Premier Dalton McGuinty is bringing up the idea of a Conservative Hat Trick. That's a Conservative majority in Ottawa under Harper, a P.C. government at Queen's Park, and a P.C. in the Mayor's seat in Toronto. I don't really find that too scary.
Harper for his part has been a steady hand on the tiller for the economy. We started off not knowing what he was like on a personal level and gave him a minority government; and then slow but steady increased the minority. The N.D.P. is strong enough to stand up to his majority; they've already done it when they filibustered the postal-workers back to work legislation. Even though it's a transitional period as they prepare to choose a new leader I think they'll still find ways to make their message heard.
Toronto Voters chose Rob Ford last October; and they need him. David Miller says he left a $350 million surplus, but so far there are no signs of it. Surplus or not, the city is still in a pretty big hole and something has to give. The cuts will be painful, but if the result is a more prosperous Ontario capital, then isn't it worth it? Toronto voters also chose more federal Conservatives to represent them in Ottawa showing that fear of Conservatives in Toronto might be on the decline.
I don't find anything scary about a possible "Premier Hudak." Polls show a minority with Andrea Horwath in a king-maker role. I think she'd be a strong enough influence at Queen's Park. Polls show a minority mostly because even after months of campaigning we still don't know Tim Hudak that well. Why couldn't we treat Hudak, the same way we treated Harper? Give him a minority for a while, and see what he can do
The whole idea of a "Conservative hat trick" seems more a reaction of a Premier desperate to hold on. His platform is in tatters, and all he has left is a record in which the scandals outweigh the successes. Fear is basically the last tactic open to him. Well I say, embrace the fear- let's give Hudak a try. If we find electing him wasn't the best idea we ever had we can always switch it up in a year or so.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Leaders Debate Analyisis
I think Andrea Horwath won the leaders debate last night. She got her policy out the clearest, and seemed at times refreshingly blunt on issues such as health care. She also got in a few good lines; most notably: "Isn't that guy your leader now?" referring to Bob Rae as leader of the federal Liberal Party. Rae I think still casts a long shadow over the Ontario NDP for some voters, and it was important for her to put some distance between them, and she did that using humour.
I wonder where the Tim Hudak shown to us last night was a month ago? He was clear, and more confident on his policies than he ever has been to-date. If he was like that a month ago, this election would be a walk in the park for him. He had the oft-quoted line "Nobody trusts you anymore Mr. McGuinty." I think that's going to turn into a ballot question, and really resonates with voters. Because the fact is- few people do trust him anymore.
The Dalton McGuinty I watched last night was at times tentative. The hand gestures were sometimes stiff, and at others elaborate, and defensive. It's natural to use hand gestures at times to use for all of us- when we're excited or just to illustrate a point. But in McGuinty's case it came across as nervous and defensive. And it was distracting from what he was saying. I wondered if he was trying to flag down Steve Paikin for the cheque or something... maybe reflecting on a past career as a rap artist nobody knows about??
In terms of substance McGuinty was weak. Where the others managed to answer the question, and get in their policy, McGuinty made a habit of answering the question he wished had been asked. The debate was full of issues it seemed he didn't want to talk about. Green Energy- the gas-fired plant he cancelled over the weekend, and the Samsung deal. Jobs: the contentious plan to give 10 thousand to companies who hire foreign workers. The Economy? How to get rid of the $14-16 billion deficit he's racked up. Taxes- the introduction of the HST, and the past broken promises on that subject. He seemed to fall back on his record, which, is so laden with broken promises and scandal it blots out anything he's achieved on the positive side like reducing surgical wait times, and expanding the use of the Primecare Family Health teams.
I don't think this debate makes much difference in terms of voting preferences. But it did crystallise where the parties stand on the issues, and helped differentiate Hudak from McGuinty a little bit more. It made Horwath a legitimate third option, and cemented this election as a three-way contest come October 6, 2011. It's going to be a wild finish.
I wonder where the Tim Hudak shown to us last night was a month ago? He was clear, and more confident on his policies than he ever has been to-date. If he was like that a month ago, this election would be a walk in the park for him. He had the oft-quoted line "Nobody trusts you anymore Mr. McGuinty." I think that's going to turn into a ballot question, and really resonates with voters. Because the fact is- few people do trust him anymore.
