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more CPC hypocrisy?
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| MarkT |
So...irresponsible spending when the Liberals attempted to "buy" NDP support...but ok for him to do the *exact* same thing.
For the record, I didn't have a problem with the Liberals attempting to woo the NDP...that's how a minority gov't works...and so I don't really have a problem with Harper now doing the same...other than (once again), he's being a complete hypocrite since he was vocally against the "buying" of the NDP support and calling the additional spending irresponsible while he was in opposition.
So the hypocrisy continues with this gov't, LOL. From the Emerson floor crossing, to appointing Fortier to the Senate and cabinet without him being elected, to limited media access to cabinet ministers (nice increased accountability), and now this. Nice move by Layton though...the money is still being spent, without a deal involving NDP support for the minority gov't.
I'm looking forward to how today's budget is received...but I found this story rather funny. From today's Toronto Star (bold added):
| quote: | PM sought 2-year NDP pact
Fledgling Tory government offered deal, but Layton's party rejected pitch fearing `political suicide'
May 2, 2006. 05:19 AM
BRUCE CAMPION-SMITH
OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA—Prime Minister Stephen Harper personally appealed to the New Democrats to support his minority government for two years, the Star has learned.
In return, the Prime Minister offered to make good on all the spending contained in the NDP's budget deal with the Liberals a year ago — almost $4 billion worth of new cash that was at risk of expiring.
Harper made the dramatic offer in late February, as his government was in its early days and feeling out the opposition. The deal was rejected by the NDP.
Details of the prospective deal-making — confirmed by several Parliament Hill sources — offer a window on how Harper intends to work with this minority government.
"He intends to take everything on a case-by-case basis," one source said.
Harper's strategic thinking — sussing out opposition support he really didn't need — was contrasted with former prime minister Paul Martin's approach of calling the opposition leaders only after the political crisis had already developed.
Of the 308 Commons seats, the Tories hold 125, Liberals 102, Bloc Québécois 51, NDP 29 and one is an Independent.
Still, the irony of Harper trying to use a year-old budget deal to secure NDP support one more time wasn't lost on some Ottawa sources yesterday.
At the centre of the Tory-NDP discussions earlier this year was the deal the NDP struck with the Liberals last May.
At the time, NDP Leader Jack Layton had pushed the minority Liberals, who were on the ropes at the time and facing a possible election, to eliminate a $4.6 billion corporate tax cut from their budget.
In its place, the New Democrats won cash for other priorities, such as $800 million for public transit; $1.6 billion for low-income housing; $1.5 billion for post-secondary education; and $500 million in foreign aid.
The deal last spring cemented the support of the NDP for the Liberals, helping Paul Martin's government survive a narrow budget vote.
Harper condemned the budget pact as an "unprecedented and irresponsible series of spending promises."
Yet Harper was singing a different tune this year as he dangled the budget deal as a carrot to woo the backing of the NDP.
Despite Liberal promises, little had been done to make sure the money was actually going to what it was earmarked for, sources say.
Under provisions of the spending bill, known as Bill C-48, the money had to be allocated by March 31, the end of the federal fiscal year, or it automatically would be used to reduce the federal debt.
That's what prompted the call from Harper's office to Layton's staff with a proposal that would see the cash spent on the promised priorities if the NDP vowed to support the government for "an extended period of time."
That offer was soon followed up with a personal entreaty from Harper.
Layton was unavailable to meet with the Prime Minister so the NDP dispatched two veteran MPs, Bill Blaikie and Libby Davies.
The politicians met for about 20 minutes in Harper's Langevin Block offices, sources say.
The Prime Minister told the two MPs he was prepared to spend the cash if the NDP was ready to commit its support for two years.
Sources say the NDP had no intention of accepting an offer that could spell political suicide.
Instead, the New Democrats quietly called the groups and governments counting on the cash that could be lost from C-48, such as provinces, municipalities and transit agencies, setting in motion a furious backroom lobbying effort to save the spending program.
"They were all convinced the money was secure and, in fact, it was already in their budgets," said one federal official.
It appears that effort succeeded. Last month, it was revealed the government will set up independent trust funds to distribute about $3.6 billion from C-48.
Layton spokesperson Karl Belanger yesterday confirmed talks took place but gave no details. "There's been several meetings with the Prime Minister and his staff ... but we've made no agreement to support this government in any way, shape or form." |
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| Fir3start3r |
I never read the Toronto-Liberal-Star anyways...
meh :rolleyes:
At least the Conservatives are doing what the Liberals couldn't in 12 years of power... |
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| Abercrombie |
| 'didn't see that coming. :rolleyes: |
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| Jayx1 |
Lets do a running tally here...
the liberals talked about day care subsidies for 13 years... and did nothing
the conservatives talked about it for 3 months and now we have a $1200 tax credit.
The liberals talked about "axe da tax" when it came to the GST and did nothing.
