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Ohio voters turned back a anti-union law and the good folks of Mississippi look to be dumping personhood.
Can we all take a breather?
11.08.2011
Election night in US. Sanity returning?
Signs of sanity returning to the US of A!
Ohio voters turned back a anti-union law and the good folks of Mississippi look to be dumping personhood.
Can we all take a breather?
Ohio voters turned back a anti-union law and the good folks of Mississippi look to be dumping personhood.
Can we all take a breather?
Harper and McGuinty use same play book
I can see where many Canadians are getting pissed at governments. Two governments have effectively treated us like idiots. The first is Stephen Harper and his Conservatives. He campaigned in a bubble zone, promised to balance the budget one year ahead of schedule and was elected to a majority government.
Today we all know that was folly. Harper must have known he couldn't balance the budget as he said he would. But then he also knew the media would get tired of that issue after awhile, and they did. This despite the other political parties saying he couldn't do it. That there was a 12 billion dollar hole in Harper's plan. The non-partisan Parliamentary Budget Officer said the same thing.
Flaherty, our Finance Minister, said today he will balance the budget in the Medium term, rather than in three years they promised. He gushed on how despite this Canada was doing better than any other country. The only trouble with his statement today is that he could have made the same statement before the election in May of 2011. Of course he didn't. That would help the Conservatives get re-elected.
Top all the out right deceiving going on about the budget with the Conservatives invoking closure, limiting debate in the House of Commons eight times. No government in Canadian history has ever done that! Its not good enough that he can pass his laws, he wants to be sure committees are limited in time and breadth of informed discussion. The government has moved many committee meetings "in Camera". This then prevents anyone in the meeting from saying what was discussed.
We have a democracy shortage in Ottawa and the man responsible use to be the man that railed against the Liberal government of Jean Chretien for its dictatorial style. You know what they say, "there is no better oppressor than the formally oppressed."
The other government I refer to is the Dalton McGuinty Liberal Government of Ontario. They lost a lot in the election. They are now a minority. McGuinty called it a major minority and said he had a strong mandate. What utter garbage. He finished less than two percentage points ahead of the Conservatives and the NDP almost doubled their seat count and did double their share of the vote. People in Ontario did not give Dalton a strong mandate to carry on.
The Ontario election said that 60% of the voters thought McGuinty needed to be rained in and the end result was he got 4 out of ten votes. That's no mandate, but then McGuinty thinks he can do whatever he wants to. That's the same number of votes Harper received. 3.5 votes out of 10 went to the Conservatives and 2.5 votes out of 10 went to the NDP.
The opposition have asked to meet with the Premier. He has refused every offer. Today we hear some Liberal hack state that the opposition leaders will get a chance to see McGuinty several times a day when the legislature sits. That means McGuinty will bring forward a throne speech in a minority government without ever having so much as said good morning to one of the opposition leaders. So much for his platitudes about making nice.
Of course McGuinty was in a balloon during the entire election. He only ended up hearing from one voter that wasn't pre-screened. Remember the pharmacist that crashed his coffee making lesson. McGuinty walked away.
Then we have the two power-plants he has cancelled. Not a word from him or his government on how they will be addressing this matter. Nor what it will cost. Will he try to keep it all under wraps? At least we may be able to get to the bottom of this when committees get to sit.
Its an unlikely couple, Harper and McGuinty. They have learned a lot from each other. They both face massive deficits, they both need revenue, they both plan to slash corporate taxes. They use the same play book. Lets hope people wake up to see the way these two play would get them sent for a timeout in daycare.
We can only hope the occupy movement will gain more footing and resonance in the general public.
Today we all know that was folly. Harper must have known he couldn't balance the budget as he said he would. But then he also knew the media would get tired of that issue after awhile, and they did. This despite the other political parties saying he couldn't do it. That there was a 12 billion dollar hole in Harper's plan. The non-partisan Parliamentary Budget Officer said the same thing.
Flaherty, our Finance Minister, said today he will balance the budget in the Medium term, rather than in three years they promised. He gushed on how despite this Canada was doing better than any other country. The only trouble with his statement today is that he could have made the same statement before the election in May of 2011. Of course he didn't. That would help the Conservatives get re-elected.
Top all the out right deceiving going on about the budget with the Conservatives invoking closure, limiting debate in the House of Commons eight times. No government in Canadian history has ever done that! Its not good enough that he can pass his laws, he wants to be sure committees are limited in time and breadth of informed discussion. The government has moved many committee meetings "in Camera". This then prevents anyone in the meeting from saying what was discussed.
We have a democracy shortage in Ottawa and the man responsible use to be the man that railed against the Liberal government of Jean Chretien for its dictatorial style. You know what they say, "there is no better oppressor than the formally oppressed."
The other government I refer to is the Dalton McGuinty Liberal Government of Ontario. They lost a lot in the election. They are now a minority. McGuinty called it a major minority and said he had a strong mandate. What utter garbage. He finished less than two percentage points ahead of the Conservatives and the NDP almost doubled their seat count and did double their share of the vote. People in Ontario did not give Dalton a strong mandate to carry on.
