Get Rid of Political Party Subsidies

In a time when we must exercise fiscal restraint, getting rid of political party subsidies is a great idea. Besides why should our hard earned tax dollars go towards forced political donations.  Remember what happened in 2008 when PM Harper and Finance Minister Flaherty suggested that in the fall update?  All hell broke loose. That`s when the coalition of the losers exposed themselves.   A poll taken at that time showed 61% supported getting rid of $1.95 per vote subsidy. And it`s just not the $1.95 per vote subsidy. There are other subsidies too that Brian Lilley from Sun Media emphasizes.

An analysis of taxpayer subsidies to political parties by QMI Agency found that tens of millions of dollars are handed over to political parties each year on top of the $27 million they get through their per-vote subsidy.
“One of the crazy aspects of it is they give themselves a larger tax deduction than charities get,” said Kevin Gaudet of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Gaudet said charities such as hospitals would be considered more important than political parties by most Canadians even if the tax law favours politics over health.
The low-tax crusader is also part of an ongoing campaign to get rid of the $1.95 per vote per year subsidy that each political party gets.
“Political parties should exist solely on their ability to get donations from their supporters,” said Gaudet.
Two years ago the threat of opposition parties losing their per-vote subsidy lead to a revolt and the threat of a coalition. The Harper government backed down over accusations they were simply out to get their political rivals.
Based on an analysis of several years of fundraising numbers, removing the per-vote subsidy would have a crippling effect on the Bloc Quebecois.
A poll taken in late 2008 showed 61% of Canadians agreed with removing the subsidies.
Not everyone agrees though.
NDP Leader Jack Layton has called the Harper government’s threat of removing the per-vote subsidy an “attack on democracy.” Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has said the opposition parties won’t let the Harper government take away the subsidies.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made clear that he will raise this issue with voters at the next election.

It`s true it would cripple the Bloc. They`re just lazy. They don`t want anything do with the ROC but will gladly take our money.  It would cripple the Liberals as well. They were used to being funded by big money by big corporations and stealing taxpayer money when they're in power (adscam etc). The CPC would be hurt the least. They know how to fund raise by getting small donations from a large number of donors.
The NDP on the other hand back in 2008 could have helped themselves out by siding with the Conservatives which would have basically crippled the Libs instead of being involved with loser coalition.  The public would have supported them.  They would basically be poised to become the official opposition with Jack and Olivia moving into Stornoway.  I guess the possibility of seeing a way to fast track into power by over throwing a duly elected government got in the way.

I`m glad this will be an issue come next election.  How are the opposition parties go on the campaign trail justifying why they should take our money to fund their parties especially in a time when the government should be cutting the deficit?

Are We Ready for a Conversation On Healthcare Reform?

As deficits are mounting in our Provincial and Federal governments, something has to be done to get the finances under control.  Our universal health care program for one is totally unsustainable if we keep going on with the status-quo.  It seems that the more money that is thrown at it it just seems to get worse.  Wait times are astronomical for most tests and treatments. We have a shortage of doctors and nurses. In fact upwards of 17% of Canadians don't have a family doctor.

In Alberta here health care eats up 40% of the government's total budget and in the future if we don't make any changes, more and more of the budget will go towards health care never mind other things like infrastructure that we so desperately need.  Budget 2010, health care costs pushed our Alberta budget to a whopping $4.7B deficit. Health care  spending rose 16.6 percent.

The Feds have steadily increased transfer payments over the years as well. So where is all the money going?  I beg to say it is going primarily to the beaucracy, the unions (nurses unions etc.)  So what do we do?  We can't keep going on like this, something has to give.

It 's good to see that the federal government is finally looking to at least starting an adult conversation on the matter.  Have they already signaled  it with Max Bernier?  Could be. Or is he just going rogue? I hope not. But any case, I hope at least it's a positive indicator from the government. It is long overdue that's for sure. We do need reform in this country not just in health care but in general way the we do government. Government cannot be all things to all people. Someone has to pay, if not now but eventually with our children and grandchildren footing the bill.  We don't want to burden them with our hefty bills.  I don't want to see our future generations used as slaves! It`s not fair to them. We have to get out of this entitlement mentality.

So let the conversation begin!  At least it's a start!

Another Lobby Group Attempting to Stifle Free Speech

Seems like lobbying against free speech in Canada is in fashion these days.  You had Aavaz, Care2, now Friends of Canadian Broadcasting. is attempting to stifle free speech.  Spokesman, Ian Morrison wants SunTV quashed because it will "make us fearful, frail and divided." Are we all supposed to be robots to the liberal mantra instead of having an alternative source that we may think for ourselves?

In an e-mail appeal to supporters, Friends spokesman Ian Morrison pleads, “... make an investment right now so that we can oppose the powerful forces that wish to make us fearful, frail and divided.” The e-mail claims that the group is “working hard to protect the public interest” and that they need to expand their reach ahead of CRTC review of the Sun TV application.

