[xerxes]

BigBlueMachine wrote:

The problem is that if Harper is kicked out, I don't think there's a notable progressive in the Conservative cascus

If that should happen, Rona Ambrose should be leader. She's pretty good-looking.

Coming back to the thread, for a short history of Red-Toryism, you could check out The Red Tory Tradition by Ron Dart (it may be hard to find though). It's a collection of essays on what a Red Tory is (or should be I should say)

[hwacker]

Rev_Blair wrote:

Quote:

Harper has dropped anything close to a neo-liberal policy, and the fiscal policy of the Conservatives in strikingly similar to the Liberals.

He's done some flip-flopping, but the basics are still there...near merger with the US, few limits on corporate power, and letting the market place run everything, including social policy.

Quote:

I've always thought that neo-liberalism simply referred to economic policy, nothing really to do with social issues.

Not really. The Chicago School where it comes from, and the Calgary school where it finds a home in Canada, have promoted using religion and over the top patriotism to bring supporters together. Think of Harper's puke-inspiring habit of say, "god bless Canada" at the end of speeches, or the adherence of so many Conservative MPs to religiously-based causes like the anti-abortion or anti-SSM crusaders.

Quote:

Besides, where is this radicalism in the party anyway? A few MPs? The Grits have their fair share of pro-life, anti-gay radicals as well.

Since conservatism is supposed to represent keeping a slow but steady course and not introducing any sudden changes, the entire doctrine of the Harperites could be considered radical actually.

Really their radicalism is the degree and speed with which they wish to integrate with the US and their willingness to allow religious doctrine to dictate policy.

Quote:

Think of Harper's puke-inspiring habit of say, "god bless Canada" at the end of speeches

Just think of your puke-inspiring rants.

Just cause your God is Rev_Blair doesn’t give you the right to dump on others.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for Mr Rev and his hate everything but what I believe BS.

Continue Sir Wise Ass.

[Zeipher]

What the Tories want is simply more reducation of tarrifs with the US. This, in addition to the commitment of lower tarrifs with countries around the globe, which the Liberals also support. Harper and the Liberals also have similar policies on health care, welfare, and pretty much all fiscal policy.

I have no reason not to believe you here.

How exactally are they intergrating with the US "at an alarming rate"? Also, where in their policy is religious policy being enforced? Same-sex civil unions is a very liberal approach itself. (Personally, I think that government shouldn't be defining marriage at all, as it is a very religious thing. If you want to marry outside of a church, let it be considered a civil union by the stae so that you can keep the tax benefits etc.)

[Rev_Blair]

Harper is much for integrating security as well. Look at his record. He would have gone to Iraq, he would have joined star wars, he would have pushed for mandatory id cards for everybody. The Liberals have enough voices in their party saying otherwise that Martin (who is also prone to these things) has to listen to them. Harper does not have that other influence.

[Tory_canuck]

Blue Tory.Harper for PM!!

[Zeipher]

Looking into the past, Iraq was a mistake yes. The US simply wanted Canadian support, and possibly some land for an installtion or something. A great deal for free protection don't you think?

Mandatory ID cards? I don't think that even Bush is pushing for this...

[hwacker]

Tinfoil hats for everyone eh REV

[Rev_Blair]

Quote:

Mandatory ID cards? I don't think that even Bush is pushing for this.

The Conservatives asked several questions about it and pushed quite hard for it when the Liberals were jamming through the anti-terrorist bill. It had some Liberal support too, and Coderre pushed for it after that. It became, over time, the landed immigrant card that is available now, but what was being called for originally amounted to an internal passport that everybody would have to carry.

It was one of those things that the US government was pushing others (mostly Mexico and Canada) to do.

Quote:

Looking into the past, Iraq was a mistake yes. The US simply wanted Canadian support, and possibly some land for an installtion or something. A great deal for free protection don't you think?

Iraq wasn't just a mistake, it was an illegal invasion based on lies. That's why hardly anybody joined Bush's coalition of the bullied and bribed. Harper, traitorous little prick that he is, was writing letters of apology to the US because we didn't take part.

[hwacker]

Rev_Blair wrote:

Quote:

Mandatory ID cards? I don't think that even Bush is pushing for this.

The Conservatives asked several questions about it and pushed quite hard for it when the Liberals were jamming through the anti-terrorist bill. It had some Liberal support too, and Coderre pushed for it after that. It became, over time, the landed immigrant card that is available now, but what was being called for originally amounted to an internal passport that everybody would have to carry.

It was one of those things that the US government was pushing others (mostly Mexico and Canada) to do.

Quote:

Looking into the past, Iraq was a mistake yes. The US simply wanted Canadian support, and possibly some land for an installtion or something. A great deal for free protection don't you think?

Iraq wasn't just a mistake, it was an illegal invasion based on lies. That's why hardly anybody joined Bush's coalition of the bullied and bribed. Harper, traitorous little prick that he is, was writing letters of apology to the US because we didn't take part.

illegal invasion>>>> ask the UN about that.

[CreamyGoodness]

Patrick_Ross wrote:

And what would you define as a "normal" colored person?

...Have fun grasping at straws.

Oh for fuck's sake, get off of your sanctimoniously offended soapbox.

Shouldn't you be writing for The Star? Sheesh........

[Patrick_Ross]

First off, that has nothing to do with you, so fuck off.

Secondly, I already apologized to PBJ, so fuck off.

In conclusion, fuck off.

[BigBlueMachine]

Alright, everyone take a chill pill.