Come on. . . Sheesh! #2
CTV reported on Canada AM this morning that the Conservative 'attack ads' began. Attack?
I don't think so. Personal 'dissing going on? I don't think so.
CTV, they aren't attack ads if there is truth to them. These are bad semantics and misleading. Paul Martin asked publicly for the animosity to be reduced in the House of Commons. Notice did he take responsibility publicly for his own party? No. If he wants us to think he's credible he should acknowledge that his party is responsible as well. Paul Martin did not ask to extend that to election campaign ads as CTV implies. And why should any one listen to him anyway?
I am putting a lot of hope into the Conservative Party to clean up when they get into power, because they are sure to get in with a minority and they need to show Canadians that they put their money where their mouth is. If they are going to point out the Liberal corruption, the CP has to tell us what they are going to do about it when they get there.
1) Will the CP open up the inquiry to other mandates such as the appointment of judges?
2) Will the CP tell Canadians that they will prosecute those that are responsible for the corruption? Justice delayed is justice denied. And justice isn't just about convictions.
3) Will the CP show the statistics on how Canadians feel about Paul Martin's honesty?
4) Will the CP ensure the provinces that their transfer payment agreements will be honoured?
5) Will the CP use the C.E.D.A.W convention recommendations and concerns in their ads against the Liberals?
6) Will the CP point out this International Treaty was ignored by the Liberals party, including the Ministry of Justice? The Greens have listed the C.E.D.A.W convention in their platform.
7) Will the CP focus on the lack of investment of the northern territories natural resources?
8) Will the CP focus on the fact that Canada has only 2% of the world economy and show why this is deplorable?
9) Will the CP clarify that they are not going to open up the abortion issue.
10) Will the CP point out the Liberals have ignored issues many women are concerned about in the last election? In particular HRDC benefits for non-traditional employment?
11) Will the CP put forward a better argument on same sex marriage to appeal to reason as opposed to emotion? (I'm for same sex marriage bty, but I have an argument for civil unions)
12) Will the CP tell Canadians that Canada needs a change that accommodates autonomy for the provinces (that may even entail an amendment to the 1867 Constitution Act) to counter Liberals claims that the CP are siding with separatists? (I am a separatist bty, but I believe in a Canadian Union made up of provinces turned nations. This means removal of federal parliament, federal MP's and the federal bureaucracies etc., over a period of 10 to 20 years)
13) Will the CP focus on the facts of particular accusations of Liberal corruption?
14) Will the CP address the psychology of why they are so scary to Ontarians and Quebecers?
15) Will the CP assure Ontarians and Quebecers they have nothing to fear about them being in power publicly?
Well, that's the first list.
posted by HR at 5/17/2005 07:28:00 a.m.
12 Comments:
You pose a lot of good questions. Now is the time for the Conservatives to start articulating what they stand for, not what they are against.
Nonetheless, I find the CTV story very disappointing. For what it's worth, I left this note through the feedback button on their site:
I am disappointed in your characterization of the Conservatives' radio spots as "attack ads."
You seriously lower the quality of debate when a factual listing of Liberal wrong-doing is considered an attack. By that definition, any ad that criticizes other parties is an attack.
The common understanding of an attack ad is that of a smear, which is full of innuendo and misrepresentation. A good example is that Liberal television ad during the last election, in which a gun is pointed straight at the viewer.
Please raise the quality of political debate in this country, don't lower it.
I would encourage others to leave a comment as well.
Good one Steve.
You'll have to send one to the Globe too.
"4) Will the CP ensure the provinces that their transfer payment agreements will be honoured?" - they've already stated repeatedly that signed deals will be honored.
"9) Will the CP clarify that they are not going to open up the abortion issue." - That was stated clearly after their Montreal policy mtg. The only reason this "issue" keeps being raised is because...people keep raising it. IMO it's up there with "Harper is scary." Don't support the madness.
"10) Will the CP point out the Liberals have ignored issues many women are concerned about in the last election? In particular HRDC benefits for non-traditional employment?" - I'm not sure what the issues are you are referring to, but the CPC approach to "national daycare" covers of some of it, I think.
"11) Will the CP put forward a better argument on same sex marriage to appeal to reason as opposed to emotion? (I'm for same sex marriage bty, but I have an argument for civil unions)" - go to conservative.ca & read Harper's proposed amendment to the SSM bill.
"12) Will the CP tell Canadians that Canada needs a change that accommodates autonomy for the provinces (that may even entail an amendment to the 1867 Constitution Act) to counter Liberals claims that the CP are siding with separatists? (I am a separatist bty, but I believe in a Canadian Union made up of provinces turned nations. This means removal of federal parliament, federal MP's and the federal bureaucracies etc., over a period of 10 to 20 years)" - CPC is for more provincial power, less federal. Consistently. Harper was one of, if not the, author of the Alberta Firewall paper (not sure if the title is right).
"14) Will the CP address the psychology of why they are so scary to Ontarians and Quebecers?
