[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[Neil]

Also I've suddenly seen a ton of signs for the Alberta Party - of which I know nothing about.  Judging by the Yukon Party and Saskatchewan Party they'd be a mixed bag.

They're not really a meaningful party.  Their goal is to take over the niche of the Liberal Party, and improve their standing based on the fact that they don't use the hated 'Liberal' name.  Still, without the backing and money of the teacher's union, they're not going anywhere.

[crazy canuck]

And to go back on topic - personally I'm a huge FAN of fringe right-wing parties.  

There was and will only be one Preston Manning.  You need him to make right wing fringe parties worth while.  I dont think lightening will strike twice, at least in this generation.

[Barrister]

And to go back on topic - personally I'm a huge FAN of fringe right-wing parties.   I'm just not sure if that instinctive liking on my part is really all that smart when it comes to Wildrose.

What's the basis for that instinctual attraction? I'm guessing you really like salt-of-the-Earth retail level political organizing, rather than the crackpot racists etc.

I've met my share of crackpot racists, one-issue nutters.  That certainly isn't the attraction.

Yea, it's the very basic salt of the earth conservatism, with a healthy dash of populist anti-elitism.  I think it's fundamentally very, very healthy for Canadian democracy that we periodically have these brand new movements - it's something the US or UK haven't been exposed to for a very very long time, and to their detriment.

[Jacob]

Makes sense.

In other news, the Conservatives are set to raise the retirement age to 67: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-budget-to-reset-retirement-at-age-67/article2385085/

How should I feel about that?

[Grey Fox]

Makes sense.

In other news, the Conservatives are set to raise the retirement age to 67: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-budget-to-reset-retirement-at-age-67/article2385085/

How should I feel about that?

That by the time you retire it'll be 70, anyway.

[Malthus]

Makes sense.

In other news, the Conservatives are set to raise the retirement age to 67: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-budget-to-reset-retirement-at-age-67/article2385085/

How should I feel about that?

I'm not happy about it, but it is probably inevitable and similar will happen throughout the 1st world. We have entitlement systems that were created when life expectancy was somewhat lower, and overall aging populations/low birth rates. All political parties are going to have to deal with that.

[crazy canuck]

It was inevitable.  Human rights laws were changed a few years ago to prevent employers from using age as a justification for terminating employees.  The change was made mainly because a significant number of people are now working past their mid 60s.

imo this change simply reflects the reality that people are much more healthy (not to mention ready willing and able to work) in their 60s then back in the day when the retirement system was first created.

[Jacob]

Makes sense.

In other news, the Conservatives are set to raise the retirement age to 67: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-budget-to-reset-retirement-at-age-67/article2385085/

How should I feel about that?

That by the time you retire it'll be 70, anyway.

I hope to get rich and be able to retire before 70... but we'll see

[Josephus]

Makes sense.

In other news, the Conservatives are set to raise the retirement age to 67: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-budget-to-reset-retirement-at-age-67/article2385085/

How should I feel about that?

That by the time you retire it'll be 70, anyway.

Nah. By the time he gets there there won't be anything left.

[Grey Fox]

Makes sense.

In other news, the Conservatives are set to raise the retirement age to 67: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-budget-to-reset-retirement-at-age-67/article2385085/

How should I feel about that?

That by the time you retire it'll be 70, anyway.

I hope to get rich and be able to retire before 70... but we'll see

then the 6k a year from the fund won't matter at all to you.

[Jacob]

then the 6k a year from the fund won't matter at all to you.

Well, obviously not... if I succeed

However, I wasn't really concerned about any personal impact as much as the broader results for society as a whole.

[Neil]

In potentially dangerous news, the Wildrose Alliance is polling higher than the Tories.  I wonder how the Tories are feeling about Redford's ploy of attracting a whole bunch of Liberal voters into the leadership race to vote for her?

These could be dangerous times for the wealthiest, most successful and least shitty province in Canada. 

[Barrister]

In potentially dangerous news, the Wildrose Alliance is polling higher than the Tories.  I wonder how the Tories are feeling about Redford's ploy of attracting a whole bunch of Liberal voters into the leadership race to vote for her?

These could be dangerous times for the wealthiest, most successful and least shitty province in Canada. 

I overheard a colleague telling another colleague he was supporting the PCs because "Redford was the most liberal leader you could expect in Alberta".

I'm certainly open to voting Wildrose if they can convince me they have enough competent people to fill a cabinet.

[Barrister]

Biggest news of the day:

Ottawa kills the penny!!!!!11111

I hate those little copper fuckers.

[Barrister]

They also expect to cut spending by $5 bil, including some 19,000 public service positions.

Perhaps it was a good move to leave the federal public servcie when I did.