[OnTheIce]

SigPig SigPig:

gigs gigs:

Translation...The NDP is lagging in the polls.

But how does this help him any? It will only piss off his core supporters who think Harper is the devil incarnate who eats plates of orphans for breakfast.

NDP is losing ground in the polls. Down to 12% Nationally from 18.

If we go to the polls, the NDP will lose seats in the House and therefore, they can kill two birds with one stone.

They look great working with Harper and making the government function and getting EI changes while at the same time keeping their seat count static and perhaps, raising their numbers.

[SigPig]

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

SigPig SigPig:

gigs gigs:

Translation...The NDP is lagging in the polls.

But how does this help him any? It will only piss off his core supporters who think Harper is the devil incarnate who eats plates of orphans for breakfast.

NDP is losing ground in the polls. Down to 12% Nationally from 18.

If we go to the polls, the NDP will lose seats in the House and therefore, they can kill two birds with one stone.

They look great working with Harper and making the government function and getting EI changes while at the same time keeping their seat count static and perhaps, raising their numbers.

But he runs the risk of being guilty by association, even though he my get EI pushed through. Some will definitely not forgive him for ever voting with Harper on anything.

[Lemmy]

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

NDP is losing ground in the polls. Down to 12% Nationally from 18.

If we go to the polls, the NDP will lose seats in the House and therefore, they can kill two birds with one stone.

They look great working with Harper and making the government function and getting EI changes while at the same time keeping their seat count static and perhaps, raising their numbers.

Exactly.

There will be no "guilt by association". He'll be a hero for blackmailing the evil Torries over a program that's a socialist's wet dream.

[OnTheIce]

SigPig SigPig:

But he runs the risk of being guilty by association, even though he my get EI pushed through. Some will definitely not forgive him for ever voting with Harper on anything.

Well, with only 12%, does it matter how much support he loses?

He's losing support with what he's doing now....might as well hang on for the ride a while longer and maintain your presence. Perhaps time will heal all wounds for the NDP faithful if they feel they've been wronged.

[SigPig]

Lemmy Lemmy:

There will be no "guilt by association". He'll be a hero for blackmailing the evil Torries over a program that's a socialist's wet dream.

Why won' t there be? I see no difference then when conservative supporters were getting in a twist (myself included) when the NDP and lib were cozying up to the Bloc. I can very well see the NDP-ers having the same reaction to this.

[Lemmy]

SigPig SigPig:

Lemmy Lemmy:

There will be no "guilt by association". He'll be a hero for blackmailing the evil Torries over a program that's a socialist's wet dream.

Why won' t there be? I see no difference then when conservative supporters were getting in a twist (myself included) when the NDP and lib were cozying up to the Bloc. I can very well see the NDP-ers having the same reaction to this.

Because the NDPers know they'll never form a government. They know the best position their party can be in is in support of a minority government. They can trade their support for socialist concessions. That is the only way the NDP can achieve any of its political platform. I think NDPers will think Jack was able to pass NDP policy the only way he could.

[SigPig]

Lemmy Lemmy:

SigPig SigPig:

Lemmy Lemmy:

There will be no "guilt by association". He'll be a hero for blackmailing the evil Torries over a program that's a socialist's wet dream.

Why won' t there be? I see no difference then when conservative supporters were getting in a twist (myself included) when the NDP and lib were cozying up to the Bloc. I can very well see the NDP-ers having the same reaction to this.

Because the NDPers know they'll never form a government. They know the best position their party can be in is in support of a minority government. They can trade their support for socialist concessions. That is the only way the NDP can achieve any of its political platform. I think NDPers will think Jack was able to pass NDP policy the only way he could.

Fair enough it could turn out that way as well, which is probably what Layton is banking on. I guess only time will tell.

[Smacle]

Lemmy Lemmy:

And just like when Harper caved into the Coalition last fall, he's a hypocrite ready to do it again. He likes to trumpet conservative values but he'll toss them out the goddamn window, faster than the wind from a duck's ass, when he has to to save his sorry job. Maybe if he had any gonads he'd garner enough respect from Canadians to EARN a majority mandate. But, I think THAT duck has flown.

