Guzzler

Yesterday I was able to speak in the House about the unfairness of the Conservative Tax Fairness Plan – yes, the one that exludes 70% of seniors from income-splitting, taxes the bejesus out of income trust investors, and raises the basic tax rate for every single senior.

dean.jpg
For some reason, the Tories go nuts when I rise in the Commons, heckling and shouting and trying to disrupt things. This time it was Dean del Mastro’s turn, who took so great an exception to my statement that the actions of politicians have so turned people off it’s no wonder we enjoy the same status as used car salesmen.

A member of the Finance Committee, and a full-time apologist for Jim Flaherty, Mr. del Mastro raised a point of order with the Speaker, which he ignored. However, Dean managed to get it on the public record that I had defamed car salesguys. Odd, I thought.

But then I saw his car.

car.jpg

dean22.jpg Turns out my colleague is a used car salesguy in Peterborough, Ontario. His taste in transportation may explain his progressive approach to the nation’s finances.

To view a video of my short (my time was cut short by a special ministerial accountability session) but sweet speech, click here.

166 comments ↓

#1 Lawrence Garvin on 05.17.07 at 10:48 am

Every time I read this blog the same question occurs to me; How does a whiney, catty 14 year-old schoolgirl get into that middle-aged man costume every day?

“Ohmigaawwd! Did you see his caaa-aar?!”

#2 Stephen Smith on 05.17.07 at 10:53 am

What Model of car is that? Looks like some huge 8 cylinder job from the 90′s. The CON Clean Air Act in action.

#3 J Townley on 05.17.07 at 11:06 am

Nice job Garth. What a hoot!

Did you hurt his little feelings?

Gawd, the Harper regime is sinking lower and lower with every passing day.

Keep at ‘em Garth.

You’ve got them punching at thin air now.

ROTFLMAO

#4 Elias on 05.17.07 at 11:08 am

As I recall, “landslide Dean” won his riding with a whopping 35% of the vote, just 2 or 3% ahead of the liberal. Vote splitting on the left is the only reason why CONs outside of Alberta ever form a government. If we ever introduce proportional representation, we will forever be free of neoCON incompetence.

#5 MB on 05.17.07 at 11:19 am

Even the used car salesguy officially recognizes that its a putdown to be linked with politicians.

Nice.

#6 USED-AND-ABUSED on 05.17.07 at 11:22 am

You struck at the core of this car dealer, Garth, and the Maestro struck back.

BTW: does he have a low mileage Benz on sale?

#7 Marc on 05.17.07 at 11:23 am

I would trust a carsales person before any politician. At least when I go to buy a car I can look it over and kick the tires and somewhat know what I am getting. When there are politicians who run under 1 party and do a Emerson 2 weeks later that carsales person is looking much more honest. When parties campaign on platforms only to find out those platforms are made from the weakest structures and the elected party washes their hands on those promises I have to ask, How many KMs on that car?

#8 Observer on 05.17.07 at 11:26 am

This 1990′s Buick is certainly a gas guzzler, but it also represents conservation too by maintaining the vehicle and using it until it stops. What you don’t understand is that the energy cost of a new car is an additional 1/3rd more energy to build it. By keeping that old Buick on the road, he saves that energy needed to build a new car.

Of course that big old Buick energy consumption is similar to your Halton mansion that you are apparently trying to sell at the top of the market. Are you anticipating a deflation in the price of housing and cashing out, or are you searching for smaller digs as a matter of energy conservation?

My mansion? Man, you have a low bar to get over. As I stated already, it’s an organic downsizing. My full-size Buick LeSabre coupe with the leopard-skin seat days are over. — Garth

#9 Elias on 05.17.07 at 11:40 am

Lawrence Garvin: Given the amount of money you and the other CPC pickpockets who prowl this blog take from me every month, I expect you all to do a much better job. Go powder Steve’s nose – the light glaring off that thing is blinding now that’s grown so big.

#10 haltonjohn on 05.17.07 at 11:41 am

Garth says -

“For some reason, the Tories go nuts when I rise in the Commons, heckling and shouting and trying to disrupt things.”

Garth – please,,, Are you not aware of the long history of heckling turncoats?

Oh yes, Muskoka Bill – You can go home now. The USA has forgiven draft dodgers.

#11 kallie on 05.17.07 at 11:47 am

I love your sense of humor and your quick thinking Garth Turner.

I don’t know cars very well. Please tell me what kind of car our great CRAP member of parliament Del Mastero drives.

Given the behavior of Del Mastero’s party and himself, I do agree they have the status of a used car salesman in my mind.

I thank you for your letter appreciating my donation in spite of the fact I don’t live in your riding. I especially like that you crossed out the Ms and added in my first name your own handwriting.

I received my letter from the Speaker of the House in hard copy yesterday. He agrees he is uncomfortable with the behaviour and decorum in the H of C. He says it is up to the parties to change the rules if they want it to be different. So why don’t these supposedly mature humans do the right thing and change the rules?? It is time for them to grow up.

Maybe it is a good thing the election is delayed. Could it be that Dion, like a good wine, just needs to age a little to reach perfection?

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070516/dion_book_070516/20070517?hub=Specials

At least he had no preconditions for the interview. I guess he has nothing to hide. Dion, not a lawyer or businessman, may be the beginning of more honest government for Canadians if we choose to elect him.

#12 Elizabeth on 05.17.07 at 11:49 am

What part of the world is this guy from – how uncool. It’s an old man’s car. He doesn’t look that old to me! Can you even park it! You wouldn’t be able to park it in Vancouver.

#13 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 11:49 am

Every time I read this blog the same question occurs to me; How does a whiney, catty 14 year-old schoolgirl get into that middle-aged man costume every day?

“Ohmigaawwd! Did you see his caaa-aar?!”

By Lawrence Garvin on 05.17.07 10:48 am

You going to take that Garth ?
High time Garvin had his ticket punched.

#14 C. B. Innes on 05.17.07 at 11:50 am

Garth,

I thought this incident was hilarious when I read about but it is even funnier when it appears you did not know at the time Del Mastro’s occupation.

I knew he had a dealership. But not in used tanks. — Garth

#15 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 11:54 am

Oh yes, Muskoka Bill – You can go home now. The USA has forgiven draft dodgers.

By haltonjohn on 05.17.07 11:41 am

And you are a complete and utter idiot .

#16 Elias on 05.17.07 at 12:09 pm

Ahh, Halton John, who doesn’t live in Halton and who’s name is not John. I suggest you give Lawrence Gavin a hand and help powder Steve’s nose – like I said, it’s growing so big as of late that it needs extra powder.

#17 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 12:15 pm

Garth,

Well, at least that is one dealership to scratch off in the Yellow Pages. LOL

I think it is clear why an MP, making gobs of money, drives a ‘Boat’ around…to haul himself from fund raiser to fund raiser. I bet there is also no Ontario Clean Air Inspection in Peterbourough?

Oh, and where did this little dweeb Halton John come from? Was there a dumpster spill on the QEW?

P.S. Just for you HJ, from a Marine Vet who served honourably ,,!,

#18 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 12:17 pm

Garth,

Sorry, too much going on. Did you ever comment on the ‘Question of Priviledge’ raised yeterday regarding the alleged physical assault in the HoC? Got video? LOL

I was actually in the middle of it. Blood splatters, GSR and tattered shreds of clothing all over! — Garth

#19 slg on 05.17.07 at 12:18 pm

Halton John – you are hardly in a position to tell anyone what to do. You’re just a CPC troll – not high on the scale of things.

#20 Marc on 05.17.07 at 12:18 pm

HaltonJohn, Do the conservatives heckle their own turncoats from withen or do they just single out Garth? I would love to see Peter Van Loen ask Wajid Kahn when is he going to resign and run as a Conservative in a by-election.

#21 Stephen M on 05.17.07 at 12:23 pm

Halton John posted:

“Garth – please,,, Are you not aware of the long history of heckling turncoats?”

Halton John: For the record, and for the 1000th time (more or less), Garth is not a turncoat. A turncoat is a person who turns his back on a group or an ideal. He did neither. Teachnically, it was the C.R.A.P that turned its back on him, as he was booted from the party rather forcefully. He did not “jump ship” and cross the floor because another party gave him a better deal. If not for the actions of Harpie, he’d still be a member of the C.R.A.P. So, before you decide to call him a turncoat or a traitor to his party again, please try to get your facts straight first.

#22 Kevin, ON on 05.17.07 at 12:24 pm

Elias,

There is not enough powder in this world to cover Steve’s nose.

#23 Elias on 05.17.07 at 12:27 pm

Garth, looks like the CONs just love you. You are featured quite prominently on their website. When the CONs tar you, then you know you’re doing something right.

#24 Charles on 05.17.07 at 12:45 pm

Canada’s Groundwater under Provincial jurisdiction. Could be exported.

underground supplies are at risk

#25 haltonjohn on 05.17.07 at 12:45 pm

Marc asks –

“Do the conservatives heckle their own turncoats from within or do they just single out Garth?”

