I guess "Today's NDP" likes rent control

It seems I angered the Staffers by coming out against rent control. While I agree with the Staffers that removing it alone will not fix the damage of seven years of NDP rule, it is a step in the right direction. The Staffers could have simply ignored me, or engaged me in discussion as to why their ideas are better, but instead I get “well Gary Filmon didn’t get rid of it” as a response. Rent control is a policy worth discussing.

Sadly, the Staffers drink the party kool-aid so much I think they would say Howard Pawley was a great premier (even Frances Russell would have a hard time saying that!) Unlike the collectivist mindset of the hard left, I am willing to say I did not agree with Filmon keeping rent control in place. I didn’t think that Filmon went far enough to relieve the burden of taxes created by the Pawley administration either. I also realize that Lyon wore it for removing it back in the day. Too bad. There was a person ahead of his time.

You see, that’s the beauty of being an independent writer vs. a staffer who is paid for loyalty. I don’t accept everything the PC’s do. I like some things Liberals do and have respect for NDP members who do a good job. Pat Martin fights hard for his constituents at times and I have no problem saying that.

I disagree with the notion that the need to get rid of rent control is a preposterous statement. Unlike the Blackberry Addicts/Today’s NDP, I think it is time to move into the 21st century and leave the days of slum lords behind us. I also disagree with their idea of comparing the creation of medicare with negative economic impact of rent control. Using that logic, perhaps we should get rid of medicare because it’s founder, the so called “Greatest Canadian” believed in sterilizing mentally and physically disabled Canadians and sending them to camps. See how silly that sounds?

Let’s take it up to a higher level. The reason I used the quote from the NDP in Saskatchewan was to illustrate a point. If they had no problem with removing it based upon sound economics, why does Gary Doer? Now, I know the Staffers will retort, “we don’t agree with everything the NDP in Saskatchewan does”, but it begs the question, why not on this point? Did you notice that the Staffers did not list the reasons why they think rent control is good? There have been countless studies and cost benefit analyses indicating the negative impacts of rent control. It has lead to a serious decline in the quality of apartment life in Winnipeg. It creates ghetto style housing as there is no incentive to make repairs or improvements to properties. Given the low rate of interest, I cannot think of sound reasons to keep it.

In the big picture, compared with our brand of NDP policies, the Saskatchewan NDP have made numerous changes and improvements to their province. The “status quo” culture of the current administration has been it’s hallmark since they took office. Many will say to his credit Doer has doesn’t much damage, but then again he hasn’t done much good. In comparison, Saskatchewan is now considered a have province. They also have lower rates of individual tax and corporate tax (SK personal income tax rate: 15%, MB: 17.4% SK corporate tax rate: 14% MB: 14.5%). Oh, and I forgot to mention the 2.15% payroll tax that Saskatchewan does not even collect! They do not have the same level of oil riches of Alberta, yet their fiscal house is in better shape than Manitoba’s mixed economy. Today’s NDP have also been the least aggressive in western Canada when it comes to tax burden.

I am interested in positive change and sound fiscal management. I do not think Manitoba is utopia and there are things we can do to make it better and more competitive for the future. Instead of addressing policies like rent control, the NDP are selling us “spirited energy”. Hardly an economic blueprint for the future.

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I also feel the need to respond to the Addicts that I attacked Jennifer Howard. I didn’t attack her personally, I merely pointed out that there is a giant hole in her resume when it comes to policies on men. You know, the ones that make up the other half of our population? I did not say she was anti-male. From what I read about her (and in many cases in her own words), I feel she is on the far left of the spectrum and to date, she has focused on women’s issues exclusively. I don’t know where she stands on men’s rights or issues. I think it is a valid poltical question to ask. That's what happens when you run for office. People want to know how they will be represented.

Politically, I think Donne is closer to the centre of the spectrum. I am not a fan of hard left/radical feminist policies, therefore I think Mr. Flanagan would probably do less damage if he ran and won the seat. I know a lot of people (including women) who would not support Ms. Howard based on her ideas and ideals not because of her gender.

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A final shot at the Addicts. A blog is whatever you want it to be. Just because you string one-liners of venom (some I actually think are decently funny) at your opponents instead of engaging in debate and discussion (no visible feedback) doesn’t mean you are writing quality, unless you would like to consider a career in angry stand up comedy. I am sorry you are in government and bitter. I am sorry you cannot stray from the official lines of the NDP and engage in policy talk about the future because it could cause grief for your bosses (or promises they can't or won't keep).

