Blue Like You

Archive for the ‘Green Shaft’ Category

With all three Liberal leadership candidates distancing themselves in varying degrees from Dion’s Green Shift plan, and Bob Rae even making references to ‘cod liver oil’, I wonder how Jennifer Wright’s feeling these days?

Is her company’s name now tainted forevermore, thanks to Stephane Dion?

*   *   *   *

Related: And remember this guy?  —> RIP The Green Shift - Garth Turner defined it. from Secrets of Vancouver.

More dead wood.

I’m a little confused. Garth Turner has a summary of the Green Shift which he has prepared for his constituents. He titled the post "Green Truth".

One item was bothering me:

Question: Won’t polluters pass the tax on to consumers?
"Most will reduce pollution, to avoid the tax. But others will pass the tax on in the form of higher prices, mostly for energy. But this is the reason everyone’s income taxes are going down – so nobody will be worse off, as we clean up the environment."

Yet, Adam Taylor of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has made the following observation:

The Liberal Green Shift plan, which has been sold as "revenue neutral," would raise an estimated $15 billion in taxes and yet only return about $9.5 billion in corporate and personal income tax reductions, says Taylor.

"So that’s not a revenue-neutral plan," he says.

"That is a net gain for some people and a net loss for others."

So, who’s right? If Garth is telling the ‘truth’, what does that say about Adam Taylor?

*   *   *   *

Related : Green Shift would bleed Alberta, experts say - Times Colonist.

So if Stephane Dion really is abandoning the Green Shift, is he also planning to abandon his plan to fight poverty?

Or if not, where is that money coming from?

Just askin’.

Perhaps Mr. Dion should take a few days off and relax.  You know, sit back with Kyoto and open up a fine bottle of that Viagra Wine.

*   *   *   *

Update: MDL - Craig Oliver says this is going to be ‘humiliating’ for Dion.

And who’s got the ‘hidden agenda’ now? Will they resurrect the Green Shift after the election if they win?

CTV - Liberals deny ’shifting’ gears on the ‘Green Shift".

Jan from the Bruce explains how some Green Party supporters may be a bit ticked off that Lizzy May wants to explain the Green Shift for Stephane Dion.

Or, I suppose you could look at it as the Grit supporters being upset that Liz may overshadow their fearless leader - or maybe they’re praying for it.

But I’m thinking, wasn’t she the one who said she had a speaking problem? Or was it a listening problem? I’m so confused.

*   *   *   *

Update: Please vote at the new poll! Which party will form the next Official Opposition in Canada?

Monday Update: Stephen Taylor - Does Elizabeth May fundamentally agree or disagree?

John Williamson of The Canadian Taxpayers Federation was just on CTV Newsnet explaining how the Liberal Green Shift is not ‘revenue neutral’.

He pointed out that for every three dollars collected in carbon tax, only two would be returned to the taxpayer. Some money would be going to those in lower income levels, and some would go to promoting green industry.

He also mentioned that the middle class would be hit the hardest.

As I’m just repeating what I heard, don’t quote me on the specifics here. If anyone finds a direct link, I would be most grateful. Thanks.

*   *   *   *

Update : Layton lays into Green Shift - Globe

ReACTion - Revenue Neutral? Not a chance.

…that Stephane Dion mentioned her company’s website in his kickoff speech to the Federal election campaign, right? National exposure after all… [sarc off]

For future reference, it’s THE Green Shift for you Mr. Bean, and Green Shift for the company who’s owner is filing for an injunction against your party .

And that’s the last bit of help I’m giving you.

Gaffe #1 and counting.

(Please see Monday update at end)

(Oh, o.k. just one more hint. Don’t accuse the Government of "sitting on their hands". That one could come back to haunt you.)

O.K. Just one more. It’s "Richer, fairer, Greener ", not "Richer, fairer, richer ".

Didn’t you check the script, Stephane?

*   *   *   *

Update: Please check out Angelo Persichilli - Best to bomb the other party’s weakest link (Star).

And via Wilson’s comment at Christian Conservative, we have this juicy tidbit - Note on the new Liberal website, the name being used now
” The Liberal Green Shift” .