Answer – Yes, they just single out Garth as he is the king of hypocrisy and is therefore an easy target.I hope this helps you.

Stephen M writes –

“Garth is not a turncoat. A turncoat is a person who turns his back on a group or an ideal.”

Poor Stephen, you still don’t understand the facts. Garth had no intention of lowering himself to liberal status. It was thrust upon him by his own peers. Garth did turn his back by foolishly underestimating the effects of his silly grandstanding. Few people enjoy working with Garth as he needs all the attention. I hope this clears things up for you. I know it is hard for you to understand and easy for you to forget.

#26 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 12:46 pm

Garth,

I was actually in the middle of it. Blood splatters, GSR and tattered shreds of clothing all over! — Garth

Sheesh! We have got to get you a lapel camera asap! any friends over at CSIS? I bet they have a few laying around and available? LMAO!

#27 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 12:48 pm

Kevin,

There is not enough powder in this world to cover Steve’s nose. Time for a nice Blue CONdumb I think!

#28 slg on 05.17.07 at 12:54 pm

I think this del Mastro should be doing more walking than driving gas guzzlers by the looks of things as well as eating more salads.

He’s bringing the apple to the teacher (Harper) it appears – trying to get ahead and on Harper’s good side del Mastro. Do you kissed Harper’s ring each day? The two of you should eat salads and work out together.

Garth – does Harper and his cabinet still have the limousines “running” while waiting? Just curious.

#29 Stereo Type - Toronto on 05.17.07 at 12:54 pm

LOL – Garth, you certainly have a knack for pointing out the lunacy that passes for national leadership in the HOC these days.

The “honourable member”‘s apoplectic fit is typical of the reactions I’ve seen from the Government of late. Rather than address the point (in this case, the public’s loss of respect for our national leadership), the Government just whines and screams and accuses the opposition of not playing fair.

It’s the same logic that answers any question about foreign policy with the phrase “you don’t support our troops”.

#30 Katie Kephalos on 05.17.07 at 1:00 pm

Garth,
I watched your speech yesterday, and was glad for it. Even so, there is something more fundamental than a misconceived tax. There has been a perversion of democracy, and a smearing of the right of citizens to be equal before the law.

The perversion of democracy is, of course, the blacking out of the data which allegedly supports the tax. All the MPs of this Parliament should be deeply ashamed that the falsehood of tax leakage was allowed to pass through the Commons on their watch.

The legislation is also incoherent. The Minister of Finance has used the notion of passive/active business to exempt REITs for the tax. In the area of small business, where the notion was first invented, if the business is passive, you are ineligible for a preferred low tax rate. For income trusts, if the business is passive, you are eligible for a preferred tax treatment. In brief: in small business, passive gets you the high tax rate; for real estate trusts, passive gets you no tax. Go figure.

The other, larger, discrimination is between citizens who are otherwise be equal: retirement savings in a private trust are exempt from tax, but retirement savings in public trusts are not exempt.

So, the income trust ‘thing’ is a thick tissue of a broken promise, falsehoods, cover-up, misrepresentations, inconsistencies and the trampling of the rights of citizens to an open and due process and equality before the law. But this House of Commons wants to pass the tax into law. Go figure.

Mr. Pat Martin, who as I understand took his tax training at a Union Hall (nothing wrong with that, except Mr. Martin evidently failed the exam), complained bitterly yesterday “the income trust unit holders who are lobbying government. We all get the e-mails from them but they have no substance to their arguments. Their only argument is greed. They want it all and they want it all now, and they do not give a damn what happens 10 years from now to the economy.”

Listen up, Mr. Martin, buddy boy of big oil, income trusts have been around for almost 20 years. So, your prediction of a damnation in 10 years was false even as your words crossed the floor of the House to please the ears of the Tories. What’s more, if income trusts are so terrible, why are you letting the Minister of Finance exempt real estate income trusts? I’ll tell you why. You’ve been told by your party biggie-wigs to hack for the Tories.

By the way, what is Mr. Martin’s email address?

#31 Lawrence Garvin on 05.17.07 at 1:02 pm

You going to take that Garth ?
High time Garvin had his ticket punched.

Jump Garth! Jump!

Gooood Boy!

Now through the hoop, C’mon Garth!

#32 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 1:02 pm

Where’d Dianne Finley get the shades from
Stevie Wonder ?

She has a thyroid condition which makes her sensitive to light and affects the shape of the eyeball, I believe . — Garth

#33 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 1:05 pm

,,!, Okay,Billy . Enquiring minds need to know what these symbols mean .
Thakyou

#34 Lawrence Garvin on 05.17.07 at 1:09 pm

Elias is looking for a handout;

Like the squeegee kids aren’t enough of a nuisance. Fine. Come around on the weekend and you can clean out my basement. I’ll give you lunch and you can keep the empties for your trouble. But don’t tell your buddies, I don’t want my front yard turned into a “squat” because you think you found a soft touch.

#35 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 1:12 pm

Who was it Daryl Stinson who tried to start a scrap in the middle of the HOC ?
What a blithering idiot .

#36 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 1:13 pm

JCLH,

Sorry, those are code meant only for SPH. I bet you can guess though because you are far more intelloigent than it ever will be. ;-)

#37 Marc on 05.17.07 at 1:15 pm

Thanks for the answer HaltonJohn, One more question Do the Conservatives ever get David Emerson or Wajid Kahn to heckle or are they afraid of looking like hypoctites for getting them involved? Thanks in advance

#38 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 1:16 pm

She has a thyroid condition which makes her sensitive to light and affects the shape of the eyeball, I believe . — Garth

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17.07 1:02 pm

Okay . Every time I see her I look for the seeing eye dog .

#39 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 1:16 pm

JCLH,

Well, ‘intelligent’ at any rate! :-)

#40 Elias on 05.17.07 at 1:19 pm

Lawrence Gavin: Ah Gavin, back from powdering Steve’s nose so soon. Honestly, I thought that was a full time occupation. By the way, after you finished powdering his nose, you must then shine his shoes, then plant a nice wet one on his behind…good to know my tax dollars are being used so effectively by you CPC pickpockets. Keep up the good work. Who knows, if you kiss Harpo’s butt enough, he might appoint you to a committee on picking up dog poop in Ottawa.

#41 Charles on 05.17.07 at 1:25 pm

The every Canadian negotiator should have in their Briefcase.

Wow, Canada is going to get so pummeled if our Politicians and Trade negotiators don’t consider every fine line in the agreements we are signing. NAFTA and Softwood Lumber were just the foot in the door. There won’t be even a toothpick left once the Corporate Barbarians have their way with us innocent babes in the woods!

It’s a PDF and you may want your lawyer with you to read it, but it’s coming at us, going forward.

From past experience, do you trut that our Canadian politicans and negotiators
are competent enough to handle this?

#42 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 1:41 pm

Billy :
Looks suspiciously like a middle finger salute .

#43 Charles on 05.17.07 at 1:41 pm

Previous document mistakenly composed in GeezerHTML. Garth, this important Forum needs a preview/editing box, please.
_______________________________________

A Trade Documentevery Canadian negotiator should have in their briefcase.

Wow, Canada is going to get so pummeled if our Politicians and Trade negotiators don’t consider every fine line in the agreements we are signing. NAFTA and Softwood Lumber were just the foot in the door. There won’t be even a toothpick left once the Corporate Barbarians have their way with us innocent babes in the woods!

It’s a PDF and you may want your lawyer with you to read it, but it’s coming at us, going forward.

From past experience, do you trust that our Canadian politicans and negotiators
are competent enough to handle this?

#44 Elias on 05.17.07 at 1:42 pm

Well, golly golly, surprise surprise, looks like one CON can apologize for being an ass.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/05/17/ot-mguinty-galipeau-070517.html

Now, if only the rest of the CPC party in Ottawa would do the same thing.

#45 Ted Rothery on 05.17.07 at 1:55 pm

Garth, this time you are wrong. It’s time to suck it up, admit your mistake publicly and made a retraction. Something along these lines:

“[Yesterday]Mr. Del Mastro took exception to my comments when I suggested we enjoy the same status as used car salesman. On reflection, I have to agree with the honourable member, so I offer this retraction and apology. We do not enjoy the same status as used car salesman, and I am sorry.”

Yeah I know it’s been used before. But it’s still appropriate.

#46 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 2:17 pm

Sorry, those are code meant only for SPH. I bet you can guess though because you are far more intelloigent than it ever will be. ;-)

Correct the first time .

#47 Old enough to remember on 05.17.07 at 2:29 pm

Well, I have to admit, funny blog. I had a chuckle.

But, back to the HofC. As I recall, all of the other three parties, the Bloc, NDP and CPC were all in support of the Conservative’s Tax Fairness Plan.

So, the obvious conclusion is that the only way that you would be able to reverse the decision is if an election were called, and the Liberal Party won an outright majority of 155 seats.

