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HARPER ON THE ECONOMY

Harper on the economy: Ostrich or parrot? Maybe both.


Conservatives can always be counted on for bland reassurances when things are looking bleak (which they almost always are in conservative or Conservative administrations). The early-21st-Century buzzwords are all about “strong fundamentals” while things are going down the tubes.

Cons use buzzwords so that they do not have to answer questions about specifics like market meltdowns, the disappearance of things like Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch, 7 months straight of job losses, a gigantic housing crisis, spiraling energy costs and the like. The answer to economic/fiscal questions for these guys is:

Ken Lay: (22 October 2001) “The fundamentals of our business (that would be ENRON) are very strong”.

George W. Bush: (7 August 2007) “The fundamentals of our economy are strong”.

John McCain : (31 Dec. 2007, 6 Jan. 2008, 10 Jan. 2008, 17 Jan. 2008, 18 Jan. 2008, 22 Jan. 2008, 4 Feb. 2008, 11 Feb. 2008, 29 Feb. 2008, 11 Mar. 2008, 14 Mar. 2008, 24 Mar. 2008, 25 Mar. 2008, 23 Apr. 2008, 5 May 2008, 5 June 2008, 10 June 2008, 15 Sept. 2008) (Yes, 15 September 2008). “The fundamentals of our economy are strong”.

Stephen Harper: (1 October 2008) “The fundamentals of our economy are strong”.

The United States is our biggest customer; our largest trading partner. The United States is a fundamental of our economy. And, it is one that, at the moment, is showing dangerous weakness.

When Harper says the fundamentals are strong, he conveniently forgets this fundamental of the Canadian economy.

Mr. Harper has no plan. But then why would he? He doesn't believe in government intervention in the economy. He thinks everything’s okay. Leaders have to see beyond next week, and Mr. Harper doesn’t. Or can’t.

Please forward this to your Albertan friends, associates and networks.

Senator Grant Mitchell,
Senator for Alberta

           Authorized by the Federal Liberal Agency, registered agent for 
                                the Liberal Party of Canada