The Dalton McGuinty I watched last night was at times tentative. The hand gestures were sometimes stiff, and at others elaborate, and defensive. It's natural to use hand gestures at times to use for all of us- when we're excited or just to illustrate a point. But in McGuinty's case it came across as nervous and defensive. And it was distracting from what he was saying. I wondered if he was trying to flag down Steve Paikin for the cheque or something... maybe reflecting on a past career as a rap artist nobody knows about??
In terms of substance McGuinty was weak. Where the others managed to answer the question, and get in their policy, McGuinty made a habit of answering the question he wished had been asked. The debate was full of issues it seemed he didn't want to talk about. Green Energy- the gas-fired plant he cancelled over the weekend, and the Samsung deal. Jobs: the contentious plan to give 10 thousand to companies who hire foreign workers. The Economy? How to get rid of the $14-16 billion deficit he's racked up. Taxes- the introduction of the HST, and the past broken promises on that subject. He seemed to fall back on his record, which, is so laden with broken promises and scandal it blots out anything he's achieved on the positive side like reducing surgical wait times, and expanding the use of the Primecare Family Health teams.
I don't think this debate makes much difference in terms of voting preferences. But it did crystallise where the parties stand on the issues, and helped differentiate Hudak from McGuinty a little bit more. It made Horwath a legitimate third option, and cemented this election as a three-way contest come October 6, 2011. It's going to be a wild finish.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Why don't they talk about...
With less than two weeks to go before we enter the voting booth, there are still some things that haven't been talked about this campaign. Here are what I think some of them are:
1. Caledonia: It's still a stalemate over five years later. Hudak, and Horwath could really hammer McGuinty on this one. In my opinion- McGuinty failed in his duty to protect his people. History has a bad habit of repeating itself; fear of a repeat of what happened at Ipperwash probably caused the inaction. It goes to leadership; you see a problem and solve it.
2. The Self-employed: Surveys have shown that although unemployment is growing, so too are the self-employed. The federal government has responded to this, extending maternity/paternity benefits, as well as some health benefits to them. All provincial parties aren't looking at this, and it should be discussed.
3. Affordable Housing: Someone in a recent interview I did pointed out that even though many parts of the province have the same issues, they look different. Homelessness for example looks different in Grimsby than it does in Toronto or even Milton. For example it costs around $700/ month in Grimsby to rent an apartment- expensive; especially when you're a homeless youth with limited job prospects. Even the acknowledgement there is a problem, and it can't be solved with one blanket solution would be a step in the right direction.
4. The "Single" Person: Believe me, I understand the focus on family. It's the core of society- we all start off members of a family. But here's the thing; we all grow up and become fine upstanding tax-paying citizens. Some marry, and have kids of their own. Some choose to remain single. And yet despite all this the "Single person is being ignored. Elections can come down to single vote victories, so remember the single person.
These are just four issues not being discussed. If there's an issue you feel strongly our leaders should tackle, then feel free to leave a comment. Who knows? maybe with a little over week to go, maybe a couple of them will get attention.
1. Caledonia: It's still a stalemate over five years later. Hudak, and Horwath could really hammer McGuinty on this one. In my opinion- McGuinty failed in his duty to protect his people. History has a bad habit of repeating itself; fear of a repeat of what happened at Ipperwash probably caused the inaction. It goes to leadership; you see a problem and solve it.
2. The Self-employed: Surveys have shown that although unemployment is growing, so too are the self-employed. The federal government has responded to this, extending maternity/paternity benefits, as well as some health benefits to them. All provincial parties aren't looking at this, and it should be discussed.
3. Affordable Housing: Someone in a recent interview I did pointed out that even though many parts of the province have the same issues, they look different. Homelessness for example looks different in Grimsby than it does in Toronto or even Milton. For example it costs around $700/ month in Grimsby to rent an apartment- expensive; especially when you're a homeless youth with limited job prospects. Even the acknowledgement there is a problem, and it can't be solved with one blanket solution would be a step in the right direction.