I can’t see that in the cards for quite some time. Years and years the way things are going now. Seems like a lost cause.

But, flog away if there’s nothing better on the agenda.

An unfair comment. And you know it. — Garth

#48 Frank Frink on 05.17.07 at 2:36 pm

As much as I do enjoy your participation here and largely share your ideological position and as much as I dislike Diane Finley, I hope that’s the only comment we’ll see about her sunglasses.

She’s has Graves Disease. I am assuming though that you were unaware of that.

Let’s just stick to slamming politicians for their words and actions with reference to their physical disabilities or limitations. Remember the attack ads referencing Chretien’s Bells Palsy?

Let’s be a bit bigger about this than the other side.

By the way, did I mention I really, really, really, really dislike Diane Finley. Shouldn’t her latest little legislative ploy have concerned itself more with the possible exploitation and abuse of the hundreds of Mexican and Jamaican seasonal farmworkers in her own riding of Haldimand-Norfolk than the 10 foreign strippers who entered the country in the past two or three years?

Having said all that I still must say that del Maestro should probably skip Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic next year and maybe trade in the road-boat for a bicycle.

#49 Dean Del Mastro on 05.17.07 at 2:39 pm

Well just when it seems that you can stoop no lower, the member from Halton goes one better. I find it remarkable that the very pension income splitting plan that Garth was lobbying for he no longer supports. While I choose to believe the testimony of David Dodge, the governor of the Bank of Canada on income trusts, Garth has decided to team up with the very individuals that were exploiting the lack of fairness in the tax system for their own benefit to the expense of the overwhelming majority of Canadian taxpayers. While this may gain him favor with the Leader of the Opposition and CAITI, hard working Canadians that expect tax fairness will ultimately have their say on this subject. For the sake of clarity, the car that Garth has posted on his site is a 1973 Buick Lesabre. It was purchased new by my immigrant Grandfather nearly 35 years ago; he gave it to me just prior to his death. He washed it twice a week and was so proud that after more than 40 years of service to CP Rail that he could afford such a car having arrived in Canada poor from Italy. With respect to my qualifications as a “Used Car Salesman”, once again Garth demonstrates incredible ignorance. When I returned home from University in 1994, my father was dying with terminal cancer, I did what I could to earn a living in Peterborough. I wanted to be there to support my family despite that fact that my business education would have earned me more money elsewhere. The economy in Peterborough was not good in 1994, the NDP was in power provincially and the Liberals in Ottawa. The readers of this blog may find it interesting that my father had been a Liberal supporter, and volunteered on many of their campaigns as I did in 1993. From modest beginings, I built a company that I am proud of with my family. It continues to employ 20 people in my riding and donate to charities like the Canadian Cancer Society, Easter Seals, MS Super Cities Walk, the new Peterborough Hospital, the new Family YMCA and many, many more. I am not ashamed of where I come from, nor should the thousands and thousands of automotive professionals be that work long hours in an unforgiving business throughout Canada. I have overcame a lot to be where I am, and I have not forgotten where I came from or whom it is that I was sent here to stand up for.

Dean Del Mastro M.P. – Peterborough

#50 Harry Ness on 05.17.07 at 2:41 pm

You really are a sad pathetic clown Garth – “taxes the bejesus out of income trust investors”? How you ever managed to call yourself a financial advisor with such a hyperbolic hysterical take on the Conservatives attempt to close a huge loophole that allowed corporations to avoid paying their fair share of tax, is simply mind-boggling. I hear Barbie Stronach is looking for new talent for Magna – do us all a favour and drop off an application.

#51 Old enough to remember on 05.17.07 at 2:45 pm

An unfair comment. And you know it. — Garth

I worked at a company once where there was a merger, and the former head of the lesser company became Senior VP, a titular head without much responsibility.

He was known as the VP of Lost Causes for the projects he was assigned. Probably an unfair description, but true. Nice guy though.

#52 Georgine on 05.17.07 at 2:47 pm

lol

“Ohmigaawwd! Did you see his caaa-aar?!”

By Lawrence Garvin on 05.17.07 10:48 am

First cuppa coffee and when I read it I thought ol’ Lar was referring to Tubbo Del Mastro! lol!

Coffee almost came out of my nose:)

Now I’m awake and I still like my version best.

#53 Frank Frink on 05.17.07 at 2:52 pm

Ooops, that last comment of mine was directed to JCLH but should also be a reminder to everyone, no wisecracks about abour people’s physical disabilities.

#54 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 3:00 pm

JCLH,

Correct the first time.

Almost, You are ‘intelligent’ It is ‘intoiletgent’.

#55 Chris Ariens on 05.17.07 at 3:05 pm

As a side note – gasoline futures on the NYMEX took a huge jump of 4% this afternoon. Another US refinery shutdown seems to be the trigger today.

This will certainly push gas prices in Halton over $1.10/litre, just in time for our long weekend. Wanna bet that there will be discussion about “gouging” in the House come Tuesday?

Mr. del Mastro won’t be happy as he gasses up that beast over the weekend.

#56 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 3:09 pm

JCLH,

No, it is an English history lesson.

#57 Rob W on 05.17.07 at 3:11 pm

Dean del Mastro is just another incompetent man in a position of power in Canada’s new government.

Don’t believe me? Read his blog:

http://www.deandelmastro.ca/blog.htm

-R

#58 Geoffrey Laxton on 05.17.07 at 3:28 pm

The way things are going, I seriously think that the CPC is running the country worse than if the NDP were in power.

#59 Georgine on 05.17.07 at 3:35 pm

Elizabeth

What part of the world is this guy from – how uncool. It’s an old man’s car.

He had to go with a tank like that. Look at the size of the boy. Must be hell at a drive-thru. And he’d never, ever fit into a Smart Car:)

Oh, and the car dealership is a family biz. Dad gave him the job. I wonder if he heckled Belinda very loudly? Or if he was very very jealous?

Geo

#60 Dwight on 05.17.07 at 3:40 pm

Garth, the famous Gandhi quote applies to your current noisy reception by the cons.

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
Mohandas Gandhi

#61 Georgine on 05.17.07 at 3:44 pm

Elizabeth,

del M is from, Peterborough, Ont. So no danger of him popping into Vancouver anytime soon. I hope.

He nabbed a long time Lib riding (by about 3.5%, the incumbent had retired) that is sure to tip back especially after this boys embarrassments.

Geo

#62 Charles on 05.17.07 at 3:47 pm

Fraser Institute
Report issued yesterday, recommends deep integration agreement for security and Border to safeguard our trade with U.S.A.

#63 Bob Nugent on 05.17.07 at 3:56 pm

Censorship Garth – like a good Liberal, it is comforting to see you are all for it. What – you couldn’t take a bit of fun comparison to Lyin’ Brian (Costello that is). Little bit too close to the bone, Mr. Openness?

Your post was both juvenile and unrelated to any topics being discussed here. Try again. — Garth

#64 Rob on 05.17.07 at 3:59 pm

“more with the possible exploitation and abuse of the hundreds of Mexican and Jamaican seasonal farmworkers in her own riding of Haldimand-Norfolk”

Hey Frink Frank know your facts. I work with those Mexican workers to some capacity and speak their language. They are very happy to get that work, becasue otherwise in Mexico they would be exploited for 5 dollars a day in a 10 hr day. Learn your facts before you post.

#65 Bob Nugent on 05.17.07 at 4:00 pm

Will I ‘suffer the eternally discrediting consequences’?

http://canadianna.blogspot.com/2007/05/open-letter-to-garth-turner.html

Only if you are as humourless as that blogger. — Garth

#66 Catherine on 05.17.07 at 4:05 pm

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17.07 1:02 pm,

Jackie, so now you’re making fun of a person’s disability? I truly hope that you are not a good rep of the typical libber.

#67 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 4:10 pm

Frink:
If Garth deems it inappropriate he will not post it .

#68 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 4:12 pm

Intoiletgent works . I do some of my best thinking there .
LOL

#69 jaddle on 05.17.07 at 4:17 pm

Elias, you mention, “Vote splitting on the left is the only reason why CONs outside of Alberta ever form a government. If we ever introduce proportional representation, we will forever be free of neoCON incompetence.”

But proportional representation, while helping a lot, doesn’t fully address the issue that votes will be split. Most PR systems I’ve seen suggested still have at least a partial first-past-the-post system to select a regional representative, for example, and there’s no way to prevent splitting there, without changing the voting system itself, rather than just the way the votes are counted. (to something like condorcet voting).

#70 Catherine on 05.17.07 at 4:19 pm

My full-size Buick LeSabre coupe with the leopard-skin seat days are over. — Garth

I liked this one. You must have been one of those with a t-shirt with the sleaves rolled up and a cig behind the ear. :-)

You forgot the earring. — Garth

#71 LoH_Numa on 05.17.07 at 4:21 pm

Garth –

They wouldn’t hoot and howl at you if they didn’t perceive you as a threat.

