My Canada: Essays on Canadian Politics

2011-10-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

Today's subject: Demise of the Liberal Party of Canada10/26/2011

It has been a month since my last blog post. The reason is that I am trying to build a website to replace a proudly displayed http://www.robertgordon.ca page created by Oakes/Ripley of Vancouver. But alas all good things must end and Brian Ripley informed me his company was abandoning web management and suggested I try to build my own site. A month later with a great deal of help, guidance and advice from Brian I should have a less professional version of my site on line within the next hours or days depending on whether or not I can finally master domain management. Now on to today's political subject.

I was a Liberal party supporter since the 1950's when a friend got me involved in the election campaign of Sudbury's sitting member of parliament pharmacist Roger Mitchell. I don't remember Mitchell doing anything mind bending that would be remembered by voters. Since memory fails I don't believe Mitchell was a stalwart of Liberalism in the city. He probably served in the St. Laurent and maybe even the Pearson government. Mitchell's tenure was unlike a successor past Sudbury mayor Leo Landreville.The former mayor made such a splash in federal politics the Liberals appointed the longtime politician and judge to Canada's senate. But that is another story since the illustrious mayor, judge and political juggernaut was involved in controversy similar in some respects to the Adscam controversy that in effect seriously wounded the party driving it onto life support.

I am now one of the millions of Canadians looking for a political home for my center of right vote. According to long time Liberals still trying to resurrect the old Chretien, Turner, Martin part of the past the infighting is still raging in the hallowed halls of yesteryear where many of the former stalwarts lead by has been former NDP Ontario premier Bob Rae. To most Canadians reviving Liberal fortunes is probably akin to purchasing a winning lottery ticket. Fortune could shine on the party again but the chances are astronomically small.

So where does that leave the voters that are more than reluctant to endorse the ever more right leaning Harper Reform/Conservatives? It is doubtful those voters will consider the wildly optimistic NDP with their newly acquired Quebec power base. That would be like voting to establish a town site on an iceberg floating past Newfoundland towards the warm waters of the mid Atlantic ocean. It cannot survive. Maybe the solution will come from something like Alberta's Wildrose Party. A group of voters wanting change, (take note of the worldwide protests even in the US) will start a center party challenging the majority Conservative government that appears to have cracks emerging between its hard right and progressive wings. It is conceivable that such a movement would appeal to disenchanted slightly right of center Liberals and some of the more neutral left of center NDP electorate. My be it could be named the Rosy Trillium Party of Canadian Prairies. Maybe the RTCP party. Do you want to donate a buck?

Publications ~ Robert J. Gordon Author ~ Novelist Columnist Outdoorsman Espanola Ontario

2011-09-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

Publications ~ Robert J. Gordon Author ~ Novelist Columnist Outdoorsman Espanola Ontario:

'via Blog this'

Bin Laden planned decline of the American dream is working?

2011-09-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

After a two month hiatus it is time to express opinions again for those that followed my blogs over the years. Developing a program for publishing and marketing my novels as affordable indie ebooks over the past few weeks was a herculean chore. Anyone interested in purchasing a well written exciting adventure novel by a Canadian published author will soon be able to access all six of my novels on Amazon.ca by accessing author Robert J. Gordon. A description of the novels can be seen on www.robertgordon.ca

I have been watching the plight of the USA battling recessionary forces and financial terrorism while dealing primarily with the threat from physical terrorism. I was always been tuned in to the North American political scene as a newswspaper owner/publisher, and a myriad of other careers in the private and public sector, including 14 years as an alien property owner in Florida. I have never witnessed turmoil resulting from such a wide split in American national solidarity. From a distance at least it appears that both sides are inflexible closing the door on compromise. It seems the byword for both political parties, if the media can be believed, is do it our way or suffer the consequences regardless of the eventual outcome. We even have a report in the media in this neighboring nation stating the American religious right recently announced that the storms, earthquakes and other natural disasters plaguing America is a warning from God that the Democrats must be purged from the White House. If I remember Sunday School lessons God if there is such an entity is the savior of all the people regardless of religious affiliation. I don't remember during any in-depth study of the bible that God supported any political agenda. But the bible is a large complicated record of the peoples of the world and maybe we missed the passage.

With Russia still in mark-time mode, Europe on the verge of political collapse similar to the conditions that spawned the Hitler Nazi movement, China and India expanding population base to such and extent the numbers will be unsustainable, America and its dysfunctional UN allies are about the only hope for G40 nation sustainably.

Watching the rise of South American nations mostly at the expense of the free world's need for a soaring bottom line at any expense is troubling. Some of us in Canada watch as the right flexes its recently won majority spinning off our national mining, forestry, and energy sectors formerly co-owned and operated by Canadian/American investors into the hands of foreign ownership in South America and Asia. The side effect of the acquisitions usually means shipping many management and administrative jobs to other countries while posing control over the way our resources are managed.

With America in decline as leaders of free enterprise and democracy, is the end of the society built for our children in jeopardy? Did the Bin Laden orchestrated 9-11 attack cripple the American juggernaut as planned? Will Americans consolidate their differences and once more set the example for strength and leadership or will the forces of change and even evil in the minds of some create the circumstances to end the great post World War II industrial experience led by the United States? If history is any indication all dynasties whether for good or evil eventually fade into oblivion. Is America at the crossroads and will their political differences tearing at the country's very foundation succeed in creating the divisions that the terrorists envisioned by attacking the financial stability of the strongest nation in the world? Are there positive answers to these questions while America divides along political lines?

A FORMULA FOR LPC SURVIVAL

2011-07-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Good luck Bob Rae on revamping the LPC in the form that drew in Canadian voters and money donations over the years. My personal affiliation with the party began in the late 1950's living in Sudbury Ontario as a young Liberal under the sponsorship of youth leader Bob Marcotte. Our goal and activity was supporting elected candidate and pharmacist Roger Mitchell.

Those were heady days when Liberalism was synonymous with winning elections across the county. I watched with concern over the years as the LPC crumbled and shrank into an eastern Canada powerhouse and then an Ontario/Quebec party with relatively strong support from the maritime provinces, and a little from the far north and British Columbia. The party finally and most recently crumbled under the weight of old time politics, internal infighting, antiquated internal structure, and a feeling Liberals were a privileged people striving to become more affluent.

Most readers will probably decide from the history of my personal Liberalism that the words are a reflection of a former party member dissatisfied with change. That is in effect farthest from the truth. I, like many of former Liberal supporters, feel the time for change is here, while retaining most of the old party workings is a thing of the past. Liberalism is undoubtedly on the precipice of major change or conversely total collapse.

Former supporters, some that stopped donating to the Liberal party years ago, are mostly confused about where to cast a vote or donate to a party. Many moved begrudgingly to the right supporting the only other traditional alternative. Those former supporters changed allegiance with a great deal of hesitation because the new Conservative coalition does not reflect a traditional agenda and the LPC no longer represents the ideals the party faithful believe should be presented to parliament on behalf of voters. Polls would probably reflect that most people over 55, or at least over 65 years of age, would not stop voting simply because a party supported for years is no longer a viable choice.

Enough about criticizing the party when there are possible solutions that should have been instituted years ago. In the cities the way to promote party unity and recover support is simple. Make contact with people. Spread the word that party officials are always available to talk with, and to, the electorate. Begin with a series of low cost ads, flyers, or even social network sites with messages asking for input. Using volunteers to man telephone lines is a good idea during election campaigns and a great way to get in touch with former present and potential party supporters. That doesn’t mean launching a campaign to collect donations although that aspect will follow. The idea is to contact people asking for input on needs to rejuvenate the party. People usually become supporters when asked for input. It is most often automatic as a supporter to become members and donate.

The suggested method for soliciting city members would probably not work in the vast rural and less populated ridings. Candidates and the riding executive must contact voters in the myriad of small cities, towns, villages and even settlements that usually lead to the balance of power. Volunteers in those regions should launch telephone campaigns to promote finding persons interested in supporting a new LCP that is different than either the Reform Conservatives coalition or the surging New Democrats. Fund raising must come later.

Believing the NDP surge is a temporary phenomenon might be an error. It might be surprising to learn that people are not waiting for old style Liberalism to return. Many are temporarily parked with the Harper Conservatives with others in the NDP camp awaiting the emergence of a party more in the idealistic political center.

The key to organizing regions outside the major cities is recruiting new people. One person or preferably a small group in every town, village or settlement is a must. The people solicited as volunteers must be willing to devote time to receiving and distributing regular riding newsletters outlining party decisions and strongly soliciting input on the items under discussion as well as those that local people are discussing.

Continuing riding control and attempting to make past methods work without major changes in communication strategies will not succeed in most ridings. The need for change in supporter ranks will undoubtedly create problems. However if a system is broken the only way to fix it is to install new parts.