4. The "Single" Person: Believe me, I understand the focus on family. It's the core of society- we all start off members of a family. But here's the thing; we all grow up and become fine upstanding tax-paying citizens. Some marry, and have kids of their own. Some choose to remain single. And yet despite all this the "Single person is being ignored. Elections can come down to single vote victories, so remember the single person.
These are just four issues not being discussed. If there's an issue you feel strongly our leaders should tackle, then feel free to leave a comment. Who knows? maybe with a little over week to go, maybe a couple of them will get attention.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Progressive Conservative Platform: A detailed critique
The Progressive Conservatives platform is very oriented around the pocketbook- consistent with some of their core fiscal beliefs you would traditionally associate with the Conservatives. They make several promises around cutting income taxes by 5% on the first $70 thousand per family; putting an estimated $258 into the pocket of a family of four. Who wouldn't want extra money back from the government? But I find myself repeating my criticism of earlier this year: What about the single person? What about the families earning less than $70 thousand; there are a few of those around you know.
Add this one up with the fact HST would be eliminated from hydro bills under a Hudak government and you've got some serious savings. I'm a huge fan of tax breaks- especially when it benefits me. And I can see the logic- give people more of their money back; and they'll spend more, which, will increase the economy and likely produce jobs. But what if this economy remains in its current "iffy" status? Always on the edge of another recession, but not quite prosperous either. This might cause people to pocket the additional savings, and that could freeze the consumer side of the economy.
There is some debate as to whether Hudak can legally exit the Samsung deal; he might have to let that one slide. It's not readily obvious in the platform what the P.C.'s would do in its place. What I would do, is to make it easier for companies dedicated to Green energy a bit of a tax break- developing that kind of technology could be expensive. I'd look for a way to make it a bit more affordable for the consumer as well.
It becomes obvious that Ontario will need more post-secondary spots. The P.C.'s like their Liberal counterparts have plans for 60 thousand new post-secondary spots over the next four years. Their plan is to have schools compete for them- Will there be some kind of criteria the schools have to meet? If so, then what? Will it be in the form of new campuses as the Liberals have promised, or based on program, scattered across the province? Sub question to this; a fair number of high school students around age 17 find themselves heading back to school for what's termed a "victory lap." How do you guys plan to deal with this trend?
The P.C.'s are proposing to give more of a say to municipalities. They seem to be the only party dealing with this particular issue; and it's something definitely pertinent to Milton. The only thing I can see on there is they would end the provincial tinkering with the official plans. What does "increased say" mean? Does it mean municipalities can say "no" to developers and for a change have it actually mean "no? Taking Milton for example again- does it mean municipalities have a bit of a say as to what can go on development charges- like say a hospital?
The Justice side of things is a little thin. Making inmates work on so-called "chain gangs" and the sex registry are both good ideas. But they also seem like populist ideas; things that can be done easier if Hudak is elected to a majority government. What about ways to clear the backlog of the court system? Or looking at tougher sentencing for provincial crimes?
They're planning to eliminate the L.H.I.N.S (Local Health Integration Network), and invest the money in front-line health care. Great- there is no need of an extra layer of bureaucracy that really doesn't help health care much. But how do you do define front line health care- hiring more nurses and doctors? Maybe building and expanding more hospitals? Or implementing more of the Prime-care Family health teams? Or maybe on.. dare I say it, electronic health records? There's lots of ways to spend that money.
Potentially this platform could find the P.C.'s on the government side of the house come October 6. But some of these ideas need a little more thought put into them for it to be fully workable. To read more check out the issues section of their website.
Add this one up with the fact HST would be eliminated from hydro bills under a Hudak government and you've got some serious savings. I'm a huge fan of tax breaks- especially when it benefits me. And I can see the logic- give people more of their money back; and they'll spend more, which, will increase the economy and likely produce jobs. But what if this economy remains in its current "iffy" status? Always on the edge of another recession, but not quite prosperous either. This might cause people to pocket the additional savings, and that could freeze the consumer side of the economy.
