Liberals push more stimulus

[punked]

Given the corruption of the NDP in Saskatchewan, you might have to get over their death. Yeesh. Could it get much worse?

Your predict the future now?

[jdobbin]

Your predict the future now?

I am. If the RCMP rules against your leader, I predict the NDP will suffer even more in the polls.

[madmax]

Well, we certainly know that a good economy didn't help the NDP in Saskatchewan, right?

Well, I think he was looking for a better defence of the federal LPC rather then a limited offensive on the Provincial NDP in Sask.

However, yes, teh Provincial NDP in Sask kicked butt, but were finally given the boot after many years of cleaning up the embarrassing mess left by the Conservatives. So bad was the Mess the Conservatives couldn't use their name anymore because they smelled worse then Pig Shit. However, in order to topple those Horrific Socialist Hordes and their balanced budgets and maintanence of public enterprises, the Liberal joined up and huffed and puffed and finally blew a house down... LOL.

And the end run is that yes the tired NDP were replaced during a good economic period while their manufacturing sector was growing and others were diminishing. And today... following SASK Party Budgets... the NDP appear to say, its the kind of budget they would bring forth.

So... Iggys back in the country... eh.

[madmax]

Really how many seats do you have?

Ouch...

[madmax]

I am. If the RCMP rules against your leader, I predict the NDP will suffer even more in the polls.

I predict you need to address the Increased Stimulus Package that Ignatief is describing, and how it is different from Jack Laytons call for more stimulus spending in the final month of Parliment? And if this was a problem, why didn't Ignatieff address it during his "Report Card".

Look... he got back in the country and he needs to claim the CPC are apathetic to EI reform.

He went to the stampede, some BBQs some riding meetings, nice fancy dinners, left the country, and comes back and dares to suggest the CPC are apathetic about EI reform.

Funny guy.

However..... He is suggesting that we spend more money.....

As far as I am concerned, Harper just flushed some money down the toilet to help his GM pals, all with Ignatieffs golden report card.

Where is Ignatieff going to tell the Conservatives to build the next hockey rink?

[jdobbin]

Well, I think he was looking for a better defence of the federal LPC rather then a limited offensive on the Provincial NDP in Sask.

Given that everyone seems to want to have an election or not have an election they can blame on the Liberals, it seems that whatever the Liberals do seems to get the shouting going.

Around in Manitoba there has been very little sign of the recession but a lot of areas are suffering badly. They will continue to suffer after some of the stimulus expires at the end of this year. The dollar remains a factor is kicking Canada down a notch. Not to mention what the world situation is.

It is quite likely that additional announcements will have to come in the fall in the economic statement. That is, if Harper let's it go through. We could be seeing him announce an election before that.

However, yes, teh Provincial NDP in Sask kicked butt, but were finally given the boot after many years of cleaning up the embarrassing mess left by the Conservatives. So bad was the Mess the Conservatives couldn't use their name anymore because they smelled worse then Pig Shit. However, in order to topple those Horrific Socialist Hordes and their balanced budgets and maintanence of public enterprises, the Liberal joined up and huffed and puffed and finally blew a house down... LOL.

I think you forget that the NDP also aggravated a portion of the population by naming three Liberals to a coalition and then ratcheting up the fear language about all the other parties while dozing off in the governance.

And the end run is that yes the tired NDP were replaced during a good economic period while their manufacturing sector was growing and others were diminishing. And today... following SASK Party Budgets... the NDP appear to say, its the kind of budget they would bring forth.

The NDP were tossed because they simply collapsed from a lack of initiative. In short, the voters (who are always right) decided they had had enough.

So... Iggys back in the country... eh.

What absolute fakery. What a phoney issue.

I doubt most Canadians care a whit as they themselves try and take a few weeks off this summer. In any event, according to some of the political reports, Ignatieff has been at party headquarters in Ottawa working the last weeks.

[jdobbin]

Ouch...

And I wonder if the new NDP leader or his people might be charged by the RCMP. Ouch, indeed.

[jdobbin]

I predict you need to address the Increased Stimulus Package that Ignatief is describing, and how it is different from Jack Laytons call for more stimulus spending in the final month of Parliment? And if this was a problem, why didn't Ignatieff address it during his "Report Card".

My understanding was that Ignatieff was awaiting the feedback from the party on the platform and policies. The deadline for that was the end of June. There was also to be the summer examination of EI which has just begun now.

Look... he got back in the country and he needs to claim the CPC are apathetic to EI reform.

You are full of crap.

He went to the stampede, some BBQs some riding meetings, nice fancy dinners, left the country, and comes back and dares to suggest the CPC are apathetic about EI reform.

And was in Britain a few days and according to political reporters has been in Ottawa the rest of the time at party headquarters.

As far as I am concerned, Harper just flushed some money down the toilet to help his GM pals, all with Ignatieffs golden report card.

Where is Ignatieff going to tell the Conservatives to build the next hockey rink?

By all means, vote Layton in next election. He has a plan.

