‘I’m not middle class. I don’t pretend I am’: Justin Trudeau

[puckstopshere]

‘I’m not middle class. I don’t pretend I am’: Justin Trudeau discloses $1.2M inheritance

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/02/13/im-not-middle-class-i-dont-pretend-i-am-justin-trudeau-discl...

[indylupo]

To exactly what "class" does this school teacher think he belongs ?

[ilurkthereforiam]

I would have thought that PET would have left him a lot more than 1.2 million.

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

Exactly what is the purpose of this so-called discussion?

[art-in-the-making]

Puck's link from the NP uses that headline.

The sub headline in the Ottawa Citizen where the article originated is "Liberal leadership candidate opens his books to quell speculation about family wealth".

What a difference the spin makes, eh?

The NP chooses to err towards the sensational as usual, paying less heed to the information that Trudeau's inherited "fortune" is little more than the value of an average house in Toronto or Vancouver.

As we see by reading the article, it is Trudeau's experiences and achievements that are quite more substantial by my estimation than his "inheritance".

Whereas any of thousands of Canadians with similar inheritances have done comparatively little with their lives, it seems to me like Justin has done relatively quite a lot. At the same time, rarely choosing the "safe" route to realizing any of his attainments.

No, he is not middle class, and he obviously had other advantages besides his modest financial inheritance. But you see that he values the middle and the lower classes and that he is as transparent as possible about his financial situation.

I do not envision Justin Trudeau having the Taj Mahal and its grounds evacuated in order to have a solo visit with his wife as Stephen Harper did.

[ilurkthereforiam]

I don't think this information hurts him.

[zoomrr69]

the kid's a mucker...

U ever wonder why they got the Young Offenders act passed.....

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

I don't think this information hurts him.

No, but it’s an attempt to….and it keeps the party base happy.

I don’t see a reason for this type of dirty politics that any intelligent person can not see through. Even myself with my hatred for Harper there are lots of things I could say against him personally, but I have kept to what he has said (past and present) and what he has done and what money he has wasted etc. I could care less if he was worth a 100 million and it was all inherited from a family member who used his money wisely. Many people have inherited vast amounts of money but in the end it’s ‘who they are as a person’ that I look at. This morning I was talking to a customer of mine who last year inherited a multi-million dollar business from her mother who died suddenly and previously her mother inherited the business from her father. The daughter is not only a good business woman but treats her employees and her customers very well. On the other side of the coin I know a guy about 30 years old who inherited a business and land and other family wealth from his grandmother. Even with all that money and property amounting into the millions he’s a spoiled brat who cares about no one but himself.

First I see Trudeau attacked for his ‘looks’. Now we see him being subtly attacked for his money and an honest comment he has made has been strategically used for a headline. Show me a federal politician out there who is ‘poor’. If you opened up all their histories and books you may be surprised at how many got hefty inheritances and when the day comes they keel over…..their kids will get the money!

If media articles like this is what makes some readers jump with glee, then it’s not saying much for who.. ‘they are’.

Why would you call him a 'mucker'? (I own horses, I know what the word means) And why would you call him a kid?.....he's 41.

[pjcdn2005]

I don’t see a reason for this type of dirty politics that any intelligent person can not see through.Even myself with my hatred for Harper there are lots of things I could say against him personally, but I have kept to what he has said (past and present) and what he has done and what money he has wasted etc.

That may or may not be true. However, based on memory, your interpretation of Harpers actions are often biased, slanted and do not always tell the whole story. That's your choice to do that of course but that sounds just as "dirty": to me.

I agree with lurk. I don't see how this information hurts him.

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

interpretation of Harpers actions are often biased, slanted and do not always tell the whole story

I have always based Harper's actions on things he has said and done. If that is biased and slanted then I plead guilty....for slanting things towards the truth and facts based on his record. What is in Harper's bank account, or what he inherited, I could care less about.

[pigdog47]

I think Justin does pretend to be middle class, but I suppose that many of the Occupy and Idle No More sympathizers also have either been born with silver spoons, or acquired a lot of expensive cutlery.   Choosing to do without is very much different than being forced to.

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

The Occupy and Idle No More people have more courage than others could ever hope to have.

[almond_t]

What is in Harper's, Trudeau's, or anybody's else's bank account - I couldn't care less about.

Why it is is of interest to anyone is beyond me. 

[stevephinn2012]

 don’t see a reason for this type of dirty politics that any intelligent person can not see through. Even myself with my hatred for Harper there are lots of things I could say against him personally, but I have kept to what he has said (past and present) and what he has done and what money he has wasted etc. I could care less if he

Really? really???  someone was usuing your account then as I have seen a lot of attacks about his christmas card and how he was dress to the cat he was holding to how he got previous jobs to his schooling all which has nothing to do with his currecnt job.

might have to report the hacking of your account to ebay

[puckstopshere]

No, but it’s an attempt to….and it keeps the party base happy.

I posted this article on Justin because I thought it gave a very good persepctive of the man.  He is not middle class, but he is not rich either.  One could even argue that he is upper middle class.  I think it was a good move on his part to release the financial information and the information on his father and his own background. 

I would say that this article clearly presents Trudeau in a great light.

In the past, I have been critical of his lack of experience. 

Now, he appears to be much more suited to the Liberal leadership. 

Sure, the NDP made an attempt to play dirty pool.

But don't you love it when that tactic blows up in their faces.

His tactic of not handing out his "platform" is a good one.  Although Garneau has attacked him for that, I think he is smart to "learn from the people" what is needed, rather than formulating a paltform to tell them what he thinks they need. 

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

all which has nothing to do with his currecnt job.

Certainly they do. You just don't understand it.

I posted this article on Justin because I thought it gave a very good persepctive of the man.

No problem. It would have worked better if you had maybe given your perspective in the OP.

[puckstopshere]

No problem. It would have worked better if you had maybe given your perspective in the OP.

I am quite surprised that anyone could interpret it as anything but positive.

We might have actually found a politician who is not in it for his own personal gain.

[almond_t]

I must say, he's probably the most personable and likable politician that I have(n't) met!

I wouldn't hold his Liberal designation against him!  😉

[pigdog47]

I would say that this article clearly presents Trudeau in a great light.

I think Team Trudeau is doing a great job keeping Justin in the media spotlight.  I think he is receiving more attention than the sum total of the rest of his contenders.   Barring a major malfunction of Justin's thought process, his coronation is inevitable, and surely will present a far greater challenge to Mr. Harper than Dion or the Iggy.

[pigdog47]

LOL - just caught Andrew Coyne on The National saying something along the lines of "the Liberal Party becoming a Justin Trudeau personality cult".