Kennedy releases enterprise platform

[geoffrey]

This guy has momentum now. And with this, he just suckered in the right-wing of the party towards what was traditionally described as a left-wing candidate.

His key point:

"We have a lot of catching up to do in terms of enterprise and Prime Minister Harper is putting forward trinkets with a few tax gimmicks and even fewer ideas," said Kennedy. "Our competitors in the United States, the European Union and Asia have begun to implement national strategies to increase research and development, to strengthen education, and to encourage entrepreneurship,"said Kennedy. "Canada needs to jump to the next stage of our own economy aggressively or we are at great risk being left behind."

Bang on. Small-business and enterprise in this country are suffering under both oppressive tax regimes and now a current government set on 1920's tax policy. We are going to be a 2nd rate nation quite quickly (if we aren't already... our human development ranking is falling considerably). We now have a potential leader of the Liberals... and our country... that is in tune with this and realises that changes need to be made now, otherwise we'll be left behind.

The quote at the end of the release is telling of this type of action's appeal to all Canadians (maybe not Quebecois, but who cares... take the West, forget the Rest?):

"I am an Albertan who has campaigned for every Conservative MLA in my riding. As it stands, based on what I have learned about Gerard Kennedy and his enterprise policies, if he were leader I would vote Liberal for the first time in my life."

-- Chad Petrone, Entrepreneur/Founder of Public Image and Lethbridge Logomotive, Alberta.

Interesting. I happen to be in the boat. If this guy's focus is making Canada a modern economy, I'm on board. I'm quite sick of both parties past and current refusal to address the major issues affecting our economy. This is a breath of fresh air.

[Cameron]

This is a breath of fresh air.

Kennedy, maybe yes. The Liberal Party of Canada.....No.

[bradco]

"We are going to be a 2nd rate nation quite quickly (if we aren't already... our human development ranking is falling considerably)."

The difference between first and 12th is negligble. Doesnt matter all that much where you fit in that range other than national pride. That being said I am with you on our need to be worried about ways to encourage growth. R and D, education etc are a few ways to address productivity problems in our economy. Improving the quality of our healthcare system is also a must. Empirical evidence has proven our healthcare system to be a large motivator for American companies to relocate to Canada even when taxes are higher here (as the healthcare system saves them costs involved with insurance for employees that outweighs taxes)

[geoffrey]

"We are going to be a 2nd rate nation quite quickly (if we aren't already... our human development ranking is falling considerably)."

The difference between first and 12th is negligble. Doesnt matter all that much where you fit in that range other than national pride. That being said I am with you on our need to be worried about ways to encourage growth. R and D, education etc are a few ways to address productivity problems in our economy. Improving the quality of our healthcare system is also a must. Empirical evidence has proven our healthcare system to be a large motivator for American companies to relocate to Canada even when taxes are higher here (as the healthcare system saves them costs involved with insurance for employees that outweighs taxes)

We're one of the lowest nations in the developed world for R&D and small-business. This needs to change or we will continue to drop in comparison to the rest of the world.

Education is a good first step. Yes, health care is a huge motivator, but it needs to be significantly improved and opened up to more choice for the user.

[Canadian Blue]

Kennedy would make a good PM, but I doubt the Liberal's would ever elect him leader. Him and Martha Hall Findlay are the only ones who I've been impressed with, but it seems the Libs would prefer either a failed premier, or a candidate that lived outside of the country for most of his adult life.

[Ricki Bobbi]

Kennedy would make a good PM, but I doubt the Liberal's would ever elect him leader. Him and Martha Hall Findlay are the only ones who I've been impressed with, but it seems the Libs would prefer either a failed premier, or a candidate that lived outside of the country for most of his adult life.

I think *ever* is a little much. Kennedy undoubtedly becomes the heir apparent ... unless he actually wins this time around.

[geoffrey]

Kennedy would make a good PM, but I doubt the Liberal's would ever elect him leader. Him and Martha Hall Findlay are the only ones who I've been impressed with, but it seems the Libs would prefer either a failed premier, or a candidate that lived outside of the country for most of his adult life.

I think *ever* is a little much. Kennedy undoubtedly becomes the heir apparent ... unless he actually wins this time around.

He's young enough to sit a few years in opposition. The rest are short-term leaders.

[Leader Circle]

This guy has momentum now. And with this, he just suckered in the right-wing of the party towards what was traditionally described as a left-wing candidate.

His key point:

"We have a lot of catching up to do in terms of enterprise and Prime Minister Harper is putting forward trinkets with a few tax gimmicks and even fewer ideas," said Kennedy. "Our competitors in the United States, the European Union and Asia have begun to implement national strategies to increase research and development, to strengthen education, and to encourage entrepreneurship,"said Kennedy. "Canada needs to jump to the next stage of our own economy aggressively or we are at great risk being left behind."

Bang on. Small-business and enterprise in this country are suffering under both oppressive tax regimes and now a current government set on 1920's tax policy. We are going to be a 2nd rate nation quite quickly (if we aren't already... our human development ranking is falling considerably). We now have a potential leader of the Liberals... and our country... that is in tune with this and realises that changes need to be made now, otherwise we'll be left behind.

The quote at the end of the release is telling of this type of action's appeal to all Canadians (maybe not Quebecois, but who cares... take the West, forget the Rest?):

"I am an Albertan who has campaigned for every Conservative MLA in my riding. As it stands, based on what I have learned about Gerard Kennedy and his enterprise policies, if he were leader I would vote Liberal for the first time in my life."

-- Chad Petrone, Entrepreneur/Founder of Public Image and Lethbridge Logomotive, Alberta.

Interesting. I happen to be in the boat. If this guy's focus is making Canada a modern economy, I'm on board. I'm quite sick of both parties past and current refusal to address the major issues affecting our economy. This is a breath of fresh air.

This all sounds great, but if these politicians are as corrupt as many believe, why would anyone think he would actually implement anything of the sort?

He is merely blowing smoke up your ass!

Just another example of talk, no action.

Maybe he would do what he says, but how long has it been since we saw a politician do that?

[geoffrey]

This all sounds great, but if these politicians are as corrupt as many believe, why would anyone think he would actually implement anything of the sort?

He is merely blowing smoke up your ass!

Just another example of talk, no action.

Maybe he would do what he says, but how long has it been since we saw a politician do that?

Kennedy acted pretty swiftly and with results on the education portfolio in Ontario. He seems more result oriented than other politicans I've seen...

He has a good track record.

[Ricki Bobbi]

He's young enough to sit a few years in opposition. The rest are short-term leaders.

I really can't see him winning this time around.

It would take a hugely magnanimous act on the part of Rae or Dion. Why would they do it? This is their one kick at the leadership. Kennedy is young enough that his time will come. He's only 46 now.

There is no way Iggy, Dion or Rae (whoever wins this thing) are around much past 2012. Kennedy would only be in his early 50s...

[Canadian Blue]

Another question is how united will the Liberal party be after the convention. Kennedy would be a good candidate, however I think we might see him be chosen leader a few years down the road. The Liberals have to sit the next few years out so that they can lose the ignorance that comes with over a decade of ruling the country. As well the sky isn't falling, and Canadian's aren't screaming for a change in government.