Will Jennifer Wright be o.k. with this further revision of the Green Shift? Stay tuned…

*   *   *   *

Monday Update: Well, it seems that the CTV translator made a mistake and it has now been corrected. Mr. Dion did actually say "The Green Shift", but it was translated as Green Shift.  However, CTV has now changed their web page to reflect the correct translation.

Which all goes to show that you can’t always trust MSM, and neither should bloggers.

I just finished reviewing the beginning of yesterday’s ‘Question Period’, which I had fortunately recorded. Lloyd Robertson and Lisa LaFlamme clearly chastize Dion for saying "Green Shift", and Lisa calls it the first gaffe of the Liberal Party in this campaign. Strange that that segment is not available on the CTV website…

BIG UPDATE: LIBERALS HAVE A NEW WRIT EXPENSE: PAYING FOR ‘GREEN SHIFT’ - Steve janke

Isn’t Jennifer Wright making an unnecessarily huge deal out of the LPC’s rather liberal use of her company’s name, "Green Shift "?

I mean, we’re talking about The Natural Governing Party here - not some rinky dink little company. Shouldn’t Jennifer Wright be bending over in humble gratitude? Isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery?

[sarc off]

The Blue Zone has a post up about Jennifer Wright’s excellent piece in today’s National Post - The real Green Shift.

Blue Zone finishes his post with:

…Best wishes to Jennifer Wright and GreenShift.ca. My wife’s parents are small business owners so I can understand the frustration she is feeling at having her business’ identity stolen by Stephane Dion and the Liberal Party of Canada.

So is this identity theft? Identity highjacking?

Or did The Liberal Party of Canada just decide to hear ‘o.k.’ when the victim firmly shouted "NO!!!"

Jennifer Wright tells her side of the story:

…I was beyond livid when I realized that, despite my very vocal objections, during the coming general election, 308 Liberal candidates would be promoting an election platform whose environmental tax program would carry the hijacked name of our company …

…When first warned of the planned hijacking, we immediately told them that we objected and would do our utmost to protect our rights. Nonetheless, we woke the following morning to find our name on their tax plan and splattered in papers and broadcasts from coast to coast. We followed up with a formal cease and desist notice, which also failed to elicit a response. Accordingly, we were left with no choice but to sue them …

Does this sound like a lady who is willing to give in, Stephane?

Or when she said NO, did you hear "Mais, oui!"?

Is this an example of how you plan to respect the rights of all Canadians if you become Prime Minister?

* * * *

Related: Liberal Party of Canada accused of Identity Theft - NB Tory Lady.

And Ralph Goodale speaks out about Jennifer Wright’s company Dion’s carbon tax - Green Shift for a Warming Planet.

Nicely debunked here. H/T SDA.

* * * *

Friday Update: Blue Zone - How dare she? Now the Liberals want to control Jennifer Wright’s travel plans and who she talks to!

I must be spending way too much time out in the sun this summer (when it hasn’t been raining). I just finished reading Michael Den Tandt’s piece, "It’s Time for Dion to Stand up and Fight ", and am deeply troubled.

O.K. The title seems reasonable. A so-called leader can only back down a finite number of times before losing all credibility.

However, this paragraph is what’s bothering me:

As Dion gauges his timing, he’ll be given pause by the Liberals’ continuing financial woes. But he’ll be buoyed by the generally positive press his Green Shift has gotten this summer. He knows that economic slowdowns are ripe with possibility for opposition parties. And, he’ll be sick and tired of being taunted.

I would really appreciate it if my Liberal friends can provide some links to relevant polls and news articles. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

I must try to be more attentive.

* * * *

Update: So far, all I’ve been able to come up with to substantiate his claim is this - Harper hist a snag. Strangely enough, it’s by the same columnist.

Funny that…

Please check out the comments following this bit of Star propaganda - Bring on fall election, Liberals say. And note the use of the word "hurled" in the Star’s ‘news’ story. (H/T to Alberta Girl).

Reid seems a bit perturbed with Den Tandt too. Glad I’m not the only one.

