Friday, January 22, 2010

Haiti

There are too many things I don’t understand. Canadians along with their government have scrambled to raise funds to assist victims of the earthquake in Haiti. A successful telethon was held in Saskatchewan and this is all good.

Then I read this morning of the hundreds of millions big corporations like Bell Canada, the Royal Bank of Canada, the Hudson’s Bay Co. and Rona dished out to buy the exclusive rights to be sponsors of the Vancouver Olympics. In total there were some 70 domestic sponsors who contributed $760 million in cash or in-kind products to the Olympic operating budget. All of this while the country is trying to emerge from a recession and while seniors can only trust their invested life savings will recover before they die.

Haiti is one of the original members of the United Nations and is a member of the Organization of American States (OAS). It is reported that in July 2004, $1.085 billion was pledged through 2006 at the World Bank Donors’ Conference. This included many countries, like Canada, from around the world. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% living under the poverty line and with most Haitians living on less than $2 dollars a day.

These are a few of the facts that have been reported. I am not making any judgment in this letter. I am just saying there are too many things I don’t understand.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT.

Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.' 'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented.

It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.' 'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Harper or Ignatieff

Canadian voters are increasingly looking at party leaders to determine which candidate they will support in provincial and federal elections. Looking at federal politics it comes down to Stephen Harper and Michael Ignatieff.

Harper is Prime Minister primarily because, at this time, he is the best leader and that is how Canadians vote. Harper leaves much to be desired, but he looks and acts Prime Ministerial. He leaves no doubt he is in control and that is how he runs government. He does not see himself as being in some kind of popularity contest. He often leaves the impression that he really doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. Former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau was a tad like that.

Michael Ignatieff must change his first impressions with the voters. He needs to hire someone to advise him on his overall presentation. He leaves you with the feeling that he is too intelligent and thinking far deeper than is necessary to get the job done. He should lighten up, be positive and show the voters he has more to offer than the Prime Minister. Ignatieff must soon provide real leadership that is somewhere past Facebook and well short of the Space Station. He also needs a better set of policies regarding the major policy issues. If not, then Stephen Harper truly is the best man to lead the country at this time.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Parliamentary System Fails

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has shut down parliament until March 3, 2010. It is a flagrant disregard for our parliamentary democratic system of government. The failure of our parliamentary system falls on the government of the day. Stephen Harper is one of the most controlling Prime Ministers in the history of Canada, but is that good for Canadians?

If these systems are perceived as not working well – as being “seriously overloaded,” to quote a distinguished Canadian Opposition Leader, the Hon. Robert Stanfield - it may be the rights of political oppositions, which are immediately and most visibly at stake, but ultimately the threat is to democratic rights and freedoms generally. It undermines democracy to simply say to hell with the opposition.

Parliament consists of the Senate, the House of Commons and the committees of Parliament. Canadian voters elected MP’s to both govern and oppose. It is both wrong and undemocratic to muzzle either. Is the Prime Minister now moving to govern by executive administration? His decision to prorogue parliament has effectively killed his own legislative agenda. Further, this is the second time in 12 months that Prime Minister Harper has pulled this stunt. Has the role of parliament and parliamentarians become redundant?

Canadians deserve to be represented by all the politicians they elected, not just the Prime Minister. It is both their role and their right. Canadians deserve to know all the truth about their government and all the actions taken by their government unless it risks national security. A one party government controlled by any Prime Minister is no form of democracy. Does this really serve the best interests of all Canadians?