Hacks & Wonks

This might make for interesting politics, but it's pure crap as policy, just like the GST cut or the children's sport tax credit or the truckers' lunch tax credit, etc.

There's really nothing "conservative" about this government at all. They stand for nothing except staying in power. In other words, they are the Liberal Party.

I see this as a lame attempt to just be polar opposites of the Liberals.

If Dion was proposing a diesel tax cut, Harper would be proposing Green Shift.

What it is is smart politics. Chipping away at taxes in general in small bites will add that much more into the economy over time.

Target a voter segment you want then cut some of their taxes. The direct benefit is primarily felt by the desired segment but overall taxes and their drag on the economy are reduced.

Incremental but cummulatively effective over time.


colin

Well, if the Tories lose this election, we can all spend the next ten years in opposition dreaming up transformational and high-minded policy positions while the Liberals take back the government they believe they have a birthright to. I am sure Jack Mintz will love that, but I won't.

Despite what the polls say, this is a streetfight, pure and simple, and anyone can win.

Besides, considering that everything we own and eat is shipped by diesel fueled transportation, the move will benefit. And, as those in transportation will tell you, diesel powered rail transport is one of the most fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly modes of transportation.