Skip to main content

What Canadians worry about?



Early today I was reading David Frum’s blog/news site, and wondered a number of things.  Despite having left Canada more than 20 years ago, he remains interested and connected to the country of his birth.  Not only is his sister a Senator (in Ottawa) but he remains well connected in Canada’s intelligentsia.

Apparently, David was invited at the last get together that Jim Flaherty hosted near Ottawa a few days ago, and where political and economic topic about Canada were discussed.  Chatham house rule applied (where you cay discuss the ideas raised but not who took what position) to the entire get together.

So what worries Canada’s leading lights?  In no particular order these are the main themes:

  • Canadian health care costs are rising at more than 6% per annum
  • Canadians incurred too much debt
  • Is the Federal government correct in keeping its target for a balance budget to 2014


When discussing America there is a certain amount of despair; the dogmatism in America seems out of control.  When a political leader in Washington can say: “Our only objective is to make sure that Obama is a one term president” governing become impossible, since the opposition takes a scorched earth strategy – its blocks everything, from nominee to policy to law, and works hard at introducing fatuous bills that will never make it into law.  I don’t know if the Republican’s strategy will harm their 2012 prospects (BTW I am not saying that the Republicans are the only problem), but this kind of behavior will encourage the democrats to take similar action.  The debt ceiling debate was awful because it was apparent that the GOP were relishing the idea of taking the economy hostage, fur pure and ephemeral political gain.  

Canadians view this behavior as destructive to the country and the democratic process.  American politicians have become skillful at using strident statements to get elected but have forgotten why they were really elected – to run the country.  Good at winning election but very bad at governing.

Labels

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Spray painting Taylor Swift G650 aircraft (updated)

 First, a bit of paint will not harm anyone.  These climate activities are going to learn two things in the next few days:  (1) Trespassing at an airport is a felony almost anywhere in the world.  That means criminal prosecution.   (2) removing paint from an aircraft is expensive.   So these climate activists are about to find out the reach of the British criminal system and it will not be pleasant, the UK has very strict laws about that, I would be surprised if cleaning the aircraft of all the paint will cost less than $100,000.     I am sure that when they planned (premeditation) this little show they had a very valid logic to doing this.  Tonight, they are probably realizing the depth of their troubles.   I understand that in the UK it's a minimum one-year jail sentence.    Also, good luck travelling with a criminal trespass charge against you.  I am relatively certain that the airline industry will ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Farm; Half year performance

 People appear to be genuinely curious. 2024 has been a record first half for the farm.  The addition of high tunnels has greatly impacted our revenues.   While we expected Q1 profits to be higher, it really was the second quarter that produced the goods.  The terrible weather has greatly impacted the production of high-end vegetables. Energy costs are now very stable and have become a fixed variable especially now that our bio digesters are fully dialled in.   Replacing some of our pre-dryer equipment was covered under warranty, and the new equipment is far better at dealing with gas moisture, and much better steel!   Our diesel costs are what they are! Our biologist and ecologist devised a new planting plan for our high tunnels that greatly reduced pests, especially slugs.   We have seen a 90% decline in sluggs this year, resulting in better yields.   It seems that several plants act as natural repelants and if planted c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Britain, France and Egypt

 The voters realize now that the Conservative Praty desire to return to 19th-century dominance has driven its hatred of the EU.  The voters realize now that departure from the EU has accelerated Britain's decline and may soon make it irrelevant.  At best it will have to kiss American arses to maintain its standing.  For this, the conservatives were punished.  The decline of Britain was inevitable, competition from Frankfurt and Germany in Finance was bound to grow.  The core of Europe (aka Germany) is aging quickly Macron seems to be winning his bet, the left alliance that won the legislative elections will not remain united for long, since they disagree on about everything.   The Far right though it was about to assume power is once again relegated to the back of the bus.   It may draw its own conclusions, but not all of these are good for France.  The far-right has won nearly 1/3rd of the electorate, that is not something to be ig...
Post a Comment
Read more