“Tuesday’s GOP landslide didn’t spare many Democrats, but it did stop at the state lines of California and New York. These coastal exceptions deserve some explanation, because they illustrate the difficulties Republicans will face if they fail to reform entitlements, taxes and public spending.”
Role of Government
If Canada Can Do It…: Slashing the State in the Great White North
“In 1994 government debt was 68 percent of Canada’s GDP. By 2008 that number was down to 29 percent. Finance Minister Paul Martin Jr. and Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, both of the Liberal Party, are the two unlikely stars in this heroic tale of fiscal discipline.”
Are We Sliding Into A Tyranny Of Good Intentions?
“‘I am of two minds about democracy,’ he writes, ‘and so is everyone else. We all agree that it is the sovereign remedy for corruption, war and poverty in the Third World. We would certainly tolerate no other system in our own country. Yet most people are disenchanted with the way it works. One reason is that our rulers now manage so much of our lives that they cannot help but do it badly. They have overreached. Blunder follows blunder.'”
Welcome Return Of The Prodigal True Liberal
“Fraser wants the Liberal Party to return to “liberal values”. But what are they? Has any ideological label been more contested, coveted and contorted than the term liberal?
Featured News
What Exactly Does ‘Climate Justice’ Mean?
It seems like everything is about justice these days. Recently, as I drove home from the store, I saw a sign for the elections here in New York from the local Democratic Party, promising “equity, equality, and justice for all.” Beyond the obvious concerns any sane...
We are Finding the 2800 Missing Children
The “secret graves” and “missing children” narrative had our national flag flying at half-mast for over five months after an obscure indigenous politician made the startling claim that she “knew” that 215 indigenous children had been secretly buried in the “apple...
Its A Tough One …
One of the key differences between the politicians is their attitude to choice, and to how much of it we should be given.
The Disciplined State – PowerPoint Slides
Powerpoint slides that accompanied speech entitled “The Disciplined State” by the Hon. Ruth Richardson, former New Zealand Finance Minister, April 2005
Can Alberta Afford to be Rich and Stupid?
Balanced budgets have been the law in Alberta for nearly ten years. Now that the province has reached it debt-free goal, the questions are: “What’s next? Beyond balanced budgets and spending hikes, how does a wealthy government provide good government?”
To End Scandals, Dump Some Crowns
That corruption can always occur in fallible human beings who have access to power and who then trade it for cash is a given– that it is guaranteed is not.
Wanted: Leaders with Big Ideas, Willing to Take Risks
We have been a country of big ideas. When thoughtfulness and reflection in leadership is dithering and constructive opposition is weakness, we are in trouble. Paul Martin and Stephen Harper deserve more respect.
We Mustn’t Short Change Canada
Our duty to our country is to go beyond what the numbers say and give more tax power to provinces and cities, argues BOB RAE
Want that Supersized? Manitoba’s Public Sector
In 2003/04, combined local, provincial and federal government spending as a percent of the economy was 47.4% in Manitoba , compared to 38% nationally. Still the largest in western Canada, that means that Manitoba’s total government spending as a percent of the economy is 24.6% higher than the Canadian average.
The Real Scoop on those ‘Obscene’ Insurance Profits
There is some irony in the Alberta government — with its own projected $4.1-billion surplus this fiscal year — reviewing regulated policy rates because of $4.2-billion insurance company profits
Province’s Spending is Excessive, says Analyst
EXCESSIVE government spending in Manitoba is depressing the province’s economy, an analyst with the conservative Fraser Institute said yesterday