Flaherty to slash public funding for federal parties

[jdobbin]

Ignatieff has what 2-3 years of experiance in Ottawa?

Coincidentally, Harper had only three years as an MP before seeking leadership.

[blueblood]

Hah, I'm a lefty and I can't imagine anything more stupid. Oh, wait a minute I see you said it only SEEMS that way.

I don't think there's anyone on the planet who thinks, that would regard economics as anything more than a cross between a ponzie scheme and a crap shoot.

A lot more people than think that socialism is the best economic system in the world. This ponzie scheme and crap shoot defeated the biggest socialist joke in the world and is far more stable and lasted longer than the theft and thuggery system we know as socialism.

[jdobbin]

Ya Bob Rae's experience governing in bad times is stellar, Ignatief is pretty much a wild card, what I've seen I don't like he's arrogant, condescending and aloof. Either one running a government full of NDP cabinet ministers doesn't strike me as workable.

The Tories are free to vote no confidence thereafter.

[jdobbin]

Yes, he's saying there could be a deficit. I guess that's part of the price for an economic situation not seen in 75 years. But your new found fiscal conservatism is even more laughable than your pseudo-concern over a possible federal deficit. Especially from a guy who's party and politics constantly claim a litany of government programs that aren't so-called "fully funded."

New found? Think I have been since my first posts here that fiscal conservatism is essential for good governance.

The budget officer of Parliament laid the blame right at Harper's feet.

So what spending would you cut, big shot?

There is that personal insulting tone we have come to expect from the hyperpartisan Tory supporters.

I have listed numerous cuts which you have obviously not read. Ask some of your Tory buddies to point them out to you.

[jdobbin]

now they can go to the electorate about democracy, how the libs are running a huge deficit when the tories would have a 100 m surplus, how the tories managed the country, and whatever nonsense the tory war room can concoct. All they have to do is convince voters.

Hard to believe the democracy angle when Harper tried to do the same thing in 2004.

Harper has already said a deficit is in the works. The Liberals can blame it all on him if they get into office.

I was talking about potential tory leaders, Lord is the best horse.

If he runs.

Ah but being a business owner that is constantly turning money over on expenditures, namely machinery, a GST cut was really really beneficial.

Most Canadians don't get the same benefits as you. Income is where they stand to make the great savings when there is cuts according to the majority of economists that challenged Harper on his political move of GST cuts.

[Slim MacSquinty]

The budget officer of Parliament laid the blame right at Harper's feet.

Blame for what? Correcting a lot of past mistakes, not overtaxing citizens, funding infrastructure programs or paying down the deficit?

[Smallc]

Blame for what? Correcting a lot of past mistakes, not overtaxing citizens, funding infrastructure programs or paying down the deficit?

The blame for the deficit. Harper paid down debt, BTW, something the Liberals had started to do after they eliminated the deficit....and now its back. Its what happens when you deeply cut taxes, greatly increase spending, and don't plan for a downturn.

Edited November 29, 2008 by Smallc

[jdobbin]

Blame for what? Correcting a lot of past mistakes, not overtaxing citizens, funding infrastructure programs or paying down the deficit?

For the imminent budget shortfall expected in the next months.

Can't blame the Liberals on that although Harper is trying.

[blueblood]

Hard to believe the democracy angle when Harper tried to do the same thing in 2004.

Harper has already said a deficit is in the works. The Liberals can blame it all on him if they get into office.

If he runs.

Most Canadians don't get the same benefits as you. Income is where they stand to make the great savings when there is cuts according to the majority of economists that challenged Harper on his political move of GST cuts.

Who would harper form a coalition with? The tory war room will spin this democracy angle whether you think its ethical or not.

He said a deficit is possible. he didn't run one. The tories can run attack ads on this during the coalition gov't.

And the poorest Canadians who don't pay income tax, this is their only tax cut, how little it is.

[jdobbin]

Who would harper form a coalition with? The tory war room will spin this democracy angle whether you think its ethical or not.

Harper will have to explain what he was thinking when he wrote the Governor General in 2004.

He said a deficit is possible. he didn't run one. The tories can run attack ads on this during the coalition gov't.

By all means they can run ads. I'm sure they were going to blame the Liberals anyway. What does it matter if they are in Opposition or government when the ads are run?

