Fac1
Active Member
Is there a new poll that's expected to be released today? Nanos?
Pantalone is going nowhere I'm afraid. He needs to triple his support to even become a contender but that doesn't phase him with 11 days to go. His supporters need to pull a Mihevic and back Smitherman. If Joe pulled out, Mayor George would be assured. As it stands now, it all depends who's voters are more passionate and actually go to the polls.
I have been very disappointed by the tone of rhetoric coming from Joe and his campaign--notably the bizarre notion that George is not just 'as bad as' Ford but in fact worse because, the argument goes, he's competent and might actually implement his agenda. This is simply intellectually offensive. George is a gay, downtown-living, transit-riding progressive who is making noises about spending cuts because the times demand it and because the city could indeed stand to find some efficiencies. He isn't proposing ripping up streetcar tracks, nor Transit City. He has never suggested that arts groups and events like the Pride Parade be cut off from public funds. He is a passionate supporter of environmental causes and an advocate for Toronto's potential as a world leader in green industries.
George Smitherman is not the one to stop this. He has a history of making even worse 'investments'.
Are you referrng to E-Health, which has churned out half a billion this year and is projected to generate a billion+ in savings each year?
I have been very disappointed by the tone of rhetoric coming from Joe and his campaign--notably the bizarre notion that George is not just 'as bad as' Ford but in fact worse because, the argument goes, he's competent and might actually implement his agenda. This is simply intellectually offensive. George is a gay, downtown-living, transit-riding progressive who is making noises about spending cuts because the times demand it and because the city could indeed stand to find some efficiencies. He isn't proposing ripping up streetcar tracks, nor Transit City. He has never suggested that arts groups and events like the Pride Parade be cut off from public funds. He is a passionate supporter of environmental causes and an advocate for Toronto's potential as a world leader in green industries. He has never, to my knowledge, told whole swathes of Torontonians that they don't count, or that they deserve to be killed, or that their lifestyle isn't acceptable to him.
There is some truth to what Joe is saying. But not for the reasons he is thinking. Since Mayor Miller was elected, spending has increased by 44%. We keep hearing that this is not wasteful spending but investments. I don't know about Miller, but I expect a return on my investments. Have services improved, no. Are we more prosperous, no. Is traffic better, no. Are our streets cleaner, no. Are overpriced hockey arenas, homeless shelters, LRTs, etc. investments, no. Is cleaning up the soil at Harbour Front to facilitate development, which will produce negative returns, an investment, no.
Doesn't it bother you that you're considering supporting a candidate that is clearly a few dozen IQ points below you?
There is some truth to what Joe is saying. But not for the reasons he is thinking. Since Mayor Miller was elected, spending has increased by 44%. We keep hearing that this is not wasteful spending but investments. I don't know about Miller, but I expect a return on my investments. Have services improved, no. Are we more prosperous, no. Is traffic better, no. Are our streets cleaner, no. Are overpriced hockey arenas, homeless shelters, LRTs, etc. investments, no. Is cleaning up the soil at Harbour Front to facilitate development, which will produce negative returns, an investment, no.
Calling reckless spending investments' does not make it so. George Smitherman is not the one to stop this. He has a history of making even worse 'investments'. Rob Ford is the only candidate that has been honest enough to call out the city on its wasteful spending.
In the end what Joe is saying is not that George is worse than Rob, but worse than himself.
(But surely many services HAVE improved?)
But, okay, you feel like the city has made bad investments. Is the solution, then, to make no investments at all? To just cut government revenue to the bone?
Be honest, Glen, would you vote for a big plywood sheet with "LOWER BUSINESS TAXES" on it? Doesn't it bother you that you're considering supporting a candidate that is clearly a few dozen IQ points below you?
Settle down, champ. It was just something I read. And since I can't find a link to back it up, I respectfully retract my comment.do you normally lie right through your key board like that?
'Electronic Health' has nothing to show... only thing to show is a massive bill from Tech firms like Accenture and the like...
The amount of money dropped into 'E-health'... did not equate to 'any returns... that's the point...
ontario still does not have an electronic health record system that is comprehensive - the original goal of e-health. .
that's the point....
A tax freeze without a spending freeze is insane. If I freeze the revenue coming into my house but don't freeze or reduce my expenses, I'm financially screwed in short order. Tax freezes only work if you first reduce expenditures.As far as I know, Smitherman is only proposing a 1-year tax freeze. Surely the surplus they are entering with this year should cover much of that. Year 2 might be a shocker though!