While Republicans launch their attack on Obama as shown in the previous post, just a couple days later their friends north of the border, Conservatives, launch a preemptive strike at Dion Liberals for a carbon tax proposal that hasn’t even been adopted as the official Liberal platform, its in the discussion stage. The ads will be aired in the GTA and certain parts of Ontario at the actual gas stations. The actual Liberal platform on environment can be found on their website, it involves a cap-and-trade system similar to the one proposed by Ontario, Quebec, NDP, US Democrats, and even McCain. The attack is actually a little premature and the Liberals could, if they wanted to, make it backfire so badly that it could actually give them a boost in the polls.

Here is how I would respond: Harper Conservatives are using fear mongering attack ads on an idea that isn’t even part of the Liberal platform. Harper Conservatives are going on an attack against an imaginary platform because they don’t have a plan on how to lower gas prices or reduce emissions. Canadians don’t need more fake partisan gimmicks and lies that don’t solve anything, they need leadership that will transform Canada into a green economy by changing the behavior of big polluters and helping the middle class.

As the Edmonton Sun writer puts it:

Simply mocking Dion without credibly explaining what they’d do instead, could be their Achilles heel - Lorrie Goldstein, Edmonton Sun

I would also like to see the Liberals focus on their current platform, using the cap-and-trade approach and words like “green economy” because it has already worked to practically eliminate Ozone Depleting Chemicals as part of the Montreal Agreement back in the 80’s. Liberals should put a hold on the carbon tax idea and leave it at the discussion stage, the timing of this idea couldn’t be worst. If they do that, they could use the Conservative fear mongering ads to their advantage and really hurt Harper’s credibility and drain their ad finances on a non-issue. From a “brilliant” dream ad for Conservatives, it could turn into the worst premature attack ad in the history of Canadian politics. I hope Dion takes full advantage of this opportunity.

Here is one of the fear mongering ads you might see at the pump if you live in the GTA. Yes, thats an actual oil drop speaking to you on behalf of the Conservatives party of Canada, ironically symbolizing the oil companies that benefit from all the partisan bickering while they walk away with record profits: