Sunday, June 08, 2008

Is It The Tax, Or Who is Proposing The Tax?

It's almost comical, as the Conservatives use all this outlandish language to describe the Liberals "tax shift". Compare this reaction, to the quotes from the main Conservative players, reacting to their buddy Gordon Campbell, and you see a disconnect:
"Contrary to some commentary, the national plan and British Columbia's plan complement each other." Stephen Harper

The "mother of all taxes" is "complimentary"? Interesting.
"British Columbia is a province that takes the climate change issue "seriously, and have moved forward with a variety of initiatives.''

"I don't have a problem with that at all. We've chosen a different path in this regard, but that's fine." John Baird

That's fine? But British Columbia is on a path to economic ruin, how can you offer such tepid response?

""British Columbia may have a different model. It's working, and we'll recognize their contributions, as well." Gary Lunn

It's "working"? Are you suggesting Dion's plan might work too? Who knew?

If you want to expose the Conservative attacks for what they are, simple fear mongering and political posturing, the Liberals might be wise to use the response to British Columbia's plan as evidence.

14 comments:

JimmE said...

Steve, I think what you are seeing is Steve & his Ditto Heads attempting to have it both ways. As I commented in your last post, their interals must be telling them they are dead on the issue, & the issue important even within their base.

A Eliz. said...

You konow what Baird's path is..let the Provinces do it....loves to download

Steve V said...

Except Ontario, then it's "hot air". Strange that too. Where's the consistency?

jimme

That recently released internal poll for the PMO (last Nov-Dec) showed the environment was their weakness. It's another reason why I don't like waiting, because I could see them fast tracking some of their initiatives, or introducing new measures, to look relevant in an election.

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of or met a Liberal who didn't love a new tax . . . I don't see any difference now. If the Liberals fluke out a win in the next election, we'll pay through the nose just like always when there is a Liberal party in power.

Steve V said...

"I've never heard of or met a Liberal who didn't love a new tax "

I guess you were stranded under your bridge in 2005, when the Liberals introduced the biggest tax cut in Canadian history.

Yawn.

JimmE said...

"I've never heard of or met a Liberal who didn't love a new tax..."

... um respectfully Mr Anonymous, Steve & the ditto heads took the country into deficit for the last month reported, so that's good?

BTW, what flavour is Blue Kool-Aid anyway?

Karen said...

Consistency? The only consistency they display is the one that fits their messages of deceit.

I think they hate McGuinty so much that they believe the masses will come to see him as they do. Being hypocritical doesn't seem to twig with this group.

Opportunism and ideology are the only 2 priciples that drive them.

Values? Social good? Justice? Not in their dictionary.

Anon, you perfectly depict the Conservative disciple. No original thought, no compelling argument just blindly following where you are led.

Steve V said...

"I think they hate McGuinty so much that they believe the masses will come to see him as they do. Being hypocritical doesn't seem to twig with this group."

McGuinty is currently higher in the polls than any time since 2004. Keep up the good work John and Jim!

Karen said...

Indeed Steve. Weird isn't it?

Let's hope that plays across the country.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Dion needs to junk the carbon tax and change his message.

This advice has been given a few times, but he has yet to follow it. What he should do is go to Kinsella at Daisy Communications and run ads showing the laid off workers in Oshawa with this theme:

"Harper is Not Working"

Put in a photo of Baird, Clement, and Flaherty to make knb mega-happy. Of course, I don't think Kinsella will bite, given his latest tiff with Cherniak :(

Oxford County Liberals said...

A little criticism from Warren and Harper and Dion is supposed to run away and junk the carbon tax idea, Mushroom?

That would be worse then what John Tory did when he backed away mid-campaign with his separate school funding issue. Sure he was in trouble with it during the campaign, but as soon as he backed away, he was portrayed as weak. Dion will get doubly slammed for that if he takes your advice.

Seriously Mushroom.. you're exhibiting some "Nervous Nelly' traits.

Anonymous said...

Harpies manufacture issues for political points and have no stomach for tackling the major problems. Liberals should vote down this poor excuse of a government and take the offensive for a change.

Möbius said...

That would be worse then what John Tory did when he backed away mid-campaign with his separate school funding issue. Sure he was in trouble with it during the campaign, but as soon as he backed away, he was portrayed as weak.

Had he not backed away, Tory would have taken an even worse loss. Still a loss, but a "principled" one, I guess.

He had plenty of advice to back off before the official election call, and he chose to ignore it.

Not that I'm suggesting any kind of analogy...

Anonymous said...

"Seriously Mushroom.. you're exhibiting some "Nervous Nelly' traits."

I made a comment on this in Murney's blog Sunday, Scott. Can't dig up the link now because I am heading for hols tomorrow.

For me, carbon tax is just one aspect and most certainly NOT major one in which the Grits can win power. The Idealistic Pragmatist and I will blog about this, but you will have to wait until I return.