Dave Rutherford considering running against Nenshi

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Holy crap, does he have an on-call maid, landscaper and bathroom attendant for that?

I think you misspelled blowjob attendant.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

To be fair most of what I'm hearing is crying from people who already have means (six figure income, own multiple properties, etc), when the reality is they represent a smaller percentage of the voter block.

Attempting to think like the majority is helpful during voting season, rather than insulating yourself.

Don't kid yourself. A lot of households in this city are supported by six figure incomes. A lot.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Don't kid yourself. A lot of households in this city are supported by six figure incomes. A lot.

Calgary's mean total household average is 89k. Very high, but as a grouped income, it isn't 6 figures.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by mariners_fever

Try owning a rental property and turning a profit, it might open your eyes.

I suspect you're mixing up profit with cashflow. You can be cashflow negative but still profiting, because as you pay down the mortgage you are increasing your equity. In an efficient market, rental properties would typically be cashflow negative for the owner. If a renter's payment was to cover the mortgage, utilities, maintenance, condo fees, property taxes etc. on a property, then usually that renter might as well buy instead so they can be the one building equity in the property.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by fotze

Just by those, it would be 11%, but I don't think you can do that because it is based on property value. Maybe a better measure would be operating budget for the past 3 years.

As someone who really wants Nenshi re-elected I hope the terrible wanting lower taxes makes you stupid arguments by psycnet and yeahbaby aren't used by his supporters. Its not what Nenshi says and it does not help anything.

Taking more money from increased taxes should be viewed as a privilege and honor to be entrusted by those in government and Nenshi does come across as someone who takes it very seriously.

With previous governments, Bronco, I wanted zero tax increases, because I didn't trust it would be spent wisely, didn't trust how they were spending. I may have believed the city needed more money to work with but the wrong folks were there. I happen to trust Nenshi with the money (not a fan of the city managers raise thing) so I don't mind some increases.

It wouldn't help if Nenshi is building trust by being really intelligent in his speech on how to spend money, but having a supporter telling people that they are morons for not wanting to write a blank cheque.

I wasn't actually arguing anything. I was being sensationalist for the sake of being a sensationalist. Isn't that the best way to combat populist? It isn't? Oh bother.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Calgary's mean total household average is 89k. Very high, but as a grouped income, it isn't 6 figures.

Well it's pretty darn close isn't it? You called a group that is very close to the mean a "smaller percentage of the voter block" when it's closer to the mean than it is any small percentage.

[CaptainCrunch]

I should totally run for mayor

Vote for me, I promise a kitten in every pot,and a dead hooker in every dumpster.

four more years four more years.

Bomb Vietnam

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by fotze

Just by those, it would be 11%, but I don't think you can do that because it is based on property value. Maybe a better measure would be operating budget for the past 3 years.

Operating Budget Highlights

($ millions) 2011 2012 2013 2014
Approved
consolidated budget* $2,716 $2,817 $2,937 $3,078

This is the operating budget projected in the 3 year budget cycle. Just slightly more than the rate of population growth, which was 2.7% last year. So operating expenses are growing slower than inflation + growth.

Keep in mind that property taxes fund about 50% of the operating budget - but is really the only tool besides user fees that the City has adjust to keep up with growth and inflation. Operating budget increases, are always less than what the property tax increase is.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Well it's pretty darn close isn't it? You called a group that is very close to the mean a "smaller percentage of the voter block" when it's closer to the mean than it is any small percentage.

That's a household income though, so a combined income close to 6 figures, not an individual.

Also, that's being pretty blaise about a fairly large amount of money isn't it? $11,000 is a big gap, esp when it is equivalent to 12.5% of your existing income.

[jammies]

The problem isn't that people who want lower taxes are stupid, it's that a lot of stupid people want lower taxes. Someone who says "I want my taxes to be spent wisely and to have them set at a rate that is sufficient without being extravagant" isn't an idiot, but the losers who bitch and moan every time taxes go up while also being dead against long-term measures to reduce the necessity of large tax hikes deserve nothing better than to be mocked relentlessly and well.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

That's a household income though, so a combined income close to 6 figures, not an individual.

Also, that's being pretty blaise about a fairly large amount of money isn't it? $11,000 is a big gap, esp when it is equivalent to 12.5% of your existing income.

The percentage is less than that if you consider after-tax income.

[RedMileDJ]

I like this write-up: http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/06/05...nist-rick-bell

The best part are some of the comments below. Example:

This petulant must go!
Rutherford for Mayor!
Actually, my dog, Jake, could do a better job as mayor, and he doesn't bark half as much as Prince Nenshi.

Things are beginning to fall apart for Mayor Nenshi as the $52 million controversy grows and shows no signs of abating. Now Nenshi is trying to claim that he didn't take the money he was just consulting that's all. What Nenshi fails to understand or accept is that this is not his money to consult or negotiate about. He has displayed a complete disdain for taxpayers and total disrespect for their money and then got an insensitive billionaire boor to mock and ridicule those demanding their cash back. A few weeks ago Nenshi looked unbeatable in an election, today he is reeling from several body shots that have clearly rattled him to the point that he's now trying to pick a fight with the media.

I'd probably vote Rutherford. But it would be interesting watching the debates and such.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

The best part are some of the comments below.

Sun Media's comments section is about 1 step above YouTube in political insight.

[RedMileDJ]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Sun Media's comments section is about 1 step above YouTube in political insight.

I realize that, but these are the voters comments. This is what your average voter, or at least the ones online, are thinking and saying.

[Ozy_Flame]

The minute I saw a link to the Calgary Sun written by Rick Bell, I knew I would be getting a refreshing, neutral, unbiased opinion piece that speaks to all Calgarians. Color me surprised I wasn't allowed to use this quality media outlet as a source in my university papers.

[DFO]

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

I realize that, but these are the voters comments. This is what your average voter, or at least the ones online, are thinking and saying.

These are not average voters - they are average Sun readers.

[Bigtime]

Please please please don't base any of your arguments on online comment sections.

I even include forums in that statement, CP here though seems to have a nice mix of opinions and political stances though, whereas you know most of us on SSP are pretty much in the Nenshi camp.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

I coined Rutherford's campaign slogan last night for him. "Catering to the lowest common denominator: Vote Rutherford"

agreed...he would be the western equivalent to Rob Ford.

Can't wait for someone to dig up all the crazy things he's said on the radio over the years...

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

I realize that, but these are the voters comments. This is what your average voter, or at least the ones online, are thinking and saying.

If Sun comments were to be believed as representing the "average" voter or person, then the Wildrose would have won the last election 87 seats to nothing, and the CPC would be the party in power with 308 seats to nothing.

[Ozy_Flame]

I have come to believe that the Calgary Sun audience is somewhere between bitter Albertan separatists and the "THEY TOOK 'ER JERBS" crowd.