The Ontario election said that 60% of the voters thought McGuinty needed to be rained in and the end result was he got 4 out of ten votes. That's no mandate, but then McGuinty thinks he can do whatever he wants to. That's the same number of votes Harper received. 3.5 votes out of 10 went to the Conservatives and 2.5 votes out of 10 went to the NDP.
The opposition have asked to meet with the Premier. He has refused every offer. Today we hear some Liberal hack state that the opposition leaders will get a chance to see McGuinty several times a day when the legislature sits. That means McGuinty will bring forward a throne speech in a minority government without ever having so much as said good morning to one of the opposition leaders. So much for his platitudes about making nice.
Of course McGuinty was in a balloon during the entire election. He only ended up hearing from one voter that wasn't pre-screened. Remember the pharmacist that crashed his coffee making lesson. McGuinty walked away.
Then we have the two power-plants he has cancelled. Not a word from him or his government on how they will be addressing this matter. Nor what it will cost. Will he try to keep it all under wraps? At least we may be able to get to the bottom of this when committees get to sit.
Its an unlikely couple, Harper and McGuinty. They have learned a lot from each other. They both face massive deficits, they both need revenue, they both plan to slash corporate taxes. They use the same play book. Lets hope people wake up to see the way these two play would get them sent for a timeout in daycare.
We can only hope the occupy movement will gain more footing and resonance in the general public.
Occupy efforts have 58% approval in Canada
Most Canadians view the #occupy movement favourably according to Nanos.
Perhaps not surprising is that 70% of those under 30 support the protests and people in BC and Quebec are the strongest regions in support of the #occupy movement.
It may be time for the Mayors of Vancouver and Calgary to calm down and leave the protests alone.
The Nanos Research poll conducted for The Globe and Mail and La Presse found that 58 per cent of Canadians who are aware of the protests have a favourable or somewhat favorable impression of them.I'm pleased to see these numbers. It confirms what I thought I was seeing and hearing from people in the course of my day. Canadians are worried about their jobs, or if they will find a job. The poll also suggests Canadians are worried about their savings.
Perhaps not surprising is that 70% of those under 30 support the protests and people in BC and Quebec are the strongest regions in support of the #occupy movement.
It may be time for the Mayors of Vancouver and Calgary to calm down and leave the protests alone.
11.07.2011
Conservatives fairy tale budgeting
Kevin Page, Parliamentary Budget Officer, told us Finance Minister Jim Flaherty could not meet his deficit targets. The NDP and other opposition parties have been telling the Harper Government this for months now. Tomorrow, Flaherty will announce he can't meet the targets. Its is a bit of a shame, okay a lot shame, that this government can not forecast its way out of a wet paper bag.
Remember when just before the last recession Harper said there was no way Canada would have a deficit. Flaherty said the same, not just once but every other day they stated it. It would be funny but for their lack of honesty.
Remember the last election? Flaherty’s governing Conservatives promised to accelerate a return to surplus.
Now they find themselves in a further $12 billion hole. Coincidentally, that 12 billion is about the same amount the GST they cut would bring in annually. Then there's the cuts to corporate income. Corporate taxes are going down on schedule it seems, damn the deficit.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer warned us that the government would have to raise taxes or cut programs and services. We know they won't be raising corporate taxes, nor slowing down the rate of decline of those taxes. They're still planning much in the way of spending cuts (anyone talk to a veteran lately?).
It looks like the government will freeze or even reduce EI premiums for employers. It seems it doesn't matter what the Harper Conservatives put in a budget. Its gonna change, likely for the worse.
Now close your eyes. Pretend you are listening to the NDP Finance Critic Peter Julian. Now pretend he is the Finance Minister in the NDP Government. Imagine the media and Conservative opposition to this statement, "While Julian has declined to say how slowing growth will influence his plans to balance the budget by 2014, he has said the government still aims to balance the budget “in the medium term."
Now I know you are likely to laugh at that one, but t was Flaherty that said it. He said that today. My final question is what the heck is the medium term? four years? five years, maybe seven years?
Flaherty update may retreat from deficit promise
update: Ottawa likely to miss four-year balanced budget target in today's fiscal update
Remember when just before the last recession Harper said there was no way Canada would have a deficit. Flaherty said the same, not just once but every other day they stated it. It would be funny but for their lack of honesty.
Remember the last election? Flaherty’s governing Conservatives promised to accelerate a return to surplus.
Now they find themselves in a further $12 billion hole. Coincidentally, that 12 billion is about the same amount the GST they cut would bring in annually. Then there's the cuts to corporate income. Corporate taxes are going down on schedule it seems, damn the deficit.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer warned us that the government would have to raise taxes or cut programs and services. We know they won't be raising corporate taxes, nor slowing down the rate of decline of those taxes. They're still planning much in the way of spending cuts (anyone talk to a veteran lately?).
It looks like the government will freeze or even reduce EI premiums for employers. It seems it doesn't matter what the Harper Conservatives put in a budget. Its gonna change, likely for the worse.
