More Reasons I WON'T Be Voting for Stephen Harper . . .

I started this mini-series last week with this post.

At the time Sandra had this to say: Brava, Jerry! Excellent rant. I don't think I've ever seen a prime minister or a federal government quite as blatantly cynical as this Conservative administration.

It is this cynicism that is another reason I won't be voting for this thug. I am simple I guess, I like a government that inspires the country to new heights rather than encourages us to plummet to new lows. I want leaders who can disagree with one another on a policy level but leave personalities out of the pictures (unlike our friends to the south). I want a government that unites rather than divides. In short - I do NOT want Stephen Harper and his band of thugs in power.

Harper has shown that he will say anything and do anything to get elected. He has also shown himself to be quite comfortable to say anything that an audience might wish to hear. A quick search of the Internet reveals the REAL Harper (or as much of it as his control freak self allows to surface).

Canada remains alienated from its allies, shut out of the reconstruction process to some degree, unable to influence events. There is no upside to the position Canada took.

Speaking about the war in Iraq. NOW other allies wish that they had had the courage to take Canada's stance.

Human rights commissions, as they are evolving, are an attack o-n our fundamental freedoms and the basic existence of a democratic society... It is in fact totalitarianism. I find this is very scary stuff.

Clearly forgetting that some of our greatest advances as a nation were as a result of these commissions - often the last avenue for the disadvantaged to gain assistance.

I think in Atlantic Canada, because of what happened in the decades following Confederation, there is a culture of defeat that we have to overcome.

I hope that the folks in Atlantic Canada remember this comment - I've met lots of wonderful folks from Atlantic Canada - they are survivors and not defeatists!

This party will not take its position based on public opinion polls. We will not take a stand based on focus groups. We will not take a stand based on phone-in shows or householder surveys or any other vagaries of pubic opinion.

Yet this government has spent more money per year on opinion polls and focus groups than any government before them.

Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status.

Yet to the rest of the world we are a country to admire and these social programs are sought after.

When Ralph Goodale tried to tax Income Trusts they showed us where they stood, they showed us their attitude towards raiding Seniors hard earned assets and a Conservative government will never allow either of these parties to get away with that.

Nine months later on October 31, 2006 Stephen Harper taxed Income Trusts which lead to a $35 Billion loss in market value to Canadian Investors according to the Canadian Association of Income Trust Investors.

I believe that all taxes are bad.

Umm - how do we pay for doctors, teachers, police, firefighters, roads, and stuff without taxes Stephen? What do you propose as an alternative - a series of cross country bake sales?

You’ve got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettos and who are not integrated into western Canadian society.

The folks living in these so-called ghettos weren't happy with this statement!

Universality has been severely reduced: it is virtually dead as a concept in most areas of public policy…These achievements are due in part to the Reform Party…

The fact that our important social programs have been eroded is not something I would want to brag about!

If Ottawa giveth, then Ottawa can taketh away… This is o­ne more reason why Westerners, but Albertans in particular, need to think hard about their future in this country. After sober reflection, Albertans should decide that it is time to seek a new relationship with Canada. …Having hit a wall, the next logical step is not to bang our heads against it. It is to take the bricks and begin building another home – a stronger and much more autonomous Alberta. It is time to look at Quebec and to learn. What Albertans should take from this example is to become “maitres chez nous.

I am not sure that someone who actively encouraged separatist sentiment in Alberta is a suitable leader for the country.

[Y]our country, and particularly your conservative movement, is a light and an inspiration to people in this country and across the world.

To a group of American Conservatives. If the movement of Newt Gingrich, George W Bush, and Dick Cheney is an inspiration that I have lost all meaning of that word.

It may not be true, but it's legendary that if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing except for your own country. Which makes you probably knowledgeable about one more country than most Canadians.

Same speech, same snippy comments. The man is an embarrassment.

In terms of the unemployed... don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance.

Ahhhh . . . a caring and compassionate leader.

So there you have it - from the words of the man who wants to be our leader. Critical comments about Canadians, Atlantic Canadians, our important social programs, and immigrants. The man admires George W Bush. Criticism abounds of the less fortunate and he appears to bear a susppicion that they are up to no good. A national leader who encourages anti-national government sentiment. And finally (until the next rant) a cynical, liar.

This man is not worthy of anyone's vote.

Comments

[Kendall]

So sorry Jerry. I thought we Americans were the only ones with an idiot in power.

[Jerry]

No Kendall - believe it or not but the US does NOT have a monopoly on stupid politicians!

[sandrac]

Again -- well said, Jerry!

Sadly, I saw an opinion poll today suggesting Harper continues to have a healthy lead. (I shouldn't do this, but I'm watching a bit of Cdn news from Italy.) It's a bit shocking to think that many Canadians don't seem to mind Harper's remarkable gall and cynicism.

It's a bit ironic; we wonder who, among Italians, could possibly vote for Berlusconi, given how cynical he is. But are we Canadians any different.....

[Jerry]

Sandra - focus on vacation! Deal with the sad reality of Canadian politics upon your return (to say nothing of the nightmarish economic outlook).