Harper stands against EU

[tjinaz]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle4240996/


Pretty respectable move.

Yet this pressure on Canada appears to be having no effect. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty used strong language in Ottawa on Thursday to dismiss calls from NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair for Canada to contribute.
“What we do know is that Mr. Mulcair criticizes our government for not participating with Canadian taxpayers’ money in bailing out European banks and, quite frankly, these are among the wealthiest countries in the world and they can manage their own issue before looking to other countries to bail them out,” Mr. Flaherty said.

[The Yen Man]

Why do they want money coming from "dirty oil" and "tarsands" anyways? Aren't they all high and mighty when denouncing us for ruining the environment? What a bunch of Euro hypocrites.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I don't think the Europeans care if the money comes from peddling crack. They are broke through horrible fiscal decisions and want more money, likely without strings, to piss away. What pisses me off the most is its a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. Bail them out and its a major taxpayer expense that likely will become a waste; don't bail them out, the world economy gets thrown into peril and we as a country economically suffer through no fault of our own. And of course if the day ever comes where we need help, they will stiff us out of spite.

[blankall]

The sad part is that many of the countries in the most serious trouble still don't seem to get it. You have populations with bankrupt governments voting in socialist parties that are planning to increase spending.

[burn_this_city]

Screw them, I read an article in the Economist on how a lot of Europeans turn their noses up at commerce because they feel they are above working in business. Many plainly expect government for provide for them and the rich should foot the bill.

[SebC]

Makes sense to me. Some of these countries need to realize that it doesn't matter what you feel you deserve, it matters what your productivity can support.

[mykalberta]

It seems crazy to me that Europe would sink so low to ask Canada to contribute to a bailout fund. Not increase taxes or lower benefits first to fund it themselves, but to as a country where they wont import our grain, beef, and constantly rag on our oil.

Kingdom of Saud makes perfect sense as Europe would be a large consumer of its oil products. Canada currently has its own debts and issues to worry about paying those off before giving money to countries where 6 weeks vacation is the norm.

From Canadas perspective would dissolving the Euro be a bad thing?

[LouCypher]

In a general sense the EU expecting money from us to help bail them out is like having your wealthy aunts and uncles who all had more money then you, coming to you for a bail out. Meanwhile you've worked to be responsible and manage your own finances in a responsible way, so now because they wont get what they wont they want to hold our "responsible behavior" against us. They in fact find it "irritating" that we have been able to recover so well from the financial turmoil of the last 5 years or so.

Perhaps the EU could be working with Canada to try to follow our example rather then hold it over our heads.

Of course by no means are we a perfectly responsible nation, but I like how Canada doesn't jump on every bandwagon just because everyone is asking them to.

[Table 5]

Maybe it's time to get rid of the 3 hours siesta. All the countries that are in trouble (Italy, Spain, Greece) have a total disregard for modern realities. Sure it sounds like a great life to have a 3 hour lunch so you can go home and see the kids, but at the end of the day if you can't put food on the table without begging, it's not sustainable.

Considering how much they rely on tourist dollars, they could also learn a lesson or two from NA about customer service.

[Hatter]

One day environmental terrorists and seal-slaughtering barbarians, the next fiscal saviours. Pound sand Europe.

[undercoverbrother]

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre put it another way in the House of Commons.
“This Prime Minister will not force hard-working Canadian taxpayers to bail out sumptuous euro welfare-state countries and the wealthy bankers that lend to them,” he said.

nice

[freedogger]

The "You are dammed if you do, dammed if you don't" needs to be rephrased to "You and your children are dammed if you do, you are dammed if you don't"

[mikey_the_redneck]

Harper should go all the way and permanently end our membership in the IMF. It is a destructive organization.

[Resolute 14]

Absolutely the right call. Europe's mismanaged itself into this position, and there is no reason why we should be letting them mismanage our money all the same.

[The Yen Man]

What ticks me off is that these aren't impoverished nations we're talking about. These European countries are absolutely able to get out of this financial crisis with some sacrifices and belt tightening from its citizens. But oh no, we can't disrupt the gravy train and free ride all their citizens get from the government. Let's make sure other countries can bail us out when we need to and continue living our lazy lifestyles.

[undercoverbrother]

I think we can all agree.................Europe Sucks

[Muta]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I think we can all agree.................Europe Sucks

Euro 2012 is fun, Euro money-begging diatribes are not.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I think we can all agree.................Europe Sucks

I think we can all agree you're just a twit who is resentful and afraid of anything that exists outside of Sylvan Lake.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I think we can all agree you're just a twit who is resentful and afraid of anything that exists outside of Sylvan Lake.

Easy Big Boy I have been all over Europe. Stayed in the majority of the countries. I actually like places in Europe, very much in fact.


What I think sucks is their belief that we should be bailing them out. Helping end an issue that was not created by Canada.

So yeah, I am resentful of that. Now if they want to increase their orders of Saskatchewan Seal Skin Boots.....then maybe was can talk.

[Regorium]

I love this decision from our government.