Harper Proroguing Parliament again

[Fresh Start]

Hmm, well he's made a fool of the country on the international level both at the UN and at the Copenhagen conference, and has basically refused any other forward thinking. If the liberals had gotten in power, we'd see significant infrastructure advances, probably better economic stimulus, and that stimulus going towards projects that'll benefit the country in the future.

Also, the biggest reason why Canada hasn't been affected as much as other countries is because of the big Canadian banks, which is basically a system that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. We probably would have been better off than other countries without even any government interference.

I highlighted that part of your quote to demonstrate that this is just subjective wishing and hoping on your part. Come to think of it now, most of your reply is biased and subjective. You do not know whether the Liberals would be any better, more of the same, or worse. Looking at the situation realistically I'd say more of the same. Why? Because no matter what core ideologies a party/leader may have, the endless quest of pandering to the undecided and softliners leads to similar centrist policies and platforms winning the day. While I know that many of us are unhappy with Harper's governing too close to the centre, I'd like to remind you of the accomplishments Harper's Conservatives have made since being elected.

Generally, I think there's been some notable achievements in reforming immigration; in diplomacy, defense, criminal justice, and foreign trade. I'm a fan of the renewed focus on crime. Fiscally, it's a lot more of a mixed bag. Tax cuts have been pretty consistent, but spending has increased dramatically. I'm a fan of the GST reduction and making student scholarships non taxable income. The longer-term plans of reducing business taxes annually to make Canada more competitive has also got to make the list. Resisting any serious cap-and-trade or carbon tax scheme, and so far keeping Obama at bay from killing the Oil Sands is a plus. The TFSA is practically a universal hit. All in all, it's fairly impressive for 4 years of minority governments. Pulling us out of a massive global recession with minimal deficits. While the rest of the world spends the next decade trying to balance their deficits and the next decade after that paying off their accumulated debt, we will be running surplussed thanks to prudent fiscal planning by the CPC. So no they're not perfect, but perform better than I originally expected them to.

So these are the reasons why I feel Harper is the best man for the job as the current situation stands. I was a fan of Ignatieff's in 2006, but now view him as another Dion-type. We need strong, decisive leadership at the top; not pipe-dream idealists whom lack substance.

 

[afransen]

What may be surprising to you then is that I actually voted for the Liberals in the last election. Even had their sign on my front lawn. Oh how times have changed.

What's particularly insane is the assertion that Liberals/New Democrats were anymore aware of what was coming, let alone that they're prepared for it. A year in advance of the downturn Harper forewarned rough economic times were ahead, those most choose to gloss over that fact. And virtually everyone knew the gov't would impose deficits by the spring of 2008. Beyond that, it was completely out of Canada's control just how far the global economy would collapse. Nobody can reasonably expect governments to see the future.

Stephen Harper, days before the recession started:

""My own belief is if we were going to have some kind of crash or recession, we probably would have had it by now."
-mid-Sept 2008 (source)

 

[Roy G Biv]

What's particularly insane is the assertion that Liberals/New Democrats were anymore aware of what was coming, let alone that they're prepared for it. A year in advance of the downturn Harper forewarned rough economic times were ahead, those most choose to gloss over that fact. And virtually everyone knew the gov't would impose deficits by the spring of 2008. Beyond that, it was completely out of Canada's control just how far the global economy would collapse. Nobody can reasonably expect governments to see the future.

So cutting the GST was the right thing to do with a surplus? Why would you encourage consumption in a booming economy?

Harper didn't act until the opposition made him act. And with his out-of-control spending, we were likely headed to a deficit anyway.

This is a Regressive Conservative government: Fiscally, they are socialisys, and socially, they are the Reform Party Lite. Worst. Possible. Combination. Ever.

Anyone who still supports this government is a twat. That video encapsulates the PMO. We're well past the point of, "Well, the other parties haven't convinced me...". These morons need to be swept out.

