Thursday, October 27, 2005
NDP: Nimrods and Duplicitous Puppeteers
Let's try a round of "name the country".
The clue: its economy is growing nearly 5 times as fast as that of the average European Union country.
Give up? It's China.
And that's not to say that China's particularly wealthy, but they obviously don't need much help. However, here's another little factoid about China: it's the biggest recipient of Canadian foreign aid. Why? Damned if I know. The Canadian government's involved, which means reason is likely to be on the other side of the room, leaning against the wall waiting until it's wanted. But it can't be a coincidence that our socialist government is pouring money into a communist dictatorship for no apparent reason.
It's a sign of things to come. China is in the position on the political spectrum that many in our government would have Canada occupy, and while Martin's Liberals would probably be content to run our economy into the ground with less extreme measures, we have to face the fact that because of the current minority government situation in the House of Commons, Martin is basically in Jack Layton's back pocket. Layton's "New Democratic Party" - essentially Leninists without the table manners - would turn Canada into a communist country in five seconds flat had they the chance. Jack the Robber has already strong-armed millions out of Martin for "social spending" (an interesting euphemism for the flushing of money down the toilet) that even the Libs wouldn't have approved under normal circumstances.
And to add insulting our foreign allies to the list of the NDP's political idiocies, recall Tony Blair making a speech to the House and being met with a standing ovation from members of all political parties except the NDP. Apparently, Blair - whose Labour government still maintains a 17.5% sales tax rate, a minimum wage of $9.01 US, and a program intended to build 100 new hospitals in Minnesota-sized Great Britain by 2010 - has betrayed socialism. It's a scary thought what Layton's mafia would change in Britain.
Blair's turn from socialism in the eyes of the NDP undoubtedly takes the form of his berating the rest of the EU over their social spending, which tends to make Britain look positively sensible. Many European countries continue to enjoy "cradle-to-the-grave" welfare systems, long paid holidays, government handouts to industries that are in no serious danger, and other programs that encourage a decline in the economy caused by that insidious "I don't need to work, Those Who Know Best will care for me" attitude.
The Liberals and the NDP together have blackballed tax cuts, hiked government spending, and made Canada the only democratic country in the world where private healthcare providers are outlawed (though Quebec is allowed to keep them in practice) even after the Supreme Court ruled that private healthcare is the constitutional right of every Canadian.
How we wound up with the Unholy Duinity of Martin and Layton running this country I'll never know, but it seems certain that two wrongs equal an absolutely abysmal in the arena of politics. With the NDP pulling the strings in the background, I question whether or not Canada will make it to the next election.
The clue: its economy is growing nearly 5 times as fast as that of the average European Union country.
Give up? It's China.
And that's not to say that China's particularly wealthy, but they obviously don't need much help. However, here's another little factoid about China: it's the biggest recipient of Canadian foreign aid. Why? Damned if I know. The Canadian government's involved, which means reason is likely to be on the other side of the room, leaning against the wall waiting until it's wanted. But it can't be a coincidence that our socialist government is pouring money into a communist dictatorship for no apparent reason.
It's a sign of things to come. China is in the position on the political spectrum that many in our government would have Canada occupy, and while Martin's Liberals would probably be content to run our economy into the ground with less extreme measures, we have to face the fact that because of the current minority government situation in the House of Commons, Martin is basically in Jack Layton's back pocket. Layton's "New Democratic Party" - essentially Leninists without the table manners - would turn Canada into a communist country in five seconds flat had they the chance. Jack the Robber has already strong-armed millions out of Martin for "social spending" (an interesting euphemism for the flushing of money down the toilet) that even the Libs wouldn't have approved under normal circumstances.
And to add insulting our foreign allies to the list of the NDP's political idiocies, recall Tony Blair making a speech to the House and being met with a standing ovation from members of all political parties except the NDP. Apparently, Blair - whose Labour government still maintains a 17.5% sales tax rate, a minimum wage of $9.01 US, and a program intended to build 100 new hospitals in Minnesota-sized Great Britain by 2010 - has betrayed socialism. It's a scary thought what Layton's mafia would change in Britain.
Blair's turn from socialism in the eyes of the NDP undoubtedly takes the form of his berating the rest of the EU over their social spending, which tends to make Britain look positively sensible. Many European countries continue to enjoy "cradle-to-the-grave" welfare systems, long paid holidays, government handouts to industries that are in no serious danger, and other programs that encourage a decline in the economy caused by that insidious "I don't need to work, Those Who Know Best will care for me" attitude.
The Liberals and the NDP together have blackballed tax cuts, hiked government spending, and made Canada the only democratic country in the world where private healthcare providers are outlawed (though Quebec is allowed to keep them in practice) even after the Supreme Court ruled that private healthcare is the constitutional right of every Canadian.
How we wound up with the Unholy Duinity of Martin and Layton running this country I'll never know, but it seems certain that two wrongs equal an absolutely abysmal in the arena of politics. With the NDP pulling the strings in the background, I question whether or not Canada will make it to the next election.