Original supporters willing to accept a new direction without imposing riding seniority are a valued asset. The old riding system and most of the party mechanism failed on May 2, 2011 and must be rebuilt from the bottom up. The new party loyalist must monitor the mood for local and federal needs and opinions people want promoted. That can be accomplished through attending local Tim Horton coffee clubs, senior and youth organization meetings together with local volunteer or service organizations and listen to concerns rather than spouting the party line.

Reorganization and rededication is the LPC’s only salvation for a 2015 return to respectability for voter concerns and needs.

A comment on Sudbury Cardiologist Dr. Ron Baigrie's Newspaper column

2011-06-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Dr. Ron Baigrie recently wrote a column in the Sudbury Star titled "Health care needs more scrutiny". The doctor makes some points that should be read by every past present and future patient in every Ontario hospital. Everyone will eventually need the medical services and here are some of the issues the doctor points out in his article.

No matter what new disaster occurs in our health-care system, people quietly accept it and move on. Every year, 180,000 Canadians suffer an adverse event while in hospital. From 10,000 to 20,000 people die as a result of these errors. People wait months or a year or more for an operation. Hospital emergency departments are bursting with patients waiting hours for care; some of these ERs temporarily close for lack of staff or too many patients. He asks why Canadians are not rioting in the streets over the situation that Cardiologist Ron Baigrie states are facts of life in a recent Sudbury Star newspaper column.

Dr. Baigrie points out that many patients complain to other doctors about treatment received at the hands of health practitioners. He says the reason these people will not complain to the people involved or a higher authority is fear of reprisal. He says that is a situation needing change and points out several instances where those that did speak out were chastised in one way or another. He strongly suggests that people should speak out and even take action to make certain the ‘chill effect” as it is called when people in power threaten or cajole to control a situation.

The health care system to most people on the outside appears far beyond salvation. That is especially true when it comes to capping expenses and ending empire building. The good doctor mentions that the system is a business making it another source of income for corporate and socialistic professionals.

Take into consideration the health care support services organized over recent years to treat people with a variety of health problems. Almost every malady that affects people has a special interest group manned by certified practitioners or social service advocates surrounded by a bureaucracy of highly paid administrative managers and staff. These workers are often hired at above average wages to make certain the people affected receive the proper care while assuring employees feel employment secure. The offered service is usually a need funded by health care dollars that might otherwise be available for keeping people experiencing adverse care healthier or even alive.

Each system whether the Regional Hospital facility, mental health system, long-term care operations or any other health care facility with multi-faceted care systems operate similar to profit making business. However, each service is dependent on government funding (taxpayer money) or donations from highly organized funding organizations often with the same bureaucratic administration structure. Media reports indicate nearly every organization spends lavishly petitioning for more funding annually to meet increase costs to serve patients.

Maybe consideration to sections that are not part of the health care system such as operating the regional hospital parking lots as one example among many should be private sector contracts. The benefit would be relieving the cost of operating parking facilities from affecting healthcare funding. If parking costs rise initially there is always public and commercial transportation if staff, patients and family coming to the hospital find parking too expensive. The current situation would change and probably solve itself if parking lot income declines. Private sector entrepreneurs lower prices to maintain profit levels while institution run facilities simply apply for more funding to offset increased maintenance cost. A parking facility contractor would probably even consider building a multi level facility to increase parking spaces.

Is this speaking out against a system that is functioning primarily to serve the people hired to serve these worthwhile endeavours? Is it a legitimate complaint or simply more rhetoric? Could the system solve the dilemma by hiring a consulting firm to study the issue at the expense of health care dollars encouraging the wheel of perpetual motion to keep grinding out the same results?

The doctor’s “chill effect” will prevail until the system collapses from within since each change or new direction always attracts media attention. Trying to suppress the media is thankfully never successful and the perpetrators of spending without full accountability cannot win the battle. Change will come as noted with the City of Sudbury’s recent $10 million surplus announcement after a declaration that savings could not be found.

The plight of the undecided Canadian voter

2011-04-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Many Canadians including this blog writer are still undecided voters. Many of us can’t decide whether to join the NDP surge, toss a lifeline to the drowning former Liberal juggernaut or simply throw a ballot at the Greens to make certain of registering a vote.

Taken one at a time the Harper Conservative party is probably a Danny Williams famous ABC choice for at least 60 to 65 percent of voters. The Teflon man might have overstepped the cool calculating persona of an acceptable bully. Maybe voters aren’t enthralled with the idea of our political leaders and parties bashing the ideas, suggestions, and family background of opposition politicians. It has always been a strange scenario when discussed by people attending Tim Horton morning coffee sessions.

The polls collapsed once Michael Ignatieff’s team took a page from Stephen Harper’s meanness book lashing out at the opposition and initiating change in Liberal election tradition. Most Canadians must be having a difficult time considering a return to Liberal support after deserting voting in general while at the same time turning away from the party in 2008. The new Liberal strategy of trashing the opposition’s character is uncharacteristic. Attacking a policy or even a program suggestion is legitimate but whoever dreamed up the Ignatieff campaign strategy seemed to forget Canadians are polite to a fault around the world and even more so at home. How can the electorate vote for a party that decides to dispense with ingrained traditional values?

The New Democratic Party is riding a wave of unadulterated optimism. Leader Jack Layton’s dreams, or maybe prayers, are on the verge of becoming reality if the current polls rolling out virtually every day are in the least accurate. Maybe this is the time the polls purportedly accurate 19 times out of 20 are that one time inaccurate. If the polls are correct voters might be about to dictate change and Canada will head in a new direction.

Let’s review voter options. Vote for the Conservatives and get dictatorial reform and a brand new Canada aligned ever closer to the American Republican party ideology. The stock market and corporate profits will probably soar for a time but likely crash in the near future due to global uncertainty.

Cast a ballot for the Liberals and get more of the same old, same old, centuries old politics that most municipal and several provincial voters changed in the most recent elections.

Voting for the NDP will definitely bring about change. It might be disorganized change that will not last more than a year or two. It will undoubtedly cause turmoil leading to change in all political parties from top to bottom including some of the current leaders and fellow candidates.

Maybe it is time to ignore all the rhetoric and look closely at the local candidates. They are after all the people that will represent us before election #44 raises its ugly head. Each successful candidate will follow party dictates. The voter’s decision is to determine which one will serve your riding best individually and as a representative of his or her party. It might be worthwhile to try determining if the reason for running is personal or principled.

The majority of Canadians after all that reasoning are likely still undecided and probably will be until standing in the voting booth with pencil in hand.

Election 2011 means birth of the New Democrat Liberal Party

2011-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Some things are becoming clear with a week to go until the May 2, 2011 vote. The most glaring is the mired in the past traditional media analysis predicting the outcome. Like the politicians trying to grab one of those faucets (to be polite) that will lead to a comfortable living and retirement after surviving for six years as an elected party faithful, the media is predicting like it is late 20^th or early 21^st century. There seems little doubt that change is the byword for this Canadian federal election.

Ontario municipal voters reflected desire and in many cases instituted change. Provincial elections over the past couple of years found past administrations depending on traditional party politics rejected by voters. That trend should be a sign the voters want something other than the same old, same old federal politics.

Stephen Harper must have known traditional campaigning was on dangerous ground by using fear tactics to discourage voters from considering a merger or coalition of opposition parties in an effort to claim a majority government.

Michael Ignatieff for all his scholarly intelligence did not realize the old Liberal party is outdated and issued a red book while offering a red door as opposed to a blue door for voters to consider. Unable and unwilling to promote top to bottom change in the way the Liberal party was considering the future will probably lead to the demise of both Ignatieff and the staid old Liberal party.

Jack Layton appears to have struck a chord with the electorate as NDP numbers soar ahead in pre-election polls. The surge in social votes confused scribes and analysts trying to predict the vote outcome. Layton’s NDP are likely temporarily benefiting from voter disgust with attack ads, elementary school style bullying tactics and attempts to manipulate voters by other parties. Voters by telling pollsters votes are changing seem likely sending a message for change.

The most likely outcome will be a series of changes. The media will undoubtedly decided the army of bureau chiefs, senior reporters, pollsters and analysts on payroll can be replaced when election results are far different than the steam of election information offered the viewing public.

Another change will undoubtedly be the several decades old, and in some cases century old, party system. Whether the Harper Conservatives win a majority or minority of votes change is coming to opposition parties. Canadians will probably witness the merging of a New Liberal Democrat party from the ashes, with the Bloc Quebecois dying a slow political death. The Conservatives must either become a part of the new structure or disappear as changes take hold.

Why would Canada be immune while the entire world is witnessing unexpected and unheralded change? China, India and the developing world are driving change as industrial nation try to diversify and remain affluence in the face of the revolution. Canadian voters recognize the need for planning, research and development while politicians seem to be trying to keep the status quo while holding back that needed change.

