Just got back from Ottawa after the House rose unexpectedly this afternoon. Unexpected to me – but the whole day was one giant Stephen Harper orchestration. For the first time since the last election, the PMO techies hauled the TelePrompter into national caucus this morning, and replaced the usual bevy of provincial flags with the prime ministerial backdrop of maple leafs.
Then the media was invited in to see the smiling Conservatives hear about Senate reform – which was actually a rerun of a plan unveiled a few years ago. Canadians will vote for Senate choices and if the PM likes the results, he will appoint them. But, hey, at least it’s a step in the right direction.
After that came a string of ministerial announcements, from a new strategy for families coping with disabilities (good), to industrial subsidies for Quebec-based industry (not so good), to the restoration of rural mail service by evil Canada Post (very good). Throughout it all was a mounting sentiment on the hill, in the House, and among the media in the foyer, that an election call is in the air. The fever will be intense when the house gets back on January 29th – a scant one year and six days after the last national vote.
Make no mistake, PMSH is getting all of his ducks in a row now. The SSM vote is done. The Accountability Act is passed. The child care cheques are being received. The GST’s been cut. Tough law & order bills have been introduced and at least the talking has started on health care wait times. Presto, you will soon hear, the Five Priorties are done.
Of course, the new-look Libs will counter with the broken promise on income trusts and the failed Conservative environment plan and the redneck dismantling of the gun registry and the spending cuts to high-profile social programs and the PM’s dictatorial management style. The Cons will call it leadership. The Grits will call it arrogance.
For the voters, natch, it comes down to a few other questions. Like, do we really need an election a year after the last one? Is this about what Canada requires, or just the PM’s ego trip to get a majority? Shouldn’t all those MPs in Ottawa be crafting and passing a good climate change environmental plan instead of spending three months getting ready for an election? Has “Canada’s new government” been new enough, or did the broken trust promise just show it’s same-old, as usual? Do we know enough about Stephane Dion to actually contemplate him for prime minister? Is Jim Flaherty going to throw a honking mess of tax cuts at us at the end of February – which we only get if we vote the right way? And how about the MPs we might be going to the polls to choose – when do they actually get a say in determining policy and giving voters a voice? Let’s just call that last little point, the “Garth effect.” (I may be biased.)
In any case, the election war drums are beating, and loudly. I had a chance to chat early this evening with CTV’s Mike Duffy in the foyer of the House – his very first brief return to the Hill for a taping since his beating heart went under the knife months ago.
Duff knows more about Canadian politics, arguably, than anyone else in that joint. This one, he told me, you can’t call.
But with any election, if you don’t want voters to do unpredictable things, there needs to be a reason. So far, ego, vanity, power or hormones don’t qualify.
65 comments ↓
Is Jim Flaherty going to throw a honking mess of tax cuts at us at the end of February – which we only get if we vote the right way?
I would think that if it looks like Harper is going to set the stage for defeat it will come before he gets a chance to bring down a vote buying B.S. Budget.
Jim Flaherty is getting more arrogant each time he speaks. He laughs in the faces of those who lost billions in the Income Trust Lie
I wish all party-line-controlled, spineless, gutless, greedy, privileged, egotistical, fully-indexed-pensioned, MPs a “Merry Christmas”.
May you and your families enjoy the fruits of representing your Leaders’ Offices and not representing your constituents.
Further to my little rant about Flaherty’s arrogance. Here is the kind of anger that is not going to go away for Harper and company.
http://tinyurl.com/v3oge
Sorry forgot to add read the comments in that article.
Garth I wish you could allow posters about a 10 minute window or so to “edit posts” comments in such situations.
“I wish all party-line-controlled, spineless, gutless, greedy, privileged, egotistical, fully-indexed-pensioned, MPs a “Merry Christmasâ€.
“May you and your families enjoy the fruits of representing your Leaders’ Offices and not representing your constituents.”
This seems like a generalization here. Surely there are at least a few good MPs, and I would go so far as to say that every human being has a positive side to them.
If anyone wishes to affect public policy, I would suggest a more positive approach that can build trust and teamwork towards noble goals and worthy ends.
Just a suggestion, for what it is worth.
Wasn’t there also a promise about health care wait times as well?
I see the Harper, neo-clown government no better than the past Liberal pricks. Unfortinately the choices are a one set idiots or a set of morons. The best result for Canada is another minority government (lib or CPC) with at least 10 GreenParty MPs.
