2008 deficit
$3.9 billion
2009 deficit (est.)
$14 billion
Dollar
77.31 cents US
Oil
$49.62
TSX
Down 47%
Bay Street Bailout
$75,000,000,000
Welcome to the Harper years (2)
November 20th, 2008 | Canadian Politics
November 20th, 2008 | Canadian Politics
2008 deficit
$3.9 billion
2009 deficit (est.)
$14 billion
Dollar
77.31 cents US
Oil
$49.62
TSX
Down 47%
Bay Street Bailout
$75,000,000,000
149 comments ↓
Somtimes a group of pictures is worth a million words.
G20 leaders refuse to shake Bush’s hand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Y_ncOVlDw
Only the closed minded conservatives that buy a party membership, take a lawn sign during elections and believe will be surprised by this.
How unfortunate for them.
What does it take to open their eyes?
A Liberal government
Priceless
2008 deficit:$3.9 billion
2009 deficit:$14. billion
Dollar
77.31 cents U.S.
Oil
$49.62
BayStreet bailout:
$75,000,000,000.
Lying to Canadians about the stength of the “fundamentals” of our economy to get re-elected:
PRICELESS!!!!
Garth, do you think it would be a good idea if Mr. Harper had kept his promise regarding the capital gains reinvestment tax savings. If some people are pulling money out of the market now, or have already done so, with 0 incentive to put any of that money back in withen 6 months, it is looking like it should have been done.
I see we had the same thought Judy but your last line is much better than mine.
2008 deficit
$3.9 billion
2009 deficit (est.)
$14 billion
Dollar
77.31 cents US
Oil
$49.62
TSX
Down 47%
Bay Street Bailout
$75,000,000,000
There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s Canaduh’s Gnu Goobermint.
Only the closed minded conservatives that buy a party membership, take a lawn sign during elections and believe will be surprised by this.
How unfortunate for them.
What does it take to open their eyes?
By AToryNoMore on 11.20.08 9:49 pm
C-4 explosives .
Those who are predicting that one or more of the big three automobile companies and at least on Canadian Bank are about to bankrupt are missing the bigger story. There maybe several of the oil companies that will also be in the same category. Oil at $40+ /barrel is well below what the current operating break even point is. This financial crisis is far more serious and troublesome than is being admitted.
Garth … What would have been the alternate scenario if Canadians elected a Liberal government?:
(a)In 2006, or (b)In 2008.
How would the numbers have stacked up compared to the numbers you provide?
A comment that will sum it all up aptly:
Ooooooooops!
Just so that I understand, Canada’s current economic state is all Harper’s fault? The global economic meltdown has nothing to do with Canada? If Dion had been elected Canada’s economy would be stronger and more prosperous? Are you joking?
The cost of crude, the value of the Canadian dollar, the losses on the TSE are not a response to the election of Stephen Harper or his management of Canada’s economy.
As bad as things may or may not get for Canadians,
just remember that it could be much worse.
By golly it sure is good to be a Canadian.
Judging from the first 7 comments we still have our sense of humor.
We are going to need it!
I wonder.. just how many Canadians are properly suspicious of Harper rushing in with a unilateral, so-called “decision” on $75,000,000,000,000,000,000… ‘bail’ money?
We are now paying the price for short-sighted political vote-buying pandering of the Harper Conservatives…with a few lies thrown in for good measure.
Not much point bitching about it… better to try and focus on how to get Canada out of this mess.
Here are some ideas:
1) People need more cash in their jeans to start to turn this economy back around, and keep their heads above water. Raise the GST to 10% and use 75% of the proceeds to dramatically cut income taxes for all Canadians earning less than $150,000. Use the balance to fund infrastructure projects.
2) Shift the mandatory age on the conversion of RRSPs into annuities or RIFs to 75 to give people some time for their retirement investments to recover.
3) Immediately cancel all incentives and tax breaks for oil patch development and shift that money into renewable energy projects.
4) Work with the provinces to eliminate the red tape that restricts the ability of homeowners to sell self-generated hydro back to the public grid. One of the most successful renewable energy companies in Germany is owned by a Canadian who couldn’t operate here because of our ridiculous provincial regulations.
5) Follow Quebec’s lead and put in a mandatory training requirement for all Canadian businesses to encourage increases in productivity through human development. 0.25% of revenues would be a decent start (Quebec has 1% of revenues).
6) We cannot rely on the auto companies to voluntarily produce fuel efficient cars to help eliminate Canada’s need for oil. Put in legislation that makes it illegal for any car that does not get a minimum of 35 mpg combined city/highway to be sold in Canada. Pick up trucks would need to attain a minimum of 25 mpg. Announce to the auto industry that by 2020 it will be illegal to sell a car or consumer truck in Canada that is powered by fossil fuels, and all future electric vehicles sold in Canada must have 50% Canadian content. This will create an all-electric car market of 1,000,000 vehicles plus and will attract new alternative auto production for Canada.
7) Refuse to bail out the ‘big 3′ automakers unless they agree to cut executive salary compensation immediately by a minimum of 35%, cancel all existing stock options, and eliminate any potential executive bonuses until their companies return to profitability.
9) There are massive numbers of people who have been laid off whom’s only hope to generate an income will be from self employment. Give new start up companies a 5 year Federal tax holiday. This will also help attract foreign investments.
10) Create a strategic industry plan for Canada and restrict foreign ownership in strategic industries to less than 35%. Some examples of strategic industries are oil and gas, power generation, and steel production.
11) Immediately pull our troops out of Afghanistan. This venture is costing us tens of billions of dollars that we cannot afford on a war that history proves cannot be won.
12) Restore government funding to scientific research and development with a focus on alternative energy production and health innovation. With aging populations and an ever-decreasing supply of oil these will be the areas of future competitiveness and prosperity.
13) Develop the production technology to produce hydrogen from our mammoth supplies of natural gas and invest in a hydrogen filling infrastructure.
I wonder how much worse things would be had we not had a Conservative government in power? Liberals seem to ignore the fact that this is a global meltdown (which Dion did not even know until two weeks before the election that there was a financial crisis in the world). The liberals gloating here with joy aware of the global situation?
Facts remain, Canada’s banks are the most secure in the world. We in the last two 1/2 years paid over $40 billion on our debt, hardly ‘squandering’ our money. Canada reinvested billions into our military, now the rest of the world has stopped laughing at us.
Canada will run deficit if we need to. So what?
Have a really great Friday. L
Isn’t this the best time to buy stocks, says Harper!
The Bottom Line Numbers say it all.
Harper’s and Dim Jim’s rhetoric says NOTHING!
When you burn away 2% of the GST (some what, 5-6billion a year in revenue?), and spent the cupboard bare, and slash social spending, and lie repeatedly about the economic state of the country…
You know you’re in Tory territory. Mike Harris/Ernie Eves anyone?
The world economy crashing may not be Harper’s fault, but putting Canada in an extremely vulnerable position by making boneheaded policy decisions to win votes totally is.
Yup – they reduced that 1% GST to take taxes off the backs of Canadians – the 1% that made diddley different to anyone’s life.
And now – bailouts and debts on the backs of the Canadian taxpayers.
Brilliant – it’s going to cost us more now.
The cost of crude, the value of the Canadian dollar, the losses on the TSE are not a response to the election of Stephen Harper or his management of Canada’s economy.
By try to imagine Dion’s Canada on 11.21.08 1:08 am
I agree with you on those points – but the deficits and the bailout ARE Harper’s responsibility because of poor policy choices. The reason we are in deficit are:
1) GST cuts resulting in $14 Billion less tax revenue
2) Increased government spending which was above inflation.
(even the government new Parlimentary budget office puts the blame squarely on Harper’s policies)
However, we are beyond the “shoulda, coulda, woulda,” stage and need to look into the future of what to do now.
Running a deficit is abhorrent to me, since we didn’t need to be in this situation. In the short term, the govnerment should reverse the last GST cut – and raise it back to 6%. 1% will not destroy the economy (any more than it currently is), and may just stave off a deficit for another year. We should also consider pulling out of Afganistan sooner – as we cannot afford it. Those 2 items would put Canada squarely in the black.
Welcome to CON Flight 2008
Be sure to book now on return CON Flight 2009 , turbulence guaranteed.
By HARRY S on 11.20.08 11:42 pm
The downturn was going to happen because the sub-prime meltdown to the south was the trigger. Can’t blame the Libs of the CPC for that one, Harry.
However, if the libs had been elected:
in 2006, the Canadian economy would have been in even better shape to handle the situation because government spending would not have grown like mould in a warm, damp environment.
Would we have escaped the crisis? Not a chance, just we would have been better prepared;
In 2008, too late. At least the Liberals were telling us this was about to happen. Meanwhile Harper and Flaherty were in denial, to the point were they were scoring political points by mocking the Libs warnings! And sure enough, the real meltdown started just a few days after the election.
And while the illustrious CPC duo were making political hay saying everything was fine, I suspect they were being advised that the Libs had it right.
The difference between a Liberal government & a Con government would be a $12 billion cushion against this mess!!!!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, these are COnservative numbers….many have been trying to tell y’all this for the past 2-3 years… You want to know why we here in Canada are in such bad shape… CANADIANS COULD JUST NOT STAND PROSPERITY … Remember Paul Martin’s words…we are going to put Canada in the Black and stay there come hell or high water…. Harper took $17,000,000,000 (Billion) and spent it plus he cowed down to GWB and put Canada at the pointy end in Afghanistan ( another $18 Billion Plus!) and as we speak his American Heicoptors are racking up more multi millions in cost over runs and are delayed costing even more…..So please do not try and tell me or Canadians this is all the Liberals doing…. And further more Canadians elected a government with close to “0″ , Zero, experience in running a province let alone a country…. if so please list and name them…. Flaherty? yup he’s your man…. SOS HELP!
Garth Turner….this post is perhaps one of your best wrt to an quick overview of Canada’s future….
MSM…if you have one once of repspect for Canadians and your readership you will cut and paste it to your front page….
Rex Murphy …. pleasse open this for a special Topic
Rick Mercer…. jump on this with both feet.
Steve Murphy…. find some back bone and question your Conservative mentors
Mike Duffy….remember the day you called Garth Turner and asked him to speak on the economy and changed the subject….oh what a foolish move that was…
Ladies and Gentlemen let’s please get the truth on the table while we still have a country worth saving… FLG…. the time has come to save ourselves from the lies of Stephen Harper and his selected clones….
First of all, those are correct who say that the current international crisis is not the fault of the Conservative government although one could argue that the ideology of unregulated capital markets are largely responsible. It is those ideological principles on which the current government operates.
Those are also correct in saying that the current government has made the same error as the like-minded Bush Administration in the United States by cutting taxes and increasing spending elimination options for government to deal with the crisis.
The strategy to pour money it at the top in the hope that the credit and hence more debt will trickle down to fuel the economy does not appear rational when too much consumer debt is a contributing factor. This policy is designed to contribute to wealth at the top of the economic pyramid in the hope that a little will trickle down.