It is like reading a good novel that doesn’t divulge the ending until the last chapter is over. That final chapter will be the May 2, 2011 election results.

Vote for whom in the Canadian election?

2011-04-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

All the independent uncommitted voters attending a candidates meeting last night in our riding discovered every candidate regardless of party affiliation would follow the party line. All the hopefuls boasted that if elected, or in the case of the NDP reelected, the party line and party decisions will be influenced by the federal party policies. Every candidate answered the question of whether the constituent wishes or party direction would take precedents when voting on issues affecting local concerns. Each claimed indignantly that the wishes of constituents would come first with reservations. It was at least a mass admission that party politics has and always will trump local concerns.

Now with less than three weeks to Election Day pundits and analysts wonder why voter turnout is so low in Canada. The reason is obvious. Elections, particularly the 2011 campaign, is that after spending another $300 million, or probably more, politicians can fight a campaign meant only for politicians. The inconvenience of having to cater to voters does stand in the way to a small degree. For the most part, though, dedicated party supporters together with a few angry activists are the only people attending and listening to the rhetoric at these so-called public meetings.

It is difficult to understand how a man like Jack Layton after leading the NDP for almost a decade as the third party opposition leader can claim to be expecting to become Prime Minister. The conversation must be different behind closed doors of the party war room. Party politics is so secretive the NDP could be working to close in on the Liberal seat numbers, and then propose a merger where NDP members hold some cabinet posts. That is one scenario if the two parties are part of another Conservative minority government. It would be a simple matter early in the new session to upset a CPC minority and ask the Governor General to give the NDP/Liberal merger an opportunity to govern. Maybe that is the reason Stephen Harper seems so terrified of a coalition upsetting his bid to remain Prime Minister. The Bloq Quebecois or BQ might not become a factor thereby ruling out the coalition factor.

The Liberals seem to be flailing around in political confusion. The years in power, charges and disclosures of frauds and political favoritism for friends, seems to have annihilated the party as a serious contender to return as the ruling party. Michael Ignatieff seems like an intelligent, likable, educator but shy on the ability, as today’s political leaders must, to insult, degrade and accuse opponents of wrongdoing. Ignatieff would probably have been better as a Governor General than the leader of a major opposition party in serious decline.

The Canadian Conservative Party led by Stephen Harper is everything Canadians traditionally abhor. Accused and often proven an untruthful government with the tenancy to superimpose ideas on the opposition, public service and the public, the Harperites appear as a frightening new identity on the political scene that most Canadians fear. The Conservatives can so far win a large enough portion of the votes to win minority government status. They bully, threaten, employ secretive tactics, manipulate parliament, destroy the careers of civil servants opposing their direction, and keep losing the respect Canada forged on the world stage. For the 60% TO 65% of Canadians that either do not vote or support other parties, the Harper Conservatives are a frightening new dimension in Canadian politics. Many and probably a majority of voters will likely shy away from giving Stephen Harper the coveted majority needed to implement monumental irreversible change.

So as voters where do we caste that all-important vote? Not one eligible voter should refuse to take the time to vote as television screens fill with people rioting, protesting and dying for just an opportunity for a free vote. On May 3, 2011 will Canada have more of the same bickering and political name-calling, a majority Conservative government or a merger of the left leaning Liberal/NDP candidates governing for the four or five years? The choice is up to you the voter.

The lethargy of the 2011 Canadian election.

2011-04-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

I seldom write ‘My Canada’ on Bob’s Blog as a first person essay. Most articles are hopefully balanced issues with the content well researched. That is not to say each essay will be to the liking of every reader. I am at different times accused of being anti-Conservative, anti-Liberal, anti NDP, ignoring the Bloq or Greens and even anti-God I suppose if the reader’s God happens to be a political leader or supporter of the military.

I don’t believe in irrational political support or war. I do support defending my home, family and way of life from attack even it means supporting police or military action after all negotiating for a solution is exhausted. I do not believe in preemptive military strikes such as the US invasion of Iraq, continuing conflicts in Afghanistan and Libya. I believe there are better solutions to both than creating a living hell for the people affected using bombings, missile strikes and clandestine military action by both sides.

It is easy for North Americans to feel sympathy in the short term for the millions affected before turning off the realization that many are dying needlessly while letting others take care of the problem. Most important, those surviving these ‘wars’ are learning to hate and will turn that hatred against the ‘enemy’ regardless of which side appears to have won the conflict after some sort of solution is finally reached.

That brings us to a loving and forgiving God. Really?

The theme of this essay is not to preach the benefits of military actions that are undeclared war. It is to discuss the current political turmoil generated by some politicians trying to retain or gain the power to rule Canada on behalf of a political party. Like 85% of Canadians (according to one statistic I read) the current election is a waste of $300 million not about to make much of a difference regardless of the outcome. The cost is only one-third that of the country’s recent G-8/G30 chaos creating the arrest and imprisonment of innocent bystanders simply for viewing the proceedings.

The two main parties are unprepared to discuss issues, change, or plans for the future aside from the same old recycled promises. Is it any wonder half the eligible voters don’t turn out to vote when the minority government is defeated after the majority toppled the ruling party with contempt of parliament charges that didn't become a major election issue.

Why would voters be interested in rewarding any politician with something as cherished as our vote to support a political party using the national police force to keep young people with opposing political views from attending a party rally? That all-important vote should not support any party allowing a white supremacist or a person stating publicly sexual abuse is not serious under some circumstances.

For Canada’s political system to survive major change must happen. Worldwide television viewers are beginning to see change happening in provincial, municipal and international jurisdictions. The Provincial Wildrose party surfaced recently In Conservative Alberta. The traditional Liberal/Conservative political slugfest for the small majority of voters coming out to the polls In Ontario will probably encounter problems and maybe even challenges during the upcoming October election. Quebec politics are undergoing the biggest change since the 1995 referendum. Recent municipal elections in Ontario began giving an entire new slate of candidates a mandate to reverse the hallmark old-man style politics of previously elected councils.

All over the world from Great Britain, to Russia, China, Africa, and the Mid East to mention only a few places where people are massing and in some cases sacrificing lives to protest traditional governing. Can Canada be far from seeing the same major upheaval heralding change of its outdated political system where the rich want to hold on positions of often-unearned property and prestige?

Canada's Election 2011 and a coalition government

2011-03-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

The 41st election is underway in Canada. Canadians average an election approximately every two years in the decades beginning in 2000 opposed to the four year terms offered a majority government by law. That brings up the politician’s hated deadlock called minority government.

The political parties might hate minority government, but it seems an acceptable state for governing according to voters. Without any of Canada’s three main political parties able to garner enough votes to form a majority government, a coalition of parties might be the answer.

Stephen Harper and the new Conservative Government in fact is a coalition. The current party results from a coalition of the former Progressive Conservative Party of Canada with the Reform Party led by Stephen Harper. The Coalition formed after an agreement between Harper and PC leader Peter McKay whereby some PC members of the coalition became Harper government cabinet ministers. Political coalitions are a fact in Canada since even the Progressive Conservative Party was a coalition of the Progressive and Conservative parties.

A coalition of the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party might be a disappointment to diehard party supporters. Canadian voters on the other hand might want to consider such a change if the current election ends in another minority government stalemate. The country appears weary of the partisan political wrangling between parties keeping the country from looking forward rather than marking time in past traditions awaiting the next collapse of government.

The Bloc of course is always a factor in Canadian elections and tends to create the perfect atmosphere for continued minority governments. If another minority election results in the Harper dreaded coalition of the Liberals and NDP the merger would change the face of Canadian politics forever bringing about a new Canadian political party. A taste for new parties is the scenario most frightening to the all old established Canadian political parties since it is already a reality with the birth of the Alberta Wildrose Party.

The new party would undoubtedly force the Bloc to change tactics after probably losing leader Gilles Duceppe to the provincial political scene. The more or less conservative leaning Bloc could lose some support in Quebec if the coalition creates a new left of center party with a dedicated voter base.

Regardless of the outcome of Canada’s current election the country will either become more politically conservative or move farther to the center-left with a coalition of the two current left leaning parties.

As the world turns...the Young and Restless...send opponents to General Hospital

2011-02-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

The above title is not exactly a political addict attention catcher, but it might attract the attention of soap opera followers that need to become aware of the changing world. The current deposing of some of the world’s longest reining dictator-despots is history making. It isn’t that the world might change, it will change and the lifestyle North Americans and for that matter most people in the western hemisphere enjoys is about to become unrecognizable. Predicted food shortages unaffordable gasoline for our vehicles and escalating costs in every sector of the economy tell an untold story.

