Poly Ticks

Fiscal Responsibility

The Harper Gang is at it again. Remember the top scientist we left at home because we were being fiscally responsible? In a new display of the same sort of attention to detail, the Conservative Party decided to save money by getting their advertising printed at taxpayer expense. See here for the story.

Without a doubt, my favourite quote of the story was:

"We are correcting the situation with the statements that were mistakenly issued under (departmental) letterhead. This was an oversight on our part," said Ann Matejicka.

Oversight being the problem. Like the upcoming stimulus package spending spree they want to go on. Without any oversight to their spending. The one they are willing to plunge the country into another election over. And that's why they need the free advertising. Because this is as much about Stephen Harper daring Michael Ignatieff as it is about making sure it's his buddies who get the cheques. Stephen Harper knows that every obscene thing the Government passes weakens Michael Ignatieff in the eyes of Liberal voters. And that's something Stephen Harper doesn't have to worry about. He's already lost all but his most hard core conservative supporters, so his only road to power lies in forcing the Liberals into enough concessions that the Liberal voter base becomes annoyed. The Harper Gang will never rule through a majority of votes. Their only hope is in fracturing their opposition and alienating the electorate from the political system so that their 20% of the electorate is enough to stay in power.

And Yet They're Still In Power

Fiscal responsibility. It's something the Harper Gang continually tell us that only they can do. I'd like to call bs. Again. First the Minister of Finance suggests there will be screw ups in releasing Canada's stimulus package. Then the Harper Gang insists there be no over sight to their spending the stimulus package. We're going to screw up and you can't watch.

Cooperation. Another thing the Harper Gang consistently say only they are doing. More bs. Harper is going to make the legislation removing oversight from their spending a confidence motion. He has said he's willing to have an election for the right to have no one watching as he doles out the stimulus money. And screws up.

Seriously, if you are a conservative, why would you ever vote for these clowns? They are not practicing conservative ideals.

Not that I'm overly impressed by any of them at the moment. The Liberals after all are the ones who are allowing this farce to continue, but they at least know how to play well with others. Having reduced our parliament to a kindergarten glass it is perhaps the best we can hope for.

Stephen Harper Finally Sees The Train, Soundtrack by The Who

It seems as if Stephen Harper has finally realised what's going on. There are suggestions from the Conservative camp that there will be far fewer confidence votes in the next legislation and that some more controversial legislation won't be pushed forward. It would be nice if this was happening because Stephen Harper looked up the definition of "minority government", but it would seem not to be the case.

Stephen Harper has finally come to understand that he might not hold on to power if he pushes this Opposition. There's also the fact that someone in the Conservative camp has done the math and reached the conclusion that if they can hold power until January next year, that they will be able to appoint so many Senators that they control the Senate. Seems like the new boss is looking a lot like the old boss. Let's hope we won't get fooled again.

Happy New Year

Yes it's the new year and the hits just keep on coming. Jim Flaherty, the man presently responsible for the coutry's finances has just announced that there may be tax cuts in the upcoming budget. Maybe. Maybe not. What do you think?

This is what's known as a trial ballon and it has a long and proud history in Ottawa. Suggest something might happen and see how and who reacts. Adjust as needed. The problem is that we're in the middle of a global financial crisis that is having a very serious effect on Canada. During the election a couple of months ago the Cons made fun of Stephane Dion for saying he wanted to consult and formulate a plan in 30 days to get Canada thru this crisis. It took the Cons 30 days to decide they needed to consult, and having consulted still don't have a plan. They're floating trial balloons and are obviously only concerned with cobbling together a budget that gives everyone enough money to stop them from complaining and makes it difficult for the opposition parties to defeat.

One of the tax cuts that's been brought in is the tax free savings account. Up to $5,000 can be saved in a special account with no income tax paid on it. What a great way to encourage Canadians to save. Unfortunately what is needed at the present time is to encourage Canadians to continue to spend. Ooops.

Repetitive Behaviour Syndrome

For those that missed the story while stuffing turkey...Tory aide tried to scuttle Hanukah event school says.

This shit still surprises me. This was a threat. To any conservatives out there - what do you make of this? It's my understanding that the conservative philosophy is that governments should not be bullying and threatening it's own citizens.

I first heard about this on warrenkinsella.com. If it's not on your list of political blogs to read it should be.

Merry Christmas Senate Reform

Some people have suggested that Stephen Harper is not to be trusted, but personally I think you can trust him. You can trust him to speak loudly and passionately about what he believes in. You can trust him to change his mind about what he believes in if it doesn't help him. You can trust him to do the exact opposite of what he said he would do if he thinks it will help him push his agenda forward. You can trust him to ignore the conventions and accepted rules if they get in his way. You can even trust him to break the law if he feels he wants to make a point. In short, you can trust him to be Stephen Harper.

After years of railing against Senate appointments, and even making his point by not appointing any new Senators last term, Stephen Harper has done his usual about face and appointed himself some Senators. Of course he couldn't make those appointments while Parliament was in session like every other Prime Minister, because he suspended Parliament in order to avoid getting tossed out on his ass. So, after setting one precedent for being the first Prime Minister to use the formal procedure of prorogation to avoid a vote of confidence, he adds to that legacy by being the first one to appoint Senators during a prorogation. Does this mean Stephen Harper might actually be beginning to realise that he might not be around much longer and so this is his last chance to tuck some friends in?

I like the Senate, I believe in the Senate and I think it has, generally, served this country very well. On most days it continues to. I also believe in appointed Senators. Typically they are not appointed by some unknown and unelected hermit, they are appointed by the person who, having achieved the majority support of Parliamentarians, achieves the office of Prime Minister. What could be more democratic? This person, usually, has won at least 3 elections to get there. The election to leadership of their party, their home riding election, and then the more nebulous election of having the most seats in the House of Commons. This year, however, only two out of three of those elections were won. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Stephen Harper has lost the support of the House of Commons.

The Senate's function is to stop populist politicians with from running our country like a dictatorship. And we need them now as much as we ever have.

Over Taxation

Here's a handy phrase becoming increasingly common. Over taxed. As in, "If the Government has a surplus it's because they were over taxing." It's a talking point for the right. Of course they feel any taxation is bad taxation, so it's not surprising. It's also used for cover when people ask how we went from $16 billion or so in the bank to where we seem to be finding ourselves today. I think that most Canadians don't mind paying taxes, they would just like to see some value for their dollar for a change. We would like to actually see some thing happen for our tax dollars.

Things other than blowing $300 million on an election and then, to save $30 million, demand we hold another $300 million election. Something other than insisting that there's no financial crisis, then suggesting if the Government is going to make bail outs it needs to sell assets in order to avoid deficit, to finally admitting that even if we don't spend any more money and sell all our assets we're going to run a deficit. In under 2 months. Would you hire these people to run your business?

Suddenly over taxation sounds like fiscal prudence. At least we wouldn't have to hold a fire sale. I take it this is another one of those good times to invest?

Our Government In Action

Why Stephen Harper and his gang think it's ok to yank one of our top scientists from attending his commitments at an international forum on climate change.

Canada is not living up to it's international obligations.

You're Kidding Right?

More seemingly ridiculous "cost saving" measures that don't address the problem. Scientist dropped...

Meanwhile there's announcements of extended plant closures. Priorities gentlemen! Oh right, there isn't actually anyone in the office to do anything, so sorry.