The more logical use of that money would be to immediately develop a program to replace badly needed infrastructure. That would allow money to enter the system lower on the pyramid.
It could also encourage the development of environmental friendly technologies and projects designed to promote adjustment to climate change.
By TS on 11.21.08 8:06 am
Very good ideas!
I am most pleased to see the U.S. Congress has said ‘NO!’ to the unrestricted assistance the Big 3 want. It is like watching any addict have to cometo grips with reality. Long, long overdue.
Time to tell these money addicts, addicted to greed and no regulation, that their self-created ‘crisis’ is NOT the people’s, i.e., TAXPAYERS responsibility. It is THEIR’S! Fix DENIED!
Oh, and I think a cut in CEO compensation ofthat places their salary at 25 times the lowest paid employee’s, and absolutely no Golden Parachutes or bonses unless based on real profit creation, not job cutting of the labour force. That is how we small business people have to function. It is time the Big Boys do too!
U.S. bailout flounders, Big Three criticized
‘Until they show us the plan, we cannot show them the money,’ Pelosi says of automakers
Oh, and it looks like our RCMP has remembered their assignment as well…finally!
RCMP interview Bernier about Couillard claims: Mounties waited until after the election to discuss allegations of influence peddling with former foreign affairs minister
Hmm! Could there be collusion between Ottawa and Regina? Between Harper and his appointed ‘Commissioner’? Who will investigate that?
BTW, where is Karl-Heinz Shrieber today?
What about the Cadman investigation?
How about the CNRC Investigation?
How about????? Too many hungover investigations in the air to even name them all.
Oh, and guess who got indicted?
A Prosecutor Indicts Foes, and Cheney and Gonzales
Mr. Cheney was charged with “engaging in an organized criminal activity” in connection with the 2001 beating death of an inmate by two fellow inmates at one of the privately run federal detention centers in the county, which is near the Mexican border, court officials said.
The indictment, brought by the district attorney, Juan Angel Guerra, asserts that Mr. Cheney has some culpability in what happened because he had invested in the GEO Corporation, a company in Florida that owns and operates the federal detention center in Raymondville where the death occurred.
For his part, Mr. Gonzales is accused of using his influence to stop an investigation into corruption during the building of another federal jail used by marshals. The indictment also says both Mr. Cheney and Mr. Gonzales “committed the crime of neglect” because, it contends, illegal immigrants were ill-treated at detention centers.
And you thought ‘Tricky Dick’ was only into oil and Blackwater ops? Au contrare, the Vice-Preznut has his dirty fingers in everything! A regular free-market proctologist, and looks like he forgot to wear the glove?
As Jon Stewart said on the ‘Daily Show’ Wednesday night. ‘You don’t know Dick!’
Since beer and popcorn obviously are bad for Leasa’s memory, here is a little refresher from Ralph Goodale:
“How Harper could (and should) have ducked a deficit”, at http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=979515
Of course we’ll run a deficit. Just remember that “he-will-drive-us-into- deficit” Dion had dick to do with it.
<a href=”http://us.cnn.com/POLITICS/analysis/toons/2008/11/12/lang/index.html”Reality Reflections (circa 1979!)
In keeping with our current predicatment, I thought I would post this little gem. You may have recieved it already in one of the pesky multiple email forwards from some well meaning soul with too much time on their hands. If not, I will fulfill that role. The sound doesn’t play in firefox, but you won’t be missing anything.
http://home.att.net/~hideaway_today/t133/noah.htm
Opps! My bad HTML.
Reality Reflections (circa 1979!)
I wonder how much worse things would be had we not had a Conservative government in power? Liberals seem to ignore the fact that this is a global meltdown (which Dion did not even know until two weeks before the election that there was a financial crisis in the world). The liberals gloating here with joy aware of the global situation?
Facts remain, Canada’s banks are the most secure in the world. We in the last two 1/2 years paid over $40 billion on our debt, hardly ’squandering’ our money. Canada reinvested billions into our military, now the rest of the world has stopped laughing at us.
Canada will run deficit if we need to. So what?
Have a really great Friday. L
By Leasa on 11.21.08 8:19 am
Dear Blogroach,
If there was any confusion about the title “blogroach”, you have nicely cleared that up.
Thank you for your crystal clear demonstration. It is too bad that the term does carry with it unfortunate connotations.
However considering your foul mouth and filthy figurative references to sodomy, it would appear that, in your case, the connotations are most appropriate.
Have a nice Friday.
As I do not have all the facts I do know that with all this auto talk the sales of the Big Three are falling even faster. Also the price of imports especailly good used ones has increased as many have dicided not to trade thier 2-3-4-5 year Honda/Toyota. This is not good news for any part of the auto industry. Sorry I do not mean to be a sceptic, but trying to hide behind a curtian and no appearing on stage will never bring appaluse. Thanks once agian to GT and friends who are willing to share. For those who continue to hide…well Bon Chance.
The Word of the Day from comment #4 at http://www.greaterfool.ca/2008/11/20/the-power-of-oil/#comments
“The healing can start when the lying stops.” (emphasis added)
And the best quips of the day go to:
Anthony B from Maritimes, Canada writes: “Mounties waited until after the election to discuss allegations of influence peddling with former foreign affairs minister”
Very considerate of them.
The Royal Conservative Mounted Police are doing a wonderful job:-)
Who knew “Maintein le Droit” was a political statement?
Comrade Okie,
nice video, no doubt brought to you by the folks who made the government bigger and more spendiferous than ever before. Pity they won’t be able to see and enjoy the irony.
Comradely greetings.
Lies my Prime Minister told me
That he wouldn’t raid seniors’ nest eggs by taxing income trusts
That income trusts cause tax leakage
That he wouldn’t call an election until October 2009
That he didn’t bribe Chuck Cadman
That the economy is sound
That he would never run a deficit
What other lies await us, Prime Minister Dearest?
Another comment worth pondering from Garth’s other blog yesterday:
David, comment #18 at
http://www.greaterfool.ca/2008/11/19/the-devil-the-cockroach/#comments
One could add other items to the things that were declared to be unaffordable, the Kelowna Accord, for instance. It does look, walk and squawk like capitalism for the poor/inconsequential and socialism for the rich/shareholders.
I think legalizing and taxing marijuana would be a start to right our countries financial ship. It is reportedly B.C.s 3rd or 4th largest industry. Anyone wish to tax a 4 billion dollar industry? Thought not, it will lead to much worse social problems when recreational marijuana smokers move to herion injection for a better high.
Harper and Flaherty have a long history of screwing Canadians.
Now we have a Finance minister dispensing financial advice to Canadian Seniors on RRIFs this morning.
This is the same guy that cost Canadian Seniors $35 billion in retirement savings 2 years ago when he flip-flopped on Income Trusts.
He deserves no respect and does not deserve to be Finance Minister.
I think legalizing and taxing marijuana would be a start to right our countries financial ship. It is reportedly B.C.s 3rd or 4th largest industry. Anyone wish to tax a 4 billion dollar industry? Thought not, it will lead to much worse social problems when recreational marijuana smokers move to herion injection for a better high.
By Marc on 11.21.08 12:35 pm
Recreational marijuana smokers would not move to heroin injection for a better high. Get real! The key word is “recreational”. An addict is an addict is an addict–whether it is nicotine (me), alcohol, or drugs. I know lots of people who have smoked marijuana for over 40 years and never touched any other drug–nor would they want to.
Taxing and legalizing Marijuana is an idea whose time has come, in my opinion. I am an occasional toker–have been for over 40 years–but have never purchased it. (I never inhaled either).
As bad as things may or may not get for Canadians,
just remember that it could be much worse.
By try to imagine Dion’s Canada on 11.21.08 1:08 am
True enough. But it could have been much better if Harper hadn’t blown the surplus!
By Lana on 11.21.08 1:44 pm
I was being facetious about the pot smokers moving to herion use. Like Jack Layton, I have never exhaled.
[...] This about sums it up: 2008 deficit $3.9 billion [...]
Leasa and Try to imagine Dion’s Canada, and other like-minded members of the Conservative sect may care to explain why they blame Trudeau for the debt accumulated after years of deficit during the 1980′s – years during which EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD ACCUMULATED DEFICITS AND DEBT BECAUSE OF RECESSIONS AND INTEREST RATES MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW? Why do you excuse Harper and not Trudeau? Is it your virulent hatred for French-speaking persons?
Do you think it was the ghost of Mackenzie-King’s mother who forced your Leader to increase government spending by 25% these past three years? Will you blame Trudeau for that too? Ed Stelmach is blaming Pierre Trudeau for the current problems in the oil patch. Can you explain his logic ?
By TS on 11.21.08 8:06 am
Your item 10. is a little late. Our domestic steel production is already 100% foreign owned, is it not? so how do you go about reversing that and the other high % foreign ownerships? Are you suggesting that the government expropriate them? How will you compensate these off shore owners? The automobile mfg industry is also totally foreign owned and has been for decades!
Item 11. is false. The Afgan war can be won, but no one is willing to do the nasty deal that will win it. Poison the opium poppy fields permanently, and evacuate the population to work camps in other countries! The message is do not poison the rest of the world with illegal narcotics.
Item 13. is not economic. As long as petroleum products are cheaper than Hydrogen for fuel, this is a non starter. Hydrogen is also an extremely dangerous commodity to handle safely. the general public do not drive in a manner safe enough to be trusted with such a dangerous material. Every car accident would be a major risk for a massive inferno.
The only thing we need at this moment is a banking sector that should be forced to make loans. They are refusing to make loans to businesses that are not a risk and who have significant collateral. This is a bankers rebellion to force a major depression. They should be jailed in hard labor camps for their heresy.
Isn’t this the best time to buy stocks, says Harper!
By Ernesto Villanueva on 11.21.08 8:25 am
He’s right. But he’s also right out of touch, you have to have money to be able to buy them. Many don’t, being upto their necks in debt and worried that the imfamous pink slip might arrive, if it hasn’t already.
Stephen Harper, the latter day Sheriff of Nottingham.
By Truth B Told on 11.21.08 3:17 pm
Perhaps the reason the Banks are not loaning money is because many smart people put their money in GIC and now that the interest rate low they are loosing money and must quarantee the rate. Also they know deflation is real and the lost of big time value in capital assets can never be recovered…ie 400K home to 250K is massive…think even then it would sell for 230-240K. Also I suspect their will an increase it transportation costs and city services to keep the country running…. not good news… Bang on Afghanistan… those who do not learn from history are dooomed to repeat it …since the begining of dirt all who entered thess lands with force failed with disgrace. Think the America soldier as 10K worth equipment on his back, the Taliban have sandles and a AK 47…and are knocking the crap out em with no planes no tanks no radar, and no Washington.
Taxing and legalizing Marijuana is an idea whose time has come, in my opinion. I am an occasional toker–have been for over 40 years–but have never purchased it. (I never inhaled either).
