Goldstein's argument way off base...again
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Funny, I didn't see it that way at all. Mostly because I always thought it was good strategy if a party reached out to ordinary voters (especially when it's about their hard-earned tax dollars). And yes, that includes messages contained within a party ad campaign.Goldstein: "The campaign, designed to reach ordinary voters directly while bypassing media and academic elites, reveals Conservative thinking.
Clearly, they're worried Dion's carbon tax, whenever he releases it, could appeal to voters concerned about global warming, particularly if the Liberal announcement is backed by environmentalists, economists and business groups stressing it will be effective and "revenue neutral," a claim the Tories mock. You don't put this much effort into attacking someone you don't think is a threat."
I mean, let's face it, "ordinary voters" are the very people who send politicians to Ottawa in the first place. So wouldn't it be best to represent their interest first? Well, not according to Lorrie Goldstein who believes our country would be much better off if the governing party bypassed ordinary Canadians and started making decisions, and crafting ad campaigns, based on the narrow advice of the elitist media (found primarily in the PPG), academics high up in their ivory towers and special interest groups. In other words, he's wishing the Tories would do what the Liberals did for well over a decade.
Plus, does he forget that a majority of ordinary Canadians are represented by both the NDP and the Conservatives? (A total of 157 MPs) All of whom do not support a regressive carbon tax.
Speaking of carbon taxes and higher gas prices at the pump, here's a line I found very interesting over at CTV.ca (in bold below):
However, Jane Taber and Craig Oliver, co-hosts of CTV's Question Period, noted that the Liberal tax -- which hasn't been formally presented yet -- rules out an additional tax on gasoline.In addition, the carbon tax is supposed to be "revenue neutral" -- meaning revenue raised by the carbon tax is to be offset by accompanying cuts in income and other taxes, Taber said.
No additional taxes on gasoline? I find that hard to believe since Dion formed a deal with Green party leader Elizabeth May, who herself has proposed a 12 cent tax hike at the pumps. I mean, come on, does he [Dion] really expect us all to believe that he formed a working coalition with an environmental party so that he could ignore their core policies on climate change? Who does he take us to be?
11 Comments:
... I believe that the only reason people even remember Mr. Dion and the Liberal party, is because the Conservatives keep mentioning them.
... I would not give a penny to a party which spent my donation on "attack ads".
... The Conservatives should not be traveling the low road of attacking the hapless Mr. Dion, but finally having the courage to educate and defend the values of individual liberty.
... This is the true conservative position, and one which the timid Mr. Harper completely avoids.
I thought Scott Reid was funny on CTV Newsnet yesterday when he said go to our website, "theseguys are morons.ca." It sure did put a light moment on what was a scripted presentation by Poilievre.
iain: I hear ya. But attacks do work. And in the rough and tumble game of politics they're needed for victory. Although, it would seem you're skeptical of the policies that may result from a majority government since they have yet to stick to their conservative principles. And I have to say, I don't blame you one bit.
bill: I saw that. I think Poillievre mentioned that "Dion trick" website at least five times. He mentioned it three times in a span of a couple of sentences.
... NBT... I am actually disgusted at Mr. Harper's failure to represent the values of fiscal conservatism, instead taking the sleazy path of cheap smears against the opposition.
... Will the next election be nothing more than cheap smears?
I think you may be right, igf.
I personally hate attack ads, and I do think their time is now passed. If American Politics is teaching us anything, people are ready for politicians to start taking the high road when it comes to how they play politics.
I think they did work, but now that the shock value is gone, and attack ads are more predictable.
I also think it highlights the Conservative policy vaccuum on the environment and when Stephen Dion starts a discussion and floats a trial balloon on something being talked about by the provinces, they start an attack ad. Where are the solutions then? Big mouth Baird!?
I think the ads will backfire and show Harper again to be the petty man he seems to be.
Tell that to Stockwell Day and Preston Manning both of whom were slaughtered by Warren Kinsella's attacks and ads. Although, I do see south of the border that John McCain is proposing a friendly debate with Obama in the form of 10 town hall debates.
Prediction? That will never happen (at least not all 10) because the Democrats have too much material to attack with...and attack they will. Mark my words.
... Individuals who resort to attack ads, do so for two reasons.
... A) as in the case of the federal Liberals, they have no real position of their own.
... or B) as in the case of the federal Conservatives, because they have not the courage or honesty to express their true convictions.
... "Winning" elections is not the goal. At the end of the day, the true goal is to know that one has lived honestly and honorably.
Re: A Carbon tax raising gas prices at the pump - IT HAS TO. Vehicle emissions are the second largest contributor to carbon emissions in Canada (electricity generation is #1). You cannot put a price on carbon and exclude gasoline/diesel.
The Liberals will leave the federal gas tax alone but impose indirect taxation on fuel by socking it to the producers, refiners and distributors of oil. The price will of course go up at the pump, but the Liberals will claim "It wasn't us..." This is called front-end loading and the result is the same.
Take a look at the distribution of goods in North America. Everything is resupplied within 3 days as a rule. The bulk of shipping is done by truck. Trucks use fuel, so the cost of delivering goods will go up as fuel costs go up. That's why truckers in Europe are striking right now. That's why Dion's carbon tax is "a tax on everything."
John Bennett from Climate Action Network was asked "Is a carbon tax a 'tax on everything,' as the Conservative claim?" His response was "In a sense, yes" (CTV News)
You know what they say in retail sales, it's not the product that is bad, it's the salesman.
Could you please define an "attack ad?" The media has been complicit in "defining" Stephen Harper since the 2004 election campaign. The Liberals don't even have to pay for attack ads because the media reports every salacious rumor and fabricated allegation as fact. Make a list of all the "scandals" that have come to nothing once the facts were investigated. Unfortunately the damage was already done because "perception is reality" and the vindication never gets reported.
Question #2 - Since when is it an "attack" to point out that someone is making false claims and trying to deceive the Canadian public? For example, M. Dion clothing himself in green when his record is an utter failure. For example, a carbon tax that is revenue neutral. Even environmentalist David Coon from NB Conservation Council has said a revenue neutral carbon tax would do nothing for the environment. 685,000 people were taken off the income tax roles by last year's income tax reductions - how will these low income people be compensated for the new carbon tax? Should the Conservatives just allow the Liberals to put any kind of fraud over on Canadians?
Question #3 - Is it not an "attack ad" to accuse a sitting Prime Minister of being complicit in a crime like the Liberals did on their website? They did so without any basis for that allegation and yet the PM is vilified for defending himself.
Give your head a shake guys, this has been a one-sided attack for the last decade.
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