Canadian political turmoil

[claude]

Political bullshit north of the border. Fun times in politics!!

[Vince Kargatis]

Yeah, it's kinda wild. Appears to me a simultaneously bold and pathetic power grab by the opposition. Looks like a pretty bad deal overall, with Bloc Quebecois getting a few years of tasty morsels for Quebec just to agree not to topple an otherwise unstable charade, and two leaders rejected in polls 8 weeks ago splitting spoils.

[claude]

Quebec always gets tasty morsels so I'm not sure how that's any different. I think the opposition parties have basically been bullied into this and I'm glad to see Harper's arrogance finally get the better of him. One thing the Conservatives seem to forget is that nobody voted for Stephen as Prime Minister and they aren't in Washington. This is the risk you take when you govern like you have a majority when you don't.

[Uli]

Originally Posted by claude

Fun times in politics!!

They said they were taking this extraordinary action because the Harper government failed to deliver an economic-stimulus package in its fall fiscal update.

Is there an economists' consensus in this matter?

[claude]

Originally Posted by Uli

Is there an economists' consensus in this matter?

I don't know, but I doubt it. Personally, I don't think a stimulus is needed right now. We don't have any serious banking issues other than the fact that the bankers have become very risk averse but that won't change with more capital since they already have plenty. There is the auto industry issue, but for us to proceed with funding that industry on our own before the US does would be stupid.

This stuff is purely political from both sides, I doubt if either side really gives a rats ass about how this stuff will affect the average Canadian. I guess we are getting the government we deserve

[Vince Kargatis]

Canada's in the best shape of all the G8, afaik - the economic rationale given for the opposition's move seems transparently political. They're not even giving the Tories a chance to present a revised budget that could address stated concerns. Yes, Harper is paying for Conservative hubris with their rabble-rousing provisions of anti-strike and removing public funding for parties, but it's hardly Big Stuff that justifies the action.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Uli

Is there an economists' consensus in this matter?

Of course there is: cut taxes, deregulate, privatize and outsource jobs.

[Jazzzoline]

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

Yeah, it's kinda wild. Appears to me a simultaneously bold and pathetic power grab by the opposition. Looks like a pretty bad deal overall, with Bloc Quebecois getting a few years of tasty morsels for Quebec just to agree not to topple an otherwise unstable charade, and two leaders rejected in polls 8 weeks ago splitting spoils.

Bloc shuts its mouth for ANYTHING that could happen and you think its a good deal ???

[Vince Kargatis]

I don't follow. I described what I thought was a "bad deal", not what I might think a good one might look like. And I meant a bad deal for the public - this is not what looks like "good government" to me.