Addendum

The mistake people make is to think of Harper as a politician. He's not. He's someone who wants power, he does not care HOW he gets it, as long as it is him who holds it.

He is a shrewd tactician, he has no mercy and he will do whatever keeps him in power. Iggy is simply no match. The guy is intelligent, he he has some good ideas (so did Dion) but neither of them is as cutthroat as Harper is.

Born again Keynesian ?

When did Harper(the war criminal) or any other politician stop following Keynes. Where did the 65 Billion dollar stimulus come from ? Not from the Bank of Canada where it should have come but from private Banksters that had no money to lend and now we have to pay interest on the fictitious money. All politicians are nothing but Bankster lackies. Until they start to run the country for the people instead of the Banksters and big Corporations I for one have fired them and will not be paying anymore taxes until the borrowing of Canada, Provinces and Municipalities are through the Bank of Canada as the Constitution sets out. Consumption taxes are also an unfair tax that burdens the poor while leaving the rich basically unaffected. In our land of vast resources there is plenty of wealth for everyone. The big Banks and Corporations are allowed to steal it all from the people who own them. Use the Bills of Exchange Act to pay for everything we need to live. It is there for us to use since there is no money. Wake up people before the Banksters own the country our forefathers died to build and protect . "Permit me to issue and control the money of the nation and I care not who makes its laws." — Mayer Amsched Rothchild, a prominent European banker in the eighteenth century. This is what has happened to us, time to take Canada back !!!

Holding Pattern

I don't think it's so much that Harper is a "born again Keynesian" but that the Canadian government, much like governments in the rest of the Western world are returning to Keynesian strategies of government intervention, just long enough to see the economy return to "normal" where they can then resume their neoliberal agendas. I put "normal" in quotations because the era of spend first and worry about it later is over, at least for consumers. James Howard Kunstler calls our economy at present the "Futility Economy" in that the efforts expended by governments around the world at the moment are futile in the hopes that things will return to "normal". Normal will never be the same again. Just as Keynesianism was exposed to attacks during the recession of the 80s, neoliberalism is now exposed for the deep crisis it has spawned. I'm not sure if a return to Keynesian ideals is the answer as it received some justified criticism as well, but maybe there is a "neoKeynesian" model that can make up for what it lacked before? Perhaps the lessons we are learning now will show us the way, or maybe we are too stupid now as a society to think for ourselves and wait for the same people that got us into this mess to get us out of it...

Socialism for the Elites; Capitalism for the Rest

Harper's doling out of massive tax money to corporate elites and banks mirror the ongoing US anti-democratic strategy: the benefits of capitalism (take, take, take) go to the elites. But when there's an oopsie, or some 'market discipline' to be meted out, they're exempt. Suddenly, socialism is all good. Dole out the money to those people who repeatedly villified any form of government intervention.

This wholesale lack of ANY moral principle of any kind (greed is not a principle, by definition) should surprise no-one, but instead, the mainstream press continues to cheerlead this abomination of a policy. Democracy and Monopoly Capitalism are sadly, mutually exclusive. No matter how we might pretend otherwise.

What's our choice?

Great article from my favorite independent BC news source.

If Harper ever gets

If Harper ever gets majority, we can kiss Canada goodbye. We'll become the wholly owned colony and subsidiary of the new bolshevik "Internationale", of the multinational corporate mafia, beginning with another fraudulent"free trade" treaty with the EU gang.

The man didn't change his spots, only covered them up with opportunistic baloney thought up by the fundamentalist religious PR hacks of his corporate owners.
Ed Deak.

Poor Stevie...

not having such a good week:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/the-economist-vents-spleen-on-pms-decision-to-prorogue/article1422507/

Like he knows something...

The recent Ekos poll and the comment on The Hook must be reason for that grin on Harper's face in the photo. That is the best example of a S#@& eating grin I have seen yet. Do you think he knows what is coming so he wants make sure he appoints his senators before he goes thus leaving behind a vipers nest of conservative hacks in the senate

Although I agree that his

Although I agree that his approach is Keynsian I don't think it's come about due to a philosophic change on his part but rather because he knew that the populace at large wanted a stimulus package. And it took an opposition outcry for him to understand that.