Generally, I think there's been some notable achievements in reforming immigration; in diplomacy, defense, criminal justice, and foreign trade. I'm a fan of the renewed focus on crime. Fiscally, it's a lot more of a mixed bag. Tax cuts have been pretty consistent, but spending has increased dramatically. I'm a fan of the GST reduction and making student scholarships non taxable income. The longer-term plans of reducing business taxes annually to make Canada more competitive has also got to make the list. Resisting any serious cap-and-trade or carbon tax scheme, and so far keeping Obama at bay from killing the Oil Sands is a plus. The TFSA is practically a universal hit. All in all, it's fairly impressive for 4 years of minority governments. Pulling us out of a massive global recession with minimal deficits. While the rest of the world spends the next decade trying to balance their deficits and the next decade after that paying off their accumulated debt, we will be running surplussed thanks to prudent fiscal planning by the CPC. So no they're not perfect, but perform better than I originally expected them to.

It's become apparent that you are either a registered Conservative or/and have no idea what you're talking about. That's quite the fairytale you've spun. Wow.

 

[Tewder]

But the Conservatives need to go NOW. The more I think about it, the more it becomes obvious that not only do we need a left-wing government at this time of crisis on all fronts (Afghanistan, Global Warming, Political reform, Economic turndown, Western opportunities, specifically Canadian progress opportunities,) that can think creatively and in the big picture.

The only 'creative' thinking the left-wing shows to any problem is to raise taxes. As for all the other fronts you mention it was the Liberals who enlisted Canada into Afghanistan and Global Warming didn't begin with the election of the Conservatives. Come to think of it just what did the Liberals do on all of these fronts during their 11-year tenure, most of which under majority governments, no less?!

Not only that, but we aren't even dealing with the real conservative party anymore. What exists now is a false image of what was actually once a reputable party that has made significant advances through this country. The new conservatives are also wrongly filling an important gap that the real Canadian Conservatives filled; a uniquely Canadian slight right-wing stance. The only reason they've gotten this far is because there's nobody that seems to be better.

You overstate your case. The Conservative party is the Conservative party, just as the Liberal party is the Liberal party. Yes they are an alternative to socialist ideology in this country. What is wrong with alternatives? Even as a right wing alternative they do not stray too far from centre which is political death in this country. So why the endless hyperbole about how evil/wrong the Conservatives supposedly are? As someobody else mentions here the Liberals just simply wouldn't be much better, they have proven that. Are our memories so short??

 

[Roy G Biv]

The only 'creative' thinking the left-wing As someobody else mentions here the Liberals just simply wouldn't be much better, they have proven that. Are our memories so short??

I agree that the Libs and Cons govern VERY similarily, but the Liberals can point to a proven record of fiscal excellence. 11 straight balanced budgets while the rest of the world sunk into debt. That is a fact. It would be impossible for the Liberals to mismanage the country's finances worse than the Cons have.

And it pains me to complement them, because the current incarnation of the Liberal Party isn't my cup of tea. Anything beats Stephen "Karl Rove" Harper though.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Fresh Start:

A year in advance of the downturn Harper forewarned rough economic times were ahead, those most choose to gloss over that fact.

And then refused to address that issue completely in their platform and debate - and going as far as budgeting economic fiction that foresee GDP growth even when mainstream economists roundly denounced it (and of course, there was no GDP growth to be found at the end). Surely that's a sign of someone taking rough economic times seriously.

While the rest of the world spends the next decade trying to balance their deficits and the next decade after that paying off their accumulated debt, we will be running surplussed thanks to prudent fiscal planning by the CPC.

Ugh, perhaps you should pay more attention to the parliamentary budget officers report on the said 'surplus' - the deficit is structural at this point.

Tewder:

The only 'creative' thinking the left-wing shows to any problem is to raise taxes.

That's about as simplistic as saying that the only 'creative' thinking the right-wing shows to any problem is to lower taxes.

AoD

 

[Roy G Biv]

Kevin Page has been sounding the alarm and dispensing some economic realism for a couple of years now, and he's only been met by attempts to shut down his department.

 

[Fresh Start]

Anyone who still supports this government is a twat. That video encapsulates the PMO. We're well past the point of, "Well, the other parties haven't convinced me...". These morons need to be swept out.