By Lana on 11.21.08 1:44 pm
I have long stated this to be a TRUTH.
As long as drugs are illegal, Drug PROFITS are such as to make them a desirable product.
Take out the profit and the criminal element will no longer have the profit motive.
HOWEVER! There is an other element of our society that profits from the “crime” of drugs. Can you guess????
It is the legal system.
Don’t believe me? Ask any knowledgeable police official what drives over 65% of their work load and they will tell you it is the drug trade.
Most of the property crime and muggings against “Normal” citizens and the street shootings are straight out of the drug trade.
S-S-O-O-O-O-O, whan’a stop all this——–DECRIMINALIZE!
Then to make sure that the real criminals get the message, life terms for wholesale distributors and importers.
Of course this will not happen.
The police and the lawyers and other members of the legal system will not let it.
Why??? THEY PROFIT TOO! BIG TIME!
As bad as things may or may not get for Canadians,
just remember that it could be much worse.
By try to imagine Dion’s Canada on 11.21.08 1:08 am
It is (was)the philosophy of the Conservative party to deplete the surplus that the Liberals had created. The reason was so that an elected liberal party would not be able to spend that surplus to provide social programs. Had this government not spent all that money we would have been in a much better position to weather this storm. No doubt we would still be affected, but we would have been able to fix potholes, bridges,urban utilities etc. By doing that we would be spending on labour which in turn will spend on other needs and wants.
Garth … What would have been the alternate scenario if Canadians elected a Liberal government?:
(a)In 2006, or (b)In 2008.
How would the numbers have stacked up compared to the numbers you provide?
By HARRY S on 11.20.08 11:42 pm
Yes Garth, jump in your Alternate Timeline Travel Vehicle and transverse the alternate universes that came into being and tell Harry what would have happened if someone else was at the helm,…
Oh by the way Harry, I’m mocking you and your idiotic question, why don’t you deal with reality and the lies that Harper spoon fed you during the elections, like,…
1) The fundamentals of our economy are sound
2) We have no plans to bail out the Banks.
3) The only way Canada will run a deficit is if they are elected (meaning the Liberals and be default this means that Harper was saying his Government would no run a Deficit)
4) We will not be bailing out the Auto industry.
Tell me Harry, how do swallow all these lies from Harper and puke every morning. Harper has really screwed Canada over, once we had nice fat surpluses that we could have used right now to weather this storm,… but noooooo,… Harper and you Harper Bots pissed them away on bull shit tax cuts that SFA to improve the economy.
Enjoy your beer and popcorn money Harry, Harper will never see another term in office after this.
By Gord on 11.21.08 11:22 am
…says the dirty old chauvinist.
I expect a vote of non-confidence in the Harper government very soon, notwithstanding the Liberal leadership race.
Even Dion with the Liberal party behind him would be a better prime minister than Harper in these crucial economic times. The Liberal team is better experienced than any of the Conservatives.
As Charest said to Quebecers when calling a snap election for December; “we can’t have three pairs of hands on the steering wheel as the province goes into a recession”, and the same goes for the federal government.
There must be a majority government with a 4 year mandate in Ottawa to deal with the coming recession/depression. We can’t have 4 pairs of hands on the federal steering wheel because the government must have a 4 year mandate to deal with the looming economic armaggedon.
Taxing and legalizing Marijuana is an idea whose time has come, in my opinion. I am an occasional toker–have been for over 40 years–but have never purchased it. (I never inhaled either).
By Lana on 11.21.08 1:44 pm
That was one of the statements slick Willie said …….the other was “I never had sex with that woman”! Well there are some truths you need to face. First is that tobacco use and inhaling or ingesting THC is a serious health reducer in varying degrees. Smoking is a form of drug inhalation that raises the healthcare costs to our medical system. Three decades or so ago, a cost/benefit study of tobacco use was implemented by our Federal gov’t. they found way back then that the amount of taxes generated by the tobacco industry amounted to around $2 billion Cdn, and that the resultant related healthcare costs from tobacco use was in the order of $6 billion, ie. a net deficit of $4 billion. This does not account for the other collateral damage! Have you ever seen anyone with radical mouth, lip, throat surgery due to cancer? No, because they are so upset with how they appear they hide from public view! Have you had anyone die from lung cancer? Both my Father and Father-inlaw did after being off tobacco 47 and 30 odd years. When the pain is so bad they give you a bigger dose of morphine and it is so toxic that you die! There is euthanasia, but it is not discussed and is not sanctioned, but it does occur!
Now the rest of the facts: marijauna use incurs three times or more as many chemicals than is present in tobacco smoke. If you want to decriminalize it, then I demand two things of you and any other user.
1. Surrender your drivers license and any other operating permits
2. Surrender your health care card
And yes, the decriminalization would remove the profit motive from organized and semi organized criminals. This was covered in articles published in The Saturday Evening Post back in the mid fifties when I was then in high school.
It has not happened, and is not about to, but what is not covered in your argument is that the government is wrong in taxing tobacco in the first place. It should be made illegal, and totally removed from circulation. Watch how fast people will stop smoking if they knew that they would lose their healthcare coverage if they test positive for tobacco products in their blood and urine! Try that one on for size to bring the healthcare costs back into line!
By David Bakody on 11.21.08 4:15 pm
If the banks refuse to loan money to reasonable loan candidates that have a good repayment record and normal collateral, then they should all be nationalized. The money is owned by the government, [they printed it] ie. which is We the People, and if necessary, bankers should be jailed for failure to maintain the national interest and safety of the people! What you fail to account for is that every one of us just temporarily borrow all of this for the four score plus ten plus or minus that we exist in this mode. It is a temporary lease that comes due when you die. You cannot take it with you, as the grave robbers have proven time and time again. You can only wear one set of clothes at a time, only eat and drink so much, and the rest is surplus to be shared equally with our fellow man. Watch how quickly this world would change if aliens arrive in space ships to threaten our existence! The thinking that goes on in our society contains many errors so take a look at the over all situation and get a better perspective. many people are going to be hurt before our species smartens up and odes the right thing! If you get right down to it, you don’t even own your own body, you did not make it yourself, so get a grip on reality!
Think the America soldier as 10K worth equipment on his back, the Taliban have sandles and a AK 47…and are knocking the crap out em with no planes no tanks no radar, and no Washington.
By David Bakody on 11.21.08 4:15 p
Their Pushtin ancestors annihilated the British Army in the Khyber Pass, too. But, they can be decimated from above and with out setting foot on the ground!
And it may have to come to that! That goes for Iran, Saudi Arabia, and who ever else wants to get out of line!
Now we understand why GM can’t grasp the Green movement!
GM bankruptcy likely imminent, expert warns
Joe D’Cruz, a professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, said
“Everybody in the GM ecosystem will be affected,” he said. “Some of them will lose their jobs and others will have a very significant cut in their income.”
Hello! Dr. Cruz? An ecosystem refers to an ‘ecological’ not an ‘economic’ system.
No wonder the world is so confused with mindless PhD’s improperly using well established word meanings.
We have already heard what GM’s Preznut thinks about Global warming ‘It doesn’t exist.’
No wonder, if he has advisers like Dr. Cruz! Does Cruz advise Harper, and did he advise Ambrose and Baird as well?
School of Manglement is more like it.
By Truth B Told on 11.21.08 5:46 pm
Do you think that people who drink alcohol should surrender their drivers licenses as well, or do you think the irresponsiblity of a few, does not reflect on the majority. Do you futher think that people who drink in excess should also lose their healthcare coverage as well? Last I heard, alcohol use outside of moderate use is not the healtiest lifestyle.
And it may have to come to that! That goes for Iran, Saudi Arabia, and who ever else wants to get out of line!
By Truth B Told on 11.21.08 6:05 pm
Truth
Sound like you are saber rattling. Seriously, no nation is cut from the same cloth and what’s with the veiled threat to Iran and Saudi Arabia?
Scheech take a deep breath – the world does not subscribe to our way of thinking outside of the western world.
I thought the most interesting development today is that of Al Sadr holding a demonstration in Iraq. Think he may be trying to take over when the US troops are re-deployed?
I think part of the needed infastructure for Canada, should be to fast track a covered begging line for all the industry leaders and business CEOs who will be coming with cap in hand looking for Government financial help. Would hate to leave them cold and in the rain, so radient heat might be worthwhile as well. After the Detroit 3 are gone, I imagine Air Canada will be needing rescuing shortly after.
When our Provincial leader decided to bring in a carbon tax, it was to stop climate change. Unfortunatly a weather shield was not included in the budget. We were told that climate change caused the the windstorms that wrecked Stanley Park. Well tonight we are expecting another windstorm that our carbon tax will not prevent. Must be the dirty pollutants from Wash. state blowing though, as we are doing our part to change the weather. Maybe when the tax increases then it will be the weather changing tax it was designed to be.
Normally, I begin each day’s post(s) with a hairy or two, but today’s starts with a joke.
Hmmmmm. Maybe hairy is a joke . . .
****************************************
The Talking Ventriloquist?
An Australian ventriloquist visiting New Zealand walks into a small village and sees a local sitting on his veranda patting his dog.
He figures he’ll have a little fun, so he says to the Kiwi,
‘G’day, mind if I talk to your dog?’
Villager: ‘The dog doesn’t talk, you stupid Aussie.’
Ventriloquist: ‘Hello dog, how’s it going mate?’
Dog: ‘Doin’ all right, mate.’
Kiwi: (look of extreme shock)
Ventriloquist: ‘Is this villager your owner?’ (pointing at the villager)
Dog: ‘Yep.’
Ventriloquist: ‘How does he treat you?’
Dog: ‘Real good. He walks me twice a day, feeds me great food and takes me to the lake once a week to play.’
Kiwi: (look of utter disbelief)
Ventriloquist: ‘Mind if I talk to your horse?’
Kiwi: ‘Uh, the horse doesn’t talk either . . . I think.’
Ventriloquist: ‘Hey horse, how’s it goin’?’
Horse: ‘Cool.’
Kiwi: (absolutely dumbfounded)
Ventriloquist: ‘Is this your owner?’ (pointing at the villager)
Horse: ‘Yep.’
Ventriloquist: ‘How does he treat you?’
Horse: ‘Pretty good, thanks for asking. He rides me regularly, brushes me down often and keeps me in the shed to protect me from the elements.’
Kiwi: (total look of amazement)
Ventriloquist: ‘Mind if I talk to your sheep?’
Kiwi: (who’s in a panic now) ‘The sheep’s a f*&)$# liar!’
****************************************
Yesterday I posted about gold and what the US govt. did in the ’30s.
Diff’rent country, but today, http://tinyurl.com/5h3d7e
G’day to you, James – Chatham — Recall a few days ago I theorized the Dow would end up at 3250? Let me correct myself to 2000!