Yet when then election comes Garth, I’ll be sending you a cheque to help you out. I may not agrre with all you positions, yet I can easily stand and support a man that understand who his REAL bosses are. Sadly I am not in your riding, yet you represent me and wife better than Iggy.
I have no idea of what Stephane Dion will propose, but I will gladly accept whatever tax cuts are offered regardless of which party puts them into effect. The bottom line is that the taxpayers are long overdue for a tax break, and that reasonable fact should outweigh any emotional attitudes towards certain personalities that we do not like, and that we insist on a negativity and cynicism. A cautious optimism and positive outlook is easier on the blood pressure and better for the health–both emotionally and physically.
And let us never forget that more flies are caught with honey than with vinegar.
Negativity will get us nowhere.
He can’t claim to have delivered on the big 5 because Clement can’t deliver of wait times.
The writ will only come down when He thinks it’s in the bag and Duceppe and Layton can blow all they want,but they stand to be the biggest losers if Harper gets his act together in Quebec and Dion is still getting favorable polls.So don’t count on them to bring down the House.
Income Trusts:
A note in todays TD Action Notes to investors on BCE tells the whole story on how misguided and untrue the income trust tax leakage story is.
With the income trust option off the table, BCE has sharpened its tax planning pencil and figured out ways to delay full cash taxation until after 2010. The expectation for cash taxes in 2008 has dropped to ~$300 million from ~$800 million. So much for the Government’s move to increase tax revenues by shutting down new trust conversions. It will be interesting to see if TELUS can announce similar tax “deferral” strategies on its guidance call on December 14.
If BCE had converted to a trust the Government would have seen tax revenue from the Trust (in the hands of BCE Trust Investors). Now no taxes from the corp.
Explain the rationale here if you can.
More proof that Stockwell Day is incapable of filing a flight plan.
http://torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Weston_Greg/2006/12/12/2752972.html
Someone contacted me ‘out of the blue’ to suggest that Stock played the banjo in the movie Deliverance. Of course, that was before he appeared in a colourful wetsuit, on a PWC with trailing bidet, oblivious to the shore erosion caused by his wake.
His likeness, in his earlier SAVANT incarnation.
http://www.destgulch.com/movies/deliver/deliv01.jpg
Even Aesop couldn’t imagine these FOIBLES.
Cabinet shuffle rumoured in Ottawa
http://www.rbcinvest.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/LAC/20061214/SHUFFLE14/national/national/nationalTheNationHeadline/22/22/37/
Hey, Guess what. Looks like Stock’s desire for a ‘Big Al Melt’ earns him the prize. Ever the conversationist, he no doubt has a candy jar on his desk, from which he grabs dried pine beetles for a quick-fix snack.
“When federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty dines with his hungry provincial counterparts tonight, there should be severe limits on his generosity. The provinces are angling for more federal cash. Lots more. But as Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge warned this week, the economy is not performing as well as the bank expected only two months ago. Lower growth means less money in Ottawa’s coffers. And that requires that Mr. Flaherty play the Grinch.” Globe & Mail
The Alternate Title: Why Flim-Flam Flaherty threw the Finance Committee Report (wish list) in the garbage. He doesn’t have any wiggle room unless he wants to take the country back into deficit. Hey, wouldn’t a $13.2 Billion debt paydown {partial) reversal go good now? He’s already got taxpayers MAD … one further step would be to make the Premiers MAD about unresolved equalization problems.
Thanks to Garth, we’re now aware that the 252-page Finance Committee Report was all for nothing.
I for one don’t want an election in 2007. Surely, the new environmental all party committee, that was struck yesterday, could work to introduce the new act and have it come into law, before the next election is called Surely, the good men and women of the House could see past their egos and do something that is right for us poor schmucks.
And why aren’t we seeing the constant weekly polling to see if canadians actually want an election call, as we saw in 2005?
Why is the dismantling of the expensive and ineffective gun registry a redneck proposal? I am all in favour of eliminating expensive and ineffective programs and if that makes me a redneck, so be it.
The Liberals calling the Conservatives arrogant? That is too funny. As if the Libs are not arrogant – I’m entitled to my entitlements – does this ring a bell?
Wait times – are a bit more complicated than meets the eye. For one thing, we simply do not have enough doctors and nurses. Thanks to Liberal cuts to transfer payments and inflated salaries of hospital execs, we have a mess on our hands. The hugely expensive Romanow commission produced a nice big report and fattened the bank accounts of the hand-picked members of the task force but did absolutely nothing for the health system – nothing, nada, zip, rien.
