Stephen Harper-- Still has no clue about an average Canadian
Ruserious @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:06 pm
$1:
By: SUE BAILEY
VANCOUVER (CP) - Stephen Harper's a trained economist but don't ask him the price of a litre of milk.
The Conservative leader stumbled Friday as he tried to portray himself as "an average Canadian." Vancouver radio host Peter Warren asked him to demonstrate his populist side by displaying his knowledge of food basics. He asked if Harper knew how much it costs for a litre of milk and a dozen eggs.
"Well, it's been a while since I bought them myself," Harper said with an uneasy chuckle.
"My wife does the shopping."
Harper guessed "three bucks" for each, again stressing that his wife, Laureen, handles the groceries.
At least he was in the ball park.
Twelve eggs at a Vancouver Safeway cost $2.52. A litre of milk was $1.79.
Eggs at an Ottawa grocery store ranged from $2.19 a dozen to $5.99 for the organic variety.
Harper took pains during a half-hour interview on CKNW to show his working-Joe side as he braced for the English debates here later Friday.
The Tory leader has frequently tried to hype his middle-class appeal. He has dissed both Liberal Leader Paul Martin's status as a millionaire former shipping magnate, and NDP Leader Jack Layton as a kind of Starbucks socialist from Toronto.
"I'm a guy of middle-class background, l have middle-class kids, I use the public health-care system," Harper said.
He was raised in a leafy suburb in west-end Toronto by an accountant father and a homemaker mom.
Also during the CKNW interview Friday, Harper said his nuanced promise refusing to use the notwithstanding clause in the Constitution to bar gay marriage is not a capitulation to the Supreme Court of Canada.
He said Thursday during the French debates that he would never use the constitutional loophole "on this issue."
The Tory leader has previously hammered the Liberals for essentially allowing the courts to define a bedrock social institution.
"I don't accept the view that you have to use the notwithstanding clause to have a traditional definition of marriage," Harper said Friday.
The constitutional escape clause allows governments to exempt laws from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for five years at a time. Federal politicians have never used it.
Harper insists the Supreme Court of Canada has never ruled that the traditional definition of marriage - as the sole domain of one man, one woman - is discriminatory.
He has suggested that the high court would respect any clear new law restoring the traditional definition.
Harper has been challenged by more than 100 legal experts, however, to explain how he would circumvent lower court judgments declaring it a violation of equality rights to bar same-sex couples from marrying. Even the Supreme Court, in a reference opinion, said gay couples deserve the finality of victories won in lower courts.
Still, Harper asserts that the high court left room to manoeuvre.
"The court left that decision of defining marriage to Parliament."
He did not elaborate on the likelihood that such a law is bound to be challenged, winding up in the top court for a final ruling.
Harper also stressed Friday the need for a federal clean air act to improve and monitor air quality. Conservatives have said that smog-producing emissions must be cut to reduce millions of dollars in respiratory health-care costs.
But Harper has rarely raised environmental issues in this campaign.
VANCOUVER (CP) - Stephen Harper's a trained economist but don't ask him the price of a litre of milk.
The Conservative leader stumbled Friday as he tried to portray himself as "an average Canadian." Vancouver radio host Peter Warren asked him to demonstrate his populist side by displaying his knowledge of food basics. He asked if Harper knew how much it costs for a litre of milk and a dozen eggs.
"Well, it's been a while since I bought them myself," Harper said with an uneasy chuckle.
"My wife does the shopping."
Harper guessed "three bucks" for each, again stressing that his wife, Laureen, handles the groceries.
At least he was in the ball park.
Twelve eggs at a Vancouver Safeway cost $2.52. A litre of milk was $1.79.
Eggs at an Ottawa grocery store ranged from $2.19 a dozen to $5.99 for the organic variety.
Harper took pains during a half-hour interview on CKNW to show his working-Joe side as he braced for the English debates here later Friday.
The Tory leader has frequently tried to hype his middle-class appeal. He has dissed both Liberal Leader Paul Martin's status as a millionaire former shipping magnate, and NDP Leader Jack Layton as a kind of Starbucks socialist from Toronto.
"I'm a guy of middle-class background, l have middle-class kids, I use the public health-care system," Harper said.
