Canada = Great Right North: Cato Institute

Started by Malthus, May 25, 2009, 11:53:26 AM

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Malthus

This ought to spark some interesting discussion. This author, publishing on the Cato Institute website, believes that Canada is now more economically to the right than the US, in spite of the common perception that Canada = socialist:

http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10208
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane—Marcus Aurelius

Grey Fox

Colonel Caliga is Awesome.

Neil

Quote from: Grey Fox on May 25, 2009, 12:02:03 PM
Motherfucking Harper!
Actually, looking at the data, it'd be more like 'Motherfucking Chretien/Martin'.

Then again, it's probably why Canada is so succesful these days.
I do not hate you, nor do I love you, but you are made out of atoms which I can use for something else.


Barrister

He's cherry picking some numbers.  Most notablly look at the chart for federal debt as a % of GDP.  The line for Canada ends in 2008, but the US line goes to 2010.

The general note though is correct.  Our finances are generally in very good shape (although I worry about what Harper's "stimulus" package that was insisted by the Libs/NDP will do).
Posts here are my own private opinions.  I do not speak for my employer.

saskganesh

Quote from: Neil on May 25, 2009, 12:06:16 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 25, 2009, 12:02:03 PM
Motherfucking Harper!
Actually, looking at the data, it'd be more like 'Motherfucking Chretien/Martin'.

Then again, it's probably why Canada is so succesful these days.

run to the left, rule from the right.

if Obamarama has done his homework, I suspect the numbers will change.
humans were created in their own image

Neil

Quote from: saskganesh on May 25, 2009, 12:44:24 PM
Quote from: Neil on May 25, 2009, 12:06:16 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 25, 2009, 12:02:03 PM
Motherfucking Harper!
Actually, looking at the data, it'd be more like 'Motherfucking Chretien/Martin'.

Then again, it's probably why Canada is so succesful these days.

run to the left, rule from the right.

if Obamarama has done his homework, I suspect the numbers will change.
I find it unlikely that Obama thinks he needs anything other than his own divine power to run the nation.

Obama = Cartagia.
I do not hate you, nor do I love you, but you are made out of atoms which I can use for something else.

crazy canuck

Quote from: saskganesh on May 25, 2009, 12:44:24 PM
if Obamarama has done his homework, I suspect the numbers will change.

I don't think even Obama can change the way the Canadian government governs. :P

Neil

Quote from: crazy canuck on May 25, 2009, 01:02:51 PM
Quote from: saskganesh on May 25, 2009, 12:44:24 PM
if Obamarama has done his homework, I suspect the numbers will change.

I don't think even Obama can change the way the Canadian government governs. :P
Still, expenses are to some extent fixed.  Obama can devastate Canadian GDP, and will no doubt try.
I do not hate you, nor do I love you, but you are made out of atoms which I can use for something else.

saskganesh

Quote from: crazy canuck on May 25, 2009, 01:02:51 PM
Quote from: saskganesh on May 25, 2009, 12:44:24 PM
if Obamarama has done his homework, I suspect the numbers will change.

I don't think even Obama can change the way the Canadian government governs. :P

why not? he's already writing policy. see: Cap & Trade.
humans were created in their own image

crazy canuck

Quote from: saskganesh on May 25, 2009, 01:11:29 PM
why not? he's already writing policy. see: Cap & Trade.

Not sure what is happening there.  But you have a point that Canadian politicians of all stripes are eager to keep in line with Obama wave of popularity.

Razgovory

I've given it serious thought. I must scorn the ways of my family, and seek a Japanese woman to yield me my progeny. He shall live in the lands of the east, and be well tutored in his sacred trust to weave the best traditions of Japan and the Sacred South together, until such time as he (or, indeed his house, which will periodically require infusion of both Southern and Japanese bloodlines of note) can deliver to the South it's independence, either in this world or in space.  -Lettow April of 2011

Raz is right. -MadImmortalMan March of 2017

Barrister

Quote from: Razgovory on May 25, 2009, 01:33:39 PM
Cato institute=Epic Fail.

Isn't that the very definition of an ad hom attack?

While I noticed a couple points of cherry picking data to support his thesis, it is broadly correct: Canada's finances over the last decade have been dramatically better than the US.
Posts here are my own private opinions.  I do not speak for my employer.

Razgovory

Quote from: Barrister on May 25, 2009, 01:37:06 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 25, 2009, 01:33:39 PM
Cato institute=Epic Fail.

Isn't that the very definition of an ad hom attack?

While I noticed a couple points of cherry picking data to support his thesis, it is broadly correct: Canada's finances over the last decade have been dramatically better than the US.

That doesn't mean Canada is more right wing.
I've given it serious thought. I must scorn the ways of my family, and seek a Japanese woman to yield me my progeny. He shall live in the lands of the east, and be well tutored in his sacred trust to weave the best traditions of Japan and the Sacred South together, until such time as he (or, indeed his house, which will periodically require infusion of both Southern and Japanese bloodlines of note) can deliver to the South it's independence, either in this world or in space.  -Lettow April of 2011

Raz is right. -MadImmortalMan March of 2017

Malthus

Quote from: Razgovory on May 25, 2009, 01:39:21 PM
That doesn't mean Canada is more right wing.

The key qualifier here is "economically". Canada is certainly to the left of the US on many social policies.
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane—Marcus Aurelius