On another topic – when Baird held back on the funding for Ottawa’s light rail, he was thorougly castigated in the press and, I believe, on this blog (posts). Now, the McGuinty government has joined in and is witholding provincial funding. Funny, I don’t see David McGuinty calling anybody names or castigating anybody. Come to think of it, I have not seen anything about it on this blog. Funny, that.
Hey Garth
The other morning with one of your posts I got the impression you were eager for an election. In this post, I get the impression you’re not so eager. Just wondering if you could clarify where you stand on this. (Caffeine isn’t doing its job this morning. lol)
Personally, although I’m not too keen to spend another 3 or 4 hundred million so soon, I feel the people have to clarify what kind of leader they want. With the previous government, we had one PM that people seemed to have confidence in, (at least enough to re-elect a time or two) and another that nobody liked or trusted. Enter the present PM. For all his pre elections promises to have a more transparent government (can’t remember the exact phrase he used right now) I personally see completely the opposite. I can appreciate that he doesn’t want scandals, but either he or his advisors are sorely mistaken about the approach he now takes. It is one scandal after another, simply because he is so controlling and tight fisted with MPs we have elected, policies and the deals he’s been making. On the one hand, I have to admire the brass ones it takes to try that, but as much as Canadians are sheep, I feel the majority will vote him out just because of the way he is going about things. Should there be an election, I will not vote for him or a Conservative MP because I firmly believe he is not representing anything Canadian. He represents Corporate Canada.
So, who does that leave? Dion? Haven’t heard of him before the Liberal race. For all I know he could be worse than Harper. Leyton? Ummmmmm I don’t think so. He may be a nice guy, but his policies are way too out there for my personal liking. May? She may be somebody I could vote for in municipal elections, but Federal? I would have to talk to her personally to decide that one. Doubt that will happen. The Bloc guy that I can never remember his name? Not chance in you know where. So who does that leave? Can’t think of any other serious candidates, unless Garth is throwing his hat in the ring.
So now that an election is almost a certainty, at least in most people’s minds, the Bribes and promises that we know won’t be kept by anybody start. PMSH is really trying to bribe quebecers (or is it quebecois) with all this money that will most likely be taken away from something else that is more needed. PMSH will be spouting about the promises kept, the opposition will be spouting about the ones not kept and PMSH’s management style. Just so much white noise. (is white noise discriminatory these days? can never keep up with what is and isn’t)It’s pretty predictable what we’ll hear. I think we can all agree with that. Question is, will Canadians vote solely on the basis of Party? Or will we actually listen to what will be gained and what will be lost? For every gain, there has to be a loss but not necessarily vice-versa.
I for one, will not be listening to the horse’s mouth. I will be looking at what has been accomplished by all in these short months and go from there. I hope all Canadians will do the same.
Hey Roger
More flies are definitely caught with honey. Can’t argue there. Just wanted to ask who the flies are in this case? And most important, what happens to the flies when they are caught?
The Senate “deform” proposal by Harper is all smoke and mirrors. We, the dirty unwashed masses, will be allowed to vote for senators, whom may, at lord Harper’s sole discreation, then be allowed to sit in senate (assuming their hats are big enough and their necks red enough). Of course, a gay-NDP-enviro senator candidate who wins by a wide margin will have no chance of being appointed by his Harperness. I say we eliminate the senate all together by filling it with fools and paying them a pittence to go on permanent vacation.
Trust industry tax arguments don’t wash
Terence Corcoran, Financial Post
Published: Thursday, December 14, 2006
In his desperate attempt to defend the Conservative Government’s actions to “double tax” pension/retirement accounts on income trust distributions and corporate dividends, Terrence Corcoran is actually implying that tax deferred accounts are tax leakage in themselves. He actually says that when a Canadian makes a contribution to a retirement account, “That tax refund is a cost to the government.” Since when is receiving a tax refund for contributing to an RRSP account a cost to the government. This is our money, not the governments! When the Conservative Government tries to shut these accounts down as a “tax leakage”, they will have Terrence to defend this action.
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=7fbc5e9a-d67e-4518-b90a-0bf03016db73&rfp=dta
Make no mistake, PMSH is getting all of his ducks in a row now. The SSM vote is done.
The promise was to reopen debate on SSM, the motion before the house asked if MPs. wanted to reopen the debate. Subtle difference but promise broken.
(I’m for one am glad it was, but thats another debate!)
The Accountability Act is passed. One for PMSH.
The child care cheques are being received. (But wait until your supplimentary child tax credit disappears after age 6, not 7!)
