*Now* He Listens To Them?
Speaking after a meeting with an economic think-tank in Toronto, Harper said he was given a direct message.
He says he was told: "Don't be afraid to run a deficit if the deficit is in the best interest of the economy."
Where was the deference to economists when it came to the GST cut or the diesel fuel tax cut yet to come?
How is a deficit ever in the best interest of the economy ?
Looks like Harper is continuing his wasteful spending and is not going to trim any fat.
Posted by
J.Cotton |
4:06 PM
If a temporary drop in demand for Canadian exports were to cause a short term deficit it would be foolish to take dramatic domestic action to offset a minor economic situation.
Furthermore it would be a bad idea to delay needed improvements to infrastructure that would improve Canadian competitiveness like improved border crossings or international highways.
As long as deficits arent structural such as the Trudeau ones a small one is ok in the short term.
colin
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:59 PM
Colin,
In theory, I agree with you and if I trusted politicians worth a fig, I wouldn't have a problem with it.
But when even the "conservative" government expands spending to record levels and expands the cabinet needlessly, I'm not seeing the discipline required to return to balanced budgets as soon as possible.
From the sounds of it, a deficit can be avoided with only minimal difficulty and spending restraint.
But it's easier to run the deficit, so we appear likely to run a deficit. That is why I opposed running a "small" "non-structural" deficit.
Posted by
The Hack |
11:48 PM
I agree that Flaherty need only trim some increases and tighten a few selective belts to avoid deficit, that is why I believe they are intentionally setting the bar low and letting CBC, and idiots like Craig Oliver and Jane Taber to continue their meme until budget time when a small surplus is announced.
colin
Posted by
Anonymous |
9:10 PM