Solar flare happening as we continue our daily existence might not have much impact. That is for science to determine. The, uprisings, wars and instability in the Mid-East will have an impact and political leaders already know the expected outcome. In other words, how can people massing in the streets throwing rocks and carrying wooden clubs suddenly have rifles over their collective shoulders and challenge heavily armed soldiers loyal to the regimes without outside help? Will the insurrection topple only the handful of dictatorships with some of the Arabian oil supplies the entire world depends upon or will it eventually encompass Saudi Arabia and that nation’s strategic oil resources. Much is probably going on behind the scenes that the public watching the new multi-faceted media is not aware is happening. Maybe Mother Nature and angry pulsing sun flares will change the direction of history differently than humankind imposing inhumanities upon less powerful citizens of the planet. If religious doctrines are correct, God will put an end to man’s pursuit of the good things in life for the elite with divine intervention. What would be a better way for a supreme power to create a display of anger than to using the power of the sun? Maybe people should remember what the bible says about what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah.

Getting back to reality, what about the need for every level of government to control spending and reduce deficits. One method raising its ugly head is an all-out attack on unionized workers and accumulated benefits from health care to retirement pensions of all unionized workers. Many American states are already battling unionized employees from police officers to firefighters and teachers by reducing employment figures with massive layoffs. The need for reduced spending according to news reports is affecting the average person’s security let alone the future of their children with class sizes doubling and in some cases tripling.

We don’t have to go as far as the United States to find similarities happening or about to happen in Canada. The City of Toronto wants to declare transit workers an essential service. Legal action would then bring bus, streetcar and subway workers under control in the event of a strike. It is difficult to believe that unions would agree to contract concessions without a major fight breaking out between the union and politicians.

The control of transit workers is only the thin edge of the issue. Macleans magazine recently announced the Ontario Government is considering reducing the province’s civil service by 1000 jobs. The magazine article states the number is one-eighteenth of the 180,000 civil servants hired since the Liberals came to power in the province. Where will the money come from to pay the wages and lucrative benefits to the other 179,000 newly hired employees while full-filling election promises bound to come once the October 2012 election nears?

The issues mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg floating in the seas of debt the entire world faces if news reports are true.

Canada stands still while the world changes

2011-02-19T12:05:00.000-08:00

The world is changing and Canada is standing still watching history evolve. The reason is without a doubt that the government wants to cater to major corporations after getting away with losing of billions of shareholder dollars during the 2006 recession. Wanting to support the corporate greed is not all bad according to the free world’s influential media since only when the stock markets soar do jobs multiply. The scenario is undoubtedly the vicious circle that it appears to be.

The corporate sector wants to Globalize. Globalization is attractive to both have-not and developing nations because it allows access to the resources and services of developed nations like Canada. Globalization also allows unprecedented profit for investing in the resource, manufacturing and technology sectors of a developed economy.

Greed is the undisputed motivation for globalization that will lead to more unrest as reported at the cost of many lives in the Arab world. In the Middle East and Northern Africa nations enduring years of dictatorship face rebellion. It can only end with a significant loss of life and unexpected, even unheralded change. Can we do anything more than watch, wonder and maybe worry as that part of the world changes so dramatically?

The Canadian media appears mired in indecision as to its role in the modern world. As major newspapers die a slow death many respected journalists seem to be allowing payoffs such as pensions, appointments, and fringe benefits for following the party line supplant opposition to injustice. An example is the February 28th 2011 issue of Canada’s Macleans news magazine. The lead unaccredited editorial disputes the reasoning of hundreds of thousands of Canadians petitioning the elected minority government to reverse the decision of the Canadian Radio Television Commission (a government supported regulatory body) allowing major corporations to increase the cost of internet usage to the average user. The editorial argues it is unfair that internet use will not allow price increases making certain investors realize the highest possible returns. The former Ontario Hydro is a good example of runaway pricing leading to high costs. The Ontario government added the unpaid cost of past indebtedness to current invoicing after spending user money without regard to consequences. The consumer does not have a choice since the utility can practice the pay up or do without philosophy..

Maclean’s national editor followed the internet user column with another article titled “Why Canada has nothing to fear but itself” espousing support for Canadian resource and services takeover in the name of globalization. The writer criticizes government for not allowing the potash industry to fall into foreign ownership after Canadians and the Saskatchewan government reacted to the takeover attempt. The editor then gives full support to the merger of Canada’s premier stock market with the London Stock market justifying the merger by stating smaller provincial stock markets would still be around. Common sense dictates that the lesser markets would become less attractive to investors once the country’s major market and its investors are conducting the nation’s financial business offshore.

There is little doubt Rogers Media and its publishing subsidiary influences the neutrality of its major editorialists. It is difficult to argue that large salaries and skyrocketing investment income doesn’t offset personal belief that might need stating. The people of Canada have lost a great deal of say in governing the country now that the ruling party’s deep money pockets are used to determine the next form of government ruling the country by insighting hatred of an opposition leader. Can the Mid East scenario be far from happening in Canada?

Meaning of a Canadian Conservative election victory

2011-01-29T13:56:00.000-08:00

Harper’s Conservative minority government wants to destroy opposition party funding while imposing rising gas and food prices by stimulating the dollar and selling off natural resources. They are committing to buy unaffordable fighter jets without competitive bids to appease America’s need for more firepower. Add right wing ideology disgruntling 65% of voting Canadians by decreasing corporate tax levels and continuing to fight a losing war in Afghanistan. With France, Ireland, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt citizenry openly defying the police and army guns Canadians could face the same scenario to depose dictatorial edicts including possibly the right to object through media coverage and editorial commentary. The Supreme Court already influenced by partisan Conservative appointments recently struck down to some degree the right of the media to protect sources.

Clearly libelous attack ads against the integrity of the main opposition leader, supposedly only taking erroneous quotes out of context, are another worrisome happening changing protection of the masses from overt government power. Hopefully and upcoming Federal election will keep the Conservatives from assuming power and turning democratic Canada into a third world type dictatorship. It would even be an improvement if Harper fails to win his majority and the opposition parties formed the dreaded left coalition. Change is happening everywhere and change will come to Canada’s Federal political scene.

Canada is experiencing the same right wing ideology that Ontario experienced and suffered from after Mike Harris and the Conservatives decimated the province using many of the same ideological theories with the same destructive political gang led by Flaherty, Baird and others in the Harper cabinet control . The power of the vote unless compromised by the people seeking fully unopposed power can stop the onslaught and keep Canada from becoming the next nation with international media tracking crowds on the street opposing police and the military. If Canadians think the same scenario cannot happen here just recall the G20 fiasco last summer when Harper’s party implemented the jailing of 1000 citizens without cause (or charges) for demonstrating? Harper and his government proved beyond any doubt that ordering the police and military to control Canadians opposed to the party’s rule and right wing philosophy would happen.

When parliament opens on Monday January 24th the stage will be set. The Conservatives will again attempt to take power. Watch closely as the majority Conservatives try gain a majority. It could be the last election for a long time in Canada. Remember Harper used prorogation to retain power. He will do even more if given the opportunity to change Canada while exploiting our strengths as a nation.

Conservative or left coalition Canada?

2011-01-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

I usually blog on my site at least every month with comments that I hope people read. I find the blog a great forum for getting my opinions read even if my readership is an unknown quantity. Writing community newspaper editorials and other opinion pieces for more than 20 years, having this forum is both healthy and satisfying. That said let’s make some pointed comments with respect to the political scene internationally, south of the border and here at home.

It seems most Canadians and Americans want to change the politics that gave both nations a standard of living surpassing all but the richest people in other nations. The discontent is not surprising when the fact that those making the laws and taxing the masses are more intent on retaining power and their own above normal financial positions rather than trying to improve society. Once exploiting of those in other nations begins, it does not take long for the people wanting more riches to begin exploiting their own people. North American leaders seem to be following a recipe for disaster making the rich richer at the expense of the middle class. Most have forgotten that you must give to take or those not getting a fair share will begin to look for a better government.

News reports following the unrest bubbling up all over the globe is worrying. Upheaval in Egypt, the Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Sudan, Morocco with bombings in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan to mention just a few of the world’s trouble spots makes the Apocalypse 2012 seem more possible. How many times even in the lifetime of people reading this blog has there been a prediction that the world is ending. Will humankind realize the end is here when and if it finally comes? Is the current rash of wars, terrorism and brutality of man for the sake of money or religion new? Alternatively, is the perchance for modern instant communication making it sound like the world is more violent than during other times of war and terrorism?

The world does seem to be in the throes of change with riots, suppression, poverty and lawlessness prevalent in many formerly stable countries. People basking in the luxury of affluence are ready to suppress the less fortunate in the same manner that happened throughout history. There will be more bloodshed and maybe even change in the way most people survive as the unrest heightens. That result is an ongoing fact of living on the planet. Man does not learn from experience. We increase our knowledge and struggle to overpower those living in squalor rather than working to learn how to share the new inventions and life experiences with the less fortunate. That sounds like a preacher or religious fantastic but today many learned people don’t even believe in religion. God possibly, but not religion after studying the way religion exploits the poor and often helpless for the benefit of those seeking riches. Those in power throughout history often t enforce an alien way of life of those not really wanting change.

