Conservative Economy not doing as well as they would like us to believ

[Saipan]

But but but, the dollar is rising and it always will!

What makes you think it always will?

[nicky10013]

What makes you think it always will?

That's what you said. Word for Word.

[William Ashley]

Fact is for every reason a strong Canadian dollar isn't good right now, it makes Canada uncompetitive compared to the US. It drives down the national economy. And no Canada is not doing well compared to most other countries.

it is 6th place in the g7.

Most socialist countries avoided major problems.

The others were poor and not doing well before. Actually Canada is one of the few countries that hasn't managed to protect itself from the long term effects.

The only reason it appears to be doing "ok" is because oil is the major export - the problem is oil is only 1 sector and mostly in Alberta - everywhere else gets hit, while the price of oil deflects that - but most oil is owned by big companies - often American companies. So while the profit is in Alberta, it goes to US companies. What about the other 9 provinces. A economic action plan only to help the Albertan economy grow doesn't help the rest of Canada - you know the other 95% of Canada.

What good does helping the two major Canadian Industries do for the average Canadian - ZILCH.

Saipan I don't understand how you can support Stephen Harper's plan to rape average Canadians.

You know Canadians who arn't bankers or oil executives.

Edited January 7, 2011 by William Ashley

[Saipan]

That's what you said. Word for Word.

You're free to prove it

[Saipan]

Fact is for every reason a strong Canadian dollar isn't good right now

For the average Canadian it's great. And they are not shy to say so on the street TV interviews.

Most socialist countries avoided major problems.

Most socialist countries disappeared after the fall of Soviet Union. Most typical is Cuba, a relic of the past.

Saipan I don't understand how you can support Stephen Harper's plan to rape average Canadians.

I'm the average Canadian, just like all those who support Harper's government. 'Specially at this point in time.

You know Canadians who arn't bankers or oil executives.

Those, including law firms, are supporting LIBERAL PARTY. Always did.

[nicky10013]

And our dollar is rising. Always was and always will.

[Saipan]

But but but, the dollar is rising and it always will!

What makes you think it always will?

[scribblet]

Sheez, wonder if Rubble will post this, Canada is doing very well thank you very much.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/01/06/john-ivison-thanks-to-a-low-corporate-tax-rate-prospects-for-the-economy-are-high/

Yet, when compared to virtually all of its rivals, Canada in better shape than it has ever been.

“Canada’s international reputation as a destination for capital and investment is better than it has been for a generation,” said Finn Poschmann, vice-president research at the C.D. Howe Institute.

And as Craig Wright, chief economist at RBC Financial Group, told a conference Thursday, if you’re not getting more optimistic about the economic picture, you’re not paying attention.

In the past few days, there have been glowing endorsements of the Canada’s competitive advantage in the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Times, which encouraged its readers to “Go North, young man, Go North”.

The basis for much of the praise was the reduction in federal corporate income tax rates from 22% in 2007 to 16.5% today (the latest cut from 18% came into effect on January 1 and there is one further cut to 15% coming next year).

“Twenty-two years ago, we wrote an editorial—‘North, to Argentina’—warning Canada that economic prosperity isn’t a birthright but requires sound policies like free trade. Nowadays, that’s a lecture Canada could credibly deliver to Washington on business taxes,” opined the WSJ’s editorialists, who lamented the current 40% federal levy in the U.S.

It must all make for grim reading for the Liberals

[Bitsy]

It must all make for grim reading for the Liberals

I cannot imagine why it would, unless Canadian liberals are different from American liberals. I consider myself to be an American first and liberal second; I want my country to be successful, I want our economy to be financially secure and offer opportunities for all people; and I do not care which party makes it happen.

[Saipan]

I cannot imagine why it would, unless Canadian liberals are different from American liberals. I consider myself to be an American first and liberal second; I want my country to be successful, I want our economy to be financially secure and offer opportunities for all people; and I do not care which party makes it happen.

He said Liberals not liberals.

Likewise in Canada Conservatives and conservatives is not the same.

[Bitsy]

He said Liberals not liberals.

Likewise in Canada Conservatives and conservatives is not the same.

Let me rephrase then: I am an American Democrat but I am an American first, and a Democrat second.

My question still stands; it doesn’t matter if he was speaking of a political party or a political persuasion…why would the Liberal Party not want their country’s economy to succeed?

[Bonam]

I cannot imagine why it would, unless Canadian liberals are different from American liberals. I consider myself to be an American first and liberal second; I want my country to be successful, I want our economy to be financially secure and offer opportunities for all people; and I do not care which party makes it happen.

Political parties generally care far more about themselves than they care about the countries they operate in.

My question still stands; it doesn’t matter if he was speaking of a political party or a political persuasion…why would the Liberal Party not want their country’s economy to succeed?

They would want the economy to succeed, while the Liberals are in power. While the conservatives are in power, the Liberals would rather see the economy fail, so they'd have ammunition to help improve their chances in the next election. The same is certainly also true the other way around.

All part of the problem with a party system.

Edited January 8, 2011 by Bonam

[Bitsy]

So Canadians's are of party first, country second?

[Bonam]

So Canadians's are of party first, country second?

The partisan party members? Yeah. There are also a lot of Canadians that don't particularly identify with any of the parties, of course. Probably a majority I'd guess.

