Is "Liberal" a bad word
written by dandelion , October 13, 2008 (11:27:13 AM)

"Liberal" seems to be a bad word in The U.S. but here in Canada it is not--that is why we have a health care system,a social security net, and a good public education system. Our system is not perfect, but at least we make an attempt at a caring and compassionate society. The conservatives believe much more in an "every man for himself " philosophy with fewer rules to protect the more vulnerable--I'm glad I live here where the term "Liberal" is not an insult.

Dandelion Fluff
written by Claymor , October 13, 2008 (03:28:52 PM)

You're a little fluffy in your history dandelion. The health care system was a CCF idea, who you may recall were the predecessors of the current NDP. They also had a good deal to do with our social security safety net. Unfortunately the NDP long ago sold out basic principles and became a party for organized unions, and eventually the gaggle of alternate lifestyle wingnuts we have today. Our basic education system came from Scotland with the conservative Presbyterians that started this country, and much of our social justice framework came under the prime ministership of John Diefenbaker, a Tory if there ever was one. So be careful of capital letter labels and just make judgements on their actions. But thanks for the sentiments anyhow.

...
written by alexvega , October 13, 2008 (06:30:56 PM)

The entire post by "dandelion" is just so typical of the left. Every part of her sweepin' generalization is fraught with inaccuracies and utter-nonsense.
"Um..Like..We have an awesome heathcare system ( do you read the paper?)...um, like we have ..you know a really great education system ( do you read MacClean's)...and our really neat social saftey net?" WTF is that...? Welfare or soup kitchens?
More than 50% of the electorate down south are liberal. Imagine that. Liberals have controlled both houses for about 50 of the last 60 years and the white one, off and on every 8 years or so.
Like the typical idiot foreign assessment of the USA: They are compassionate and our pals when they have a prez doing the intern as long as he is a liberal. But should they have a conservative one, the entire population becomes "those nasty imperialistic Americans!".
Dandelion is just like the doe-eyed drones that Comrade Whitcombe is churning out. When they are amongst their peers these moronic statements are applauded, but here it is becoming tiresome.
Don't worry though...They won't debate you. They will simply write another few paragraphs of drivel and restart a thread.

should have been small "L"
written by dandelion , October 14, 2008 (05:41:16 AM)

The second liberal in my original comment should have been a small "L". The meaning of my article (and I admit, not clearly expressed) was that the word "liberal" is not an insult, as it has many meanings, including broad minded and generous. My intention was not to set the Liberal Party up as a paragon of virtue. I know that our system is not perfect, but I stand by my comment--at least we have tried to set up a society where there is some attempt at equality in health care provision and education. Lets hope the Conservatives don't form a majority government, systems that we take for granted can be dismantled and undermined to the point that they are totally ineffective very quickly. As for me I will vote as I have for years NDP.

Lets
written by White Eyes , October 14, 2008 (06:31:34 AM)

Interesting thread. I am always impressed when the NDP posters write, "Lets hope .." as in, let us hope. As if they represent the majority and the other 90% of us represent just some arbitrary one person opinion that is too fearful to be contemplated.