The GST’s been cut. Income tax cuts would have been better, but cutting the GST is a good campaign move.
Tough law & order bills have been introduced…more cops on the streets, better education etc..etc…prevent the crime rather than trying to deter it with stiffer penalties (which don’t work but look good at election time..being tough on criminals is not the synonimous with being tough on crime!).. and at least the talking has started on health care wait times. (Provincial juristiction!)
Presto, (a magical word) you will soon hear, the Five Priorties are done (just like magic an illusion!!)
Hon. Jim Flaherty,
“Asked if he was concerned about growth plans by some trusts, Mr. Flaherty smiled.“No. I’m not. I’m not concerned,†he said.“I get a kick out of people sort of anticipating what government might do or might not do.—
Here are what some Canadians have to say about your amusement about the suffering you have caused Canadians who held income trusts. You sadistic brute! Why should Canadians trust such a heartless person such as you with the Finance Portfolio. These are our Finances, not the government’s!
Trust expansion rules coming within days: Flaherty
STEVEN CHASE
Globe and Mail Update
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061213.wflaherty1213/BNStory/Business/
A consistent theme in the comments for this blog is a loud call for tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts. And when we get what we asked for, this will soon be followed by anguished cries from the same people about service cuts, service cuts, service cuts! It’s universal. Everyone wants the services that governments provide, but no-one wants to pay for them.
Do you want health care, education, an adequate miltary, safe food, safe water, safe air and road travel? Do you want your garbage picked up, your streets plowed, your sewers maintained, police, firefighters, and paramedics, libraries and community centres? Do you want light, heat, and water in your home? Where do you think the money comes from to provide all that? It doesn’t grow on trees!
It’s time for Canadians to stop complaining and to start being thankful that we have the wealth to pay for all these things that we take for granted when so few countries are in the same privileged position.
This morning’s Toronto Star announces the CPC is touring the cocktail circuit and the cabinet is going to go Casino, aka, get shuffled.
Top of The List is, tada!, Rona Ambrose. Miss 2050 herself! The Editorial Cartoon shows a happy Toga ready Ralph Klein ready to go Senatorial.
Yes, folks it is Thursday, and they will soon leave for the holidays. THANK GOD!
Locally, Tony Clement is in the news explaining his vote on the SSM issue. YAWN!
He has no explanation regarding wait times, but then there is no explanation for Tony Clement in general…Our very own Parachute MP!
Yes, Da Boy from Brampton who figured out how to escape the GTA mess and still find a good paying job…after he was booted out of Queen’s Park is ‘living’ in Port Sydney, a quaint little village of ‘800 very nice people and One Old Grouch’ (Elected annually BTW), at least until the next election.
Income trusts reversal, Quebecois nationhood topped House session
By BRUCE CHEADLE, CP
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/National/2006/12/14/pf-2787663.html
A friendly reminder about the real costs of DUI.
Court hears how RIDE collision cost officer
http://www.huntsvilleforester.com/1166027795/
Dam MNR angers local residents
http://www.huntsvilleforester.com/1166026863/
This is a prime example of arrogant government that cannot fix a simple problem.
“Port Sydney residents and tourists have used the dam’s walkway since 1878.”
Just a little news from the Muskoka FYI
Randy said,
“Garth I wish you could allow posters about a 10 minute window or so to “edit posts†comments in such situations. ”
Here is an early Xmas present for Randy and others like him who type their comments directly into the box on the Weblog page.
Everyone has a number of word processing programs installed on their computers, including at least one with a spell checker.
If you really want to be a serious contributer to sites that allows comments, then you should first prepare your comments in one of your word processing programs. Then when your thoughts are put down in an orderly and constructive manner, you can then copy and paste into the little box on the Weblog page.
This could also cut down on all of the emotional and ad hominem type of comments that do not contribute to a constructive flow of discussion.
Cheers.
1. Harper is being a tremendous chickenshit. He’s trying his typical back door reforms and doing things all wrong. If you want to change the senate, change the constitution.
2. What I don’t want is the senate grubbing for votes every eight years. It’s good that they are, for the most part, completely free of any real outside influence outside of their out own political leanings. Sure, they’re a bit on the expensive side but if an employee isn’t stealing a little, they’re stealing a lot.
“If you really want to be a serious contributer to sites that allows comments, then you should first prepare your comments in one of your word processing programs. Then when your thoughts are put down in an orderly and constructive manner, you can then copy and paste into the little box on the Weblog page.
