Tag: Culture

Canada, Ethics, Political Economy, Politics1 Comment

Guaranteed Basic Poverty

Podritske

From time to time, some “social planner” will float another trial balloon for the “guaranteed basic income” (GBI). Most recently, it is Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), also known as the Parliamentary “fiscal watchdog.” I don’t know what master this “watchdog” is really serving but if it’s the individual or Canadian taxpayers, then this “watchdog” is either soundly asleep or barking at the moon. This “social planner” clothed in “fiscal responsibility” offers up another emotionally appealing (to many) scenario that betrays everyone, including the proposed beneficiaries. The PBO betrays the Canadian taxpayer to the tune of $43 Billion per year … Continue reading Guaranteed Basic Poverty

Canada, Economics, Ethics, Law, News, Politics1 Comment

Anarchists For “Climate Change”

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If you’ve not heard, Kinder Morgan, a pipeline construction company has suspended all but “necessary expenditures” in the construction of a massive project involving an energy pipeline installation from Alberta through British Columbia to the Pacific coast. The company has taken this action in light of a major political dispute between the governments of the two provinces aforementioned. Briefly, Alberta wants the project to move forward with haste. The government depends on the energy loot from taxation and needs to be seen as addressing a high unemployment situation in the province. The government of British Columbia on the other hand … Continue reading Anarchists For “Climate Change”

Ethics, Rights1 Comment

Obligation to Work

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It is a characteristic of human nature that man must work in order to survive. That is, man does not possess physical advantages to forage for survival nor does he have an instinct to guide him in self-preservation. The defining attribute of man is his mind. He must think and act in accord with a chosen path of productiveness in order to survive. Anything that obstructs or impairs him in this quest that is not present in nature is destructive and evil. Barriers placed in the way of man’s creativity and productivity by other men are immoral. One must keep … Continue reading Obligation to Work

Government, PoliticsLeave a comment

Political-Fil-A

Podritske

In a recent article, David Frum strolls close to an insightful interpretation of the Chick-Fil-A incident but then struts off down a superficial path. His conclusion is that the American political system is ill-equipped to “…solve real-world problems.” That is not the proper role of any political system. Chick-Fil-A is the 1600-outlet restaurant franchise started by the Cathy family whose members openly support Christian causes. This offends many who are willing to use the iron hand of government to mollify their hurt feelings. The Chick-Fil-A story—allegedly pitting gays against Christians over same-sex marriage—indicates a turning point to Mr. Frum. He … Continue reading Political-Fil-A

Canada, News, PoliticsLeave a comment

The More Things Change

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There was a day when most university students would be out hustling for summer jobs at this time of year if they were not already working. In Montreal the perpetual student protesters mingled with the moneyed elite Thursday night in advance of the festival season. The event they tried to disrupt kicks off the Canadian Grand Prix race this weekend. The protesting Quebec university students evidently have a lot of free time at their disposal. Universities used to be places where you (or your benefactors) paid for a well-rounded liberal arts education; the only concession to training for a profession might … Continue reading The More Things Change

PoliticsLeave a comment

The Simple Summit

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The recent Summit of the Americas in Cartagena ended on a down note. There were two issues of contention: the simple possibility of decriminalizing the illicit drug trade—as suggested by Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Columbia—and Cuba’s  representation at the summit, advocated by the Latin American constituency. So contentious were these points that the usual closing statement could not be issued. The US and Canada, represented respectively by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper, were united in opposition, effectively exercising a North American “veto”. The position on Cuba is clear enough. Cuba has not been involved in the Organization of … Continue reading The Simple Summit

Canada, Law, PoliticsLeave a comment

Driving Distractions

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During a recent drive through Alberta, Canada I was distracted by the ubiquitous highway regulatory signs warning, “DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW IN EFFECT”. On long drives (mine was 12 hours) one has opportunity to think about many things, although thinking and driving could be distracting—and possibly against Alberta law. I thought about the law itself. What does it really mean, and how will alleged breaches be prosecuted? The authorities have posted a FAQ page about the law which is both helpful and revealing. Perniciously enough, police officers are allowed considerable discretion in writing tickets for “distracted driving”. So, for example, one … Continue reading Driving Distractions

george soros, moveon org, political orientation, Politics, right wing extremists, social disparitiesLeave a comment

Occupy Thy Self

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Efforts to rationalize the revolutionary significance of the so-called “Occupy Wall Street” movement are mostly futile. There is not much new about a gaggle of placard-waving, anarchist-inclined people protesting with slogans about rich versus poor, capitalists versus workers, love versus money (or war) and chanting “power to the people”. The “sit-in” of fifty years ago has become today’s “Occupy (fill in the blank)”. Occupiers vs. Tea Partiers Comparisons of the “Occupiers” to the Tea Party phenomenon have been made. Applications of “left” versus “right” political orientation have respectively labelled the Occupiers and Tea Partiers as “left-wing” radicals and “right-wing” extremists. … Continue reading Occupy Thy Self

Ethics, PoliticsLeave a comment

Lies, Damn Lies and Politicians

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Ever since Senator John McCain indulged himself in last Thursday’s Senate floor rant mocking the Tea Party constituency, there has been continuing criticism of Congressional members who refuse to compromise. McCain was challenged publicly for his disparaging remarks, and in an apparent move to pacify Tea Party supporters, attenuated his Congressional statements by saying he only meant to convey his disagreement with the obstinacy of this caucus. On Sunday, Senator Jon Kyl sort of agreed. He thought it was a shame that a few senators “standing on principle” could not be budged from their position when most everyone else thought … Continue reading Lies, Damn Lies and Politicians

Government, RightsLeave a comment

Duelling With Wolves

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Al-Qaeda is on its last legs, according to various US officials; an analysis by journalist Peter Goodspeed touches on the related issues in a National Post article. However, some officials say the main threat now comes from “home-grown” terror. “Lone-Wolves” using the internet to learn their evil craft or to organize plots with other wolves pose a greater danger to us all. The US government is preparing to handle duelling with wolves in its usual blunt-force manner. Fear-Mongering I’ve made the point before that fear-mongering by various named and “unnamed” officials contributes to further abuses of rights using such police-state … Continue reading Duelling With Wolves