Words from our prime minister
Dec. 20th, 2007 11:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pyesetzIn a report published today, but based on an interview earlier this week (delayed while edits demanded by PM's office were made?), Stephen Harper tells us to expect an economic slowdown in 2008. (Can you say Duh!, boys and girls?) Why will the economy slow down? "Canada — as an open trading economy — cannot be immune from the growing uncertainty we see in the U.S. economy and the global economy" (Can you say US Depression, boys and girls?)
In the new year, "there will be no significant spending programs in 2008 or tax reductions" (except the new childcare benefit and the unnecessary, harmful, and against-advice 1% GST cut already announced). "We will be taking a very status-quo, pay-down-the-debt kind-of orientation going forward." (So why cut the GST, which makes it harder to pay down the debt? Minimizing the debt is our best defence against the global banking panic—already in progress—caused by fallout from the Fascist Insanity in the States.)
"The country should prepare for tough environmental measures that will be enacted in the new year" (presumably this is to try to steal the Liberal's fire, given that an economic downturn will probably lead to an election). "This year, as we approach the 2010 targets, we will be actually implementing the regulations" (I'll believe it when I see it.)
"The economy is strong. It is arguably its strongest in about three decades. Certainly unemployment is at its lowest level in three decades. The fundamentals are very strong... the unity of the country is at its strongest since the centennial year of 1967." (Can we say 'strong' a few more times? How much does Harper remember from when he was 8 years old in 1967?)
Yesterday Harper spoke to 8 news outlets, producing a videotape that was shown to the Press Gallery (who were mere watchers and not allowed to ask questions, perhaps because only the 8 had licked Stephen's boots adequately).
Responding to criticism that he and his office are too controlling, the Prime Minister said he'd rather be seen a strong leader than a weak one: "There are prime ministers that are in control of their government and those that aren't." (And there are PM's who remind Canadians of George Bush and those that don't. And next year is likely not to be a good election year for anyone that reminds people of "Chimpy McFlightsuit". Blair is gone. Howard is gone. Harper is...?)
On his decision to be the first Canadian Prime Minister to invite the Dalai Lama into for a meeting inside the Prime Minister's Office: "I don't know why I would sneak off to a hotel room just to meet the Dalai Lama. He's not a call girl." (The comment writes itself: how much experience with call girls in hotels does Harper actually have?)
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Isn't Canada a wonderful country? There is no reason for me to expect negative repercussions from this public post criticizing my adopted country's Supreme Leader. Few immigrants to the USA would dare to try the same these days!
In the new year, "there will be no significant spending programs in 2008 or tax reductions" (except the new childcare benefit and the unnecessary, harmful, and against-advice 1% GST cut already announced). "We will be taking a very status-quo, pay-down-the-debt kind-of orientation going forward." (So why cut the GST, which makes it harder to pay down the debt? Minimizing the debt is our best defence against the global banking panic—already in progress—caused by fallout from the Fascist Insanity in the States.)
"The country should prepare for tough environmental measures that will be enacted in the new year" (presumably this is to try to steal the Liberal's fire, given that an economic downturn will probably lead to an election). "This year, as we approach the 2010 targets, we will be actually implementing the regulations" (I'll believe it when I see it.)
"The economy is strong. It is arguably its strongest in about three decades. Certainly unemployment is at its lowest level in three decades. The fundamentals are very strong... the unity of the country is at its strongest since the centennial year of 1967." (Can we say 'strong' a few more times? How much does Harper remember from when he was 8 years old in 1967?)
Yesterday Harper spoke to 8 news outlets, producing a videotape that was shown to the Press Gallery (who were mere watchers and not allowed to ask questions, perhaps because only the 8 had licked Stephen's boots adequately).
Responding to criticism that he and his office are too controlling, the Prime Minister said he'd rather be seen a strong leader than a weak one: "There are prime ministers that are in control of their government and those that aren't." (And there are PM's who remind Canadians of George Bush and those that don't. And next year is likely not to be a good election year for anyone that reminds people of "Chimpy McFlightsuit". Blair is gone. Howard is gone. Harper is...?)
On his decision to be the first Canadian Prime Minister to invite the Dalai Lama into for a meeting inside the Prime Minister's Office: "I don't know why I would sneak off to a hotel room just to meet the Dalai Lama. He's not a call girl." (The comment writes itself: how much experience with call girls in hotels does Harper actually have?)
* * * * * * * * *
Isn't Canada a wonderful country? There is no reason for me to expect negative repercussions from this public post criticizing my adopted country's Supreme Leader. Few immigrants to the USA would dare to try the same these days!
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no subject
Date: 2007-12-21 07:17 am (UTC)Well, I could, except that I was expecting it to occur late this year, and it didn't really.
presumably this is to try to steal the Liberal's fire, given that an economic downturn will probably lead to an election
Once either the Liberals or Conservatives get above 40% in a poll, there will be an election called. But both parties have besmirched themselves with too many controversies and unpopular decisions lately that I don't think either party is going to gain 10 points anytime soon no matter what happens to the economy. This may well turn out to be one of the most stable minority governments ever, simply out of fear of being responsible for calling an unnecessary election.
I'm not saying that I like that situation, I'm simply noting a pattern that has stubbornly not changed, and I'm making a prediction accordingly. Too many people "predict" based on what they want to see happen. I try not to do that.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-21 05:44 pm (UTC)The central banks have been pumping fake money into the banking system to stave off the collapse by replacing it with inflation.
I don't think either party is going to gain 10 points anytime soon no matter what happens to the economy.
One of the truisms of politics is that most people most of the time pay no attention to the official "issues" until something hits them in the pocketbook. If your wallet feels flush, you vote for the incumbent; if moths fly out of your wallet, you vote for the challenger who seems most likely to win. So I would phrase this as "neither party will gain 10 points until the economy turns". If after that Canadians continue to feel that they're better off than Americans, Harper's government will continue. Of course, extreme immorality (AdScam, Mark Foley) will sometimes get people's attention even in the absence of economic impact.
This may well turn out to be one of the most stable minority governments ever
Indeed! I dislike Harper because his leadership style reminds me of Commander Codpiece. But in general his policies are either "reasonable for conditions" or "standard Conservative fare".
Too many people "predict" based on what they want to see happen. I try not to do that.
There are brain-scan studies suggesting that it is extremely difficult to avoid partisan bias when evaluating political situations.