[Keepitsimple]

My understanding was that Ignatieff was awaiting the feedback from the party on the platform and policies. The deadline for that was the end of June. There was also to be the summer examination of EI which has just begun now.

What platform and policies? I'm asking that sincerely - I wasn't aware that a firm platform and policies were available to critique? Does the Liberal Party actually allow the riding associations to critique or develop policy? I would have thought that being a new leader and with the Liberal Party trying to renew itself, that Mr. Ignatieff would be an integral part of every step of Platform and Policy development......or is he just a mouthpiece for the same old backroom boys?

[Smallc]

What platform and policies?

They haven't released them. Now would be a bad time anyway. People completely tune out of politics for summer.

[jdobbin]

What platform and policies? I'm asking that sincerely - I wasn't aware that a firm platform and policies were available to critique? Does the Liberal Party actually allow the riding associations to critique or develop policy? I would have thought that being a new leader and with the Liberal Party trying to renew itself, that Mr. Ignatieff would be an integral part of every step of Platform and Policy development......or is he just a mouthpiece for the same old backroom boys?

According to the Hill Times and from what I have heard, the platform and policies are being derived from convention and from the committee that was going to the grass roots.

http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?...atform/&c=2

"We are definitely working to the June deadline so you can be sure that there is a lot of work that is going on," said Liberal Party National Policy Chair Joan Bourassa. "With the convention, many things sort of came to a bit of a stall, but I can guarantee that the leader says the platform must be ready and it will be ready."

Ms. Bourassa, who was re-elected as chair of the policy and platform committee at the Vancouver Liberal convention that was held from April 30 to May 2, is responsible for making sure that Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff (Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ont.) is fully apprised of the wishes of the party's grassroots and that the policy resolutions passed at the convention are considered for inclusion in the platform, over which Mr. Ignatieff will have the final say.

That report was sent in at the end of June to party headquarters and my understanding was that it was going to take some time in July to work through the details, not the least which is when and how to unveil the various policies.

Do it too soon and risk everyone campaigning against your policies while keeping theirs hidden. Do it too late and risk being labelled as not having any policies.

My guess is that some general principles on the economy will take precedence throughout August.

The Tories today are already hinting no compromise on some issues and laying down the gauntlet.

I think Ignatieff should simply remain calm, say that he looking to find a deal but give no indication of how the party will vote until it actually happens.

[madmax]

I think you forget that the NDP also aggravated a portion of the population by naming three Liberals to a coalition and then ratcheting up the fear language about all the other parties while dozing off in the governance.

Well, not being aware and forgetting are two different things, but it was apparent they were long of tooth.

The NDP were tossed because they simply collapsed from a lack of initiative. In short, the voters (who are always right) decided they had had enough.

Gotta say, I tried to pay attention to the last campaign, and they (NDP) put me to sleep.

What absolute fakery. What a phoney issue.

I doubt most Canadians care a whit as they themselves try and take a few weeks off this summer. In any event, according to some of the political reports, Ignatieff has been at party headquarters in Ottawa working the last weeks.

Thats better.... LOL

[madmax]

You are full of crap.

And was in Britain a few days and according to political reporters has been in Ottawa the rest of the time at party headquarters.

Going to Britain is leaving the country.... and he has returned.

By all means, vote Layton in next election. He has a plan.

I believe that was mentioned, and Harper gave him a good John Kerry unforced Error.

how can you ask for a 2nd stimulus package when you voted against the first

LOL....

Perhaps I am not really impressed with these leaders to date.

However, I do know the NDP did have an EI Reform Bill on the table that passed 2nd reading and was supported by the Liberals in the house and the BQ but not the CPC.

The Liberals then turtled on the legislation and Ignatieff challenged the CPC mono 0 mono and Harper made him cave.

Don't challenge and election when you can't back it up. Don't say your working to help the unemployed, when all you have done is stopped any progress in EI reform.

I don't mind you suggesting I am full of crap... but I got nothing on Ignatieff.

[capricorn]

I wasn't aware that a firm platform and policies were available to critique?

Well don't look to EI to find a firm Liberal position. Ignatieff already signaled his stance on a universal 360 hours is negotiable.

Ignatieff said Thursday that Liberals believe "very strongly" a single national eligibility requirement is crucial. He said he's willing to entertain "a certain flexibility on 360 but not that much."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...724?hub=QPeriod

[jdobbin]

Going to Britain is leaving the country.... and he has returned.

Layton went down to the States a few months ago to talk about healthcare and Tommy Douglas... and he returned.

On MSNBC the other day he said he going back to the States shortly to argue for universal healthcare...and Tommy Douglas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u8n3pZBd5A

Be sure to get after him as well when he leaves again.

However, I do know the NDP did have an EI Reform Bill on the table that passed 2nd reading and was supported by the Liberals in the house and the BQ but not the CPC.

The Liberals then turtled on the legislation and Ignatieff challenged the CPC mono 0 mono and Harper made him cave.

I agree that the posturing was stupid.

