Stephen Harper's "Tax On Everything"

Assume for a moment, that the Conservatives plan to deal with GHG's is real, it will deliver what it promises. That assumption is a gigantic IF, because every independent analysis suggests the plan is a sham. However, for arguments sake, let's take the Conservatives at their word, their plan will impart costs "that are not trivial". So, if the argument becomes a debate about the relative merits of each parties plans, then the Conservatives will be forced to confront a fundamental hypocrisy- accusing the Liberals of doing exactly what the Conservatives propose, while failing to provide relief on the other side of the ledger.

Isn't this interesting:

Tory or Liberal greenhouse plans will raise gas prices: experts


Energy industry experts say consumers will pay more for gas at the pump, regardless of whether Conservative or Liberal policies are adopted to cut the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

But the Conservative approach to cutting greenhouse gases -- a mix of regulations, technological investments and new markets to trade emission credits -- will also result in higher pump prices, said energy industry executives after testifying yesterday at a House of Commons committee.

Warren McLean, who recently retired as a vice-president with Suncor Energy, said the Conservative plan to put a cap on emissions will push pump prices up.

"How do you get to those caps? You have to make investments to get to those caps. And that investment ultimately has to be passed through," said Mr. McLean, who cautioned that he was expressing his own opinion and not that of any company or association.

That's right, so when we see Harper and his minions tell easterners that their reliance on fossil fuels, "dirty" energy sources, will make them big losers under the Liberal plan, they are indirectly acknowledging the same burden under their plan, since the "big emitters" will simply pass the cost to the consumer. The Conservatives are presenting a intellectually dishonest argument, and it might explain why Baird's recent release on the regulatory framework was issued late on a Friday. The last thing the Conservatives want is an honest analysis of what their supposed claims will mean to consumers.

Let's get the message out, backed up by expert analysis- under the Conservative plan, you will see a "tax on everything", not upfront like the Liberal plan , but prices will rise on electricity, natural gas, oil and gasoline. Have the Liberals done any analysis to compare the impacts of the various plans? And, if we have, shouldn't that be part of any mailing during an election?

The real kicker, in this entire debate, is that the Liberal plan is the only one to acknowledge the impact of rising prices, with an offset on the income tax, credit side. The Conservatives offer NOTHING to mitigate the rise in prices, under their plan, yet have the audacity to accuse the Liberals of unfairly hurting people, particularly those in the most precarious economic position.

Anyone who is paying attention can see the glaring hypocrisy, not to mention the dishonest presentation. The trick for the Liberals, to be properly armed and succinct enough to make that case, expose the fact that the Conservatives have really backed themselves into a farcical corner. You know what is realy "insane" and "nuts", projecting doom and gloom, while simultaneously embarking on a supposed similar path, all the while pretending it isn't so, all the while telling consumers TOUGH LUCK.