Sunday, October 02, 2011

You read it here first

Back in May 2010, I analysed both the economic problem and the political problem with the government's HST proposal, arguing that Gordon Campbell's 12% HST coincident with the Great Recession was a huge mistake--while at the same time recognizing the basic theoretical merits of an integrated expenditure tax that covered more goods and services but at a lower rate.

Back in November 2010 and December 2010 , I warned that Adrian Dix was not being honest about his intentions, and was likely going to be the ultimate beneficiary of Carole James's overthrow and become NDP leader.  In January 2011, I predicted that Adrian Dix would be the next NDP premier of BC--and explained why that is probably a bad thing.

I have also drawn upon my extensive studies and work experience  to offer novel resolutions to thorny debates about electoral reform, taxation, politicians' pay, and student debt.

Although I have sometimes wondered whether continuing with a blog that usually only gets about 100-150 hits per week, I regularly get calls from the media to comment on these issues, so I can reasonably infer that my blog punches above its weight.

I hope that you find it useful, and that it fills  some of the gaps  in the mainstream media.

2 comments:

Jeremy Stewart said...

Hi Mark,

I always read your blog--and I think about what you have to say--thanks for writing. I also use Ghostery, a piece of software that blocks a multitude of different forms of web tracking, so you won't see me (or others using this), but I am (we are) here all the same.

Cheers!

Mark Crawford said...

In that case, I probably shouldn't publish your comment, lest somebody track that!

But it is a reminder to be responsible about what I say-- i.e. to maintain standards that former students and long-time readers have come to expect, and not just use it to blow off steam.