(Courtesy Money&Markets.com) . . . “The next huge crash in U.S. stocks — a collapse that will take the Dow below 5,500 — began YESTERDAY!; Citigroup shares slashed in half this week — 26% yesterday alone; entire financial sector teetering on the brink; and massive, marketwide collapse directly ahead.
“Derivative time bombs worth a staggering $37.1 trillion: Its derivative holdings are eight times greater than what Wachovia had when it fell apart; $202 billion in troubled residential mortgages — twice as many are now 90 days or more past due than last year; thousands of dead and dying auto loans — defaults have just soared 41%.”
So I will live or die with my new prophecies! Dow and TSX around 2000 – 3000, NASDAQ all but gone and no better for other exchanges.
Downside of oil hitting US$30 brl.? Russia and Iran still hold about 20-25% of the world’s reserves of oil and gas, so if they don’t make a healthy profit on that by selling to the west, they may decide to shut up shop and let Europe freeze in winter. Maybe.
For all the trolls and pollyannas who won’t look beyond the end of their noses, http://tinyurl.com/5w9pvl
**************************************************
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
“News is what someone wants to suppress. Everything else is advertising”. — former NBC news prez Rubin Frank
This is why the zionists want to suppress the ‘net — as long as straight news is free and truthful, msm garbage will continue to decline. Truth needs no laws to support it, and real truth is real freedom.
Truth Be Told: You must also be in favour of making it illegal to use or sell alcohol? The medical and social costs related to alcohol abuse is substantial. And I believe the abusers of high fat/high sugar foods should also have thier health cards invalidated. Obesity and its effects on the heart/lungs/hips/knees is a huge strain on the healthcare system.
So, unless you are a vegetarian (who sanitizes all their store bought food) who only drinks water, hand over your health card. Your lifestyle choices are a drain on our healthcare dollars.
Leasa: Exactly which countries were “laughing” at us? I believe Canada has always been well-thought of on the world stage.
More likely that foreign countries are now questioning Canada’s commitment to global affairs with Harper at the helm.
Or do you really believe the one with the most war toys, wins???
By Charles Oxley on 11.21.08 7:34 pm
Was that you I saw on the sidewalk with the “End is Nigh” billboards?
My solution, instead of directly bailing out the financial companies that caused the mess, how about governments paying the interest on the loans so that those who took them out continue to pay the amount they started with? Unfortunately, that should have been the solution before anyone started to default and before any foreclosures. It may now be too late!
As for Citigroup ….. I suspect it will be broken up, either by current management, or the new owners when its bought out!
By Truth B Told on 11.21.08 5:59 pm,
I was doing some research on another issue today and I discovered an interesting fact.
If you look back to 2002, when corporate money was important to political funding, you will find that the top four contributors to the Canadian Alliance was in the following order: Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, and CIBC. They also were major contributors to the Progressive Conservative Party but with smaller contributions.
Is this payback time?
Providing the money by what Harper refers to as a “market based” plan means that there are no strings attached. Once the banks have the money from the mortgages as “free enterprises” they are free to use it as they wish.
If you listened to the CEOs of the Big Three automakers they sought bailouts on the same terms.
By Truth B Told on 11.21.08 5:46 pm
Wow TBT – You sound really angry. Will you then support taking away people’s health cards from all the obese people, those who are diabetic, all those who enjoy one too many glasses of wine or beer, those who don’t exercise enough, those who risk their lives by enjoying high risk sports. I could go on. In other words, where does one draw the line. I happen to know several people who didn’t drink, didn’t smoke (would not even be in the company of those who did) but died of liver, lung & other cancers. We live in a world of carcinogens. Get off your high horse.
Enjoy your beer and popcorn money Harry, Harper will never see another term in office after this.
By Zorpheous on 11.21.08 5:38 pm
More likely that foreign countries are now questioning Canada’s commitment to global affairs with Harper at the helm.
By Judy on 11.21.08 7:45 pm
Can you cite evidence of that?
Apparently Harper has the rather extraordinary ability to cause just about every other country on the planet to be undergoing serious economic problems as well. I’m a little surprised Garth hasn’t noticed.
Fearless Prediction #9 was bang on!
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/289736
By Gord on 11.21.08 11:22 am
…says the dirty old chauvinist.
By Leasa on 11.21.08 5:45 pm
Blogroach,
Once again you are grasping at straws.
Calling someone else dirty does not make you clean.
By Simon on 11.21.08 10:15 pm
Look here, you pathetic try hard economist. This so called meltdown has been predicted for years and Canada was prepared for it under the Liberals with a 13 billion dollar surplus as well as good investment vehicles like income trusts. Our society was stable despite the financial storm clouds brewing in the south.
Then Harper took over and destroyed our rainy day fund as well as our investment portfolio and now that the financial storm has hit us we are almost without defense.
When Flaherty talked up the Canadian dollar he destroyed a lot of good manufacturing jobs and the list goes on-and what do the Harper Clowns give us in return? FREE TRADE WITH COLOMBIA
What a maroon!
Taxing and legalizing Marijuana is an idea whose time has come, in my opinion. I am an occasional toker–have been for over 40 years–but have never purchased it. (I never inhaled either).
By Lana on 11.21.08 1:44 pm
Try inhaling, it’s good for you.
http://www.physorg.com/news146320102.html
The more research they do, the more evidence Ohio State University scientists find that specific elements of marijuana can be good for the aging brain by reducing inflammation there and possibly even stimulating the formation of new brain cells.
Gord.
James – Chatham, 7:54 pm — It wasn’t me, James!
I sit back watching these zombies running around as if it were Looney Tunes movie! It is disappointing to see sheeple so thoroughly captivated by excessive material junk on this planet, but they have to learn their life’s lessons as well, I guess.
“. . . or the new owners when its bought out!” — Are harpo, hairy and CRAP buying it up? It will be a terrific deal for the sellers, ‘coz it will fall to pieces as soon as they are in charge!
As to the govt. paying back interest only, citizens ARE the govt., it is taxpayers’ money and if the govt. and citizens are all broke at roughly the same time, who ends up getting what?
****************************************
Speaking of numbers, Ralph Goodale and Mr. Dithers left a $14 bln. surplus which CRAP promptly spent, mostly on vote buying in Quebec (hence the 19 added seats).
Following that, another $10 bln. surplus was added and foolishly spent, so what are taxpayers left with after CRAP had a $24 bln. surplus?
An ever-increasing deficit and debt (Af’stan costs around $100-125 mln. / month, and who gets to pick up the tab — why, we do, silly billies!
Instead of using some basic common sense, which most here would have been more than happy to provide free, CRAP cuts off our nose to spite our face by reducing GST to 5%, thereby reducing the govt.’s daily cash flow, and thus is more expensive for us to support.
If CRAP had increased GST to 10% and lowered income taxes to offset that increase, Canada would probably still be in the black with consumers having extra cash in savings. But, no.
****************************************
Quite curious to see how the world’s political and economic power plays eventually finish.
America, like Great Britain and Rome before, all have and had empires which eventually fell, as everything runs its’ course.
Hu will offer Latin America China’s economic strength to “stabilize” them (HAH!) during the current downturn, while Putin is giving Russia a US$20 bln. boost.
The US is seeking a $300 bln. bailout from the Gulf States (Islam); dubya has already stated that the US will defend Israel no matter what, but no one knows what Obama will do; plus there are a record number of Jews supposedly heading for positions in the next US Congress.
Why would Muslims want to bail the US govt. out, who may end up with a large number of Jewish people in govt. offices? Something doesn’t gel here. Supposedly, a bank in Georgia is the 20th to fail; maybe someone will notice a trend here?
UK home repos are up by 12% in the third quarter, and Honda is shutting a factory there due to plunging sales. Japan and Germany’s exports have screeched to a halt, and H. Clinton will get the job as Secretary of State after the US Thanksgiving (that was only a rumor last week).
Can someone please tell me why the Public Safety Minister was signing the ‘free trade’ agreement with Columbia?
What the heck does public safety within Canada have to do with free trade?
To Simon (11.21.08 10:15 PM)
I think you’re missing the point. The Conservatives have mismanaged the country over the past 3 years and that has put us in a bad place. $50.6 billion cumulative deficit over the next 4 years. Michael Wilson, eat your heart out.
Conservatives drained coffers: Watchdog
Harper’s ability to respond to the crisis has been undercut by his own government’s record of tax cuts, which has emptied federal coffers, the parliamentary budget officer concluded in a report released yesterday.
Budget Officer Kevin Page says the deterioration of the federal government’s financial picture in the first nine months of 2008 is not so much the result of the weakened economy as Flaherty’s policies, particularly the latest reduction in the GST and reduced corporate income taxes.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/540934
By Simon on 11.21.08 10:15 pm
Just a question – do you blame McGuinty for any part of the economic situation in Ontario? Because according to your post then he’s done nothing wrong either.
Simon,
re. your 10:15 pm, it’s real simple. Harper no doubt would like to sort out the economics and government of every other blessed country in the world, but his influence won’t extend that far.
The problem is that he was the cat who swore up and down that the only way Canada would have an economic problem was if it elected Dion and the Liberals. Well, Canada didn’t, so how come we now have an economic problem?
You do a nice impersonation of a blogroach, though.
As to the govt. paying back interest only, citizens ARE the govt., it is taxpayers’ money and if the govt. and citizens are all broke at roughly the same time, who ends up getting what?
By Charles Oxley on 11.22.08 2:30 am
True. But if the governments are printing money to be able to bail out the banks, wouldn’t they have had to print less if they’d just covered the interest on the loans that went sour, the ones that triggered the house of cards, known as derivatives of sub-prime loans, to fall and create this mess?
I know, too late now, the house has already collapsed. Better call Mike Holmes!
……
Charles Oxley on 11.21.08 7:34 pm
BTW. On the ventriloquist joke (LOL)
A few years ago, I did some work for a group of Kiwi’s.
Did you know they don’t say G(uh)’day as the Aussie’s do. They pronounce it
G(he)Day! So for his dog to say G’day the Aussie way, the Kiwi would have known.
Cap’n George,
Fearless Prediction #11 wasn’t far off either, just ass-backwards.
Politics does become fairly predictable once you take objective requirements out of the equation and let self-interest/preservation and the line of least resistance rule the decision-making process.
Ventilating the Myth of the $70/hr Auto-Worker Wage
Courtesy of Michael Moore, here is a link that throws a little light on the bandied-about Big Three wage costs:
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=1026e955-541c-4aa6-bcf2-56dfc3323682
HANG ON TO YOUR HATS IT’S GOING TO BE ONE HELL OF RIDE TO BOTTOM!
