the oil released through pipeline, that automatically isolates the ruptured section on pressure drop. The only reason he opposed this was to keep Opec relevant. If that pipeline ever happened our oil wealth would make Norway look like Venezuela.

Obama care is a good concept, it's just too bad they need to borrow the money from China to pay for it. It will bankrupt America.

Economic sanctions don't work. They tried them and failed. North Korea is a perfect example of how sanctions isolate and alienate countries and make them more likely to ally with your enemies.

It's a nice concept to have complete independence on foreign oil, but in reality you don't just shift an entire market like that overnight. Saudi Arabia has a lot more influence and control over the US than people realize. To simply say "we're not buying your oil anymore" would have catastrophic consequences on the US economy (and possibly security). They need Saudi Arabia as an "ally" in the middle east. Without them flexing power over there, I can't imagine the hornets nest that would be uncovered.

As for having to borrow money from China, that's true for every aspect of their economy. They can thank George W Bush for that one.

[Warhippy]

When has Harper said they weren't in a recession?

Oliver and Harper both as well as appointed representatives.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/we-re-not-in-a-recession-finance-minister-joe-oliver-says-1.2452218

http://www.nationalpost.com/Oliver+horizon+Canada+recession/11233682/story.html

http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2015/07/15/mr-harpers-recession/

http://article.wn.com/view/2015/08/03/Canadian_PM_Stephen_Harper_races_recession_to_the_polls/

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/progressive-economics-forum/2015/08/canadas-new-recession-and-push-alternatives

He has steadfastly ignored the question and when finally cornered has said we're not in one

Tonight was his first formal acknowledgement of Canada actually being in a recession. Kind of a slip when he so staunchly sticks to his talking points without deviation

[DeNiro]

fastly ignored the question and when finally cornered has said we're not in one

Tonight was his first formal acknowledgement of Canada actually being in a recession. Kind of a slip when he so staunchly sticks to his talking points without deviation

Who knew Harper was such a good tap dancer.

The funny thing is his attack ads rag on Trudeau for not knowing how a budget works, yet he seems to not even know what constitutes a recession. Not to mention all the top analysts have said he won't have a surplus, rather a deficit. I guess it's easier to balance the books when you simply lie about it.

[Mr.Habitat]

Oliver and Harper both as well as appointed representatives.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/we-re-not-in-a-recession-finance-minister-joe-oliver-says-1.2452218

http://www.nationalpost.com/Oliver+horizon+Canada+recession/11233682/story.html

http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2015/07/15/mr-harpers-recession/

http://article.wn.com/view/2015/08/03/Canadian_PM_Stephen_Harper_races_recession_to_the_polls/

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/progressive-economics-forum/2015/08/canadas-new-recession-and-push-alternatives

He has steadfastly ignored the question and when finally cornered has said we're not in one

Tonight was his first formal acknowledgement of Canada actually being in a recession. Kind of a slip when he so staunchly sticks to his talking points without deviation

Thanks for the sources. Good to know.

I will be voting liberal. Government should never be in for 10 years

[BanTSN]

It's interesting to hear Harper go on about the economy when at the same time his country is currently in recession.

Out of the past 9 cdn fed governments, Harper's is last in job creation, last in exports, seventh in government debt, second last in personal income growth per capita, in business development and youth employment.

His government could blame the poor showing on the 2008 crash, but that was a long time ago, and the US for instance has recovered while we're sputtering.

Harper has nothing else to go on. It's the economy and nothing else. So if he's not helping the economy, but hurting it, then what good is he?

[LaBamba]

Economic sanctions don't work. They tried them and failed. North Korea is a perfect example of how sanctions isolate and alienate countries and make them more likely to ally with your enemies.

It's a nice concept to have complete independence on foreign oil, but in reality you don't just shift an entire market like that overnight. Saudi Arabia has a lot more influence and control over the US than people realize. To simply say "we're not buying your oil anymore" would have catastrophic consequences on the US economy (and possibly security). They need Saudi Arabia as an "ally" in the middle east. Without them flexing power over there, I can't imagine the hornets nest that would be uncovered.