It's become apparent that you are either a registered Conservative or/and have no idea what you're talking about. That's quite the fairytale you've spun. Wow.

Actually right now I'm undecided, though I must admit I had hope in explaining why I went from a staunch Liberal supporter two years ago to starting to warm up to the CPC today that would at least field me some constructive criticisms to help inform my opinion one way or the other. You're right, I do not know much about politics. The biggest gripe with Harper is in how cooperative he's being with the other parties which makes it harder to identify a clear defining mistake he's made. Worse, I have trouble differentiating one party's intentions from the other. I can't say that he's polarizing the country as was the case under the Liberals and for all the economic doom and gloom that was predicted a year ago, everyone I know is working, they can still afford to pay their bills, real estate's booming, and I personally received over $4000 in tax credits and savings. Harper's just following the US economic policy of buying one's way out of recession, investing in infrastructure to make citizen's lives content and establish job creation, innovation and revitialize stagnant industries. To me, life is good in Canada in contrast to America, much of Europe and elsewhere. Maybe I'm assigning credit to the wrong person, but honestly Harper is the face and voice of Canada right now so who else can I thank? No flames, just commentary on Liberals v. Conservatives v. NDP would be appreciated.

 

[Roy G Biv]

Well, that was a very refreshing post. Thank you for it.

I cannot tell you who to vote for, but I can tell you that Canada's ability to whether the recession (for the most part) has very little to do with the Harper government. In fact, they have made it worse than it should have been. This government was elected on promises of transparency and accountability, as a reaction to the sponsorship scandal. In reality, they are very calculated and opaque, and play the same dirty games they accused Chretien of playing. Recently, the Conservatives have been employing very Republican-liketactics by waving the flames of nationalism (accusing other parties of hating the troops) and equating anti-Zionism with anti-semitism.

The current Liberals are a bit of an unknown. For the last few years, the party has been divided into several camps, which has left the party, as a whole, completely incompetent. Until they offer up an economic plan, with built-in deficit reduction, I can't actively endorse them. But I will passively endorse them because they are not the Conservatives.

Harper's just following the US economic policy of buying one's way out of recession, investing in infrastructure to make citizen's lives content and establish job creation, innovation and revitialize stagnant industries.

He only followed this policy because he was forced to by the opposition, who threatened to rule as a coalition. This infastructure-investment probably had no effect on the economy, simply because of the time needed to get projects started, but since the country lags in infastructure development, it is a welcome investment. And I have yet to see any innovation or revitilization of stagnant industries.

 

[Second_in_pie]

Stephen Harper, days before the recession started:

""My own belief is if we were going to have some kind of crash or recession, we probably would have had it by now."
-mid-Sept 2008 (source)

Niceee. I officially beat out Harper by 5 months in predicting this thing!

 

[afransen]

Just to be clear, he was probably lying. Any talk of recession or deficits wouldn't have fit his narrative for the election at the time. He's a cagey politician, not an idiot. He has no compunction about lying and manipulating less sophisticated voters.

 

[GraphicMatt]

Harper's primary motivation for everything he's done in office has to been to increase his party's power and eventually attain a majority in parliament. He's incredibly good at playing that game, and it's only been recently that the Liberals have even begun to hang in the same league. That said, I don't think he has much of a vision for Canada. I don't think he even likes Canada much.

 

[GenerationW]

I don't think he even likes Canada much.

Careful, your fangs are showing.

 

[GraphicMatt]

Careful, your fangs are showing.

I know that's probably an over-the-top claim, but given the '97 CNP speech ("Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term") and his clear admiration for the Republican party in the U.S., I don't think it's entirely unfair.

More accurate I suppose would be to say that I don't think Harper thinks much of the Canada Trudeau built which in my mind has become the definitive 'Canada'. Others will disagree.

 

[Blovertis]

...which in my mind has become the definitive 'Canada'.

Much as I admired Trudeau's leadership, I don't think his or any other version of Canada can be labelled "definitive".

This kind of talk reminds me of Sarah Palin praising the "real" America.