[Newsbot]

<strong>Filibuster Cartoon</strong>
<strong>Title: </strong> <a href="http://www.filibustercartoons.com/archive.php?id=20070322" target="_blank">Biggest big spender</a> (click to view)
<strong>Date: </strong> March 22, 2007

The biggest, most expensive Canadian budget ever was released by Finance Minister Jim Fleherty this week. It promises over $200 billion worth of government spending (including a 38% increase in handouts to Quebec) while offering no substantial tax cuts- only tax credits. And even with those credits, the government will still be rising at an average of $3 for every $1 allocated for tax relief. <br> <br>In another lifetime, Stephen Harper would have rallied against such a budget as the worst example of big government liberal over-spending. But he\'s prime minister of a minority government now, and needs to buy all the votes he can (especially Quebec ones) to stay in office. <br>

[Rhoffman]

I know that no one should be surprised at politicians going back on campaign problems, but dayum! That's one helluva turnaround....

[Jabrwock]

Newsbot wrote:

In another lifetime, Stephen Harper would have rallied against such a budget as the worst example of big government liberal over-spending.

Forget liberal spending, he's spending like he's an NDP'er.

My biggest beef about the budget was the "gas guzzler" tax, which while it sounds substantial, is just a facade. Very few actual vehicles are affected, and SUVs are dropping in popularity anyway now that extended crew cab pickups (which are exempt) are becoming more common. The worst part is that the green incentive doesn't really encourage you to buy green, because you need to spend much more than a regular car's worth in order to get the high-fuel efficiency and claim the full discount. So if you've already decided to spend more, you don't need to spend quite as much, which I'm sure will make hybrid buyers happy. But if you were budgeting for a regular car, this doesn't really encourage you to get a higher-efficiency one.

It's like their eco-home refit program. Yeah if you've already decided to spend extra on a high-efficiency furnace, they'll help you out. But they don't provide enough of a grant to encourage you to go green if you haven't already chosen to.

Amazingly, a good chunk of the "new" money is just programs the Conservatives cut last budget, reinstated.

[Arctic_Menace]

Quote:

Forget liberal spending, he's spending like he's an NDP'er.

[RUEZ]

Harper could start pooping gold, it wouldn't be good enough for some people.

[JJ]

Well when the "some people" are his conservative base, I think it's a distinct problem.

[Psudo]

Conservatives in both our nations seem to have forgotten the virtue of small government.

[CanadianJeff]

well someone had to do something with the surplus.

I'll be worried if the next budget is this large as well but for now it seems to be doing no real harm.

Let the man spend as long as he does so with reason.

[camerontech]

that comic has it bang on.

[juggernaut]

thats alot of money.

[Wada]

Yah let him spend. He's probably never had the opportunity unlike Mr. Martin who was tight like most persons who have made millions. Harper's a want a be so let him play.

I wonder what he'd be doing if Martin had not handed over sooo much savings to spend on gathering votes. Do you suppose he'll ever thank Martin?

[juggernaut]

With are money, you crazy Wada?

[juggernaut]

Bad stuff will happen.

[Wada]

juggernaut wrote:

With are money? you crazy Wada?

Did you mean "our". It's not your money once you give it to the government.

[juggernaut]

It came from the people of Canada.