Is Harper a sell-out?

[Saturn]

From Garth Turner's blog:

It’s Tuesday morning and I am sitting in the House of Commons. Separatist leader Gilles Duceppe just made his budget speech, explaining why the BQ will support the Harper Administration and pass the budget. The reason: because Harper is giving Quebec more than $3 billion. That’s it. End of story.

Following his remarks, Jim Flaherty’s Parliamentary Secretary, Diane Ablonczy, stood up to thank Duceppe for his support in propping up her government. He stood and answered in English, his eyes flashing and the colour rising in his cheeks. It’s about the money, he said, and after next Monday, when there is a sovereignist government in Quebec led by Andre Boiusclair, then Quebeckers will be spending this money on programs, for an independent Quebec.

He took his seat, to thunderous applause from his colleagues. Ablonczy sat opposite, looking devastated, with no reply.

It was a shameful moment, but one of insight. Stephen Harper is a sell-out.

UPDATE (3:30 pm) — Quebec premier Jean Charest announces he will, if re-elected on Monday, use the new cash from the feds for a universal tax cut for all Quebeckers. Yes, folks, Mr. Harper just bought an election, or gave it a damn good shot.

So, is Harper a sell-out?

[jdobbin]

So, is Harper a sell-out?

You wonder why Alberta's premier is not angry about it.

[Cameron]

From Garth Turner...wow, good source. Whatever. I voted for who cares. The country is not going to fall apart with this budget.

[jdobbin]

From Garth Turner...wow, good source. Whatever. I voted for who cares. The country is not going to fall apart with this budget.

Has the country ever fallen apart on a budget? Doesn't mean people don't scream about them every time. In this case, the Tories have either paid for a tax cut in Quebec or a slush fund for separatists.

[ClearWest]

It's one thing for Quebec to squander its own money on wasteful socialist programs, but to squander Canada's money - that's another punch to the gut. I don't like any of this intergovernmental wealth distribution. Come to think of it, I don't like wealth distribution - can I have a refund? I'd rather not have my tax money (times however many million) being taken and thrown away like that.

[Michael Bluth]

From Garth Turner...wow, good source. Whatever. I voted for who cares. The country is not going to fall apart with this budget.

Exactly.

The Harper haters can scream and moan all they want. This budget will net the party votes in the next election.

That's all that has ever mattered to the Liberals. If they aren't going to be returned to power far too quickly that's all that should matter to the Conservatives.

[uOttawaMan]

If selling himself all the way to majority is being a sell-out.. then yes.

[fellowtraveller]

I have to confess some grim satisfaction at watching the Harper Haters getting out-Liberaled.

[Michael Bluth]

I have to confess some grim satisfaction at watching the Harper Haters getting out-Liberaled.

I would call it happiness at evidence of justice in the universe.

[fellowtraveller]

This situation kind of reminds me of the Alberta election in the mid-90s where Klein had implemented some deep cuts to the civil service which were received quite well , except of course by the civil servants. The Liberal MLAs had come close in the previous election to ending the Eternal Right to Govern enjoyed by the Tories. The Liberals were reduced to campaigning on " Enjoyed those cuts, did you Joe Taxpayer? WEll vote for us and we'll cut even more!"

Now, the Libs and NDP are reduced to shouting "You guys have spent all the money, if we were in power we'd spend even more! (and hoping nobody would notice that would mean the return of operating deficits).

[Michael Bluth]

This situation kind of reminds me of the Alberta election in the mid-90s where Klein had implemented some deep cuts to the civil service which were received quite well , except of course by the civil servants. The Liberal MLAs had come close in the previous election to ending the Eternal Right to Govern enjoyed by the Tories. The Liberals were reduced to campaigning on " Enjoyed those cuts, did you Joe Taxpayer? WEll vote for us and we'll cut even more!"

That was 1997. I remember just before the election the Liberals tried to embarrass the PCs by proposing a drastic cut to the MLA pension plan. So Ralphie cut the pension out altogether and the Liberals were left arguing there should be some sort of pension.

Ahhh, the good old days when Ralphie actually had to work to win elections. He showed some really good political instincts.

[Figleaf]

I have to confess some grim satisfaction at watching the Harper Haters getting out-Liberaled.

I would call it happiness at evidence of justice in the universe.

Harper turncoating on the principles he claimed to stand for and selling out the interests of the very people who supported him is 'evidence of justice' in your eyes? My my.

[uOttawaMan]

I have to confess some grim satisfaction at watching the Harper Haters getting out-Liberaled.

I would call it happiness at evidence of justice in the universe.

Harper turncoating on the principles he claimed to stand for and selling out the interests of the very people who supported him is 'evidence of justice' in your eyes? My my.

How dare people's strategies change.

[Michael Bluth]

How dare people's strategies change.

How dare Harper act according to his principles instead of those principles ascribed to him by people who hate him?

How dare he force Dion into retirement as the only Liberal leader not to become PM in the last 100 years.

The nerve. The audacity.

[Figleaf]

How dare people's strategies change.

How dare Harper act according to his principles ...

And what, pray, are the principles evidenced in Harper's choices?

[August1991]

So, is Harper a sell-out?

Harper has sold his soul for what exactly? (Isn't that what the term "sell-out" refers to?)

From the Garth Turner quote, I gather Harper has sold his soul to the separatists.

