Reality
It's absolutely great news that the Canadian economy is doing well. It's great news that there will be a reduction in taxes.
However, I don't believe that the Liberals actually think taxes need to be reduced and I absolutely don't think they care to hold spending down. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation hits the nail on the head:
Remember this from last year's campaign - from Hacks and Wonks:
June 8th, 2004:
"Returning to a deficit, spending imaginary surpluses that don't exist, is really the philosophy that was in place in the 1980s," Martin said during a press conference yesterday."And I don't think anyone in Canada wants to go back there."
[...]
"It's a simple question of math. Where is he going to find the $50 billion? It doesn't exist," Martin said.Compare that with today's media.
November 14th, 2005:
Goodale's package will give $30 billion in tax relief while costing a total of $49.8 billion over the next five years. Of that, $39 billion is new spending that had not been previously announced.
However, I don't believe that the Liberals actually think taxes need to be reduced and I absolutely don't think they care to hold spending down. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation hits the nail on the head:
“According to today’s economic update, program spending will increase this year by less than one per cent. That’s well and good. But in the 2004 budget, Mr. Goodale said program spending in 2004/05 would increase by 3.1 per cent. It increased by 15 per cent,” concluded Williamson. “Again, let’s not get terribly excited about the government’s dedication to control spending. It’s all been heard before and it is no accident it is being heard again on the eve of an election.”Hypocrisy lives with the Liberals - and they can't be shamed by it.
Remember this from last year's campaign - from Hacks and Wonks:
June 8th, 2004:
"Returning to a deficit, spending imaginary surpluses that don't exist, is really the philosophy that was in place in the 1980s," Martin said during a press conference yesterday."And I don't think anyone in Canada wants to go back there."
[...]
"It's a simple question of math. Where is he going to find the $50 billion? It doesn't exist," Martin said.Compare that with today's media.
November 14th, 2005:
Goodale's package will give $30 billion in tax relief while costing a total of $49.8 billion over the next five years. Of that, $39 billion is new spending that had not been previously announced.