Enough philosophy since only future history will reveal if humankind can change the way the world lives with nation pitted against nation hoping the future will unfold as it always has in the past.

In Canada, will Stephen Harper and the Canadian Conservative alliance finally gain control of one of the world’s most resource rich nations? Alternatively, will the coalition of left leaning parties unite under a single banner to chase the Harperites back into opposition? The answers will likely surface within the next few months as Canada goes to the polls again to elect another government for the third time in five years. Polls indicate another minority government might happen creating a coalition of parties to govern similar to what is happening almost elsewhere in the democratic world. Stay tuned to hear the political screaming that is simply a voice of the political animals wanting to remain or gain power. Harper can’t seem to win a majority, the antique Liberal party is in shambles and the NDP hasn’t a chance of governing. Isn’t that the recipe needed for a drastic change in Canadian politics?

Canadian Politics at year end 2010

2010-12-10T17:36:00.000-08:00

The Problem:

Every day something else is happening to prove Canada’s government is not working for Canadians. The problem seems to be the entire elected government from municipal to provincial and the entire 308 elected members of Canada’s House of Commons. Canadians face lies, deceit, escalating taxes and daily frightening reports with respect to the future expectations for our children and grandchildren.

Ten possible solutions:

1. Parliamentary democracy is unequivocally the best system in the world and needing a change probably like happened in many of the October 25th Ontario municipal election jurisdictions. A complete change of people currently holding elected office would be a start. Wouldn’t that be positive and refreshing?

2. Why not organize a movement to refuse paying the former Ontario Hydro debt included on Ontario hydro bills. What other business aside from the banks and the auto industry can pile up debt and let the taxpayer bail them out? We know the worst is yet to come because the government already said that the payback is just the beginning. Larger and more expensive utility rates are on the horizon while natural gas prices keep pace. Taxes imposed on fuel for our cars goes to paying executive and of course politician and civil service benefits. Look around the globe and the changes always bring unrest, riots and more. Canada's turn is probably coming since Canadians always react later than other people.

3. Why is Canada riding out the recession crippling Europe, America and the rest of the world? Could the reason be that Canadians are exporting our renewable resources as though every barrel of oil, ounce of precious metal, length of exported lumber, dairy and agricultural product together with manufactured goods? Is everyone convinced everything in the country belongs to this generation? Our governments and industry are so intent on making certain every level remains in power that the next generations are losing the heritage that should be included in future planning.

4. Why are Canadian banks registering unbelievable profits while banks across the world are struggling? Could the government be allowing interest rates to remain low so Canadians will continue to spend and contribute to the bank profits through artificially low credit rates making certain savings and investments do not increase in value?

5. Another example might be the price of gasoline at the pumps. Stock market manipulators allow the price for a barrel of oil to reflect little change in price during the fall as the summer travel season wound down. A few dollars up and then a drop of a few dollars while people watched daily stock market pricing reports makes for a feeling that gasoline prices are steady. Oil stock manipulators it seems began rapidly pumping up the price of crude with the Christmas travel season rapidly approaching to match quickly escalating gas prices at the pump . Oil inventories were dropping or OPEC was slowing production the oil companies claim and the price had to rise just in time for Christmas travel. Oh, that’s right, politically correct it is holiday season travel.

6. Why is the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ the only international religious celebration that is designated a holiday season celebration rather than following the traditions of Ramadan, or a Hanukkah celebration? The reason is probably that Christianity has many branches making it less concentrated than other religions as a single faith . The predominantly Christian nations of the world are the richest having the best standard of living enjoyed by the most people practicing Christanity. Could the solution be using more of our wealth to assist the poorer nations instead of spending so extensively on war?

7. You don’t have to be a physic to know the end of the kind of folly practiced after the dirty thirties 20th century depression is in view. Can Canada find some honest leaders with the foresight and desire to make the world a better place for future generations instead of an artificial paradise for some of the people occupying the planet today?

8. Some recent police incidents include police ruthlessly enforcing their own and the government’s rules at the Toronto G20. Officers depicted kicking and abusing prisoners in Ottawa. Officers in Sault Ste Marie charged with inappropriate actions. There was the reported death of a mentally ill man in Nova Scotia after pictures of abuse surfaced. The taser death of a visitor in Vancouver shocked the country. Does this indicate the police out of control with the politicians aiding and abetting the crimes?

9. Opposition politicians claim another party in control will change the way the country is ruled. Where are the plans indicating any party would change the way the parties govern differently than the minority Conservative government? Where are the plans for the ruling Conservatives to serve the country’s needs for that matter. It seems everyone wants power but all the parties only want to serve the needs of the political parties.

10. Would it not make sense to freeze all government spending at current levels until provincial debt in every province disappears and the accumulated hydro debt is retired? Wouldn’t that begin to cure the ills that will eventually lead to an even deeper recession?

Rejecting 2011 Canadian troop withdrawal reversal

2010-11-18T13:24:00.000-08:00

I want to respond to the Liberal decision to support the Harper government keeping Canada’s troops in Afghanistan. Here is an exchange with Liberal Defense Critic Bob Rae after his appearance on CTV Question Period November 21st 2010

I have been a Liberal and supported candidates since Roger Mitchell held the Sudbury seat in the 1950’s and early 1960s. I did not always agree with the direction of the party and refused to be a card-carrying member and donor at times. However, I always supported the party federally and had a working friendship with Maurice Foster and Brent St. Denis when they represented our riding. Like many Liberals, I suppose I would not be considered a die-hard supporter. I was having a difficult time supporting recent Liberal initiatives. Your appearance on CTV QP on Sunday I felt was a political disaster for the party and the country. You came across as willing to sacrifice Liberal ideals once again to avoid having to face the electorate over the Conservative flip flop on keeping troops in Afghanistan. We are all aware of the reasons for supporting the US, the UN and helping Afghanistan to try shedding the image of a recruiting ground for terrorism. They are all noble causes but when the vast majority of Canadians are saying leave the war and find another more effective way to fight terrorists, Liberals should listen instead of placing all the party’s credence in a coalition with the Conservatives. The people have spoken, no screamed, that the war is a lost cause. You and the other Liberals in the farce called parliamentary debate during question period must listen and shift gears if you want financial and voter support from we, the usual party supporters. I feel better now.

I received this reply from an intern in Mr. Rae’s office. Thank you for taking the time to write to our office concerning the future of Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan after July 2011. After months of speculation and inaction, the Harper government finally revealed its plan for the post-combat role of the Canadian forces: the Conservatives will keep 950 military personnel to train in Afghanistan until 2014.
Both Mr. Rae and the Liberal Party believe that Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan must end in 2011, as is currently scheduled. Further, we support the new post-combat training presence outlined by the government on November 16.
The Liberal Party has long made it clear that we support a continuing training role for Canada’s troops after the combat mission ends to sustain a stable, effective government in Afghanistan. Nearly six months ago, we took a position of leadership by proposing in our Global Networks Strategy that Canada pursue a limited, post-2011 role based on training of police and military personnel and civilian capacity-building in Afghanistan. The government’s proposal conforms to this Liberal position.
Despite the fast-approaching July 2011 deadline, the Conservative government was silent on the issue, providing no plan or guidance for how this withdrawal would take place, or what role, if any, Canada should play once the combat mission ends. Then, just hours after the Liberals pressed for answers in the House of Commons, and just days before the Lisbon NATO summit, the government has finally confirmed details of the post-2011 role that they are proposing.
Mr. Rae and the Liberal Party believe that this training role is appropriate, provided – as the government has stated – that such training will not involve any Canadian personnel, including military personnel, in an active combat role.
Canada must continue to work with other NATO and UN partners to sustain a stable, effective government in Afghanistan. Canada must remain committed to strengthen the capacity of the Afghan government to provide educational, health and social services, promote the equality of women, and develop its democratic institutions.
Mr. Rae and the Liberal Party strongly support the post-2011 non-combat mission as the best path to stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan for the Afghan people and its government. The position of the NDP is simply not credible. Jack Layton has called for “a massive civilian deployment” to provide stability in Afghanistan; however, you cannot achieve this in the midst of conflict without providing Afghans with the tools to protect their security and democracy.
The Liberal Party believes that the non-combat role in Afghanistan fits into the broader Liberal vision of Canada’s role in the world. The Liberal Global Networks Strategy emphasizes a return to a leadership in the United Nations peace operations and support for the ‘Responsibility to Protect’; constructive multilateralism, and a “whole-of-Canada” approach to human development.

