are skating on thin ice.
Let's begin with the Honourable Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition ...Michael Ignatieff.
He has boldly (cynically) announced that should he be Elected, His Government would contribute to the planned Quebec Hockey Rink. You know - the one that will eventually be owned by Billionaires and played in by spoiled young Millionaires.
You get the feeling that Ignatieff would auction off his own mother if it meant more votes.
Thankfully, the media has seen through this blatant attempt at vote buying and has been most vociferous in its criticism.
As you know, from earlier Blogs, I initially had hopes for the Leader of the Opposition but that Hope faded long ago. His recent announcement merely confirms the correctness of my negative opinion of him.
Not surprisingly, a poll out this weekend shows that the Tories, followed by the NDP would provide "honest, open and trustworthy government" should they be elected, with those Polled having the Ignatieff Liberals coming in a distant third.
Maybe Ignatieff would be better off bribing the Pollsters.
Anyway, you will also know that I threatened in a recent Blog not to vote Conservative if they too fell into such Pork Barrelling nonsense. Fortunately the Tories have at last come out against such a waste of taxpayers dollars - but at first they flew alot of trial balloons. Remember the Quebec Caucus in their Hockey Uniforms.
Or did they back off?
In this weekend's paper the Tories announced a new $1 Billion infrastructure initiative of which over half will be spent in the Province of Quebec. I thought the Tories were on record as opposing further such spending based on the orgy of spending endured over the course of the last 2 years.
Call me cynical but here is what I think may (likely) have happened:
M. Prime Minister Charest the Prime Minister of Canada is on the line for you.
Bonjour Prime Minister - Good Day to you too Prime Minister.
Jean I have a proposition for you.
Always ready for a proposition Stephen.
I want you to announce that your Government will fund the Quebec Rink with the City of Quebec.
You are funny Stephen - you know we don't have the money to do that.
Jean - of course you do - what about all that Transfer Money Canada supplies to Quebec year in and year out - use a small part of that.
No can do Stephen - we need that money to subsidize our hydro costs, provide $7 day care, ridiculously cheap tuition and of course pay the damages resulting from Bill 101 ... among other things..
Oh yeah, I forgot.
Okay, but what about the Taxes you do collect from Quebecers surely some of that could go toward the Rink?
It is all spoken for.
Such as?
Such as our Bridges are falling down and our roads are in dis-repair.
But we have been pumping out Infrastructure Money like drunken sailors - surely Jean you got alot of that work done over the last 2 years?
Well not enough it.
Okay here is what we'll do Jean - We will cut a Billion Dollar Cheque for more infrastructure work. Quebec will get over half of that money - ie over $500 Million and that will free up funds for your Rink.
I knew we could count on you Stephen.
But Jean, this cannot get out publicly.
Understood, but how can we help you?
Jean, don't criticize us in the coming Election and hopefully you will even be able to find some words of praise for our Government.
Well Stephen there is no problem with the first but in regard to Words of Praise we may need just a little more...if you know what I mean.
Sadly I do Jean.
As I see it...
'Galagher'
