tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post4160917034172529053..comments2024-02-07T16:22:39.625-05:00Comments on Jeff Jedras: My moral compass says it's still the economy, stupidUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-49808169771038095312009-04-09T20:58:00.000-04:002009-04-09T20:58:00.000-04:00Jim Flaherty sent me a Christmas card. Does that m...Jim Flaherty sent me a Christmas card. Does that mean we're best friends now?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-8094806223421861042009-04-09T17:26:00.000-04:002009-04-09T17:26:00.000-04:00Jeff.... I have never bought into this whole "vote...Jeff.... I have never bought into this whole "vote no with impugnity" thing because in a minority parliament everyone's votes count that much more. In a majority the Opposition can truly vote without consequence because at the end of the day, one party controls all. <BR/><BR/>In a minority parliament the possibilities for the Opposition parties to get things done is so much greater, and that's the thing about this that bothers me about the Liberal position. Raising the issue means nothing if you aren't willing to vote in favour of that issue or put your own neck on the line, which is something that the Liberals have refused to do. The fact is that if all three Opposition parties agree to get something done, they can get it done. They have the votes, that's the math. If the Liberals really wanted to reform EI and weren't playing games right now, they would have two willing partners to work with in the NDP and Bloc. <BR/><BR/>As much as Canadians "don't want an election", do you really think that Stephen Harper wants to force one taking the position "I want to make EI harder for you to get access to in a recession"?. The pressure goes all ways in the House, and that's true for everyone. The fact is that in a minority Parliament the Opposition Parties are able to do more than bluster and talk, and sadly because the Liberals aren't interested in doing more than that because of the consequences, we are left to suffer. But that's just my two cents.northwestern_ladhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16833632861345350726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-81466265778856716932009-04-09T12:05:00.000-04:002009-04-09T12:05:00.000-04:00Cam, the Liberals have raised many concerns about ...Cam, the Liberals have raised many concerns about the budget, and about Conservative economic policy. And you may recall I was disappointed the Liberals didn't push a little more forcefully for some changes around EI, and a few other areas.<BR/><BR/>As we both know, however, while we can raise all the issues we want, and demand all the changes we want, we don't have the ability to force them. At the end of the day, if the Conservatives refuse, the only alternative is to bring down the government and force an election, as these are all matters of confidence.<BR/><BR/>At some point, obviously, push is going to have to come to shove, and an election will be necessary. But right now Canadians don't want an election. So we need to try to make this work, keep calling on the government to get it right. And if they refuse to listen to reason, we need to make the case with Canadians why Harper is getting it wrong, to build support for an election that can then successfully force him out, and elect a government that will implement better economic policy.<BR/><BR/>That public support isn't there however, and forcing an election without public support for one, particularly in this economy, will only mean two months of NO action on the economy, except hundreds of millions spent on campaigning.<BR/><BR/>So we're left where we are. As was the case in the last parliament, the NDP is lucky in that it can vote no on confidence measures with impunity, as its numbers aren't enough to force an election no one wants. The have cake/eat it thing. The Liberals, though, have it a tad tougher in that regard.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14971310821484459106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19402125.post-87119172373720269902009-04-09T11:13:00.000-04:002009-04-09T11:13:00.000-04:00"let’s keep the focus where Canadians want it, ins..."let’s keep the focus where Canadians want it, instead of letting the NDP and Conservatives distract the debate for partisan ends."<BR/><BR/>Sorry to have to point this out Jeff, but maybe you should talk to your own party about doing just that. I don't doubt where your personal compass is on this, as I know you to be a good and honest person, but in my humble opinion, rubber stamping a budget that they say is crap, complaining about the EI system (that they built) but refusing to try to change it and the other in-actions of the Liberal Party isn't a sign of "focusing where Canadians want it".<BR/><BR/>The New Democrats have been pushing for these changes, and more, with little to no help from the Iggy Libs. So while I don't doubt where your personal compass is Jeff, please try asking your party and leader where there's is??? And why you're at it, asking your Premier the same thing. :)northwestern_ladhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16833632861345350726noreply@blogger.com