Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Budget -- thumbs up

It's not too bad. The programs are mainly time limited so the deficit won't last forever (but gosh, 85,000,000,000$ is a lot of money).

Things like the home renovation incentives make sense and while there is an impression of all things to all people, well, we need a spark across the country.

I am not happy about the pay equity restriction -- equal work should get equal pay (I'm not sure why the Budget deals with that issue).

There are improvements to be made -- ensuring money really flows to cities for example -- but this is a budget we can work with.
James Morton

11 comments:

The Mound of Sound said...

You're dreaming Jim.

James Bowie said...

I must disagree. $85B in debt because of a two cent tax cut is unacceptable.

Oxford County Liberals said...

I hope this isn't indicative of the wing of the Liberal Party that apparently wants to either avoid an election at all cost or a coalition at all costs.

Anonymous said...

What the hell has happened to the Liberal Party of Canada?Specifically that of Jean Chretien and Paul Martin.
$85 billion of new debt? You have got to be out of your mind.
Vote against the budget or at the very least propose amendments.

Big Winnie said...

A couple of things intrigued me while watching Flaherty present his budget:

1) I thought I heard him say they were going to purchase 98 Coast Guard vessels which is supposed to help the ship building industry. My question is: are these ships going to be built by Canadian ship builders or hasa the gov't already made an agreement to buy them elsewhere?

2) With respect to home renovations, who decides if a renovation is legit and will municipalities be privy to the scope of the renovations for municipal tax purposes?

3) With respect to infrastructure, projects must be "shovel ready" which means to me that the money has already been earmarked for these projects. Am I reading too much into this?

Unknown said...
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Andrew P. said...

Great if its actually spent but as usual, the devil is in the details, and those details are lacking. Infrastructure money has to be matched by provinces and municipalities that are losing revenues, people have to spend thousands they might not have to get a few hundred back, they are still attacking pay equity, etc, etc.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Mr. Morton is supporting Iggy.


The budget is a flop and should be defeated.
Duceppe nailed it's shortcomings and flim-flam..

Anonymous said...

Morton you seem to be the ONLY Liblogger so far that thinks this budget is worthy of support, why do you think that is?

I think at least a dozen so far have called for it be voted down.

Anonymous said...

Sorry guys but as a senior, I am not going to spend over $10,000 to get back one thousand. If you don't have a job, where will you find $10,000? Only those with money can afford to do that kind of renovation.
Do Liberals believe in pay equity or not? If they vote for this measure then it's not the Liberal Party I can support.
If the municipalities have to find money for infrastructure projects, where are they going to get it? By increasing the taxes on my home.
What I would call a rag-tag budget that we will end up paying for in the long run. Vote it down please.

penlan said...

James,

I'm astounded that you support this budget. What ARE you thinking - or drinking?