A Fiscal Cliff In Canada? Hell No Says Canadian Politician

 by Larry Schmeidler

      Our American press hardly writes about our neighbors to the North, especially when it comes to politics. And that is particularly true about any comparison between the strengths of the neighboring economies. Americans have long taken for granted that their dollar is stronger, based on superficial analyses provided in their "popular media".

     While Americans are torn between the bitter tug of war being fought by the Republicans and Democrats over the "fiscal cliff"  on one hand; they are also bracing for the predicted fight this February between the legislative and executive branches on the looming debt ceiling.
     During all this political strife here, most Americans are surprised to learn that the Conservative Party of Canada (whose members are known as Tories) has been in control of the government since 2006, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper.  The Tories gained control in 2006 and 2008 as a result of coalition governments, the May 2nd 2011 election gave them a clear majority in the House of Commons, holding 166 out of 308 seats.

 

Pierre Poilievre's speech at Canada's House of Commons

     Even though Mr. Harper is still not well known in the United States, another member of his party, Pierre Poilievre, who was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 at the age of 25, often steals the political spotlight as a result of his magnificent rhetorical skills.  Mr. Poilievre is not just an ordinary Conservative, but a magnificent orator who is widely seen in You Tube recordings.  His widely quoted recent speech, first appearing in You Tube on April 2012, not only inspires conservatives all over the Western World, but helps everyone understand the nature of the issues that Western societies face.
     Once the reader gets there, he or she must click on "avoid the fiscal cliff.”  It explains in simple language why the United States faces the economic problems that dominate American politics.  It makes it quite clear that the situation in Europe is more dire than the one we face in America, and it explains how Canada has avoided the problems that we face.  Those who disagree with Mr. Poilievre speech must, at the very least, find its weaknesses—if at all possible.
     Are we, in the U.S., being knocked off our exalted perch?  Are there any lessons for even Framingham's financial planning?