With so many Canadians out of work, this is DISGUSTING.

Harper, Finley, and the Conservatives should be in Ottawa working to get Canadians back to work, not picking up Olympic Pom-Poms while getting paid to represent us in Parliament.

Is this how a government works? When the questions get too tough (or what they're hiding gets too close to the surface), they simply lock the doors and strangle democracy?

The World has taken notice, and the Conservatives are humiliating Canada. The BBC, CNN, The Economist - multiple major foreign publications have called this a slap in the face of democracy..........and they're bang on.

We need to stand up against this!
We PAY them to work.
We PAY them to be in Ottawa, running this country.

They make excuses after excuses as to why they're not there, but at the end of the day, the Conservatives are lying to us, running from the truth, and leaving us out to dry when times are at their worst.

If I don't show up for work, I get fired. Enough said.

Prorogue? Liberal 9 Conservative 2 .Maybe the opposition would do a little better if they took singing lessons. Tortured prisoners? Isn,t this the mantra of the Adopt A Taliban group?

Christine Blizzard of the Toronto Sun wrote of the hypocrasy of people such as Bob Rae for critisizing Harper. Apparently the Liberals and the NDP have done this many times for similar reasons. Bob Rae 4 times, once for 4 months.

So, while they are trying to gain political milage out of this, are they not part of the problem?

Here's Christina Blizzards article
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/col ... /2010/01/22/12577221.html

Why can't we hold politicians to a higher standard than the people we elected out? Just because the Liberals do/did it, shouldn't we expect more from the Conservatives? Remember what your Mom said - "If everyone else jumped off of a bridge, would you?"

I posted this earlier, but it still resonates:

Stephen Harper’s 63 day shutdown of Parliamentary activity brings his total to 148 days over just four years in office, eclipsing Jean Chrétien’s 145 days of prorogation over ten full years.

Recent prorogations:
• 63 days: Stephen Harper, December 30, 2009 to March 3, 2010
• 53 days: Stephen Harper, December 4, 2008 to January 26, 2009
• 32 days: Stephen Harper, September 14 to October 16, 2007
• 25 days: Jean Chrétien, February 2 to February 27, 1996
• 24 days: Jean Chrétien, September 18 to October 12, 1999
• 14 days: Jean Chrétien, September 16 to September 30, 2002
• 82 days: transition from Chrétien to Martin, November 12, 2003 to February 2, 2004

While I'm still not 100% sure why it was done, at least someone has the common sense to see past the anti-prorogation sensationalism that so many get duped into.

Harper was working yesterday when the so-called opposition was singing and acting like children on Parliment Hill in Ottawa trying to discredit him and the Conservatives. They will use any underhanded tactic to get noticed. Give me a break! The Liberals and NDP really showed their true colours yesterday with their childish behaviour. These people were not interested in getting back to work...they just wanted to call attention to themselves again, but this time, in my opinion it back-fired. It was a disgusting display of bad taste and makes them all look like 3rd rate back-benchers. I will never vote for the Liberals because I cannot stand Iggy and his underhanded ways and the NDP might as well fold because they cannot get enough support unless they tie in with another party. The Liberals are hypocrites because Trudeau prorogued Parliment 11 times for various reasons, how soon they forget or is it that Iggy just doesn't know what he is doing, just flaps his mouth and says nothing. We need new politicians, I'm personally sick of the ones we have now! Just my opinion.

While I support Haper keeping the wolfs away, I am angry that I have not been able to meet with Diane. And now with her new office, I dont think we see her too much. her office also mentiopned she will be at the Olymipcs so I hope she has a great time!

As long as she holds onto her promise she made to me, I am happy.

Harper and his Conservatives are a bunch of losers, they are sneeky little children the games they continually play BUT if it were Jack Layton or Iggy they could and would do the same thing if it suited them, so yes they "went back to work" lol, right, they are just playing more political games that ALL polititians are so adapt at playing with our finances, i am sick of all polititians and the same with the provincial losers we call our leaders, we need to get rid of the leaches now, every last one of them.

