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Clearly, many news outlets are rushing to glorify our new Prime Minister (All Hail!), such as The Toronto Star:
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"Heralding more money for cities and the environment and medicare, the Speech from the Throne yesterday outlined "an ambitious agenda for an ambitious country," as Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson said in opening the 37th Parliament of Canada."
"Prime Minister Paul Martin deserves praise for promising in the throne speech to pump $3 billion this year into three areas that Canadians care most about: health ($2 billion), cities ($700 million, plus a promise of gas tax or other help) and Kyoto/environment ($350 million). As well, he is promising money for education, child care, defence, plus some inexpensive moves on parliamentary reform, ethics and aboriginal government."
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But the truth is a lot more like this:
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"No surprise: Martin takes safe road"
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The real question is, will liberals be sucked in by empty words, once again? Jim Travers sure has:
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"A memorable throne speech, like an effective corporate mission statement, should fit on a T-shirt. Paul Martin's first as Prime Minister has room to spare."
"Simple and to the point, it declares: Win."
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Everyone's seems to be heralding Martin's down payment on a liberal agenda. But throne speechs are famously noncommittal, "just words". So, come budget time will it be a down payment -- or a pittance? Hope for the former; but fully expect the latter.
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