But... but... Big Steve announced a surplus today! He wouldn't lie to us about
something as important as economics, would he?

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See my art at http://cafepress.com/peaceangel

   

Nah! Not Steve. He's a good guy and every reporter invited to his press releases, will say so. (or they'll never get invited again)

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Expect little from life and get more from it.

   

Through the Looking Glass with Jim Flaherty<br />
<br />
On the political art of doing nothing.<br />
<br />
By Murray Dobbin<br />
<br />
September 27, 2007<br />
<br />
TheTyee.ca<br />
<br />
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has said repeatedly in recent weeks that <br />
the Canadian economy is "the strongest it has been in a generation." His <br />
obvious pride in this situation prompted The Tyee to interview the minister to <br />
explore the government's policies that led to this development.<br />
<br />
Tyee: Mr. Flaherty, you stated recently that the economy is the strongest it <br />
has been in a generation. Could you describe for Canadians the set of <br />
economic policies that have led to this extraordinary situation?<br />
<br />
Flaherty: Certainly, I would be happy to. Our New Government -- that is the <br />
New Government of the New Prime Minister, Stephen Harper -- has taken the <br />
view that the economy is best directed by the market itself and that <br />
government -- new or otherwise -- should just keep its hands off.<br />
<br />
Tyee: So let me get this straight so Canadians can get it straight, too. You are <br />
saying that this unprecedented situation comes to us from the marketplace, <br />
left alone by your new government to do its magic.<br />
<br />
Flaherty: Absolutely, dead on. You've understood me completely.<br />
<br />
Tyee: Perhaps you could elaborate just a little on just which policies you have <br />
followed that have ensured that government does nothing to interfere in the <br />
marketplace. That is to say, which policies is your new government pursing <br />
that will ensure you have no policies which will interfere in the economy <br />
running itself?<br />
<br />
Flaherty: Well, it's pretty complicated, I am not sure you would understand. <br />
Our position is that people -- including reporters -- should just be happy <br />
with the situation and not ask too any questions.<br />
<br />
Tyee: I am willing to give it a try, Mr. Minister. We've been covering economic <br />
policy and budgets for a long time. Frankly it doesn't sound that complicated <br />
if your basic economic policy is to make sure none of your policies have an <br />
effect on the economy.<br />
<br />
Flaherty: I can understand why it appears simple. When things work well, of <br />
course it looks easy. Take your professional athlete for example. They make it <br />
all look easy -- Tiger Woods makes a drive from the tee look easy but it <br />
involves all sorts of extremely complicated moves, concentration, follow-<br />
through, the right stance, confidence. But you don't see all those things -- <br />
you just see the results. It's the same with the booming economy being <br />
cleverly guided by our New Government. You see the wonderful results but <br />
not the complex set of manoeuvres and nuances behind it.<br />
<br />
more at link -<br />
<a href="http://TheTyee.ca">http://TheTyee.ca</a><br />
<p>---<br>See my art at http://cafepress.com/peaceangel

   

Well done! I broke into loud laughter when I read;
"there are many very smart people who want to do something. It's not for nothing they work so hard. So we need a lot other people -- just as smart or preferably even smarter -- who must counter this quaint but destructive imperative to do something. It's a constant battle"

Murray Dobbin is good.

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Expect little from life and get more from it.