The New Kids in the Hall: Canucks aren’t as boring as you think, eh?

National Review ^ | July 13, 2004 | Dan Dunsky

[quidnunc]

If Canadian elections bore Americans, don't feel bad, they bore Canadians, too. Still, the recent one was the most exciting in some time. Not because of who won (the Liberals — surprise!) but because June 2004 may end up being to Canada's conservative movement what November 1964 was to American conservatism.

Barry Goldwater's legacy was to unite social conservatives and Western anti-establishment and anti-government populists. Stephen Harper, Canada's Conservative-party leader, may well leave the same mark on this country. Here are the key similarities:

• Smaller government: The Conservative platform called for nearly $40 billion (U.S. $30 billion) in personal- and corporate-tax cuts, generous child-tax benefits, and a significantly lowered debt to GDP ratio. It firmly opposed the Kyoto environmental accord, and supported a role for private enterprise in the state-run healthcare system (nationalized healthcare being the third rail of Canadian politics).

• Social conservatism: The party believes that "marriage is and should remain the union of one man and one woman" and promised to allow all members of parliament a vote of conscience on same-sex marriage (all the other parties support its legalization). It outlined a tough-on-crime program, opposed "judge-made law," and is the home of Canada's religious right — small though that group may be.

• The West wants in: "We're going to bring this part of the country into power," said Harper on the campaign trail. Indeed, of the 92 parliamentary seats between Manitoba and the Pacific, the Conservatives won 68 to the Liberals' 14. But the Liberals dominated other, more vote-rich regions, thereby condemning Westerners to yet another round of political under-representation.

-snip-

[Thebaddog]

Congratulations to the Canucks for being only 40 years behind the times but still feeling superior to us.

[albertabound]

We only feel superior to those who post idiotic comments on these threads.

[LexBaird]

You Canadians should have let Quebec go -- with the proviso that they had to take Ontario with them.

[Billthedrill]

Time will tell. It was, after all, 16 long years between Barry and Ronnie. Just a subjective opinion and based on a very small sample size, so take it with a grain of salt, but my conservative friends north of the border are starting to act pretty depressed. I think they expected more out of the last election than they got.

I can remember the feeling, staring at the tube and seeing Jimmuh Cahtuh's face telling me to expect less and to start taking Russian lessons. But it was still a long, long wait.

[jmaroneps37]

They may not be as boring as whatever but they sure are as ungrateful as ever. Sorry but I neither like nor trust the bunch up north.

[Lazamataz]

We only feel superior to those who post idiotic comments on these threads.

I will only be satisfied when Canada is crushed under America's heel.

[Constitution Day]

I am crushing your head.

[Lazamataz]

I am crushing your head.

I am blocking your head-crush!

[albertabound]

While you are crushing me under your bootheel, I will still feel superior, for.. I AM CANADIAN!!!!!.

[gipper81]

1993 Montreal Canadiens Los Angeles Kings 4-1



Last Stanley Cup winner for o'Canada.

[AmishDude]

This is a very interesting article.

I've always been fascinated by the parliamentary system as it is manifested in Canada. In particular, it seems to develop a sort of unaccountability between the party leadership and the people.

But there's an important observation here that Canada needs to keep in mind. Something that will ensure conservative victories for decades in the Dominion:

Excerpted - click for full comment ^

[albertabound]

1993 Montreal(CANADIAN)Canadiens Los Angeles (CANADIAN) Kings 4-1.

2002 Olympic Gold Medal Game, Canuckleheads 5 Yankeedoddles 2.

[Petronski]

I am pinching your faces. With both hands I am doing this.

[gipper81]

Oh, come on now, Alberta ... are you saying the Cup is equivalent to the Gold Medal???

What kind of hockey fan are you???

[albertabound]

A Flames fan and we won the 2004 cup (almost)The ref's missed the winning goal in game 6.

[gipper81]

Alberta, I expected more of a response from you. I really did. You sound like ... like .... a BUFFALO fan!!!

I'll set the puck up for you on the red dot once more. Try again.

[Constitution Day]

I am blocking your head-crush!

Ha! You thought you could keep that up forever?
Now you are FLAT-HEADS! Both of you!

[Sam's Army]

Shut up, Mr. Iginla.

[Lazamataz]

Laz: Hey, Freepers! Don't panic! I mean, I'm only crushing your heads!! Crush you! (Looking at freepers) What the hell do you guys find to talk about anyway? (In mocking voice) "Well, I hate John Kerry." "Well, I hate Michael Moore." "Well, I hate Hillary Clinton." "Well, I hate Bill Clinton." You're boring me! I'm crushing your head! I'm crushing your head! Hey! I just renamed your forum FreeFlatheads.com! I crush you.

Laz:(salutes) Hail to you, Admin Moderator! On the forum of anger, choking on flames and illegally copied articles, just trying to carve out that slice of the Conservative dream with your keyboard and your mouse! I pity you. And I crush you! Sorry, nothing personal, I'm apolitical!! I'm crushing.....

Admin Moderator: Excuse me. What are you doing?

Laz: I'm doing something…

Admin Moderator: Uh, what? Like, like what?

Laz: Ah, something.... With people....

Admin Moderator: What - what are you doing?

Laz: Hold that thought. I'm being pinged! (runs to other side of street) I'm crushing your head!! I'm crushing your head! I'm crushing your head!! That's what I'm doing! Flathead! Like putty, in my hands! These Freeper powers-that-be!