Somethings Rotten In the State of Denmark

Global Warming is finally beginning to smell..

I have always had trouble believing that CO2 - a colourless, odorless gas used in photosynthesis, poses a threat to the world's climate.

That said, I view myself as an environmentalist since I am - and I expect you are - opposed to pollution of any type. After all, the world we live in is the only one we have and we would like to pass it on to our children and our children's children in as pristine of condition as possible.

For some reason though the left has seized on CO2 as being the bad guy in it all. I can see why Al Gore has done so - he of many mansions, has been able to increase his wealth tenfold due to this scam.

But what of the rest? Where is their concern when it comes to dirty air and water? Why do they not take a better look at the hidden contents of the food and water we drink and eat?

Why should trillions of dollars be transferred to so-called underdeveloped countries (I say "so-called" since China falls under that category) to reduce their CO2 emissions when we know well that this is unlikely to happen?

Would these trillions not be better spent providing food, medical and housing assistance to the world's poor and education for their children? It is a scandal that the United Nations has been in existence for over 60 years and these terrible issues remain unresolved. But the UN finds time to criticize Israel for everything under the sun!

As a Libertarian I see government's role to be a very limited one. But there is one important area where they can be useful and that is in the area of R&D. Working in conjunction with Industry and Universities - Governments can spearhead research in the area of Environmental Protection. We know that the burning of fossil fuels is not Environmentally friendly - so we desperately need to find viable alternatives and government is best placed to do that.

Much has been done in this area but so much more remains before Western Civilization can ween itself off fossil fuels. It is too bad that the oil crisis of the 1970s was allowed to pass without a serious attempt to find alternative power sources. We have lost 40 years due to this inaction.

The Left would have us in the West live in tents while the Rest of the World continues to pump CO2 into the atmosphere in ever increasing amounts.

It won't happen. The instinct for our survival is just too strong.

Let's though work together and clean up all Pollution - CO2 included, in a structured and reasoned fashion.

In the meantime, monies for transfer to the Underdevelops should be targeted to ending poverty where it will do so much good.

As I see it...

"Galagher"

CHINA- Who Lost Face?

Just Who Lost Face Mr. Ignatieff?

Yesterday the Chinese Leadership "dressed down" our Prime Minister for not genuflecting before their massive industrial and yes, dictatorial State.

Ignatieff was quick out of the blocks bemoaning the 'fact' that Harper had not only lost face personally; he had also lost face on behalf of all of Canada. The shame.

Give your head a shake Michael - some loss of face. China is a Totalitarian State where it imprisons or kills its political opponents and is not above harvesting their organs.

Those who suck up to China must do so at the expense of down playing their extreme human rights abuses.

And, it is they who have lost faith.

From the start, I have tried to give Ignatieff the benefit of the doubt but have now reached the limit of my patience.

Remember too, Ignatieff's recent assertion that Quebec was not getting its fair share of the bail out monies. As if.

There appears to be no lows to which he will stoop. And so much for his new Advisors.

There was much celebration later in the day when China finally added Canada to its "approved destination status".

We are now in the agust company of such distinguished Human Rights Promotors as: Cuba; Burma; Ghana; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; Syria; Uganda; and Zimbabwe. Imagine? Aren't we fortunate.

I was listening to the Business Channel where its guests were unanimous in finding that Harper has been remiss in not pursuing more ties with China. 'We in Canada have lost so much economically due to his misguided approach'.

Well I have news for these so-called experts - it is China that has lost out by pursuing its ruthless agenda. Moreover, they are and industrial giant - and therefore makes things.

Indeed, any country can manufacture items but Canada is in the unique position of having the scarce resources needed make that happen. There is no limit across the world for our valuable resources.

Bottomline, China needs Canada more than we need China.

As I see it..

Note: I asked for input re my recent article on Caledonia and was disappointed by the limited reply. Only 6 came in - 4 in favour of police action and 1 in favour of a status quo approach. The 6th said he was undecided but leaning to taking action. I found his rationale of interest:

"If I was Premier and knew that police action would likely result in the death of human beings I would have trouble making that decision. I understand the importance of enforcing the Rule of Law but to know someone may have to die to enforce it is sobering for me."

"Galagher"

CALEDONIA

Okay let's get back to some current events...

CALEDONIA

A small quiet city of 10,000 situated on the picturesque Grand River a short drive south from Hamilton.



It's name dates back to the Roman name for Scotland.



It's tranquility though was shattered beginning in late 2005 when the Six Nations Indian Band warned of violence if certain lands in Caledonia were developed as a subdivision.



