A federal budget that does nothing
Re Opposition need not be hog-tied by budget, April 23 There are a lot of things that could be said about the latest federal budget, but I like Tom Walkom’s line the best: It truly is a budget that does nothing. It does nothing to deal with economic inequality, unless it is to make it worse. It does nothing to help young people get into the labour market or the unemployed to get back to work. It does nothing to help people who are homeless or under-housed or living in inadequate housing. It does nothing.
In many ways it is not even a budget at all, but rather a political manifesto. But that may be a stretch, too. Political manifestos are usually statements of belief, but all we have here is a straight cash handout. I’m surprised the RCMP didn’t show up at the budget lockup with handcuffs to arrest the finance minister for influence peddling or offering a bribe. Because that’s what this budget is. If you support us, we will give you money. Not because you really need income splitting or an extra 10 grand on your TFSA limit. But just because we like you and want your votes.
The sad part is that they finagled their way to a budget surplus by stealing from their rainy day fund and the EI program and by selling off our GM shares that we as taxpayers paid for during the auto bailout, just to give it away to their friends and allies.
We could be raising CPP payments, or helping young people get to work or building new housing that is so desperately needed. But no, none of that. All we have is a budget that does nothing.
The only good news, and we will have to work to make this a reality, is that this is the last Conservative budget we ever have to endure. Getting rid of the Conservatives is what we need to do. Dora M. Robinson, Aurora Joe Oliver stated that the “Action Plan” is based on the average forecast of 15 private sector economists. He owes it to us to reveal the oil price forecasts of these people. Did they really forecast values that averaged $75 per barrel oil or is that a number that was plugged by economist Stephen Harper to make the budget balance? Geoffrey Kemp, Mississauga “Given a choice, it is a rare MP seeking re-election who wouldn’t prefer coming to a voter’s doorstep bearing gifts.” — Chantal Hebert.
To paraphrase Homer (The Fall of Troy) “Timeo politicos et dona ferentes” (I fear politicians, even bearing gifts). David Speirs, Fenelon Falls