If that's the claim, then it is quite the opposite. If Andre Boisclair becomes PM of Quebec next week, it will be at the head of a minority government dependent on the seats of the ADQ or the Liberals to get any legislation through. So, there will be no referendum.

Moreover, it will mean that the PQ - after 40 years of existence - has received around 35% of the popular vote making the sovereigntist option even further from the magical 50%+1.

Finally, the PQ will be facing a new "autonomist" party with about 20 seats across the floor, just waiting to overtake it. Meanwhile, Quebec solidaire will be complaining about how bad Boisclair is.

Money or no money, there won't be much "building an independent Quebec" going on.

BTW, Harper has said that he won't negotiate any new fiscal arrangements with a non-federalist Quebec government.

"We're always ready to consider possibilities," Harper said.

"But in the end to have such fiscal relations with the provinces, it's necessary to have a federalist government in Quebec and a government that respects provincial jurisdictions here in Ottawa."

Link

This following quote however gets to the heart of the matter. Harper's candidness surprises me and I'm surprised no one seems to have noted this either in Quebec or outside:

«On peut transférer de l'argent ou on peut transférer des points d'impôt, a dit le premier ministre. Le désavantage des points d'impôt est que ces points d'impôt ont des valeurs différentes pour chaque province, mais un transfert d'un dollar, pour chaque province, c'est un transfert d'un dollar. C'est peut-être une façon plus juste.»

In effect, if the federal government transfers tax points to the provinces, then the provincial governments only get whatever the taxpayers in their provinces can pay. If the federal government gives equalization or per capita block grants, then poorer provincial governments stand to receive more because taxpayers outside of their province will contribute.

IOW, I don't know why the PQ ever raised the issue of the fiscal imbalance or the devolution of federal taxing authority to the provincial (Quebec) government.

I liked Harper's last sentence quoted above: "A transfer of one dollar to each province is perhaps more fair."

Indeed. It's more fair if you're poor.

It's one thing for Quebec to squander its own money on wasteful socialist programs, but to squander Canada's money - that's another punch to the gut. I don't like any of this intergovernmental wealth distribution. Come to think of it, I don't like wealth distribution - can I have a refund? I'd rather not have my tax money (times however many million) being taken and thrown away like that.

I hate to break this to you but governments always spend your money on other people. It's the nature of government.

If you could buy everything for yourself, we wouldn't need government.

I think your complaint is with having your money spent for people in another province where, heavens, they speak another language. I have less of a problem with this aspect.

I object instead to the amounts being spent.

[ClearWest]

It's one thing for Quebec to squander its own money on wasteful socialist programs, but to squander Canada's money - that's another punch to the gut. I don't like any of this intergovernmental wealth distribution. Come to think of it, I don't like wealth distribution - can I have a refund? I'd rather not have my tax money (times however many million) being taken and thrown away like that.

I hate to break this to you but governments always spend your money on other people. It's the nature of government.

I'm certainly not unaware of that. Have I not been a consistent critic of government spending throughout my entire posting history?

I think your complaint is with having your money spent for people in another province where, heavens, they speak another language. I have less of a problem with this aspect.

I object instead to the amounts being spent.

I have nothing against the French language, nor the province of Quebec. I too object to the amounts being spent, but I also object to what the money is to be spent on - and from what I know of Quebec, they are one of the more socialist provinces. If they need this money because they're running at a loss, then I think they should rethink their policies and not get everyone else to bail them out like this (using yet another socialist policy, no less).

[BC_chick]

So, is Harper a sell-out?

Harper has sold his soul for what exactly? (Isn't that what the term "sell-out" refers to?

Not necessarily about selling souls, a sellout can also "sell" his or her principals.

In this case it just so happens that he's getting paid with votes.

[Canadian Blue]

Name a politician who isn't a sellout?

If somebody isn't willing to bend to the popular will of the people, it is unlikely they will attain a majority, one only has to look at governments in the past.

[August1991]

Not necessarily about selling souls, a sellout can also "sell" his or her principals.

In this case it just so happens that he's getting paid with votes.

Sell your soul. Sell your principles. Same idea.

In a democracy, I thought politicians are supposed to do what the people want - so getting votes seems a laudatory goal.

[Topaz]

From Garth Turner...wow, good source. Whatever. I voted for who cares. The country is not going to fall apart with this budget.

Exactly.

The Harper haters can scream and moan all they want. This budget will net the party votes in the next election.

That's all that has ever mattered to the Liberals. If they aren't going to be returned to power far too quickly that's all that should matter to the Conservatives.

The Liberals may be the least of Harper problems, you may see the Green Party with a minority or majority in the next election. You say it can't happen, the power is in the pen!

[Canadian Blue]

I'll probably end up voting for the Green Party, but I highly doubt they'll win a minority, maybe a few seats. According to the last poll I saw their support was highest in Alberta, and it was actually nearly eclipsing the Liberal's.

[SamStranger]

How could Garth Turner talk about selling out? He sold his soul to Stephane 'Satan' Dion. He almost sold his soul to Liz May and Jack the stache.

How dare he.

He spent his entire life fighting against liberals and now he is a liberal. Who is the real sellout?

[Who's Doing What?]

I have to confess some grim satisfaction at watching the Harper Haters getting out-Liberaled.

Ya that's all we freaking need, another "Liberal" Party.

[Who's Doing What?]

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