15) Will the CP assure Ontarians and Quebecers they have nothing to fear about them being in power publicly"
How do you suggest they approach that? What IS the psychology of why they are scary? IMO, it's because Harper doesn't hale from Ontario/Quebec (although he was born in ON). That's not going to change. The scary part, also IMO, is Toronto/PQ don't want a PM not from central Canada. Period. Nor do they (all those federal civil servants) want anyone who will threaten the bureaucracy that employs many of them. Nor do they want an end to the seemingling endless gravy train.
#4 - this is the first ad that should be aired. REPEAT the DEALS will be HONOURED on air over and over and over (blow that steam)
#9 - if the Liberals bring this up, counter oppose (I'm using the word oppose instead of attack) with stuff regarding women that the Liberals ignored, ie CEDAW, some good stuff on there ESPECIALLY item 27. If you want to push corruption, the Budget Implementation Act of 1995 is a good example cited in this item.
Use the Committee's concerns about Canada in it's press release, especially the member from Mexico.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw28/ConComCanada.PDF
Acknowledge that Canada respects the United Nations by using this report to the CP's advantage. Canada is NOT America. It is a well known fact that American Republicans aren't ON with the U.N. Stay away from American politics. Canadians have deep respect for the United Nations.
The CP might want to throw that stuff in there about Chretien and his links to SoDamn InSane and the Iraqi Oil for Food if it doesn't get them sued.
Understand the Canadian mindset in ALL provinces. Do some polling. Give easy Q's to answer yes or no but ask alot of them. Don't make the questions grey and difficult to answer, black or white is best. And don't poll the same people. One of those well known pollster called me and asked me if they could keep my name to call for future polls. So much for random polling.
If the CP gets an understanding of Canadian people at least they know where they are coming from. This doesn't mean they have to change their stance, just acknowledge the differences of other regions sensibilities and philosophical ideals and go from there intelligently.
#10 see above. Human Resources Development Canada is mentioned in items 49 & 50 & 57 of the CEDAW review.
#11 - there is nothing wrong with CP stance, just don't pit ethnic groups against the rest of us. This is bad politics and creates animosity
#12 - remind Canadians of the Constitution - SIMPLY I think most Canadians have no clue what the Liberals responsibility it is to it.
#14 & #15
Scary & Fear in Ontario can be described in two words: Mike Harris
I didn't like his policies, they were draconian, not well thought out and they killed people.
I think Harper understood this after the last election. Belinda Stronach has distanced herself from MH.
Show COMPASSION, COMPASSION COMPASSION and mean it. When I was watching CPAC, I noticed that many CP (reform?) MP from out West cared more about their constituents than those here (save for Pat Martin of the NDP). At least I saw them CARING.
Address the aboriginal issues instead of dissing them. LISTEN, UNDERSTAND and give clear answers that are not broad in their meanings.
IE what does "Martin is trying to avoid you" mean? Give examples that are simple to follow. This is way too broad and open ended.
ie: Most Canadians don't buy into "wasting money". If you really want to know the psychology of Ontarians? That fear is imbedded in the harshness of MH. His cuts were so bad and controlling they affected people psychologically for LIFE.
Give examples of wasting money. IE they took this so you didn't get this, for example. Canadians like their social programs. Remember, Canadians are like Americans. But social programs cannot be continued effectively, professionally to help Canadians achieve success if they are poorly managed. I'm sure the CP has social programs it doesn't find tasteless.
Why not give a scenario in an ad about a working mum who goes to the bank machine, show her bank statement after she withdraws her last $50 leaving her with .49 cents. She goes to the grocery store buts it's closed. She goes home and puts her purse with her money on kithen counter. She leaves the door open trusting that no one will come into her home, but someone does and steals her purse with her money to buy food. The guy speeds off in a red mustang (or someother expensive car but it should be red) She goes to retrieve her purse and notices it gone. So her and her baby crying. Who is doing the stealing? This is what life has been like under the Harris regime, but if money for social programs haven't been taken away by fraud from the federal government, then maybe she would be ok. ie trust=door left open=break-in=liberals taking the money of those at the bottom of the food chain. Anyway, you get the picture.
Don't have CP members berate Ontario women. Nasty Nasty Nasty. If the PC starts sounding like mysogynists they'll bite the biscuit in Ontario.
It's a reality that we have equality in Canada s. 28 of the Charter says so. Pay attention to item 48 in the CEDAW review. Address the low % of women in the CP Party HEAD ON. Acknowledge it's the lowest of all parties in Canada, and tell us what the CP is going to do about it. ALL of this must be done publicly and on national television. Don't diss Belinda Stronach in public. Women tend to lean to the left on social spending, compassion issues, women's issue. It's a reality, deal with it.
Ok, RANT OVER
OH and...if any of these ideas are used, I'd like full recognition *smiles*
Good answers. However, while the CPC may have fewer women than men, they certainly have a more diverse caucus than anyone else.
I don't know how they can address the # of women if women aren't prepared to run in an election. I wouldn't and I don't know any who would. I wouldn't want to give up the time (single mom); I wouldn't want to hire a nanny for the long hours; I wouldn't want to lose my privacy. So I don't know how they can fix that. Any ideas?