2000 heroes
We all heard the announcement today: the two-thousandth American soldier has been killed in Iraq since March 2003. It should have been a day of respect. A day of silence. A day of mourning for those 2000 brave souls who have given their lives.
Instead, it was a day of noise. People shouted, complained, moralized, protested, and essentially did whatever they could to turn the death of an American soldier to their own political advantage. It's sickening.
I don't care if you supported the Iraq war (which, incidentally, has been over since the new Iraqi government was elected in January) or not. Every soldier on the battlefield is an American hero. Every time an American soldier dies in the line of duty, they should be mourned as any other national hero. I'm talking flags at half-mast, moments of silence, national mourning, and maybe even public, televised funerals.
Tomorrow, shout to the rafters with your particular point of view, whatever it may be. Today, everyone should have shown a little respect. Whether or not you think he was a fool for doing so, that two-thousandth soul died for you.
Instead, it was a day of noise. People shouted, complained, moralized, protested, and essentially did whatever they could to turn the death of an American soldier to their own political advantage. It's sickening.
I don't care if you supported the Iraq war (which, incidentally, has been over since the new Iraqi government was elected in January) or not. Every soldier on the battlefield is an American hero. Every time an American soldier dies in the line of duty, they should be mourned as any other national hero. I'm talking flags at half-mast, moments of silence, national mourning, and maybe even public, televised funerals.
Tomorrow, shout to the rafters with your particular point of view, whatever it may be. Today, everyone should have shown a little respect. Whether or not you think he was a fool for doing so, that two-thousandth soul died for you.
Monday, October 24, 2005
The piranhas are hungry, and we're the midnight snack
Let me ask you a question, my fellow Albertans: are you fed up with the equalization payment extortion scheme? Are you sick and tired of losing 11 billion dollars to the other provinces every year just because Alberta's economy is strong? Well, let me tell you something: you ain't seen nothing yet.
As it is right now, Ontario and Alberta are both victims of the equalization shakedown. But that's changing. Ontario's been losing manufacturing jobs because of the high price of fuel; their electricity rates are surging upward; their universities and hospitals are dismally funded; and just south of the border in Ohio and Michigan, companies can enjoy significantly lower taxes and other benefits that come with doing business in the economically strong United States.
Now the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and a few other bodies are warning us that if Ottawa doesn't curtail its bloodsucking tendencies somewhat, Ontario will be a "have-not" province within five years.
My first impulse is to shout a big fat "I told you so" at all the Ontarians who have been electing our compulsively moronic federal governments over the past few decades. But consider this: Ottawa currently pilfers $25 billion from Ottawa every year (over twice the amount taken from Alberta, but a measly 50% of the amount per capita). When Ontario's been sucked dry, the vampires will have to find their meals somewhere else.
Expect them to come knocking on Alberta's door. And when we suddenly find the feds trying to siphon off 30 or 40 billion from us every year, corners will have to be cut. Education will lose funding, or healthcare, or road works. Something will have to go. Unless we go. But you all know how I feel about that.
Of course, the liberals are going to argue back against my complaints about the equalization racket with "you don't deserve it". I can't count the number of times I've heard it said that Alberta doesn't deserve its wealth. We're sitting on top of the oil, that's why our economy is strong.
That's a load, and I'm tired of hearing it. Alberta's economy is what it is because of Albertans. Albertans work hard in the oil industry to turn those precious resources into money. Albertans work hard on farms and ranches across the province, struggling to make ends meet under the conditions imposed by the short-lived but hard-hitting American beef ban and the long-lived and harder-hitting Wheat Board legislation. Albertans maintain a tourism industry that is the envy of the world, with over a million people visiting each year just for the Calgary Stampede. Calgary is now second only to Toronto - a city more than three times its size - as a corporate center in Canada. The University of Alberta is consistently ranked in the top four universities in Canada, and as the top university in the Western provinces, and through this institution the best and brightest of the country and from around the world continue to be attracted to our province.
And after we work for our wealth, we elect governments that (gasp!) let us keep it. Instead of overtaxing the populace in order to pay for quasi-Marxist social experiments as the federal government would have them do, our provincial leaders let the results of the people's efforts stay with the people. We are the only province in half a century to have eliminated our government debt, and it's not because what we've got, it's because of what we do with what we've got. Ontario could be in the same position if they so desired; instead they use their money to flip-flop back and forth on how many cities they want to have.
Contrary to popular Eastern belief, Albertans have not had everything handed to us on a platter by luck of the draw. We have worked hard and voted sensibly, and as a result, our economy is the envy - and the target - of the rest of the country.
As it is right now, Ontario and Alberta are both victims of the equalization shakedown. But that's changing. Ontario's been losing manufacturing jobs because of the high price of fuel; their electricity rates are surging upward; their universities and hospitals are dismally funded; and just south of the border in Ohio and Michigan, companies can enjoy significantly lower taxes and other benefits that come with doing business in the economically strong United States.
