It's time for the Government of Canada to make the donuts...you remember how that one goes, raising TAXES. You'll never hear it from this Prime Minister's lips but after all -- the man is an economist.
He knows a revenue black hole when he spots one...the trick will be pulling it off. What with the gravitas of Stockwell Day newly installed at Treasury Board and the old reliable (Sorry, Jim) still calling the tune over at Finance, the squeeze is in and the tap has been closed.
Now Tim and the other creative Conservatives can spin Gerard Kennedy's remarks until the cows come home but Canadians are smart enough to know that a further dent in their wallets is not too far off.
What I like about Gerard is his intellectual honesty and yes, his guts. Sure, he wasn't reflecting party policy when he quoted the FCM poll but he gave us a lot to think about as regards federal spending priorities.
Yours truly is not a big fan of raising the GST. One of the few pleasures of many people is conspicuous consumption. I also don't like one rate that applies across the board. I prefer looking at corporate income taxes and surcharges or bracket increases on high-earning individuals (now there's another heart attack in the making just trying to set the bar) as potential means to a fiscal end.
But remember folks, Tim and the other strategists are hurting bad these days. They know that this Prime Minister has put himself in a box of his own making. They can quite literally skate for the gold medal and still end up in the dumpster.
Ain't politics a gas!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Why Ekos Is Important.
Much has been made of the so-called Liberal lead in the latest Ekos poll: 0.5% is no reason to crack open the champagne. Rather, it's symptomatic of the problems facing all four parties represented in the House of Commons.
Let's take them one by one -- Conservatives should be concerned. This poll perhaps heralds the death knell of any chance they may have had of forming a majority government. It says something about this Prime Minister: that people's doubts are alive and well about Harper's suitability as a PM. The well established tendency to continually and inevitably overreach is the largest chink in the Harper armour.
Liberals aren't out of the woods either. There is no apprehended breakout on the political horizon. That's precisely why Conservatives are still smiling. The leader keeps plugging away, much to my delight, but significant forward projection past the incumbent government remains elusive. (We won't go into that one again. Enough already.)
The New Democrats, Bloc Québécois, and even the Greens, have the same problem. They're dropping. So much for the LaytonDemocrats consigning the Liberals to the ash heap. In Quebec, the Bloc remains the flavour of the month -- but without any enthusiasm, much less a bandwagon.
In short, people can't find a champion they have complete confidence in. That means trouble with a capital "T" for all the parties, not to mention a likely low turnout on election day.
But at least it's not all bad. The Conservative Party, Quebec Political Operations Director has said adiós, muchachos. That should keep them off-balance and spinning their wheels in Quebec for a while longer!
Let's take them one by one -- Conservatives should be concerned. This poll perhaps heralds the death knell of any chance they may have had of forming a majority government. It says something about this Prime Minister: that people's doubts are alive and well about Harper's suitability as a PM. The well established tendency to continually and inevitably overreach is the largest chink in the Harper armour.
Liberals aren't out of the woods either. There is no apprehended breakout on the political horizon. That's precisely why Conservatives are still smiling. The leader keeps plugging away, much to my delight, but significant forward projection past the incumbent government remains elusive. (We won't go into that one again. Enough already.)
The New Democrats, Bloc Québécois, and even the Greens, have the same problem. They're dropping. So much for the LaytonDemocrats consigning the Liberals to the ash heap. In Quebec, the Bloc remains the flavour of the month -- but without any enthusiasm, much less a bandwagon.
In short, people can't find a champion they have complete confidence in. That means trouble with a capital "T" for all the parties, not to mention a likely low turnout on election day.
But at least it's not all bad. The Conservative Party, Quebec Political Operations Director has said adiós, muchachos. That should keep them off-balance and spinning their wheels in Quebec for a while longer!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Message For Fellow Liberals.
There comes a time when it becomes imperative that we speak truth to power. Granted, that is never an easy thing to do -- much less to hear. But when you're committed to the best interests of Canada, not to mention your own party, you swallow hard and get on with it.
Think of it, we have some of the greatest political fighters in living memory within our midst. I won't name them, you know who they are. These people should be first in line to set the leader straight on what is working and what quite obviously ain't.
Unlike some Liberals, I have the utmost confidence in Michael. I can readily see all the raw potential that lies within him. But I also see a politician who has failed thus far to find his political self, much less his voice.
Come on Michael. We both know you can do it. Most of us are ready to walk through fire for you but hey, the way things are playing out right now just isn't as it should be.
Time to take a second look and change our strategy. The ball is in Donolo's court. Let's see what he can do with it. But remember, time is not a luxury that we can endlessly afford...
