34 replies to this topic

[AxlsMainMan]

It's that time again..

Harper and Ignatieff: Two leaders, two visions of Canada

John Ibbitson
Ottawa— Globe and Mail
Posted on Friday, March 25, 2011 2:07PM ED

In politics, ideas matter. In the election made certain by this vote of no-confidence, two conflicting political world views will compete for government: the night-watchman state of Stephen Harper versus the modern liberal state of Michael Ignatieff.

Students of political philosophy will raise their eyebrows. All Canadian governments govern from the centre, and Mr. Harper’s Conservative government is no exception. On his watch, spending has increased in good times and bad. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s budget, which is now the Conservative election platform, contains hundreds of millions of dollars to relieve seniors in poverty and to encourage energy-efficient home renovations.

But Mr. Harper is, in his bones, a libertarian: educated at the University of Calgary, where those minimalist principles are warmly viewed; first elected to Parliament as a Reformer; once the head of the National Citizens’ Coalition. He comes as close as any prime minister ever has to embracing the concept of the night-watchman state.

The term refers to those who believe that the duty of government is to guard the borders, patrol the streets and enforce contracts. In all other matters, the individual should be free to pursue his own ends, unfettered by government restraint. Mr. Harper does not believe those are the only priorities of government, but he does believe they should be its first priorities.

“The first duty of a national government, everywhere and always, is to protect its people, and its territory, from external threats,” he often says.

That is why the Conservatives have spent so much money on rebuilding the military, why they want to acquire the F-35 fighter jets, why they focus so heavily on toughening crime legislation, why they are so keen to eliminate the long-gun registry.

There are many other elements to this government, which betrays the night-watchman-state principle more often than it enforces it. But the emotional bond to the idea resides within the Prime Minister, and all of us recognize this.

Michael Ignatieff has a very different political soul. For the Liberal Leader, government is about mediation: meeting the needs of business while limiting the damage that amoral market forces can inflict; smoothing the excesses of wealth and poverty through income redistribution and high-quality public education; using government resources to encourage desirable behaviour and deter acts that can harm the self or others.

This pendulum swings back and forth – and will for as long as democracy lasts. For five and a half years, enough Canadian voters have believed that at least the values of the night-watchman state need reaffirming, however much the government’s actual agenda contradicts it, to keep Mr. Harper in power.

Those who want to further entrench the modern liberal state have repeatedly split their vote, which means they don’t take their vote all that seriously.

Right now, that state of affairs seems set to continue. Unless and until the pendulum starts to swing again.

http://www.theglobea...article1956860/

[TAP]

Canada? Where's that then?

[AxlsMainMan]

[AxlsMainMan]

QuickFacts about Canada's 41st federal election

OTTAWA - Some facts about Canada's 41st federal election:

Seats at stake: 308

Party standing in the Commons at dissolution: Conservative, 143; Liberal, 77; Bloc Quebecois, 47; NDP, 36; Independent, 2; Vacant: 3.

Issues: Economy, jobs, fighter-plane purchase, government transparency and accountability, crime legislation.

Party leaders: Prime Minister Stephen Harper is seeking a majority after two consecutive minority governments; Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is in his first campaign as leader, hoping to rebuild party fortunes; Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe is in his sixth campaign as leader; NDP Leader Jack Layton is in his fourth campaign at the helm; Green Leader Elizabeth May is in her second campaign as leader.

Parties:

— Bloc Quebecois is a separatist party founded in 1990 by former Quebec Liberals and Tories upset over the failure of the Meech Lake accord. Runs candidates only in Quebec.

— Conservative party was formed in a 2003 alliance between the former Canadian Alliance and the remains of the Progressive Conservative party. Won minority governments in 2006, 2008.

— Greens formed in 1983 from roots in the 1960s-era ecological movement. Has never elected an MP.

— Liberals first took power in 1873, formed the government for two-thirds of last century. Fell into disarray after the Quebec sponsorship scandal. Has had three leaders in the last five years.

— NDP founded in 1961 as a remake of the former Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, the CCF. Has never held power federally.
http://www.winnipegf...-118678714.html

[artcinco]

A famous Arrmoan once described Canada as America's hat.

[TAP]

A famous Arrmoan once described Canada as America's hat.

I don't even remember that, who was it?

[artcinco]

If I remember correctly it was Supernaut talking to Reborn Rolla. I believe Double R is a Canadian.

[TAP]

If I remember correctly it was Supernaut talking to Reborn Rolla. I believe Double R is a Canadian.

Yes, RR is Canadian though I'd totally forgotten about him and his whiteboards. Supe needs to twitter.

[artcinco]

I braved the wilds of facebook (shudder) and posted on GFT's wall telling him to get on teh twitter.

[TAP]

GFT has facebook? That's really bad news.

[artcinco]

Seemed fairly active with plenty of friends. His avatar was the pic of him with that aborigine fellow from Australia, the one wearing the Iron Maiden t-shirt. Priceless.

[TAP]

Gary's a super cool dude, sure he has loads of friends - but his internet talents are wasted on facebook! And how far off topic can we take this thread? He does live near Seattle which is close to Canadia.

[artcinco]

I'm seeing Rush in a few months.

[TAP]

I'm seeing Rush in a few months.

I got Deep Purple tickets today - who just met with Medvedev, and Sarah Palin can see Russia from her house which is also right next to Canada.

[artcinco]

I downloaded a bunch of Bob and Doug McKenzie flash animated cartoons in the last year. I haven't watched them yet. I still play their 12 Days of Christmas parody every year. Bob and Doug are from the Great White North, (Canada).