Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacks
Say thanks to a minority government (coupled with the recession), expect more of that if we had proportional representation. Now that Harper has a majority notice the difference? the tough decisions are being made because there isn't the threat of another election every week. Cretien, hero of the left, would never have balanced the books without a majority. I'd rather deal with a government I don't like for 4 years of stability than 4 years of yipping like little dogs.
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Pre-recession spending / GST cut wasn't because the opposition (who were very much spineless at the time) forced Harper's hand. He put us on the path to structural deficit because of balanced budget ideology (i.e. big surpluses in economic booms are the result of excessive taxation, rather than an appropriate means of saving for recessions).
The opposition did force the stimulus package in the recession, but that's where it's appropriate to increase spending and doesn't put you into structural deficit.
Now that Harper has a majority, he really hasn't gotten any better. Omni-bus crime bill is post-majority, for example. Increasing OAS age to 67 but maintaining payments to high income seniors ($70-100K) is post-majority. Sure they're planning to reduce spending a bit in the coming years, but given where they're starting from that's not saying much.
Harper the sound fiscal manager has been nothing more than spin.