Now the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and a few other bodies are warning us that if Ottawa doesn't curtail its bloodsucking tendencies somewhat, Ontario will be a "have-not" province within five years.
My first impulse is to shout a big fat "I told you so" at all the Ontarians who have been electing our compulsively moronic federal governments over the past few decades. But consider this: Ottawa currently pilfers $25 billion from Ottawa every year (over twice the amount taken from Alberta, but a measly 50% of the amount per capita). When Ontario's been sucked dry, the vampires will have to find their meals somewhere else.
Expect them to come knocking on Alberta's door. And when we suddenly find the feds trying to siphon off 30 or 40 billion from us every year, corners will have to be cut. Education will lose funding, or healthcare, or road works. Something will have to go. Unless we go. But you all know how I feel about that.
Of course, the liberals are going to argue back against my complaints about the equalization racket with "you don't deserve it". I can't count the number of times I've heard it said that Alberta doesn't deserve its wealth. We're sitting on top of the oil, that's why our economy is strong.
That's a load, and I'm tired of hearing it. Alberta's economy is what it is because of Albertans. Albertans work hard in the oil industry to turn those precious resources into money. Albertans work hard on farms and ranches across the province, struggling to make ends meet under the conditions imposed by the short-lived but hard-hitting American beef ban and the long-lived and harder-hitting Wheat Board legislation. Albertans maintain a tourism industry that is the envy of the world, with over a million people visiting each year just for the Calgary Stampede. Calgary is now second only to Toronto - a city more than three times its size - as a corporate center in Canada. The University of Alberta is consistently ranked in the top four universities in Canada, and as the top university in the Western provinces, and through this institution the best and brightest of the country and from around the world continue to be attracted to our province.
And after we work for our wealth, we elect governments that (gasp!) let us keep it. Instead of overtaxing the populace in order to pay for quasi-Marxist social experiments as the federal government would have them do, our provincial leaders let the results of the people's efforts stay with the people. We are the only province in half a century to have eliminated our government debt, and it's not because what we've got, it's because of what we do with what we've got. Ontario could be in the same position if they so desired; instead they use their money to flip-flop back and forth on how many cities they want to have.
Contrary to popular Eastern belief, Albertans have not had everything handed to us on a platter by luck of the draw. We have worked hard and voted sensibly, and as a result, our economy is the envy - and the target - of the rest of the country.
Monday, October 03, 2005
All mouth, no guts
Take a look at the Calgary Sun today and you'll find yet another editorial chastising the Liberal Party for their total lack of morality. Specifically, it talks about various financial hoodwinks the Liberals have perpetrated on the Canadian people.
Wait, I think this is a rerun.
First of all, money ain't everything folks. Chrétien's refusal to even visit Calgary during his last run for office was a bigger slap in the face than the NEP. The feds' refusal to allow Alberta to run its own healthcare system - a provincial right guaranteed in the constitution - is far worse than the equalization payment scam. The Libs steal from everyone; when it comes to their special blend of apathy and contempt, Alberta seems to be the only target. That's something to get angry about.
And another thing: Sun editors, I hate to break it to you, but we know. We know they steal. We know they cheat. We know they lie, backstab, play politics like Romans and pillage like Vikings. And of course we care. But there comes a point where writing about the same things - AdScam, for example - just doesn't work anymore unless you're willing to back up your whining with espousing a plan of action of some type. Yet the Sun remains devoutly federalist.
Nothing will change under the current government. The government will not change under the current system. And the system will not change under the current government. You see the cycle.
Unless anyone out there likes the idea of a bloody coup to topple the pseudo-dictatorial cryptocommunist Liberal government, I'll have to say yet again that secession is Alberta's only real option.
Wait, I think this is a rerun.
First of all, money ain't everything folks. Chrétien's refusal to even visit Calgary during his last run for office was a bigger slap in the face than the NEP. The feds' refusal to allow Alberta to run its own healthcare system - a provincial right guaranteed in the constitution - is far worse than the equalization payment scam. The Libs steal from everyone; when it comes to their special blend of apathy and contempt, Alberta seems to be the only target. That's something to get angry about.
And another thing: Sun editors, I hate to break it to you, but we know. We know they steal. We know they cheat. We know they lie, backstab, play politics like Romans and pillage like Vikings. And of course we care. But there comes a point where writing about the same things - AdScam, for example - just doesn't work anymore unless you're willing to back up your whining with espousing a plan of action of some type. Yet the Sun remains devoutly federalist.
Nothing will change under the current government. The government will not change under the current system. And the system will not change under the current government. You see the cycle.
Unless anyone out there likes the idea of a bloody coup to topple the pseudo-dictatorial cryptocommunist Liberal government, I'll have to say yet again that secession is Alberta's only real option.
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