Angry in the Great White North

Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff is threatening to raise taxes:

Federal taxes must go up to pay off Canada's increasing debt, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said today.

You might think it strange for a politician to just blurt out "higher taxes" in a prepared speech.  But then Michael Ignatieff wasn't reading prepared text.  He was answering a question:

Ignatieff's comments were in response to a question from Cambridge business leader John Bell, who wanted to known when the federal debt will be paid back.

Michael Ignatieff does not have a good history with answering questions.

When Michael Ignatieff was asked about the asbestos industry in Quebec, he first said it had to stop.  Then he flipped 180 degrees.  The asbestos industry deserved his support.

When Michael Ignatieff was asked about the deaths in Qana during the war in Lebanon in 2006, he said at first he would not lose any sleep over it.  Then he flipped 180 degrees.  The Israelis, he pronounced, were guilty of war crimes.

When Michael Ignatieff was asked about empty Senate seats, he said at first that the government ought to fill those empty seats.  Then he flipped 180 degrees.  The Conservatives, he explained, could not be trusted because they appointed Senators to fill those empty seats.

There are more examples, such as flipping-and-flopping on the coalition, and in the same sentence! A coalition if necessary, but not necessarily a coalition?  I mean, come on!  Make a decision and stick to it already.

Is the same going to happen with this threat to raise taxes?  Michael Ignatieff was wandering off his prepared text.  History suggests that Michael Ignatieff often regrets those moments.

On the other hand, Michael Ignatieff might very well be committed to raising taxes.

But then he won't call it a carbon tax.  He used to support a carbon tax.  Then he decided it was a bad idea.  Just another in a line of flip-flops.

I nailed it:  I was just off with the timing.  Based on past experience, I figured it would take a few days for Michael Ignatieff flip-flop on raising taxes immediately and significantly.  It only took a few hours.  I suppose Michael Ignatieff's handlers are getting better with practise.