I'm no economist: but.

Having watched economists for years it is fair for us to act like them sometimes. Especially when the government of the day produces economic statements, that purportedly have come from us (witness the homage being given to extensive consultation processes).

So this is what I would like to see:

• A budget built for the future, in other words this budget money must all be throwaway money. Any attempt to change existing tax structures that would impede the ability of the country to run itself in good time must be resisted. It should also be noted that tax cuts got us into this mess. Squandering a 12 Billion surplus in 2 years was foolish!
• Throwaway projects must be geared to the biggest bang for the buck. Manufacturing must be nurtured by an aggressive import replacement program and accelerated equipment tax credits.
  
• Tax credits must be used not tax cuts for business because if a company is struggling they don't pay tax anyway.
• Personal exemptions must be raised and made retroactive to last year's tax forms. People will spend a refund.
  
• Put the money in the hands of the people who will spend it as opposed to those who will save it or pay down credit cards. That means that the provinces have to receive higher transfer payments to help with their social support programs.
• Employment Insurance must be extended to beyond the life of the recession. We cannot afford higher welfare costs to cover the drop in EI.
• Older workers on EI must be paid to "bridge" the time needed to allow them to retire at 65.
• Municipalities must not be allowed to fund non-essential infrastructure. In Northumberland we are over serviced in the urban areas, we do not need any more water treatment or sewage plants, perhaps we do need to finish the botched effort in Plant 1.
• Defence re-equipment must be Canadian Sourced. No more American trucks when we can build them in Chatham.
• Any local infrastructure projects must have a local employment policy, no more trucked in labour.
• Money must be used to lower student loans, we cannot have a productive society hamstrung with debt.
  

All pretty basic stuff but because most of the list is practical as opposed to being political much of it will not see the light of day.