I don’t think they realize just how big of a threat you’ve opened up here on the Internet.

But I think they know that your arguments will resonate with the population if enough people are told about them.

#72 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 4:24 pm

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17.07 1:02 pm,

Jackie, so now you’re making fun of a person’s disability? I truly hope that you are not a good rep of the typical libber.

By Catherine on 05.17.07 4:05 pm

Sheesh! Get over yourself dip-stick .
I simply wanted to know what was with the goggles . Looks like she is getting ready to weld something .
She doesn’t have Graves disease tattooed on her for head ‘ya know .

#73 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 4:28 pm

Nice story Dino . I wept , I cried .
Still does not excuse your boorish behaviour towards a sitting member when he is asking a perfectly good question for the record .
You and Van Car Loan are both incompetent and have no business sitting in Parliament.
Can’t wait for an election so we canget some ,real ,adults into the HOC .

#74 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 4:33 pm

JCLH,

No, it is an English history lesson.

By Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 3:09 pm

Okay,Billy I surrender . Have no clue what part of an English history lesson it could be .

#75 Charles on 05.17.07 at 4:36 pm

The initiative our Business community is pressuring is not your father’s “Free Trade” nor the NAFTA that traded away your energy security.

This is a full blown “Canada Goose”, gutted, greased, and ready for stuffing.

#76 Frank Frink on 05.17.07 at 4:37 pm

Rob, ummmmm…. errrr….
Di dyou not note that I wrote ‘possible’. I also happen top know a bit about migrant farmworkers, and also speak a bit of spanish. We have seasonal migrant farmworkers in British Columbia, too.

We also have some hiring agencies, contractors and farm operators (and not again, I wrote ‘some’) who are unscrupulous, exploitative and abusive. They do exist.

I agree with your point that they earn more here than at home and while the living conditions they are placed in here are possibly better than at home, neither the pay or the living accomodations are up to Canadian standards.

And there are contractors who demands ‘kickbacks’. We have corrupt people here, too.

ROb, you’re not the sole authority on teh subject, neither am I, but I don’t proclaim to be. The truth is some of those workers are indeed exploited and abused (again, note the use of ‘some’). No that Finley concerned though (which was my main point). She’s more concerned with stopping those 10 or so strippers in reference to a ‘scandal’ that really wasn’t a scandal.

So tell me again how this is about ‘protecting’ immigrant workers and not about trying to score political points by attempting to smear the previous government?

You see, Rob, some of us are capable of critical thought. Although I am not a follower of any particular religious belief and left the Catholic Church many, many years ago I do value the (partial) Jesuit education I received. They will certainly teach you to think.

I like to beleive that Canadians in general are not stupid. Only the truly stupid refuse to see this initiative of Finley’s as anything more than a cheap stunt.

And no, I am not a Liberal member or voter. Sheeesh, even Bill-Muskoka gets called a ‘Liberal’ around here if he dissents from the Harper position. Heh, so much for the ‘critical thinking’ of Con apologists and appeasers.

Now excuse, more pressing matters require some thought.

#77 Frank Frink on 05.17.07 at 4:42 pm

Sorry Jackie, didn’t mean to offend you.

I didn’t think it was inappropriate in a way that Garth would remove it – as I mentioned I do believe you were unaware of Finley’s condition.

Just suggesting that the high road be taken in the future.

I’ll slam her for many things, but I refuse to make fun of her condition.

Again, I do believe you were just simply unaware.

#78 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 4:42 pm

You forgot the earring. — Garth

By Catherine on 05.17.07 4:19 pm

And the leather jacket and Brylcreemed duck tails with the rat tail comb in the back pocket and a vocabulary heavy on “eh’s “

#79 Elizabeth on 05.17.07 at 4:51 pm

Now Georgine – you are being “catty”. I agree the car salesmen needs to get rid of the boat and bike. Jack Layton cycles to work – he’s pretty trim. I cycle to work and have yet to see any overweight people cycling.

#80 JRoberts on 05.17.07 at 5:03 pm

To Dean del Mastro:

Sir, Out of curiosity I just paid a visit to your web site. In your dissertation above you make reference to both your Grandfather and Father and imply that they have inspired you.

I want you to know some things sonny.

First of all, your statements about Income Trusts and the cruel manner in which your Conservative party has massacred us seniors and retirees is simply a bold faced lie. (and in case you are wondering, I am one of them).

Secondly Mr. del Mastro, you represent a party that LIED to get elected. Have you watched Harpers infamous Youtube clip yet? You should if you haven’t.

Thirdly Mr. del Mastro you represent a party that refuses to justify their Income Trust tax betrayal to the very people who were so badly damaged by their deplorable actions.

Do you honestly think that your late Grandfather and Father would take pride in the fact that you are supporting a pack of liars and dictators Mr. del Mastro? People who willfully and without remorse trashed the life savings of seniors and retirees, and won’t even dignify their betrayal with honest reasons? have you seen the blacked out documents that YOUR party produced in support of their betrayal of us?

Your comments on your web site are disgraceful. You should be ashamed of yourself for offering blind partisan support to your lying party.

You sir support a goon squad and if your Grandfather and Father were the men of honour that you indicate that they were, I believe that they’d be deeply ashamed of you for your lack of integrity.

Mr. del Mastro, you truly need to think about this. If you indeed carry yourself with honour and integrity, it’s time to cross the floor and become and independant.

As the old saying goes sir, if you lay down with dogs, you’re gonna get fleas.

#81 kpn on 05.17.07 at 5:11 pm

You going to take that Garth ?
High time Garvin had his ticket punched.

Jump Garth! Jump!

Gooood Boy!

Now through the hoop, C’mon Garth!

By Lawrence Garvin on 05.17.07 1:02 pm

Lawrence – Why don’t you just go visit all your blogging neocon Tory sites. Your not going to convince us by spewing Con propoganda. We see enough of it in the HOC and in all those con npapers.

#82 Ryan S on 05.17.07 at 5:15 pm

You must be so proud of yourself eh? You are the man Garth. You just keep on doing what youre doing and then EVERY Canadian will know how much of a jack arse you really are. Dont stop now. All of Halton knows this.

IF you have the nuts to post this…send in your alter ego Jackie Chan. Dare you!?!

#83 Van on 05.17.07 at 5:19 pm

Loh_Numma Wrote

“They wouldn’t hoot and howl at you if they didn’t perceive you as a threat.”

On the other hand they may do it because they feel he’s a joke.

#84 John on 05.17.07 at 5:26 pm

Deans campaign was run by another used car lot guy.

#85 John on 05.17.07 at 5:29 pm

What a car! So much for Canada new conservatives enviornment policy. That barge looks like a huge gas guzzzzzzzellllller!

#86 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 5:30 pm

JCLH,

Okay, Billy I surrender . Have no clue what part of an English history lesson it could be.

Egads…Jackie, what am I going to have to do…give you a link? Okay, here is a link.

And another getting deeper

And, yet, another case where it should definitely be applied immediately Harper rules out gas-tax cut

Now you know!

#87 Ben on 05.17.07 at 5:33 pm

The riding of Peterborough is lucky to have a MP so passionate about his constituency and who works tirelessly 24/7 for his constituents.

Some of the comments on this blog are shameful and the people who wrote them should be embarrased to be the authors of such tasteless rhetoric.

Mr. Turner, for such a smart man I would expect much more from you then the classless comments you put forth in your blog.

THE RIDING OF HALTON DESERVES SO MUCH MORE FROM THEIR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.
Please take this to heart, Mr. Turner.

Why are you writing from Ottawa? Do you work for Mr. Del Mastro? — Garth

#88 Georgine on 05.17.07 at 5:44 pm

Sheesh Dean, (sound of violins in the background)

Took your family a while to get a grip didn’t it?

My father would be about the same age as your g’father, also an immigrant. Came over on some old boat from Europe with my mother and sister and I was born a year later in NS.

I think my dad had a Buick about the year of the one in the pic. By then I had a younger brother too. But we probably had a dozen more cars over the years after that. My favorite was always the 67 mustang when I was 13. I knew cool.

So you painted your family like some tv movie of the week. You left out the bit that you were almost aborted by you mother. You don’t say who paid for your uni education. You seem to take credit for the car dealership and only skim over the other family members that work there too. I suspect there is a lot more to the story and you are not the “papa” of all that you are painting yourself to be. So who is looking after things while you are in the back benches in Ottawa?

And that car is still not “green”. What sort of message are you sending to your constituents? Or is it exactly the message you want to send? Have you offered to sell Baird a car?

You won your seat by little more than 3%. You should relax and enjoy it as you shall lose by a lot more. After all the lies, the obfuscation, the blacked out paperwork, the bs regarding … I need to start a list here… the broken promises, and yeah, the indignation about hurt feelings in the name of all used car dealers.

I watched that yesterday. The spittle and the sweat flying. You were shaking and quivering. I was alarmed actually. You are only 37, but you looked like a heart attack about to happen. And in the HoC already. Sheesh!