I replied to Mr. Rae through the intern. Thank you for your detailed reply. I hear the same argument reiterated on almost every newscast and television political broadcast. It appears to be simply rhetoric to avoid an unplanned election. Ten years of war and 154 Canadians dead is sufficient reason to get out of a country that cannot hold democratic elections without charges and counter charges of fraud. The country’s rulers historically await invaders (because that is what we have become) to stop spending money and leave so ruling chieftains can return to administering power in the traditional manner. Those future ‘trained troops’ will be equipped with modern weaponry supplied by NATO and UN countries believing themselves saviors of the nation that will eventually use that weaponry to defend and kill more ‘invaders’ to ensure the same old ideas that have been the nation’s character since before biblical times is reinstated. The Liberal/Conservative coalition in this instance has not learned anything from history and only succeeded in sacrificing 154 Canadian lives and thousands of Afghanistan men women and children in an effort to stop the next Al Qaeda attack against the western alliance even though experts tell us that attack is inevitable. Many of the people I speak with everyday on social networks, in coffee houses, on the street, and in shopping centers across Northeastern Ontario feel the same about this latest capitulation to the Harper drive for power. I don’t expect any further reply but you, Mr. Rae and his team should be aware that many former Liberal donors and supporters are disappointed.

A Pot Pourri of comments on today

2010-11-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

November 9, 2010
I have been writing this blog like an opinion editorial. It is a habit from the past, it seems like I am afraid to say the comments are mine maybe? That will change beginning today hopefully.

What’s on the agenda? Federally with the House of Commons again in recess, only Harpers brown-nosing Israel while the rest of the world looks on in disgust seems newsworthy. The NEW Canada derived from the NEW Conservative philosophy that Canadians seem willing to allow is undoubtedly the result of the other OLD parties being just that, OLD parties with old ideas and too much political baggage. I guess it is too much to believe a NEW party will emerge to sweep the, fraudulent politicians and proven thievery without penalties or recrimination out the door. We have to agree that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East but for Canada’s Prime Minister to grovel while allegedly representing the country without parliamentary approval is unCanadian and probably illegal.

Provincially the Ontario Liberals seem to rushing towards opposition status once more due to among other issues implementing the hated HST. Insiders and appointees regularly appear in the media accused of stealing from the government and indirectly from the taxpayer then sent away with big payoffs for being dishonest. We recently went to an OLG slots location and listened to people at the slot machines mumbling about the infrequency of winning. What would the gamblers expect when imbedded thieves are getting so much cash without spinning the dial? If there is a government change in the next Federal or Provincial election will it make a difference, or will only the faces and allegiance of those taking advantage of the system change? Any answers?

We listened to American President Barack Obama on Television’s 60 Minutes Sunday night. It is undoubtedly difficult to be a Liberal Democratic President in the United States. Obama must face a financial mess that was there before winning the office, an unwinnable war, terrorist threats against his country, the tradition of a population accustomed to living extravagantly while the bottom has fallen out of the economy, and a world trying to overthrow the life Americans and by default Canadians enjoy. The man has the ability the accept criticism and refrain from placing blame on others when under attack by the media and opposition. It will be interesting to discover if the party faithful can salvage another term out of the turmoil that seems to have weakened Obama’s presidency. I like the man and most of his politics, but then again since unaffected directly by his government direction and can’t vote anyway since I am not American the future will in the hands of the people of America.

I do not like what has been happening in the NHL for the past several years although I guess it is a matter of dollars and control. Last Saturday night’s results were discouraging to a country that claims hockey as its national sport. Every Canadian team in action lost its game. Would it not make more sense to put three more Canadian teams in the league, Winnipeg, Quebec and another southern Ontario or Maritimes team and have a Canadian east west and American east west division that play off similar to major league baseball. A better alternative might to be the addition of a half dozen European teams with a US east division playoff against the European team champion while the Canadian champions would playoff with the US western division champs. The winners of each of those playoff games meet to decide the Stanley Cup champions. The result would be a true world championship probably as popular in some quarters as the World Cup of soccer. The idea would have a difficult time making it through hockey boardrooms for a multitude of financial and other reasons. Would it not be an exciting alternative to the massive playoff s in those same divisions bringing hockey into this century as a worldwide sport?

November 4, 2010
It was so great to hear Tony Clement declare that Stephen Harper decided not to sell another Canadian resource to another country on the pretence it didn't matter to Canada's future. Of course, the door remains open to sell the Saskatchewan people's property within the next 30 days or longer. The only reason the potash company remained in Canadian ownership in fact was the possible loss of governing party seats needed to win a majority in the next election. We shall see what the future brings.

The Liberal party funding apparatus is telephoning every past and present donor trying to raise funds to finance the next election. Even dedicated past party faithful must be having a difficult time finding even a few dollars to support the cause. The party has not displayed the slightest indication that bringing it back to power with either a minority or majority would be anything more than the same old, same old Liberal politics. The amazing scenario of a malfunctioning Liberal Party and Conservatives that voters won’t trust is certainly foreign and sad for Canadians to endure. Where in heck are the real dynamic and cherished leaders hiding?

People watching the French language broadcast from Quebec are learning that big changes might be coming to rejuvenate the long-stalled sovereignty movement in the province. The door is open for Gilles Duceppe to lead the charge to independence after convincing the electorate another referendum would have better results than the 1995 squeaker. Maybe if the government funds a new NHL arena to house a Nordiques team in Quebec the rush to independence can be derailed again.

If the NDP was less dependent on militant labour unions and more business friendly as opposed to constantly championing the cause of the underdog, often the people not wanting to work, the seat count could gain ground. Labour parties in other nations are more flexible and with a personable leader like Jack Layton the New Democrats could probably make those needed gains and become the official opposition replacing the stale old Liberal Party.

Most Canadians like our American neighbors are tired of partisan politics with elected representatives chasing pensions and monetary benefits most people can only dream of latching onto without winning a major lottery prize. The Americans expressed displeasure at the situation during a recent rally then emphasized that displeasure by getting rid of a great many of the people hooked on the good life during the November 2nd election. Will Canadians ever react with more than tolerance towards the people that constantly take advantage from politicians to fraudsters and pretty criminals to the Bernardo and Williams killers?

Consuming soduim more important than health care problems.

2010-09-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Canada’s envied health care system is crumbling apparently because of escalating costs that benefit the corporate section involved in supply insurance for those with the added coverage. Not so much the doctor patient cost for consultation and diagnosis. It is more the cost of drugs that the doctors must prescribe to cure all ills or at least relieve suffering. Health ministers from the provinces and territories met recently in Newfoundland to talk about the situation that some believe might become a crisis. Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq in a press conference after the meeting explained what the Harper Conservative have in mind to deal with the crisis by stating the government is considering imposing a ban on eating too much salt.

Did she propose a solution to the wait times for surgery or even for doctor appointments in parts of the country? Can we expect to pay each time a visit to the doctor become necessary? Will the government that appointed Aglukkaq to lead the country’s health ministry continue to support building hospitals and other health care institutions that match the architectural design of the most lavish government buildings? Will the government work with the provinces to deal with third world health conditions on isolated Canadian First Nation reserves? Will the plans of her government for the future include affordable health care for our children and grandchildren when needed? All of these questions and may more need answers now but all Canadians heard from Minister Aglukkaq was the government’s concern that we consume too much salt and unless it is legislated lower by laws the health care costs will rise. The over consumption of salt by Canadians is rightfully a major concern as it has been since time everlasting but to usurp the real issues of health care to concentrate of outlawing excessive use of sodium in our food is ridiculous. At least we eat better and have more food at our disposal that the greatest percentage of the rest of the world. It is time for Minister Aglukkaq and her party to get real about health care problems.

Gun Registration...Another Harper victory

2010-09-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

The private member’s bill to kill Canada’s long gun registry was one of the best-executed Harper Conservative ploys ever devised. Catering to the large rural vote the party can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Liberal/NDP/Bloq coalition votes to keep the legislation in place. Liberals once more stumbled into the trap of supporting another Conservative initiative. It was a narrow escape but the Harperites outmaneuvered and outsmarted Ignatieff and the Liberal caucus from the outset.

The Conservatives in backing the private member’s bill (avoiding a vote of non-confidence) met a mountain of protests from every anti-gun lobby, police force and gathering of police officials in the country. The move came off exactly as planned with the Liberals showing unity on an issue that in real terms the Conservatives were ready to support. The NDP caucus played perfectly into the mix with a great many of their members representing large sprawling urban and rural constituents. NDP members one after another, caught in the crossfire, changed from supporting the rural kill the registry to siding with the more numerous urbanite keep the registry faction. After all, votes count to remain in parliament and the NDP members had to appease the majority while claiming to be voting in conscience for the best interest of the riding and the country even if it meant deserting their traditional supporters on the issue.

Liberals and Michael Ignatieff will pay dearly once the media begins to reveal how naive the party was in acting once more in the interest of Harpers minority Conservatives after avoiding having to scrap the registration law. Is this the final act of by a trembling old Liberal party that will lead to American style right wing majority government in Canada? Are we destined to have a rightwing Reform Party/ Conservative coalition with its Canadian version of Fox news and George W. Bush style politics?