Look to 2015 until this new world order recovers from deflation. It had to happen no home sitting on postage stamp lot is worth one million, no pick-up truck is worth 100K and big business never had intention to pay the middle class 35 buck/hr plus full benifits…and yes no athlete was or is worth 10 million…. So bing bang boom knock the middle class down, keep the senior boomers from retirement or better still just let them die with their boots on. All the money that could have been sucked out of the Winds of War is gone… so those silly games in the Iraq and Afghanistan are over…. in case you may not have heard they had the world’s biggest fire works in Dubai yesterday and it could be seen from otter space. The Rich & Powerful accompanied by their wantabee players have a world of their own and do no give a dam about any of us, for we are but slaves and soldiers of industry beit labour or technical…and our children must be available to be soldiers of the Winds of War when summoned for they know their children will have not part of that. Stop and smell the roses…some things never change….North America was the door to natural resourcs for Europeons and the aristrocats fought over the wealth and spoils to ensure their standing…. Canada is a land of Natural resources and when they are gone so are we… Of course we have educated many good people who have made a good mark..but they too have be sucked away. America will loose it’s world standing not by military might but by default as their wealth is bought off and debt is far to much to handle, http://www.zfacts.com check it out it is growing at $2,800,000/minute! and Canada is doing just fine with Bush 44 alive and well in Ottawa? For the love of god wake up and smell the coffee…. we are in deep, deep trouble and things are about to get worst… will the auto industry servive… Yes …we will survive Yes… will the the world look and be much different Yes….are the good times over….You better believe it, This next generation will be first generation that will not out live their parents…. life is short and is about to get a whole lot shorter. Now for some big time snow shovelling…
Funny everyone voted for him and not you.
Curious.
By Dee on 11.22.08 3:23 am
Stockwell Day is no longer the Minister of Public Safety. He is now Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.
As GWB spouts off to continue the Winds of War for Democracy the US Nation Debt is now rising @ 2,900,000/min it will be at $11 Trillion prior to his leaving office…it is financed at 19% and 30% for defence (I & A) (monies borrowed on a separate fund)…Not Includned on the books because Iraq oil was supposed to pay for it….just like the Banks and Wall/Bay stteets…you all! Took me 1 /1/2 hours to shovel the snow as a kind neighbour did the end of diveway with his super blower… but I digress. So what can we expect? highier health care costs, increase taxes, increase service costs, longer work life, less personal wealth, less travel, highier education cost/selective entries, less social networks, more crime, and the sale of our water to US of A… all couched in a peek-a-boo Conservative government that is too busy hiding to talk to Canadians while slowing dismantle 142 years of progess? Like I said hold on to your hats, because it will be one hell of ride…and the only facts we will get is here on this Blog and others as the MSM returns to their hands and knees waiting for thier chance to ask a vetted question from What’s his name, (King Harper).
Three questions:
1. If Harper squandered the ‘surplus’ between 2006 and now, what difference would it make if he had waited until 2008 to squander it on the Ontario-based auto industry? Surely that would be only shoring up something that is going to collapse anyway, and bailouts will be pouring Billion$$$ down a black hole.
2. Does anybody here seriously believe that Brit-USian Ignatieff or ex-Dipper BobRae can lead the Liberal party to victory against Harper? Your wishful thinking is that Canadians will blame the Conservative for the global recession and the auto crisis. Maybe Leblanc is The One ….
3. Will the Liberal party be prepared to force another election immediately after they select their leader in May’09? Surely if the new leader gets on that abstention treadmill and the economy worsens, Canadians will again reject Liberals … or will they?
By HARRY S on 11.22.08 11:53 am
1. He would have had the money instead of having to borrow it. He would have money either to bail out the Canadian operations of the big 3, and could then call the shots in making them produce more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles, which would help achieve his CO2 reductions, limited as they are!
2. Said it before, Bob Rae hass too much Ontario bagage although his Toronto constituants don’t seem to care; Iggy to far right; LeBlanc, the dark horse maybe it would be good to have someone from other than Quebec, Ontario or Alberta, with a different perspective.
3. With the Libs telling Harper that the days of sitting on their hands is over, it will be interesting to see if Harper calls their bluff. Obviously Layton and Duceppe are still playing by the old rules of voting against the government because there’s little chance of Harper being defeated at the moment, but after the new leader of the Libs is decided, then the HoC will become interesting and we’ll see if spirit of cooperation will continue.
And three questions for you, Hairy:
1. Did Harper lie about the state of the Canadian economy before October 14, 2008?
2. Did he lie for any other reason than to get re-elected?
3. Why should we forget the fact that he lied solely to get re-elected?
By HARRY S on 11.22.08 11:53 am
Why don’t we wait for the next election for the campaigning…how about we look at some fixes for the economy in the meantime…like let us let the auto industry plod their way through this mess, if they have to go belly up and re-structure, so be it. If the wages are less, at least there will be jobs. Under the present cicumstances, they cannot compete. Management has made all the wrong calls, so I can’t see rewarding them with a bail out. Let’s start all over and forget about Liberals and CPC, let’s stop the campaigning nonsense and get on with doing what is good for Canadians. So that means that you, Harry, shut the camapaign box, let the Liberals chose who they wish, and when the next writ is dropped, then you can begin your constant Liberal bashing again.
By Lana on 11.21.08 1:44 pm
I was being facetious about the pot smokers moving to herion use. Like Jack Layton, I have never exhaled.
By Marc on 11.21.08 2:17 pm
Sorry Marc. I realized after I posted that you were probably being facetious.
Truth wants to take away smoker’s health cards. As others have said–where would you draw the line when it comes to bad health choices (not exercising, obesity, alcohol abuse–only a partial list.
Some famous person said (maybe it was Carlin) that you should live like you’re gonna die–cause you’re gonna.
I try not to judge others choices in life.
re By Gord on 11.21.08 11:22 am
…says the dirty old chauvinist.
By Leasa on 11.21.08 5:45 pm
Do you mean that Gord is overly partial to the dirty and the old and loathes the clean and the young?
I doubt it.
Chauvinism is extreme and unreasoning partisanship on behalf of a group to which one belongs, especially when the partisanship includes malice and hatred towards a rival group.
Sounds more like the Con bloggers in the basements of the country to me.
A different variation on a theme
****************************************************
Sex For $7, Or Using Spontaneous Creativity . . .
A Florida couple, both well into their 80s, go to a sex therapist’s office.
The doctor asks, ‘What can I do for you?’
The man says, ‘Will you watch us have sexual intercourse?’
The doctor raises both eyebrows, but he is so amazed that such an elderly couple is asking for sexual advice that he agrees.
When the couple finishes, the doctor says, ‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the way you have intercourse.’
He thanks them for coming, he wishes them good luck, he charges them $50 and he says good bye.
The next week, the same couple returns and asks the sex therapist to watch again. The sex therapist is a bit puzzled, but agrees.
This happens several weeks in a row. The couple makes an appointment, has intercourse with no problems, pays the doctor, then leaves.
Finally, after three months of this routine, the doctor says, ‘I’m sorry, but I have to ask. Just what are you trying to find out?’
The man says, ‘We’re not trying to find out anything.
‘She’s married so we can’t go to her house.
‘I’m married and we can’t go to my house.
‘The Holiday Inn charges $98.
‘The Hilton charges $139.
‘We do it here for $50, and I get $43 back from Medicare.’
SHAME ON YOU FOR LAUGHING AT THAT . . .
****************************************
Sunny and cool day here in the Okanagan. Figure our snow will start Xmas Eve and finish Boxing Day. Then it’s spring!
***************************************
Looking Back To The Future, this current debacle may well work in the Libs. favor.
Better to let CRAP wallow, then sink in their own mire of vote buying in Quebec, and other non-essential items where the long-forgotten surplus should have been put to better use, when the election is held, folk will be so angry at the gross incompetence shown by CRAP they will be swept from office.
For the time being, let them know what hard times are really like.
Co-incidentally, most know that Ford is in Brazil with a new plant. Now comes GM, paid for with taxpayers money. Any bets as to where Chrysler will end up?
Whether folk like it or not, The Big Three are, for all intents and purposes, gone for ever.
http://tinyurl.com/69k5mt
Wow!
Garth’s sheeple sure are twitchy these days
By Herb on 11.22.08 12:47 pm,
The Liberal Party always has alternated its leaders between Ontario and Quebec. No one outside those provinces really has much of a chance to become leader. It is Ontario’s turn. Central Canadian parochialism is part of the culture of the party.
It is unfortunate but I don’t see anything that might change that culture.
By CM on 11.22.08 3:00 pm
“Do you mean that Gord is overly partial to the dirty and the old and loathes the clean and the young?”
~HA HA…No, I mean that gord has a dirty mind and he loathes women, well, women that dare to have an opinion that does not echo his own, you know, one that doesn’t know her ‘place’. He keeps a list on stand-by of all the times a woman he can identify on-line, has used a ‘bad’ word or had a ‘bad’ thought. Haven’t you noticed? Men on here can say whatever they want, use whatever words they want and our Gord only takes offence if it comes from a woman, ESPECIALLY a woman who he knows does not buy into his politics or opinion. It’s hilarious! I said ‘balls’ once on this board and Gord spent 6 months reminding me that I said ‘balls’ and chastising me for my dirty mind. Seriously, Gord reminds me of someone I used to know from a very scary time in my life. He’s a guy who could very well punch a woman in the face without a whole lot of pushing.
If you read this board, then you know it’s all true. The men can make all the lewd jokes and comments…and Gord never says a word. But, hey, he’s a liberal, so he’s a good guy, right?
Leasa
Three questions:
1. If Harper squandered the ’surplus’ between 2006 and now, what difference would it make if he had waited until 2008 to squander it on the Ontario-based auto industry? Surely that would be only shoring up something that is going to collapse anyway, and bailouts will be pouring Billion$$$ down a black hole.
2. Does anybody here seriously believe that Brit-USian Ignatieff or ex-Dipper BobRae can lead the Liberal party to victory against Harper? Your wishful thinking is that Canadians will blame the Conservative for the global recession and the auto crisis. Maybe Leblanc is The One ….
3. Will the Liberal party be prepared to force another election immediately after they select their leader in May’09? Surely if the new leader gets on that abstention treadmill and the economy worsens, Canadians will again reject Liberals … or will they?
By HARRY S on 11.22.08 11:53 am
#1– so i guess you don’t care how dishonest and incompetent he is and 13 billion tax dollars is his to use for his own use to buy votes?—————-#2–obviously your a harper supporter so you wouldn’t know a leader if you tripped over one!————————#3–if i was the leader of the liberal party we would be headed for another election right now-Harper lied got re elected and is destroying our country!—-Have a nice day
…says the dirty old chauvinist.
By Leasa on 11.21.08 5:45 pm
Leasa, I hope you’re pleased with what Harpo is doing for your those is in the Argriculture buseeness.
By Van on 11.21.08 10:04 pm
Can you cite evidence of that?
REF: “More likely that foreign countries are now questioning Canada’s commitment to global affairs with Harper at the helm.
By Judy on 11.21.08 7:45 pm
Open your eyes, and mind, “VAN ”
“Where this leaves Canada, with its relative economic influence waning and its political influence shrivelling, remains an open question.