However, I'm sure you and others would have called Ignatieff irresponsible to take the country to an election.

I'm becoming more convinced that the Tories will call an election themselves in the fall. Despite the talk of the economy growing, it comes with talk of a higher dollar which will still hurt plenty. There is also talk of oil dropping much further this winter. That would be devastating in western Canada,

[jdobbin]

Well, not being aware and forgetting are two different things, but it was apparent they were long of tooth.

It is the only reason that the NDP lasted as long as it did. The support went up each month after that to defeat the NDP and the Liberals were punished for propping them up/

Gotta say, I tried to pay attention to the last campaign, and they (NDP) put me to sleep.

And it didn't have to be that way. The NDP became a non-entity in governance. It was mentioned by analysts, the media and it certainly didn't go unnoticed by the electorate.

The economy was charging ahead and the fear language used by the NDP simply produced an even greater turn to the main opposition.

Thats better.... LOL

Developing the policy that will needed for August and into the fall was a priority.

The fundraising teams and organizational people have fanned out. Rocco Rossi has been everywhere bringing in cash and getting new members signed up.

The party needs the policy and platform in place for this fall. It increasingly became clear in the spring that producing ideas on the fly was not the answer.

[jdobbin]

Well don't look to EI to find a firm Liberal position. Ignatieff already signaled his stance on a universal 360 hours is negotiable.

While Harper's people today said no compromise, no changes. Period.

[Shady]

Liberals push more stimulus

Somebody needs to explain inflation to the leaders of the Liberal party.

[jdobbin]

Somebody needs to explain inflation to the leaders of the Liberal party.

What inflation? Last month we registered the first deflation in 15 years.

[Shady]

What inflation?

Exactly. And I don't want to see any. That's why reckless spending of money we don't have, after our economy has already been forecasted to recover, isn't a responsible idea.

[Machjo]

What inflation? Last month we registered the first deflation in 15 years.

Yes we did, and that's a good reason to either increase spending, decrease revenue, lower interest rates, or some combination of these.

The bad news though is that recession is followed by the threat of inflation and labour shortages later on. We're now officially out of recession, which means we could be back into inflation within the next month. While increased spending might be justifiable right now, it could only be a temporary increase because probably by next month, the government will have to start cutting spending and possibly even have to consider increasing revenue too in order to pre-emptively thwart labour shortages, inflation, rising interest rates, and rising government debt coming some time within the next year. Maybe next month, maybe next quarter, maybe next year. But the government can only sustain increased spending as long as we're in a deflation mode. Once we're back in inflation, it'll be time to pre-empt it before it suddenly shoots up.

If we consider how much stimulous spending we and other countires put into the economy over the recession, then we also need to consider that we'll need to take that money back out of the economy at the end of the recession otherwise the threat of an overheated economy will be a real one.

[jdobbin]

Exactly. And I don't want to see any. That's why reckless spending of money we don't have, after our economy has already been forecasted to recover, isn't a responsible idea.

Hard to see where there will be large scale inflation even with the spending when predictions of further slides in oil prices among other things pretty much ensure low numbers.

[Machjo]

Hard to see where there will be large scale inflation even with the spending when predictions of further slides in oil prices among other things pretty much ensure low numbers.

Sure, right now. But I think what we're all getting at is that we don't want to see a repeat of the lack of pre-recession planning. Just as we should have had a counter-recessionary plan before the recession hit, ready to implement it as soon as deflation hit, so we should be planning a counter-inflation strategy while we're in deflation, ready to be implemented as soon as we're back in inflation again, not starting to plan it once it's already there. We need to be more pro-active in these things. Once we're back in inflation is not the time to start planning, but the time to implement the plan.

Now granted we don't know how long the deflation will continue, and as long as it does, we should continue with whatever stimulous we should have had in plan prior to it. But we should still have a plan, ready to be implemented whenever inflatin comes back, whether nest month, next quarter, or next year.

[Machjo]

I'd like to add to this that we should start planning for the next recession as soon as we're out of this one. Surre we won't implement it until deflation hits again, but at least it will be there waiting to be implemented as soon as deflation hits.

The same applies with inflation. We should be planning against inflation now while in recession, while our heads are still calm and rational, rather than in a last minute panic as we had done with the recession.

[jdobbin]

The same applies with inflation. We should be planning against inflation now while in recession, while our heads are still calm and rational, rather than in a last minute panic as we had done with the recession.

Some of the experts are saying that the recovery would be assisted by an easing of the heavy stance on inflation.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-inves...article1222938/

The idea is anathema for those raised on the anti-inflation orthodoxy of recent decades, or those who endured the rapid price jumps of the 1970s.

Yet, the proponents of the idea have serious credentials. They include Ken Rogoff, a former research director at the International Monetary Fund and now an economics professor at Harvard; Paul McCulley, a portfolio manager at Pimco, which runs the world's biggest bond mutual fund; and John Makin, an economist at the conservative American Enterprise Institute (not the kind of think tank that would normally espouse such a radical idea).