My understanding, and that of most economists I believe, is that Keynsian stimulus doesn't actually work. Harper knows this. This is why he didn't want to "do" anything to stop the recession - stimulus is always too late and recessions happen, you don't want to make them worse, but you can't do a heck of a lot to make them better.
But unfortunately, the untrusting electorate, spurred on by opposition politicians, decried this choice of "nothing" as having "no ideas" and so Harper is forced to act against his nature. The conservatives are braying that Harper has abandoned them, you're upset that his "stimulus" is actually tax cuts in disguise - I believe if everyone thinks you're biased, you're probably doing a pretty good job...
Another theory you'll enjoy - Harper is shrinking the size of government in as permanent fashion as possible so that even when the Conservatives lose power, the ability to increase spending will be greatly restricted. You have to admire that kind of long-term strategizing and ideology. And as someone who doesn't want to spend another 20 years paying off Liberal debts (thank you Trudeau!) I have to admit, I'm a fan!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dancing_serpent
(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-31 01:42 am (UTC)But unfortunately, the untrusting electorate, spurred on by opposition politicians, decried this choice of "nothing" as having "no ideas" and so Harper is forced to act against his nature. The conservatives are braying that Harper has abandoned them, you're upset that his "stimulus" is actually tax cuts in disguise - I believe if everyone thinks you're biased, you're probably doing a pretty good job...
Another theory you'll enjoy - Harper is shrinking the size of government in as permanent fashion as possible so that even when the Conservatives lose power, the ability to increase spending will be greatly restricted. You have to admire that kind of long-term strategizing and ideology. And as someone who doesn't want to spend another 20 years paying off Liberal debts (thank you Trudeau!) I have to admit, I'm a fan!