Stephen Harper - the Reluctant Politician

[On Guard for Thee]

Sure, play dumb, it was up thread a way, anyway, my tax refund this year was significantly higher thanks to the government allowing me to keep more of the money i worked for, which was quite helpful, and I expect that next year will be even better with income splitting, it's just too bad for me that my kids are almost too old to allow me to claim it. Im not wealthy, I make a good living and work lots of extra hours to do so, the real crux of this discussion is that you want other people to have the money i work for, which is fine, i want them to have some of it too, it's good for the country, the question is how much. Considering how much i work and how much I make im not living the high life, so getting a little more of what i work for to pay my bills and maybe help my kids with their education is a good thing. The idea that it's just rich people, or upper middle class people benefiting is UTTER NONSENSE.

The problem with it is, once again, the cost to revenues is huge compared to the low number of families that will be able to qualify. Of course its nice to get money back from your taxes and I have enjoyed that a time or two myself, but the narrow concentration of this part of the bill makes it unbalanced.

[Smallc]

Sure, play dumb, it was up thread a way, anyway, my tax refund this year was significantly higher thanks to the government allowing me to keep more of the money i worked for, which was quite helpful, and I expect that next year will be even better with income splitting,

You should have already gotten credit for income splitting.

[Smallc]

The problem with it is, once again, the cost to revenues is huge compared to the low number of families that will be able to qualify.

Every family with children that pays taxes qualifies. Quit making things up.

[On Guard for Thee]

Every family with children that pays taxes qualifies. Quit making things up.

They sure as hell dont. There is the existing UCCB thing that applies to certain age group kids. The income splitting applies to a select few families.

[Smallc]

They sure as hell dont. There is the existing UCCB thing that applies to certain age group kids. The income splitting applies to a select few families.

They sure as hell do (to use your language). It's obvious that you have no idea what you're talking about.

[Argus]

No, because THAT part doesnt exist with this program.

On the contrary. Fairness was the whole purpose of the act. It was deemed unfair that a family with two breadwinners paid way less in taxes than a family with one breadwinner who earned the same amount of money.

[poochy]

You should have already gotten credit for income splitting.

Then im sure I did, my wife is the specialist when it comes to taxes. It was a signifiact increase over last year.

[Smallc]

Then im sure I did, my wife is the specialist when it comes to taxes. It was a signifiact increase over last year.

Yes, sorry, that's what I was meaning to say. Income splitting will be what made the difference, as it was introduced retroactive to January 1st, 2014.

[Smallc]

On the contrary. Fairness was the whole purpose of the act. It was deemed unfair that a family with two breadwinners paid way less in taxes than a family with one breadwinner who earned the same amount of money.

It's a great program as it equalizes families (up to a point - the cap cuts it off short of that). OGFT has no idea what he's talking about, as there is no minimum for the program. If there is a two income home, where one person makes more than the other, this program is of immediate benefit.

[On Guard for Thee]

They sure as hell do (to use your language). It's obvious that you have no idea what you're talking about.

Sorry but you clearly dont understand the math.

[On Guard for Thee]

On the contrary. Fairness was the whole purpose of the act. It was deemed unfair that a family with two breadwinners paid way less in taxes than a family with one breadwinner who earned the same amount of money.

I wonder why the former finance minister disagreed with your idea. Oh, aybe because he knew it was unfair.

[Smallc]

Sorry but you clearly dont understand the math.

You take the income of both spouses, add them together, and divide by two (with a maximum $2000 benefit. It's really simple.

[Smallc]

I wonder why the former finance minister disagreed with your idea. Oh, aybe because he knew it was unfair.

He didn't get to comment on the program with the $2000 cap. His fear was that it would be used to benefit multimillionaires. With this program, the maximum benefit won't matter to them.

[On Guard for Thee]

You take the income of both spouses, add them together, and divide by two (with a maximum $2000 benefit. It's really simple.

Its simple enough. The problem is the focus.

[Smallc]

Its simple enough. The problem is the focus.