This could also cut down on all of the emotional and ad hominem type of comments that do not contribute to a constructive flow of discussion.
Cheers.
By John Zalischuk on 12.14.06 9:30 am ”
Thanks for you advise John, I do indeed do that from time to time. It is a excellent idea when you are in not the calmest frame of mind and are trying to type up a rather long post.
Oh and I use Firefox with a built in spell checker. You and your family have a Wonderful Christmas.
William Hane – their political leanings are the problem. They lean toward whoever gave them the patronage position. I would like to see some sort of qualifications requirement for them. They are approving, amending or rejecting bills and they, for the most part, have no idea what they are doing; other than pleasing their political masters. Perhaps the solution would be to do away with the Senate.
William:
In case you haven’t noticed, in Canada there is absolutely no-one of any political stripe who is prepared to tackle our constitution and its problems. Any time the topic gets mentioned the editorial writers insist that there is no ‘appetite’ to open discussion. For God’s sake, its been what over 20 years, and no-one has the guts to say there are some issues that must be addressed. “It’s too soon”, they whine.
Far from being a chickenshit about it, Harper is at least pushing the file on Senate reform file along somewhat; which is more than anyone else has done in a long time.
As far as item 2 is concerned, I just don’t follow you at all. An un-elected body that is made up of patronage appointments beholden to one person/party is more acceptable to you? The only time we ever really hear from them is when they try to obstruct the will of the elected house.
The chickenshits are all the politicians and editorial writers and handwringers who refuse to acknowledge that there are some problems in our Constitution that need to be addressed, and are deathly afraid to open real Constitutional discussions.
David B – you must have a lot of money or you live with your parents free of charge. Either way, you do not reflect the reality and you have no right to accuse Canadians of being ungrateful or whiny.
Personally, I would like to pay much lower taxes and provide some of my own services to myself. Health care – yes we should keep and enhance it. Much of what our tax dollars support are lip service programs which benefit only those “experts” who are paid exorbitant fees while low-paid employees are left aside to implement what these so-called experts have produced.
Lower our taxes – significantly.
Those calling for Senate reform are generally looking for a body that roughly reflects the population distribution of the country. We already have a body for that: it’s called the House of Commons. The whole point of a Senate is to protect those smaller population centres from being overwhelmed by the larger ones. If you look at the US Senate, states with small populations like Alaska have the same number of senators as states with large populations like California, thus giving them a degree of protection from the tyranny of the majority.
If we have a Senate that reflects the population distribution of the country, then it will simply be a duplicate of the House, and thus a waste of time and money.
The reformers say, “We need the Senate to protect provincial interests.” There are already institutions that are doing more than an adequate job at that: they’re called provincial governments.
So, if provincial interests are already being protected, and the proposed changes would amount to duplicating the efforts of the House, then I propose that the Senate be abolished altogether, since it can serve no conconceivable purpose. Provincial legislatures abandoned upper houses decades ago, and they seem to be running pretty smoothly.
Richard. No they don’t. Simply because they don’t have to. Once appointed they are no longer tied to anyone or anything. They can’t be dismissed except by the guy with the big scythe and the cloak.
They are completely free to go their own way because they can’t be pushed out.
Now. If you’re saying the party in power will only appoint senators who have similar ideology then history will prove you wrong (although it does lean that way most times).
If there’s any reform to be made it should be a place of representation of regions, not political parties.
The PC party no longer exists but there are still PC Senators. They share quite a few ideas with the current CPC gov’t as well as the fiscally conservative greens but they can’t be said to CPC senators or are they specifically biased and even better are they in away answerable to this ugly, corrupt gov’t (Which Harper insists on calling an administration – How badly does he want to be president?)
“Our economy is strong. Our administration is clean. Our country is united and the world is spreading the word, Canada is back,” he said, against a black backdrop flanked by Canadian flags.
Yea, thanks to the Liberals Canadians are enjoying the fruits of their labours.
No thanks to the idiot neo-cons .
SH has so much baggage it would take a dozen sky caps to haul it all .
Failed enviornmental policy . A joke !
Appointing a Senator Michael Fortier and placing him high in Cabinet without benefit of election .
Mail in child care for the ,very, few .
A disasterous foreign affairs Minister(?)
Suck holing to the Indo and Chinese Canadian communities by trying to buy them off with a pittance .
Wait time guarantee that is non-existant.
Telling Canadians who can mourn for our soldiers and where .
Refusing to lower the flag on the nations Capital builiing .
