Matt 'Hippy' Soprovich - Canada's Next Great Prime Minister

[xoAveryox]

My vote's for you Hippy!

But only if we get to party again soon...lol

[slippyhippy]

okay, i'm game... i'm always game. that's an inference that we've partied before?

[themaskedpatriot]

we'll have to drink a lot of coffee to get this all done. but because you're a fellow pegger, props to ya.

maskedpatriot(dot)wordpress(do­t)com

[amanbrar7]

Matt Soprovich,

I really like your attitude! I have not seen anyone in the competition that has your charisma; you present a detailed video in which you demonstrate that you have the knowledge about your topics. I must say it was very well presented.

Aman Brar

CNGPM Candidate

[kshcngpm]

I think you're advocating for a rather heavy-handed solution to a problem that is deeply rooted in culture, more so than we often give it credit for. How does increasing our military presence improve the likelihood of long-term, sustainable democracy and peace abroad? Shouldn't we be focusing our foreign agenda on diplomatic resolution to conflicts, rather than allowing Afghanistan residents to further embrace the notion that our approach to improving their standard of living is adversarial?

[doriansgray]

mad props hip'!!!

-nevion

[theraven25]

Mattie! Way to go. All the way to the top hippy!

[akroyd]

Fuckin love you hippy

[slippyhippy]

I fucking love you too, brother

[mikeforpm08]

I commend your thoughts that we need to stay in Afghanistan until the job is done, and that more manpower and equipment is required, but where is this going to come from? Being perfectly honest, our cannabalized-forces are stretched as thin as possible where they're at right now. Would you be increasing funds for the Military? If so how much, after all, we are in a tens of billions of dollar state of disrepair right now.

[slippyhippy]

I believe Canada has already done its share in terms of troop commitments; what I advocate is more public pressure on other member-countries of ISAF to commit to the Southern provinces, where help is needed the most.

I've read of numerous instances where Canada or other countries there will clear an area only too see it taken back because there are not enough troops there.

[slippyhippy]

With many countries not allowing their troops in the South because it is 'too dangerous' they undermine our whole mission and increase the danger for Canadian troops, frankly.

[mikeforpm08]

I can agree with you entirely on more international pressure is required. But you didn't answer my question on Military spending. You and I have also increased the danger for Canadians by not seeing they get the funding to replace thier Forest Green Tac-Vests with Desert Cadpat versions and thus keeping them less visible. We also haven't given them safer, more capable modern Armour,

[mikeforpm08]

(Part duex)

or our Air Force the required upgrades to even let them operate with our ISAF counterparts. Ever wonder why our troops are airlifted via American helicopters? Why our CF-18's aren't providing close air support to our troops? It's because after Yugoslavia (1990's) NATO said don't bring your assets back until they're useable. Guess what, they're still not! What would you do to address this?

[slippyhippy]

Ok, so in all honesty I'm not the expert in military funding knowledge; which is why I didn't discuss it originally. But after touching base with a buddy of mine who's been in the military awhile I sketched out a few preliminary thoughts.

We sent our troops to the desert in green, yes, hoser move. But from my understanding, all of our missions immediately previous had been in much greener areas, so it just took awhile to change over - which I'm told we have done.

[slippyhippy]

In terms of American helicopters, in some ways this makes sense. Canada's strength is the training of our personnel; why wouldn't we really on an ally that brings the best equipment to the table rather than trying to do everything ourselves - especially when their military budget is over ten times ours. Of course they're going to have the best helicopters in the world. Should we not hitch a ride whenever we can?

[slippyhippy]

Finally, another thing we touched on was financial mismanagement between levels of military and government bureaucracy. I can't give any specifics, but examining this avenue in looking for funds to free up might be a worthwhile investment.

[maryellenw]

Hi. This video is really good! Your points are solid for the most part. Good luck with the audition!

[teddybearwithahug]

why credit cards? not alot of people like using these cards. And some don't understand the concept of the credit card. and why not let them decide how to control their money. and look at credit card theft and identity theft. all because of credit cards

[sarahsop]

Haha wow, someone does not understand sarcasm/realize their typo. Or maybe they think you are actually talking about debit..?

[slippyhippy]

Thanks, Sarah.

Look, I'm going to disregard this dribble about credit cards, and reiterate: I don't talk about Canada's debt. That's a completely different issue. To be honest, it's one I haven't particularly explored and I don't think it's fair to just spring a question like that on me. Addressing Canada's debt isn't an answer I can just pull out of my ass. But it seems to me we're doing alright fiscally lately - if you ignore the ideological unnecessary budget cuts. Sufficient?

[slippyhippy]

Did you really even pay attention to my video?

[teddybearwithahug]

what are your ideas for getting canada out of debit?

[slippyhippy]

Enact legislation to mandate lower interest rates and enable Canadians to switch over to credit cards.

[slippyhippy]

So not to brag, but Maude Barlow came by Winnipeg on her latest book tour the other day, which concerns our upcoming water crisis. She mentioned the need for our government to hold Canadian companies to the same standards internationally as in Canada - which mirrors - to an extent - my 'You're A Bastard tax.' Ha. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[teddybearwithahug]

you were talking about being debt free. How do you plan we do that???

[slippyhippy]

I don't discuss our own national debt. My concerns focus on the international debt relief of the globe's 'lesser developed countries.' Because of time restraints I had to cut out a few paragraphs. Perhaps this will help explain:

[slippyhippy]

'Get this - the world's 60 or so poorest nations have collectively paid off around $550 billion dollars on about $540 billion in loans over the last three decades, but are still over $520 billion dollars in debt. This makes no sense. We need to just call this a wash and move forward -- and I am the person to ensure Canada's role in doing that.'

[teddybearwithahug]

you have a good video but i don't understand how being the prime minster you are going to change the golbalalization of canada. Alot of the things you have talked about are regulated by the UN or NAFTA and the prime minster has no control over them. So how are you going to take out your plan if you don't control the area that you are fix?

[slippyhippy]

I don't think 'changing the globalization of Canada' is the right phrase. What Canada does need to do is help reframe this current

deregulatory, privatized neo-liberal form of globalism internationally, however - among other things.

I explained in the beginning about foreign policy essentially being sovereignty that ends at one's borders. But Canada can still play and has played an important role in shaping the world internationally.

[slippyhippy]

In terms of MDGs, this means honouring our commitments that we made. With debt relief, Canada has an enormous ability to give this international prominence and legitimacy through their role in the G8, for example. Although we do not have sovereignty per se, our legacy in an international advocacy role - a 'soft power' - should not be underestimated.

[slippyhippy]

How exactly do you figure that either delivering amendment propositions or leaving NAFTA isn't under our jurisdiction? Especially considering the USA's multiple instances of ignorance to NAFTA - softwood lumber, anyone?

[BillyPilgrimWannabe]

yea yea boi convert those poppies to morphine in my veins!! -you've bought my vote.

[blockthesynapse]

I like what you have to say Matt. You raise a lot of valid points. My question is: you touched on the point of globalization. Exactly how would you like to see Canada gain more of a voice on the Global stage?

[slippyhippy]

BTS: thanks for the support, dude. Forgive me, this is somewhat of a broad question. Are you asking what I would do to achieve a stronger voice, or in what facets would I like to see Canada become more vocal in?

~peace~ hip