Sunday Morning Links

- Erin looks into the question of what programs the Harper Cons might end up slashing in the name of pretending to fight Deficit Jim Flaherty's red ink, and reaches the conclusion that the wholesale cuts which would be needed to put even a slight dent in the projected deficits aren't likely to happen:

(E)ven if the Conservatives completely eliminated the federal departments of Agriculture, Environment, Fisheries, Foreign Affairs, Health, Human Resources, Indian Affairs, Industry, Justice, Natural Resources and Public Works, it would still not save enough to balance the budget next year or even the year after that.

Ottawa writes large and important cheques to seniors, unemployed workers, parents, and provincial governments. But as an institution, the federal government is no longer very large, especially if one excludes the military and security forces. There is simply not much room to cut.

Of course based on the track record of the Cons' provincial cousins, it's still an open question whether they'll look for excuses to hack away at federal programming anyway. But based on Erin's analysis, they at least shouldn't be able to get away with pretending that reducing the deficit is their goal in the process.

- Douglas Bell rightly slams the Wall Street Journal for trying to use Haiti's earthquake as an excuse to engage in disaster capitalism by claiming in effect that if Haiti just gets wealthier, then it'll be able to afford better regulation. But the WSJ's position is particularly appalling when one recognizes that it's outside actors - including Canada and the U.S. - who have not only gone along with efforts to keep democratic government from taking root, but also tried to ensure that Haiti won't have any ability to regulate or otherwise make decisions for itself.

- I've already commented on one tidbit in James Wood's weekend roundup. But as for the lead story, I'll note that while Brad Wall's decision to finally talk about prorogation makes for a bit of a change from his previous attempt to hide from the public on an area within his cabinet responsibilities, the ultimate "Conservative Supporter Supports Conservatives!!!" outcome can hardly come as much surprise.

- Finally, Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament is over 198,000 members and counting. So the 200,000 mark looks like a strong likelihood by the end of this weekend - with a week to go until the rallies which figure to serve as the most important move from online organization to visible impact.