Dion.....just doing it to the Liberal Party, all by himself.

[Canuck E Stan]

Dion GST remark stuns fellow Grits

Stephane Dion’s suggestion that he might one day increase the goods-and-services tax had some of his Liberal troops shaking their heads Wednesday.

One Liberal MP actually buried his head in his hands when told of his leader’s public musing.

Another simply cursed.

Will he even make it to the next election?

I'm getting to think maybe not.

[Michael Bluth]

Dion GST remark stuns fellow Grits

Will he even make it to the next election?

I'm getting to think maybe not.

Why stop at a 6% GST Steph? Why not go for 7? 8? 9? Hell, why not an even 10%?

Does anybody believe these income tax cuts to GST cuts are preferred results we are seeing in the polls really means that people would stand for an increase in the GST?

The Liberals really didn't vote, so I guess their abstention means they didn't have the cojones to pick a side.

Edited November 1, 2007 by Michael Bluth

[Shakeyhands]

Liberal hater

[old_bold&cold]

You do not have to be a Liberal hater to find fault in the poicies of the Liberal party. Yes their leader is some what prone to shooting himself in the foot, but it is the party that needs to take him in hand and guide him to developing policies, and principals, so the voters can see that things have changed. Right now, quilt by association, is the running tool blade that the Liberal party is having the most problem with.

Dions musings about whether the Liberal would put the GST back to higher values, if elected, is some what of a dumb move on his part. But it seems that the liberal party have not got together and spoke about what stance on this should be. It is not as if this wasa surprise move by Harper, and face it, it should have been talked about long before this was ever made in the mini-budget.

The Liberal party has no party. They have a collection of like minded people, who for now are going to only go about getting elected, by their own policies, and not those of the party. I say this because, these same MP's have given Dion their voice to speak as one, when they probably should be voting as to their own views on things, because Dion can not be trusted to do anything with out harming them as a party. If anyone took the time to look at the Liberals as a party right now, they would come away thinking that there is no way you would ever support them. That is why they fear going to the polls right now. They can not ever let people see them as they are now. That would be the most damaging thing to have happen. But then begs the question of just when and how will they change this? Can it be done before Harper just says enough and calls for an election to put them out of their misery. It is a shame when the opposition has to wait for the government to say have suffered enough and call the election, out of sympathy rather then any other reason.

I like spring elections, the weather is better and it seems that the people are always in better moods in the springtime. Maybe Harper will see fit to have it come about then.

[Michael Bluth]

Liberal hater

So you are saying you favour a 10% GST shakey?

[Shakeyhands]

So you are saying you favour a 10% GST shakey?

I favour equal opportunity! Do you? Or are you just a hypocrite? Anyone that points out faults or shortcomings of the CPC is labeled a Harper/CPC Hater, I assume you are finding fault with something Dion muses about because you are a Liberal hater.

Some consistency please.

[Shakeyhands]

oh and by the way, speaking of cajones, there is no reason Harper can't end it all now for an election.

[August1991]

The federal Liberals are making the same mistake that the PQ made. They believe that their problem is their leader. The Liberals can get rid of Dion and they'd be in the same position. The problem of the Liberal Party is greater than Dion.

[Michael Bluth]

I favour equal opportunity! Do you? Or are you just a hypocrite?

What GST rate allows for equal opportunity?

[Shakeyhands]

What GST rate allows for equal opportunity?

nothing to do with the GST, do you by chance hear a 'zooming'?

[Moxie]

The federal Liberals are making the same mistake that the PQ made. They believe that their problem is their leader. The Liberals can get rid of Dion and they'd be in the same position. The problem of the Liberal Party is greater than Dion.

Wise words, I don't see the liberal party of Canada running this country for many years to come and to me that's a good thing. 12 years of entitlement was enough.

[Michael Bluth]

nothing to do with the GST, do you by chance hear a 'zooming'?

You still haven't explained the logic of supporting Dion on raising the GST.

If 5% is too low for the Liberal Party of Canada leader, what rate is high enough?

[Shakeyhands]

where did I support any such thing?

[Michael Bluth]

where did I support any such thing?

So you prefer cutting the GST over income tax cuts?

You're lack of consistency is difficult to comprehend.

[Shakeyhands]

Are you trying to be obtuse? If you are now asking which I prefer, then I will answer. I would much prefer a significant cut in income tax and an even more significant business tax cut than a cut to GST.

The GST cut is simple politics for simple people. But I guess the majority of those that swing vote based on something like that fit that description.