Violence did soon ensue with one resident of the city so badly beaten he nearly died. Road blocks by the Tribe went up and since then, a general reign of terror has been waged against the populace.



The Province under the stewardship of Dalton McGuinty has taken a hands off approach throughout.



McGuinty also approved the purchase of the contested lands, by the Province, at an inflated value and then more or less ceded those lands over the the Six Nations.

The Indians were rewarded for their lawlessness.



And the hostilities continue.



It is not my intention to use this Blog to incite - there has been enough of that in the local papers of late documenting the terrible suffering of one particular family at the hands of the natives even though their home is situated outside of the disputed boundary.



What I'd rather do is look at this issue from two sides: first from the side of the Premier and then from the side of the Caledonians themselves.



I am not going to consider the concerns of the natives since I strongly believe that they lost the right to our sympathy once they resorted to violence. Plus, for a more thorough look at the native issue, I refer you back to an earlier Blog where I conclude the Reserve System is in need of disbanding.



Okay - The Premier's Position:

• With Ipperwash still fresh in his mind and the death of the native Dudley George, he has rightfully concluded that if he attempts to 'police' the situation in Caledonia - more death will follow.


• Given this, he has placed the natives above the law and has relegated the citizens of Caledonia to second class status.


• Finally, he is counting on the matter remaining a local concern and thereby hopes the rest of the Province will remains uninterested (read apathetic).

The Caledonians:

• The accounts that I have read indicate that the locals feel betrayed by their own provincial government - that they have been left to violent hands without police protection.


• They cannot understand that a country like Canada, which prides itself on respecting the Rule of Law and the promotion of equal rights for all citizens, can stand back and allow this insurrection to occur.
• Residents have been arrested for trying to protect themselves and their property. Some have been injured - some seriously, and many believe that one or more or their numbers will be killed before this is all settled - if it ever gets settled.

My thoughts:

If the Natives are permitted to get away with violence in Calendonia to achieve their aims - as has been the case here, it sends a message to other Tribes across the country that this is the way to go rather than waste their time with slow legal negotiations.

YOU DECIDE:

Okay, you have heard the arguments - now you decide.

Pretend you are the Premier for a day - what would you do?

a) send the police / army in to break-up the rebellion, or...

b) continue to keep a cap on things and avoid any official conflict for the purpose of avoiding more serious injury and most certainly death.

I look forward to your answers which I will publish at a later date.

"Galagher"

JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY

It is time that I get back to some current events - there is so much going on - but before I do, I would like to look one more time to the past.



Kennedy was assassinated 46 years ago this week - November 22, 1963. He too was only 46.



For the first time though, I was unable to find any mention of the anniversary in our local papers. And, probably the time has come to relegate this sad date to the past.



But before I do....



As many of you know, I plan to one day get back to my Blog on how things dramatically changed in the 1960's and that even today we are experiencing the fall-out from that time - most of it to our collective detriment. President Kennedy's death followed by Martin Luther King Jr. and his brother Bobby - all in the 60's - was the end of the Age of Innocence and therefore falls into the category of events that forever mark the 1960s as the major turning point - certainly in our time and probably in the last one hundred years and more.



Kennedy had two major accomplishments; one during his lifetime and the other post his death:

The Cuban Missile Crisis was his greatest lifetime achievement. He alone literally avoided an Atomic War.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff to a man, strongly recommended that JFK launch air bombardments on the Cuban missile sites. At one point, their discussions amongst themselves was taped and several years ago I listened to this tape which was played on television. The Chiefs were highly critical of Kennedy and viewed him as being nothing more than a young naive pup who was poorly placed to make such a critical decision. Their language was quite 'salty' in nature.

Even his Cabinet was pro military solution, save for one - his brother Bobby the then Attourney General. Kennedy had taken great heat for appointing his brother to Cabinet which the then pundits condemned as blatant Nepotism. But it is doubtful that John Kennedy could have remained resolute against a military strike had it not been for Bobby's sage counsel.

History shows that the Russian Generals, posted to Cuba, had been given orders to launch an Atomic Response to any military action on the part of America. It also shows that their missiles were armed and ready for firing.

Kennedy opted instead for a sea embargo of Cuba which ultimately led to successful negotiations with Kruschev and the rest, as they say, is history.

Kennedy's other great accomplishment occurred as a result of his death.

• The Civil Rights Legislation of 1964/65

This monumental legislation, freed the Blacks from institutional discrimination and was spearheaded by Kennedy's successor, Lyndon Johnson. However, Johnson would not have been able to achieve this success had it not been for Kennedy's death since it was passed into law in his memory.

There was also a negative that flowed from his assassination - the escalation of the Vietnam War.

