Thursday, March 25, 2010

PPS. re. PS. on Public Finances: Kirby Spoke 1st, But Made Classic Mistake

Just read Kirby and realised at least part of my point had been made already. No mea culpas and revision of thinking as yet, from what I see, though. But Kirby does misuse the word "competitive" at one point, when he should have simply said "lower". The incorrect and misleading word choice is revealing: "By 2012, Canada’s corporate tax regime will be more competitive lower than most other developed countries, including the U.S." He means to say lower taxes, relative to others, make us more competitive. That is a partial and misleading statement, as investment decisions take far more factors into account (ex: Japanese carmakers' affection for better educated, healthier Cdn workforce). But even so, if that's the argument he wants to make, he should divide it in two, if a, then b. But instead he says a=b. Bad writing, a product of bad thinking, laziness or implicit assumptions as a result of unconscious brainwashing? Who's to say? But should be corrected.

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