Quote:
Originally Posted by Slava
Although no one in Alberta would believe this, the reasons that Canada did so well through the recession were because of things that the Liberals did before Harper was in office. He basically didn't screw it up worse, but it wasn't any magic that he worked!
|
^^This.
Harper does indeed deserve some credit for not making things worse, but the real hero for Canada weathering the recession better than most other countries is Paul Martin (moreso for his work as Finance Minister than PM).
As for Harper's performance after five years...it's been
okay (note that I identify as a liberal-leaning moderate). I don't mind him as PM so long as he's held in check by a minority government, but I wouldn't want to see him win a majority.
Also, I find it interesting that he campaigned on a platform of openness, accountability, and granting more power to individual MPs, but once elected he's done exactly the opposite. He is quite likely the most controlling and secretive leader in Canadian history, and he's centralized even more power in the PMO than Chretien did (something Harper rightfully criticized when he was in opposition). I understand
why he's so controlling -- he doesn't want the to lose moderate votes because a stereotypical "redneck" rural Albertan MP says something ridiculous -- but that doesn't excuse his hypocrisy.
And his long form census change is just utterly stupid.