#89 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 5:45 pm

IF you have the nuts to post this…send in your alter ego Jackie Chan. Dare you!?!

By Ryan S on 05.17.07 5:15 pm

Alter ego,Moi ?

#90 Old enough to remember on 05.17.07 at 5:50 pm

By JRoberts on 05.17.07 5:03 pm
First of all, your statements about Income Trusts and the cruel manner in which your Conservative party has massacred us seniors and retirees is simply a bold faced lie. (and in case you are wondering, I am one of them).

Hey, I’m no supporter of Dean del Mastro, and doubtful Sara Polley will be bidding for the rights for the life story, but I’d like to learn more about your actual losses, JR.

Show us how you’ve been “massacred”. Give us some facts. What was the value of your investment portfolio pre Oct 31st, and what is it’s value today?

Rhetoric is cheap. Give is facts.

And p.s. Dean. In Ontario, cars over 30 yrs can be designated as historic vehicles, saved for parades etc.. Do il nonno a favour and park the gas hog somewhere in Peterborough, or use it as a flower planter.

#91 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 5:54 pm

Why are you writing from Ottawa? Do you work for Mr. Del Mastro? — Garth

By Ben on 05.17.07 5:33 pm

Why of course he does it’s Ben Mulroney .
ROTFLMAO

#92 Irene on 05.17.07 at 5:54 pm

Poor Stephen, you still don’t understand the facts. Garth had no intention of lowering himself to liberal status. It was thrust upon him by his own peers. Garth did turn his back by foolishly underestimating the effects of his silly grandstanding. Few people enjoy working with Garth as he needs all the attention. I hope this clears things up for you. I know it is hard for you to understand and easy for you to forget.

By haltonjohn on 05.17.07 12:45 pm

John, you are fast becoming a big flop. Which one of the Cons MP’s are you hiding behind, haltonjohn? Or are you the wanna be candidate for Halton? Or maybe a 16 year old hired by SH & company?

A piece of advice; start making some intelligent comments for a change. Your particpation in this forum thus far doesn’t contribute much of anything. Try again when you grow up.

#93 Conan on 05.17.07 at 5:56 pm

That car is known as a “floater” .
Perfect for frequent highway 7 jaunts from Ottawa to Peterbourough and vice versa.
Damn somebody stole my line about the smart car.

#94 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 5:58 pm

IF you have the nuts to post this…send in your alter ego Jackie Chan. Dare you!?!

By Ryan S on 05.17.07 5:15 pm

Oh,please Garth can I ?

#95 Georgine on 05.17.07 at 6:03 pm

Now Georgine – you are being “catty”. I agree the car salesmen needs to get rid of the boat and bike. Jack Layton cycles to work – he’s pretty trim. I cycle to work and have yet to see any overweight people cycling.

By Elizabeth on 05.17.07 4:51 pm

Yup Elizabeth,

Your right, I am being catty:) And it’s true. You so very seldom see someone o/w on a bike, (outside:).

I was thinking more about the carbon footprint of that old gas guzzler when I mentioned the Smart car. As I can’t ride a bike any more, it didn’t pop into my head right away. Tho it should, my kids are all avid bike riders. My son, who is about del M’s age just bought another one. I think he has 4 now. Depending on what he’s doing. Son person would be pretty fit too. lol, he won a bike last year.

#96 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 6:09 pm

No offence taken Frank .

#97 slg on 05.17.07 at 6:14 pm

Boy things are getting nasty here. I find myself agreeing with Frank Frink – Grave’s disease is a serious illness. It’s hard to get under control. I have a girlfriend with this illness and it took her a long time to get the thyroid condition regulated. Her eyes were extremely sensitive to light and they protruded. This is not meant to be funny, but my girlfried told me that the eyes can protrude so much they can fall out. It’s painful. So this kind of attack is “low”. Perhaps one should get more exercise than jumping to conclusions.

I read del Mastro’s blog and it sounds pretty much like all the other CPC people – bash, trash and the usual Harper rhetoric.

I live in Northumberland County and I know quite a few people from Peterborough (Victoria County) who are very disillusioned with del Mastro.

#98 Irene on 05.17.07 at 6:14 pm

Looks like a lot of the cons MP’s are posting on this site. What are you dip sticks afraid of? If I were you, I would contemplate my chances of being re- elected next time around. Show a back bone already & admit your being led by the nose by SH. If you were any kind of decent person, you would be working for your constuients first & foremost.

And Mr. Harper, we might have believed you 18 months ago but lies are lies no matter how you look at it. Your words mean nothing anymore. Your soon to be toast.

#99 haltonjohn on 05.17.07 at 6:27 pm

Irene says –

“John, you are fast becoming a big flop.”

Sorry Irene, but flip flopping is a liberal thing. Liberals have such a short memory. You know how it is. When you lie as often as liberals do, it’s hard to keep your storys organized.

#100 Diana on 05.17.07 at 6:29 pm

The riding of Peterborough is lucky to have a MP so passionate about his constituency and who works tirelessly 24/7 for his constituents.

He-he thanks for laugh Ben. I actually live in Peterborough and Dean’s a local joke. With his constant annoying and strange mailbox spam, his hiding under his bed and skipping a trip to Lebanon last summer, his staffer getting caught using the government of Canada fax machine to fundraise for the CPC, and Dean has been accused (by other local Conservatives) of interfering into the municipal election with some sneaky plot.
The income trust issue is going to sink him, this is a retirement city.
And his latest…turns out Dean’s anti-choice. And not just anti-choice but he spoke at that rally last week and pledged to change the law. Funny, Dean didn’t run as a right to life CPC candidate. And since he stayed silent on the issue, Peterborough did not give him a mandate to fight that cause. See, Dean doesn’t understand that he doesn’t work for the CPC, or Stephen Harper or himself. He works for us, the voters of Peterborough. Dean forgot that fact, but we didn’t!
That old Buick gas guzzler is just bizarre. Thanks Garth, I’ll pass the picture around. Enviro issues are rather important around here.
BTW, Dean’s brother owns the local Suzuki dealership.

#101 John on 05.17.07 at 6:36 pm

I wonder if any of these neo con dolts got to the new Reform party exploratory/meeting in Kingston on the weekend?

#102 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 6:46 pm

JCLH,

Okay, Billy I surrender . Have no clue what part of an English history lesson it could be.

Egads…Jackie, what am I going to have to do…give you a link? Okay, here is a link.

And another getting deeper

And, yet, another case where it should definitely be applied immediately Harper rules out gas-tax cut

Now you know!

By Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 5:30 pm

Thanks Bill . Let’s just say I get it .
Still floundering around looking for my spectacles .
The Battle of Agincourt . How obscure .
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge .
Colour me confused .

#103 John on 05.17.07 at 6:48 pm

Hi ho..Hi ho It’s off to the Grits I go..can’t take no more the Cons are a bore…hi ho..hi ho…hi…ho…hi ho!

#104 C. B. Innes on 05.17.07 at 6:52 pm

Garth is the new Conservative’s voodoo doll: they keep trying to stick pins in but they just glance off!!!!

#105 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 6:53 pm

IF you have the nuts to post this…send in your alter ego Jackie Chan. Dare you!?!

By Ryan S on 05.17.07 5:15 pm

Roses are reddish violets are bluish I’m schizophrenic and so am I .

#106 PJW on 05.17.07 at 6:57 pm

THE RIDING OF HALTON DESERVES SO MUCH MORE FROM THEIR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.
Please take this to heart, Mr. Turner.

Gee Ben, are you telling us how we should vote now? I am very happy with the member we in Halton have at the moment, at least he attempts to represent his constituents, not like the vote on demand MPs.

#107 Elias on 05.17.07 at 7:03 pm

Halton John, apprently you CONs have even shorter memories. Your tubby finance minister just flip flopped a day ago. By the way, how’s the powdering of Harper’s nose coming along? You and Gavin should be nearly done now…now you can both start shining his shoes.

#108 Observer on 05.17.07 at 7:12 pm

Since you are commenting on the material possessions of others, could you tell us where you sit on the political spectrum between socialist Justin Trudeau and the capitalists Brison and even Ignatieff?

The Liberal party is a Big Tent party, as we all know, and now with Justin Trudeau on board as the Liberal candidate for Papineau, and his recent statements to a group of teenagers in Windsor, ON, about the shortcomings of capitalism, I think I would like to know if you too have doubts about capitalism in the future of Canada.

Fyi:
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=296460e7-f6ba-4e93-acff-81b053d20ab1

Could not care less what he thinks. As stated, I am a Liberal of the Progressive Conservative sect. — Garth

#109 Elias on 05.17.07 at 7:21 pm

Well, looks like AfghanGATE is exploding in Harpo’s face. Looks like some one in Government actually broke the law by trying to cover up information relating to the torture of Afghan prisoners. In particular, section 67 of the freedome of information act makes it a criminal offence for someone in government to withold information.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/215164

I wonder if the RCMP is going to drag someone away in handcuffs – if not, then why not? I wonder, if it was Harpo himself who ordered the cover up? The RCMP should investigate, me thinks.