During Kennedy's tenure, the war in Vietnam was limited in involvement to American Military Advisors. With Kennedy's death, LBJ was able to tap into the outpouring of sympathy to dramatically increase the US military presence in that tragic land.

Indeed, when Bobby was assassinated in June of 1968, he was running for the Democratic Presidential Nomination - against LBJ, on a platform to end that war.

As I said, it is probably time to let President Kennedy go.

This very November, 50 years ago, John Fitzgerarld Kennedy was elected the 35th President of the United States. His star shone brightly; but today it is but a glimmer.

For those of us who lived through his death though, it will continue to shine forever.

As I see it,

"Galagher"

Ralph and Betty and their next door neighbour Fred

The day after their meeting with their new Personal Money Manager (PMM), Ralph and Betty are sitting on the front step of their new home when along comes their older neighbour Fred.





"Why so glum"? asks, Fred.





We are selling our new home, replies Ralph.





Just when I was starting to like you folks - how come?





Our PMM says it is in our best interest. We even have to sell our car.





Hey - I'll buy it.





Fred, why would you want our Honda - You already have a good family car?





Not the Honda - it's the Van I want.





Ralph and Betty look at each other and then Ralph responds: "the Van is not for sale - we are going to continue to have need of it".





Whatever for, asks Fred.





A tear creeps down Betty's cheek - but neither reply.





Fred breaks the silence. I thought you guys were happy here and the ding.., I mean your children seemed to have settled in quite nicely.





That's just the problem, replied Betty; Ralph and I and the kids just love our new home and we just hate to leave here, but our PMM says it is imperative that we do.





The discussion went on to include RRSPs, RESPs and TFSA's and the like.





You have no idea how hard it is for families like ours these days Fred.





What do you mean by that? Margaret and I had 3 kids too you know and it was only me working outside the home. Things turned out pretty good for us.





Our oldest is a Pharmacist, our middle girl - a Manager and our youngest, is a Registered Nurse. We have our home paid for and no debts to our name. Plus we have never had so much money to live on.





"How so? The money part I mean", asked Betty?





Margaret and I both receive the OAS, the CPP, and the monthly Gains Cheque. We have never been so well off.





Wow, said Betty. That's incredible.





"So how did you pay off your home", piped in Ralph?





We rented until we saved up a big enough down payment to keep the payments manageable. And we amortized it over the course of the rest of my working life. The final year of my employment saw the mortgage paid off in its entirety.





Okay, what about the post secondary education for your 3 children? That must have nearly bankrupted you?





Hell no, we told our kids they were on their own. Get a job, and get student loans. Margaret and I realized that kids only value things if they have to pay for it themselves.





You mean you didn't help them at all?





Unfortunately, no. We provided them with free room and board while they attended school.



Any Regrets, asked Ralph?



Just one; we should have charged them rent!!



Still interested in buying our van Fred?

------------------------------------------------

Note - the above is my effort at a 'tongue in cheek' look at this industry. In reality though, and as a Libertarian, I see the value - on a number of levels - of having individuals plan for their retirements and not depend on Big Government. There is great value in seeking out the advice of a credited Financial Planner employed at any of Canada's five major Banks.

As I see it..

"Galagher"

Personal Money Managers

A short while ago, I wrote a Blog on 'Stock Market Prognosticators' and how very adept they all are at determing how the Market will perform - albeit, a day or two after the fact.




Today lets take a look at your Personal Money Managers.



You know, the ones you see mentioned in the financial section of your local newspaper.



These are the folks who review your financial status and provide you with advice on how best to prepare for your retirement.



So like the newspaper, we'll take a look at a Case Study (entirely fictitious of course):



Let's look at Ralph and Betty and their 3 ding a lings - I mean children.



Ralph and Betty are in their late 30s and the ages of their children range from 4 to 12 years.



Mr. works for privately owned company and Mrs. is employed by a non-profit organization. Their combined annual income totals approximately $100K.



Within the past year, they moved from a townhouse into a single detached home where they are all very happy.



She drives a fairly modern Honda Civic, while his mode of transport consists of a rather ancient Van.



The other day, Betty casually mentioned to her husband that it will not be too much longer before they will have to give serious consideration to how they will fund a post secondary education for their eldest. Ralph agreed, and added that they should also start to give serious consideration to planning financially for their retirement.



The problem they both recognized, was that after paying their monthly expenses, there was little or nothing left over for such savings.



Not to worry, they agreed that they would contact a Personal Money Manager (PMM) for his or her sage advice.