There is some debate as to whether Hudak can legally exit the Samsung deal; he might have to let that one slide. It's not readily obvious in the platform what the P.C.'s would do in its place. What I would do, is to make it easier for companies dedicated to Green energy a bit of a tax break- developing that kind of technology could be expensive. I'd look for a way to make it a bit more affordable for the consumer as well.
It becomes obvious that Ontario will need more post-secondary spots. The P.C.'s like their Liberal counterparts have plans for 60 thousand new post-secondary spots over the next four years. Their plan is to have schools compete for them- Will there be some kind of criteria the schools have to meet? If so, then what? Will it be in the form of new campuses as the Liberals have promised, or based on program, scattered across the province? Sub question to this; a fair number of high school students around age 17 find themselves heading back to school for what's termed a "victory lap." How do you guys plan to deal with this trend?
The P.C.'s are proposing to give more of a say to municipalities. They seem to be the only party dealing with this particular issue; and it's something definitely pertinent to Milton. The only thing I can see on there is they would end the provincial tinkering with the official plans. What does "increased say" mean? Does it mean municipalities can say "no" to developers and for a change have it actually mean "no? Taking Milton for example again- does it mean municipalities have a bit of a say as to what can go on development charges- like say a hospital?
The Justice side of things is a little thin. Making inmates work on so-called "chain gangs" and the sex registry are both good ideas. But they also seem like populist ideas; things that can be done easier if Hudak is elected to a majority government. What about ways to clear the backlog of the court system? Or looking at tougher sentencing for provincial crimes?
They're planning to eliminate the L.H.I.N.S (Local Health Integration Network), and invest the money in front-line health care. Great- there is no need of an extra layer of bureaucracy that really doesn't help health care much. But how do you do define front line health care- hiring more nurses and doctors? Maybe building and expanding more hospitals? Or implementing more of the Prime-care Family health teams? Or maybe on.. dare I say it, electronic health records? There's lots of ways to spend that money.
Potentially this platform could find the P.C.'s on the government side of the house come October 6. But some of these ideas need a little more thought put into them for it to be fully workable. To read more check out the issues section of their website.
The N.D. P. Platform critique
The N.D.P. have always had great ideas. But when you ask how much it would cost... that's when it falls apart. This platform is no exception. They have the most realistic approach to the HST; they'd scrap it on home heating oils, and gas for cars- two places where it would save people the most. But the revenue has to be replaced somewhere.
Setting weekly gas prices is in theory a good idea. Nobody else has even tried to solve this problem, and it seems the instant there's an increase on the markets, within hours there's an increase at our local gas stations. There has to be something we can do. But the question I have here is: how do you manage the market increases?
Becoming equal partners in transit development with municipalities is a good idea as well. It is pretty much our collective faults for not developing our transit as we built our roads- this kind of spreads the burden of solving the problem. Where the weakness with their transit plan is in the freeze on fares for four years. Again- a good idea; who doesn't want to pay less for something? The problem is what happens when/ if you take the freeze off? After four years the increase could be a huge deciding factor in whether some people continue to use transit. A better idea might be to somehow tie the increase to the rate of inflation maybe.
The education plank is fairly non-existent. The N.D.P. is looking at tuition freezes, and forgiving the interest on student loans. Both good ideas, but it fails to address the system as a whole. The P.C.'s and Liberals both have grand plans of funding 60 thousand post-secondary spots.
Buying Ontario may be a great soundbite but in practical terms won't work. The provinces are too interdependent on each other. And Ontario is still a powerful part of the overall Canadian economy- Ontarians start buying exclusively Ontario, and the rest of Canada might fail.
Scrapping the LHIN's (Local Health Integrated Network), is something the N.D.P. and their P.C. counterparts agree on. The money saved here (I think around $200 million) would probably offset some of the fees on medical exams, and ambulance fees they plan on getting rid of.
These are some decent ideas there, but is it enough to form a government on? It might be. The N.D.P. have so far been fairly clear on what they will do if elected, and the clarity might be enough to break through the clatter of the other two fighting it out on the negative end of things.