[dre]

For the average Canadian it's great. And they are not shy to say so on the street TV interviews.

Most socialist countries disappeared after the fall of Soviet Union. Most typical is Cuba, a relic of the past.

I'm the average Canadian, just like all those who support Harper's government. 'Specially at this point in time.

Those, including law firms, are supporting LIBERAL PARTY. Always did.

For the average Canadian it's great. And they are not shy to say so on the street TV interviews.

Yeah. You saw a streat TV interview! Thats sure proves your position! Its not good for your average person at all in anything except a very short term sense.

I'm the average Canadian, just like all those who support Harper's government. 'Specially at this point in time.

No sorry even when they were at their most popular the Harper government never had the backing of more than minority of Canadians. Your "average canadian" does not support harper.

[dre]

So Canadians's are of party first, country second?

Neight party or country even break into my top TEN.

[dre]

Political parties generally care far more about themselves than they care about the countries they operate in.

They would want the economy to succeed, while the Liberals are in power. While the conservatives are in power, the Liberals would rather see the economy fail, so they'd have ammunition to help improve their chances in the next election. The same is certainly also true the other way around.

All part of the problem with a party system.

They would want the economy to succeed, while the Liberals are in power. While the conservatives are in power, the Liberals would rather see the economy fail, so they'd have ammunition to help improve their chances in the next election. The same is certainly also true the other way around.

All part of the problem with a party system.

It goes beyond just "hoping" for the other party to fail as well. They will actually take action to see that failure happens. A good example is the republic party trying to destroy the public education system in the US to support their argument for privatization.

[Wild Bill]

Yeah. You saw a streat TV interview! Thats sure proves your position! Its not good for your average person at all in anything except a very short term sense.

No sorry even when they were at their most popular the Harper government never had the backing of more than minority of Canadians. Your "average canadian" does not support harper.

To be fair, the same could be said of any other party! If anything, in terms of popular vote each opposition party has the backing of even fewer Canadians.

[dre]

To be fair, the same could be said of any other party! If anything, in terms of popular vote each opposition party has the backing of even fewer Canadians.

Yup. Thats correct. No party has the backing of your "average canadian" right now. People dont much care for any of them, and Ill be suprised if we have another majority goverment in the next 30 years.

[Evening Star]

Political party membership works a little differently here, Bitsy. You have to indepedently sign up and pay a membership fee, not just tick a box on a form that everyone receives. As a result, the proportion of people who are members of any party is much smaller than in the US.

[Evening Star]

(tonne of xposts)

[Evening Star]

Political party membership works a little differently here, Bitsy. You have to indepedently sign up and pay a membership fee, not just tick a box on a form that everyone receives. As a result, the proportion of people who are members of any party is much smaller than in the US.

(And, as a result, it is more common that those who actually sign up and pay to be political party members tend to be fairly partisan. It is less common to see 'casual Liberals' who are card-carrying party members but might not even turn out to vote in the way that my gf and her Mum are 'casual Democrats'.)

[scribblet]

No sorry even when they were at their most popular the Harper government never had the backing of more than minority of Canadians. Your "average canadian" does not support harper.

Really, and you know that how - what is the 'average' Canadian, I guess all the people who do vote conservative are above average

Good news about the economy doesn't bode well for the Liberals as they have nothing to bitch about, or worth calling an election on, they don't have an issue they can win with - unless there's a downturn just before the election. They'll have to start a fear mongering campaign - maybe they'll resurrect the 'soldiers in the street' add The booga booga Harper is scary stuff doesn't work anymore.

Interesting piece here for the benefit of American readers

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Kindly+Canadian+Conservatives/4072148/story.html

Yes, Conservatives and Republicans may both be “conservative” but they are remarkably different creatures. Name the issue. Health care? If the most right-wing member of the Conservative cabinet gave a speech about his government’s policies to Republicans, he’d be tarred, feathered, and put on the no-fly list. Multiculturalism and bilingualism? The Conservatives have said nothing that would offend a San Francisco city councillor. God, gays, guns? Stephen Harper is slightly to the left of Barack Obama on all three.

And so on down the list.

and here

http://www.ottawasun.com/comment/columnists/brian_lilley/2011/01/06/16794191.html

According to those convinced of his sinister motives, once he gets it he'll ruin Canadian civilization by banning abortion and bringing back capital punishment. In essence, Harper will make Canada unrecognizable.

It boggles the mind.

I don't know what is in the Conservative secret agenda, I haven't sent in enough Cracker Jack box tops to get my decoder ring, but I do know Harper's record.

Time and again the PM has spoken out against legislation that deals with abortion and he has even voted against it.

Just last month Harper stood in the Commons to vote against Roxanne's Law, a bill that would have criminalized coercing a woman to have an abortion against her will.

As for capital punishment, it's never spoken of except as a scare tactic.

If we're looking for a hidden agenda, we'd be better off looking at the other side of the political coin and ask how would the Liberals change Canada.

Edited January 8, 2011 by scribblet

[Evening Star]

As much as I dislike Harper, I do agree that the Citizen is spot-on when it comes to how his government compares to US Republicans. But I also tend to suspect that he has only governed so moderately because he has a minority. We've more or less been getting Ignatieff-style blue Liberal rule imo.

[Saipan]

I also tend to suspect that he has only governed so moderately because he has a minority.

Yes, he could do lot better with majority.