He was raised in a leafy suburb in west-end Toronto by an accountant father and a homemaker mom.
Also during the CKNW interview Friday, Harper said his nuanced promise refusing to use the notwithstanding clause in the Constitution to bar gay marriage is not a capitulation to the Supreme Court of Canada.
He said Thursday during the French debates that he would never use the constitutional loophole "on this issue."
The Tory leader has previously hammered the Liberals for essentially allowing the courts to define a bedrock social institution.
"I don't accept the view that you have to use the notwithstanding clause to have a traditional definition of marriage," Harper said Friday.
The constitutional escape clause allows governments to exempt laws from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for five years at a time. Federal politicians have never used it.
Harper insists the Supreme Court of Canada has never ruled that the traditional definition of marriage - as the sole domain of one man, one woman - is discriminatory.
He has suggested that the high court would respect any clear new law restoring the traditional definition.
Harper has been challenged by more than 100 legal experts, however, to explain how he would circumvent lower court judgments declaring it a violation of equality rights to bar same-sex couples from marrying. Even the Supreme Court, in a reference opinion, said gay couples deserve the finality of victories won in lower courts.
Still, Harper asserts that the high court left room to manoeuvre.
"The court left that decision of defining marriage to Parliament."
He did not elaborate on the likelihood that such a law is bound to be challenged, winding up in the top court for a final ruling.
Harper also stressed Friday the need for a federal clean air act to improve and monitor air quality. Conservatives have said that smog-producing emissions must be cut to reduce millions of dollars in respiratory health-care costs.
But Harper has rarely raised environmental issues in this campaign.
The guy just doesn't get it.
He's not middle class and he has no fuck'n clue what middle class is.
Seriously, is he that 'average' that he's incapable of even having to pick up a bag of milk?
Streaker @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:08 pm
He gets his wife to do all that stuff, Ruserious. 
grainfedprairieboy @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:11 pm
Ruserious Ruserious:
The guy just doesn't get it.
He's not middle class and he has no fuck'n clue what middle class is.
Seriously, is he that 'average' that he's incapable of even having to pick up a bag of milk?
He's not middle class and he has no fuck'n clue what middle class is.
Seriously, is he that 'average' that he's incapable of even having to pick up a bag of milk?
I couldn't tell you what groceries cost as my wife does all the shopping. Same for household furniture/decorations, clothes etc. I give her a credit card she does her thing.
But as for middle class, correct me if I'm wrong but he is the only party leader to not be a millioniare. Even Layton is a rich guy.
Furthermore, you've certainly shown your "class" through your profanity.
DerbyX @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:13 pm
(In the fashion of notable CPC pimps)
$1:
"Well, it's been a while since I bought them myself," Harper said with an uneasy chuckle.
"My wife does the shopping."
"My wife does the shopping."
Stephen Harper believes that a womans place is in the kitchen and the only work they should be doing is housework and domestic chores.
Ruserious @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:22 pm
grainfedprairieboy grainfedprairieboy:
Ruserious Ruserious:
The guy just doesn't get it.
He's not middle class and he has no fuck'n clue what middle class is.
Seriously, is he that 'average' that he's incapable of even having to pick up a bag of milk?
He's not middle class and he has no fuck'n clue what middle class is.
Seriously, is he that 'average' that he's incapable of even having to pick up a bag of milk?
I couldn't tell you what groceries cost as my wife does all the shopping. Same for household furniture/decorations, clothes etc. I give her a credit card she does her thing.
That's kind of sad.
$1:
But as for middle class, correct me if I'm wrong but he is the only party leader to not be a millioniare. Even Layton is a rich guy.
Apparently Harper's rich enough not to have to deal with such trivial things as budgeting and price shopping..You know those trivial things that your average Canadian has to do.
$1:
Furthermore, you've certainly shown your "class" through your profanity.
Well if the use of profanity is the measuring stick then that certainly puts me in good standing with other "classy" Canadians such as your beloved former Conservative PM, one Brian Mulroney.
Streaker @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:25 pm
$1:
Furthermore, you've certainly shown your "class" through your profanity.
This from the guy who constantly refers to Quebec as "Queerbec". Classy indeed.
grainfedprairieboy @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:25 pm
DerbyX DerbyX:
Stephen Harper believes that a womans place is in the kitchen and the only work they should be doing is housework and domestic chores.
