It's A Great Day For the West

[Toro]

Why didn't the Liberals Why did they elect the NDP instead?

 

[Tonington]

For one, the NDP's major promise was to remove the HST from electricity. The PC's added the tax, and the Liberals to my knowledge had no plans on what to do about that. The NDP were also the only party that objected to using money intended to pay down the debt for program spending.

 

[Machjo]

For one, the NDP's major promise was to remove the HST from electricity. The PC's added the tax, and the Liberals to my knowledge had no plans on what to do about that. The NDP were also the only party that objected to using money intended to pay down the debt for program spending.

As I'd mentioned before, a party is no more than a composite of its members at any given time and place. That makes that provincial NDP sound more fiscally conservative than the federal Conservatives!

 

[Tonington]

Bingo! All the socialist scaremongering garbage from outside of the province and directed our way is quite funny. We shall have to wait and see, but they were a very competent opposition.

 

[Cannuck]

Most oppositions are. It doesn't take much, after all.

The term "a wolf in sheep's clothing" comes to mind.

 

[Machjo]

I've communicated with Halifax MLA Graham Steele, also a member of the NDP, and he's one Dipper I'd vote for... if I were in his province mind you.

 

[lone wolf]

Most oppositions are. It doesn't take much, after all.

The term "a wolf in sheep's clothing" comes to mind.

A sheep in wolf's clothing ain't so great either. Talk's cheap....

 

[Machjo]

Most oppositions are. It doesn't take much, after all.

The term "a wolf in sheep's clothing" comes to mind.

Not entirely true. Even opposition parties can prove to be incompetent at times. In the end, it really comes down to the independent candidates in question.

 

[JLM]

For one, the NDP's major promise was to remove the HST from electricity. The PC's added the tax, and the Liberals to my knowledge had no plans on what to do about that. The NDP were also the only party that objected to using money intended to pay down the debt for program spending.

What is the H.S.T.? Anyone who promises to remove taxes is being irresponsible, unless they spell out what they are going to replace it with- either a service cut or another tax imposed.

 

[Machjo]

Good point, JLM. Cut the HST but don't touch tax money going towards the debt. Hmmm... so either they intend to reduce certain services, introduce user-pay, increase taxes elsewhere, accelerate the exploitation of natural resources, or something else. So what is it?

 

[Cannuck]

Maybe the new Premier farts twoonies.

 

[Tonington]

What is the H.S.T.? Anyone who promises to remove taxes is being irresponsible, unless they spell out what they are going to replace it with- either a service cut or another tax imposed.

The HST is the harmonized sales tax. Other names offered were the blended sales tax, but I guess they didn't like the sounds of a BS tax. It's a combination GST/PST. So when the GST was cut to 5%, our HST went from 15% to 14% and eventually to 5% with the last GST cut.

Anyways, we've had it for a long time, since 1996. Former Premier MacDonald reinstated the HST on electricty last spring.

That amounts to $27 million, and they are making cuts elsewhere that add up to somewhere around $86 million to pay for debt servicing and campaign spending promises.

 

[Machjo]

The HST is the harmonized sales tax. Other names offered were the blended sales tax, but I guess they didn't like the sounds of a BS tax. It's a combination GST/PST. So when the GST was cut to 5%, our HST went from 15% to 14% and eventually to 5% with the last GST cut.

Anyways, we've had it for a long time, since 1996. Former Premier MacDonald reinstated the HST on electricty last spring.

That amounts to $27 million, and they are making cuts elsewhere that add up to somewhere around $86 million to pay for debt servicing and campaign spending promises.

'Elsewhere' is an ambiguous word. Are we talking about well-planned cuts or just a random slash-and-burn and let the chips fall where they they may?

 

[Machjo]

I'm all for government spending cuts, but only if they're well-planned and not just random. Otherwise, we risk cutting the most valueable government services and keeping the least valueable.

 

[Tonington]

I'm all for government spending cuts, but only if they're well-planned and not just random. Otherwise, we risk cutting the most valueable government services and keeping the least valueable.

The NDP's plan to cut money is based on an assumption that following an audit of the Provinces books, they will find areas where department's are overlapping, and were funds are being spent needlessly. This, again is something the NDP have been hammering on the PC's for years.

