Canadian Election: It's On

[joncha]

The same applies to the "decent MPs from crappy parties rather than crappy MPs from decent parties" sentiment. Sounds nice, but means dick-all in the Westminster system.

[notyoueither]

Well, it actually means something in Westminster.

[joncha]

True enough, I guess this has to do more with party discipline. But how Canada has used the parliamentary model hasn't helped.

[Ben Kenobi]

But how Canada has used the parliamentary model hasn't helped.

Yeah. It would be nice to have an elected senate and free votes in Parliament.

Or how about a cabinet composed of members from all parties?

The mind boggles.

[notyoueither]

Geez, you'd think maybe Canadians could be clever enough to base their voting on who actually represents the riding, like say by looking at voting records on bills.

Naw, that would be way too far-fetched. I mean, if a guy knew he was a goner if he voted against the interests of his constituents, maybe that guy would be more prepared to tell the PM where he could stuff the signature on the next round of nomination papers. That could never work.

[notyoueither]

Day 5

Has Layton blown it already?

60 billion in increased-tax fueled spending? The Libs want 9 billion in spending, the NDP can go twice that and then tax for a further multiple of 3?

But that's not all. How exactly does he think Canadians are going to react to his accusations that the PM is personally responsible for deaths of homeless people in Toronto (and elsewhere, I would presume). That is the sort of stuff that demagogues throw around.

Between the 'it's moving, let's tax it' policies and the completely bizarre comments about Martin and the homeless, I can practically hear the undecided, and a good number of soft supporters, shifting their choices, and the NDP are not going up the list.

[joncha]

1. the taxes are, for the most part, just rolling back the tax-breaks the very wealthy have been handed over the past couple decades.

2. Martin, as finance minister, cut funding to social housing and social transfers to the provinces. That put a lot of people out into the street. You live on the street in a city like Toronto (especially if you're old or you're not in perfect health), there's a good chance you'll die. The amount of money needed to solve the homeless problem is such a small proportion of the budget, it is criminal that it's allowed to continue.

We've had a huge transfer of wealth from poor to rich over the last few decades, it's about time it started to go back the other way.

[Tingkai]

Layton is being smart. He's saying enough with the cut back in services. Enough with the underfunding to health care. Enough with Ottawa downloading costs to the provinces (which is big reason why we end up with more homeless people).

It's time for the government to say what they will do instead of what they will cut.

It's time for Martin to take responsibility for his actions. Yes, he balanced the budget, but at what costs.

The move to tax millionaires makes sense, as does rolling back to tax handouts to corporations.

From a marketing point of view, Layton is differentiating the NDP from the Libs and Conservatives by offering a positive policy platform.

Are you going to argue against more money to healthcare ($29 billion over five years). This is money that is needed.

Not taxing the poor makes sense, particularly for the unemployed.

[Tingkai]

Are gay marriages going to be an election issue?

[joncha]

It doesn't look like it so far... although it might make a difference in some ridings.

[Ben Kenobi]

Taxes are too high in Canada, given the massive surpluses the Liberals have been running for the last few years.

just rolling back the tax-breaks the very wealthy have been handed over the past couple decades.

That's the sport. If it moves, tax it!

NYE, are you trying to sew up my sig?

60 billion is insane... what are the NDP thinking?

[Ben Kenobi]

Are gay marriages going to be an election issue?

Yup. The Canadian parliament ought to have a say, in a free vote, rather than just booting the issue over to the courts.

It's packaged in the overall 'democratic deficit' of the Liberals.

[Ben Kenobi]

The move to tax millionaires makes sense, as does rolling back to tax handouts to corporations.

Right. Kill Air Canada and Bombardier.

Like that would ever happen.

Same for the millionaires. Just not enough of them to make a difference. BTW, the tax raise is going to be all those over 250,000 CDN, not 1 million, which is a substantial difference.

From a marketing point of view, Layton is differentiating the NDP from the Libs and Conservatives by offering a positive policy platform.

Senate Reform is not part of a positive platform? That's an odd critique.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Same for the millionaires. Just not enough of them to make a difference. BTW, the tax raise is going to be all those over 250,000 CDN, not 1 million, which is a substantial difference.

No, the inheritance tax will only be on assets of $1 million and above, not including farms and small businesses.

Most Canadians aren't millionaires so this idea will sell.

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Senate Reform is not part of a positive platform? That's an odd critique.

Since when is creating more bureaucracy and more politicians a good thing?

And outside of Alberta, the idea that the Canadian government should be more like the American government won't sell. It hasn't in the past 20 years and it won't this year.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Same for the millionaires. Just not enough of them to make a difference. BTW, the tax raise is going to be all those over 250,000 CDN, not 1 million, which is a substantial difference.

Face it. You can't have a good social net and low taxes at the same time.