As Brian Lilley  also states, Friends of Canadian broadcasting raises millions of dollars but discloses hardly anything of what they do with the money. Plus the organization nor Ian Morrison are registered as lobbyists even though they are lobbying both the CRTC and the Minister of Heritage not only to stop SunTV but other issues as well.  Friends disputes the idea that they are required to register. Friends of Canadian Broadcasting also claim they are non partisan and that their mission is to defend and enhance the quality and quantity of Canadian programming. OK.  So why are they trying to stop SunTV then?
If they were truly interested in "protecting public interest" they wouldn't be opposing this new channel.  They would  welcome it and  encourage more and diverse opinions so that the public can have more choice.  Obviously they don't really want  more and better quality Canadian media especially if it gives an alternative point of view.

Be Grateful for PM Harper and His Team

I pray everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  We are truly blessed in this country as is stated in this Finacial Post article.
 I say we should be thankful for PM Harper and his government.  They are responsible for guiding us through a very tough recession.  Even though our economy is still fragile, we are better off than many other countries that's for sure.   Are they perfect?  No.   Sure they've made some mistakes. Who's asking for perfection anyway?

Consider the alternative.  It gives me shivers down my spine.  Who knows where the coalition of the losers would have taken the country had they had the chance by now?  The deficit would probably be at least double of what it is today. Unemployment would be a lot higher than 8%.  We'd probably  have the green shift, 360hr. EI, universal child care program, Kelowna accord and who knows what other God forsaken big spending social programs. 

Where would we be in our foreign policy? They can't even agree who the real instigator is in the formation of the loser coalition never mind a cohesive foreign policy.  Gilles and Jack both want to take credit. We'd end up be a laughing stock on the world stage.   Immigration?   Give us your terrorists, your criminals, your despots, your pedophiles etc.!  

Just think about this.  Gilles would actually be running the show.  What ever is good for Quebec!  Yup Quebec would have more power over ROC than they have now.  They have way to  much power right now the way it is.  How does that sit with ya? The coalition of the losers?  Canada would become a basket case.

So yeah, get on your knees and thank God for PM Harper and his team. We are blessed to have them in office at this time.  They have done pretty well considering all the obstacles. Minority government, a contentious opposition, a hostile media, etc.  They are deserving of a majority next time around I think. They will have earned it.

Join me in thanking God everyday for PM Harper and all of his team.   Pray for wisdom as they weigh through all the obstacles they have to face each and everyday. They need it. Each day is an uphill battle.
 

Another Group Outside Canada Has a Petition Against SunTV

What's with international activist organizations who want to interfere with Canadian business?  Here's what I received in my email last night . It was a petition to sign to stop "the hateful  SunTV News."  First it was Aavaz,org.  trying to stop free speech now there's another activist group.  Care2.com.  Care2 is an organization that seems to concentrate on environmental and human rights issues and is based in the US according to their website .  This petition has nothing whatsoever to do with the environment or human rights.  It has to do with stifling free speech much like the one Aavaz had put out.

The email I received says it wants to keep the "hate media out of Canada" and wants you to sign a petition.  They also seem to believe that PM Harper is behind this.  They go on to repeat the lie that Larry Martin dreamed up that the PM was manipulating the CRTC by pushing Konrad von Finckenstein the CRTC chief out  in order SunTV gets granted the license they want.
Looks like they're located in California.
Care2.com, Inc.
275 Shoreline Drive, Suite 300
Redwood City, CA 94065

 Here is a screen shot of the email I was sent

Who is behind this petition?  I don't know but if you go to the Care2.com website you will notice an ad there by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation    Are they behind this round of petitions?   Who knows but don't forget TD is infested with  Liberals. Liberals would not want other voices who would probably not cover for them like the current media does. Liberals involved with TD are  Don Drummond, who worked for Paul Martin while he was Finance Minister in the Chretien government.  Frank Mckenna former Liberal Premier of New Brunswick, and Ed Clark who was deputy minister who helped construct the must hated NEP.
I don't  really know if TD is actually behind this but since it's an American organization and TD has an ad on their website it does set off red flags.  One has to wonder.

In any case this group like Aavaz and others is just another nutty activist organization who wants only the left to have a voice.  To me that is not free speech.

It seems like there are those out there who are truly afraid of SunTV or what they call Foxnews North and that it will be full of hate speech even though SunTV has yet to air even one program yet.  It seems to me that these groups are the ones with hate and want to stifle free speech.  They don't want other voices for the public to choose from.  Are they afraid that maybe for a change the public will get some semblance of honest and truthful reporting?
SunTV will go ahead I'm sure and Canadians will finally have choice in news coverage. What a great day that will be when they finally go on air!