Today's poll question; has your opinion of Brad Wall changed this week? Do you like him more or less than you did before this whole Potash snafu began? Some economic pundits whom I trust a great deal are absolutely livid about Brad Wall's demand to block the Potash takeover. This being a minority government, the feds really had no choice but to respect the wishes of a popular Premier. Before this controversy even started, I ran the webpoll who is the best Premier in the country. Brad Wall was the runaway winner with 66% of the vote.
I disagreed with Brad Wall on this issue, but after listening to an interview with Charles Adler, I disagreed a little less than I did before. Do you think Brad Wall has a future in federal politics? Does he even want a future in federal politics?
This is like Prentice trying to manage the ClimageGate file. Some things are a political dilemma because the ideology conflicts with real world emotions and thus political pragmatism becomes murky.
ReplyDeleteIdeologically the free market should determine the price of shares that investors get without political interference. But potash in Saskatchewan is a national jewel and no other country would allow their jewels to be sold willy nilly. Therefore having PMSH and Premier Wall intervene is totally acceptable internationally despite purist capitalists gnashing their teeth.
Iceman’s initial reaction of disagreeing with Wall is a logical position which all free marketers are right to be concerned about. However, once the potash is sold to foreign owners there is no going back. But Canadians can always become more lenient at some future date.
nomdeblog
When 2 party principles clash...
ReplyDeletegiving the 'advantage' to the Provinces (the people who own the resources) over open for investment.
Pick your principle.
I have been back and forth on this, and this move appears to be a 'time out', not protectionism.
So, thumbs up to Brad Wall and Minister Clement.
Canadians have no idea how much privately held interest in oil (oilsands) and gas is now foriegn owned.
In the age of globalization, it is time to review the 30 year old Investment Canada Act.
Time to look 50 years out, when potash (and all of our natural resources) will be as valuable as water.
It's unfortunate, but this move by Brad Wall has taken him out of contention for leadership bid when PMSH decides to quit,
ReplyDeletehe can't win now.
He is now just as much a Western Canada champion as Charest is a Quebec champion.
Too regional, too bad, I really really like Wall.
I believe this move by Brad Wall propels him to the top of the heap when the Conservatives go looking for a new leader. My belief stems from the fact that, like the present Conservative government, he is willing to abandon any conservative principle in the name of expediency, and to justify his actions with the most ludicrous, convoluted reasoning.
ReplyDeleteOT, but a suggestion for a future poll, will iggy show up for the vote on the spending estimates or will he order his MPs to hide behind a curtain.
ReplyDeleteDoes that vote take place before or after the by-elections.
Not positive Mary, but I think the estimates vote is in December.
ReplyDeleteWas wondering if The Iffy's will vote non-confidence to stop Flaherty's corp tax cuts in January 2011,
because once implimented, The Iffy's will be attacked for 'raising taxes'.
I like him less, i think this potash take over is a non-issue and he is making himself look like a jackass by stirring up trouble.
ReplyDelete