At the table in Washington were the up-and-coming heavyweights: Brazil, China and India, plus others such as Turkey, Spain and Indonesia. With China, the Harper government has made relations cool; with Brazil, relations are distant, despite this week’s trip there by International Trade Minister Stockwell Day. With India, the government’s intentions are good, the follow-up minimal. With Turkey, the Harper government has done nothing but insult the country by meddling in the First World War Armenian issue, which is no business of Canada’s.
These curious decisions of neglect and obduracy are among the results of an inward-looking political culture that substitutes moral superiority for spending more on diplomacy abroad, and that elects a government that boasts about putting Canada “on the map” without any evidence to support the boast, except in Afghanistan, from which Canada has signalled its departure. Some day, this inwardness and political neglect will catch up to Canada. For the moment, however, we retain a seat at tables such as the one in Washington.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081118.COSIMP18/TPStory/?query=G20
By CM on 11.22.08 3:00 pm
BRAVO!
Someone else who knows the REAL meaning of chauvinist”. I get tired of sleazy female “chauvinists” using the term like it only applies to men. Any student of history, knows of Chauvin, and his role in the French revolution.
“Chauvinism (pronounced /??o?v?n?z?m/) is extreme and unreasoning partisanship on behalf of a group to which one belongs, especially when the partisanship includes malice and hatred towards a rival group. ”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauvinism
Sounds like those CPC blogroaches to me!
Leasa: The way you describe Gord reminds me a lot of the qualities I see in Stephen Harper.
Thinks women belong in the bed or the kitchen, thinks women should stop taking good paying jobs from the men, thinks women should breed, and thinks women should keep their noses out of a man’s business.
( im venting my frustrations today)–The Tar Sands And What They Brought US— Perhaps i will make list
–#1–They justified the high price oil due to high cost of refining it–#2 -The destruction to the environment which is not repairable–#3–huge Government concessions which cost every taxpayer in Canada–#4–Every person in Canada is paying more to heat their home due to the huge amount of natural gas needed to process the oil from the tar sands.It goes on and on—the high cost of fuel was the last straw in a faltering economy–What did Alberta get? –They got overpriced real estate,money (plastic),crime (prostitution and rampant drug use),huge hikes to their cost of living, and now a potential wasteland of some of mother natures finest.
One Of The Funniest Things I read Today (from someone who told us how great things were)>>Harper warns crisis potentially worst than Great Depression
The Canadian Press – 1 hour, 48 minutes ago
LIMA, Peru – Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the current economic crisis could be as dangerous as the financial collapse that began in 1929 and the world must avoid repeating history by recognizing the Great Depression was caused by bad government policies
——–who the hell exactly does he think he is fooling?????
By Herb on 11.22.08 12:47 pm,
The Liberal Party always has alternated its leaders between Ontario and Quebec. No one outside those provinces really has much of a chance to become leader. It is Ontario’s turn. Central Canadian parochialism is part of the culture of the party.
It is unfortunate but I don’t see anything that might change that culture.
By C. B. Innes on 11.22.08 4:28 pm
CBI – As I’m not as politically savy as you, could you please enlighten me from where the last conservative PM’s come from during the same period of time.
Harper just wasn’t smart enough to listen to what you have been saying for over 2 years now Garth and condemned you for stating it >> now appears to be a follower (what a fool)–he could have been a great leader by exploiting your wisdom >> now today he makes a statement totally contrary to everything he has been preaching right from your text book>>>>>The Canadian Press – 1 hour, 48 minutes ago
LIMA, Peru – Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the current economic crisis could be as dangerous as the financial collapse that began in 1929 and the world must avoid repeating history by recognizing the Great Depression was caused by bad government policies
John: I really think Harper is delusional. What comes out of his mouth never coincides with what is actually happening in the real world.
Is he a permanent resident of Pleasantville?
Stephen: You told Canadians they had nothing to worry about. Vote for me. The fundamentals of our economy are strong. Thank God for Canada in this Godforsaken world ( or something like that). A few short weeks later and he is spouting disasters never before seen—is he so short-sighted that he can’t predict beyond tomorrow???
Do we really need a Prime Minister who only thinks in the moment during these fragile times??
Leasa,
What is your opinion on the passing of the resolution at the Conservative Convention seeking more free trade in agriculture?
By Judy on 11.22.08 8:06 pm
Actually, Judy, Prime Minister Harper started working on the on-coming global economic down turn in August of ’07. Whereas, Mr. Dion admittedly, did not know there was a global recession on the horizon until October of ’08. Thank God for Mr. Harper! Even though we may see a deficit in ’09, we are still showing a small surplus for ’08, the ONLY industrialized nation to do so. Pretty good, eh? Let’s just hope as we move into the future that as part of this world, we all don’t suffer to any great extent. We can all do our part by being as positive as we can, because negative word of mouth contributes to the damage and makes things on our global market place much worse then need be. So, positive thoughts Judy. Keep smiling. L
By Judy on 11.22.08 6:20 pm
Judy, you have got to stop believing everything the Liberal party tells you. I can tell you that no one tells the Prime Minister’s wife what to say or think. She’s her own woman, and the Prime Minister loves her for it. PM Harper has the utmost respect for women, especially a smart woman who can think for herself. I know this for a fact and wish people like you would stop buying into the bullshit and insults. It’s beneath you. Take a look at the Liberal leadership race, how did the ‘girls’ fair last time around? Oops, where did the ‘girls’ go this time? They’ve got flat heads from being patted so much and told how cute they are. L
Garth claimed one of the reasons for his defeat was that his party, the Liberals, had no economic or fiscal plan to offer Canadians.
Wrong. — Garth
Let’s put things into perspective and stop whining adnauseam about Harper .. because it’s going from silly to stupid..!!!
Globally, Canada is still a ratshit lil’ country of 33 million minor people … exporting a disproportionate amount of natural resources and a central manufacturing industry exporting over 80% of it’s output mostly to the US. What happens in Canada is insignificant in major world events.
It’s likely that the US under Obama will go heavily protectionist, particularly for it’s Big 3 auto industry, and may sacrifice the Canadian auto industry regardless of Canadian government bailouts. If the Democrat Obama protectionists are going to force the Big 3 to close their Mexican and Canadian factories if they want their bailouts, there’s no use for the Canadian government to offer Billion$$$ for them to stay in Canada, because it won’t happen.
That’s why Harper is promoting free trade and warning the US that if they go protectionist, that will very likely cause a global depression .. and Canada will take the worst brunt of Obama’s economic war against us. If Obama does shut out Canada, it will be an economic war, and Harper will have to lead the charge … as he is doing now forewarning the Americans of economic depression and that Canada is an integral part of the US domestic economy.
By Judy on 11.22.08 6:20 pm
Judy, with all due respect, where in the world do you get this sort of thing? Laureen Harper is NOT a doormat, let me tell you. She is one very intelligent and strong person.
I have to ask: how many women are running for the Liberal party leadership? How well was Sheila Copps treated by her party and why did she leave the party (although she still supports it)? Judy, you normally come out with intelligent input but this repetition of anti-Harper rhetoric is just beyond the pale.
By wjp on 11.22.08 1:08 pm
WJP – I agree with everything you said. You left out something, however. How about you extend your admonition re: putting away the campaign box and Liberal-bashing to the people who bash Harper and the Conservatives, as well. If you are sincere in what you say, you’ll apply your comment to EVERYBODY and not just Harry and others who bash the Liberals.
By Go Green on 11.21.08 8:55 pm
Well said. As you, I have known healthy people who died young from cardiac or cancer issues. Even James Fixx, the godfather of jogging, died young of a heart attack. A fellow around the corner from me – 40 years old, marathon runner, hockey player, no smoke, no drugs, no alcohol, all organic food, etc., dropped dead at the dinner table in front of his family. Boom, just like that.
As for taking away health cards – the idea is ludicrous. We pay for it, we have the right to it. Period.
By HARRY S on 11.23.08 3:10 am
Why do you always need to call this great country of ours “ratshit”, Harry?
If you don’t like it here, leave. I’m sure many of us would band together to buy you the one way ticket!
As for the protectionist US, they are still dependant on our oil and resources, and will be for a long time to come. Obama isn’t stupid and knows the picture is bigger than just the three Detroit auto’s. He also knows there is more to them than their NA operations.
And should the US and others become protectionist, as you predict, Harper, for once, has it correct that that will just make the recession deeper.
However, will Harper be all talk and no action when it comes to dealing with the protectionist element to the South; will he close off oil, gas and resources to our neighbours in response, or will he sell “Canada by the kilo” as he did with the softwood lumber deal?
Two quotes:
“Thank God for Mr. Harper!” – Leasa, 10:29 pm
“The preceding has been a service of the Stephen Harper Devotional Network” – Kady O’Malley (ITQ)
Harry: That is so funny….Harper warning the U.S…..as if the impotent leader of this “rat-shit” country “with minor people” could “scare” the U.S. into capitulation…..ha.ha. ha. You are so funny, Harry.
By HARRY S on 11.23.08 3:10 am
Harry, like Mr. McCain inferred, if Obama wants to keep the lights on in California and keep the Canadian oil flowing south…he will have to tread very carefully going forward when it comes to Canada. Mexico is a whole other kettle of fish where worker standards and rights do not compare. I think the two will be separated when being considered. L
Actually, Judy, Prime Minister Harper started working on the on-coming global economic down turn in August of ‘07.
By Leasa on 11.22.08 10:29 pm
On what basis do you make these assumptions, Leasa?
If what you say is true, you have just provided the evidence that Harper is the liar many say he is. If he knew a downturn was coming, he certainly did express it during his “don’t worry, be happy” election campaign where he told us Canada’s fundamentals were as strong as the Canadian Shield.
What do we expect? Americans are not buying and 95% of our exports are to the U.S.
A canadian bailout will do nothing except increase the deficit.
The best Canadian jobs continue to be government, be it municipal, provincial or federal. The pain will be private not public sector.
Harry, unlike Canada where a minority sub-Prime Minister can decide the country’s fate all by his despotic little self, the U.S. has a Congress and a President. It it known as the ‘balance of power’, and it works most of the time.
Try to grasp that President-elect Obama is only one of their three branches of government and is accountable via the Congress to the people, unlike Canada’s Stephen Harper, aka Caesar Disgustus.
If there is a protectionist movement, it will be because the Congress approves such measures, not just one man, i.e., the President.
Canada could use some of that protectionist attitude themselves, so stuff your bigotry about Obama being the heavy.
The only protectionist thing Canada has is an over-regulated professional class controlled by a bunch of wannabe Lords disguised as acting in ‘the public interest’, when they are protecting themselves.
Harper thinks deficit spending is the answer? So do all the addicted gamblers who ‘know’ if they can just finance their habit they will be winners. Reality: They LOSERS!
he certainly did express it during his “don’t worry, be happy” election campaign where he told us Canada’s fundamentals were as strong as the Canadian Shield.
By James – Chatham on 11.23.08 9:26 am
Correction .. should read “he didn’t express…” but you knew that anyway!