The only reason he's managed to not completely alienate Canadians is because for the most part he's governed like a Liberal -- purposely, I believe, to build trust with the Canadian people so that he can hoodwink us into giving him a majority. That's when we'll see a drastic shift of political philosophy.

They say he likes to play chess.....

Right on, vangirl3.

As that 2004 article from the Walrus "The Man Behind Stephen Harper" revealed - the prime issue for Harper and his Reformatories, (whilst they wait out their hoped for End-of-Canada majority) is: "how do we fool the world into thinking we're moving to the left when we're not?"

Stevie's just practicing his shifty moves until he gets them Cat-That-Swallowed-the-Majority/Canary perfect....

Canadians Have Shifted Also

The concept that Canadians haven't shifted is nonsense. If ANYONE tries to tell you that, as a population, Canadians who watch flag-draped coffins embark and disembark, who watch people standing at attention, honouring our Afghan war dead along "The Highway of Heroes", who shed tears watching the events unfolding in Afghanistan, are NOT leaning more to "the right", more to a militaristic support and more to support for a government that uses our military as their "patriotic shield", then you call them an unrealistic clown.

Minor quibble

Although I like this piece, there are two points the writer was spinning.

"Just a year ago, Stephen Harper's minority government was near death, faced with the self-inflicted threat of being toppled by a united opposition after refusing to bring in a stimulus budget or deal with the economic crisis."

Let's be honest, it wasn't the lack of stimulus that made the opposition come together. It was the withdrawal of party funding, the so-called poison pill. The lack of stimulus measures probably contributed, but it was the party funding that was the real impetus for a coalition. I think funding minority parties is important, but let's at least acknowledge that it was the prime motivator for last year's business.

"It also spells opportunity for the NDP, which increasingly represents the only real, consistent opposition to Harper."

Didn't the NDP side with Harper over EI? Jack Layton was very proud that he had never supported Harper's policies-- until Ignatieff stopped supporting the government and Layton was left vulnerable by the ill-advised election the Liberals wanted to force.

I agree with demotto

Except that he understated Harper's gift to the banks. Harper has also gifted the military industrial complex and the banks with a 497 billion dollar loan to re tool our peacekeeping force into some kind of world class elite force.

In the doing he doomed our children and their children to a compounding interest debt, payable to international bankers, when he could have had this money printed, for next to nothing.
I can think of no punishment that would be too harsh for this betrayal of the public trust.

Keynsian? No.

You haven't been reading your Naomi Klein.

Creating debt is the way that neoconservatives attack government and destroy social programmes.

Even if the Conservatives lose the election, the new stimulus debt will constrain future administrations.

Typically, neoconservatives use tax cuts or military spending to create debt. Mr Harper's about face on stimulus spending happened when he realised the potential of what had hitherto been a anathema.

Harper and CETA

Harper is THE master politician. He changes his spots to accomplish the issue of the day. He is selling Canada out by negotiating and imolementing CETA in secret . 99% of the people are NOT even aware that he is selling out their medicare system and their water! Withoiut public consultatio9n or parliamentary debete. The next meeting is this month in Brussels and they expect completion in 2010! A "fait accompli" will be presented to the Canadian people, just like NAFTA. CETA Is Nafta +. Google "CUPE CETA" and see the extent of it and the 100 multinationals behind Harper and Stockwell!! How about The Tyee doing an expose' on it!

NDP

The NDP aren't anymore consistent opposition than any other politicians, they are just as opportunist. Jack Layton was all ra ra election, until his poll numbers started tumbling a while ago then he sprinted to prop the Tory minority. Jack quickly went from election talk to "making Parliament work". Please don't try to patronize us with the idea that the NDP are somehow saints, or not as opportunistic as any other politicians.

"All politicians are nothing but Bankster lackies."

Wayda tell em demotto. All conversations are mute without dealing with this most important issue. Why squabble about what the puppets should be doing when they run absolutely nothing?

"Harper's gift to the banks."