Think of it, we have some of the greatest political fighters in living memory within our midst. I won't name them, you know who they are. These people should be first in line to set the leader straight on what is working and what quite obviously ain't.
Unlike some Liberals, I have the utmost confidence in Michael. I can readily see all the raw potential that lies within him. But I also see a politician who has failed thus far to find his political self, much less his voice.
Come on Michael. We both know you can do it. Most of us are ready to walk through fire for you but hey, the way things are playing out right now just isn't as it should be.
Time to take a second look and change our strategy. The ball is in Donolo's court. Let's see what he can do with it. But remember, time is not a luxury that we can endlessly afford...
Monday, January 25, 2010
Dear Prime Minister,
Like many Canadians, I was proud and happy to make a not insignificant personal donation for Haitian relief. I want to thank you and your government for lifting the cap on matching funds by the federal government.
As per usual, in light of all the action something has been understandably forgotten -- it's only the small matter of $900 million dollars USD sitting in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea for the lead governments to coax our friend into giving back the money before "returning" to Haiti.
Mind you, should he be delayed, having been obliged to take a little detour via The Hague, no problem, we'll understand...
As per usual, in light of all the action something has been understandably forgotten -- it's only the small matter of $900 million dollars USD sitting in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea for the lead governments to coax our friend into giving back the money before "returning" to Haiti.
Mind you, should he be delayed, having been obliged to take a little detour via The Hague, no problem, we'll understand...
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Prorogation: Was It Good For You?
As most of you know, in light of prorogation of Parliament by this Prime Minister, Liberal support in the polls has gone up to the point where a fifteen point deficit has been eliminated and we are now "competitive" with the Harper government.
On the surface, that should strike all Liberals as good news. But in reality, it isn't. What we're experiencing now is what I would term prorogation froth -- a temporary manifestation of righteous indignation on the part of everyday Canadians.
I feel sorry for those who actually believe that we can build a solid foundation on top of prorogation. Polling patterns clearly demonstrate that we can't. Canadians for better or worse, have grown comfortable with a Jack and Michael political ménage à deux.
You saw it with your own eyes at the rally in Ottawa. There is no political dividend to be had. Both parties are pursuing the backing off strategy and that will lead to voters backing off from choosing their champion to fight for them against the Harper government. It's like a cat chasing its tail. Don't expect different results by repeating the same flawed strategy.
I will bet you dollars to doughnuts that I'm on the money here. Give me a call in March just before the PM takes the screws to the opposition and we will be right where we find ourselves now -- in second place.
In politics, you can't fight gravity by inaction. Coasting along is not a winning strategy. Waiting for the other guy to shoot himself in the head won't do it either. In short, you win by defining your leadership and your party, by picking your battles, by boldly striking out and seizing the right moment to propel your party past the others on the Hill. By having a vision for Canada and by having the stones to lay it all out for the Canadian people...oh, Harper will steal it, is the retort. So what. Better to stand for something concrete than to stand for nothing more than a political vacuum. No substance, no relevance, no credibility and certainly no political glory.
Is anyone willing to take my bet? Liberals can get it right or they can prepare to sink once again in the post-prorogation polls. When people think of I-G-N-A-T-I-E-F-F, I want him to remind them of a street fighter who is willing to put his leadership on the line and fight for what he truly believes in. It's time for Michael to let his gut and heart do the talking. Stow away the brain-centered reservation and get on with it. The last thing we need, as Liberals, is for people to yawn, or worse yet, shrug as soon as his name is mentioned.
On the surface, that should strike all Liberals as good news. But in reality, it isn't. What we're experiencing now is what I would term prorogation froth -- a temporary manifestation of righteous indignation on the part of everyday Canadians.
I feel sorry for those who actually believe that we can build a solid foundation on top of prorogation. Polling patterns clearly demonstrate that we can't. Canadians for better or worse, have grown comfortable with a Jack and Michael political ménage à deux.
You saw it with your own eyes at the rally in Ottawa. There is no political dividend to be had. Both parties are pursuing the backing off strategy and that will lead to voters backing off from choosing their champion to fight for them against the Harper government. It's like a cat chasing its tail. Don't expect different results by repeating the same flawed strategy.
I will bet you dollars to doughnuts that I'm on the money here. Give me a call in March just before the PM takes the screws to the opposition and we will be right where we find ourselves now -- in second place.
