NDP Propaganda at its finest, part deux

Exhibit B is far less complex, but never-the-less worthy of putting into balance.

In Thursday's mail I received a postcard from MP Charlton with the headline 'Credit cards: are you getting gouged?' Of course, a highly rhetorical question, but not for the reasons the NDP would like you to believe.

Once again in this proposal, Charlton and her party have proposed an intrusion into the free market, specifically at the big banks, long-time giants in their own right. Their plan entails capping the interest rates on credit cards at 5% over prime, bringing interest down to around 10%. Additionally, the plan calls for interest being charged only on amounts owing, not additional interest. If you believe in the regulation of private business by government, this proposal is fine and dandy. However, for those who know better, this plan is nothing more than another shameless attempt by the NDP to gain some exposure.

The only people to be held responsible for high credit card debts are those who spend themselves into debt in the first place. Debt is bad news for anyone, but at the end of the day, responsibility must be placed on the consumer for their own actions. If you can't afford to keep a credit card, cut it up. It's not a difficult thing to do. What this NDP proposal says to the educated folk is that people would be able to spend even more because their interest rates will be lower. So much for actually helping people work their way out of debt. The NDP plan would drive people under even further. When that happens, what will the NDP do? Call for another ombuds office to receive complaints about high debt?

Folks, what both of these proposals show is that the NDP will say anything and do anything to keep their message in the media. With the party losing relevance every time voters go to the polls and former high-profile members jumping ship, the NDP do not have a sustainable future. To that end, Hamilton Mountain voters ought to think long and hard about what sort of representation they want from their MP. Party rhetoric and unrealistic promises that fall well short of actually helping people or real action and sustainable solutions that only the Conservative Party offer. Here's hoping voters make the right choice.