The NDP in this province very much foolow the models set in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, not those of Ontario and BC.

Accountability, fiscal restraint, and transparency. These are the hallmarks that got the NDP their majority. We know the other two parties haven't done that here, so after a decade of hearing this party say they can do better, it's time to see how much talk translates into how much walk.

 

[Machjo]

That seems reasonable enough. If they know where the waste is and have been able to make the details public, then they've obviously done their homework. We'll see how well they do.

 

[taxslave]

The NDP's plan to cut money is based on an assumption that following an audit of the Provinces books, they will find areas where department's are overlapping, and were funds are being spent needlessly. This, again is something the NDP have been hammering on the PC's for years.

The NDP in this province very much foolow the models set in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, not those of Ontario and BC.

Accountability, fiscal restraint, and transparency. These are the hallmarks that got the NDP their majority. We know the other two parties haven't done that here, so after a decade of hearing this party say they can do better, it's time to see how much talk translates into how much walk.

Does their fiscal restraint include not accepting equalization payments?

 

[JLM]

The NDP's plan to cut money is based on an assumption that following an audit of the Provinces books, they will find areas where department's are overlapping, and were funds are being spent needlessly. This, again is something the NDP have been hammering on the PC's for years.

The NDP in this province very much foolow the models set in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, not those of Ontario and BC.

Accountability, fiscal restraint, and transparency. These are the hallmarks that got the NDP their majority. We know the other two parties haven't done that here, so after a decade of hearing this party say they can do better, it's time to see how much talk translates into how much walk.

I wouldn't get too mesmerized over the N.D.P. - they'll probably do alright for awhile but over time they will prove to be just as inept as the Liberals and Conservatives. I don't think any of the parties understands how money works, except to get they have to tax the hell out of you.

 

[Tonington]

Does their fiscal restraint include not accepting equalization payments?

No... A pre-teen with an allowance can still show fiscal restraint, an unemployed worker can show fiscal restraint while on EI.

To JLM, I'm not enamored with them, I'm just glad to see the one party with the most prudent line on the economy being elected, and I was explaining to others here that this is why they were elected. I couldn't care less what the name of the party is.

 

[earth_as_one]

You have an overly simplistic view of what Jesus taught. Perhaps it would help if you read the new testament.

You and I must have read different versions of the New Testament.

In my version, he lived communally, sharing all that he had to offer. Jesus died a poor man, but rich in wisdom and admiration.

How did he live in your version? Did run a large corporation, accumulate a fortune leave it to a trust fund which founded a religious cult? Perhaps you can quote me the passage where he says,

"Blessed are the capitalists and financiers,
for they shall buy their way into the kingdom of heaven".

I can't find that passage in my version. Mine says this:

[SIZE=+1]"Blessed are the poor in spirit, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Blessed are they who mourn, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]for they shall be comforted. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Blessed are the meek, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]for they shall inherit the earth. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]for they shall be satisfied. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Blessed are the merciful, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]for they shall obtain mercy. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Blessed are the pure of heart, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]for they shall see God. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Blessed are the peacemakers, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]for they shall be called children of God. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." [/SIZE]
Sure sounds like socialist to me.

How about this passage:

Matthew 14:13-21 (King James Version)



13When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18He said, Bring them hither to me.
19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

What does your version say?

Matthew 14:13-21 (Cannuk Version)



13When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when he advertised a 50% discount off every loaf of bread and fish, the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude loaded with cash, and saw dollar signs and said Ca-ching! He healed their sick, for a reasonable fee, turning away those without health benefits from their employers.
15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; We have a captive market. Let's call this place Las Vegas, set up bright lights, install slot machines and give them plenty to eat, drink with a moderate mark up.
17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18He said, This is just a supply chain management problem. Bring them hither to me.
19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, brake and cut the loaves with fillers, additives, sugar and mildly addictive drugs like caffeine. Jesus packaged the food, labelled them with the God brand seal of quality and purity. He gave the cut loaves to his disciples, and the disciples set up consession stands where they sold their fine products to the multitude... at fair market prices.
20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full which they gave away at discount prices to those who couldn't pay top dollar the first time around.
21And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children while Jesus and his disciples laughed all the way to the bank.