Nov 28 2008
I Hate it When Governments Try to Pull a Fast One
Here we are only a few weeks after our most recent election and the shenanigans of the government seem to be in full effect. Already there are whispers of confidence votes, coalition government or even worse, another election.
In it’s latest statement of the economy, the Conservative Party is proposing that the federal subsidy received by all political parties receiving more than two percent of the vote be cut. In Canada, parties reaching that magical portion of the electorate receive a whopping $1.95 per vote which then goes into their coffers. At first blush this seems like a great idea and in fact it would save the government millions of dollars. which is nothing to sneeze at in the current economic environment. The Conservatives have even pointed out that this is a most noble action on their part, as having received more votes than the other parties, they would stand to lose the most.
What the opposition parties have all pointed out is that while the Conservative Party would lose the most money, proportionately speaking it would have by far the least effect on them. Shocking, isn’t it?
In effect, cutting this subsidy would cripple the opposition parties, each of whom rely far more on this subsidy than the Tories. I suppose some would argue that those parties have no one to blame but themselves when it comes to fundraising. But do you think that if the Tories were as dependent on this subsidy that the idea would ever be floated out there? Of course not.
What this really is, is a poorly veiled attempt by the Conservatives to damage the opposition. It’s actually pretty brilliant because either way, the Tories will improve their standing in some peoples eyes. If it actually passed (which it never will) the opposition parties will all be scrambling to replace these funds. By proposing something that many Canadians would have a knee jerk response to support but that the opposition will kill, they also come out looking good.
If a millionaire gives one hundred dollars to a charity and someone on social assistance gives the same charity twenty dollars, who is making the bigger sacrifice? I’m not saying that I’m a big fan of tax dollars being used to prop up political parties, but I don’t like my government trying to manipulate my perceptions either. I don’t want to hear about how this decision makes the biggest impact on the Tories, because it just isn’t true. I’d have a lot more respect if the honest reasons were given but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