Setting weekly gas prices is in theory a good idea. Nobody else has even tried to solve this problem, and it seems the instant there's an increase on the markets, within hours there's an increase at our local gas stations. There has to be something we can do. But the question I have here is: how do you manage the market increases?
Becoming equal partners in transit development with municipalities is a good idea as well. It is pretty much our collective faults for not developing our transit as we built our roads- this kind of spreads the burden of solving the problem. Where the weakness with their transit plan is in the freeze on fares for four years. Again- a good idea; who doesn't want to pay less for something? The problem is what happens when/ if you take the freeze off? After four years the increase could be a huge deciding factor in whether some people continue to use transit. A better idea might be to somehow tie the increase to the rate of inflation maybe.
The education plank is fairly non-existent. The N.D.P. is looking at tuition freezes, and forgiving the interest on student loans. Both good ideas, but it fails to address the system as a whole. The P.C.'s and Liberals both have grand plans of funding 60 thousand post-secondary spots.
Buying Ontario may be a great soundbite but in practical terms won't work. The provinces are too interdependent on each other. And Ontario is still a powerful part of the overall Canadian economy- Ontarians start buying exclusively Ontario, and the rest of Canada might fail.
Scrapping the LHIN's (Local Health Integrated Network), is something the N.D.P. and their P.C. counterparts agree on. The money saved here (I think around $200 million) would probably offset some of the fees on medical exams, and ambulance fees they plan on getting rid of.
These are some decent ideas there, but is it enough to form a government on? It might be. The N.D.P. have so far been fairly clear on what they will do if elected, and the clarity might be enough to break through the clatter of the other two fighting it out on the negative end of things.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Liberal Platform Critique
I've read the Liberal platform. It flushes out the ideas on their website The Ontario Way," and adds some new ones. For me it comes down to money; there's some pretty good ideas in there. But how do you afford them?
Tuition money for middle-class families? Great idea; post-secondary schools are expensive enough. But how do you qualify "middle class?" Is it through parents' income level? Is it some kind of social definition? Or perhaps its a mixture of the two; some kind of socio-economic definition- "Parents income comes up to this level, and have more than two kids in the family."
Three post-secondary campuses promised for the Greater Toronto Area (G.T.A.). That's a great idea that would help address the problem of needed post-secondary spaces. It goes with their latest statement that a Liberal Government would decide where future campuses would go. It takes away the institution's ability to make decisions; who would know better about their own needs, than the institutions themselves? For example Laurier definitely needs a new campus- the campus at Waterloo, is tapped out for expansion.
They cover themselves when it comes to hospitals in their "Build Ontario"" document. The phrase "subject to fiscal capacity" is bandied about a lot. If they can't afford it, they won't do it. As I've increasingly blogged- that's not good enough for this community- or any other communities that have been promised hospital expansion.
Their job creation strategy leaves a lot to be desired. I understand how a $10 thousand credit for companies who hire them might benefit the economy. In theory the money is given to these companies who hire the foreign-trained workers and maybe will eventually pass on the savings to the customers, or invest in it back in their business. In reality, it's divisive and could create a really negative environment for immigrants. Speaking as a job-searcher for a moment; it's hard enough to find a job as it is for the rest of us. In my industry everyone wants experience, and yet few are willing to give you a chance at it. Imagine an engineer who gets let go after working for the same company for five years. He's got an incomparable resume; experience, management skills, sterling references. He won't get the job because he's up against a foreign-trained engineer who brings with them the $10 thousand tax credit.
What I've seen of the costing is fairly weak. Program expenditures, and interest on the debt outweigh net revenues. Even after the next four years; in t he event they a) win, and b) win with a majority the deficit will still be $7.8 billion. The full deficit won't be at 0 until 2017-2018- and that's assuming the economy continues any kind of growth.
The platform manages to mention the Progressive Conservatives, and N.DP every few pages. The Platform document isn't a place to tell me what your opponents won't do for me, it's a place to tell me what you will... I can't stand that kind of negativity.
To read the Liberal Platform for yourself click the link. Make an informed choice this provincial election.
Tuition money for middle-class families? Great idea; post-secondary schools are expensive enough. But how do you qualify "middle class?" Is it through parents' income level? Is it some kind of social definition? Or perhaps its a mixture of the two; some kind of socio-economic definition- "Parents income comes up to this level, and have more than two kids in the family."