The fact that he "flip flops" and allows his conservative values to be corrupted just proves taht he is working with teh other parties and knows that he can't do what ever he wants and force an election. He can't really drive his values untill he gets a mojority.

[Lemmy]

Smacle Smacle:

The fact that he "flip flops" and allows his conservative values to be corrupted just proves taht he is working with teh other parties and knows that he can't do what ever he wants and force an election. He can't really drive his values untill he gets a mojority.

I've made that very point many times on other threads.

[herbie]

"The NDP" doesn't give a flying you know what if they're lagging in the polls.
Their supporters know a friggin handful of NDP MPs is worth a houseful of any other Party.
We don't give a shit if our policy has to be stolen or bought long as it's implemented.
The rest of you can even call us names, cuz we're laughing when you're not looking.

So how many gay-hating, bring back the noose, anti-Metric, anti-abortion, God fearing Harper-Tory voters are defending the largest gov't intervention in the economy ever (and the biggest deficit since the last Tory gov't) and calling Layton a hypocrite?
Must really be choking on those EI extensions for goddam overpaid union forestry/auto workers, eh?
Chew on it a while, you'll get used to the taste.

[OldChum]

Who really cares we are not at the polls and being forced to endure the endless bs on tv for 2 months , good for you Jack . Stephen you still do not have my vote .

[Smacle]

Lemmy Lemmy:

I've made that very point many times on other threads.

Haha *High Five*

[Akhenaten]

herbie herbie:

So how many gay-hating, bring back the noose, anti-Metric, anti-abortion, God fearing Harper-Tory voters are defending the largest gov't intervention in the economy ever (and the biggest deficit since the last Tory gov't) and calling Layton a hypocrite?

If this is your perception of 36%+ of voting Canadians then you're far too young and short sighted to make a comment on Canadian politics worth two cents. I find it ironic that so many USA-fearing liberals in fact pay little attention to the social realities/fabric of Canadians and instead see everything political in Canada through the US spectrum/tunnel. Liberals = Democrats and Conservatives = Republicans....and they confuse the personalities as well.

[EyeBrock]

herbie herbie:

"The NDP" doesn't give a flying you know what if they're lagging in the polls.
Their supporters know a friggin handful of NDP MPs is worth a houseful of any other Party.
We don't give a shit if our policy has to be stolen or bought long as it's implemented.
The rest of you can even call us names, cuz we're laughing when you're not looking.

So how many gay-hating, bring back the noose, anti-Metric, anti-abortion, God fearing Harper-Tory voters are defending the largest gov't intervention in the economy ever (and the biggest deficit since the last Tory gov't) and calling Layton a hypocrite?
Must really be choking on those EI extensions for goddam overpaid union forestry/auto workers, eh?
Chew on it a while, you'll get used to the taste.

The deficit that Iggy, Duceppe and Layton said wasn't enough?

Come on, Harper has basically been doing what Iggy, Gilles and Jack have wanted re the stimulus package. Of course it's politics but how would Harper have looked if he hadn't done what they wanted?

Herbie, you need to realise that not all Tories are bible-thumping hunters. I would consider my self a 'Red Tory'. In the UK I voted Labour and Conservative, dependant on policies.
All you do by labelling us is undermine your own credibility.

Harper is having his hand forced on things like EI. I don't think it's a bad thing. The minority governments, including Martin's, have had to work with the other parties from time to time.

The coalition on the other hand was not parties just working with each other. It was a signed agreement to replace and elected, albeit minority, government. And we all know how well that went down with the people.

[Smacle]

To be honest, I'm pretty happy with a minority conservative government. I don't agree with the more radical conservative values and I like a lot of ideas that the other parties have but I don't think that NDP can run a country and I agree more with Conservatives than Liberals. Having a conservative lead minority government which is being filtered and altered by the other parties is pretty much as good as I can see it getting. If only they played a bit more nicely.