Garth, try asking about this up in the house. Some CON has to be dragged away in cuffs before this government learns the lesson of humility.

Given the fact that the CONs are doing everything they can to delay and hold up the committee overseeing this, I think its safe to guess that there is palpable fear in the CON camp. Do they fear that one (or more) of them might find himself/herself under investigation by the RCMP? Good question – Garth, you should ask it.

#110 Catherine on 05.17.07 at 7:49 pm

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17.07 4:24 pm

Now, Jackie, my son/daughter?, I’m sure you’ve been taught not to make fun of someone, as you don’t if the person is sick or disabled. Of course, you must, because after you are a libber and we know that libbers are compassionate and believe in social justice. ;-)

BTW: Jackie, why don’t you provide us with a picture of yourself – maybe we can pick on your looks. :-)

#111 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 7:49 pm

Oh poor Ben’s been OUTED!

Why are you writing from Ottawa? Do you work for Mr. Del Mastro? — Garth

Another CPC Death Star troll exposed!

#112 Bill-Muskoka on 05.17.07 at 7:54 pm

Elias,

Do they fear that one (or more) of them might find himself/herself under investigation by the RCMP?

Like Harvey Kietel said in ‘National Treasure …’Someone’s got to go to prison!’

Yeppers, the CPC Death Star has been at ‘Red Alert’ for the entire week.

#113 Observer on 05.17.07 at 9:15 pm

Could not care less what he (Justin Trudeau) thinks. As stated, I am a Liberal of the Progressive Conservative sect. — Garth

Thank you Garth for clarifying that point for me, and together with Scott Brison are there any others of the “PC sect” within the Liberal party caucus? I’m sure there are ex-PCers who are working for Liberal candidates at the riding level because of personal animosity towards Stephen Harper.

With Ontario a Liberal stronghold, I wonder whether a Dion-Trudeau alliance will bring back Quebec to the Liberal fold. I would think that Dion cares what Trudeau is thinking and then saying publicly. Why aren’t you ??

Asked and answered. — Garth

#114 C. B. Innes on 05.17.07 at 9:22 pm

There is no doubt that “capitalism” as it has evolved is a sacred cow to the establishment. For many of the rest of us it has moved so far from the original concept that it is becoming just like the system it was meant to replace.

One has to wonder why Justin Trudeau’s comments to students that they should take a critical look at the operation of capitalism are being treated with such horror by the establishment. Capitalism has become a religious dogma. Today capitalist extremism has become so ingrained that no one is supposed to question the way it is evolving. That reflects the narrow minded political correctness that permeates our system and undermines creative thinking.

We need more questioning minds not more mindless followers. While Liberals may want to distance themselves from Justin Trudeau’s remarks I applaud them.

#115 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.17.07 at 9:32 pm

http://tinyurl.com/298e8j

“We salute you”

#116 John on 05.17.07 at 9:35 pm

Harper wont cut gas prices on Dean Del Mastro’s gas guzzling car or anyone elses’for that matter.

Lets kick the bums out!

#117 Observer on 05.17.07 at 9:38 pm

C.B. INNES … Yes we do need more questioning of global capitalistic values, and that is what I was hoping Garth Turner would provide, but all he says is that he doesn’t care what new Liberal Justin Trudeau thinks (about capitalism or anything else for that matter!).

Can I invite you to give us your brief views on capitalism as it should concern our forum host Garth Turner ?!

Why the heck should I care what Justin Trudeau thinks? Maybe it should be the other way around. — Garth

#118 Bob McNally on 05.17.07 at 10:01 pm

So Garth do you write your own responses or do you have some Young Liberal lackey do it for you?

She’s incredibly hot. — Garth

#119 Georgine on 05.17.07 at 10:14 pm

I was reading the article that Elias pointed us to regarding “AfghanGATE”, and when I was finished I looked about to see what else the T Star was offering.

This is what popped out:
Harper rules out gas-tax cut
Harper said the federal government has no plans to help out by cutting gas taxes, as it promised before the 2004 election.

It’s official folks. Yet another broken promise. But all is not lost, oh no. He is going to lower the GST by 2% more, rather than 1% (2011). Probably still not for years yet, like they are going to be around that long. But how bloody insulting!

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/215114

#120 Observer on 05.17.07 at 10:23 pm

Could not care less what he (Justin Trudeau) thinks. As stated, I am a Liberal of the Progressive Conservative sect. — Garth

Dion gave the mandate to prepare the electoral program to Bob Rae, Ontario’s former NDP premier, and Scott Brison, a former Progressive Conservative MP. But for God’s sake, where are the roots of the Liberal party?

Does anti-capitalist Justin Trudeau represent the new roots of the Liberal party now?

Where do you stand, Garth?!

Stop baiting me. My beliefs have been published ad nauseum on this site. Take a deep breath and do some research. — Garth

#121 Cousin It on 05.17.07 at 10:26 pm

” I have overcame a lot to be where I am, and I have not forgotten where I came from or whom it is that I was sent here to stand up for.

Dean Del Mastro M.P. – Peterborough”

He’s alive…..he’s alive. That was quite the dissertation you wrote in support of the vehicle you are presently driving….perhaps you could devote the same number of words in defence of why it is that Canadian have lost $35 billion dollars and an important investment VEHICLE in the process and all they have received to justify this broken promise was 18 pages of blacked out documents. After you’ve finished with that dissertation, perhaps you could then go on and explain why Flaherty wants these 18 pages back. Look forward to your post.

#122 Bill R on 05.17.07 at 10:33 pm

If I had a few bucks I’d have special crying towels made up for the Conservative members of Parliament. Lately they seem to be spending more time crying about everything and doing nothing to make parliament work for the taxpayers.

Anyone wnat to donate?

#123 Observer on 05.17.07 at 11:08 pm

Stop baiting me. My beliefs have been published ad nauseum on this site. Take a deep breath and do some research. — Garth

I sincerely apologize if you feel I am baiting you, but you are a controversial MP and a neo-Liberal to boot. Also political developments are swirling around the Liberal party, particularily when somebody of the public stature of Justin Trudeau proclaims that traditional capitalism may be inadequate for the future.

Personally, I would prefer to discuss your political beliefs as things change, and I apologize for not being able to track down your beliefs on this fine forum and website.

Since the Liberal party is redefining itself under Dion’s leadership, I am interested where you believe Liberal roots should rooted … left or right .. because Canadian politics is becoming quite polarized now. Will you be advancing you Progressive Conservative sect beliefs for the new Liberal party, and do you think that capitalism should be modified for the future needs of Canada, as Trudeau presumably believes?

Again I apologize for my brusqueness.

Hey, you have class. Let me work on an answer. — Garth

#124 nemississs on 05.17.07 at 11:13 pm

Maybe you assholes should read this. What a bunch of low life idiots you jerks are.

http://stevejanke.com/archives/226828.php

Always nice to have a Reformer drop by! Watch that door on your way out. — Garth

#125 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 12:22 am

By nemississs on 05.17.07 11:13 pm

Oh,good the monosyllabic nemississs,who can’t even spell his name correctly shows up to talk out of his ass .
Way to go ! We are all ,very, impressed with your wisdom and wit .
Beat it you GOOF !

#126 Georgine on 05.18.07 at 1:35 am

By nemississs on 05.17.07 11:13 pm

Why would I after an invitation like that? Assholes, lowlife idiots, jerks.

I don’t read steve janke. Talk about blue tory biased BS. He is over the top full of crap and he’s not even funny.

You go read him, and stay there if you are so fond of his writing.

#127 Catherine on 05.18.07 at 5:15 am

By Georgine on 05.17.07 10:14 pm,

Oh you must be getting desperate. Did the 2006 conservative platform say anything about cutting gas taxes? NO!

But, hey facts are a mere unconvient truth to the libbers.

#128 Lawrence Garvin on 05.18.07 at 7:12 am

KPN: Lawrence – Why don’t you just go visit all your blogging neocon Tory sites. Your not going to convince us by spewing Con propoganda.

Another volunteer bouncer. How about you go be rude to people on your own blog? I wasn’t speaking to you or about you and I doubt that I ever will.

#129 slg on 05.18.07 at 7:54 am

I don’t think Justin Trudeau is anti-capitalism – I think he’s saying we should look at it differently with respect the environment. Duh.

Mention the word capitalism and everybody panics. The CPC will only see that word and nothing else.

Grow up folks.

#130 John on 05.18.07 at 8:16 am

How do you like those conservatives?

They have to be reeling in anguish and pain. Their suffering and torment has to be acknowledged. How can those true believers support their party or leader?

Harpers policies wander all over the place like a dog at a fall fair. Unfortunately the dog leaves little suprises for the rest of us. Conservative true believers, there is still time to acknowledge your failures.

