My last post bemoaned the lack of honest politicians and so today I could not let the resignation of Garth Turner as a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada pass without comment. Like him or hate him Garth tells it like it is, is fearless in putting his opinion forward even if it does not follow the “party line”, can probably be called the father of digital democracy in Canada for his long standing blog whilst an MP and this decision is a great loss to both the LPC and to the folks he was proposing to represent.
In short he is the sort of representative we need in parliament to cut through all that bovine manure referred to in the last post. In case you missed it here is what he had to say about the current financial situation that Canada is in and how it will effect us……….
“The HST is a simple precursor of what’s coming over the next five to ten years, thanks to Stephen Harper. You, your family and your business should prepare. Higher income taxes, more fees, probably an increase in the GST. Some of those increases may be labelled ‘temporary,’ but they will sting nonetheless. There will also be spending cuts. Big ones.
The best thing anyone standing for public office can do at the moment is be honest with you. Share some facts.
As Stephen Harper took office in 2006, Canada was entering its nineth consecutive year of budget surpluses. The outgoing Liberals left a positive balance of roughly $15 billion.
As of now, Harper’s government has amassed a deficit of $55.9 billion, over ten billion more than the previous record.
Each family’s share for this year’s shortfall alone is $3,700.
After coming down for more than half a decade, the national debt will rise to its highest level within three years – above $600 billion – according to the independent Parliamentary Budget Officer.
The current Harper government increased federal spending to its greatest point, even before the recession in late 2008. When the storm hit, the cupboard was empty.
Many people now fail to see how Mr. Harper can even wear the mantle of a ‘conservative’ prime minister.
The most spending ever. The largest federal government in history. The greatest one-year deficit. The largest national debt. And the fastest descent from a surplus to a deficit on record.
To date, no party or leader has treated you honestly to an explanation of what a $56 billion deficit or $600 billion debt mean for your family or your finances. Suggesting there’ll be no tax hikes, spending cuts or mortgage increases is akin to Stephen Harper telling us one year ago Canada was immune to recession and our budget would stay balanced. It’s crap. But apparently crap that people like hearing.
After being recruited to run for MP in the Ontario riding of Dufferin-Caledon, and having my candidacy approved by the Liberal Party last July, today I informed the leader of my resignation…………………
In Dufferin-Caledon I have been the only nominee for MP candidate since August. I’m interpreting the leader’s failure to allow a nomination meeting as a signal my views are unwelcome.
From - http://www.garthturner.com/2009/10/05/where-i-stand-2/
…………….
I suspect that it is indeed true that “his views are unwelcome”! It would not do for the public to be told the truth now would it!
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1 comment:
It's hard for a politician to remain part of a political caucus if they routinely violate caucus confidentiality.
Turner's current predicament is one of his own making.
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