There is hope for the BA's. Once your administration is defeated, you can cure your addiction to blackberries by turning it in on your way out the door of 450 Broadway.

As Premier: I would eliminate rent control in Manitoba

A policy initiated by the NDP in the 1970’s, rent control continues to keep Manitoba a “have not” province. Of course, by coming out against rent control, the Dippers will paint me as a evil corporate supporter, hell bent on making life unaffordable for the working poor in Manitoba. Rather than giving the obvious economic arguments and reasons why rent control is bad for Manitoba, I will use the example of our neighbor to the west: Saskatchewan.

Perhaps the best comment I have seen on the subject comes from Harry Van Mulligen, who is an NDP cabinet minister in Saskatchewan. Unlike Today’s NDP, the Saskatchewan NDP government got rid of rent control.in 1992. According to an interview with Mr. Van Mulligen with the Frontier Centre of Public Policy: “We did it because it didn't seem to be working. It seemed to lock in rent increases. Under rent control, you are pretty much guaranteed your rent increase based on some inflationary figure and, of course, increase it further if you could demonstrate that you had costs over and above that to remodel or repair buildings. It didn't seem to be having the desired impact of keeping the rents down. Also, I don't think it had a positive impact in terms of people's decision to invest money in those areas because they saw it as a limited dividend potential.”

Do my ears deceive me? Why is it the NDP in Saskatchewan understand economics more than their neighbor to the east? The next logical question the Frontier Centre asked was: “Did the rents spike up when it was removed? Was there disruption in the marketplace?”

To which Mr. Van Mulligen responded: “I don't think there was any real impact. I don't think we have seen rental housing or other housing quite keep up with the growth in some of our cities and so we are seeing some increases in rental costs, especially for low-income people. The traditional approach of advocacy groups is to increase the amount of money you would be provided on social assistance to take these higher rents into account, but personally I think we need other ways to deal with that. Again, if you provide more assistance for those on welfare, you give them an advantage over working low-income people.”

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand the evils of rent control. The proof is in the streets of Winnipeg where we have had only a couple of apartments built in the past several years. It also explains the high level of worn out buildings that are in dire need of repair and restoration. We wouldn’t be screaming as hard for new housing projects in the burbs such as Waverly West if we could live in safe funky condo’s downtown. Instead, the only construction cranes in town are building Doer’s tribute building for Manitoba Hydro. Winnipeg’s apartment scene downtown is similar to the old Soviet system, both in style and service. An utter disaster area. Maybe the Dippers like it that way? Reminds them of the glory years of the CCCP.

What boggles my mind is how trapped in the past Today’s NDP really are. Manitoba is falling behind Saskatchewan on a number of fronts. I have always viewed Manitoba as being superior to our neighbor. To use Simpson’s analogy, we are Springfield, they are Shelbyville. However, the fiscal policies of Saskatchewan’s NDP governments under Romanow and Calvert are closer to Gary Filmon’s PC governments than Doer’s current administration. Good for Saskatchewan, bad for Manitoba.

Why is that?

I think that in Manitoba, the NDP have stronger ties to organized labour and true social activist roots. Others would argue that the mere size of Winnipeg makes apples and oranges when comparing with Regina and Saskatoon. Thus, Saskatchewan can lower taxes, be more fiscally conservative and become a “have” province. No. Wait. That doesn’t make any sense!

I honestly can’t think of excuses why Gary Doer has not implemented the sound ideas such as scrapping rent control, which was put into action by their Saskatchewan cousins. Can anyone send me some? Can we trade Today’s NDP for Lorne Calvert’s NDP? I think like their brand of socialism better.

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The next discussion in my "As Premier I would" series will be how we can help working families in Manitoba. They sure could use some help.

Careful what you ask for: Jennifer Howard

I will now admit that I have no life. I read the Freep letters to the editor amongst other papers to see what's on the minds of Manitobans. I came across a cheerleader letter written by Susan White posted in today's edition, an ardent NDP party supporter and buddy of Jennifer Howard (I really don't know why the editors at the Freep do not screen these kinds of letters out).

