The Critics Are Raving

Here's what some bloggers have to say about Martin stealing Ralph Klein's not-so-brilliant refund idea:


Accidental Deliberations:
As is so often the case, though, good politics makes for terrible policy.

Pample The Moose:
But returning it to the taxpayer? What a farce. In Alberta, Ralph Klein can at least point to an absence of provincial debt. But throwing away billions of dollars when you are still in debt doesn't strike me as all that wise.

The Wingnuterer:
Pay off the freaking debt, and start funding things that all Canadians deem important, and stop trying to buy our votes, cause no one is selling. Oh and Harper, are you taking notes?

StageLeft:
One official described it as a “dividend on the performance of the economy.” Interesting spin. In reality, it, and this, amount to nothing short of sleazy bribery of the voters in this country.
[...]
I’d be much happier with the government making a firm commitment to healthcare and the national debt. I might even vote for them under those circumstances. If I get a rebate cheque, I will give it to charity and vote for another party.

Daveberta:
To see our opinion, click here, and replace 'provincial' with 'federal,' '$400' with '$133,' and 'Ralph Klein's Tories' with 'Paul Martin's Liberals,' etc, etc, etc...


What should be noted is that the blogs I linked to above are all fairly progressive. With the exception of My Blahg, I couldn't find a single centre or left wing blog that supported the plan. Maybe this will get Martin some votes on the right but I strongly suspect voters will see through this plan for what it is - a cynical ploy to buy votes. Even in Alberta, support was only 50/50 for Klein's giveaway. I'd love to see one of the opposition parties be gutsy enough to oppose this.