Oh God, Not Another Election

Okay, so I stole the title from this Globe & Mail article.

Here's a paragraph I particularly enjoyed:

"For the NDP, this is the moment when Jack Layton must raise big issues, speak big truths and take the honourable gamble that Canadians are ready listen to the truth about our real problems: growing inequality, a declining middle class, the precariousness of daily life for millions of Canadians (including Mr. Harper's beloved immigrant communities), the need for vast infrastructure expenditures so that our kids have a viable country to grow up in, and of course climate change. This will admittedly take major new funding, but if the wealthy and their corporations actually paid the taxes they should much of that funding would be available. But not all. If we really want a better Canada, we will have to pay for it. Tell it the way it is, Jack. People need to know."

So....I heard a rumour about a spring election...

This news is so old, it's dusty.  But we should have word by Friday that the campaign buses are hitting the highways in time for May 2. 

Why the conservative government thought that the opposition would happily accept some crumbs in the federal budget is beyond me.  And the way Jim Flaherty was spouting off this morning about how wonderful this budget is, I'm surprised Stephen didn't call the election himself this morning, instead of waiting for the Liberals to bring down the government.  Get on with it!

Okay...so here are the budget highlights:

-Money for seniors living in poverty.  (An added $50 a month to the GIS.  This hardly addresses senior poverty. Seriously? $50 a month?)

-Elimination of the mandatory retirement age. (So old folks can keep on contributing to society, instead of bleeding the public coffers....especially that bonus $50!)

-Creating a program to help military veterans transition to jobs in the construction trades. (Low paying, limited security, seasonal, with huge injury rates?  Please.)

-$100 million to establish a Canada Brain Research Fund.  (they should begin the search for brains in the PMO)

Harper calls election 'unnecessary'
The Montreal Gazette

Why Jack Layton said 'no' to the federal budget
Toronto Star

Tories' stillborn budget set to become 2011 election platform
The Montreal Gazette

"Make no mistake, this was a classic pre-election budget, sprinkled with dozens of trinkets that will be promoted on the hustings by Harper in a campaign that could begin as early as Saturday.

The budget was carefully crafted to cover two scenarios: an election if necessary, but not necessarily an election."