And the poorest Canadians who don't pay income tax, this is their only tax cut, how little it is.

You'll note I said the majority of Canadians would do better with an income tax cut. GST works better for you but I don't think anyone should pretend that is the best for the majority of taxpayers. Nor do many economists believe it had more kick than an income tax cut.

[Alta4ever]

Coincidentally, Harper had only three years as an MP before seeking leadership.

How many before becoming leader?

[jdobbin]

How many before becoming leader?

How many more what?

[Alta4ever]

How many more what?

How many more years before Ignateif seems to me he still has an uphill battle.

[Shady]

I have listed numerous cuts which you have obviously not read.

No, I'll just ask you, since they're your cuts. Name a few, off the top of your head because I'd rather not have to read through 16 pages of posts. Healthcare? Education? Defense? Come'on, talk the talk if you're gonna walk the walk. And I still haven't heard you assess the global recession's impact on a possible federal deficit. And you're calling other people hyperpartisan? LOL, pot meet kettle.

[Alta4ever]

No, I'll just ask you, since they're your cuts. Name a few, off the top of your head because I'd rather not have to read through 16 pages of posts. Healthcare? Education? Defense? Come'on, talk the talk if you're gonna walk the walk. And I still haven't heard you assess the global recession's impact on a possible federal deficit. And you're calling other people hyperpartisan? LOL, pot meet kettle.

Yes what are the liberals going to cut out of the budget, what goodies will the bloc get for their support?

[Smallc]

Yes what are the liberals going to cut out of the budget, what goodies will the bloc get for their support?

I don't think they'll cut much of anything. Most economist agree its not the time for cuts. Many actually say that the Canadian government doesn't waste very much at all, especially in comparison to other governments.

[Alta4ever]

I don't think they'll cut much of anything. Most economist agree its not the time for cuts. Many actually say that the Canadian government doesn't waste very much at all, especially in comparison to other governments.

So to avoid a deficit what are liberals going to cut so they can afford a stimulis package? To stimulate what I don't know since new vehicle purchases are up 45%?

What goodies are the Bloc going to get, what will a liberal coalition sell out to the seperatists for a small taste of power again?

[Smallc]

So to avoid a deficit what are liberals going to cut so they can afford a stimulis package?

I don't think they're even going to try to avoid it in the short term. The fiscal framework simply isn't there to do it. Also, car sales don't tell the whole picture. The economy is in recession, the trade surplus is shrinking, commodities are down to bad levels, so everything not all that rosy, as much as I wish it was.

[Alta4ever]

I don't think they're even going to try to avoid it in the short term. The fiscal framework simply isn't there to do it. Also, car sales don't tell the whole picture. The economy is in recession, the trade surplus is shrinking, commodities are down to bad levels, so everything not all that rosy, as much as I wish it was.

Until we see the play out from the American stimulus why waste our money? The Sky Isn't falling.

[Alta4ever]

The economy was in recession after the dot com collapse but no big bail out.

[noahbody]

Harper will have to explain what he was thinking when he wrote the Governor General in 2004.

Given the date, I assume it had something to do with corruption and scandal.

[jdobbin]

Given the date, I assume it had something to do with corruption and scandal.

So? This means Harper was okay to bypass an election then and the Liberals are not now?

[Smallc]

Until we see the play out from the American stimulus why waste our money? The Sky Isn't falling.

We aren't the US. It would be irrelevant. There's no reason to think that increases to infrastructure spending would not create jobs.

[jdobbin]

How many more years before Ignateif seems to me he still has an uphill battle.

Seems to me that he is the frontrunner in a three person race. He will have been an MP the same amount of time Harper was if he becomes leader.

[jdobbin]

No, I'll just ask you, since they're your cuts. Name a few, off the top of your head because I'd rather not have to read through 16 pages of posts. Healthcare? Education? Defense? Come'on, talk the talk if you're gonna walk the walk. And I still haven't heard you assess the global recession's impact on a possible federal deficit. And you're calling other people hyperpartisan? LOL, pot meet kettle.

Transfer payments. The CBC. Atlantic Opportunities cut. Western Diversification cut. VIA cut. The military college cut. Polling chopped to the bone. A much smaller cabinet. Salaries cut. Positions let to attrition or outright cuts. Ethanol cut.

The Liberals have cut before. They can do it again.