US Editorial
Seriously, I can't believe what a pretty face can do for an old-man's political career. There is so much buzz about her and with her. She gets more air-time than old-man McCain, these days. It's sad to think that her pretty face and gender may actually (and probably has) won over many votes already. US politics is actually turning my stomach these days. The reason the candidates get attention are for reasons other than their political plans. I don't know what to think, these days.
The Canadian Editorial
This is such a petty thing to say but... can't Harper do something different with his hair? It's always the same... and exactly in the same place. In any case, the polls say that Conservatives are ahead, which frankly I'm not surprised. I haven't seen much of the Liberal campaign and they seem to be lacking that oomph that is needed to catch the public's attention. I'm still an undecided voter at this point. And I probably will decide during the week of the actual election day... or something.
Economic Woes
Oh Woe is the US. And dire warnings and foretelling of the times for Canada, as 40% of our GDP goes to the US.
Hurry Away, Hurricane! (Double Whammy)
Many folks in the hurricane flood paths have been very lucky... their homes and lives relatively untouched. But so many others have been distressed and affected... people with no electricity for weeks. People losing all their possessions. I sincerely hope none of those folks affected, had any stocks. And no I'm not trying to be funny this time... I really do hope that those people affected DO have savings or something to fall back on... other than insurance money for repairs and lost possessions.
Geez, what a crap week.
Showing posts with label Economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Economy. Show all posts
September 15, 2008
September 09, 2008
The Circus Ring
Canadian Politics
Someone needs to explain to me why we are having another election. An election call from a government who created guidelines for fixed election dates... Har Har... Not funny. Do I hear a nation full of exasperated sighs and moans??
Stephen Harper can't take the tough times with the good times? Is the economy too difficult to handle? Are the polls really indicating that you might win?? Who knows??
I am not impressed with the state of Canadian politics lately. The political campaign has been blah lately... granted it only started a few days ago. Maybe something juicy and scandalous will appear on the horizon... any attractive candidates or pregnant unwed children?? Would it be terrible to mirror the circus of the US elections? It would certainly make it more entertaining, but at this point I could care less that there will be another election.
Clowning around in BC
Yesterday PM Harper arranged a photo-op with an everyday Asian family in BC, and he couldn't even pronounce or remember their last names correctly. Also, interviews with the family were quite funny... they did not know why or how they were chosen to be part of the photo-op. With that photo-op, he is hoping to attract more minority votes. As a minority, I feel disgusted that he thinks just because he is willing to grace minorities with his presence, he thinks minorities will vote for him for that very reason. Instead, try throwing something real and tangible to us... what are your other plans for the country? And... why are we having another election at this time... AGAIN??? Give us concrete issues and objectives that your government intends to carry through.
The Ringmaster
The crowned ringmaster will be whoever comes out on top. Stephane Dion?? Stephen Harper?? Gilles Duceppe?? Jack Layton?? Elizabeth May?? Is there really a front-runner in this race? I hope that since the polls are almost neck and neck (with the PM winning slightly) that this election will become an election of issues. And also, not of issues but integrity. Who will do what for the country?? And given their record, are they likely to follow through?? Seriously, Stephen Harper... fixed election dates?? And you break your own guidelines??
In all or most cases, the Ringmaster who will come out on top will be the one who provides us with the best show and the one who will avoid the most scandals. Also, all parties, please note that repetition of the same ads do not mean they are the best... it just proves a knack for dullness and lack of imagination.
Someone needs to explain to me why we are having another election. An election call from a government who created guidelines for fixed election dates... Har Har... Not funny. Do I hear a nation full of exasperated sighs and moans??
Stephen Harper can't take the tough times with the good times? Is the economy too difficult to handle? Are the polls really indicating that you might win?? Who knows??
I am not impressed with the state of Canadian politics lately. The political campaign has been blah lately... granted it only started a few days ago. Maybe something juicy and scandalous will appear on the horizon... any attractive candidates or pregnant unwed children?? Would it be terrible to mirror the circus of the US elections? It would certainly make it more entertaining, but at this point I could care less that there will be another election.
