Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

$2-million home; just as many comments

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 12/9/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

A story about Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister's purchase of a $2-million home has drawn 700 comments and counting. Here are some of them.

This is the guy who pretended to be the champion of low-income families two weeks ago. Why am I not surprised by his arrogance?

-- GWinnipeg

This isn't news. Some people do very well financially, some people do not, with the rest somewhere in the middle. If this was not true, and everyone was of the middle and lower incomes regardless of talent and effort, then there would be a big problem in Manitoba. This article is an attempt to stir up a socio-economic type of class war the Americans have. It's a cheap shot on the part of the WFP.

-- LPStevens

I find 9,000 square feet a little vainglorious for four people, but maybe they fight and don't want to see each other much, or are very loud speakers and need extra space. In any case, it's his money and he and it were parted. Enjoy shovelling the driveway.

-- tommyg

Pallister is proof that through hard work, one can be very successful living in an NDP province.

-- earl tunnley1

If Ms. Sampert represents the best of the left-wing thinking this province has to offer, then I believe we are all in trouble! Heck, I don't even like this guy and I feel I have to defend him. Why the resentment of success? Isn't it better to have the province run by a successful person?

-- barrydot

Who cares where he lives, what house he chooses to buy. He has been successful in business and used his own money to buy this place. If he had diverted party funds to pay for it, THEN it is a story.

If Sellinger bought this place, it would have been bought the same way he runs the province, mortgaged to the hilt, causing him to be up to his neck in debt with no plan to get his way out of it.

-- big dog

Unless there's some evidence that he got his wealth through illegal, immoral or exploitative means, I say good for him. I'm living middle-class myself, and the reason I'm not über-wealthy is in my mirror, not his.

-- Roscoe Bohannan

Perfect example of someone who has no respect for the working poor. I'm 58 years old, have worked hard all my life, worked two jobs at times and sure as hell would never be able to afford a $2-million home, not even a $300,000 home, and yet I feel so blessed to have what I have.

We all know that it takes money to make money. I raised a daughter on my own, provided for her and on payday, by the time the bills were paid, there wasn't much left over for investments.

So Mr. Pallister, you don't have to apologize for your wealth, but don't think for one minute that I didn't work hard!

-- garden3

Silly rich conservative man. Doesn't he know that only left-wing, liberal millionaires are allowed to have nice things and still have the common touch?

-- Ruder Forms Survive

Well, this makes him one of the most ostentatiously wealthy politicians Manitoba has probably ever had.

However, I don't think the mere fact of spending his money on a lavish house is the source of any negative reactions. Most people don't care about that. It's the arrogance and the self-satisfied contempt for average people. Pallister doesn't need to appeal politically to the poor, but he does need those suburbanites who are working hard to save a little money and maybe put some away into GICs. He certainly lets the average person know what he thinks of them when he says; "We knew we would have this capital and I'm sure not putting it into GICs."

-- arbor

Ah colonialism. If you are a white male in Canada, life is good. I appreciated Ms. Sampert's remarks on how one defines hard work. Many people work harder. Sorry, Mr. Pallister. dollars aside, who the hell needs a 9,000-square-foot house, with two kids? I expect they will text them when dinner is ready. Oh brother, the follies of the super-rich. Yes, it's his money, but I do think there is some denial of white male privilege at play here ;)

-- Mirabel D

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 9, 2012 A10

Factual inaccuracy? Something missing? Help improve our journalism.

Know about news? Share your story suggestions, photos and video.

Spelling error? Punctuation problem? Send us an email if you’ve found a typo.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.