Okay -- truth is, I've been too busy to be following much election news. I've scarcely read a paper, barely scanned a few blogs, and I've hardly been around a television.
But -- since the election call, I have heard:
Harper re-stated his intention to call a free-vote on SSM
(in my opinion to prevent the 'hidden agenda' nonsense had
someone had to ask the question -- and let's be realistic here -- he's
always said he'd do this)
Harper is lowering the GST to 5% over two years. (Economically sound or not, lowering a consumer tax near Christmas is very appealing to consumers).
Harper would allow publically funded, private delivery of health services if timely treatment wasn't available. (Thank God he's finally said it.)From Paul Martin I've heard:
That Stephen Harper is silent on the issues.Oh, there was some other stuff about giving money to people in Cornwall to train for jobs that don't exist. Same old, same old.
Paul Martin seems more interested in talking about Stephen Harper than about any vision he has for Canada (of course, I realise the implications of that). His newest plan, rather than talking substance and policy, is to help NDPers to vote strategically to keep the Conservatives out of government.
I hope Martin continues his slams against Harper. The more Martin talks, the more obvious it becomes that this is all about power for him. He's in politics for one reason -- to be and stay PM. He has no plans, no ideas -- all he can talk about is not having a Conservative government and ways to prevent it.
In my neighbourhood (Scarborough-Guildwood) I've seen a ton of Conservative signs, but not one Liberal or NDP. I know it's early days, but it is a far different sight than 2004.
The other night, I was in a Mr. Sub and another customer was talking with the proprietor and both were counting the days till we get rid of the Liberals. These two men were vastly different ages, two different races, and very different walks of life -- but both were emphatic that they will be voting for Harper.
Martin is convinced that if he keeps saying that Harper is silent on the issues, people will believe him in the same way they chanted his 'let Gomery do his work' and 'Canadians don't want an election' mantras last spring.
Martin didn't count on Harper giving people reasons to vote for him.
No wonder Paul is pretending he can't hear.
canadianna
4 comments:
I was wondering the same thing today actually. All I've heard out of Martin so far is sour grapes. It does not bode well...and makes a poor example of a leader.
CA
Glad to see you back in harness
I like that you heard two men in a sub shop talking. That is what really matters...the word on the street. I am still not totally convinced that Harper can win as after Christmas the Libs will no doubt start their 'Harper is a National Socialist' campaign.
Nevertheless, I do feel that anyone who is with Harper now isn't going anywhere. Especially since the whole SSM remarks did not blow up in his face.
But be prepared...the post Christmas Liberal campaign will be nasty in a way that I think will shock even the most jaded of conservatives.
A friend of mine's fiancee works for the Liberals. They have people spying on thier own people in local ridings. If they do this to their own, I can only imagine what they have in store for the enemy.
I live in Trinity-Spadina and I should, but can't say I'm surprised by the stuff I hear. The two most outrageous ones I've heard was that he wants to close hospitals and seniors homes and buy nuclear weapons!
I don't have an accurate gauge of what people in the real world are thinking, I'm glad to hear people in Scarborough think independently.
This whole SSM thing, I don't get why they always try to pin the Tories as intolerant. They're the only party that gave a free vote on the issue and Harper was merely responding to a baiting question by a journalist who wanted him to say something controversial. And why has the media given the NDP a free ride on what I see as the most intolerant move of the 38th parliament; what the NDP did to Bev Desjarlais. Voting your conscience and the will of your constituents and being punished for it is extremely intolerant and undemocratic. So much for democracy eh Jack?
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