Well - we have to pay for government somehow. I want bang for my tax $ - under Harper, it's just being wasted.
At least under Paul and Jean - they paid off some of the debt (before Paul started going all "lefty")
@ Colpy - A vote for a Conservative is a vote supporting what Harper does. I do not support payroll tax increases, or EI premium increases (poor tax policy) I do not support cutting the GST (income tax cuts are more effective). I do not support his non-professional, childish like antics in the HoC. I do not support his hyprocitical stance on the senate. I do not support his stance on Afganistan or the enviroment. I did not and do no support deficit financing to pay for ill thought out stimulus that will provide no future benefit. I do not support multi billion dollar cash bail outs to banks, car companies, etc... I do not support enriching enriching the equalization program, or transfers to provinces. I do not support wasting tax $s on 10%ers. I do not support muzzling MPs. I do not support the increased control, power and secrecy that he has given the PMO.
I do not approve of his refusal to speak with Canadian media. I do not approve of his tendancy to blame all problems on either the Liberals or public servants. I do not approve of his politicizing of the courts. I do not approve of his "book" to disrupt government committees. I do not approve cutting the $1.95 per vote without cutting the generous tax refund for political donations. I do not approve of the hyper-partisan enviroment he has created in the HoC.
The one of the things that I actually DID approve of was his establishing PBO - which he is now trying to shut down because the guy is actually doing his job.
He is, in my opinion, the worst PM this country has ever had. (By the way, the best RECENT PM in my opinion is Brian Mulroney - his policies had the longest lasting positive impact of any PM since (and including) Trudeau.) This country is worse off now than it was 4 years ago. I can not think of one program, peice of legislation or idea that he has had that will have a long lasting benefit for this country or it's people.
And don't give me the standard "well, it's cause it's a minority" BS - because the opposition has been worse than useless the past four years. He has a "defacto" majority because either the Liberals or the NDP will side with him, as both know they will be decimated if we go to the polls.
Well, I agree with much........he cut the GST, which was silly, but he had PROMISED to do so, and I don't approve of politicians lying either.
As for Afghanistan, all parties agree at this point.....we're out in 2011.
I don't like foolishness in the HoC.......I would rather Senators be elected, but that requires the provinces elect them.....and they haven't.....and one can not allow a Liberal dominated Senate to tie up the business of gov't forever. I see little choice for Harper.
I'm am completely with you on stimulus. It is BS from the word GO. Equalization is a quagmire every gov't wades into.....I would prefer the central gov't use their cash handouts to the provinces to enforce cross-country policies in such things as health care......I dislike the centralization of power in the PMO.........
But, in my humble opinion, the three worst PMs we have ever had were King, Trudeau and Chretien........Liberals all.
And I have no affection for Mr. Harper, but he is by far the best offered........especially in foreign affairs, our relationship to the USA, immigration policy, gun control, national unity, military policy, and yes, economic policy.......so far.
Offer me an alternative.....