Harper and every politician before him back to Trudeau. Over a trillion dollars in interest was already unnecessarily paid to the private banks before puppet Harper came onboard.

And must we not exclude our provincial and municipal bankster puppet lackies? Who benefits the most from the gross over spending on the Olympics? Is it not the private lenders that must be paid back with interest at the expense of the provincial and municipal taxpayer?

Monopoly Capitalism = Communism/Socialism = Fascism

Many should get off of this obsession with the evils of monopoly capitalism. What you have to offer is no different

Monopoly Capitalism/Fascism: Private banks who own the corporations that own the government

Communism/Socialism: Private banks who own the government that own the corporations

Freedom: Get the private banks out of government and obey the 1867 BNA Act (The Canadian Constitution)

Harper will NEVER get a majority

Electoral voter fraud and voter disenfranchisement are the only ways Harper will ever get a majority - he is DONE! And for God sake we need a brand new government to print our own money, free of debt and interest, like demotto, mooney, and soleprobe point out (Canadian Action Party? Anyone?). Harper is no JFK, Harper is a NWO soldier. Get him and Campbell out of this country, they have sold it and they no longer deserve to even live in Canada. One lie after another, over and over. How long do you think self-actualizing people will sit by? I suggest at least 50% of the population is going to take the situation into their own hands very soon. Canadian's must start an initiative to investigate and charge these politicians who are practicing malfeasance.

Harper is no JFK ? Well, thank God !!

Geez, are we STILL looking for a "Canadian JFK" media darling/leader? No, Harpo is not a JFK, it is doubtful he has a group of mistresses at his beck and call and the morals of a tom cat. It is not possible for Harpo to have the political machine bought and paid for by Daddy and the Mob.
Stop dreaming.

smirky Napoleon

Harper is more like a smirky Napoleon!

He thinks he can strategize everything to achieve his majority.

However the voters are not altogether stupid, they can smell his anxiety and ambitions, they sense that it is not for the betterment of Canadians as a whole that he plans.

My bet is that should he attain a majority his first move will be to observe that Canadians are tired of all those elections, and he, as a consequence, will declare himself elected for a period of 15 years!

Why not? he is behaving like a tinpot dictator from some banana republic already, even with a minority of seats.

What I'm afraid of is that

What I'm afraid of is that Canadians, totally ignorant of the issues, otherwise wouldn't put up with colonization by NAFTA, and "wealth creating foreign investors", may just say: "Aw, let's give the guy a chance...!" and he'll get his majority.

The polls are great decision makers for people who're too lazy to think and find things out and vote for the top guy in the polls, because the majority must be right.

Hitler too had a great majority, even after the war.

Ed Deak.

Ed........

How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think.
- Adolf Hitler

Yes Rick. I was there have

Yes Rick. I was there have been listening to it for 3 years after the war, how great he was.

However, there's one thing I must give Hitler credit for, he was the only leader I've known who actually has raised the living standards for the majority in remarkably short time, within months after taking power, making Germany the envy of Europe still in the pits of depression.

Otherwise, he was a murderous maniac, who should have been done away with long before.

Ed Deak.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall........a lot has changed

Quote:"Pollster Gregg, a one-time advisor to Brian Mulroney, reported recently on a telephone survey of the political values of more than 1,000 Canadians, concluding that nothing has changed: we're still "on balance, small-l liberals," he says. Asked to self-identify their position on the ideological spectrum, respondents proved mostly centre left. Only 17 per cent identified with the extreme left or right." End of Quote.

The self-denial and the self-flattery of the respondents mentioned in the above poll is most revealing.

I know.....I know.....

In newly crowned Bad Canada....

There are, apparently, no bad guys.

fake sincerity

Quote:"people who're too lazy to think and find things out and vote for the top guy in the polls, because the majority must be right."

Unfortunately, Ed is correct here!

We will be ruled by the lowest common denominator: Lazy voters who rely on others to guide them!

I do however believe that the smirk Harper produces when he attempt to act sincere, is a give-away that will be noticed and remembered.

what happened?

- some thoughts on what has happened to our country here - What Happened? http://www.rudemacedon.ca/what-happened.html

Banks!!!

