Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Harper's Trained Seals

A couple of days ago, I noted how certain conservative voices in the media were suddenly pushing the issue of political subsides for politicians.

I speculated that perhaps this was evidence the Conservative government was going to use this issue to help trigger their own downfall and thus force a federal election.

Well here's more proof: Today the National Citizens Coalition, otherwise known as "Harper's Trained Seals" announced its going to start pushing for the elimination of the subsidy.

Interesting timing.

I suspect the orders for this NCC campaign came from the PMO.

Of course, it's an issue the NCC should be pushing; the problem is the people running the organization are simply incompetent when it comes to mounting an effective media campaign.

That's something the PMO should consider.

Update: It seems Prime Minister Harper is now sabre rattling on this issue. More signs of an early election?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

"suddenly pushing the issue of political subsides for politicians."

Been following politics in Canada long Gerry?

This was to be a CPC platform plank since Dec 2008 when it was first brought up and forced the opposition/coalition hand.

Anonymous said...

"... otherwise known as "Harper's Trained Seals" "

What is it with you? Can't you use more persuasive arguments than silly name-calling?
-- Gabby in QC

Anonymous said...

Shoulda known better and stuck with my resolution not to read your bilge.

Kadam said...

Hitting the mark Gerry, looking at the naysayers here

wilson said...

I don't know about the NCC being trained seals,
but I do know that we need Conservatives to pull together
or we may end up with PM Ignatieff and Finance Minister Layton passing only legislation that is 'good for Quebec'...

So what do you think Gerry, does a cut to subsidies mean raising the contribution limit is a must?

Anonymous said...

The whining of these other commenters means Gerry did right. I guess my prediction that Stephen Taylor wouldn't change much at the NCC was bang on. Sometimes, it sucks to be right.

Fred from BC said...

Kerry Forrest said...

Hitting the mark Gerry, looking at the naysayers here


Right. Here, read this again:


"This was to be a CPC platform plank since Dec 2008 when it was first brought up and forced the opposition/coalition hand."


This looks like 'suddenly', to you? You're just as deluded as Gerry (did you get kicked out of the NCC too?)...

Anonymous said...

I don't put much weight on the opinion of those who purport to know how someone else thinks
particularly based on knowing them years ago
the office of the Prime Minister of Canada is quite unique and needs a forward looking approach
I do not agree that Prime Minister Harper has been shackled by his earlier thoughts but find he steps up to the plate every day fresh and ready to deal in a thoughtful manner with the many situations he faces every day
fh

Alberta Girl said...

"The whining of these other commenters means Gerry did right. I guess my prediction that Stephen Taylor wouldn't change much at the NCC was bang on. Sometimes, it sucks to be right. "

Gerry..is that you?

Another "toast of the liberal media" post...at least it keeps your name in the news, right Gerry.

Anonymous said...

They may be incompetent at running a media campaign but that doesn't mean they are wrong.

The attempted coup by Dion and company was a reaction to this policy two years ago. This is not new.

The subsidy is wrong.If the constitution in this country was worth the paper it is wriiten on it would be illegal. Only parties with higher than a certain percetage of the national vote get the money. New , small parties and independants don't get it.This is plain wrong. No one can defend it.

We often here naive that it is that we'd have a better democracy if we could get rid of the politcal parties. This funding formula makes it even harder to get rid of partisanship.

The purpose of voting isn't to fund warchests of political parties it is to select a government. tying the two acts together is repugnant.

It will eventually be stopped.

Anonymous said...

I used to follow you, sorry no longer. You have become nothing more than a bad joke.

Anonymous said...

Just because something is a party plank doesn't mean that the party will always pursue that plank. They can and will pull it out if and when it suits them. Were you people born this naive or are you willfully blind?