Ahhh, but you said (based on the self misrepresented PBO report) it only benefitted 15%. That's not true.

[On Guard for Thee]

Ahhh, but you said (based on the self misrepresented PBO report) it only benefitted 15%. That's not true.

Oh I expect the PBO has access to countrywide statistics that will show who can and who cant avail themselves of income splitting. If it turned out to be 16% would you somehow feel vindicated.

[Smallc]

Oh I expect the PBO has access to countrywide statistics that will show who can and who cant avail themselves of income splitting.

That would be nearly every family with children. What the PBO said is that 15% would be eligible for all or most of the $2000 benefit.

[Civis Romanus sum]

The story of Cincinnatus holds great attraction; that of the reluctant and selfless hero who reluctantly stands up to save his people.

I'm guessing you say that sarcastically in terms of being an opponent of plebians.

The fact then is that the plebes, then and now, tend towards ignorance. They know no better what is in the interest of the country as a whole than so many cattle.

[Civis Romanus sum]

I see that this thread has been completely derailed. Perhaps it should be renamed.

[Topaz]

Did any of you watch TVO's The Agenda last night? Mike Harris was on, (the journalist) and his latest book is on Harper and he interview many people who knew Harper, including his former mentor and leader of the Reform/Alliance party Preston Manning. Manning said one outstanding thing about Harper is....he doesn't care about words. Harris went on to say, if the PM doesn't care about words, then how can Canadians trust a PM who really will say anything he feels like saying and it may not really be the truth. Harris went on giving examples where Harper has lied to Canadians in Parliament, where democracy is dying under Harper's leadership.

[Keepitsimple]

Did any of you watch TVO's The Agenda last night? Mike Harris was on, (the journalist) and his latest book is on Harper and he interview many people who knew Harper, including his former mentor and leader of the Reform/Alliance party Preston Manning. Manning said one outstanding thing about Harper is....he doesn't care about words. Harris went on to say, if the PM doesn't care about words, then how can Canadians trust a PM who really will say anything he feels like saying and it may not really be the truth. Harris went on giving examples where Harper has lied to Canadians in Parliament, where democracy is dying under Harper's leadership.

Thanks Topaz. Excellent interview conducted by Steve Paiken - well worth watching......Paiken picks apart much of what Harris says in what Paiken says is a very "one-sided" book. Harris came off looking like a bitter, Harper-hating "journalist". Paiken embarrassed him - not because he was partisan (clearly he is not) - but because Harris' arguments just didn't stand up. Here's a link:

http://tvo.org/video/212620/michael-harris-harper-hot-seat

Edited April 23, 2015 by Keepitsimple

[On Guard for Thee]

Did any of you watch TVO's The Agenda last night? Mike Harris was on, (the journalist) and his latest book is on Harper and he interview many people who knew Harper, including his former mentor and leader of the Reform/Alliance party Preston Manning. Manning said one outstanding thing about Harper is....he doesn't care about words. Harris went on to say, if the PM doesn't care about words, then how can Canadians trust a PM who really will say anything he feels like saying and it may not really be the truth. Harris went on giving examples where Harper has lied to Canadians in Parliament, where democracy is dying under Harper's leadership.

All one need do is tune into QP a time or two, especially when Mulcair is trying to exact an actual answer to a question, and youll see how much Harper doesnt care about words. Or at least any that go anywhere outside the pre scripted talking points.

[ToadBrother]

All one need do is tune into QP a time or two, especially when Mulcair is trying to exact an actual answer to a question, and youll see how much Harper doesnt care about words. Or at least any that go anywhere outside the pre scripted talking points.

I can't believe anyone takes Question Period seriously. That's just a bit of theater the House of Commons puts on for the Hill reporters and the pundits. If I was in charge, I'd throw it out completely and replace it with more committee work.

[On Guard for Thee]

I can't believe anyone takes Question Period seriously. That's just a bit of theater the House of Commons puts on for the Hill reporters and the pundits. If I was in charge, I'd throw it out completely and replace it with more committee work.

Might as well.

[PIK]

Mike Harris, are you kidding me. .