It did not take the PMM long to hone in on the problem:

Gross Income - $100k

Expenses:

• Taxes of all kinds - except realty taxes - $40k


• Mortgage - Principal, Interest and Realty Taxes - $21.5k


• Food, Clothing etc - $15k


• Car Payment (Honda) / Car Repairs - $4.5k


• Heat & Hydro - $3.5k


• Repairs to Home - $3k
• Insurance of all kinds (house / car / life/ disability) - $3.5k
  
• Entertainment (including cable vision, internet) - $4K


• Miscel - $5 k

"Your annual income is entirely cancelled out by your annual expenses" proclaimed the PMM.




What to do?




'Ralph and Betty, you have to immediately start to save for your retirements and for the cost of post secondary education for your 3 children and I suggest you the following course of action:"

• Each of you need to open an RRSP Account - for Mr. that would mean an annual contribution of $10,800 (18% of his annual income) and for Mrs. a further $7,200.



• You also need to open an Education Account for each of your 3 children and be sure to contribute at least enough to realize the government's maximum co-contribution. (formula) For the 3 children this would mean an annual contribution from their parents $7,500 ($2,500 per child to receive the government per capital grant of $500).



• And, of course you each must open your own new Tax Free Saving Account which will add an additional $10,000 to your annual bill.



• Oh, one more thing. It is prudent to have at least 6 months worth of income in a saving's account in case of the unexpected (e.g. the loss of one or both of your jobs) - $50,000.

Mr. and Mrs. sit dumbstruck. PMM sits with a great big smile on his face basking in the sageness of his advice.

Finally, Ralph clears his throat and manages to get the following out - but that totals nearly $90,000. "We don't have anything left over now - where are we going to get that much additional money?"

"That's why you came to me".

First you need to sell your home. That will save you mortgage payments, realty taxes, heat & hydro, and of course there will be no need for repairs.

Second, you need to sell one of your cars.

"My van"?

"No, you are going to need the van - I am talking about the Honda. With its sale you will get out from under $3,500 in annual car payments".

"Whaaat else"?

Glad you asked...

Now with respect to Food & Clothing. Have you thought of the Food Bank? Plus there are more second hand clothing stores than you can shake a stick at.

"Where'd we live?" asked Mr.

"Ah, that's why you are keeping your Van"!!

As I see it...

"Galagher"

p.s. My next Blog will deal with financial advice from their elderly neighbour.

The Monarchy ...encore..- Pt. 2

Andrew Coyne's two suggestions to improve our current system to better involve the Monarchy are as follows:

1. Have the Monarch once again appoint the GG and do so via members of her immediate family - e.g. the Prince of Wales; his brother Andrew etc etc. Or,

2. Discard the GG's office altogether and have the Queen or King directly liaise with the Government.

I see some merit in the first suggestion but do not see it being a viable solution for a number of reasons, including:

• Family of the Monarch is not the Monarch itself. And, to have the existing Canadian appointment process replaced by Brits - other than the Monarch him or herself - would not be supported by Quebecers nor by our so called left-wing elite. Even, I, on the right, would ultimately have trouble with it.

With respect to Andrew's second suggestion - I like it. Doesn't mean though it will ever happen.

• The current system is dysfunctional. Currently you have Canadians playing 'Queen for the Day' when all they are in fact doing is usurping the power of both our Prime Minister and the ruling Monarch. In the recent Prorogation Crisis did Madame Jean even consult with Queen Elizabeth? As her Representative she most certainly should have. And if she did, was the decision arrived at - her decision or the Queen's decision - the latter being the appropriate one.
• With current communications, the GG position as a intermediary is no longer needed. The PM can pick-up the telephone and speak with Her Majesty irrespective of where either of them may be in the world. They can even use Video Conferencing if they wish.
• Simply stated, the King or Queen of Canada no longer needs a representative in their ever less 'far flung empires'.

I think this second suggestion has the potential of breathing more life into a splendid and very worthwhile tradition. The Monarch would though have to become more visible here in Canada and his or her role as the Head of the Anglican Church would have to come to an end for obvious reasons.

Okay, that said, I am not confident that this important Institution will last given the opposition of so many Canadians and given the apathy of so many others.

I have stated my reasons why I think we desperately need to keep the Monarchy but there is one final one that I have yet to touch on.

In recent decades Canada has opened its borders to millions from around the world - with different cultures, different languages, different religions etc. This has been a welcomed development because Canada desperately needs immigration given our aging population. But one negative side effect is that it has resulted in less and less commonality with fewer and fewer symbols to help keep us together as a Nation.

The Monarchy is one of those Institutions that has been tested by the sands of time and accordingly gives us all something to be proud of and to respect.

As I see it...

"Galagher"