40th Canadian Federal Election - Welcome to another Conservative Minority (whee!)

[Ronald Pagan]

Originally Posted by peter12

In American and Canadian theoretical circles, I am totally bang-on. I can't account for what stupid governments do with politically motivated leaders who can't think ahead of the next election cycle.

So I'm interested, what should governments economic policy be during a recession or depression?

[Resolute 14]

Wow, only in a twisted, Liberal world is increased democracy an evil thing...

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ronald Pagan

So I'm interested, what should governments economic policy be during a recession or depression?

Lower taxes, increase consumer spending or just ride through it. It's normally the result of poor borrowing or credit practices due to bad government legislation. Look at what Fannie May and the Democrats did that caused this current mess.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by peter12

In American and Canadian theoretical circles, I am totally bang-on. I can't account for what stupid governments do with politically motivated leaders who can't think ahead of the next election cycle.

Keynesian theory, at least with respect to central banks raising or lowering interest rates to combat inflation or stimulate capital investment, respectively, is practiced by both the American and Canadian governments. The second part of the Keynesian theory(simultaneously lowering taxes and increasing goverment spending) may have fallen out of favour, but manipulating interest rates is still very much a key part of the economic policies of every developed nation.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Wow, only in a twisted, Liberal world is increased democracy an evil thing...

Uh, what?

When did I ever say it was "evil"?

I merely pointed out that I won't support a party with many socially conservative backbenchers when the leader of that party has said he wants to allow a greater number of private members' bills and free votes. There's absolutely nothing "evil" about that, but it's not a platform that I'm comfortable supporting.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Uh, what?

When did I ever say it was "evil"?

I merely pointed out that I won't support a party with many socially conservative backbenchers when the leader of that party has said he wants to allow a greater number of private members' bills and free votes. There's absolutely nothing "evil" about that, but it's not a platform that I'm comfortable supporting.

It rather works the other way too. Socially liberal back benchers with private members bills would be given more options to introduce their policies as well. And frankly, no matter how badly one buys into the "Hidden agenda" rhetoric, such bills that fall toward the extremes in either direction will have no shot at passing, even in a Conservative majority. You're pissing in the wind on this one.

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

One of Harper's first acts as PM was an attempt to repeal the Gay Marriage legislation -- it was defeated by the other three parties. If the Conservatives had a majority, they very easily could have passed that or any other socially-conservative agenda (hidden or otherwise) that they wanted.

Harper has also said numerous times that he wants his backbenchers to have more power and for parliament to have a greater number of free-votes. While Harper himself may or may not support the introduction of socially conservative legislation, many of his MPs certainly do, and a Conservative majority could give them enough votes to pass any number of socially conservative private members' bills.

As for the Liberals' record, under Chretien and Martin they did indeed have a proven record of fiscal responsibility and budget-balancing. Was there also wasteful spending? Absolutely there was, but no government, left or right wing, is immune from that.

By reducing the transfer payments to the provinces... you left out that part. I would agree that every government has some wasteful spending, but there are degrees. The Liberals are responsible for the most wasteful spending ever, if you consider the sponsorship scandal (which was outright theft of Canadian taxpayer dollars), the gun registry lies, the HRDC boondoggle, and the list goes on.

[Ronald Pagan]

Latest Nanos:

http://www.nikonthenumbers.com/topics/show/106

33-29-20

Colour me surprised if the NDP gets 20 popular vote.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

IMO I like where Harper's head is at on economic issues...I think that the Canadian economy doesn't really need deficit spending right now and I would hope that if we do need such a policy that he would implement it...global economic problems could last a loong time and we should wait to see where the real problems in Canada lie before spending gobs of cash...

If only he wasn't such a knob when it comes to social policy he would easily have a majority...

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

global economic problems could last a loong time and we should wait to see where the real problems in Canada lie before spending gobs of cash...

Interesting article in the globe today.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...tory/TPComment

Dions spending promises are akin to the 'massive' US bailout. Probably not good timing for these kind of promises.