It was an interesting political excercise but still a failure. Seek help. The truth is out there!

#131 Rob W on 05.18.07 at 8:32 am

Bill R, great idea about the crying towels. I’d definitely donate a few bucks to get a bunch made up. We also need to come up with a cool slogan to print on the towels. Something like:

“Crying instead of trying”

We could also think up some ways to get media presence for when we present the crying towels to the baby CPC MPs.

Let’s do it

-R

#132 C. B. Innes on 05.18.07 at 8:43 am

Does anti-capitalist Justin Trudeau represent the new roots of the Liberal party now?

By Observer on 05.17.07 10:23 pm

Justin Trudeau’s remarks were not anti-capitalist but they could be characterized as anti-corporatist.

Our economic system has little resemblance to “traditional capitalism.” Instead, with the birth of the corporate model coupled with globalism, it has become corporatism.

The capitalist theory was born to counteract a global economic system in which governments facilitated the creation of economic units to control international trade. They system was called mercantilism. The global capitalist system now works in virtually the same way.

Our economic system has gone full circle and capitalism no longer exists as envisionaged. Environmental issues are a good example of how it no longer operates as intended. It was assumed that the capitalist would invest as close to home as possible in order to monitor his investments. He would be a part of the community and his behaviour would be controlled by the culture of his community. It would ensure that he would not have complete “freedom” of exploitation but the community would ensure he would be a responsible member of society.

The corporate model evolved to eliminate any public responsibility except through civil action. It was originally only intended to protect personal assets of individual investors from the financial liability of the company (limited liability). It has evolved into a system that has served to eliminate the civic responsiblity of the capitalist.

What passes for capitalism today is really corporatism. There are two forms of corporatism: one in which governments use corporations to achieve public objectives and the other in which corporations use government to promote their private objectives (both involve high levels of cronyism). Stephen Harper once accused Paul Martin of the first form while Harper leans to the second.

#133 nemississs on 05.18.07 at 9:09 am

Wow look at that 3 comments from the peanut gallery.

1 garth
2 garth #2 jclh
3 garth #3 georgina

one body 3 assholes

#134 Bill-Muskoka on 05.18.07 at 10:18 am

C.B. Innes,

What passes for capitalism today is really corporatism.

Spot on with that analysis. I call this melange we have today ‘Raw Capitalism’ because there are no longer the constraints you so aptly mentioned in play.

John Ralston Saul’s book ‘The Collapse of Globalism and the re-invention of the world’ will clearly illustrate why things are as they are, and how they will be changing.

The only ones who are living in denial are the diehard Globalists who refuse to acknowledge their ‘plan’ has failed miserably.

#135 Leasa on 05.18.07 at 10:40 am

Roses are reddish violets are bluish I’m schizophrenic and so am I .

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17.07 6:53 pm

Finally, you admit it. Now that you have a picture of Dean and his car and he was mean to Garth…

Hey Garth, do you get my point here?

L

#136 Bill-Muskoka on 05.18.07 at 10:44 am

JCLH,

Gee, nemississs is looking in the mirror again and confusing his mouth the exit chute!

#137 smoker on 05.18.07 at 10:54 am

Jackies Leftie Hand——–Is this what you call intelligent commentary ? You are one sick person. Go back to that toilet where you belong because that’s where your thoughts belong.

Who was it Daryl Stinson who tried to start a scrap in the middle of the HOC ?
What a blithering idiot .

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17.07
She has a thyroid condition which makes her sensitive to light and affects the shape of the eyeball, I believe . — Garth

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17.07 1:02 pm

Okay . Every time I see her I look for the seeing eye dog .

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17.07 1:16
Intoiletgent works . I do some of my best thinking there .
LOL

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17
Sheesh! Get over yourself dip-stick .
I simply wanted to know what was with the goggles . Looks like she is getting ready to weld something .
She doesn’t have Graves disease tattooed on her for head ‘ya know .

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on

Roses are reddish violets are bluish I’m schizophrenic and so am I .

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on

By nemississs on 05.17.07 11:13 pm

Oh,good the monosyllabic nemississs,who can’t even spell his name correctly shows up to talk out of his ass .
Way to go ! We are all ,very, impressed with your wisdom and wit .
Beat it you GOOF !

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on

#138 Geoffrey Laxton on 05.18.07 at 11:53 am

http://www.thecorporation.com

#139 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 12:01 pm

Roses are reddish violets are bluish I’m schizophrenic and so am I .

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 05.17.07 6:53 pm

Finally, you admit it. Now that you have a picture of Dean and his car and he was mean to Garth…

Hey Garth, do you get my point here?

L

By Leasa on 05.18.07 10:40 am

Sorry Leasa you need to have an ,
actual,functioning brain to get that joke .
Your cerebral cortex is far too damaged to understand it .

#140 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 12:04 pm

Beat it you GOOF !

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on

By smoker on 05.18.07 10:54 am

#141 Observer on 05.18.07 at 12:10 pm

What passes for capitalism today is really corporatism. There are two forms of corporatism: one in which governments use corporations to achieve public objectives and the other in which corporations use government to promote their private objectives (both involve high levels of cronyism).

Stephen Harper once accused Paul Martin of the first form while Harper leans to the second.

By C. B. Innes on 05.18.07 8:43 am

Point well taken, now what is the solution to the problem you have defined for us?

Garth: Do you have an opinion on this issue?

#142 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 12:25 pm

WARNING!!!!!

Do not visit this site as your computer will be infected with a virus and many bugs and Trojans.

http://stevejanke.com/archives/226828.php

You will have to spray your computer with ‘Raid’ when you finish .
You have been warned .

#143 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 12:42 pm

And more of the same.

OTTAWA — A House of Commons committee OTTAWA — A House of Commons committee probe into the events surrounding the release of a highly-censored report on human rights in Afghanistan was held up Thursday by Conservative MPs, who for talked out the clock for hours.

The Tory filibuster finally broke after five hours and the witnesses were allowed to speak around 2 p.m.

The meeting of the House of Commons access to information and ethics committee was the second in a row to feature Tory MPs talking at length about procedural minutia to avoid delving into the committee’s scheduled work.

The Conservatives were arguing that the opposition failed to give them enough notice for the study and that such a review raises concerns about revealing official secrets.

The opposition pushed for the probe following a recent Globe and Mail report showing how the government initially denied the existence of a report on Afghan human rights conditions, then released a heavily censored version. The Globe then obtained an uncensored version of the report which showed the government had blacked out sections that could be politically embarrassing to the government.

The committee was scheduled to hear today from University of Ottawa law professor Amir Attaran and independent journalist Jeff Esau, both of whom had filed requests for the human rights report under Canada’s Access to Information legislation.

#144 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 1:52 pm

Jay Hill just doesn’t get it .
A minority government (?) means precisely that, a minority .
Yes, they have to kow-tow to the opposition as they had far more votes in the election .
I look at the neos as a government (?) by mistake/accident .
No one wants to see these misfits with a majority other than the brain addled dolts that actually voted for these losers .Garth being the glaring exception .
The opposition is a coalition of the willing with far,far more smarts than the neos ever thought of having .
They know how to operate the HOC in a professional manner and keep the vitriol to a minimum .
No,Jay your government (?) is on a short leash and every time you behave badly whether in committee or the HOC it is costing,your party, thousands of votes .
You have the support of 1 in 4 Canadians while the 3,opposition parties share 3 of 4 votes of the Canadian electorate .
Does that tell you anything ?
Get over yourself Hill . You are only one man in a party of total incompetents.

#145 C. B. Innes on 05.18.07 at 2:25 pm

Point well taken, now what is the solution to the problem you have defined for us?

By Observer on 05.18.07 12:10 pm

I don’t pretend to have answers but I will try to suggest a few directions that we might consider.

1. Rethink the use of GDP growth as the sole focus of the health of an economy. Today the establishment uses per capita GDP as the measure of living standards but with the huge growth in economic inequality that measure has become useless. At the same time, the policy decisions that governments make lead to increased GDP growth but are not in the interests of its citizens such as those policies that intentionally are designed to increase the wealth of the economic elite at the expense of jobs (e.g. government assistance to corporations to move production and jobs out of the country). Then they increase the exploitation of our envirnoment and resources to compensate for the loss of jobs.

It is this ideology that underlies the inability of our politicians to deal with environmental concerns.

2. Examine the operation of the corporate model to ensure that it is used for the sole purpose of limiting financial liability and is not made so complicated that it can be used to avoid responsiblity for the actions of those who control it.

3. Corporate concentration has already undermined the functioning of market freedom because it continues to destroy a competitive environment. On the other hand, we need to recognize that in certain economic endeavours competition can waste essential resources. We may need different theoretical critera for how the public sector deals with specific economic sectors (such as food production or energy).

4. In general we have a form of mixed economic system which includes elements of capitalism and socialism. Those on the ideological extremes oppose this mixed system and tend to try to want impose ideological purity without, in many cases understanding, the implications.