As for having to borrow money from China, that's true for every aspect of their economy. They can thank George W Bush for that one.

Sanctions work great when you aren't allowed to sell Oil. The only source of their income.

If the pipeline was approved today 2024 would probably be the earliest it would come online. It would create 10s of 1000s of jobs for both countries. Oil is globally traded, it's still global supply vs global demand. It would send more OPEC oil to China and Europe and keep those dirty tankers off the ocean. Energy independence is a hell of a lot closer than a country powered by windmills and maple syrup as some of you claim is possible.

How many years need to go by before you can no longer blame the guy you replaced? Can you imagine how ridiculous this would be in real life?

It's also a well known fact that Obama spent infinite amounts more than bush. The corporate bailouts, Obama care and just general ruthless spending.

[DeNiro]

Sanctions work great when you aren't allowed to sell Oil. The only source of their income.

If the pipeline was approved today 2024 would probably be the earliest it would come online. It would create 10s of 1000s of jobs for both countries. Oil is globally traded, it's still global supply vs global demand. It would send more OPEC oil to China and Europe and keep those dirty tankers off the ocean. Energy independence is a hell of a lot closer than a country powered by windmills and maple syrup as some of you claim is possible.

How many years need to go by before you can no longer blame the guy you replaced? Can you imagine how ridiculous this would be in real life?

It's also a well known fact that Obama spent infinite amounts more than bush. The corporate bailouts, Obama care and just general ruthless spending.

Who's gonna stop them from selling oil? China will gladly buy it from them.

Again, people are ignoring the hold that Saudi Arabia has on the US in such a sensitive time. They can't do anything to tick them off right now with so much on the line. Building a pipeline and reducing their consumption of Saudi oil would almost certainly do that.

Bush can certainly still take credit for what's going on today. The war in Iraq that he started is a huge reason why the country is so bankrupt.

Obama has had to spend on bailouts and debt that was largely caused by the Bush administration. People that don't like him blame him for Bush's mess. He had to spend his entire first term simply doing damage control because the country was teetering on bankruptcy.

[ForsbergTheGreat]

Ineptocracy NDP- A system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with good and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing member of producers

I'll be voting for harper...

[DeNiro]

Ineptocracy NDP- A system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with good and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing member of producers

I'll be voting for harper...

Falseocracy Conservative Party - A system where all regulations and red tape are removed in order for corporations to rape a country of it's wealth and resources, while constantly taking away peoples rights, freedoms, and ability to challenge government, and ensuring the people tax cuts and job creation despite never producing results.

Anyone who votes conservative after the last 10 years either isn't paying attention, or is so drunk on conservative kool aid they don't even know what's going on.

[milk and honey]

On 8/7/2015 at 9:37 PM, ForsbergTheGreat said:

Ineptocracy NDP- A system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with good and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing member of producers

 

I'll be voting for harper...

interesting.

[Mustapha]

I watched the entire debate, and it was pretty entertaining for the most part.

Robo-Harper seemed cool calm and collected/emotionless, and I wouldn't be surprised to see microchips and wires behind a slot in his head ala Commander Data.

Mulcair seemed engaging at times, and really put the gears on Harper a few times.

Elizabeth May was a much bigger part of the discussion than I initially anticipated, and her charm and wit, the way she spoke....I was more than just intrigued with her talking points, I think she's kinda hawt.

Trudeau had his moments too, and although I agree with a lot of what he said, he sometimes seems far too rehearsed and artificial, although not as emotionless as Harperbot.

At the end of the day, it was all about the issues. They could have used another round or two to get to youth unemployment and what their respective governments will do to kickstart the economy specifically, but there's many weeks yet to go.

[VanNuck]

Overall, I have to agree with one commentator's verdict - nobody really won or lost, everyone made their point well... this debate was the furthest thing from the Alberta debate, zeroing in on Notely endlessly battering and smashing Prentice to pieces, while all the other candidates faded into the background.

Stephen Harper elicited more passion and emotion than his usual deadpan, "technocratical" delivery, but remained steady and unruffled in spite of all the attacks from every direction. Give him credit for doing a superb job defending against all the accusations, although his opponents will disagree with his answers.