Anyway, the letter goes on to scold the Freep (Mia Rabson) for calling Jennifer a wonk. I agree with Susan 100%. Jennifer Howard is a "hack" not a "wonk". Perhaps professional activist is a better title. After reading about Ms. Howard's background and contribution to the wellness of women in Manitoba, I was left wondering whether she will be able to represent the 50% of her constituency called "men".

Every single link I could find on Ms. Howard points to an exlusive female constituency. I could not find one shred of evidence to suggest that Jennifer has worked any job or activity that has included men. Besides being the Status of Women representative for the provincial NDP, all of her work in health has dealt specifically with women. If Jennifer or other NDP types have information that says otherwise, I will be happy to post it in my feedback comments.

I get very concerned when I see someone so dedicated to one segment of the population (well OK, half) run for office. Persons running for office should be more well rounded and inclusive. The more I read about the identity politics and the socialist activist nature of Jennifer Howard, the more I wondered whether she could effectively represent the population as a whole.

Call me ignorant, but I just don't see the star power behind the newly minted candidate for Fort Rouge. I think Donne would have been a better candidate. Yes, I know this flies in the face of my call for more women in politics, but maybe I should have been a little clearer. I think there are many great women in politics who represent their consituencies. I think Jennifer Howard may be good at representing women in health related issues. I shudder to think how much care she would take representing men's issues in the Legislature. There was a reason she lost in the nomination in Wolseley.

While Fort Rouge isn't likely to vote PC, I think a strong Liberal could take it. Are their any left in Manitoba?

According to the Blackberry Addicts/Today's NDP: Manitobans are stupid

The "official" bloggers of the NDP, the Blackberry Addicts, have decided to demonstrate their ignorance of politics yet again. While there is merit on providing an alternative perspective to the MSM, the Blackberry Staffers seem to think they will help their cause by slamming the paper that has contributed to their job security the past seven years. For veteran hacks like the Addicts, they are sure sounding like poltical rookies. You are helping the Opposition cause with every ranting post. Keep up the good work.

On the smoking issue, both the Freep and Sun took Doer and company to task for their stance on smoking by-laws on reserves. Gee, if both major papers are slamming you maybe that means they have a point? The issue of implementing a smoking ban on reserves is not a complex issue. The province has implemented many laws impacting reserve lands. The Blackberry Staffers would have you believe reserves are in a separate country, immune to any laws of the land.

The bottom line on Today's NDP and their policy on the smoking ban is purely political. Number one, they are trying to secure the support of that demographic. Number two, they are trying to give reserves a leg up on their gambling competitors by offering customers the privilege of smoking while they crank money into reserves and the provincial coffers.

If Today's NDP really cared about the health of Manitobans (which won them the election in 1999), it would have implemented the ban across the province. I guess they don't care about aboriginal workers in reserve casinos. The NDP whine that they are scared of a legal fight over whether they even have a legal right to ban smoking on reserve lands. I think the bigger lawsuit is going to come from a worker in a reserve casino who gets cancer from second hand smoke. Would the Blackberry Staffers care to bet their blackberries that the court will uphold the law? Doubt it.

If the NDP were committed to equality, they would institute a ban across the province and go to court to defend it. That's called being principled. The NDP are committed to lining the pockets of their friends on reserves.

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On the issue of roads, the Staffers would have you believe that the NDP will win because they have announced road repairs. To quote them: "What Doer is going to do is take a slice of that economic growth, pour it into concrete and asphalt, and wave bye bye to McFadyen as he stands on the shoulder sputtering in opposition."

They must think Manitobans are stupid. Pave some roads and Manitobans will come back for another round of Today's NDP who are promising to fix roads tomorrow when it should have been done yesterday. I think they have been reading the "Gospel according to Frances Russell" a little too much. I laughed at their reference to economic growth. Gary, I hope you do run on your economic record. Pretty please!

I still think my "time for a change" mantra has merit. The NDP wouldn't be so angry these days if they were so confident. They would simply laugh it off. They laughed at Stu, but they have not been smiling much since Hugh took the helm.

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My advice of the day for Mr. McFadyen is that he should really start defining himself and the party's platform. If this isn't done soon, the NDP will succeed in defining who you are. Don't give them an opportunity to start smiling again.

Time for a change Part 2: Cummings Retires

After an honourable career in the House, Glen Cummings decides to call it a career. The average age of PC Caucus just dropped by a few years. It will be interesting to see who takes up the Tory flag in Ste. Rose.