If harper pooches the election and we're stuck with that bill in alberta I may be very very cranky.

[mrdeeds]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Just wondering how that turned out?

Besides the reversal on the arts, Harper managed to keep make some token spending promises. It will not be enough to recapture majority and the Conservatives continue to slip. It appears as his apparent smug, passionless demeanour is turning many concerned Canadians away.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

Interesting article in the globe today.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...tory/TPComment

That's not an "article", it's an opinion piece. And it plays fast and loose with the facts. For example, the possible high-speed train to go from Windsor to Quebec City is being funded by the provinces with no federal money. Dion has been supportive of this endeavor as it will get a lot of cars off the road. He just throws in that Dion's support for the project suggests that he's going to throw money at it. It's not part of the platform, nobody has even suggested that they would chip in, but the author just makes that assumption.

And yes, the Liberals did get the budget under control by cutting transfers to the provinces - meaning health care and education cuts - but I don't know which of these you want cut instead:
http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/fin.../graph06_e.gif

[Azure]

Be kinda stupid if absolutely nothing changed. Just $250mil down the drain.

At least I won't be voting conservative. So something has changed.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

That's not an "article", it's an opinion piece.

Whatever floats your boat.

Interesting opinion piece in the globe, then. As if there's any other kind at election time.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

As for the Liberals' record, under Chretien and Martin they did indeed have a proven record of fiscal responsibility and budget-balancing. Was there also wasteful spending? Absolutely there was, but no government, left or right wing, is immune from that.

WOW.

How quickly (or conveniently) the Gomery Commission and Adscam is overlooked.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by First Lady

WOW.

How quickly (or conveniently) the Gomery Commission and Adscam is overlooked.

I'm not over-looking anything. Of course I remember about the Sponsorship Scandal, the Gun Registry, etc., and I even acknowledged as much in my post ("Was there also wasteful spending? Absolutely there was").

Many of you don't see the forest for the trees, though. It's an indisputable fact that under Chretien/Martin, the Liberals balanced the federal budget and turned in seven consecutive surpluses. I'll never claim that they were perfect stewards of the public coffers (no party ever is), but they did a damn sight better than the governments of Mulroney, Trudeau, and their other post-war predecessors.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'm not over-looking anything. Of course I remember about the Sponsorship Scandal, the Gun Registry, etc., and I even acknowledged as much in my post ("Was there also wasteful spending? Absolutely there was").

Many of you don't see the forest for the trees, though. It's an indisputable fact that under Chretien/Martin, the Liberals balanced the federal budget and turned in seven consecutive surpluses. I'll never claim that they were perfect stewards of the public coffers (no party ever is), but they did a damn sight better than the governments of Mulroney, Trudeau, and their other post-war predecessors.

Adscam was not simply careless spending.... it was fraudulent, illegal activity with OUR money.
Members of the Liberal party where charged by the RCMP ! !

And this was under the watch of Chretien and Martin.... !

Show me an example of any other party having members charged with criminal activity with taxpayers money.

[REDVAN]

I think a lot of people are worried over nothing... the conservative backbenchers getting too much power, LOL!

What are these conservative bills they will introduce? Change the name of gay marriage to same-sex partnership? OH I am quaking in my boots. Don't change the name of gay marriage, please no! I think lots of liberals (and conservatives for that matter) need to understand that both are centre parties in Canada, and despite your fear-mongering, there won't be any restriction of people's rights or freedoms if Harper gets a majority. If you disagree, then prove to me how your life has changed in the last 3 years, since we have had a liberal government... I will tell you right now that my life has not changed, and so that proves to me that nothing drastic will be changing.

Harper may be an android, but he has done very well for himself as a PM with a minority government. If he gets a majority, I doubt there will be a doomsday. Just like if Dion gets a minority, there will be no change really, other than the fact our PM won't be able to speak English again. That will suck.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Members of the Liberal party where charged by the RCMP

Which MP was convicted?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Which MP was convicted?

Which MP was charged?

I don't think that the years of fiscal responsibility are erased because someone else acted unethically.