Should Canadians lose the home to cancer drugs?

2010-09-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

This issue hasn’t come up for much debate by Canada’s politicians. The problem recently written about in Reader’s Digest involves a woman in Ontario dying after the provincial government in effect disallowed funding for a needed cancer drug. The reason, although not pointed out in the article, was probably that the family owned home if sold could pay the cost of the lifesaving treatment.

There are likely two trains of thoughts on the situation. People with sufficiently large savings and employment retirement insurance policies would say the government is right denying the drug until the money realized from selling the house is exhausted. Those retirees owning a home and living on the edge or below the poverty level would believe Canada’s world-renowned healthcare system should pay for the drugs. The reason being that keeping the house would eventually mean a spouse and family members could benefit financially from the property sale.

Most elected politicians with better than average income levels and gold plated retirement benefits will probably be on the side of having the cancer victim’s family sell the asset and pay for the drug. However, that more or less selfish thinking might change once baby boomers without company pensions and facing the same dilemma consider voting against members of any party supporting using the sale of family homes to pay for medical expenses. If readers think gun registry split the country between rural and city dwellers wait until the drug payment issue divides the electorate with savings from those living at the poverty level.

The solution is obvious. Canada should simply use some of the multi-billion dollars now supporting health care to fund needed drugs for Canadians that do not have private health care coverage. To accomplish the shift in funding there would have to be spending cuts and changes in the cost of developing architecturally designed state-of-the-art facilities considered elaborately essential. Fewer well paid non-medical employees and severely reducing the payment to highly overpaid managers and administrators would be a good place to start. Renegotiating union contracts with the same vision for reducing costs that foreign owned companies buying Canada’s industries are using to decimate the terms and conditions won over the years by powerful foreign-based unions would need consideration by over expensed hospital boards.

The difference must come from the healthcare system when renegotiated benefit packages reducing the amount of drug coverage allowed retirees that worked long years for large corporations becomes a factor. Since it isn’t the fault of the family that the drugs are suddenly unaffordable, forcing the surviving spouse out of the family home should not become a Canadian tradition.

Changes are inevitable since the 2008 collapse of the North American financial system that is just now beginning to show signs of a shaky recovery. It is unrealistic to believe a country as small, and rich in resources, going at bargain prices to large foreign interests, will continue to weather the storm. Let’s hope our leaders are more far-sighted than the political games currently taking place in parliament and supported by a sensational seeking media.

Canada is about to change...an opinion

2010-08-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

If you are like most Canadian Tim Horton conversationalists, the latest domestic news is disheartening and probably even discouraging. Canada recently became a country ruled (not governed by one party). Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, New Cons, or Reform Party based Conservative alliance depending on an individual’s point of view is ruling with less than a majority in parliament. The Liberals, New Democrats, Greens, and even the Bloq are scrambling to keep what they have in the way of support.

Harper’s Tories are actually doing a great job of shedding a great deal of the bureaucratic empire building and public service expansion built up over the years of left of center governance. The only trouble seems to be that the way the current government is making the changes is unpopular with most Canadians. Harper appears so dictatorial that 65% to 70% of the population will not give his government the support and trust needed to make the needed changes.

Will the changes eventually happen? Probably unless the other parties begin to gain momentum in some yet to be disclosed manner, or a new party comes along to unseat the struggling, inept opposition. A new party can happen as witnessed by the recent surge of support for Alberta’s Wild Rose Party. The same scenario can happen nationwide if a dynamic leader emerges with enough funding to rise from the ashes of Canada’s former Liberal, Progressive Conservative and New Democratic parties. Undoubtedly, the Bloq Quebecois will outlive its usefulness to Quebecers and the Greens will linger as for a place for the disgruntled and idealist environmental factions to caste votes.

Change is inevitable. If Canadians are only interested in change for the sake of change then electing a party with a leader that dictates everything that happens means the Harperites will succeed in getting another minority or even a majority of seats in the next election. The announced Conservative plan for riding redistribution will mean the demise of Quebec as a major influence in Canada’s politics. Increasing the number of seats at the expense of Ontario and Quebec would strengthen the Conservative western base probably leading to another Quebec referendum. Would that result in the United States of Canada or a European type political landscape? With the selling off resource industries to foreign interests and a crumbling infrastructure that holds this great country together needing continuing revenue from those disappearing resource industries change is inevitable.

Political stalemate.

2010-08-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

A new month of the same old, same old with regard to Canada's politics. The Conservatives are still shooting the party in the foot once opinion polls reflect increases in popularity. The Liberals are still pretending to support an anointed leader, the New Democrats are still the NDP against everything the major parties propose and the Bloq are still Quebecers.

The only truly reasonable answer to those questions is where the country goes from here politically except to an election that Canada cannot afford and will probably bring about little in the way of change. We can’t on the other hand keep letting the spoiled children sitting in the House of Commons play partisan politics. One of the parties, maybe even the Green Party must come up with an alternative that voters will embrace scaring the foolishness out of the current political competitiveness.

Let’s be honest and admit a few dozen more state of the art airplanes and ships patrolling one of the world’s longest unprotected coastlines makes as much sense as telling the Americans Canada does not need the protection of our powerful neighbor’s military. The deterrence of any real threat against our sovereignty could only become serious if America didn’t come to our defense. Do politicians have to concentrate on whether our soldiers are following established protocol of warfare, the upcoming census answers should be long or short form, a minister of the crown or her husband is using their political office for commercial advantage and the list goes on. What about demanding politicians of every party begin dealing with the federal deficit and how it will affect the provinces and municipalities, tackling the burgeoning shortfall in healthcare and education funding, supporting industries trying to offset the decline of heavy industrial jobs in North America.

These complaints are all negativity caused by the fact most Canadians seems content to let the country and even more worrisome its citizens slip deeper into debt as prices escalate and savings shrink. All this is happening while politicians play Nero fiddling as the country burns its advantages in the world. The government insists Canada is the envy of every other nation because our banks weathered the recession that brought down larger less government regulated financial institutions. Our five banks compared to hundreds in the United States, Europe and other countries never even claimed a loss. Profits fell but never disappeared like in the rest of the world. Can a country boasting a few thousand citizens blessed with envied resources expect to retain that idealistic position against the concentrated effort of nations with larger budgets and bigger, richer banks looking to exploit Canadian resources?

We need leadership like the men that built the country and were willing to sacrifice political stability to build nationwide railroads, cross-Canada highways, metropolitan city transportation facilities, enduring tourist attractions and again the list goes on. Before the upcoming elections opportunists willing to sacrifice Canada’s wealth for instant cash must disappear replaced by forward thinking young people of a different cult. Today’s politicians are as outdated as the telegram and land phone.

Should Canada assimilate First Nations?

2010-07-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Some readers might remember the old saying ‘give this land back to the Indians’ often used when people became frustrated or angry with government programs. The old adage might be closer to the truth today after the government decided to rename Vancouver’s Stanley Park and look the other way with respect to the sale of illegal cigarettes on most reserves in populated areas.

A guest editorial in a small Northern Ontario newspaper by a recognized lawyer/activist from Sudbury Ontario caused a mild flurry of letters apparently by First Nation writers after the essay appeared.
Letter writers Northern Fire and Dog Soldier have valid points and should not be hiding behind anonymity. These protesters should let readers know their names when standing up for those rights. What is there to fear in a free society? Only G8 and G20 gatherings trample on the rights of Canadians for ego mongering politicians.

The guest editorial apparently sanctioned by the Sun Media editor suggested First Nations should accept assimilation. The arguments by the essay writer are academic and far from a solution since the problem is as old as Canada and won’t be resolved as suggested. The writer seems to feel the plight of native Canadians are only those reported in the media about the plight of the less fortunate of the native population that fell through the cracks ending up in prison. Statistics indicate the First Nation jail population surpasses every other segment of the population, as does the national suicide rate. There is a reason for those numbers that have to do with the reservation system imposed on First Canadians by our ancestors and perpetuated by every elected government since and before confederation.

The reserve system is deplorable outside of the Great Lakes corridor. First Nation leaders fought and won concessions near heavily populated regions allowing their people access to education, employment and government funding to establish profitable business ventures while improving living conditions. Some projects failed, but many succeeded providing a great deal of employment and self-respect to native Canadians that would have probably otherwise have stumbled along the edge of those previously mentioned cracks or tumbled into the abyss.

The imposed reservation system is imperfect. Native administration on the other hand accepted the adversity of the system turning it into a secure base for all First nation people. Where non-Native children have the security of the family home when facing adversity, Native youth have the support of the entire reserve community when needing help and support. Does that sound like a system that should be caste aside or integrated into today’s imperfect society? Canadians allowed our most treasured institutions to rip apart First Nation communities in the past by removing children from the family home. Are we prepared to try another heartless experiment by destroying the last vestige of native Canadian identification?

