Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Tory view on budget: Don’t just look at cuts, it’s a growth plan

The Harper government is trying to brand its upcoming budget as an exercise in long-term employment creation rather than an austerity effort that will eliminate thousands of jobs.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will deliver a budget Thursday that is expected to make significant cuts to government departments and agencies, reducing public-sector jobs across the country.

But the government wants Canadians to see the budget as a growth plan, and not simply an effort to balance the books.

“If you concentrate on savings, you are going to miss out on what this budget is all about, it's about long-term sustainability for jobs, growth and prosperity,” a senior government official said Sunday.

Canada’s employment growth has stalled in the past five months – losing an average of 7,400 positions a month since October – even as the U.S. economy has begun to show sign of vigour.

In response, Ottawa is emphasizing measures that it says will boost the economy and job creation over the longer term, including streamlining environmental review for major projects and funding training programs so that Canadians can fill the demand for skilled labour in the resource sector.


The government will lay out five broad themes in the budget: support for innovation and research; overhauling regulation for resource development; investing in training and opportunity; support for families and communities, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of major social programs like the Old Age Security plan.

Original Article
Source: Globe
Author: shawn mccarthy

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