My response to Garth's blog post 'la lune'

Once again, here is the comment I posted on Garth's blog titled 'la lune', posted August 28th, which can be viewed at http://www.garth.ca/weblog/ or http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2007/08/28/la-lune/ (the comment isn't up yet, but it will be soon!)

"'Being an East coast we understand the splendor of the country side. Your article was a litle self serving I think. I often wonder why you cannot write a sentence without involking the the character of the Prime Minister. The people from the east coast drift back and forth. The Liberals have purchased their votes over the years. They will vote for whoever offers them the most. For example just look at the abuse in the social assistance programs. This has been going on for years. As for Mr Dion, he may have a chance down East when he learns to express himself in english. It is pretty bad when Mr Williams will not be seen publicly with him. You guys went to NFLD because you hope to capitalize on the fued between the Federal and Provincial parties. Mr Williams was told by his party to cool it. I guess we also forget that he refused to fly the canadian flag when Martin was Prime Minister. So what else is new.

By David Halfkenny on 08.28.07 9:51 pm'

David, FYI, in our 58 years in Confederation, NL has been wronged from Federal Government after Federal Government (except when we had a strong Cabinet Minister, such as PC Cabinet Minister John Crosbie).

But ya, NL in my own opionion is just as much a 'nation' or 'distinct society' as is Quebec. After all, we were the last province to join Canada and had alternated between being a country and being a colony of Britain.

But ya Garth, if you Liberals want to do good in NL, do this: study the costs of removing RENEWABLE resource revenues from the equalization formula. If it's feasible and can be done, not only would it give an incentive for provincial governments (and the federal government) to develop alternative and renewable energy sources, but it'd also give provincial governments revenues to do so: pay down the debt (NL still has a debt of 11 billion dollars!!!), invest in sustainable infrastructure.

This way, you'd respect your 'PC' upbringing of wanting to strengthen the role of the provinces, more incentives for the private, non-profit and NGOs to play a greater role on the environment AND would help to REALLY reduce the 'fiscal imbalance' of which PMSH spoke of.

And hey, you'd be helping the environment, restoring fiscal balance AND leading the way towards a Green Economy! What do you think of that idea?! "

But once again, this is a matter i'd like the NLFP to look into. After all, we're all about putting NL First! And ya, what better way to put NL First than to put incentives in to invest in switching to a 'Green Economy' so that when the day comes that we run out of oil, we'll be ready for it (and it'll help us protect the environment and create jobs as well!)