The Conservatives after 3 months are reducing the GST by 1%
The Liberals talked about accountability for 13 years.
The conservatives recently passed the acountability act after 3 months.
The Liberals paid lip service to softwood lumber and nothing happened
The conservatives finally got a deal....some may say that 80% of what we were owed is not good. But its better to have 80% of 5 billion than 100% of nothing.
Now you may not agree with conservative measures and im not asking you to. But you have to admit that all the Liberals ever did was talk and the conservatives so far have actually followed through.
For the record, i agree with harper and his media policy. Because he knows that media is NOT his friend and that the media often distorts and embellishes the truth. He is not a stupid man when it comes to what the media is all about. He won the last election IN SPITE of a biased media. If i were in power, id keep the media at arms length as well because they more you reveal about yourself, the more ammunition they have to sling at you, no matter who you are. |
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| fairy godfather |
Well put Jayx1!
It's amazing how people in this city still have their heads up their asses when it comes to the Liberal record.
Can't wait for the budget this afternoon.... |
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| MarkT |
well said? what does any of what he posted have to do with the post I made? Addressing one issue by pointing to other issues is not answering the issue at all.
did Harper or did he not condemn the additional spending and "buying" of NDP support, yet turn around and attempt to do the *exact* same thing when in power?
did he or did he not condemn Stronach's floor crossing and cabinet appointment, yet turn around and do the *exact* same thing with Emerson?
did he or did he not preach Senate reform and increased gov't accountability, yet turn around and appoint an unelected individual in Fortier and go to great lenghts to limit media access?
I post this because any time Harper was criticized as having a hidden agenda...or when I said it will be the same , different party in terms of similar political tactics, it was called "fear mongering". Turns out that Harper is indeed employing many of the same tactics that he condemned while in opposition.
| quote: | Originally posted by Fir3start3r
I never read the Toronto-Liberal-Star anyways...
meh :rolleyes:
At least the Conservatives are doing what the Liberals couldn't in 12 years of power... |
what does it matter who reported the story? I don't see a CPC or NDP communication to the media denying it. Would it be more legit if the National Post brought this to light? :rolleyes: ;) |
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| AwakenedAddict |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Lets do a running tally here...
the liberals talked about day care subsidies for 13 years... and did nothing
the conservatives talked about it for 3 months and now we have a $1200 tax credit. |
The liberals attempted to increase the amount child day-care spaces, the conservatives passed a highly regressive tax credit that disadvantages low-income earners.
| quote: | The liberals talked about "axe da tax" when it came to the GST and did nothing.
The Conservatives after 3 months are reducing the GST by 1% |
After the liberals made the federal government solvent after years of deficits
| quote: | The Liberals talked about accountability for 13 years.
The conservatives recently passed the acountability act after 3 months. |
Enough has been said already about Harper's lack of accountability.. passing an "accountability act" changes nothing but the perceptions of a fickle and easily misled electorate.
| quote: | The Liberals paid lip service to softwood lumber and nothing happened
The conservatives finally got a deal....some may say that 80% of what we were owed is not good. But its better to have 80% of 5 billion than 100% of nothing. |
The conservates ended a trade dispute in which Canada clearly held the legal upperhand by giving up 20% of the duties already paid and restricting the activity of Canadian softwood firms in the United States to only 34% of the market size (and we thought free trade meant FREE). |
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| AwakenedAddict |
| quote: | Originally posted by MarkT
what does it matter who reported the story? |
The star leans way left in its coverage, reporting and tone. The National Post is the opposite (ie: quite conservative). I find that the Globe and Mail provides the most facts with the least rhetoric. |
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| Allegory |
| quote: | Originally posted by AwakenedAddict
The star leans way left in its coverage, reporting and tone. The National Post is the opposite (ie: quite conservative). I find that the Globe and Mail provides the most facts with the least rhetoric. |
And is much more articulate! |
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| MarkT |
| quote: | Originally posted by AwakenedAddict
The star leans way left in its coverage, reporting and tone. The National Post is the opposite (ie: quite conservative). I find that the Globe and Mail provides the most facts with the least rhetoric. |
sure, but that's not relevant at all to the story itself.
This article was not an editorial piece...it was a report on the CPC having approached the NDP in an attempt to broker the very same deal the Liberals made with the NDP while in power...a deal that Harper called irresponsible.
I don't think a paper's bias really has anything to do with whether or not Harper approached the NDP. Either he did or he didn't. Call the Star what you will, but I really don't think they'd put this story front and centre if it didn't happen ;) |
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| AwakenedAddict |
| quote: | Originally posted by MarkT
sure, but that's not relevant at all to the story itself. |
Maybe not in this instance... I was simply stating that papers on both sides of the political spectrum bend the facts and use selective data to form their stories, without reporting the whole picture. It wasn't really a comment on your quote, just an excuse to comment ;)
| quote: | Originally posted by Allegory
And is much more articulate! |
except for all their seplling erroors! (the globe and mail that is) |
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