In politics, you can't fight gravity by inaction. Coasting along is not a winning strategy. Waiting for the other guy to shoot himself in the head won't do it either. In short, you win by defining your leadership and your party, by picking your battles, by boldly striking out and seizing the right moment to propel your party past the others on the Hill. By having a vision for Canada and by having the stones to lay it all out for the Canadian people...oh, Harper will steal it, is the retort. So what. Better to stand for something concrete than to stand for nothing more than a political vacuum. No substance, no relevance, no credibility and certainly no political glory.
Is anyone willing to take my bet? Liberals can get it right or they can prepare to sink once again in the post-prorogation polls. When people think of I-G-N-A-T-I-E-F-F, I want him to remind them of a street fighter who is willing to put his leadership on the line and fight for what he truly believes in. It's time for Michael to let his gut and heart do the talking. Stow away the brain-centered reservation and get on with it. The last thing we need, as Liberals, is for people to yawn, or worse yet, shrug as soon as his name is mentioned.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The "Demotion" Locomotion.
Some of them may be bitching and complaining. Others might be cursing the Prime Minister under their breath but at least they are still in the ministry. They might as well count themselves lucky.
Think back to how former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien used to "settle" the question of under-performing ministers. Wasn't very pretty and it cut like a knife. That's what I liked about Chrétien -- the guy always had the guts to do his own slicing...just imagine how many of Harper's ministers would be long gone if Jean was still at the helm. (Here's a hint: it takes at least two hands!)
However, does that mean that these particular ministers deserved their lot. I'm not so sure. I thought Peter Van Loan was doing a reasonable job at Public Safety. I had no complaints about how Diane Ablonczy was running her shop. In fact, someone should pass the Conservatives a good dictionary so they can get a better idea of what "ministerial discretion" really entails. Diane has always been top drawer in my book. Too bad pandering to the base comes before that consideration.
And then there's Lisa Raitt, minister of repeated mistakes. Perhaps her move to Labour is justified but I do want to say something in her defence. I was none too pleased when she was "persuaded" to go before the cameras and speak of her family tragedy. IMHO, that was about as low as the PMO could get. No wonder she spent all that time crying in her office.
Finally, yours truly is left after each shuffle with the same unanswered question. When is James Rajotte finally going to make it in? I don't care if the cabinet is already chock full of Albertans. Rajotte has earned his place at the table.
Think back to how former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien used to "settle" the question of under-performing ministers. Wasn't very pretty and it cut like a knife. That's what I liked about Chrétien -- the guy always had the guts to do his own slicing...just imagine how many of Harper's ministers would be long gone if Jean was still at the helm. (Here's a hint: it takes at least two hands!)
However, does that mean that these particular ministers deserved their lot. I'm not so sure. I thought Peter Van Loan was doing a reasonable job at Public Safety. I had no complaints about how Diane Ablonczy was running her shop. In fact, someone should pass the Conservatives a good dictionary so they can get a better idea of what "ministerial discretion" really entails. Diane has always been top drawer in my book. Too bad pandering to the base comes before that consideration.
And then there's Lisa Raitt, minister of repeated mistakes. Perhaps her move to Labour is justified but I do want to say something in her defence. I was none too pleased when she was "persuaded" to go before the cameras and speak of her family tragedy. IMHO, that was about as low as the PMO could get. No wonder she spent all that time crying in her office.
Finally, yours truly is left after each shuffle with the same unanswered question. When is James Rajotte finally going to make it in? I don't care if the cabinet is already chock full of Albertans. Rajotte has earned his place at the table.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Today Is The Day.
Much is made of the fact that the roots of Canadian nationhood can be found on the battlefields and in the trenches of Vimy Ridge.
Today, we experienced something similar: we saw on our television sets a government finally come into its own. Watching this Prime Minister and his ministers almost effortlessly handling the give and take of the Haiti file was quite a revelation for yours truly.
Some of you will recall that I've taken on many of these same ministers in the past. I landed a few but then again, so did some of them!
I'm taking off my partisan hat on Haiti. Rather, they deserve a hat tip. The Harper government has struck just the right note in representing Canadians and reflecting our common values. Job well done, with much more work ahead.
Please donate to reputable charities. Mine will be made next week.
Today, we experienced something similar: we saw on our television sets a government finally come into its own. Watching this Prime Minister and his ministers almost effortlessly handling the give and take of the Haiti file was quite a revelation for yours truly.
Some of you will recall that I've taken on many of these same ministers in the past. I landed a few but then again, so did some of them!
I'm taking off my partisan hat on Haiti. Rather, they deserve a hat tip. The Harper government has struck just the right note in representing Canadians and reflecting our common values. Job well done, with much more work ahead.
Please donate to reputable charities. Mine will be made next week.
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