Now close your eyes. Pretend you are listening to the NDP Finance Critic Peter Julian. Now pretend he is the Finance Minister in the NDP Government. Imagine the media and Conservative opposition to this statement, "While Julian has declined to say how slowing growth will influence his plans to balance the budget by 2014, he has said the government still aims to balance the budget “in the medium term."
Now I know you are likely to laugh at that one, but t was Flaherty that said it. He said that today. My final question is what the heck is the medium term? four years? five years, maybe seven years?
Flaherty update may retreat from deficit promise
update: Ottawa likely to miss four-year balanced budget target in today's fiscal update
Harper should reveal his Donors
The Harper Conservatives want to end to make it harder to get a loan to run for leader of a party. They want to make sure the loan is for $1100 or less from an individual or is from a bank or credit union. Sounds like a smart policy. This way we know some shady business or union leader can't buy the favour of those in power. I like that.
The trouble is that they are changing the rules in midstream. The Liberals are facing huge challenges they did not expect. They ran their leadership under the older rules and then Harper changed those rules, making it much more difficult to pay off those old loans. And those loans are getting older by the day. I suspect that many would not have entered the race and/or spent as much as they did, had they known how restrictive the new donation and loan laws would be.
Unfortunately, Prime Minister Harper has yet to reveal who donated or loaned his campaign money in 2002 when he became leader of the Canadian Alliance. If this is about peeling back the paint to see whats on the wall, then he should be forthcoming as well. He has an obligation of ethical tradition to do so.
Don't get me wrong. I like the new rules. It does eliminate a good deal of the money in the system. So if Harper is pushing this new openness one needs to ask what is behind this new paint. The only leader in Parliament to get there on the old rules is Harper. The NDP and Liberals are electing leaders under the new rules.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper clawed his way to the top, using the rules he now says are a threat to democracy. He is disguising change as a step toward accountability and openness. That of course does not apply to the man making the rules.
The trouble is that they are changing the rules in midstream. The Liberals are facing huge challenges they did not expect. They ran their leadership under the older rules and then Harper changed those rules, making it much more difficult to pay off those old loans. And those loans are getting older by the day. I suspect that many would not have entered the race and/or spent as much as they did, had they known how restrictive the new donation and loan laws would be.
Unfortunately, Prime Minister Harper has yet to reveal who donated or loaned his campaign money in 2002 when he became leader of the Canadian Alliance. If this is about peeling back the paint to see whats on the wall, then he should be forthcoming as well. He has an obligation of ethical tradition to do so.
Don't get me wrong. I like the new rules. It does eliminate a good deal of the money in the system. So if Harper is pushing this new openness one needs to ask what is behind this new paint. The only leader in Parliament to get there on the old rules is Harper. The NDP and Liberals are electing leaders under the new rules.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper clawed his way to the top, using the rules he now says are a threat to democracy. He is disguising change as a step toward accountability and openness. That of course does not apply to the man making the rules.
Lift the Ban on Gay Blood
The UK has gone a step closer to allowing gay men to donate blood. I am not sure how successful it will be as Gay men can only donate blood if they have not had sex for a full year. That seems almost as stupid as the ban itself. People will either not donate blood or will state that they have not had sex in a year. Just get rid of the ban.
As gay man I believe I am as responsible as the next person. Im not going to donate if I have something wrong with my blood. It is just one more way that the larger society discriminates against us. H/T to Joe My God.
As gay man I believe I am as responsible as the next person. Im not going to donate if I have something wrong with my blood. It is just one more way that the larger society discriminates against us. H/T to Joe My God.
Activist and lawyer Doug Elliott told CityNews, "the rule is so outdated, and many gay men he knows donate anyway."
“I know a lot of people, well-informed people, people in the medical field, who give blood anyway and they just ignore the question….I think if you asked the average person on the street ‘Would you tell a lie to save a life?’ the answer would be yes.” - City News November 2, 2011
11.03.2011
Stop Online Spying
STOP ONLINE SPYING
DOES STEPHEN HARPER THINK ITS 1984?
How far is the Conservative government planning on going with its "Lawful
Access" online snooping bill?
Think police should have access to YOUR internet and cell phone records
without a warrant?
Come join the fight to stop this invasive legislation and protect our
privacy rights. If enough of us speak out now the government will have no
choice but to stop this mandatory online spying scheme.
Sign the petition by openmedia.ca at http://stopspying.ca/ and come out to our
Hosted by Andrew Cash, your MP for Davenport
With guest speakers: Ron Diebert from Citizen Lab/Canada Centre, UofT, Steve Anderson from openmedia.ca, MP Charlie Angus and Jesse Hirsh
Sign the petition by openmedia.ca at http://stopspying.ca/ and come out to our
(Un)lawful Access Townhall Meeting!
Friday, November 18
7:00pm - 9:00pm
99 Sudbury
Toronto Ontario
Hosted by Andrew Cash, your MP for Davenport
With guest speakers: Ron Diebert from Citizen Lab/Canada Centre, UofT, Steve Anderson from openmedia.ca, MP Charlie Angus and Jesse Hirsh
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