TRICKLE DOWN VERSUS SOCIAL PROGRAMS

A reporter on CPAC this Friday April 15 morning laid out the contrast between Liberal and Conservative in this way. The Liberals support expansion of social programs and the Conservatives work with a trickle down economic theory.

As it see it, the contrasting approaches take shape in specific choices, for example, around immigration issues. Conservatives please the business class by increasing the number of low-paid temporary workers coming into the country. Liberals promise to increase family reunification and to unite families with grandparents.

Yes, of course both parties allow temporary workers and family reunification. It's a matter of who does more of what, where the emphasis is put. Bringing in large numbers of temporary workers has a number of results. Certain businesses benefit: the dirty work gets done at low cost. Problems arise with lack of adequate supervision of the conditions of employment. As the program unfolds and unravels there are temporary workers who do not want to be temporary and, if the experience in Europe with these worker programs tells us anything, an undocumented class of people develops. These people can be exploited by unscrupulous employers.

Bringing in extended family can have its negative side. These individuals may not be prepared to integrate quickly with the broader community. On the other hand, grandparents and other family members may add that extra dimension of support the younger family needs in order to keep together and forge ahead to success in the new environment.

An additional reflection. Another reporter in the same CPAC program commented that you couldn't put a credit card between Liberal and NDP platforms. The Liberals and the NDP are natural allies. The Conservatives, on the other hand, have no natural allies in parliament. I suppose that will mean one of two possibilities. Before the election, NDP supporters will move their votes to the Liberals or, after the election, Liberal MPs and NDP MPs will find ways of working together.

Isn't learning about politics fun?