A fresh start for U.S.-Canadian relations

Rocky Mt. News ^ | January 25, 2006

[george76]

Canadians gave Conservative Stephen Harper a victory, but no mandate, in Monday's election.

The voters gave his party 124 seats in Parliament, 31 short of a majority, meaning a coalition government with the inevitable compromises.

The outcome seemed less voter enchantment with Harper and his agenda than weariness with the Liberal Party, grown stale and corruption-prone after 13 years in office.

However, if not a sharp turn to the right for Canada, Harper's election does have it edging in that direction.

He campaigned on cutting taxes, getting tough on crime, turning more power over to the provinces, replacing government-funded day care with direct grants and allowing patients a limited right to opt for treatment outside the national health-care system.

From this side of the border, the most satisfying outcome of the election campaign is that U.S.-bashing by the Liberals didn't work.

[coconutt2000]

Funny how the Canadian conservatives don't have a mandate because they don't have a simple majority, but in our Federal Legislature, Republicans have a clear majority and no mandate.

[fanfan]

Canada Ping!

Please FReepmail me to get on or off this Canada ping list.

[crz]

And now watch the legislative blocking begin by the liberals, Just like the national socialist are doing here.

[proud_yank]

I always thought that healthcare was a provincial, not a federal issue? I recall Klein saying recently that he was going to allow private clinics after the election.

[fanfan]

Good. I hope he does.

It certainly works well in Quebec.

With a doctors recommendation, if I needed to, and can afford it, I can drive 1 hour away, and get an MRI with in 24-48 hours. It also moves people out of the regular lineups.

Health care is provided by the Provincial Gov.
We also pay for it through our federal taxes, but that money doesn't get back to our health care system.
Martin cut back on the transfer payments to the provinces. That's the problem.

[proud_yank]

It certainly works well in Quebec.

Thats interesting that Quebec would allow private care, ahead of Alberta.

Martin cut back on the transfer payments to the provinces. That's the problem.

But didn't cut back on taxes to compensate? I take it the problem lies in 'where' that $ goes.

[george76]

Canadian Liberals: Out of Office, Out of Cash & Out of Luck

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2006/01/canadian-liberals-out-of-office-out-of.html

[Sam Gamgee]

LOL

[GMMAC]

Technically it is but, on both sides of the border unwarranted federal "big government" intrusion into what are supposed to rightly be state & provincial jurisdictions are increasingly commonplace.

Although I'm in Ontario, I can certainly see why people in "flyover country" in both nations are fed-up with being alternately dictated to or ignored by ever more power-grabbing central governments.

[proud_yank]

Some people are simply sheep I guess. I think its a shame that healthcare is so politicized, I imagine that has made things far worse than better. That tends to be the norm when politicians get involved in something.

Does Quebec allow private clinics? If a province were to allow private care, does that become a heated provincial/fed issue?

[fanfan]

But didn't cut back on taxes to compensate?

Thats right.

The feds are supposed to pay .50c of every dollar, and I think they cover something like .13c/dollar now.

Quebec has many private clinics, and Alberta is opening some.

[concrete is my business]

Even though socialized medicine is a big problem I look for it to expand in the USA.

Right now employers must provide insurance and costs are spiraling upwards. I think the big companies are MORE than willing to hand it off to Washington.

As in Canada I think the consumer, i.e. sick people will loose.

It is way easier for government and politicians to promote "wellness" and "prevention" and throw money at that than it is to treat a lot of really old and really sick people.

Never mind that they are the ones in dire need.

It reminds me of the gun registry in that it is easier and much more profitable for government employees to go after gun owners who have hurt no one than it is to go after armed criminals.

[proud_yank]

Even though socialized medicine is a big problem I look for it to expand in the USA.

Expansion of healthcare funding, Medicare, & Medicaid is certainly debateable, though I don't want that entire burden to be shouldered by & controlled by Washington. That does nothing to keep the costs down, and it will be made worse by the 'throw money at it' to 'fix it' approach that the govt loves so much. (Think Hildebeast)

IMO, lawsuits are the biggest problem in the US that need to be dealt with to help keep costs down. Rediculous lawsuits filed for just about anything, drives the cost (to insurance companies) up which is then passed to the consumer. Also, it makes progress in medical advancements that much more difficult b/c its bound by so much red tape.

The 'everyone should be covered' rhetoric from the left is pretty lame.