In a quantitative sense, the level of taxpayer funded self promotion is unprecedented, spending 3x what the dirty Liberals once did. When confronted with this sobering reality, Conservatives are reduced to tired arguments, but beyond that they actually use the past Liberals to defend themselves. When you consider that the entire Conservative argument was once predicated on being the anti-Liberals, this particular "counter" is so entirely amusing. I'm not sure if the faithful lack the sophistication to see the folly, or their desperation trumps basic common sense, but relying on the Liberals for cover is just to RICH.
The Conservatives have lost the supposed moral high ground, which in truth was always a function of the luxury of the theoretical. Once forced into the practical realm, all the former righteousness has evaporated, and supporters are left with the objective truth that they have become their enemy, in many respects worse. More secretive, less transparent, bending rules, wasting taxpayer money on partisan considerations, misusing the government apparatus, basically betraying everything they supposedly stood for. That's not my opinion, the examples are endless, the MOUNDS of evidence everywhere.
There is one simple fact. Conservatives using the former Liberal government to neuter criticism is a testament to their own failure, it's a recognition that the "dream" is dead and they've become what they supposedly despised. Deal with it.
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Maybe the so called Conservatives have to be reminded that when the Liberals tried and did what they are accused of by the conservatives, Canadians punished them by voting them right out of being the party to lead Canada.In other words, they were fired. History does have a way of repeating itself. The Reform Cons seem to forget but when it comes down to the crunch Canadians won't. But knowing this party for the last 4 years, they seem to think they are exempt and can do anything they please but Canadians on average are not stupid. They trusted and hired these people, they can fire them as well and they will.
There is one simple fact. Conservatives using the former Liberal government to neuter criticism is a testament to their own failure, it's a recognition that the "dream" is dead and they've become what they supposedly despised. Deal with it.
And there is another simple fact. Liberals using the current government to neuter criticism of their own shady past is a testament to their own failure, its a recognition that the "dream" isn't coming back for them and that they've always been what they hypocritically and conveniently despise today. Deal with it.
But this has been the Conservative story since its very first days in office. Their only slogan to getting elected was de facto "we are not the Liberals." And then from day one they excused their behavior by saying de facto "we are the Liberals."
The saddest part of the whole thing is that a week from now another poll will come out with the Cons even higher in the polls because it seems for some reason that people just don't care anymore.
Michael
Wow, that was weak. Another try perhaps?
"There is one simple fact. Conservatives using the former Liberal government to neuter criticism is a testament to their own failure, it's a recognition that the "dream" is dead and they've become what they supposedly despised. Deal with it."
Well said! But so far instead of saying what he would do differently Iggy seems to be stuck on pointing out what the Conservatives are doing wrong. Andrew Coyne of Macleans had a great article that Iggy should take into serious consideration because until he offers a different path Canadians are not going to change governments.
I read that, and agree.
Cripes, has it really come to, "B...b...b...but the Liberals!!!"
Honestly, if this is the defense, can we get Michael (or any Conservative supporter for that matter) to confirm that they want the current government to emulate Chretien's Liberals?
What I want to know, what kind of a Con loser spends this much time on a Liberal site:
"Visit Length 1 hour 28 minutes 8 seconds"
Too funny.
John Baird just used a reference to Chretien to deflect criticism in QP. Amazing.
While the question of what would Iggy do differently is a valid one, in the context of this scandal it is deflection. What happened with sponsorship was analogous to a couple of bank managers embezzling money. This is corruption that goes to the heart (sic) of the government as these folks appear to have been using public money for party promotion.
Furthermore to echo your comments Steve, the fact is that the Present PM's existence as the PM is based on his righteous indignation over sponsorship.
To the Reform-a-tories: many Grits like me will admit we deserved to get our Arses kicked over sponsorship; get some sand & admit as much about your dear leader.
Austin, great post and I fully agree with you. Now is the time the federal Libs need to come out with a clearly defined position on this topic. And if any are reading this, for starters might I suggest they adopt the rules which Dalton McGuinty and the OLP have put in place here in Ontario - in regards to restrictions on MPP's & government funding projects.
Oh, I'd like to point out the Ontario Libs made these very strict rules thanks to the Harris gang's abuse of the system while they were in charge - you know - the ones that make up almost half of the Harper administration now.
Liberals using the current government to neuter criticism of their own shady past is a testament to their own failure
I don't recall seeing any Liberals do this. Do you have any examples?
In Liberal ridings which have received stimulus funding I assume that the MP presented a cheque. In ANY of these cases, was the LPC logo on a cheque?
If the answer is 'no', then that is what the Liberals are doing differently.
Holding a government accountable has nothing to do with your policies, it has everything to do with holding them against their own policies..the ones enacted.
To put the Conservative logo on a cheque from the Federal coffers is, well simply put, stupid. Unbelievably so and you have to wonder what kind of guidelines were issued by the PMO on this one.
Weren't all these behaviors made illegal by The Accountability Act?
Wasn't that act unanimously passed ?
It's like Harper's election law, the Con's are above the law, even ones they pass in fits of righteous indignation. This isn't politics as usual, it's crime.
Jerry
It still amazes me that Harper managed to usurp his own election law. Today was supposed to be the day, and yet Harper was able to pull it off, with no consequence. It was a one day story and everybody moved on, despite the fact the reasoning for said law was to avoid exactly what he did. Strange days indeed.
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