The reserve system might be imperfect but if communities can access deserved funding programs and encouragement from government, and their own successful people, a new way of life can immerge. Cultural and political Native organizations are now emerging to offer native Canadians a new way of life within the traditional reserve system. Native organizations trying to improve life in isolated native reserves should be able to access a fair share of the billions in taxpayer funds currently available to immigrants and refugees coming to Canada to escape homeland injustices. To be a truly a shining example of a country leading the world in overcoming poverty and inequity Canada must deal with the problems running rampant on our “Indian” reserves, especially outside the Great Lakes development corridor.

A review before spending $1 billion on G8-20 security

2010-05-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

I am disillusioned by politics and politicians of every creed and party affiliation the same as most Canadians. Our Conservative Prime Minister has the leanings of a Castro-like dictator. I feel voters should be wary of any politician with dictatorial tenancies and made the comment on a major media website. To emphasize the point I used a quote from Harry S. Truman. "Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear." Harry S Truman, August 8, 1950.

Canada’s history is wrought with Liberal left wing to center of left dynasties that brought in government sponsored health care, lucrative welfare and unemployment benefit programs that our burgeoning overseas immigrant and refugee population are taking advantage of at the expense of Canadians. The current strongly right wing Harper government is trying to stem the tide but cannot get a majority of seats in the House of Commons allowing the Reform-Conservative coalition to rule. The Reform party that spawned Harper and a bevy of hard right wing politicians from our western provinces could only garner a few seats mostly in the oil producing regions until overpowering a weakened Conservative base in central Canada. The Liberals meanwhile after thirteen years in power led by Quebecer Jean Chretien began an internal battle for party power between Chrétien and his finance Minster Paul Martin. The Gomery scandal surfaced involving many Quebec Liberals that led to Chrétien retiring and Paul Martin’s selection as leader. The scandal had legs enough to cost the Liberals their traditional power base in Ontario and Quebec defeating the Martin led Liberals in the 2006 Election. The Reform-Conservatives won most seats in our 303 seat four party parliament but not a majority. That meant compromising with the Liberal opposition, The New Democrats (Labor) or Quebec Bloq Quebecois (separatist) party to enact legislation.

Harper became frustrated with having his legislation blocked and parliament became so partisan along party lines that the business of government came to a virtual standstill. His party engineered a defeat of a money bill that usually leads to an election before the mandatory 5-year election term expires. The voters once more decided during the 2008 election a minority government was best for the country and denied Harper’s coalition a majority. Two elections and polls over the past five years continue to deny any party a majority. It seems Canadians just don’t trust politicians of any cult. That was even more evident in the past few weeks when the independent Auditor General announced her intention to audit the expense accounts of all elected politicians and our unelected senate. (another can of political worms) and both Houses of Parliament refused to let their personal tax funded expenses be independently audited. They claimed the internal audit performed by civil servants under the influence of political leaders was sufficient. The electorate through polling felt the current checks were similar to letting a fox rule the henhouse. The polls registered an 87% rejection of allowing internal audits to continue. The strange or sad part about the issue is that all parties except the Quebec Separatists balked at the independent audit. The politicians under unprecedented constituent pressure reached a compromise with the Auditor general and she will now audit every expense member’s account. We can bet that some unacceptable spending that some if not many politicians were feeling was beyond scrutiny will surface.

Canada or rather the Harper government is hosting the G8 conference at Huntsville a resort region north of Toronto followed by a G20 conference in Toronto. The theme of the conference covering three days in June is how to deal with the out of control spending and huge deficits plaguing the world economy. Our government is spending $1 billion just for security. That will add another billion to our own deficit. Does any of this make sense? Erupting volcanoes grounding air traffic costing billions, the Gulf spill will cost????? The future of oil exploration is probably on the line and from reports, alternative energy sources are far into the future.

Eckhart Tolle's...The Power of Now...A New World.

2010-04-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a comment or maybe a review of the books written by Eckhart Tolle titled ‘A New World’… awakening your life’s purpose… and ‘The Power of Now’
It is difficult not to imagine most readers felt the same way about these non-fiction novels. Reading the books is much like the captivation surfacing when people attend a Christian revival meeting, church service, or preparing to buy a Slap Chop after viewing the often-repeated television commercial.
The power of suggestion becomes rampant. The premise behind living in the ‘Now’ seems like the idealistic alternative to blindly following centuries old religious teachings based entirely on faith and scriptures written 400 years after the event and inspired by God.
Tolle claims waking up one day to the realization that the world is not a depressing place and in a short time found the way to the truth about everyone and everything on earth being a part of the universe. The books debunk death as a permanency and claims after leaving the body our presence or spirit becomes a part of the universe. The premise claims being without worldly needs the spirit is free to roam the universe even though the books never define the reason for the spirit remaining part of the universe. The wakeup seems more likely a thought process that told the author documenting the idea could result in multi million sales of ‘The Power of Now’ concept.
‘The Power of Now’ and ‘A New World’ are not much different than the multitude of books written both supporting and rejecting various religious suppositions followed by millions worldwide without positive proof God really exists. The philosophy of the books seems to indicate the truth about being perpetually happy is realizing the pleasure of universal space and detaching ones self from egotism. Quit worrying in other words about fame and fortune since both are as fleeting as striving for excellence and profit.
It doesn’t seem Tolle practices what the book preaches. He writes books for profit and holds seminars to bring converts to ‘Now’ realization of the words written in the books. Those endeavors are likely a massively profitable business stroking the author’s ego.
Both books based on the teachings of Catholicism and to a less degree Buddhism compare the teachings of those religions to the concept of ‘Now’. Christian and Buddha followers exasperated with the idea that some wise old men living on a mountaintops know the way to live life while pleasing God combined with a political hierarchy that allowed pedophile’s to infiltrate the ranks of trusted church leaders might find the ‘Power of Now’ and ‘A New World’ worthy of consideration. Worthy as long as the next phase of ‘Now’ development isn’t building churches and promoting the praises of a new faith.

Canada: A redneck suggestion

2008-05-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Maybe we should go a little redneck on this Blog entry. The war in Afghanistan where Canadian troops are fighting and dying seems to be about to change. With the America threatening to add almost enough additional forces to meet General (retired) Lou McKenzie’s 10,000 additional troop commitment for victory it might be time to consider letting other NATO countries back up the Yankee juggernaut. American generals will after all be commanding the Afghan mission and our troops might become the ‘other guys’ making them expendable fighting the Taliban and El Quad in the no-win mountain regions of the country. Not only the Russians but in the recent past British forces were unable to defeat insurgents living in those mountains. The free world should be wondering why the American’s seem set to commit to escalating the war in a country that in effect lent credence to the political and economic decimation the USSR. Warrior societies never seem to learn, or realize the consequences of invading the mountains of Afghanistan.

We have a great deal of work for our troops to take care of right here at home. A man died defending his wife after coming out of a Toronto restaurant. Another man and his wife were victim to a knife-wielding thug after coming out of grocery store in the same city. The need for drugs and the money to buy them creates acts of lawlessness, thievery, and prostitution in every major and smaller cities towns and villages across Canada. Police officers trying to cope with the changing face of the nation are also falling victim to the lawless drug crazed minority prowling the streets. Meanwhile gangs appear to be getting stronger, reports of drug busts more frequent and Canadian children must face added pressure to experiment with the ready available drugs.

An easy solution might create the demise of today’s political system or create the atmosphere for a strong central government to emerge. On the other hand, if the power such a solution spins out of control, the voting public could be the losers. So far, government legislators have successfully established permanent voting dates. Will the next move extend the term of governments followed by dispensing of elections all together? The scenario can happen. Simply read history books to discover power usually corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That aside, one of our political parties could decide to end the ever-circular chain of events plaguing Canadian and every other country’s politicians. It would require organizing a massive campaign led by a specially trained and directed police contingent backed by Canada’s military to weed out drug gangs, distributors, and importers in every corner the country. Parliament would need to pass a temporarily law with a clause negating individual rights to challenge the constitution and bill of rights while the temporary law is in effect. It would be a law similar to the one America passed after the infamous September 11 attack.

We wrote that the blog would be redneck in nature. However, if the measures ever passed the result once the idea proved effective would end the carnage escalating in our streets and the streets and back alleys of every civilized country. People from other jurisdictions living illegally in Canada putting stress on the country’s envied social and health programs would be weeded out and unable to use the constitution or bill of rights to further their own personal agenda. If legislated properly complete with an irrevocable sunset clause, Canada would once more become the county of peace-loving people wanting to immigrate to a new land with opportunity to live without the fear of drug-induced crime. The movement could spread around the world reducing the tremendous worldwide tax-free illegal drug industry. It could even win a Nobel peace prize for another of political leaders.