Federal Budget - January 2009

[August1991]

I have been reading and listening to angry Tories all day. They are more than appalled. They are furious.

The announced tax cuts are at best 10% of the "fiscal stimulus" or about $2 billion of a supposed $20 billion extra.

But then, we were going to get the tax cuts anyway. The Tories are presenting inflation-linked tax cuts as real tax cuts. That's dishonest. That's the kind of nonsense the Liberals do.

Or how about the home renovation policy. For 15%, no contractor will issue official receipts so this amounts to a subsidy to DIY people - assuming they spend more than $1000 at Reno-Depot. (Incidentally, Harper copied this from the Quebec budget.)

I'm still trying to figure out the perequation changes. From what I understand, entities like Hydro-Quebec revenues are not counted as before so this means that Quebec (and Newfoundland) will receive less, but Ontario will receive more - but each province will receive more under Harper than under Martin/Chretien.

Or how about corporate taxes. These are minor but generally good changes. But why computers? It reminds me of the urban transit pass deduction.

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I'm inclined to think that Stephen Harper is a micro-managing, bean counter. He's an incrementalist. No major change, no bold strokes. A slice here, a slice there.

Stephen Harper is a white Barack "No Drama" Obama.

Edited January 29, 2009 by August1991

[jdobbin]

The announced tax cuts are at best 10% of the "fiscal stimulus" or about $2 billion of a supposed $20 billion extra.

But then, we were going to get the tax cuts anyway. The Tories are presenting inflation-linked tax cuts as real tax cuts. That's dishonest. That's the kind of nonsense the Liberals do.

You said it, not me. Are you looking to change your vote.

Or how about the home renovation policy. For 15%, no contractor will issue official receipts so this amounts to a subsidy to DIY people - assuming they spend more than $1000 at Reno-Depot. (Incidentally, Harper copied this from the Quebec budget.)

I disagree with it since I think it will lead to mark-ups in prices for those who do use contractors to install things like furnaces or so roofs.

I'm still trying to figure out the perequation changes. From what I understand, entities like Hydro-Quebec revenues are not counted as before so this means that Quebec (and Newfoundland) will receive less, but Ontario will receive more - but each province will receive more under Harper than under Martin/Chretien.

Think I disagreed with the huge increases in transfers to begin with.

Or how about corporate taxes. These are minor but generally good changes. But why computers? It reminds me of the urban transit pass deduction.

I am getting a little tired of tax credits used for this and that. Make an income tax cut. Simple.

I'm inclined to think that Stephen Harper is a micro-managing, bean counter. He's an incrementalist. No major change, no bold strokes. A slice here, a slice there.

Stephen Harper is a white Barack "No Drama" Obama.

He is alienating his base. Looks at the thinks tanks, the political blogosphere. They are livid.

[blueblood]

You said it, not me. Are you looking to change your vote.

I disagree with it since I think it will lead to mark-ups in prices for those who do use contractors to install things like furnaces or so roofs.

Think I disagreed with the huge increases in transfers to begin with.

I am getting a little tired of tax credits used for this and that. Make an income tax cut. Simple.

He is alienating his base. Looks at the thinks tanks, the political blogosphere. They are livid.

damn skippy were livid.

[August1991]

You said it, not me. Are you looking to change your vote.

You know the old line, Dobbin.

If I have a choice between a real X and a pretend X, I might as well choose the real X.

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Rather, I think that there's a debate among conservatives about whether they should sell their salad directly or introduce their clients to this new salad over time. Conservatives know that ordinary people agree with their principles but conservatives are shy - given the leftist media - about how to explain their ideas.

Harper seems to have adopted the approach of Ontario's William Davis to this dilemma: Bland works.

[jdobbin]

You know the old line, Dobbin.

If I have a choice between a real X and a pretend X, I might as well choose the real X.

I think Andrew Cohen said something similar although he meant that if the Tories want to have a Liberal budget (albeit with a deficit), why not choose the support the Liberals.

Given the sharp rise of Liberal support in Quebec according to the January 30 poll by CROP, people in Quebec are looking more and more to real Liberals. Voter support in Quebec has dropped so much for the Tories that they are in NDP territory.

Rather, I think that there's a debate among conservatives about whether they should sell their salad directly or introduce their clients to this new salad over time. Conservatives know that ordinary people agree with their principles but conservatives are shy - given the leftist media - about how to explain their ideas.

Harper seems to have adopted the approach of Ontario's William Davis to this dilemma: Bland works.

Does it?

I am seeing more and more of this all over of angry Tories.

http://hacksandwonks.blogspot.com/2009/01/budget-2009.html

I'm going to get into the guts of the budget tonight and maybe have some stuff for tomorrow, however know that I'm fairly choked at the party and the Prime Minister and have made a few decisions.

The results are that I will not be donating a single nickle to the Tories and there is a very good chance I won't even even for them so long as Stephen Harper remains the Prime Minister.

Edited January 30, 2009 by jdobbin

[myata]

Social conservatives with a Liberal budget, and Liberals supporting concervative policies (torture/no torture, Iraq/no Irag, war crime / no crime, self defense / indiscriminate killing of civilians. Right, Michael?) and voting for conservative government.

Conservative, Liberal, who cares? All look so much the same, one needs a microscope to figure them out. Just like those Senators/Penguins, etc.

Sigh. Welcome to the old age of democracy. No change is the best change.

[Alta4ever]

No change is the best change.

I'll have to remeber this for next time someone starts talking to be about how great Obama is. It would be a great opening to the follow desription of their so called stimulus budget.