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Time to stop irresponsible spending

Published on December 19, 2012
Published on December 19, 2012
Topics :
Conservatives , U.S.

I do not support the Dunderdale government. The premier and her cabinet seem to miss the essential reasons why we should not to go ahead with

the massively expensive Muskrat Falls project.

In light of the announcement on Dec. 13 that our deficit has tripled to $725 million (three-quarters of a billion dollars since April), it is a no-brainer.

It has to be stopped now.

The time to hold these irresponsible leaders’ feet to the fire has come. Any public support of the Conservatives’ platform encourages further outrageous government spending like we have witnessed for the last four years and which has led to our current ballooning deficit.

Finance Minister Tom Marshall with bold abandonment says soon there will be crucial cuts in provincial government projects and services and there will also be huge layoffs in our civil service. What a nice Christmas gift.

I have a question for Premier Kathy Dunderdale and Minister Marshall: tell us why the current revenues from taxes are the highest in our history, yet we are in the deepest financial hole in our history?

Sadly, we are about to go deeper.

To put a face on all of this, perhaps I can steal a phrase from U.S. President Barack Obama: “We have a fiscal cliff facing us and it is inviting future downgrading by major financial institutions.”

Is it just a coincidence that the finance minister held his press conference on Dec. 13 — or is it an omen of things to come?

Remember the adage: “Give a politician a dollar, and he/she will find ways to spend 10.”

This government has free will running wild and somehow it has to be stopped for the sake of all our futures, especially those of our youth.

 

Bill Westcott

Clarke’s Beach

Comments

  • Username
    Maggy Carter
    - December 19, 2012 at 16:38:03

    David is right - the National Post story on 'Muskrat Folly' captures this whole sleazy, mind-numbing mess very well. Rather than send out Christmas cards this year, the Liberals and NDP should be sending a copy of the article to every home in the province. The could send it under the heading 'The government Grinch will steal your Christmas for the next 60 years'

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  • Username
    a business man
    - December 19, 2012 at 16:19:40

    Maurice, selling power for 5 cents is not about making money, it is about appeasing corporate users of power. Simply put, if I don't get cheaper power, I will take my business elsewhere. I realize that MF may hurt low income and middle income ratepayers, but from a business point of view, I just don't care. I don't want to pay for my electricity, so if no one in NL wants to subsidize by business, i will just leave. it is not personal, or vindictive. It is just business. And frankly, I am just small potatoes compared to the other industrial users. At the end of the day, Newfoundland has to compete with the rest of the world for jobs. If power is too expensive, employer will just move. And, as per their property rights, they are free to do so. Again, it is just math.

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  • Username
    david
    - December 19, 2012 at 11:20:49

    The National Post has a good opinion piece by an electricity consultant...."Muskrat Folly" We are the laughing stock of the country. As far as calling for an end to irresponsible spending, we're officially a dictator late and $12 billion short. It's over.

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  • Username
    Maurice E. Adams
    - December 19, 2012 at 08:28:05

    There is no market where you can make money selling 40 cent power for 5 cents. The power line cannot handle Upper Churchill power, and by the time 2041 rolls around we will be billions more in debt, unable (financially) to then build a power line that will give us for a real alternative to sell zero cost power, and we will again be at the mercy of Quebec. Great vision --- Muskrat Falls is all about satisfying the speculative development of the mining giants of Labrador --- paid for lock, stock and barrel by low and middle income island ratepayers --- for 50 years no less.

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  • Username
    Sid Peckford
    - December 19, 2012 at 08:02:07

    At times we have to be bold and go forward with this project and finally go around Quebec to sell our resources.

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    • Username
      RJ
      - December 19, 2012 at 10:25:39

      Not to worry ...enjoy the last couple days ....21st of Dec is the end of the world!! ;)

    • Username
      Eli
      - December 19, 2012 at 16:02:35

      Now Sid, how do you suppose we'll make money selling 40-cent power for 5-cents as noted above. We're sunk!

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