Berend, the reason the Conservatives have slapped democracy in the face isn't simply because they prorogued, it's WHEN and WHY they did.....

When properly used, prorogation is a tool to end the business of parliament. The problem here is 36 bills were STILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS!!! This session wasn't even CLOSE to being done! Yes, other governments prorogue - but when the work is done! And THAT'S why it's never been controversial.

Until Harper entered the scene of course.

Do you know they were the only government in HISTORY to prorogue to RUN AWAY FROM A CONFIDENCE VOTE???

This time, they didn't seem to care for answering tough questions about the misdeeds and shady dealings of their government (Afghan torture, among other things)

THAT'S why they shut it down. To hide. To hide from the truth, and put blinders over the eyes of the Canadian public, so we wouldn't be able to see what they've done.

Does THAT sound like democracy to you?

DustinPW, I don't agree at all with what the PCs are doing. All I'm saying is, it's funny how Rae is acting righteous when he, himself has done the same thing for similar reasons before.

As to whether or not it sounds like democracy, yes it does. It is part of the democractic system. What he is doing is not illeagal. You may not like it, but he is acting within the law and following proper proceedure.

We may need to change that proceedure, but that's another story.

Brent, why Chretien prorogued at all is mind-boggling to say the least. The man had total control over the HoC with his huge majorities and had total control over the Senate. The 82 day prorogue, of the former Liberal gov. was because they had been caught stealing tax payer's money to the tune of millions of dollars.

Personally, I am happy that the House is prorogued. The Liberals were trying hard to gain political points on the backs of our military, once again, expressing great concern for the Taliban detainees...can you imagine having the world watching during the Olympics, and have our opposition calling our country 'guilty of war crimes'? I have not read nor heard one single liberal MP or pundit express anything positive about our Olympics. Instead all they do is whine and throw around ludacris accusations.

PM Harper has long been back to work in his office in Ottawa. Ignatieff had to be dragged back into the country kicking and screaming just a couple of weeks ago. Other than stage partisan protests and photo ops, the liberals have as of yet to return to work.

It is good to see tha various opinions here, and it's important to realize that everyone is right, and no one is wrong here. As was pointed out; this is a legal thing to do. I DO think it is interesting that many people, not just here - but talking with friends, feel that legal prorogation is fine, but legal coalition governments are anti-democratic.

Remember this conversation when the next multi-party coalition majority is asked by the Governor-General to form the government.

It would be good if the NDP won.

Leasa, I think that one encouraging thing that has come out with this situation is that, like the idea of senate reform' there have been talks of reforming prorogation. One idea that I think everyone would like is that it should involve the approval of the house. This would remove some of the power of the G.G, but not many people are clammouring for the GG to be anything more than a living, breathing statue.

As for detainees - There are people that support win at all costs, and there are principled people. You have picked your side.

As for the Olympics - If you are afraid to have a public inquiry about Canada's role in the world in front of the world, you must have missed something - the internet, TV, radio etc. Other countries can see what is happening here if they want to.

Prorogation is a necessary thing in our country, but as DustinPW has, perhaps a little sensationally, described the government has abandoned work to avoid controversy.

If you are worried what the world will think about our public inquiries, do you care about some major publications of the world coming down on our government?

Having worked in the automotive sector,my views on the political parties.CONSERVATIVES- Like my old pickup truck,needs some work but gets the job done,most of the time.LIBERAL- Like the Hummer,high cost,runs rough-shod over everything.NDP-the Lada,a really bad copy of a good idea.Green- Yugo- what is it?Where did it come from?

Since the Liberals and NDP have nothing to do,maybe they could go on a road tour with Celine.