Lying through his teth about ‘Income Trusts’
Enticing a minister of the opposition(David Emerson) to cross the floor the day after the election .
Stupid law and order agenda that is unconstitutional .
Writing a bunch of stuff into the accountabilty act that will not pass muster .
Cheating at their convention on delegates fees and then trying to fix the problem retroactively .
Yea, the Barnum & Bailey party has done a lot for our country . All bad .
Harper is in no danger of ever getting a majority as Canadians are sick to death of his antics .
Making 124, elected MP’s redundant by running the whole show .
Stalling on firing the RCMP commissioner who was so obviously incompetent .
Good luck Stevey .
“And why aren’t we seeing the constant weekly polling to see if canadians actually want an election call, as we saw in 2005?” –Catherine.
Excellent question, Catherine. The silence in responding to it is deafening.
Perhaps this is why poll results tend to reflect the views of those who take the polls, and who asks the questions, and for what political purpose?
That, my friends, is the real control freak by which the media has been involved in opinion formation and propaganda.
“Hey Roger
“More flies are definitely caught with honey. Can’t argue there. Just wanted to ask who the flies are in this case? And most important, what happens to the flies when they are caught?” –Pete.
Thank you, Pete, for an excellent question.
The “flies” have nothing to do with people who hold a particular position on a particular issue. It has more to do with a negative attitude that we all contend with from time to time.
My point is that you do not defeat your “opponent” by destroying him with negativity and emotional accusation, but you defeat your “opponent” when your opponent becomes your friend because of genuine love and kindness.
And you can be friends, even with people you may disagree with. It is possible to have a reasonable, sane discussion with different points of view. Too bad it is seen so seldom.
So the “flies” that need to be caught are the negative and bitter attitudes, and they are caught with “honey,” not with “vinegar.”
And once the fly is caught, we release the person who held the negative attitude to be our friend. It doesn’t mean that we necessarily agree, or that I can control others to think my way. But it does mean that I can still have a healthy respect for those who present their viewpoint without putdowns and name-calling, and we can agree to disagree, and still be friends.
What the world needs now is love, not hate, positive optimism, not negativity, which is our problem and no part of the solution.
We are not a victims of others, including government policies. We are born to choose, not born to lose.
Nobody can keep us from choosing a positive mental attitude.
Life is 90% attitude. We cannot choose what others will do, but we can choose our responses and our attitudes. So pick a good one, and make the world a better place for others.
James said: The Accountability Act is passed. One for PMSH. under the new accoutability act, Bev Oda’s fundraising is still officially legit even though its clear that shes taking donations directly from the industries she oversees.
The accountability act does very little for accoutability and almost nothing to prevent for-sale MPs from being bought, cash-and-carry style, by corporations.
Minus one for PMSH. Next.
“A consistent theme in the comments for this blog is a loud call for tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts. And when we get what we asked for, this will soon be followed by anguished cries from the same people about service cuts, service cuts, service cuts! It’s universal. Everyone wants the services that governments provide, but no-one wants to pay for them.
Do you want health care, education, an adequate miltary, safe food, safe water, safe air and road travel? Do you want your garbage picked up, your streets plowed, your sewers maintained, police, firefighters, and paramedics, libraries and community centres? Do you want light, heat, and water in your home? Where do you think the money comes from to provide all that? It doesn’t grow on trees!
It’s time for Canadians to stop complaining and to start being thankful that we have the wealth to pay for all these things that we take for granted when so few countries are in the same privileged position. ”
A ridiculous notion. Why do you think we have surpluses? Cause they sound neat? If the government has a surplus of money after all expenditures are done with, then that means they collected too many taxes, and tax relief is viable. Why would the government need to cut services when they have MORE than enough money to support them? I think its pretty straight forward and simple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVNIDW9Q6-A
Need I say more…..what a beauty! Way to go Stephen…that’s why you’re the leader!
Roger: Excellent post! I am a follower of Robert Ringer, and he puts it best. He calls it, The Theory of Maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude Through The Assumption Of A Negative Result. That is, things WILL go wrong AND you can handle it. Sturgeon’s Law states: 90% of EVERYTHING is BS. If one idea in ten works, you’re even with the game.
Harper, unfortunately, is not doing even THAT well. A good idea, however poorly executed, beats out a bad idea done perfectly.
Harper wants a home run, when he was hired to do base hits to advance the interests of Canadians as a whole.
From his digital bully pulpit, Garth makes more sense than all the governments in Canada, and their bloated, cumbersome bureaucracies, and all the lobbying NGO’s, put together. Garth IS the Golden Ten Percent, which is why I read and enjoy his blog every day.
