When I first read that advertising and poll spending was up, I wasn't surprised and didn't intend to write about it. I thought the Con supporters would find a way to justify this (as they do about every other anti- Conservative move this government has made) and those of us who oppose the Con's, would all be saying the same thing.Having thought about it a bit more though, I wondered where traditional Conservatives stand on seeing this kind of increased spending, by a government who vowed to support their fiscal sensibilities. I've yet to see reaction and I don't think I'll hold my breath. They tend to fall silent in spite of this.
Ottawa's advertising budget doubled to more than $80-million in the first full year of the Harper government, the first rise in marketing spending since the start of the sponsorship scandal in 2002, according to an unreleased federal report.
The report on advertising spending in 2006-2007 has been ready for weeks, but Public Works had yet to make it public last night. A copy was provided to The Globe and Mail in answer to questions on its content.
The report shows Ottawa's advertising spending came in at $87-million in the 2006-2007 fiscal year. Only one year earlier, the government's total advertising purchases were just $41-million.
First of all, to hold up the release of this report is offensive, but not new with this government. But for all those Conservatives who really expected Harper to do politics differently, where is your voice now? He's not only doing the same, he's doing it more.
Oh, he's cut spending where it counts (to me where it's unwarranted), but the increased spending by this government is incredible. Using our tax dollars to tell us what a fine job they are doing and to poll us as to what we are thinking is ridiculous.
Before my Conservative friends jump up and down, pointing and screaming 'you did it too!', save your energy. I realise that some advertising must be done by governments, but I don't support the largesse that the Liberal government employed at times either. Thankfully, that was coming down, until Harper took office.
Ottawa's advertising budget had been on the decline since the Jean Chrétien Liberal government spent $111-million in 2002-2003.
...By 2005-2006, spending on advertising had fallen to $41.3-million, a drop of 63 per cent over three years.
...An expert on federal advertising said the increased level of spending on advertising in Ottawa shows that things are returning to their historic levels under the Conservatives, who had harshly criticized the Liberals on the subject while in opposition.
So my question is serious. Where are the Conservatives who believed that Harper offered them hope?
I'm not just speaking of PC's here because Harper's track record goes beyond this issue. He offered hope to many. Who among you is satisfied? I just do not see who he is representing aside from those who enjoy reducing the conversation to grade nine levels and are willing to throw everything they formerly supported aside.
The So-Con's haven't been served, the fiscal Conservatives have been duped and Harper pays more attention to Quebec not less, so the West's views on that subject are being ignored. The global warming deniers once again have a government saying it's one of the most important issues of the day, (yeah I know they don't believe it, but they are advertising to that effect), and last but not least, 'accountability' is a joke under these guys.
Who are the 30% who love this guy? My view? They consist purely of those who don't care if their agenda agrees with what is implemented, they only care that their tribe is finally in power again. That is sick and delusional in my view.
I'm hopeful that the people of principal who are Conservative will find their voice. I for one would love to hear it.
15 comments:
There are very few true conservatives in the Conservative Party. Just like there are very few true conservatives in the Republican Party in the US.
Both have been taken over by angry, hate filled people who use government as a weapon against those they believe have wronged them by having different beliefs and values and then having the temerity of acting on those beliefs and values while in government.
The values of these modern day "conservatives" is all about being against something as opposed to actually being for something. Chief amongst the things they are against is liberals. They hate them with every fibre of their being. Liberals are not just political opponents with different views and values, honestly come by. Liberals are a menace to society and are to be eliminated.
Partisanship is part of politics and generally speaking it has always been more show than substance. There are well known stories of Pierre Trudeau and Joe Clark having dinner together in the Parliamentary Dining Room on many occasions. Often times, just a few hours after they had torn a strip off of one another in Question Period.
With this crew the partisanship is not a game. It is personal and in earnest. You can see it in the Conservative caucus and you can see it in the internet forums where these people hang out. Just read any of their comments on any story that even mentions Stephane Dion to see this hatred.
All of that to say that the supporters of this Conservative Party could not care less about what this government does. Their only concern is to keep the hated Liberals out of government.
So no matter what promise Mr. Harper breaks. No matter what conservative principle he abandons. No matter how much he abuses and takes his base for granted they will love him and support him as long as he succeeds in keeping the Liberals away from the levers of power.
Of course, when the inevitable happens and the Liberals eventually take back government from him they will abandon him like so much refuse and he will be lamented as inadequate.
Perfectly summed up ottlib.
You are absolutley right and I for one would do well to keep it in mind.