In my opinion, the mixed system can provide checks and balances on both the public and private sectors. We need to ensure that these checks and balances are operating properly.

Unfortunately, increasingly the trend has been to integrate the public sector with certain sectors of the private sector such as private-public partnerships (this, in part, leads to the cronyism mentioned above). The lines between certain elements of the public sector and the private sector have become blurred (a good example is the ‘defence’ industry). We need to have clearly defined divisions between private (corporate) power and public (government) power.

To ensure that some form of democracy is maintained we need to ensure that any one element of the private sector does not become more powerful than the public sector, a situation that is rapidly approaching even for mid-size countries like Canada and is already a reality for many other countries.

Eventually we may see the consolidation of financial instutions and with their control over the money supply these private instutions can potentially assume more power than governments.

The Conservatives and NDP have made common cause in basically giving financial institutions control over who can run for election by making it illegal to borrow for campaigns from anyone but these institutions. I am not surprised that Harper would support this but what amazes me is NDP support. This seems to confirm that if you go far enough on one wing of the political spectrum you end up on the other!!!

#146 C. B. Innes on 05.18.07 at 2:28 pm

Another point is that it might be a good idea to make it illegal for political parties to operate as private corporations.

#147 Tyler Martin on 05.18.07 at 2:28 pm

“And Mr. Speaker, this sucks.”

Yeah, haha, that’s awesome.

#148 Adam Smith's Wife on 05.18.07 at 3:14 pm

“Justin Trudeau’s remarks were not anti-capitalist but they could be characterized as anti-corporatist.”

Thank you, C.B.! You’ve articulated a number of thoughts and ideas I’ve been mulling recently re: capitalism, free trade, globalization, etc. The main difference appears to be that you actually know what you’re talking about :) I may just quote you in my blog, if you don’t mind.

Here’s one thought: It is the government’s duty to defend the public interest whenever it conflicts with market forces.

Discuss.

#149 Leasa on 05.18.07 at 5:31 pm

Garth, you should take this site more seriously. What if, some nutbar like your Chan character, sitting in his parent’s basement in Ottawa, used your picture of this MP’s car to track him down and kill him in your honour? Really, posting the guy’s car was way over the top and dangerous. Think…man…Think! L

Did you see any license plate numbers? Or identifying marks? Of course not, because care was taken to remove them. Have a drink, Leasa. — Garth

#150 C. B. Innes on 05.18.07 at 6:43 pm

Re: comments by Adam Smith’s Wife on 05.18.07 3:14 pm

I like your name. Have you read “The Wealth of Nations”?

#151 Bill-Muskoka on 05.18.07 at 6:44 pm

C.B. Innes,

BRILLIANT! You have described EXACTLY my opinion on the capitalism vs: socialism dichotomy that we, as Canadians, face. Unfortunately, our neighbor believes that the very word ‘socialism’ is like anathema.

Looking at Europe we see the reality of the two systems functioning in harmony, as they should, and must!

#152 Bill-Muskoka on 05.18.07 at 6:49 pm

Leasa,

You perceive yourself to be analytical, but, alas, you exhibit repetitive non-anayltical characteristics. One of the very first things I noticed was that Garth had carefully removed the license plate number.

I bet your doctor tells jokes when he administers the ‘knee-jerk’ reaction reflex test?

#153 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 7:12 pm

Did you see any license plate numbers? Or identifying marks? Of course not, because care was taken to remove them. Have a drink, Leasa. — Garth

By Leasa on 05.18.07 5:31 pm

She’ll have neo-con Kool-Aide on the rocks. Like her entire lif is on the rocks.
What a retard !

#154 Leasa on 05.18.07 at 8:06 pm

Did you see any license plate numbers? Or identifying marks? Of course not, because care was taken to remove them. Have a drink, Leasa. — Garth

By Leasa on 05.18.07 5:31 pm

Thanks for offering Garth, but I really don’t need a drink. Now, seriously my dear boy, how many MPs have wheels like that? I think being in business, rights of privacy and confidentiality are big things for me. I would never identify an employee of mine, nor would I ever discuss clients with others. I think that falls under ethics somewhere. But, I’m not one to tell you or anyone what to do…just a friendly warning that in my opinion, you did finger a colleague for any nutbar who’s of such a mind to go after him. It honestly made me uncomfortable.

Oh, and I also think the ‘retard’ comment should never have gotten through for public viewing on your blog. I take great offense from that as we do have a handicapped person in my family who I love very much. But, if ‘retard’ is okay with you, then who am I to interfere. L

#155 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 8:15 pm

Leasa,

You perceive yourself to be analytical, but, alas, you exhibit repetitive non-anayltical characteristics. One of the very first things I noticed was that Garth had carefully removed the license plate number.

Yea, I checked as well Billy .
Never know when a license number will come in handy to a potential assassin/tower sniper .
ROTFLMAO
It is a natural thing to do . For guys I guess. Well guys with brains .

#156 Peterpatch Kid on 05.18.07 at 9:12 pm

I don’t know Garth when I see Dean driving around Peterborough thats not the car he’s driving, and before you say it no he’s not in one of those fine Suzuki’s he likes to pawn off on his customers. No Big Dean he likes his big trucks, V8 Ford I believe. But I guess we shouldn’t be supprised that a used car salesman/politican says one thing and does another. Enjoy your stay in ottawa Dean it’ll probably be a short one.

#157 Bill-Muskoka on 05.18.07 at 10:05 pm

JCLH,

Sniper/tower? Au contrare mon ami! Have you not heard of the JTF2′s record kill at 2,450 meteres? Reach out and touch someone, eh?

Naw, Barge Butt would need the firepower of a 105 Howitzer from a Leopard II tank, or a Cruise missile for that Boat he drives. Forget the license plate…just look for the Big Blue Plume emitting from his exhaust!

#158 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 11:04 pm

I would never identify an employee of mine, nor would I ever discuss clients with others. I think that falls under ethics somewhere. But, I’m not one to tell you or anyone what to do…just a friendly warning that in my opinion, you did finger a colleague for any nutbar who’s of such a mind to go after him. It honestly made me uncomfortable.

You can tell Leasa’s employees ’cause they are all plastic Barbie dolls and they drive pink Corvettes .
You need a whole team of psychiatrists lady . You need serious help !
It figures a recessive gene runs through your family .

#159 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.18.07 at 11:14 pm

Q: How many car salesmen does it take to change a light bulb?
A: I’m going to work this out on my calculator, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

#160 nemississs on 05.19.07 at 1:57 am

Beat it you GOOF !

By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand

I thought that was what you did for garth.

bill I don’t remember pulling your chain but if you insist,

garth #4 big ole bill from muskokee, like i said a real bunch of ASSHOLES.

as for dip #2 jclh when you grow up, oh shit you will never grow up.

#161 Bill-Muskoka on 05.19.07 at 10:10 am

nemississs,

bill I don’t remember pulling your chain but if you insist,

I seriously doubt you are either old enough or tall enough to even reach my chain.

Remember that little ‘team effort’ your Harper pals like to use? Well, team effort is everywhere…it is here as well. Attack, unfairly, one here and expect the rest to look on you with disdain.

#162 nemississs on 05.19.07 at 1:53 pm

I seriously doubt you are either old enough or tall enough to even reach my chain.

I’m at least as old as you,you see bill I am retired and I live off of my investments, quite well I might add, but then I was never stupid enough to invest in income trust funds. As for your chain it still drags across the ground, not really that hard to pull.

Team effort, the last time I saw that we called them the THREE STOOGES, in this case there happens to be four.

#163 Jackie Chan's Left Hand on 05.19.07 at 2:00 pm

Remember that little ‘team effort’ your Harper pals like to use? Well, team effort is everywhere…it is here as well. Attack, unfairly, one here and expect the rest to look on you with disdain.

By Bill-Muskoka on 05.19.07 10:10 am

Disdain ? I loathe this moron . Total waste of space and oxygen .
Thinks he’s so clever and all he is,is stupid .
Now beat it you complete and utter fool.

#164 Bill-Muskoka on 05.19.07 at 5:22 pm

JCLH,

Oooooo…it lives off its investments. Wow…Nobody else has ever done that.

Yeah, another arsehole who thinks it has played life’s game ever so smart. Then comes DEATH…the Great Equalizer!

When those minimum wage employees toss its body into the flames or ground while telling jokes it will be even powerless than the living it disdains with such narcissism.

Oh, and no one has been able to take it with them. All that is left is their reputation.

Wait until Probate goes into action. LMAO!

You seriously need to chill. — Garth

#165 Bill-Muskoka on 05.20.07 at 2:33 pm

Garth,

You seriously need to chill. — Garth

I did so…a nice 6′er of Mill Street Brewery Tankhouse Ale!! It tastes great BTW…try it!

#166 Sean P. Hogan on 05.23.07 at 1:53 pm

And the insults continue….