Long may he run
Jackie – your posts are so full of negativity and vituperative, it is disturbing. Your statement on behalf of all Canadians (tired of Harper…) is puzzling. How do you know how Canadians feel? You are only one person and I am not even sure if you are actually Canadian – for all we know you could be in another country as the internet is accessible from all corners of the Earth.
Aside from that, why are your posts filled with such nasty statements and why do you not contribute a solution instead of behaving like a petulant and immature teenager?
William, I cannot agree with the judgement of our current government as being corrupt. The rest of your post does, however, make sense to me, although I would be hard-pressed to go along with everything.
That being said, no matter what our current government does, the media and folks like Garth will denigrate it somehow – be it personal attacks on Stephen Harper or criticisms of his government for the sake of criticizing.
Credit to Garth for saying that the Senate issue is a step in the right direction – it is a good step, in my view. However, even when this government tries to do the right thing, it is slammed.
Example: John Baird told the city of Ottawa that he wished to review the light rail plan to ensure that the 200 million federal taxpayer dollars would be spent properly. The reaction? John was playing politics. Even if that were true, is his role (and that of every MP) not one of ensuring that our tax dollars are wisely and productively spent?
Now, take the current issue: the new mayor has put the brakes on the project, David McGuinty’s brother has put the brakes on provincial funding and there is absolutely no outcry. Why? Because it is not just John Baird or the CPC.
Garth – any chance you can block Jackie Chans Left Hand – his posts are pretty disgusting.
Richard: Stephen Harper says he is making policy on behalf of all canadians. How can he possibly say that when only 36% of Canadians voted for his minority government?
He often stands in the House and tells us that he is representing the majority of Canadians and their wishes. That is a lie.
He is actually representing about 1/3 of Canadian voters with his ideology.
Hey Jackie…one day when you grow up (i’ll bet you’re about 18) and start paying taxes, you realize how silly and insignificant you once were……
If anyone wishes to affect public policy, I would suggest a more positive approach that can build trust and teamwork towards noble goals and worthy ends.
By Roger Armbruster
Al’s dictionary translation: Do as your told or out you go.
“Sturgeon’s Law states: 90% of EVERYTHING is BS. If one idea in ten works, you’re even with the game…
Garth IS the Golden Ten Percent, which is why I read and enjoy his blog every day.” –Alex Thomas.
What is one man’s BS is another man’s fertilizer, and what is a lemon to some becomes lemonade to another.
And if Garth only represents 10%, then I am afraid that democracy cannot help us, can it?
Garth – I suggest you keep all the posts, including “Jackie Chans”. You believe in democracy and free speech – two key Canadian principles. I would hate to think that free speech means freedom to say things Steven Harper agrees with – if so, a majority of Canadians would be forbidden to say one word.
Richard, your posts are right on!
Solution: Toss the miscreants out on their fat asses .
Truth hurts hunh, Richard ?
This is the dumbest governement(?) ever in the history if Canada .
Right wing politics are deader than dead almost everywhere in the ‘free’ world .
Suck it up sun shine .
Unlike you Garth believes in freedom of speech .
Grow up !
Addendum:
All I have to do is read the polls .
All of wgich point to a Liberal majority in the next election .
No one care about Senate reform or two thhirds of the neo-cons agenda .
All in all their platform was easy to enact .
Sick to death of them blaming the Liberals for everything bad in our nation.
Grow up and take responsibilty .
Rona, Steppfrod Wife, Ambrose is finally going to lose her cabinet post as she has proven with all the other ministers to be totally incompetent .
Don’t bother Richard, Garth only censors people that offer opposition to him and his ideas. If they are rude horses asses (I think it was what one of the posters called me) that happen to attack his old masters then they get to monopolize this forum. This is no longer a platform for digital democracy, it is Garth’s personal propaganda channel!
All hail Garth! The all knowing and always right king of the Halton realm.
Alex Thomas,
Nice post! (12.14.06 12:23 pm)
Roger, I can’t stand Master Steve either. I agree with Jackie on some of his comments especially the ones saying that most of Canadians are fed up with Harper. I think over the past few months he and his party have been going steadily down in the polls and falling out of favor with the average Canadian.
That being said It would appear that neither the Liberal or Conservatives are anywhere near majority range. Another election is just going to be another huge waste of Taxpayers money.
Oh and can you tell me how many times Harper, over the last 10 months threatened to make this or that a confidence motion if he didn’t get his way?
