Canada Election 2011

[aurik]

And who are you going to elect that doesn't do that kind of stuff?

[Thoronas]

And who are you going to elect that doesn't do that kind of stuff?

The last time a party was caught doing that were they voted back into power?

[aurik]

Yup, liberals did it for years under Mr Chretien.
Before that, Conservatives did it for years under Mulroney.

It's business as usual. When you control the committees and stuff, you get to divert the best projects to your own ridings. Happens in the USA too, look at all the senators who make their resume on the pork they get for their state.

[Skjie]

Really? So something like:
Tories used praise for Liberals to defend summit costs: Fraser
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cana...r.html?ref=rss

Is completely par for the course and everyone does it? That's a bullshit answer. The Liberal government was no where near the level of pork that the Tories put through and after the Sponsorship scandal got voted out.

[Elesirdur]

Don't understand the desire to hike corporate taxes. The scumbags were on Wall St. not Bay St., and in Ontario the Auto sector got a bailout but that was pretty much it as far as direct government intervention went. Low corporate tax also encourages foreign companies to set up shop here, beyond the obvious help to a corp's bottom line. Since the name of the investing game nowadays is save as much money as you can, it puts canada in a better position than the US. Besides, who's gonna hire people?

Wait 'till the rest of the shit has left the market, say, a year to 3 years out, then hike corporate taxes if you really want to. I have no problem at all with scooping off the top of well-performing companies in a stable market.

I think the rationale is mostly to use corporate taxes to supplement funding for social programs. It's a delicate balance though. A change to fiscal policy like increasing taxation can stifle investment in an economy, and Canada already has a pretty shameful efficiency gap compared to other Western post-industrial nations. It's an issue I'm personally torn on as a Liberal since I tend to be more of a red tory when it comes to public finances, but am willing to support tax hikes (or at least well-designed taxation systems) to maintain or expand social services.

However, good fiscal policy can incorporate tax breaks and incentives for companies engaging in "socially responsible" business practices, or that support other social goals - ie. green technologies, sustainable energy production, and the like. The Martin Liberals started a number of programs like this and the Harper Conservatives continued and in some cases expanded the system of tax breaks and incentives. However, a poorly thought out corporate tax hike that scares away companies from doing business in Canada is just dumb politics and economics. It's fine to make political promises to reevaluate the corporate taxation system, but let the technocrats public servants and private industry inform the government of what would be best for both sides.

[aurik]

Really? So something like:
Tories used praise for Liberals to defend summit costs: Fraser
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cana...r.html?ref=rss

Is completely par for the course and everyone does it? That's a bullshit answer. The Liberal government was no where near the level of pork that the Tories put through and after the Sponsorship scandal got voted out.

Please. Don't be delusional. All canadian governments have been neck-deep in their own pork.

You're just mad because it isn't YOUR riding that is getting the pork this time around. So cry more.

[Mazmaz]

For those that missed the leaders' debate tonight, you can watch the full thing here:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cana...eaders-debate/

[Mazmaz]

I gotta say this 1 on 1 format they used for the beginning of questions is very strange, since instead of debating with each other, the opposition leaders just both agree how much Harper sucks and in what way he sucks.
Why am I watching Ignatieff and Duceppe "debate" each other about crime when they're both agreeing with each other lol. If anything all the 1 on 1s should've been Harper vs someone.

[Annihilator]

For those that missed the leaders' debate tonight, you can watch the full thing here:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cana...eaders-debate/

Cheers! I was looking for that

[Skjie]

Please. Don't be delusional. All canadian governments have been neck-deep in their own pork.

You're just mad because it isn't YOUR riding that is getting the pork this time around. So cry more.

Actually, I'm in one of the most Conservative ridings in the country, and they've been porking the shit out of the city. Again, no other Government in Canadian history as gotten in as much shit as this one for out right lying.

[aurik]

Actually, I'm in one of the most Conservative ridings in the country, and they've been porking the shit out of the city. Again, no other Government in Canadian history as gotten in as much shit as this one for out right lying.

Those are some nice rose-coloured shades you have on. Every government is pork-laden, voting one way or another because you don't like the pork is inane, you accomplish nothing putting a different party in power that just diverts the pork spending somewhere else.

[Skjie]

Seriously? Rose coloured glasses because I advocate voting against the most secretive, dishonest Government in Canadian history? Man, BC has a long and storied history of Politicians using office to get rich (See: W.A.C. Bennett) so don't think I'm against Harper because I'm afraid of a little pork.

Edit: For lols http://www.shitharperdid.com

[aurik]

The fact that you think this is the most secretive, dishonest government in Canadian history just proves it. Can't remember Chretien? Mulroney? They all did the same shit. And whoever we elect next will do the same shit as well.

Might as well elect the people with the best policies going forward.

[Skjie]

Neither of those muzzled MPs or the media anywhere near the extent of Harper. I can't imagine that Harper would've answered this question: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWf2LLaHkM0

[aurik]

The government's job is to run the country, not dance at the news media's every whim.

Refusing to answer questions is not the same as muzzling the media, but thanks for playing.

Anyway, it's clear you just Don't Like Those Conservative Fucks. If you don't want to talk policy, why the hell are you even posting here?

[Thoronas]

The fact that you think this is the most secretive, dishonest government in Canadian history just proves it. Can't remember Chretien? Mulroney? They all did the same shit. And whoever we elect next will do the same shit as well.

Might as well elect the people with the best policies going forward.

Because every government at one time or another has been found in contempt of parliament right? Oh that's right this is the first time in Canadian history that it's ever happened.

[aurik]

Oh I see, a highly politicized vote finding the government in contempt (because they didn't want to defeat the budget because it would have been a bad strategy considering how most people are content about the economy). That's suddenly way worse than Mulroney accepting kickbacks or the sponsorship scandal or Shawinigate or the million other stupid things the parties in power in the government has done even in just recent history.

I'm sure that will totally change and the government stop doing stupid shit if we turf the current government who is doing a decently reasonable job of navigating the country through pretty rough times and replace them with somebody else.

[Mytiwar]

I'm sure that will totally change and the government stop doing stupid shit if we turf the current government who is doing a decently reasonable job of navigating the country through pretty rough times and replace them with somebody else.

2011: Time to use your vote to endorse stupid shit because really, since everyone does it, we should just stop giving a fuck.

[aurik]

No, you should vote for whoever you think has the best policy and the ability to carry it out. Since all parties are equally repugnant when it comes to pork and politics-as-usual, that's really the only differentiating factor.

[Mazmaz]

Um, I thought they did defeat the budget and then did the confidence vote.