H.R.,
A shout-out to you. Very good reporting. (I know hat-tips are the rule of sorts, but I don't wear a hat, despite a rapidly-receding hairline.)
Re #9: We don't necessarily agree 100 percent on that. I favour some sort of parental notification for girls not of age... since parents still have the legal responsibility for those young people. I do think, though, that the best way to reduce abortion is a cultural way, not through the blunt force of governmental law.
Re #10: You're in conservative U.S. territory there. Some on the right (mostly religious-based right) would like Social Security benefits to accrue to stay-at-home moms (and dads, I presume).
Re #11: I can't get past same-sex marriage at all as a government mandate. A civil union which acknowledges the partnership and allows the basic benefits of the marital state (read: economics, health-care decision-making) is probably of sufficient benefit to justify it. Let each church/synagogue/mosque/house of worship decide its own policy WITHOUT government interference in any way, shape or form. If the Catholic Church will not marry same-sex couples, fine. If the United Church will, fine. Keep the government out of it.
Re #1 and #2: Those are no-brainers. If CPC doesn't drive those two points head-on, it deserves to lose.
Re #14: The CPC is scary because it is unknown in many quarters and it has allowed its opponents to define its identity based on a few loose cannons in the ranks.
Re #12: I would discourage you from thinking of a Canadian Union along the lines of the still-developing European Union. There, unelected bureaucrats wield even more power than they do in the North American "democracies." Decentralization, not centralization, should be the goal of any revamping of the confederation.
Again, HR, well done.
Free Canada!
Bob and Candace, I want to answer you but it's half past 3 am and I'm down to my last cigarette. I answer when I have a clearer head.
and thanks for the complimentos *smiles*
Ok I've got another pack of cigarettes, turkish coffee in the demi tasse and I'm ready to give some ideas Candace.
I think what we've been seeing in the media about the verbal assaults on Belinda Stronach is why women are reluctant to get into politics. If I had to have my past, my style and my personal life brought to the fore, where men don't, then I wouldn't want to experience the emotional strain.
I have refrained from running myself because I have too many skeletons that I think the media would pounce on unfairly. I much better at being a professional skeptic and trouble maker.
I would still encourage you to go into politics Candace. You don't have to enter the race, you can start by political shadowing until your children are older. And I commend you for wanted to consider entering politics as a single mum because you have a unique viewpoint on this lifestyle.
I would recommend speaking to your riding association and getting involved with them. Tell them what you have told me and ask them how they can help you.
I would also recommend to be tenacious about this. You can influence the traditional viewpoints that create barriers to get more women into politics.
You have a great Conservative in Peter MacKay IMO. I supported him for the PC leadership. Sans his arrangement with David Orchard, which I thought was 'sleazy' I think he comes across as sincere and has an open mind with regards to women's issues.
I would say...start slowly because women are very cautious by nature anyway before they jump right in. It will give you some time to learn how politics work.
Choose to do what you like the best when volunteering in politics. Attempt to stay away from traditional areas like bookkeeping or secretarial work or answering phones.
I personally, like research because being aware of what is going on is impowering. Get to know your Constitution. I already see what your concern is, that is unfair representation in the West. Why not work on changing that by looking for the best option to ammend the Constitution?
All in all, it's up to the Conservative party in Alberta for example, [other provinces as well] to start making efforts to encourage women into their ranks.
Perhaps you could start by asking women close to you, friends, co-workers, other soccer moms [for example] why they don't choose politics as a career path and note their responses in an informal personal survey. After keeping a mental note, when finished, compile the answers by rating and bring this up to your riding association. I bet once you start asking women these questions, even strangers when shopping, you'll start to get the feel for politics and indirectly, encourage others by planting the seed to a least think about politics by considering their own response.
Good Luck!
Bob,
I know nothing of the European Union. But I imagine a Canadian Union would be more sophiticated as we already have a basis of our federal confederation. We just need to slowly ween away from federation.
I welcome any links
Thanks again for the vote of confidence on running for politics, but I've had way too much fun in my lifetime and frankly, more importantly, value both my & my child's privacy too much to go there. That being said, perhaps there are people I know with similar ideals and ... more politically correct? (give me strength God that took a lot) backgrounds and/or histories willing to join the fray. Perhaps my "perfect" sister? LOL
You have some good points and I will do them the honor of reflecting on them tomorrow, rather than tonight when braindead.
Keep it up. I've realized this past month that my job, while 'fun' and 'challenging' in its way, hasn't tested me by a long shot. It's nice to have to think.
atta girl...
at least your INTERESTED..most women find politics boring. I guess that doesn't apply these days lol
If your not interested in running for public office, you can still be involved in politics.
I know what you mean by being not politically correct, but just look at all those GUYS sitting in Parliament who call others son's of bitches and shoot the finger! Seems to me we'd both fit right in!!
But I draw the line at equating women with vulgar semantics.
Post a Comment
<< Home