I’m shocked at the number of calls for censorship. Either you moderate or you don’t — for either you’re responsible for content or you’re just offering a medium.
Garth’s chosen a service-provider model w an acceptable use policy [sorta]. It’s one of those issues thats up for debate in Net Neutrality and is often called a ‘common carrier exemption’
I doubt Garth wants to take responsibility for things said on this site, so his only alternative is to not moderate. This means *explitive deleted* people like trueconservative and JCLH have just as much right to comment as anyone else.
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”
Free speech is only free when you’re allowed to say something unpopular.
No, Jackie, the truth does not hurt. Stupidity and really bad spelling (yours) disturb. How old are you? Your posts give the impression that you are about 12 years old.
True Conservative…..Unfortunately you are 100% right!
Garth has booted 90% of my posts over the last couple of months….I don’t mind though, I write specifically to him not the naive simpletons who offer little to this blog…
Elias, I think you are taking the issue to an illogical extreme. Jackie’s posts are rude and baseless. They are nothing but name-calling and serve no purpose but to illustrate his lack of grammar and spelling skills, his lack of maturity and his total lack of life.
But, Judy, if he made policy for only 36% of Canadians, he would be castigated even more. Like it or not, he is the Prime Minister and it is his obligation to act on behalf of the country. I believe that if we didn’t have so many parties, including one which represents only one province, we would have a majority government (CPC, I would personally hope).
I cannot see any other way of him doing his job if not on behalf of the entire country. I also do not believe that he hamstrings his MPs – we only have one MP’s word on that and it is evident that this single MP has a personal issue with the Prime Minister and that issue has nothing to do with professional considerations.
I suppose we have to, as you said in one of your past responses to me, agree to disagree.
In some other circumstances, I would say that your logic is applicable but not in this circumstance, in my humble opinion.
” I don’t mind though, I write specifically to him not the naive simpletons who offer little to this blog…
By John G on 12.14.06 3:53 pm ”
Aw John, I see you are talking about yourself again. Perhaps that is the reason so many of your comments have been booted.
Herr Harpo and his ilk as epitomized by Richard are already crying because they have lost the next election .
Had enough of a chance to run this country into the ground and make Canada an international laughing stock .
People like you make me sick to my stomach .
Don’t bother squealing to Garth either .
Fact is one in three Canadians support the neo- Nazi’s and their facist regime .
You are the one that need to grow up Richard as you support a parrty of hatred.
Then again you are such an insignificant little man you make me laugh .
Richard: The problem arises when Harper touts that the “majority” of Canadians support his policies and that is simply not true. Of course he is promoting policy based on his ideology, but for him to suggest that most Canadians agree with him, I most protest.
And my comment was a response to a previous writer who admonished someone for lumping “most Canadians” in with his credo. I was pointing out the fact that our own PM has a habit of including the phrase “the majority of Canadians support this” in most of his
pronouncements.
“If anyone wishes to affect public policy, I would suggest a more positive approach that can build trust and teamwork towards noble goals and worthy ends. By Roger Armbruster
“Al’s dictionary translation: Do as your told or out you go.” –A. R. Wainwright.
Ah, that would be Al’s mistranslation. You can do whatever you want. Only I encourage you to do it with a positive attitude if you want to live long. It is for your benefit more than anyone’s to be positive.
“Attitude” and “doing” are two very different things. Do your thing, but let’s be more positive, because negativity is most destructive for the person harbouring it.
Peace.
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I don’t know what exactly you are holding in your left hand Jackie Chan, but it sure sounds like it must be your giggle stick. Liberal majority? With this half-wit and his dog Kyoto to lead us into the promised land where the air is fresh and clean, but nobody has a job anymore? Yeah, let’s sshut down every factory, the oil patch and heck, we had better stop burning natural gas to heat our homes because those greenhouse gases are killing the planet! Listen to yourself. Have a nice walk down the yellow brick road to Trudeaupia, where the remanant of a once great nation is bankrupted by the purely evil ideology of Kyoto’s carbon transfer payments to the third world. Maurice Strong and his UN minions have hoodwinked the entire world with this bogus plan to bankrupt the west under the premise of “saving the environment”. Read up on Uncle Mo. He’s a lot closer to Dr. Evil than he is to David Suzuki, the leftist ecological moonbat. I think Canadians are content that there hasn’t been a trace of scandal or corruption under Harper, and it’s the CPC looking to a majority this time. If not, there really is no hope for this once great country, infected with Liberal “progressive” cancer.