Are There No Prisons … No Workhouses …

 

Just Call Me Scrooge

My wife and I just returned from grocery shopping and we had to negotiate the usual line-up of ‘good causes’ vying for our charitable dollars.

Tables at the entrance – cashiers with their hands out for this, that, or other donation and even charity packers for their pet organization.

Last eve the same when I went for some dinner wine – the cashier asks in front of a cast of thousands for money for the local hospital.  I grit my teeth and say no thank you. (this after running the gauntlet of beggars lined up at the entrance and exit of the store).

I am tired of it –plain and simple.

Last week’s big fundraiser at Loblaws was for the Food Bank and we gave generously to that despite my belief that food banks in general are demeaning.  There pitch is that “no one’s plate should be empty at Christmas”.

So what are we to take from that – empty the rest of the year is A-OK?

The first chain store that outlaws begging within its 4 walls can count on me to patronize their store.

I view food – like water and air to be a human right and as such should not depend on charity.  The States use food stamps and I think we should go that type of route.

Here in Ottawa recent studies show that there are some 35 separate organizations tending to the needs of the homeless.  It all seems like just a way to generate employment; the homeless must be outnumbered 3 to 1 .. perhaps more.  

A major story appears in today’s National Post saying there are some 86,000 + Charities in Canada alone and that too many consume most of their charitable income in overhead and fundraising.  In other words – their real motivation if not a scam is to line the pockets of a select few.

According to Revenue Canada statistics my wife and I donate much more than most – we give to our church and through a branch of the church support needy children overseas where real poverty exists.

When there is trouble overseas we give to Red Cross, when crisis at home – to the Salvation Army and for good causes in our local city – to the United Way.

So here is what I suggest, we all band together and when those numerous hands reach out  (unless it is one you know and want to support) – just say “we give to the Red Cross, to the Salvation Army and to United Way ...thank you very much’'.

As I see it…

‘K. D. Galagher’

 

Michaelle and the Francophonie…

 

Last week we learned that our former Gov Gen’l, Michaelle Jean, has been appointed the Secretary General of La Francophonie – a most aptly named organization given its infestation with crooked, human rights abusing leaders of state.

In fairness, the Commonwealth has its share of these bozos but not to the same extent.

From its Web Site, the following:

The International Organisation of La Francophonie was created in 1970. Its mission is to embody the active solidarity between its 77 member states and governments (57 members and 20 observers), which together represent over one-third of the United Nations’ member states and account for a population of over 890 million people, including 220 million French speakers.

Canada supplies three (3) of those 77 member states.

How so, you might well ask? Well there is Canada of course as well as the States Quebec and New Brunswick.  Will Ontario - with its 4% Francophone population - be next?

(When I wrote the above about Ontario - it was more tongue in check,  but minutes later I discovered the following in my additional research on this august body: As of 2004, a government representative from Ontario also attends as part of the Canadian delegation, although Ontario is not yet a participating government in its own right).

How much does Canada pay to support La Francophonie?

Good question – I searched and searched and could not find the answer to this most reasonable question.  All I could find is that in 2013 Canada paid out more than $1 Billion Dollars to a number of La Francophonies’ Member States.

As a guess – I’d bet that next to the Mother Country itself -France, Canada is the Organization’s major benefactor and would not be that surprised to learn that we pay in even more than does France.

Enough said here other than it appears that Jean and the Francophonie make a good match.

By now you have probably guessed that I am somewhat biased against the newly minted Secretary General.  This dates back to her appointment as Governor General when I believed her to be sorely lacking in qualification. To add insult to injury you may recall at that time that there was much speculation that our newest GG was also a separatist like her husband.

But in fairness to the dear woman – this was not entirely her fault but rather that of her benefactor – the Rt. Hon. Paul Marin.  Are you listening sir?

But she secured a subsequent appointment which I  supported;  her June 2010 designation as the UN’s special envoy to Haiti.  Here is what Ms. Jean had to say then:

“ The Time has come for a change of paradigm in Haiti. We have to break away from the logic of assistance, dependency and quasi-trusteeship which has made Haiti a laboratory of all experiences, trials and errors and deficient strategies that have never produced anything that endures.”

I take it that with her latest gig – she must believe she has helped in changing the old paradigm to something new and more sustaining?

And let’s not forget her November 2011 appointment as Chancellor for Ottawa University. 

Does it seem to you as it does to me that once these types get in the public trough it is virtually impossible to get them out?

But my real displeasure in this is in regard to Haita since as mentioned – that was one appointment where I thought Madame Jean might in fact do some good – her being an immigrant from the poor country and now well connected throughout Canada and indeed the world.

So if she thinks her work there is done – as she must since I cannot otherwise fathom how she could move on from that important role – here is what the experts have to say:

NPR New from earlier this year – 4 years after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haita destroying its capital Port au Prince and killing more that 200,000, Haiti looks much the same today as it did then – Nearly 150,000 still live in temporary plastic and plywood structures.

So if Madame Jean thinks her work there is done – she is sorely mistaken.

And where did all the money go that poured into Haiti in those fearful days after the quake.

I am not suggesting Jean has anything to do with that issue since I believe her to be honest if not somewhat naive but I think she could have done a better job and could still if she would just focus on the most important job at hand.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’