Leasa, your statement is frightening, and all too representative of the Harper mindset (which is REALLY frightening)

You basically stated that we shouldn't be asking serious, tough questions of our government as they face down possible War Crime accusations - simply because it is a time when the world will be watching.

Where are we, China?

The fact that the World is watching means we should be all the more transparent, not secretive and evasive.

Given the option between the truth and the olympics, I'll take the truth every time. Harper has chosen otherwise.

If your actions are legitimate, you don't silence the accusations against you, you respond to them. Shutting the doors and turning off the cameras is quite honestly what repressive, unaccountable regimes do - but that is exactly what the Haperites have done. THAT'S why this is serious, and honestly, it scares me.

Once again, this is a loaded PARTISAN issue. The fact that two-time loser Bob Speller was asked for his obviously PARTISAN comments tells the entire story. Where was Bob Speller offering his opinion on the recent land claim settlement with New Credit? I guess the fact that his government, when in power, solved 0 native land claims means that Speller keeps his mouth shut when the governing party does things his Liberal cronies couldn't, or wouldn't do.
The bottom line here is all of our politicians, regardless of political stripe, couldn't find the "high road" with a map and a GPS device. That is a bigger issue than proroguing Parliament. These guys consistently take the easy way out. It is time for an overhaul of all political parties.

I agree 100% Greenguy. My only caveat is. There has not actually been a settlement, just an offer. At least I haven't head there was a settlement.

But I agree with you. Rare is the case that an opposition MP or party, or potential candidate (is Speller the official candidate or just mouthpiece?) will praise the ruling party. That is too bad. If Harpers crew could eliminate the defecit with no impact on families, they should be applauded, but the opp's will simply say they should have done better...shame.

I have yet to hear of any MP's going to the Olympics.

When it comes time to elect a leader for Canada you only really get to vote between 2 bozo’s from a pack of 6 or so worthless wannabe‘s.
When it comes time to vote for Miss Canada they get to pick from a group of 40 or more worthwhile contestants.
Is it any wonder why we’re in such a mess

I wonder if the outcome would be different if
we could vote on-line or by telephone. You
would probably get a better voting response.
I personally hate going to those voting
stations and I'm sure many voters without
vehicles or those home bound find it difficult
and probably don't bother voting at all.

My point which you missed Dustin, is the fact that the Lib MPs and supporters were/are making unfounded accusations against our government & our military. Come on, war crimes? We are in fact talking about ONE detainee who MAY have been abused. Let's not forget (which liberals do when convenient) is that our soldiers risked life and limb to pick up these 'innocent' detainees and the Libs find no problem with trying to make political points while supporting these people. If I could hear more liberals speak out against terrorists and what they do as much as they do against Canada's role in it all...I would listen. The liberals are so desperate to get back to the trough...they even tolerated, posted and agreed with a picture depicting the assassination of our prime minister. Point made, case closed.

One thing can be said about the Liberals,they take in the unwanted and homeless.They even let them lead their party!

In my estimation,Canada is in crisis.The bad times are not over,even though we have fared better than most countries. I believe that this is not the time for our elected members to be power tripping.We expect them to pull togeather and GET ER DONE! I personally would have a great deal more respect for all parties if they worked togeather for Canada.

Seems leasa has prorogued this thread!

Dustin, I think what Leasa is saying is - What's one little torture?

Sure a public servant MAY have pointed out that our system MAY have a flaw and prisoners MAY have been knowingly been handed over to torture (in violation of the Geneva Convention), but his employer MAY have decided to ignore his recommendation. Sure this employer MAY not like to review this in the public eye. Why should be care? Again it is just one little torture, right?

Agree Opinion. The vote would be much, much higher. The fact that we have the capability to do everything online EXCEPT vote is startling.

"My point which you missed Dustin, is the fact that the Lib MPs and supporters were/are making unfounded accusations against our government & our military. Come on, war crimes? We are in fact talking about ONE detainee who MAY have been abused."