Three post-secondary campuses promised for the Greater Toronto Area (G.T.A.). That's a great idea that would help address the problem of needed post-secondary spaces. It goes with their latest statement that a Liberal Government would decide where future campuses would go. It takes away the institution's ability to make decisions; who would know better about their own needs, than the institutions themselves? For example Laurier definitely needs a new campus- the campus at Waterloo, is tapped out for expansion.
They cover themselves when it comes to hospitals in their "Build Ontario"" document. The phrase "subject to fiscal capacity" is bandied about a lot. If they can't afford it, they won't do it. As I've increasingly blogged- that's not good enough for this community- or any other communities that have been promised hospital expansion.
Their job creation strategy leaves a lot to be desired. I understand how a $10 thousand credit for companies who hire them might benefit the economy. In theory the money is given to these companies who hire the foreign-trained workers and maybe will eventually pass on the savings to the customers, or invest in it back in their business. In reality, it's divisive and could create a really negative environment for immigrants. Speaking as a job-searcher for a moment; it's hard enough to find a job as it is for the rest of us. In my industry everyone wants experience, and yet few are willing to give you a chance at it. Imagine an engineer who gets let go after working for the same company for five years. He's got an incomparable resume; experience, management skills, sterling references. He won't get the job because he's up against a foreign-trained engineer who brings with them the $10 thousand tax credit.
What I've seen of the costing is fairly weak. Program expenditures, and interest on the debt outweigh net revenues. Even after the next four years; in t he event they a) win, and b) win with a majority the deficit will still be $7.8 billion. The full deficit won't be at 0 until 2017-2018- and that's assuming the economy continues any kind of growth.
The platform manages to mention the Progressive Conservatives, and N.DP every few pages. The Platform document isn't a place to tell me what your opponents won't do for me, it's a place to tell me what you will... I can't stand that kind of negativity.
To read the Liberal Platform for yourself click the link. Make an informed choice this provincial election.
9/11: Always Remember
The one image I can't bear to watch of that fateful September day is the one of people jumping from the two towers. I can't help but wonder about how they came to that decision; if they got a chance to hear their loved ones voices one last time?It's heart-wrenching. I think they have such resonance even now because we can all easily imagine ourselves in their place.
Today we took time out to remember those people; and all of those who died that day. And we should- it's a day that's etched in our collective memory's. We're still living with the consequences of that day; it left a gaping hole in the middle of New York, and showed us the depths of human kindness. It sent us to war, and eventually caused a significant shift in Canadian foreign policy.
All of it is worth remembering. Over 150 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since combat operations began; and each of them is worth remembering today. They fought, and managed in a way to bring some limited progress to a harsh country, half a world away and that bears remembering.
It bears remembering how Canada continued growing in the last few years. When Great Britain, and the Americans went to Iraq, we stayed in Afghanistan. This signalled a remarkable shift in attitudes; we had that habit of following the Americans and British in a lot of decisions. And now we'd make our own. Canada struck out on its own, and decided we wouldn't actively participate. We're still playing out the consequences of this decision.
It also bears thinking about how the world has changed. Somehow the world lost its innocence that day, and will never be the same. I remember being totally shocked; America- this couldn't happen to them- they're invincible- nothing could hurt them. And yet something did- I guess it goes to show none of us are invincible.
We should remember that we've had some good luck catching the bad guys before anything else has happened. A lucky flight crew caught the shoe bomber, and good police work caught the Toronto 18. The plans in both cases would've been horrific had they come to fruition; but we've caught them. I know that security can be a real pain in the behind, but remember it keeps us safe.
September 11, 2001 is truly the day the world changed. May all who died that day, and in the wars since Rest in Peace.
Today we took time out to remember those people; and all of those who died that day. And we should- it's a day that's etched in our collective memory's. We're still living with the consequences of that day; it left a gaping hole in the middle of New York, and showed us the depths of human kindness. It sent us to war, and eventually caused a significant shift in Canadian foreign policy.
