tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post7674022269870771703..comments2024-03-26T20:19:35.180-04:00Comments on Northern Reflections: Will He Go With A Bang Or A Whimper?Owen Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-35147896464716329442014-02-13T18:11:54.431-05:002014-02-13T18:11:54.431-05:00The Conservative drama might get very interesting...The Conservative drama might get very interesting, e.a.f. -- particularly if the rift between Harper and Flaherty grows.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-89267110320216546332014-02-13T17:49:54.313-05:002014-02-13T17:49:54.313-05:00I think Flaherty hasn't been happy with harper...I think Flaherty hasn't been happy with harper for some time. When you watch when Harper is up on his feet in the House, those around him will get up and applaud or sit and applaud, make comments, whatever, they are always cheering him on, especially the two blonds right behind him, on either side, along with one woman of asian decent, What has been on interest is, Flaherty just sits there and looks straight ahead. Its always interesting to watch politicians with the sound off and just focus on the body language. Flaherty left the Conservatives a long time ago. He continues in his position. Will he run in the next election? Most likely not, given his age and health. Will he go quietly, perhaps, but not as quietly as harper wants him to. if Flaherty continues to voice his views on "income splitting" it may split the cons. This maybe very entertaining yet.e.a.f.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-57548605885649509182014-02-13T14:35:33.765-05:002014-02-13T14:35:33.765-05:00Precisely, Mound. The "family values" cr...Precisely, Mound. The "family values" crowd have been espousing policies that -- for the last forty years -- have undercut families.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-8408759632375914852014-02-13T14:19:17.134-05:002014-02-13T14:19:17.134-05:00Whenever you alter tax policy it is essential that...Whenever you alter tax policy it is essential that the social or economic benefit be manifest. Income splitting based on nothing other than coupling does not meet this test. Why should childless couples be treated any differently than two single people? There is no public policy justification for that. <br /><br />There is a sound public policy reason for allowing low or moderate income couples with children to income split. They're already shouldering a financial burden for rearing children who will be our next generation of citizen/taxpayers.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-81649593436806973982014-02-13T11:48:11.798-05:002014-02-13T11:48:11.798-05:00There is a method to their madness, rumley; and it...There is a method to their madness, rumley; and it has been borne out by recent history.<br /><br />But they keep slicing the pie into thinner and thinner pieces. In the end, they will be left with the crust.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-39806234600327116522014-02-13T11:42:34.656-05:002014-02-13T11:42:34.656-05:00There are constituencies that voted for Harper aga...There are constituencies that voted for Harper again and again and are now being abused. Senior, veterans, fishers, farmers,anti-women groups and others are not getting what they were promised.<br /><br />Harper and his advisers seem to think that these people will never vote anything but reform so can be ignored.This plan seems to indicate a belief that a less than 30% will maintain power when new ridings and suppressed turnout are factored in.rumleyfipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03346146988416679423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-82736483681387121452014-02-13T10:48:50.003-05:002014-02-13T10:48:50.003-05:00The evangelicals have felt snubbed from the very b...The evangelicals have felt snubbed from the very beginning, waterboy. For that reason, I expect Harper will deliver on his promise.<br /><br />But Flaherty knows that the promise makes the party extremely vulnerable. I also suspect that he has told or will tell Harper that he'll fight the next election without the current member from Oshawa.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-38405292460966276222014-02-13T10:25:29.988-05:002014-02-13T10:25:29.988-05:00Time and again harper has failed to deliver to his...Time and again harper has failed to deliver to his rabid "pro-family" base, will be interesting to see what he does in coming months to secure those impatient fence sitters. He knows full well he is guaranteed a percentage of that demographic, but it's not enough for a majority unless they orchestrate a mass stay-at-home on election night. As for Flaherty, his retirement can't come soon enough.bcwaterboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00506402752799423770noreply@blogger.com