And if the Liberals were in power and the Cons were making those accusations against the government you would not find them "unfounded",you would be extremely concerned about the "ONE" detainee and you would be "SURE" he was abused.
Come on Leasa, we already know with you it's not about the accusation, it's about who's mouth the accusation is coming out of.

My how this topic changed nearer the bottom, the real issue here is that ALL our politictians are lying, sneeking, money grubbing cheats, every last one of them and they are being paid by us all, get rid of them, every last one of them, they all rob us blind and impose their will upon us without any consultation, liars and cheats thats what all politictians are.

Maybe when they get back they can get rid of that pinko radio station CBC! They openly slandered John Baird by outing him as a same-sex guy.

NO ONE in the Conservative party should stand for this! If it is true Baird should be out for being ouT!

2tier, you really should learn to get your facts straight.
The CBC had nothing to do with it.
They interviewed the TORY candidate in the Toronto by-election to fill the vacant seat left behind when Smitherman resigned from the Legislature. SHE outed Baird when she was asked if there were any openly gay people in the Tory party. Her answer was ... John Baird.

John Baird's gayness is very old news - why is this being discussed here, or at all?

"John Baird's gayness is very old news - why is this being discussed here, or at all?"

Because we have a poster on this board named 2 tier. He/she puts out, as bait, contrived posts, designed to appear ultra right wing, sound borderline slanderous and riddled with beyond blatant spelling mistakes so as to lead the reader to believe 2tier is an uneducated fanatic in need of enlightenment. I doubt 2tier is either but rather, gets his/her kicks out of reading the indignant reactions the posts generate. This time wombat took the bait. There have been other posters on other topics who have as well and that includes myself. Perhaps if we all don't take the bait, the 2tier personna will disappear or at least be replaced by something that isn't quite as insuling to the intelligence of the rest of the posters on this board.

Cynic...I agree with you. I have also been sucked into 2tier's crazy posts and have commented on them because some are just too weird. I now believe that these are contrived posts to get us all going and our reaction so I have decided not to respond anymore to his posts..others should follow suit.

I would agree with you folks, but I fear that there ARE enough people that DO think this way in the confines of their own homes.

As for it being old news...I don't think it was?

Hey 2tier - do you think that sexuality should be put on any applications in the future? Would this comfort you to know that 9/10 (or 7/8 ...depending ont he stats you read :) of people prefer the opposite gender?

2tier is an idiot.

2tier seems more like the Colbert type than someone who believes what he says.

2tier is Big Guy

wickens-2tier Gary? Is that youse? I thought youse were in Caledonia?

I miss Big Guy. I could passive aggressively call him an idiot and he wouldn't even get it. The most entertaining douche bag I've ever come across on the interwebz!

While I do agree BigGuy should return,I also feel King Canada should return also.I,m not impressed with the insults unless BigGuy was answering his own posts.Most posters are a good mix of opinions,although many are extremely biased. I was not aware of the amount of racism,I thought that had been dealt with many years ago.It has been suggested that I am a Native,which I believe my European parents would find amusing.I,m a CANADIAN,born and bred.Damn proud of it!

I'm definitely able to post on my own, thanks/ And if you are not comfotrable with a strong smart farmers opinion. Go put your head in the ground and continue to watch the world crumble around you.

2tier. Sorry,I apoligize.Bit of an oldtimers attack I get once in awhile.Actually I enjoy most of your posts.Keep it up. musing

"a strong smart farmers opinion"

Agreed! It takes someone with more than a few smarts to come up with that contrived personna that sounds(and spells)so stupid.

Thanks everyone. By the way Cynic, I can spell, it is the small keys on my keyboard that sometimes get hit. Nice try though. Go be cynical elsewehre. Can we get back to pointing out that the Lefty's are trying to make you all beleive that Harper is a criminal. if he is a criminal, then so are they. he is just doing what they did to get ahead.

No problems with that.

It must be that Iphone 2tier is using....