Welcome to the playground, kids. At least, it must be the playgorund, for where else would you call someone "mean-spirited"? Parliament, you say?

The Conservative government came under fire Tuesday during Question period over cuts to the budget that the Liberals characterized as "mean-spirited."

"Never have Canadians seen such mean-spirited cuts at a time when Ottawa is swimming in money," said Liberal MP John McCallum. "This minority government only cares about its political base."

After announcing that last year's surplus was $13.2-billion Monday, the government unveiled $1-billion in spending cuts to take place over two years and announced that another $1-billion in savings over that period will be extracted through unidentified "tighter management" measures.

The surplus would go toward paying down the national debt, the Tories said.

Jack Layton was later heard double-dog daring the Prime Minister to give the money back:

NDP Leader Jack Layton joined the Liberals in attacking the government and its budget cuts.

"This government has a $13-billion surplus, and they cut funding for literacy. Two-billion dollars for fighter jets in Afghanistan, and they cut funding for women's programs. Over a billion dollars going to their friends in the big oil and gas companies, and what do they do? They cut funding for aboriginals and young people. Total arrogance. No consultation. No debate," Mr. Layton said.

Waaaaahhhhhhh!