Thomas Mulcair reminds me a lot of Brian Mulroney, perhaps the best communicator in recent Canadian politics. He could be composed, expressive, hard-hitting when he needs to be. Did a fine job of hammering home his points and taking Harper to task, going after the PM's economic record and security concerns, although he too won't sway right-leaning voters.

Elizabeth May did a wonderful job building credibility for the Greens. She did a fine task of taking her opponents to task and will probably try and steal support from Tom Mulcair. Being the smallest party, she had the least to lose.

Justin Trudeau far exceeded my expectations - he was not the same guy in Question Period. He was forceful and personable, delivering the populist message he carried from day one into his candidacy, which will definitely play well. He did a good job challenging both Harper and Mulcair. Unfortunately, he somehow failed to get under the opponent's skin - take Harper or Mulcair off their game, get them stuck in a corner, which he needs to do if he wants to steal back his Trudeaumania-high support.

[Mustapha]

Good to know I am not the only conservative on this forum.

People who are voting ndp need to realize one thing. they are SOCIALIST its in their party platform. . removing the senate seems a bit wield they want to change the way our government has been running for a long time. changing voting system a bit strange to. i like the current way and i feel its the best. 1990s ndp governemnt in bc, manitoba current ndp government ect... all haven't produced much fruit.

libs support legalization of weed and I don't like the sound of that. who knows what else they have planned

There are many ways to critique the NDP and Liberals, but seriously....

You have a problem with socialism? Canada has had many socialist policies (including healthcare and the CPP) for decades, and I don't see people bathing in lakes of fire. If anything Canada needs to invest more in social programs and local businesses (education reform is a big one) to help stop brain drain and turn our economy around

The current electoral system is flawed as it allows majority governments to form on a minority mandate. Despite having less than 40% of the vote, the Conservatives are allowed to govern the nation? More people voted AGAINST them than for them.

As for marijuana, I guess you think it's better to incarcerate people just for using an 'illegal' product (at taxpayers' expense) and allow underground markets to control the substance, making it easier for kids to get their hands on it (Weed dealers don't ID)

Legalizing does several positive things:

1.) Allows government to regulate and tax the product

2.) Saves money that would have been spent on punishing people for smoking it

3.) Makes it harder for minors to purchase (similar to alcohol and cigarettes)

4.) Medicinal users will have easier access to treat their illness

5.) Marijuana cartels will fade away (much like when prohibition was lifted in the early 20th century) lessening criminal activities associated with them. Police can focus more attention on violent crimes and harmful narcotics.

[VanNuck]

I have to make one note about Justin's closing comment about you know you are ready to lead this nation if you have such a burning zeal and desire for this nation, will lay your life down for it... and that he wants, as a regular family man, for his children to be proud of their nation.

I like Justin's passion, but at the same time, somehow if I wanted to consider voting for him... it just wasn't enough. It's almost like, I bleed Canucks blue heart and soul, but there's no way on earth I could ever make the Canucks - seeing that I never skated until I was in my 20s. There's no way I could ever help us win the Stanley Cup on the ice. In the same way, some people just have it, some don't.

Justin, well, why didn't he maybe talk about why Stephen Harper does not bleed red and white like you and I (and he). Perhaps he thinks it's obvious to the average person, he doesn't have to say so, but Conservative-minded supporters think otherwise.

He did however do a fair job defending his support for Bill C-51 and charging Mulcair for neglecting Canadian security concerns.

[VanNuck]

I'll be voting for harper...

Good to know I am not the only conservative on this forum.

As someone who bleeds red and white, plus blue for the Conservatives (and Canucks), I was disappointed. I really hoped (unrealistically) that Harper would address concerns about his leadership and own up to what went wrong under his watch, as well as talk about what went right. He also failed to take his opponents to task - specifically attacking Mulcair's opposition to the Clairity Act (although Trudeau took care of that for him).

Still, Harper did a good job, remaining calm and in control, assertive when he had to be, but thoroughly unruffled. He won't lose one of his supporters, but he also likely won't gain anyone. Will have to take his game to another level.

[Lockout Casualty]

#nonetflixtax