All of it is worth remembering. Over 150 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since combat operations began; and each of them is worth remembering today. They fought, and managed in a way to bring some limited progress to a harsh country, half a world away and that bears remembering.
It bears remembering how Canada continued growing in the last few years. When Great Britain, and the Americans went to Iraq, we stayed in Afghanistan. This signalled a remarkable shift in attitudes; we had that habit of following the Americans and British in a lot of decisions. And now we'd make our own. Canada struck out on its own, and decided we wouldn't actively participate. We're still playing out the consequences of this decision.
It also bears thinking about how the world has changed. Somehow the world lost its innocence that day, and will never be the same. I remember being totally shocked; America- this couldn't happen to them- they're invincible- nothing could hurt them. And yet something did- I guess it goes to show none of us are invincible.
We should remember that we've had some good luck catching the bad guys before anything else has happened. A lucky flight crew caught the shoe bomber, and good police work caught the Toronto 18. The plans in both cases would've been horrific had they come to fruition; but we've caught them. I know that security can be a real pain in the behind, but remember it keeps us safe.
September 11, 2001 is truly the day the world changed. May all who died that day, and in the wars since Rest in Peace.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Let the Games Begin
The campaign's been running all summer, and yesterday it finally officially kicked off. Who will win? How will they tackle the key issues? Both questions will be answered over the next month.
Right now I'm predicting a minority government.The Liberals on the surface are running a surprisingly strong campaign. Scratch below the surface though, and I find myself following the money; how are they going to afford it all? They're promising tuition credits for students in middle-class families, tax credits for companies hiring foreign workers, and to build or expand new hospitals as well as building 3 new campuses in the G.T.A. alone. All with a deficit sitting somewhere in the $15-20 billion range. Their positive is McGuinty himself. By mocking himself as one of the most unpopular people in the country, he's taking the sting out of it. He's coming across as natural in some of their commercials; gone is the almost wooden behavior he displays in the media.
While the Liberals are running a strong campaign, the P.C.'s are running a weaker one. That kind of surprises me because their platform does have substance, and the McGuinty government doesn't have the best record to run on. The P.C.'s message is too negative now- all summer I've been hearing about McGuinty the taxman. We all know that; we've lived through it, and still paying for it Now tell us how you plan to reverse that; a cut to the H.S.T. across the board would probably do more good for more people than the targeted elimination on some products and services. Hudak wants to eliminate the Local Health Integrated networks (L.H.I.N.), and invest the money saved form it into front-line health care. How much would that save exactly? Where specifically would invest it- would it be in building more, and expanding hospitals? Hudak has been labelled "Mike Harris Light" by the Liberals and has done nothing to get out in front,and neutralize it.
The N.D.P. is a wild card. Andrea Horwath is a clear communicator; she made no bones about wanting the job. It's quite likely she may be a king-maker in the case of a minority. She's clear about the party's beliefs, and where they stand on the issues. Such clarity could see her come up the middle between Hudak and McGuinty; while they're sniping each and either win the election or become leader of the opposition. I believe people are still looking for a change and so far she seems to capture it.
It's early in the campaign, and I don't think the latest poll showing McGuinty in the lead nearing majority territory doesn't matter much. There's a lot of a campaign to be run- mistakes to be made, and points to be won. Let the games begin.
Right now I'm predicting a minority government.The Liberals on the surface are running a surprisingly strong campaign. Scratch below the surface though, and I find myself following the money; how are they going to afford it all? They're promising tuition credits for students in middle-class families, tax credits for companies hiring foreign workers, and to build or expand new hospitals as well as building 3 new campuses in the G.T.A. alone. All with a deficit sitting somewhere in the $15-20 billion range. Their positive is McGuinty himself. By mocking himself as one of the most unpopular people in the country, he's taking the sting out of it. He's coming across as natural in some of their commercials; gone is the almost wooden behavior he displays in the media.
