Both were born in Canada.
Both got their start in Quebec.
One lived off the public purse.
The other used his wits in the cut and thrust of private enterprise.
Both attained the top rung in their chosen field.
Both received very high honours from Queen Elizabeth II.
Both have very large egos, but only one earned it.
One had the Head of the Development Bank of Canada fired for allegedly not lending money in regard to the sale of his golf course, and was the author of what became known as Ad Scam.
The other fell afoul of the law for trying to keep his businesses going, which he had build with the sweat of his brow and which the shareholders had come to rely upon.
One is still a Canadian - pity.
The other is not - also a pity.
One is free as a bird.
The other is behind bars.
One is named Chretien.
The other is named Black.
Where is the justice?
Enough said.
"Galagher"
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
It's Official: Ottawa Mayor Is No Democrat
Having been elected on one and only one campaign promise - no tax increases, supported by a campaign slogan of 'Zero means Zero", one of the first things Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien did after the election was vote for a tax enriched Ottawa Budget.
Now just freshly back from his court trials, O'Brien announces today that his promise of 'Zero means Zero" is dead.
In miniature, this is the problem voters / taxpayers have with today's politicians. They say one thing to get elected, and once in place, turn their backs on their promises. Voters are treated as dupes.
No wonder they are becoming more and more turned off by politicians.
And, no wonder governments continue to grow unchecked.
O'Brien was elected solely to bring the mushrooming bureaucracy at City Hall into balance. Some 17,000 and counting employees now work there with an average salary and benefits approaching $80 K per annum. A figure that private sector employees can only dream about. You know the private sector employee - it is he or she who pays their inflated salaries.
O'Brien was also elected to jettison the nonsensical spending of the city and return it to basics: roads, sewers, garbage collection, police and fire.
Nothing was done in regard to either.
As a Libertarian, the greatest fear I have in regard to to a vibrant democracy, is that government is growing far too large. As such, it is impacting almost every aspect of our daily life. And I do not see much good arising from it.
O'Brien's betrayal is but a minor, but no less clear example of this.
For what it is worth and I am sad to say probably not much - I will not vote for the Mayor next time round should he decide to face the electorate one last time.
As I see it.
"Galagher"
Now just freshly back from his court trials, O'Brien announces today that his promise of 'Zero means Zero" is dead.
In miniature, this is the problem voters / taxpayers have with today's politicians. They say one thing to get elected, and once in place, turn their backs on their promises. Voters are treated as dupes.
No wonder they are becoming more and more turned off by politicians.
And, no wonder governments continue to grow unchecked.
O'Brien was elected solely to bring the mushrooming bureaucracy at City Hall into balance. Some 17,000 and counting employees now work there with an average salary and benefits approaching $80 K per annum. A figure that private sector employees can only dream about. You know the private sector employee - it is he or she who pays their inflated salaries.
O'Brien was also elected to jettison the nonsensical spending of the city and return it to basics: roads, sewers, garbage collection, police and fire.
Nothing was done in regard to either.
As a Libertarian, the greatest fear I have in regard to to a vibrant democracy, is that government is growing far too large. As such, it is impacting almost every aspect of our daily life. And I do not see much good arising from it.
O'Brien's betrayal is but a minor, but no less clear example of this.
For what it is worth and I am sad to say probably not much - I will not vote for the Mayor next time round should he decide to face the electorate one last time.
As I see it.
"Galagher"
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Ignatieff's First Step Toward Home
By "Home" I mean, England, France, or more likely the USA.
Who'da thunk, that the Liberals harbour such a death wish?
Up to yesterday, the thought that they would move non-confidence at the first opportunity was just not in the cards.
With Ignatieff announcement, the Grits have handed the decision on whether there'll be an election over to the great thinker himself, Stephen Harper. He can easily forestall one; all he need do is promise the Bloc more unnecessary billions for Quebec and presto - no vote.
But if he is smart, he will do everything in his power to rebuff efforts by either the NDP or the Bloc to come to his aid. He now has his majority Government in his sights and nothing will get in the way, if he can help it.
Do Canadians want an election? - No. Should there by an election when we are just now starting to emerge from the Great Recession? - No. Will Ignatieff survive his folly? Not very likely.
As I see it.
"Galagher"
Who'da thunk, that the Liberals harbour such a death wish?
Up to yesterday, the thought that they would move non-confidence at the first opportunity was just not in the cards.
With Ignatieff announcement, the Grits have handed the decision on whether there'll be an election over to the great thinker himself, Stephen Harper. He can easily forestall one; all he need do is promise the Bloc more unnecessary billions for Quebec and presto - no vote.
But if he is smart, he will do everything in his power to rebuff efforts by either the NDP or the Bloc to come to his aid. He now has his majority Government in his sights and nothing will get in the way, if he can help it.
Do Canadians want an election? - No. Should there by an election when we are just now starting to emerge from the Great Recession? - No. Will Ignatieff survive his folly? Not very likely.
As I see it.
"Galagher"
Monday, August 31, 2009
Comrade Ambassador
Granted, a little on the hyperbole side...
When I first heard that Gary Doer was stepping down as Premier of Manitoba after 10 years on the job, I thought to myself - at last an honourable politician. He had served his Province well and recognized that after 10 years he would have accomplished whatever he had set out to do.
He was making way for new thoughts and new vision. How naive of me. You would think that after 60 some years I would have been smarter.
The fix was in. Doer was only stepping from one taxpayer funded job to another. How cozy. Had he quit provincial politics for a run at the top rung - ie at the federal level, I would have understood and have been supportive. But not for a government appointment - no matter how well intended.
The news of his appointment, as Canada's Ambassador to Washington, has been virtually unanimous in its praise. Most often suggesting that as an NDPer he will be able to relate better to the Obamists than his predecessor, Tory Mike Wilson.
If that praise is correct, it leads to the obvious conclusion that Canada would be better off with an NDP Governement. God help us.
Enough said.
"Galagher"
When I first heard that Gary Doer was stepping down as Premier of Manitoba after 10 years on the job, I thought to myself - at last an honourable politician. He had served his Province well and recognized that after 10 years he would have accomplished whatever he had set out to do.
He was making way for new thoughts and new vision. How naive of me. You would think that after 60 some years I would have been smarter.
The fix was in. Doer was only stepping from one taxpayer funded job to another. How cozy. Had he quit provincial politics for a run at the top rung - ie at the federal level, I would have understood and have been supportive. But not for a government appointment - no matter how well intended.
The news of his appointment, as Canada's Ambassador to Washington, has been virtually unanimous in its praise. Most often suggesting that as an NDPer he will be able to relate better to the Obamists than his predecessor, Tory Mike Wilson.
If that praise is correct, it leads to the obvious conclusion that Canada would be better off with an NDP Governement. God help us.
Enough said.
"Galagher"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)