Is it just me or is the NDP looking older every day? They had one nomination fight out of 57. I would have liked to see some more new blood entering the scene, but I guess in a union mindset like the NDP, time in ranks over talent.

Cheers to Glen Cummings! Someone with talent and someone who recognizes when it is time to hang up the gloves.

Now only if Mr. Rocan would do the same...

As Premier I would...

Many of the Manitoba political blogs post gossip and general nastiness and negative comments about their political enemies. Others try to point out what they view as failures in the MSM.

It's a bad trend and it is time to start talking about ideas and the future. In the next series of posts I want to start talking about what policies I think would make Manitoba a better place. Some will be obvious, others will require more thought.

Here's what I propose. I will get up on the soapbox and espouse my conservative virtues. However, what I will also do is welcome suggestions and discussions about the concepts. If NDP, Liberal and other tories would like to write submissions I will post them for people to discuss. If Gary Doer, Hugh McFadyen, Jon Gerrard or any other MLA want to contribute, all the better. Heck, I will even post something from Comrade Santos.

Of the leaders, only Jon has a blog, but he seems to post more about Folkarama than politics. Manitoba's answer to Joe Volpe. The other two might be a bit busy for that!

Stay tuned to the Andy Fletcher Show for Part 1: As premier, I would dismantle rent control. I hear the Dippers shuddering already! Part 2 will be what we can do for working class families.

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Did you know the City of Winnipeg under Glen Murray no less, spent $40K on their "branding" initiative? Seems a lot less than $2.1 million. It cost over 50 times more for Manitoba to get "Spirited Energy" than Winnipeg spent to "Embrace the Spirit". Apparently embracing something is cheap, but energy is expensive.

The Ultimate Achilles Heel of Today’s NDP: It’s Time for a Change

It doesn’t matter whether you think Gary Doer is a great guy or Hugh McFadyen is unproven in the elected game of politics. It doesn’t matter if you like Spirited Energy or the NDP’s stance on hallway medicine. It doesn’t matter if professors Paul Thomas or Allen Mills talk about the wise or unwise strategy of the incumbent administration.

What does matter is the phrase: it’s time for a change.

That is going to be the feeling going into the next campaign. If Hugh is wise, he will seize on it. If Gary is wise, he will retire on top and hope a Lorne Calvert comes out of the woodwork for the sake of the brand (which would be a testament to his leadership). If Gary sticks around one more time he risks a statistically higher chance of defeat.

Across Canada, only the Progressive Conservatives of Alberta and the NDP in Saskatchewan have won more than two elections in a row in recent years. In Saskatchewan, the PC’s were sent into the long-term wilderness (and had to change names) after a series of damaging scandals. Stu Murray took serious political advice from one of these guys. Need I say more?

Two terms is about the average lifespan of a provincial administration in Canada today. It’s usually about that time that a government runs out of ideas and the arrogance of “time in” starts to sink in. The NDP in Manitoba are on that track. From a policy standpoint, they are in cruise control, basking in the light of a popular premier. The types of rants and arrogance of the Blackberry Addicts (aka NDP staffers) speaks volumes more than the vacuous posts they make. They are starting to believe their own hype. Any reporter on the beat in 1999 could have said the same thing about tory staffers. They would have been correct in their opinion. When you start to think you are the natural governing party, you lose perspective. I call it “Legitis”. Blinders from reality. Hugh was around at the end of the Filmon dynasty and hopefully learned from that experience.

The reality is, the average person does not follow politics. When interviewed about what the main issues facing Manitobans are, 90% will say health care and education so as not to sound completely out of the loop with current affairs. That is not to say Manitobans are foolish or uneducated. Rather they are uninterested and many are cynical. It’s a sign of the modern times in democracy. People lead busy lives. Good political leaders can inspire greater interest and conversely, scandal can have the same impact (eg. ADSCAM).

I am not going out on a limb by saying the Doer administration is uninspiring. It’s greatest contribution has been that it has avoided major scandalous pitfalls, thanks in large part to Doer’s tight reins over the radical left in the party. They would have been a one term wonder if Doer had not played the Romanow card over the leftist elements within his caucus.