While the Liberals are running a strong campaign, the P.C.'s are running a weaker one. That kind of surprises me because their platform does have substance, and the McGuinty government doesn't have the best record to run on. The P.C.'s message is too negative now- all summer I've been hearing about McGuinty the taxman. We all know that; we've lived through it, and still paying for it Now tell us how you plan to reverse that; a cut to the H.S.T. across the board would probably do more good for more people than the targeted elimination on some products and services. Hudak wants to eliminate the Local Health Integrated networks (L.H.I.N.), and invest the money saved form it into front-line health care. How much would that save exactly? Where specifically would invest it- would it be in building more, and expanding hospitals? Hudak has been labelled "Mike Harris Light" by the Liberals and has done nothing to get out in front,and neutralize it.
The N.D.P. is a wild card. Andrea Horwath is a clear communicator; she made no bones about wanting the job. It's quite likely she may be a king-maker in the case of a minority. She's clear about the party's beliefs, and where they stand on the issues. Such clarity could see her come up the middle between Hudak and McGuinty; while they're sniping each and either win the election or become leader of the opposition. I believe people are still looking for a change and so far she seems to capture it.
It's early in the campaign, and I don't think the latest poll showing McGuinty in the lead nearing majority territory doesn't matter much. There's a lot of a campaign to be run- mistakes to be made, and points to be won. Let the games begin.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Ready for A Change
I've struggled for the last week trying to think of some lasting way to remember Jack Layton, and one word keeps popping into my head: Change. Change the way you behave; change the way you think about things; change your attitudes- all of it for the better. And that's what I take away from Layton's death, and his final message to Canadians.
I've been writing a couple of pieces on the provincial election and I've come to the realization that I'm ready for change; probably not in my voting preferences- but in the way this election is conducted. I'm ready for a change to a civil election campaign based on ideas. I'm ready for the P.C.'s to drop that "Taxman" Label for McGuinty, and I'm ready for the Liberals to drop the "Mike Harris" label for Tim Hudak. I'm ready for McGuinty to stand on his record, admit that yes he's messed up, but he intends to improve. And I'm ready for Mr. Hudak, and Ms. Horwath, and Mr. Schreiner, to present well-thought out alternatives to Mr. McGuinty's ideas.
I'm ready for the party leaders to knock my socks off with their visions for Ontario. The province is facing some serious challenges over the next few years; it's up to you to apply creativity to them. It's up to you to come up with new ideas. I'm ready for a government that realizes the right thing, isn't necessarily the popular thing but does it anyway. I'm ready for a government that realizes it might not have all the answers; one that works with its opposition sometimes in the name of a better Ontario.
The sad thing is I know I'm likely dreaming about all this. It's the easy way out to label someone a promise-breaker; to sling mud, and cast someone in his disliked predecessor's image. But I am hopeful, that it can change. I'm optimistic that if I write these thoughts down; other people who perhaps agree with me will read them, and maybe just maybe we can make change. Because I don't know about you, but I'm ready for it.
I've been writing a couple of pieces on the provincial election and I've come to the realization that I'm ready for change; probably not in my voting preferences- but in the way this election is conducted. I'm ready for a change to a civil election campaign based on ideas. I'm ready for the P.C.'s to drop that "Taxman" Label for McGuinty, and I'm ready for the Liberals to drop the "Mike Harris" label for Tim Hudak. I'm ready for McGuinty to stand on his record, admit that yes he's messed up, but he intends to improve. And I'm ready for Mr. Hudak, and Ms. Horwath, and Mr. Schreiner, to present well-thought out alternatives to Mr. McGuinty's ideas.
I'm ready for the party leaders to knock my socks off with their visions for Ontario. The province is facing some serious challenges over the next few years; it's up to you to apply creativity to them. It's up to you to come up with new ideas. I'm ready for a government that realizes the right thing, isn't necessarily the popular thing but does it anyway. I'm ready for a government that realizes it might not have all the answers; one that works with its opposition sometimes in the name of a better Ontario.
The sad thing is I know I'm likely dreaming about all this. It's the easy way out to label someone a promise-breaker; to sling mud, and cast someone in his disliked predecessor's image. But I am hopeful, that it can change. I'm optimistic that if I write these thoughts down; other people who perhaps agree with me will read them, and maybe just maybe we can make change. Because I don't know about you, but I'm ready for it.
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