I think Stephen believes that women should have a choice and not be forced into the workplace against their will. Survey after survey indicates that Canadian women overwhelmingly prefer to be home with their children but are distressed that they cannot. True, some women would prefer a career whether they have children or not and that is their right. The metro-sexuals that predominate urban Ontario I'm sure enjoy the added income of their spouses as it takes the pressure off them to actually provide for their family, but in many parts of Canada marriage is still seen as a partnership with no particular role valued higher than another.
Further, it denigrates the value of these selfless women who choose their families over economic advantage.
tired_of_red @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:30 pm
What a ridiculously stupid thread. Are you trying to suggest that Silver spoon Martin has any idea about the "average Canadian"?. He's been wallowing in money since they wiped him off.
I'd love to know what an "average Canadian" is.
grainfedprairieboy @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:31 pm
Ruserious Ruserious:
Ah so you don't have any clue either? That's kind of sad.
Why?
The inside of the home is her domain. I know the price of groceries no more than she could tell me the going rate of a bag of lawn fertiliser or the cost of a spark plug for her truck.
Why do you think that if she is a homemaker she must be oppressed?
Does your wife know all about the details of your job? (That is in fact if you work)
Ruserious @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:35 pm
tired_of_red tired_of_red:
What a ridiculously stupid thread. Are you trying to suggest that Silver spoon Martin has any idea about the "average Canadian"?. He's been wallowing in money since they wiped him off.
I'd love to know what an "average Canadian" is.
This thread's about Harper.I'd love to know what an "average Canadian" is.
PM Martin's not the one trying to pass himself off or portray himself as an "average Canadian".
Harper is..
$1:
The Conservative leader stumbled Friday as he tried to portray himself as "an average Canadian."
$1:
"I'm a guy of middle-class background, l have middle-class kids, I use the public health-care system," Harper said.
Try and keep up will you..
grainfedprairieboy @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:35 pm
Streaker Streaker:
$1:
Furthermore, you've certainly shown your "class" through your profanity.
This from the guy who constantly refers to Quebec as "Queerbec". Classy indeed.
The double entendre is a far cry from outright profanity, particularily on a site visited by children.
xerxes @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:38 pm
Oh come off it. Everybody swears. If not out loud, then in your head. If you have never swore, even to yourself, then you have anger issues...
themasta @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:40 pm
I don't know the price of milk or any of that crap. Granted I live in a dorm but hell, even when I was on my own I doubt I could tell you. I don't know why everyone rags on Harper, he's probably the most intelligent speaker out of the bunch. PM couldn't make a decision to save his life and always looks scared, Jack Layton is a dangerous man that, if he wasn't NDP would probably be the Liberal leader and rule the country for eternity, Gilles Duceppe is a joke, and the other guy (go green!) is still being blackballed. When it comes right down to it, Harper is a typical economist/accountant/any occupation that deals more with logic than fuzzy feelings. Look at our options then shut up.
Streaker @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:43 pm
grainfedprairieboy grainfedprairieboy:
Streaker Streaker:
$1:
Furthermore, you've certainly shown your "class" through your profanity.
This from the guy who constantly refers to Quebec as "Queerbec". Classy indeed.
The double entendre is a far cry from outright profanity, particularily on a site visited by children.
True enough but your kind of lowbrow crap is itself far from classy, thus maybe you should refrain from accusing others of lacking "class" unless you don't mind looking like a hypocrite.
Ruserious @ Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:44 pm
grainfedprairieboy grainfedprairieboy:
Ruserious Ruserious:
Ah so you don't have any clue either? That's kind of sad.
Why?
The inside of the home is her domain. I know the price of groceries no more than she could tell me the going rate of a bag of lawn fertiliser or the cost of a spark plug for her truck.
It's amazing but in the 21st century, men actually do go grocery shopping.
You should try it sometime.
Really.
$1:
Why do you think that if she is a homemaker she must be oppressed?
Hey, each to their own. But being a homemaker doesn't also entail being solely responsible for doing every last bit of the grocery shopping.$1:
Does your wife know all about the details of your job? (That is in fact if you work)
No but why should she, you're trying to mix apples with oranges here.