Harper loves Banks, Yes he's opening Food Banks everywhere!
Why does he dare call himself a Christian? Nothing he's doing is Christ Like!
Maybe Harper is trying to recreate the social conditions at the time of Christ, 2010 years ago, or just like modern day Afghanistan today. Harper loves poverty, he must, I watched CPAC the day he voted to not end poverty, (He did not even blink!) a few weeks later he gave that $60 billion dollar surplus away to Banks and International Companies, the Companies took the cash as Bonus Pay for the CEO’s!
He is building social housing, “The Big Houses”, yes all our grade 2 students waiting in line for breakfast at school today, will be well housed and fed, in a warm jail cell!

"(Harper) is now a

"(Harper) is now a born-again fiscal Keynesian."

I'm not sure what herbaceous weed you've been smoking, Kim, but I'd lay off it for a few days before writing an opinion column that paints Harper as a lefty 'Keynsian.'

To set the record straight: Harper was forced into the stimulus agenda by a very real threat to overthrow his regime by a centre-left coalition, because he refused to properly acknowledge the fiscal crisis facing our society remember the "good time to buy stocks" comment?).

Harper and his muppet finance minister Flaherty have signalled recently (just before proroguing parliament to "regroup") that their fiscal agenda going forward favours severe service cuts, to help fund their ongoing corporate tax-cut agenda.

So don't give us this revisionist nonsense about Harper being some sort of Keynsian wolf in Conserviative sheep's clothing. He has always been a die-hard neo-con tax-cutting, government slashing, Milton Friedman/Adam Smith sycophant whose goal is the elimination of federal social support programs across this land.

You're naive, Kim, to suggest otherwise. A careful reading of the news and recent history will show the degree of your miscalculation. I look foirward to the Cons' next federal budget to bury your thesis once and for all.

Ed........

It seems to be a trait of otherwise despicable people throughout time. You'd think though, that the "good guys" (our governments) would see where human interests really rest (food, clothing, shelter, education), and instead of beefing up military spending to suppress basic human wants, they'd lean a little in that direction.

center left?

If Canadians have "proved mostly centre left" why do they keep voting for right-wing parties like the Liberals and Conservatives?

http://www.politicalcompass.org/canada2008

New Keynesian economics

Krugman mentions this a lot in his comparisons of fresh water and salt water economists.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/

asp

Canucks vote for Libs/Cons because the latter PROMISE centre left stuff (just like Mike Pearson did with Medicare). Then, when either Tweedledee or Tweedledum is elected, they fiddle and fart, and come out with some half-assed version (but evidently its enough to keep the suckers coming back for more).

A mere simile of the country we once were

asp wrote:

Quote:"If Canadians have "proved mostly centre left" why do they keep voting for right-wing parties like the Liberals and Conservatives? End of Quote.

Good question, asp.

I think it has a lot do with marketing .....and the actual end product that is delivered.

It was what I was trying to express in my comment above - the incongruity between the image people like to have of themselves and what they are actually helping to facilitate by what they "buy" into....both politically and as a culture.

We see it all the time on these threads - posters who relentlessly defend the authoritarian, arrogant, anti-democratic actions of the BC Liberals, a so-called government that has betrayed the people of this province at every turn....and yet these same posters still fancy themselves as liberals. It consoles them somehow....the self-denial of the part they are playing in the fleecing of this province and in human tragedies like the highest child poverty rate in Canada.

It's all part of a running-on-empty culture steeped in the lethal influence of marketing - a culture that increasingly prefers to buy image over substance.

It's now all about what things "conveniently" appear to be.... rather than what they really are. Commercialization has created a Pavlovian culture of trained seals....drool, react, think later. What a window of opportunity for the ruling class!

Who, for instance, needs a real and effective health system when you can get away with one that merely looks the part?....and brouhaha!... even better....if you only have to invest in superficial "stage-setting" you can funnel off all that intended funding, (generously supplied through the hard work of taxpayers), to those you really serve - your "special" corporate friends.

And that sly epiphany for the ruling class marketeers must have been akin to the discovery of fire.