Clowning around in BC
Yesterday PM Harper arranged a photo-op with an everyday Asian family in BC, and he couldn't even pronounce or remember their last names correctly. Also, interviews with the family were quite funny... they did not know why or how they were chosen to be part of the photo-op. With that photo-op, he is hoping to attract more minority votes. As a minority, I feel disgusted that he thinks just because he is willing to grace minorities with his presence, he thinks minorities will vote for him for that very reason. Instead, try throwing something real and tangible to us... what are your other plans for the country? And... why are we having another election at this time... AGAIN??? Give us concrete issues and objectives that your government intends to carry through.
The Ringmaster
The crowned ringmaster will be whoever comes out on top. Stephane Dion?? Stephen Harper?? Gilles Duceppe?? Jack Layton?? Elizabeth May?? Is there really a front-runner in this race? I hope that since the polls are almost neck and neck (with the PM winning slightly) that this election will become an election of issues. And also, not of issues but integrity. Who will do what for the country?? And given their record, are they likely to follow through?? Seriously, Stephen Harper... fixed election dates?? And you break your own guidelines??
In all or most cases, the Ringmaster who will come out on top will be the one who provides us with the best show and the one who will avoid the most scandals. Also, all parties, please note that repetition of the same ads do not mean they are the best... it just proves a knack for dullness and lack of imagination.
March 13, 2008
Economies of Scale for a Greener Planet
The fate of a greener world lies in the principles of economies of scale.
If more electric cars or hybrid cars were created, they would become cheaper, and thus the demand for these "green" vehicles would rise.
If only communities were billed for their water consumption (household water metres etc), we would begin to value the "privilege" of having access to clean and fresh water, where other parts of the world don't.
But then... rise in cost of anything will be met with nay-saying. And rise in cost of anything will only continue to create larger gaps between the rich and poor.
Industry needs to step in and take more responsibility for their products. The production of computers, cell-phones, laptops, games, etc... all create pollution, either during it's production, or when it is put in dumpsters and replaced all too quickly by something "new" and "faster".
In a TRUE digital age, we would have no paper, yet there is probably more paper in the work-place now, than there was 10 years ago, due to everyone printing off multiple copies of emails and documents.
This is a very idealist post, and perhaps this will never happen in our life-time, but the purpose of this post is food for thought. Too much emphasis is put on the individual, and while each one of us can change our habits by recycling everything, composting, and driving less, we can only do so much. Industry can influence the world more than the individual can.
Concrete economic incentives need to be put in place before large industries will change their practices. So long as oil is in demand, car manufacturers will continue to produce cars as is. So long as plastic bags are around, everyone will continue to use and discard them. Create better choices, or better yet, limit our choices to more earth-friendly products.
It is a sad thought, but one individual can only do so much, and it will be too little too late.
If more electric cars or hybrid cars were created, they would become cheaper, and thus the demand for these "green" vehicles would rise.
If only communities were billed for their water consumption (household water metres etc), we would begin to value the "privilege" of having access to clean and fresh water, where other parts of the world don't.
But then... rise in cost of anything will be met with nay-saying. And rise in cost of anything will only continue to create larger gaps between the rich and poor.
Industry needs to step in and take more responsibility for their products. The production of computers, cell-phones, laptops, games, etc... all create pollution, either during it's production, or when it is put in dumpsters and replaced all too quickly by something "new" and "faster".
In a TRUE digital age, we would have no paper, yet there is probably more paper in the work-place now, than there was 10 years ago, due to everyone printing off multiple copies of emails and documents.
This is a very idealist post, and perhaps this will never happen in our life-time, but the purpose of this post is food for thought. Too much emphasis is put on the individual, and while each one of us can change our habits by recycling everything, composting, and driving less, we can only do so much. Industry can influence the world more than the individual can.
Concrete economic incentives need to be put in place before large industries will change their practices. So long as oil is in demand, car manufacturers will continue to produce cars as is. So long as plastic bags are around, everyone will continue to use and discard them. Create better choices, or better yet, limit our choices to more earth-friendly products.
It is a sad thought, but one individual can only do so much, and it will be too little too late.
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