Conservative Harper vows change for Canada

[mikeybabe125]

--SNIP--

Mr Harper's Conservatives won Canada's general election, but will have to seek allies in parliament after failing to win an overall majority.

Mr Harper aims to cut taxes, tackle corruption and clamp down on crime.

But correspondents say the failure to score a major victory may temper the authority of Mr Harper's government.

Outgoing prime minister and Liberal party leader Paul Martin announced his decision to step down as party leader after conceding the election to Mr Harper in a late-night phone call.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4643882.stm

[maxsolomon]

1. how will this affect our supply of BC bud?

this is perhaps THE most vital trade link the US & Canadia have.

[High Plains]

10. Harper wants mandatory minimum sentences for pot growers

and traffickers. I doubt whether he will be able to push that through with a minority government.

But that's of little moment to the growers and smugglers. They will continue to go about their business, ignoring all the politicians, as they always have.

Hmmm...could cause a slight bump in price, a "Harper tax."

[LynnTheDem]

2. Good luck, harpie!

You ain't gonna "change" one damn thing to your bullshit neocon agenda ya MFing moran.

Within ONE YEAR and harpie will be OUT...betcha. :) :) :)

[quiet.american]

3. Hmn -- conservative gov't in -- I've traded out my Canada fund.

I know Canadians are saying it doesn't make much difference that he's in, and that's reassuring -- still, I never "mis-underestimate" the amount of economic damage conservatives do when they're in a position of power -- especially since there are rumblings this new PM wants to cozy up to Bush.... Gives me the jitters.

[The_Counsel]

5. Conservative "Government"

"I know Canadians are saying it doesn't make much difference that he's in, and that's reassuring -- still, I never "mis-underestimate" the amount of economic damage conservatives do when they're in a position of power -- especially since there are rumblings this new PM wants to cozy up to Bush.... Gives me the jitters."

That's just it: the Tories AREN'T in a position of real power. They're at least 32 votes short of that. And just let Harper cozy up to GeeDubya, or even try to be "Bush Lite." Any hope of getting support from the other parties will go bye-bye...

Gotta love that parliamentary government, where you can win an election and STILL lose. (Oh wait: there's an American politician by the name of Gore who'd swear we have that here... ;)) To me, the funniest thing in the world is a conservative who's toast and doesn't even know it... :evilgrin:

[quiet.american]

6. Howdy -- I do realize the conservatives are in the minority --

However, it still gives me the jitters that Harper leans toward Bush. Maybe currently reading "Confessions of an Economic Hit-man" isn't making me feel better, either. :)

However, it's very heartening that Harper will be operating from within a straitjacket, so to speak.

[TheWatcher]

4. It's good to want things, Mr. Harper

Now be a good little Nazi, keep your fucking mouth shut, take your place as the Little Bitch Who Thought He Was Bush, and prepare to return to a life of obscurity and irrelevance where you belong in about a year, when the Good People of Canada vote your ass out fairly and squarely.

I believe in the Canadian People, and they WON'T Let It Happen THERE.

[AX10]

7. Hopefully, the Cons will fall by next year.

[Harper_is_Bush]

8. It's funny - and a little sad - how American media thinks the relationship

with Canada will improve now.

The implication of course is that it's the fault of Canada that there's sourness in the relationship.

The truth of the matter is that Bush has chosen the relationship he has with Canada.

And nothing will change under Harper unless Bush starts acting like a statesman.

[warrens]

9. Hmmmm, change for Canada

Like the Onion said about Smirk, "Our national nightmare of peace and prosperity is finally over."

Canada, apart from getting screwed by the bushies on soft timber and beef cattle, has never had it so good. The Loonie is near an all-time high, employment is great, the government has a surplus...sounds like us just before that incompetent fascist punk stole the election.