Good grief you lot! Didn't we get this flag thing out of our systems at Rememberance day?
Since I feel really STRONGLY about the Maple Leaf Flag.. this string has provoked some thoughts.
PULLLL-EASE don't confuse the Canadian Maple Leaf flag with corrupt politicians, bad political agendas and for goodness sakes DON'T wave around the ensign as the only flag that has been fought under in Canada. From the first deployment after the adoption of the Maple Leaf to the last soldier home from Afganistan, the Maple Leaf have been the colors. Our soldiers wore the flag proudly on our shoulders, stood under it in OPs, and buiried dead children under it in Yugoslavia. Perhaps a small item but perhaps not. It is OURS and no one elses.
If you don't like Canadian politics, join a party, run as an independant or start a movement from the ground up. Certainly Preston Manning felt that way and did something about it. You may not agree with what he did, but he and others really did something different for the first time. I sense many members on this forum are formally retired. Few who are in their mid life carreers have the time to involve themselves in federal politics. Those who are retired and feel strongly may have more time than mid life working people to get involved and try to effect change.
I would like to suggest that the lack of a body of government that can effect checks and ballances over the elected and ruling party is a most serioius problem. Our 'Senate' should perform this function but cannot, and will not, as long as it is appointed by the PMO. This needs to change. If there was proper oversight of the ruling party, Canadians might see a little less of the nonsense that Robert so rightly rails against.
Property rights have, as Jon states, never been a right in this country and now to change the constitution to include property rights is nearly impossible as ALL provinces have to agree. Ha!
Lastly, a note to Vegemite: Of course political parties are backwards down there! You're bloody standing upside down! Now, execute a half barrel role and take another look!
JD
Vic BC
a Canadian 1st.