[Michael Bluth]

Are you trying to be obtuse? If you are now asking which I prefer, then I will answer. I would much prefer a significant cut in income tax and an even more significant business tax cut than a cut to GST.

Which begs two questions.

What rate should the GST be set at to pay for these 'signigicant' cuts?

Why were the personal income tax cuts and business tax cuts not significant enough for you? How deep would the cuts have to have been to be significant?

The GST cut is simple politics for simple people. But I guess the majority of those that swing vote based on something like that fit that description.

So it's the simplistic proletarian that are keeping the Liberals from their rightful place in Government?

[fellowtraveller]

So it's the simplistic proletarian that are keeping the Liberals from their rightful place in Government?

Shush now, or the Liberal faithful will finally clue into why their hubris and arrogance are contributing to their slide into oblivion.

They are still completely unaware of why they are widely reviled, to their disadvantage.

Let's hope Sheila Copps or Joe Volpe succeeds Dion.

[AngusThermopyle]

I find this whole debate baffling actually. I simply do not understand those who advocate greater taxation. Canada is already one of the most highly taxed nations in the world yet some call for an even greater degree of taxation.

Personally I would rather keep more of the money I earn in my pocket, not give it to a bunch of buffoons who will then gleefully fritter it away on useless causes and projects. Sure, lets give more so we can fund more gun registries and sponsorship scandals. while we're at it we can find some more special interest groups so we can fund their parades and special causes.

Hell, for such a lofty goal I'll be willing to put in some more overtime each week, after all, none of us have anything better to do with our money. In my opinion if it keeps my money in my pocket then it's not a bad thing.

[Michael Bluth]

Shush now, or the Liberal faithful will finally clue into why their hubris and arrogance are contributing to their slide into oblivion.

They are still completely unaware of why they are widely reviled, to their disadvantage.

Canada is still just a two-party game with a chance of forming Government. The Liberals will have their day again. Hopefully Gerard Kennedy is the leader.

[capricorn]

The Liberals will have their day again. Hopefully Gerard Kennedy is the leader.

That should guarantee at least 25 years of Conservative government.

[Amazing Atheist]

I am non-partisan...

The liberals piss me off because they are corrupt and they never stick to their guns and the cons piss me off because they don't act very conservative.

I will be voting this time for the candidate who has the best environmental policy and most reasonable. This issue is by far the most important issue to us not only as a nation but as a species that should be able to sustain itself for centuries to come.

I am still undecided as to who will get my vote, Afghanistan is also another big issue for me. After researching what is going on in Afghanistan and the progress being made it is clear to me that the corruption within it's government, police, military and civilian population especially it's farmers which were promised legit seeds for crops like wheat and corn and instead are now growing opium to feed their families for the Taliban, this war has become a lost cause to to the lack of support from the international community.

[Moxie]

I'm trying to figure Dion out, he is against tax cuts. Second they bring the Lian Brian episode up again, last time it cost tax payers two million, this is another head shaker. Thirdly they are beaking off to the media over the Cons not demanding clemency for a convicted killer in the US.

Translation from my vantage point: The liberals want to tax us to death. 2. They are willing to squander taxpayers dollars by bringing old scandles up that have no relevance with current issues. 3. There stance on the killer reinforces my belief that the liberal idiology is hug a criminal spit on the victims. They had twelve years to reform our justice system, changing the names or titles of organizations is the sum total of that twelve years (i.e. Alternate Measures Program to Youth Restoritive Program, god only knows what it's called now).

This party is toast, weak MPs no platform and Mr. Dithers at the helm. The stench of death is in the air.

[Canuck E Stan]

From a letter to the editor,

Let me get this right.Stephane Dion refused to vote against a tax cut that if it passed ,he would rescind if he was Prime Minister-and then said he would abstained from because he said the voters don't want an election where he expects me to elect him prime minister so he could rescind the tax cut he opposes but won't vote against.

Why would I vote for him knowing he would rescind my tax cut that he didn't vote against even though his party was elected because they would eliminate this tax that he now won't vote to cut, but would rather increase if we elected him in an election he says we don't want?

Clearly the pressure of being leader of the Official Opposition is getting to Dion.

And he's right.......I think?

[geoffrey]

Hopefully Gerard Kennedy is the leader.

Funny how you and I Bluth agree on our favourite Liberal candidate, despite being very conservative and Kennedy being to the left. The man has ideas and vision, something that no other candidate has. If I'm looking for huge economic innovation, I see two potential winners in the PM chair. Mr. Maxime Bernier and Mr. Gerard Kennedy.