Once again Tom Fletcher has created his own “theatre” of political punditry based on illogical statements and ad hominem attacks against those who do not believe his writing is the truth. (“Sorting out the issues”)
His first argument about election timing and the amount of money spent relies on both of these styles of rationale. He says that people who dwell on the election financial issue are “whiners,” which does nothing to deny their arguments. He then compares it to the U.S. system of timed elections, without comment on the huge impact that money has on that system.
Extending his lack of financial acumen further, he attempts to correlate the “supposed” recession in Canada with a government surplus. Our country is in recession, although it is not technically there until we have six months of negative GDP, rather than the current five (although Harper did admit that we were in recession in the debates, a comment not mentioned here).
Yes, our theocratic, monarchical ally-in-arms Saudi Arabia is depressing world oil prices. But it is Harper who wished to create an “energy superstar” out of Canada, relying on the tar sands of Alberta to be our wheel of fortune. It is that reliance that has initiated the recession, and it is financial manipulation that has created a budget surplus.
He proposes to have “campaign rules” to limit the noise of “public sector unions and other special interests.” First, he does not define his “rules” other than to limit “noise”.
I wonder if that noise also includes the Fraser Institute, the Preston Manning Institute and other right-wing think tanks?
My last comment is also financial.
Yes, a lower dollar will boost tourism (although I doubt parking at the mall is a legitimate measure of that), but it has done little statistically to boost exports (when the world is in recession, they do not need as much of Canada’s resources).
Along with that, it creates a large increase in the cost of living as all imports, of which there are many in Canada from foodstuffs to electronics, are significantly more expensive, another financial negative for Canada.
Enough said for now. Perhaps presenting Fletcher’s views is good press in that it highlights either his lack of logical thinking skills or his lack of financial knowledge – or both.
Jim Miles
Vernon
