Election 2008 – Day 12

September 18, 2008 @ 2:00 pm 0 COMMENTS

And we’re spending like drunken sailors!

I complained before Harper is only rolling out small announcements. I am beginning to understand his reasons. These are hard economic times, whether the electorate realises it or not. The recession in the States WILL drag us down, the question is how far. And reckless spending will not help this situation in any way. A measured, controlled spending will be the best thing to do economically. Canadians should realise we’re on the brink of a recession. This is not the time to go spending like drunken sailors.

My only problem is this: does the average Canadian realise that this is the time to be frugal, and we can’t afford to be spending money left and right, or does the average Canadian just want, want, want? Harper is a brilliant economist, but I doubt the average Canadian is.

The Liberals announced $70B for infrastructure that we’re not going to be using after the carbon tax will make everything so expensive we won’t be able to drive on it.

While Harper announced a small but real $150/yr tax credit for seniors, Layton trumped him with a $1B/yr promise to allow more home care. His “As Prime Minister I will…” speech was amusing. Dream on, Jackie. I wonder, though, if this is how one wins elections: just promise in the vicinity of $1B for EVERY GROUP you encounter on the campaign trail. You’re with students: promise $1B for education. You’re with nurses: promise $1B to hire more of them. You’re with auto-workers: promise them $1B to save the plants. You’re with seniors: promise them $1B to allow home care. He has no chance in becoming PM, so he can promise all he wants. That’s his prerogative. What I don’t understand is the people voting for him thinking that he means all of this.

The Green Party rolled out her election platform. What do you know, new taxes, raise taxes. This is not the time to raise taxes, Global Warming or not. People can’t pay their bills as it is. And not just the low income bracket. I’d say most of the middle bracket income earners fear the coming winter, with over $1.10 for a litre of heating oil, that’s $1000 per fill-up. In February, we usually have two fill ups. Over the winter, from October to April, we usually have 6-7 fill-ups. You do the math.

With apologies to all drunken sailors out there.