The only protectionist thing Canada has is an over-regulated professional class controlled by a bunch of wannabe Lords disguised as acting in ‘the public interest’, when they are protecting themselves.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.23.08 9:30 am
Do you mean, “self-regulated?”
By Simon on 11.22.08 4:01 pm
Tell you what Simon, compare what Garth has been saying about the economy over the last two+ years and what Flaherty/Harper have been saying.
Once you have done that, get back to us on who exactly the ‘sheeple’ are.
The best Canadian jobs continue to be government, be it municipal, provincial or federal. The pain will be private not public sector.
By wayne jackson on 11.23.08 9:26 am
There’s some truth in what you say. But, with a conservative government, that preaches less government is better, the public sector will not be unscathed as Harper tries to minimise the deficit he’s planning.
East of Eden: I was being facetious, rsponding to comments by Leasa that a contributor here was anti-women based on some of his postings. Leasa used his comments to make a wide-sweeping assessment of his view on women in general.
I took the liberty of using the current Harper policies of cut-backs and exclusions of former equality programmes to make wide-sweeping statements about Harper’s views on women.
For all who think they we the taxpayers and soldiers of industry past and present can out fox the well fed foxes of big business give your head a shake. The big boys knew when to bail out and have suffered no looses and will jump in when stock has fallen up to 80 & 90% of their value… buy @$2/share and sell at $40-50/share on stock they know will move… Add to this their move to influence governments to bail out Banks and Wall Street how could they loose… Add also cheap real estate and big toys they can now be had for song and held until the “Price is Right” only hads more wealth to rich and powerful… Even Mr. Buffett said he did not have his money in the Stock Market when it tanked… now that it is near low he bought billions…. buy low sell high… As for Stevie Wonder Boy from the West…. “Monkey See Monkey Do” what has this man done all on his own other than spend away Canadians hard earned savings…
THINK, THINK, THINK.
Legislative people are elected by the poeple at all levels of government, their pay and benifts are paid for by the taxpayers… Their primary purpose be they Red, Blue, Orange or Indy. is to ensure all Canadians have good roads, good safe infrustructure, schools, hopsitals, CCP, OAP, Police, Armed Forces and run the country iaw rules and regualations that is in the best needs of all Canadians…. “It’s just that simple” It is media’s responsibilty to keep them accountable in a professional manner and report to people of Canada via TV, Radio and Newsprint when they are no doing so at all levels, to do less is not professional. This morning I received a call from Africa with sad news that a journalist’s home was entered and shot to death living a young family alone, a major hotel was taken over and it’s guests were told, “We now own the hotel and you pay us, better still best you leave town now” If I sound angry from time please understand that I am aware there is a real world outside Harper quest for a majority government couched in a single minded Neo Con idea of Democracy by Force…. to continue to support such ideas is fruitless and can only lead to more death and distuction.
This weeks interview with a soldier who returned from Afghanistan… said he was ashamed of the mission, because when many solidier go out to sit for long hours on quard they often shoot first or throw gernads into area’s (homes/home windows) becuae they thought they heard something or saw something… only to find out later they had killed innocent people! Having served over 30 years in CAF I knew and understood my job… it was not my duty or task to be a policeman. Policing is very complex and takes extensive training to just put on badge and to become confident takes several years at least… Over one million have been killed and many more will be in Bushes (Neo Con) War on Terror..
Since the begining of dirt mankind has this idea that he can kill masses of people and the population will be safe, but we have also found if we allow people to have food shelter and clothing via sound employment has proven more fruitful.
News is now that King Harper will start spending future Canadians money. (Run Deficts) …. look for all those who backed him to start lining up in front of “Pork Barrows” good times is about to roll for friends of Neo Cons….
Accountabilty …. Harper Style…DOA!
By Leasa on 11.22.08 4:50 pm
Leasa,
It is interesting that you chose to defend the least significant and least offensive of your defining characteristics, albeit inaccurately. Your smuttiness is merely self degradation and it is little more than amusing. More significant are your difficulty with logic, prevarication, viciousness, hypocrisy, slander, foul mouth and downright filth.
You have been insisting for months that I am a prude. Now you claim I have a dirty mind?
You are evidently angry and confused.
Your prevarication, of course, has been especially visible in recent months, even to the point of your having been banned from this blog for lying. Then you had the incredible audacity to lie about your having been banned!
Your libelous accusations are merely desperate shots in the dark which don’t even come close to the mark.
On the contrary, I have long been a defender of women’s rights in particular of equal opportunity and equal pay for equal work, for which there still is much to be done.
In fact women who have worked for me have from to time expressed their appreciation for my efforts on their behalf. I have little or no toleration for wife beating, especially since both of my daughters have been unfortunate, even tragic victims. My sons, fortunately, have very good loving marriages and they treat their wives with respect and tenderness as I do their mother. My wife and I have often said it is regrettable that neither of our daughters could have married someone like their brothers.
You obviously have a short memory or trouble with reading comprehension. Among other things, I clearly stated in my posting of 01.23.08 12:06am that I was brought up to respect and admire people who were genuine and be wary of those who were not. Of you Leasa, I am wary. I would gladly reproduce that posting in its entirety, upon request, if you or anyone else wishes. Just say the word.
In short, Leasa, the fault lies not with me, but with you.
Your deep seated all consuming hatred is once again clearly on display.
Mr.Harper has said we would not recognize our country when he was finished. We only need to look at his record to see what he has cancelled, dismantled, sold-off, terminated, sued, lied about, ridiculed…I find his supporters defence of him, in view of the PMs record, lacks basic logic and reasoning, with the facts. Who can debate with people whose eyes are blinded?
Taking Harpernomics to the next level – the absurd:
http://myblahg.com/
Thank you David Bakody, for the powerful, enlightening posts. And many others here who educate me with links and opinion. Ghandi said poverty is the greatest violence. I believe that. And the love of money being the root of all evil? Oh yes, I believe that too.
Leasa: You think Mrs. Harper is “her own woman”. Then why did she abruptly cancel her attentance at the arts charity event–the one she works for all year–the one that hosts “galas” for charity—the one that her husband, Stephen, says is only for the elite–not for the common folk?
Is she so under his thumb that she cancelled something so important to her because it would reflect negatively on her loose-lipped hubby?
If she were a strong woman she would have attended the event and told him to go to hell.
Don’t worry folks. According to Wizard Flaherty the recession we are in is only “technical”. Just because the economy meets the definition of a recession does not really mean we are in a recession.
So, if this recession is only a technicality when will we get back to regular programming??
Don’t worry folks. According to Wizard Flaherty the recession we are in is only “technical”. Just because the economy meets the definition of a recession does not really mean we are in a recession.
So, if this recession is only a technicality when will we get back to regular programming??
By Judy on 11.23.08 4:55 pm
Is Dim Jim the same guy who kept writing cheques on his (make that OUR) account despite having no funds? Thereafter stating the reason as ‘I can’t be out of money! I still have cheques left!’
Do you mean, “self-regulated?”
By James – Chatham on 11.23.08 10:05 am
Funny you should mention that? Is there a real difference when it comes to self-interests by elitists?
You are so funny, Harry.
By Judy on 11.23.08 9:06 am
Like a boil on a hemmorhoid?
Wow! I think this might be a new low for you Garth. How can you mislead people like this? If you truly want to blame Harper for Canada’s current finanical turmoil, should you not give him absolute credit for our banking system being the healthiest in the world as acknowledged by the IMF and the G7? Do you know why our government is buying mortgages (insured by the government anyway through CMHC) from the banks? It is because other countries’ financial institutions assume that ours are in the same precarious position which simply isn’t true. The move is an effort to placate other countries’ institutions so that ours can continue to carry on bank to bank lending. By the way, Garth, what types of qualifications do you have to be advising the unfortunate people who read your prose on their investments, real estate or otherwise
Hate to break it you, but check your facts. Nobody said our banking system was the ‘healthiest’ in the world. BTW, who are you? — Garth
By Gord on 11.23.08 11:25 am
I was never banned from this site. AS for the rest of it: your behavior toward me is a continuous testament to the facts. You are obsessed and nothing you say regarding me is the truth. Intelligent people who have followed your many tirades know that. No one would believe for one second that you are an advocate for women’s rights. I have yet to see you chastise any man on this site and tell him that he is dirty and smutty for using words like ass & balls. Not once. You are even willing to take them totally out of context to prove some sick point that exists only in your own mind. As for the rest…blah, blah, blah. This is getting old. L
John: Did you know that the IMF uses the figures given to them by the developed countries to “assess” their economic health?
They do not scrutinize the books, etc on their own. They rely on the word of the current Finance department.
So, they are not an independent source for your observations.
And why are you crediting Harper with the banks good standing in the world. There have been no changed in banking regulations since the Cons took office. You should, in fact, be crediting the Liberal governments.
By TS on 11.21.08 8:06 am
Your item 10. is a little late. Our domestic steel production is already 100% foreign owned, is it not? so how do you go about reversing that and the other high % foreign ownerships? Are you suggesting that the government expropriate them? How will you compensate these off shore owners?
I WAS ILLUSTRATING HOW POORLY MANAGED THE CANADIAN ECONOMY HAS BEEN BY SUCCESSIVE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS. TO REVERSE THIS TREND THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE TO EXPROPRIATE THESE ASSETS. THEY CAN SIMPLY PASS LEGISLATION THAT LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF STRATEGIC INDUSTRIES THAT IS ALLOWED. THIS WOULD FORCE FOREIGN OWNERS TO SELL A PORTION OF THE EQUITY THEY OWN TO CANADIAN INVESTORS AND CANADIAN CORPORATIONS. RESTRICTING OWNERSHIP OF STRATEGIC INDUSTRIES IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT – ALL DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES) HAVE SOME VERSION OF THIS KIND OF POLICY.
The automobile mfg industry is also totally foreign owned and has been for decades!
AND YOUR POINT IS….? THIS IS NO EXCUSE FOR CANADA NOT TO SUPPORT A ‘MADE IN CANADA’ AUTO INDUSTRY THAT FOCUSES ON BUILDING VEHICLES POWERED BY RENEWABLE FUELS.
Item 11. is false. The Afgan war can be won, but no one is willing to do the nasty deal that will win it. Poison the opium poppy fields permanently, and evacuate the population to work camps in other countries! The message is do not poison the rest of the world with illegal narcotics.
EXPORTING PEOPLE AND PUTTING THEM IN WORK CAMPS? PERMANENTLY POISONING A COUNTRY? THIS IS FACSIST RHETORIC.
OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY OF AFGANISTAN AND THE FAILURES OF EVERY, SINGLE INVADING FORCE THAT HAS TRIED TO TAKE CONTROL OF THIS COUNTRY FOR CENTURIES. ALL HAVE FAILED. THIS WAR CANNOT BE WON – WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS THAT THE WEST WILL NEGIOATE WITH THE TALIBAN, MAKE SOME KIND OF EXPEDIENT DEAL, AND WALK AWAY.