There are very few true honest people in the Liberal Party. Just as there are many true conservatives in the Republican Party in the US.
The LPC has been taken over by angry, hate filled people who have used government as their own personal cash cow, all in the name of helping those they say have been wronged by these that have different beliefs and values, while having the temerity to say how very horribile and terrible this government is while at the same time, doing nothing in Parliament to alleviate those perceived wrongs.
The values of these modern day "liberals" is all about appearing to "do something", even if that "something" will actually do nothing to alleviate the issue in question. Chief amongst the things they are against is conservatives. They hate them with every fibre of their being. Conservatives are not just political opponents with different views and values, honestly come by. Conservatives are a menace to society and are to be eliminated.
Partisanship is part of politics and generally speaking it has always been more show than substance. There is a well known story of Stephen Harper crossing the floor of the HOC and shaking Michael Ignatieff's hand, mere days after they had torn a strip off of one another in Question Period.
With this crew the partisanship is not a game. It is personal and in earnest. You can see it in the Liberal caucus and you can see it in the internet forums where these people hang out. Just read any of their comments on any story that even mentions Stephen Harper to see this hatred.
All of that to say that the supporters of this Liberal Party could not care less about what they do in Opposition, as evidenced by sitting on their hands on confidence votes that struck at the core values of their party. Their only concern is to preserve their political skin, regardless of their so-called principles being conveniently sacrificed to achieve that end.
So no matter what wild promises Mr. Dion makes. No matter what liberal principles they have shown to have abandoned only recently. No matter how much he abuses and takes the seriousness of his role in Parliament, they will say they love him and support him as long as he succeeds in keeping from public knowledge that the party is crumbling from within.
Of course, when the inevitable happens and the Liberals eventually lose the coming election that they can no longer desperatley avoid, they will abandon him like so much refuse and he will be forever lamented as inadequate and wanting.
Well put. The level of vicious hatred is palpable and extends down to the rank and file. Thus, we get the sorry spectacle of people being murdered for their supposed “liberal” beliefs while our so-called “conservatives” do little more than gleefully chortle over the incident.
My comment was in reference to Ottlib's remarks by the way, not KW's mocking parody.
No need to clarify RT. I know you prefer to respond to original thought.
Welcome back btw. I hope you had a good vacation.
Well it appears there are no "Conservatives of principle". How do I know?
Because there hasn't been a comment, nary a one, to your request, knb.
Pitiful isn't it? The trolls are around & reading the post but they are obviously "un-principled" CONs.
And I was so looking forward to intelligent discourse. Silly me.
The Conservative doctrine:
- What ever it is, I'm against it.
- Do as I say, not as I do.
- You're on your own.
- Let them eat cake.
- Accept being treated as stupid.
- Always use CPC talking points - don't read or learn, just do as the great leader says.
- Be childish, it's okay.
- Deny, deny, deny.
- Use taxpayers' money like a credit card and blow money as fast as you can.
- Most important - be extremely partisan, whether the facts are right or not.
- Be negative, it's okay.
- Attack and bash at all costs, including the costs to do so by taxpayers.
- Play a paranoid victim.
Did any of you even READ the breakdown in advertising expenditures? Most of the increase was from the campaign to get people to fill out their census forms, and the stepped up Canadian Forces recruiting campaign. Yep, thats some wild and crazy pork-barrle spending there, right up there with Liberals paying ad agencies for little or no work. But hey, don't let the facts get in the way of good spin.
Ahhh, imitation, the highest form of flattery.
I really appreciate the complement wolf.
*Blush*
You're right penlan. Not so much that no Conservatives have replied, but because those who speak for the party are not your father's Conservatives.
It drives me mad to see the Con's referred to as Tory's in the media. No, they are not!
I think that has contributed to a false sense of comfort amongst the undecided's.
sandi, well done.
I especially like:
- Always use CPC talking points - don't read or learn, just do as the great leader says.
and
- Use taxpayers' money like a credit card and blow money as fast as you can.
- Most important - be extremely partisan, whether the facts are right or not.
tory@york. How many years were the Lib's in power. C'mon, you know the answer, because that answer drives you nut's.
Do you suppose there was a Census done in that time?
Still, the number attributed to that expense does not provide an explanation.
Nice try though.
ottlib, ;).
Ahhh, imitation, the highest form of flattery. I really appreciate the complement wolf.
It seems, Ottlib, that you have a problem differentiating between mockery and imitation. Hardly surprising. its a subtle difference to be sure, however, you Liberals can't ever be accused of subtlety, nor can the veractiy of everything that I said be credibly denied.
Good night.
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