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.
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.
----
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.
----
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.
posted by Andy Fletcher | 7:56 PM
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