Item 13. is not economic. As long as petroleum products are cheaper than Hydrogen for fuel, this is a non starter. Hydrogen is also an extremely dangerous commodity to handle safely. the general public do not drive in a manner safe enough to be trusted with such a dangerous material. Every car accident would be a major risk for a massive inferno.
FEAR MONGERING ON YOUR PART. THERE ARE HYDROGEN FUEL CELL CARS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT ARE OPERATING WITHOUT INCIDENT. HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS ARE OF COURSE ONLY ONE POTENTIAL SOLUTION.
ON A PERSONAL BASIS I BELIEVE THAT THE CITYZENN WITH ITS USE OF CAPACITORS TO STORE ELECTRICITY RATHER THAN BATTERIES AND THE AIRCAR ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO REPLACE FOSSIL FUELS, AND BE THE WINNING AUTO TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE.
YOU SEEM TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT THE WORLD WILL HIT ‘PEAK OIL’ WITHIN THE NEXT DECADE (MOST EXPERTS PREDICT 2015 ALTHOUGH THE CURRENT WORLD RECESSION WILL PROBABLY BUY US AN EXTRA 3 TO 5 YEARS….THERE ISN’T GOING TO BE ANY MORE FOSSIL FUELS TO POWER YOUR CAR. THE WORLD CANNOT AFFORD THE POLLUTION. YOU SEEM TO HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF ESCALATING WORLD OIL DEMAND AND THE SHARP DECLINE IN NEW OIL DISCOVIES THAT HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR DECADES. ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO IT WAS PREDICTED THAT WORLD OIL PRODUCTION WOULD PEAK AT ABOUT 85 MILLION BARRELS A DAY. THAT HAPPENED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND EVEN IN THE FACE OF RECORD OIL PRICES THERE HAS BEEN NO INCREASE IN WORLD WIDE OIL PRODUCTION.
SUGGEST YOU DO SOME READING ON THIS SUBJECT.
The only thing we need at this moment is a banking sector that should be forced to make loans. They are refusing to make loans to businesses that are not a risk and who have significant collateral. This is a bankers rebellion to force a major depression. They should be jailed in hard labor camps for their heresy.
LOTS OF LABOUR CAMPS IN YOUR VIEW OF THE FUTURE. *SHUDDERS*
A BANKERS REBELLION TO FORCE A RECESSION? I AM ASHAMED TO THINK THAT YOU ARE A CANADIAN WITH VIEWS SUCH AS THESE.
By Truth B Told on 11.21.08 3:17 pm
THESE ARE THE WEAK MENTAL MEANDERINGS OF SOMEONE LIVING IN ABJECT FEAR.
Judy, I was simply pointing out that blaming Harper for everything in the current economic crisis is just as ludicrous as giving him al of the credit for the strength of our banking system. Realistically, since our banks are capitialized well beyond the government’s regulatory levels, the governement should get little if any credit for their health.
Below are a couple of links related the others’ views of the heakth if the Canadian banking system. My apologies, I couldn’t find the IMF piece and may have mistaken it for the Geneva one.
As for your question of who I am Garth, I am a financial advisor licesned to dispense investment advice in Ontario. However, it really isn’t important in the context of this forum, as I am not the one holding myself out to be an expert and you are. BTW, you never answered the question of qualifications.
http://money.canoe.ca/News/Other/2008/10/21/7158061-cp.html
Luckily, we live in Canada – a country with the soundest financial system in the world, according to a new report from the Geneva-based World Economic Forum, which ranks 134 countries on a variety of factors.
“When it comes to financial markets, Canada earned the group’s top grade for its soundness of banks, as well as landing a top 10 position for the strength of investor protection programs.” (Gordon Powers MSN Finance Nov 21,2008)
I’m glad you’re not my advisor. — Garth
Garth, you don’t need an advisor. You already know everything
Still never answered the question about your qualifications
Omniscient, omnipotent and omnivorous. — Garth
John: If our banks are in such sound top-of-the-world condition, why is Flaherty offering up money to them to free up credit?
Why are Canadians not able to get loans-for cars, mortgages, etc???
Our banks may be well-capitalized but what good does that do if they do not free up some of that money that will allow the purchase of goods and services?
By Gord on 11.23.08 11:25 am
… nothing you say regarding me is the truth…. This is getting old. L
By Leasa on 11.24.08 3:40 pm
Leasa,
Obviously you haven’t changed a bit over the past year since from a recent posting you would have us believe that Justin Trudeau is a Communist. It would appear that. there is no limit to the depth of gutter that you would crawl into to prove a political point.
You whine about taking things “out of context” when in fact, most of what you say, and that of many others is “out of context”. Depending on how you want to define “context” most references could be considered “out of context”. This is a slippery issue at best. Even the law courts have difficulty sorting this one out. Your whine is trite and has little or no significance.
You claim, “nothing you say regarding me is the truth.” Much of the gist of what I have had to say, apart from your recent filthy, figurative sojourn into sodomy, is embodied in two of my earlier postings. These postings are supported by your own words. Neither has ever been challenged for veracity. These are just as true now as they were the day they were first posted.
Truth is never old.
Given the above, I am willing to try something. I will post these again and see what reaction there is.
POSTING ONE:
Leasa,
Your response is dripping with hypocrisy. Odd that you should refer to hate, especially after you made it clear from your diatribe of 03.27.07 7:47pm., that you hate anything and everything liberal going back decades and having little, if anything, to do with the present situation. From a later posting you attempt to use the tainted blood scandal as justification for your hatred. It is indeed regrettable that you lost a dear friend, apparently due to tainted blood, and for that you have my sincere condolences. Yet from your recent postings you indicated hatred for Trudeau, as well, and he predates the tainted blood scandal. Your hatred must run really deep. Otherwise how could you imply that Trudeau was a Nazi? Is there no limit to the depths that you will sink? You, Leasa, owe the Trudeau family an apology.
You said, “When I insult it is a response in kind. Otherwise I don’t go there.” Nothing could be further from the truth. When a lady referred to Harper as a dictator (In the broad sense, an opinion shared by many) you called her “Shit for brains” and told her to “get stuffed”. Since she did not insult you personally that was hardly a “response in kind”.
Your track record for “treating people with respect”, especially women with differing political views, leaves a lot to be desired. You won’t win over the women’s vote that way.
Your “warm wishes” would be appreciated if they were not pretentious and insincere and sometimes dripping with sarcasm.
To give you some idea of where I am coming from, I was brought up to respect and admire people who were genuine and to be wary of those who were not. Of you, Leasa, I am wary. Further, I have never heard any of the many very fine people I have had the pleasure to know, friends , relatives and colleagues, alike, claim that they were “nice” or that they didn’t hate anyone. They didn’t have to. Over the years I learned to be wary of those who did make such claims, especially if they made them repeatedly. I don’t know of anyone who gained respect simply by begging for it.
Finally, if you regard criticism as insulting that is your problem. If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.
POSTING TWO
Leasa,
You are obviously on a mission. Perhaps it is self appointed, perhaps you receive direction from up above. It is clear that you want to shut Garth down. Recently you dispelled any doubt about that when you appealed to Garth, as sweetly as you could and with veiled insults, to pursue other interests. Brain nailed you very effectively on that one. Failing a shutdown you are obviously trying to undermine Garth every way you can while cloaking your efforts with unctuous overtures.
You are to be congratulated on your intimate knowledge and understanding of the party line and up to the minute knowledge of the latest talking points.(Just who are you, REALLY) It is obvious that you have little interest in other sources of information unless they support the party line. When you do consult other sources you are expert at selecting only information which supports the party line, even if you have to add your own embellishment or distortion. As a result your logic frequently falls apart and some times is even farcical.
You hang most of your debating skills on one strategy. You never let go and apparently really believe that if you can get in the last word, no matter how ridiculous it may sound, that you have won the argument. Your ludicrous defense of the spelling of nit-picking(vs. “knit-picking”) is a case in point.
You claim you are the “least partisan person on this blog”, that you are open minded, that you don’t hate anyone and that you are really a “nice” person. If all of these things were true, they would be self evident and you wouldn’t have to mention them. Nor would you have to beg repeatedly for respect. You spend a lot of time polishing your image with folksy, motherhood chats and any other “nice” things that you can think of.
You, Leasa, are a modern day Tokyo Rose. Nobody came across the airways with her warm greetings any sweeter than she did when she was trying to demoralize our troops during WW2. She, too, masqueraded as “nice”. She, too, claimed she did not hate anyone. She claimed she was only interested in the comfort and welfare of the boys in uniform.
Like you, she would have liked all of those concerned with the welfare of our country to ignore her and pretend she wasn’t there so that she could more effectively undermine the troops. However those in authority saw it otherwise and took steps to ensure that her true colours were clearly visible to all concerned.
You, Leasa , with your lies and slander and “guilt by association” trips are clearly a threat. Just as the price of democracy is constant vigil, it behooves those of us who are on to you to give your true colours continuing visibility as long as you are an instrument of those who are a threat to truth, decency and the welfare of our country. After all you didn’t hesitate to slander Pierre Trudeau by implying that he was not merely a Nazi sympathizer in his youth but, in fact, a Nazi.
By Gord on 11.26.08 12:29 am
Don’t you ever get tired Gord? There is so little truth in this latest diatrabe it is sad. Really, get a life, I’m not that important. Leasa
Garth, you don’t need an advisor. You already know everything
Still never answered the question about your qualifications
Omniscient, omnipotent and omnivorous. — Garth
By John on 11.25.08 4:53 pm
LOL…way to go Garth! What is all this BS about credentials anyway? Anyone who doubts your intellect and insight only has to review the predictions you have made over the years to see how accurate you have been.
Your insights on the future have saved our family well over $100,000 in potential capital losses in our RRSPs since August 2007.
Most Registered Financial Planners make their money from commissions paid on the sale of mutual funds, and as such are basically salespeople.
Ask anyone you know if their financial advisor suggested that they convert their assets into cash in the summer of 2007 or earlier. What you’ll find is that as the markets softened most financial advisors suggested a ‘wait it out’ strategy and told their clients to hold onto their mutual funds. Why? So they could make their trailing fees and protect their income.
I’ll take proven intellect and insight over a few pieces of ‘qualification paper’ any day.
By Gord on 11.26.08 12:29 am
Don’t you ever get tired Gord? There is so little truth in this latest diatrabe it is sad. Really, get a life, I’m not that important. Leasa
By Leasa on 11.26.08 8:42 am
No one else on this blog has lied to so many about so much.
If veracity were currency you would be bankrupt.
Do you still insist that I beat my wife?
I am certainly not of the opinion that only those with “pieces of paper” are able to make sound financial decisions. When I asked Garth what his were, he replied by questioning mine (answering a question with a question; something politicians of all stripes like to do)
As far as moving clients into fixed income in the summer of 2007, I advocated such a move for a number of my clients. For other clients, I advised them to stay put or to invest more. It really depends on the individual and his or her goals.