Canada's economy is suddenly the envy of the world

[bytor2112]

Slashed spending...hello.

As finance minister, he slashed spending. A weak currency and a booming U.S. economy also helped Martin balance the books. In the 1998 budget the government estimated that about 55 percent of the deficit reduction came from economic growth and 35 percent from spending cuts.

[Maureen]

What can I say, we're a great country.

M.

[bytor2112]

What can I say, we're a great country.

M.

lol....hey, gotta give credit where it is due!! In the immortal words sung by Geddy Lee...."Take off to the GREAT white North..takeoff!!":D

[marshac]

Any good Nobel winning economist would tell you that you need to spend your way out of debt and into prosperity. It's only common sense.

[bytor2112]

Any good Nobel winning economist would tell you that you need to spend your way out of debt and into prosperity. It's only common sense.

and don't forget....must raise taxes!

[Snow]

Of course, balancing the budget in Canada is like balancing budget of Northern Idaho.

[marshac]

Of course, balancing the budget in Canada is like balancing budget of Northern Idaho.

Which is actually quite hard- those militias and skinhead groups are easily excited.

[Moksha]

Which is actually quite hard- those militias and skinhead groups are easily excited.

Non-French Canadians have been known to get mildly excited at some hockey games - enough so as to clap, but not too loudly. They break out in big smiles when temperatures climb into the 40's.

[FunkyTown]

Slashed spending...hello.

Credit where it's due: Paul Martin, as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, and his predecessor Jean Chrétien(De most poopoolar lead-air in de free world, according to one famous quote from one of the most entertaining politicians in Canadian history) had a sterling record of not panicking when problems occurred. They had a 'stay the course' attitude toward the economy that let us navigate the tough parts. Kudos to them. They made some mistakes, but that was the way to handle it.

Then, the Conservative party came in and put through a $75 billion dollar bailout package. The consequences of that have yet to be seen. Every mind-bogglingly bad decision since 1980 can be laid at the hands of the Conservative party: A poorly written and enforced NAFTA, the bailouts, GST and the back-alley deal and circumnavigation of the Constitution that let Mulroney stack the Senate with 7 Senators, then get GST passed with 5 votes.

Ironically, the Liberal party is far more conservative than the Conservative party in Canada. As in: They are conservative in their spending and decisions, cautiously exploring options before leaping in to things.

[marshac]

Ironically, the Liberal party is far more conservative than the Conservative party in Canada. As in: They are conservative in their spending and decisions, cautiously exploring options before leaping in to things.

Wait wait wait... so you mean to tell me that they actually read legislation and consider the consequences before creating new laws? That's crazy talk. You guys should learn from us- have the name of the bill properly reflect the purpose of the legislation, then you can pass it without the hassle of reading all 1000 pages- it's much more efficient.

[Dravin]

Wait wait wait... so you mean to tell me that they actually read legislation and consider the consequences before creating new laws? That's crazy talk. You guys should learn from us- have the name of the bill properly reflect the purpose of the legislation, then you can pass it without the hassle of reading all 1000 pages- it's much more efficient.

But what would they do with all that free time? Invade Alaska?

[Just_A_Guy]

If they do, they have to deal with Sarah Palin.

[Dravin]

If they do, they have to deal with Sarah Palin.

Palin says no to Canadian Invasion:

[Moksha]

Palin says no to Canadian Invasion:

No, unless they give her a real gun and another

shopping spree at Neiman-Marcus.