In spite of that, I believe the NDP government is going to follow the path of the Schreyer administration (should Gary stick around). Popular premier goes down to defeat surrounded by a weak caucus. The aging war horses in cabinet are looking a little more frail these days. Love him or hate him, Tim Sale had credibility within the ranks. He really believed in “the cause”. So did Jean Friesen. Newer editions to Doer’s cabinet such as Bjornson and Melnick are not heavy hitters in anyone’s books. Some would argue the same thing happened to the PC’s when true believers Clayton Manness and Don Orchard left in 1995. Current bench strength on the NDP is the lowest it has been since 1998. So is the fire in their collectivist bellies.

Another damaging blow is the drop in staff talent. Most hacks bail on a government right around this time. They parachute into the civil service or spin off into other opportunities as a result of increased connections. Same thing happened to Filmon’s staff and the same is happening with Doer’s. The “A” team gets replaced by the “B” team. It gets harder to keep a tight ship when this happens. Now before Dipper readers jump in and say "Ha! Hugh was a B team player!!!", I would argue he was an "A" team guy on a "B" team. I digress, enough with the A team talk. The point is staffers go through the same state of decline as politicians and this gets reflected in electoral results.

While scandals are a great read and sell many newspapers, the reality is that the old saying “it’s time for a change” usually leads to the beginning to an end of a government. While many political junkies love the intrigue of nominations and the blood sport of a campaign, most of us are left wanting more. Lunch bucket Joe simply wants to give the “other guys” a chance. Even high paid union workers who want to keep more of their money. There are more people like that than junkies like us. They decide who wins. Perhaps that’s a good thing.

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So I see the folks at the Sun have pulled back on the cost of Spirited Energy. Interesting. More information on the real and total cost of that program needs to be shared with the public. Care to open the books Gary?

The Black Rod: The King of Drive-by Slander

Many in the blog writing world like to take shots at the media. Others like to take shots at people they don’t like. Bloggers like to keep the MSM accountable. It’s time for this blogger to hold the Black Rod accountable for venomous posts.

I enjoy taking shots at the NDP, because I don’t agree with many of their policies and beliefs. It’s nothing personal, I am just upset at the direction our province is going. Just like the Blackberry Addicts, the Black Rod uses rude and silly names for our political leaders such as Hugh McFadyen. The sad thing is, they are not even using it in a fun or intelligent way. Then again, that would take talent.

One doesn’t have to read their blogs if you don’t want, but when people hiding behind wrestling masks and the offices of the legislative building go throwing stones, they are opening themselves up for shots back. Let’s take a look at the “story” published on August 7 by the Black Rod.

He begins his column with the wrong name for the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba. This self proclaimed citizen journalist can’t even get that point right. Next, he confuses the difference between the federal and provincial parties, who unlike the Liberals, have different organizations across the country which are independent of their federal counterpart. Someone needs to start reading more about Canadian politics.

Borotsik a Liberal? Last I checked, he was a retired federal Progressive Conservative MP. The federal squabbles between Reform and PC types has gone on for almost 20 years. There were many PC types who didn’t like the Reform brand and vice versa. Where the Black Rod fails readers is separating federal from provincial parties and politics. Yes, it is a grey area when it comes to the impact on provincial politics but it is not cut and dry as the Black Rod would have you believe.

The Black Rod also takes a shot at Hugh for opening nominations. How can a right wing ranter like the Black Rod have a problem with nomination challenges? I think it is great to have open nominations. Good for the party. Good for democracy.

Hugh McFadyen isn’t as right wing as Stephen Harper and certain elements of the federal Conservative Party. I personally do not think a provincial clone of the current federal party would ever form a government in Manitoba. He has to create a tent where both sides of the PC/Reform game can be comfortable with. That can’t happen overnight.

The “Liberal conspiracy” put forth by the Black Rod reads like a bad pro-wrestling story line. The only thing missing is Rick Borotsik in a pair of wrestling tights, something none of us want to see!

You ever notice the trend of the Black Rod’s writing? It’s always negative. It’s always personal in its attacks. Parts of this column are worth raising, but he hits the gutter fast by making comments about the appearance of Hugh and what he wears. Why don’t you post a picture of what you look like Black Rod? Then we can see what you wear (no nude shots please).

There is nothing wrong with writing about strategy, whether you think it is flawed or brilliant. Blogs allow for people of any status to publish what they write. The Black Rod has written some good posts and I will give credit where credit is due, but one thing he has demonstrated is that he/they have no class. There I said it.

Unlike the Black Rod, I welcome criticism and debate on this posting.