Alec Saunders SquawkBox

Jack Layton took a swing at Stephen Harper today saying:"If we end up in an election, those who call it, will have taken their mind off people and will have begun to focus on political interests, and that’s very unfortunate."  

That’s a little arrogant Jack.  Let’s have an election and see if the people really want these new programs.  This person, and a bunch more like him, would prefer to pay down the debt. 

You have to admire Jack Layton.  Yesterday’s deal with the Liberals was masterful power politics.  In one stroke he has:

• Imposed the NDP agenda on Parliament.
• Repositioned the NDP as the Party that knows what it wants and how to get it.
• Undermined Ralph Goodale’s credibility as finance minister.  Remember, it was Goodale who insisted the money for these programs wasn’t available in the first place.
• Exposed Paul Martin as weak-willed, and willing to do anything to retain his grip on power. 

He’s already got his election positioning worked out — "We worked for the people, while the other parties were just taking care of their own business to their own advantage."

I don’t agree with what Jack has asked Parliament to spend our tax dollars on, but I am in awe of how devastatingly effective he has been when presented with this opportunity.

Getting closer to the final version of the new blog.  If anyone ever tells you that moving from one blog tool to another is easy, run screaming.

Pricing amongst VoIP carriers is getting very aggressive.  Here in Canada, Inter.Net just unveiled an unlimited US / Canada calling plan for C$29.95/month. 

I met with Inter.Net President Sophie Leger at VON Canada.  They may have a leg up on other small VoIP companies because of the fact that they also provide access.  You can buy a DSL line from them at very aggressive prices, and then add their VoIP service.  In my case, for instance, I spend $34.95 / month with Telecom Ottawa for a DSL line, and $39.99 for Vonage’s unlimited plan.  Switching it all to Inter.Net would save $15/month. 

Martin has done a great analysis of what’s innovative, or potentially innovative, in VoIP over on Telepocalypse.  It’s quite an eye opener that, of the list he started with, only one feature is impossible on the PSTN.