Right-winger set to smash the mould in Canada

UK Telegraph ^ | Jan. 23, 3006 | Francis Harris

[Information Friendly]

Was that a typo - should it have read "muddle ground consensus"?

[M. Espinola]

When Conservatives and at times even some previous Liberal administrations have held power in Ottawa the U.S.Canadian working relationship has been excellent aside from ongoing economic disputes over lumber & a few other commodities, which is normal.

During World War Two U.S. & Canadian efforts were extremely close, and Canadians served the cause of freedom with great honour.

You stated and correctly so "Our friends are nations like Australia, England, and some others."

Canada is an intricate part of the English speaking world (with the exception of Québec) and even there not all French speaking Québécois buy into the typical leftist baloney.

[CheyennePress]

Has there ever been a photo made where Ronald Reagan doesn't look presidential?

[M. Espinola]

Thanks for posting all the voter breakdown data. There is much reason for hope. For the Conservatives to be placing 2nd in Québec shows some people are really fed up with the Liberals. The way things are heading, Stephen Harper shall be the new PM.

[kanawa]

And since, like Europe and Oz, the honest people in Canadastan have been disarmed / passified by their socialist overlords, just what are they going to do about it, eh?

Re:disarmed...That is not true for Canada or Australia, heck it is not true even for France.
There are well over 30 million firearms privately owned by Canadians.

[Alberta's Child]

They aren't. In fact, the main source of funding for Canada's national health care system is the infamous GST -- the national sales tax implemented under the "conservative" Mulroney government in 1991.

[goldstategop]

The very one the Liberals promised thirteen years ago to get rid of and absolutely abolish. Care to guess who made that promise? The very man Canadian voters are poised to dump today. I guess breaking your word has a way of getting back to you sooner or later. In Martin's case, its today.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I do hope he wins, it's going to be a major change for Canada and our relationship with them.

It would be nice to be friends again. Right now the US government can not trust the Canadian government not to work against us. Neutrality would be an improvement.

[kittymyrib]

The worst move for Canadian voters would be to vote for Harper and then not give him the necessary seats in parliment to carry through on his agenda of change. If they don't, the Liberals will sabotage his administration just as our Democrats have done, and conservatism will be blamed as a failure. Now is the time for some courage, admittedly something in short supply in Canada.

[moose2004]

Martin will lose because of the corruption scandals engulfing his party, not because of any new popularity of conservatives like Harper.

[moose2004]

"On the day war broke out, he berated Canada's Liberal government for its "insecure anti-Americanism"."

Anyone who said this is OK with me.

[moose2004]

I hope Harper wins, his victory will mark yet another defeat for America's political enemies (first Schroeder, and next year Chirac whose approval ratings are in the low 20's).

[wolfcreek]

It would be nice for me to be able to have a good opinion of our neighbors to the north. It's a beautiful country that I would love to visit some day.

[kanawa]

In fact, the main source of funding for Canada's national health care system is the infamous GST -- the national sales tax implemented under the "conservative" Mulroney government in 1991.

A few points...
Public health care was around long before the GST.
The GST at 7% was a replacement for the hidden Manufacturers' Sales Tax (MST)of 13.5% link
For profit health care centers do exist in Canada and are increasing in number...
Top court strikes down Quebec private health-care ban
WellPointHealthServices
Company plans private health care for Ont. this summer, across Canada by 2007
There is in effect a two-tier health care system in Canada.
Correct me if I'm wrong...Although there are differences from the US, the fact that anyone in the US regardless of ability to pay has access to hospital care indicates we are more alike than different.
In effect paying Americans subsidize the poorer patients.

On a personal note...I'm getting older and will shortly be in need of extensive dental work leading in the end to dentures.
All the costs for this will be out of my own pocket.
We certainly do not have "universal" health care.

[Alberta's Child]

I understand everything you've posted there, but keep in mind that none of the things that are moving Canada slowly away from their single-payer health care system can be attributed to political stands taken by Tory leaders in Parliament. When Canada's health care system eventually comes crashing down, it will be the direct result of actions on the part of provincial leaders -- mainly quasi-separatist elements in Quebec and Alberta -- who recognize that Canada is basically an ungovernable nation and therefore make their own decisions about what's best for their constituents.

[NorthOf45]

You must be really fun at a party.