Yes, I’m scared of Stephen Harper!

I've lived in BC for 51 years, a BC voter for 50, closely followed political trends, but the only Western separatists I've ever known came out of the woodwork with Preston Manning.

Their real aim was not Western separation, but to have Alberta and BC join the USA. Which was also the long term plan for Manning-Bennett Socred coalition of the 50s and 60s.

Now they're working under the Conservative and to a lesser extent the Liberal banner, led by John Manley, advocating "deep integration", leading to the absorbtion, first of the West, then the whole of Canada by the USA, or rather by US based multinationals waiting with directorships for the leaders.

Ask any true blue Reform/Conservative what they think of joining the USA and the answer, at least 80% of the time, will be : "I have no problem with it!" , or something in the praise of so called "free enterprise", as opposed to the present "socialistic, big government" Canada.

And, this is also what this Mulroney junior, Harper, stands for, while playing the role of the great Canadian patriot.

Ed Deak, Big Lake, BC.

Harper has referred to himself as a "libertarian" conservative and not a "pure" libertarian who believes in not using government at all to promote social policy.

I saw a program a while ago about some movement that wanted Alberta,B.C. & Some of the Northern US states to join up and form a new country. I believed they wanted to call it "Arcadia" (not sure if this was the correct name).

As a leader, maybe he is just spouting the policies the Conservative party had voted for in Montreal and not what he "personally" believes in. Some would call this changing your spots, but the policies the Conservatives have now were not made on the fly like in the last election (and the liberals now) which led to the "Hidden Agenda" allegations. They actually voted AGAINST outlawing partial birth abortions in a clear majority (Thanks to the former PCs in Quebec & Ontario)! Harper may have more conservative views than some of the party's membership but he is still the most articulate leader they have at the moment... as boring and unemotional as is. Maybe they should nickname him "Spock". He has the haircut and demeanor for it..

I'm confused.. so are you saying the Liberals are right..Right? ;-)

<<How are all three of you in the donut shop in bumf*ck alberta going to plan all that. Someone's got to drive the pickup truck while the others write up Alberta seperatist literature with the crayons in the glove compartment. I'm truly frightened.>>

<<Nice. Thanks for the insight into the erudite, tolerant, inclusive, super-smart CAP party.>>

Remarkable how you seem to know which party the anonymous poster who posted the original rude comment supports. Just how does his/her post identify that he/she is a member of CAP? I could just as easily assert the poster is a pro Harris wing nut conservative from Alberta acting as a troll in attempting to convince the readers that Easterners are intolerant and prejudiced against Albertans. I would have just as much evidence for my assertion as you have for yours.

good point. Attention registered Vive members, here's your chance to prove me wrong. Denounce xenophobic fear of Albertans and Americans. Have at it.

I spent half my life in Quebec and can safely say if they didn't have a problem with Mulroney, they won't with Harper. The conservatives are even climbing in the polls there ~15%-20% because of their iron clad respect for the BNA (which Quebec did agree to)

This BC-Alberta plus some US states idea was also the aim of the Manning-Bennett Socred coalition. They wanted to set up some kind of Kingdom of God, based on fundamentalist principles.

When the Reform Party became dominant in BC, there were militias organizing with the aim of killing all "fruits, indians and socialists when the leader calls". There were even letters in our local papers hinting on this. As one guy said to me: "Give me a platoon with machineguns and I'll solve the native landclaims pretty damn fast!" They went underground after the Oklahoma City bombing, but a lot of it is still simmering, waiting for some nut to flare it up, which could happen with these "competitive" economic ideas sold to the public by irresponsible hucksters and financed by the corporate mafia waiting to take over.

Ed Deak, Big Lake, BC.

<<When the Reform Party became dominant in BC, there were militias organizing with the aim of killing all "fruits, indians and socialists when the leader calls". >>

Ed Deak, Big Lake BC
CAP supporter

...thanks for proving my point Ed.

I am the original poster and don't belong to any political party (even though you may not believe that) and I'm not an Albertan. I was born in Quebec & now live in Ontario. I was originally a Trudeau supporter (most anglophones in Quebec were). My political perspective on the country has changed over the years. I feel I have a greater understanding of why Quebecers and Westerners (not all of them) feel disillusioned with the federal system.

The fact is whenever Paul Martin is talking about "Canadian values" he is referring to downtown Toronto. There are stark regional differences in this country which underly a wide range of opinion on issues (values if you prefer).

With no check and balances on parliament to prevent highly populated regions from dominating policy discussions which may have a significant negative impact on other regions ("tyranny of the majority") you create widespread alienation and disaffection.

This could eventually lead to discussions of independence (i.e. why should I stay in Canada when Ontarians want to destroy our oil industry by restricting exports or price controls. Martin was even flirting with this prior to the election without any consideration on how many people out West may lose their jobs - just to make a political point).

Ontarians say they love Canada but are really naive about the country. They don't believe in Senate reform (why should they when they control the majority of seats in parliament etc. Ontarians were outraged when David Peterson offered to give up senate seats to other provinces)

Quebec on the other hand has similar grievances because the British North America (the orginal document that Quebec DID agree to) was never respected by the Liberals. Quebec was stripped of it's veto and did not sign the 1982 Constitution. The majority of francophones are now supporting the Bloc.

Was this pervasive or just a few fringe "nutbars". The NDP has it's share of wackos as well as does the Liberals (Wappel & Co) ..Given Reform swept BC it would not reflect well on Britsh Columbians if that was the typical kind of people they were electing.

I'm sorry but.. I just can't stand Paul Martin. He is a hypocritical, unprincipled liar. He should change his name to "Poll" Martin. He always changing his mind based on whatever the poll of the day says to stay in power. I know he initially was for the Iraq war and was against Kyoto. He has to GO so the Liberals can elect another leader with GOOD ideas and is progressive. One who will not stoop to extreme negativity to get elected. A leader that people WOULD want to vote for. In the meantime I feel I have no choice but to vote for Harper because he is the only leader who can defeat Martin and is offering concrete policies to address the issues.(not writing them on the back of a napkin as one former prime minister said) Please help!

Let's start a new party! the DPM Party (Defeat Poll Martin). We will recruit progressive conservatives, NDPers & non-Martinite Liberals!

I have come to the conclusion that there is only one way to defeat Martin and the Fiberals. Vote Harper. Plain and simple. All other votes, might as well be for Martin.

I was slightly reticent about the soc-con agenda, but I think these wedge issues are mere distractions to cultivate fear. I don't believe Harper will shred the charter or round up all the gay people and breathe fire on them. And I suspect most Canadians are starting to see this for what it is. Liberal spin.

So you have a choice, be spun, or clean out Ottawa. Every DM, every Liberal appointed judge, every head of every crown corp/agency/shared governance body, the clerk of the privy council and really the entire town will be turned on it's head. That is a good start.