The Vancouver Sun has a discussion of the consequences of minimum drug sentences and harsh prosecution as proposed by Stephen Harper:
It was a performance that would have made proud Ronald Reagan, the late Republican president and father of the war on drugs, and his ideological heir, George W. Bush.
Trouble is, 20 years after the U.S. began jailing its own citizens at a rate that outstripped even the most dictatorial countries, such an approach to drug use runs counter to the best thinking, no matter which side of the political spectrum you are on
Well thought out piece overall, points out a possibly overlooked transition from social conservative actions to fiscally liberal consequences. Who’s going to pay for all the jailed drug users? Johnny Taxpayer.
Link…
CTV is reporting that Stephen Harper has laid out a Conservative plan for child-care to counter the Liberal national childcare proposal - suggesting a $1,200 cheque to the parents of each Canadian child under six :
“It’s hard enough to be a parent, but governments should support your choices, not limit them,” he said. “In fact, the only people who should be making these choices are parents, not politicians, not the government.”
Harper said he expects the tax credit system will create 125,000 new child-care spaces over the next five years.
The Liberal $5 billion child-care plan, in contrast, distributes money to the provinces, which will then have control over subsidizing day care
The Conservatives are really jumping on the campaign bus - getting word out fast and hard. I expect to see a rally of support in the next poll, although I fail to comprehend how this is ‘conservative’ in any way - it could simply be my ignorance. Link…
The Ottawa Citizen is reporting that Stephen Harper is establishing his platform early-on in the stages in an attempt to thwart his opponents impending effort to attack him with claims of hidden agendas. He has pre-emptively stated three solid viewpoints thus far in the campaign:
- Against Gay Marriage
- Hardline Stance on Major Drug Offenders
- GST Cut from 7% to 5%
It certainly seems we have heard more from Stephen Harper and Jack Layton than Paul Martin so far in this election campaign thus far - however the grits have typically started out their campaign slowly in the past. Link…
CTV News is reporting that given a recent question, the Conservatives and NDP are (obviously) showing a split on a health care issues. When asked if their wives needed hip replacement surgery and had the option to go to a private clinic, Stephen Harper and Jack Layton responded as follows:
Jack Layton
Layton said he and his wife Olivia Chow, a candidate in Toronto’s downtown Trinity-Spadina riding, would rather suffer than go private.
“We would work for the public, for the system, because we believe in it,” he said.
Stephen Harper
Harper:Well, I’ll just say as a father and husband, you will do whatever you need to do to take care of your family
Warren: You would have gone private?
Harper: If that’s what I had to do.
Again, nothing surprising here considering their party’s platform view on health care. Link…