Related: And if the parents won’t listen to the Green Rhetoric, you can always work on the kids - Children enlisted as ‘Climate Cops’.

* * * *

Sunday Update: Phantom Observer has a great post up that was listed at Jack’s Daily Blogger site - Diebel Decodes an Undeliberate Dion.

The following is pure speculation, but please indulge me for a moment.

Who’s missing from the front lines of Stephane Dion’s Green Shift summer tour?

That’s right - the two contenders to the throne, Iggy and Rae.

As Raphael points out, Stephane Dion is having great trouble providing details to his plan. He stumbles when asked pointed questions and refers inquirers to the website or grandchildren who are presumably brighter than the person asking the question. And he won’t tell us specific numbers, because we wouldn’t trust him anyway, right?

Here’s my theory: Back in March, Bob Rae wanted Dion to hold off on bringing down the government until he had his seat firmly established in the by-election and was able to get some face-time in the House during Question Period.

Meanwhile, Dion’s carbon tax plan is being developed and fine-tuned with the assistance of various party and caucus members. Dion has a vision. It is so sweet because it addresses his three pillars of a richer, fairer and greener Canada in one package. Unfortunately, that simple plan grows into 48 pages of confusion.

And perhaps some of his caucus supported his delusions of grandeur by telling him that this bold policy will finally annihilate his image as a ‘weak leader’. Because how could a weakling take such a risk? I can just see them clapping right now, as Dion beams and soaks up the adulation.

The plan is then christened "The Green Shift" even though the principles are keenly aware of a small environmental company already holding the name ‘Green Shift’. The theory is that Jennifer Wright should be so lucky as to be getting all this free publicity. But why didn’t anyone suggest that she might be a tad annoyed, and maybe launch a lawsuit or something?

Then when the threat of having to force an election is safely out of the way, The Green Shift is unveiled at the end of Parliament and Dion sets out on his road tour to sell the plan.

The problem is that what sounded so simple in theory is getting a lot of pesky questions throw at it. The party line to check the website is starting to sound hollow. Even some of Dion’s own candidates are publicly stating that constituents aren’t swallowing the ‘revenue neutral’ aspect. They are suspicious - especially when they’re not getting straight answers.

And where are the party elders? Where is the backup? Has Dion been hung out to dry?

Oh, he’s brave alright. But is he wise? Does he have good judgment? Was he set up by some of his caucus who are weary of having to defend their seat-warming policy to their constituents?

Are there some who secretly hope that Dion’s plan crashes and burns before the next leadership review at the end of the year?

The tale will be told after the September by-elections. If the Liberals hold onto their existing seats, look for an election this fall.

However, if Guelph or (especially) Westmount go anything but red, Dion’s Green Shift days are over.

* * * *

Update : Please don’t forget to vote at the Poll Page - What is the most serious issue facing Canada today? One day left until this poll closes. Thanks.

Very intriguing article in the Hill Times (H/T to Jad) . Right on Course also picks up on it.

Alberta Ardvark has two excellent posts on this topic - Another day, and more green shift lies revealed, and Ralph Goodale and the mystical Liberal money fairy.

NB Tory Lady has done a great job critiquing Michael Den Tandt’s op-ed in today’s Sun, so I will let you read about his unique view on Dion’s performance there.

Certainly his perception differs sharply from Don Martin’s, whom as you may know is not usually one of Harper’s cheerleaders - Dion Green as Campaigner.

The problem as I see it is that when Stephane Dion is faced with a specific question, he refers everyone to the website or the voluminous Green Shift document itself. He even does that with his own candidates.

Does he even know the answers himself?

Or is he just expecting us to blindly trust him and buy his green pig in a poke?

* * * *

Please don’t forget to vote in the latest poll. Thanks.

Update: 900 days in office today! Congrats, PM Harper!!

Interesting related links : Liberal MPs still undecided on carbon tariff - Globe.

Stephane Dion’s wife rallies local federal Liberals - Observer. (Did you know that she also picks out his clothes for him?)

Tories to take aim at carbon taxes in buildup to race for BC seats - Globe.

Greener than thou - Herald.