There are pictures ...

Then There Are Pictures !!

Longer term readers will know that I believe Smokers are the unsung Heroes of our Society.

Not only do they die younger than non-smokers thereby sparing the Health System - but over the course of their reduced life-span they pay way more than their share of taxes through the totally obscene revenues governments take in from the sale of their addiction.

So they are true Heroes.

And when I come across Smokers these days - and admittedly it is getting harder and harder to do - I often shake their hand in gratitude; not for their premature dying nor for their enhanced payments of tax but because they are in the vanguard in the fight against the Politically Correct (aka The Do Gooders).

These Do Gooders tend to be of the Left Wing persuasion and never pass up an opportunity to tell the Rest of Us (ROU) how we should live and behave.

Recently, this fine group of Busy Bodies, came out with new horrific pictures to grace the pack of each and every cigarette deck. You've no doubt seen them.

The most attention getting (read obnoxious) is that of a poor 42 year old woman on death's door from cancer. The picture alleges she contracted her cancer from smoking cigarettes which probably was the case. It shows a skin and bone skeleton as being all that remains of this poor lady. (As an aside, I would not want to see a family member appear in such an offensive advertisement in the same way I would want to see a close relative play the role of the Circus' Fat Woman. Call me compassionate).

But let's for a moment pretend the Do Gooders really care about the health and welfare of smokers and pray for them to have the strength to kick their habit.

So if pictures work - what the heck - it is all done in a good cause.

But this scenario breaks down when one considers the Plight of the Unborn Child.

Right to Life also uses Pictures - and they too are often quite graphic since it is hard to cut up a baby to pieces and have the pictures look tame.

But when Right to Life attempts to show these pictures in public - the Do Gooders go into their Morale High Road Dance of how can anyone display such horrible photos. Many DGers claim the pictures of such innocent dead have caused them emotional pain but fail to realize that it is nothing to the physical pain these young ones have had to endure while under the knife.

And is it not convenient for them to claim emotional pain and damage caused by these types of pictures when at the same time, graphic pictures on cigarette packages are A-OK?

The Difference?

That's easy - The Do Gooders want to stop Smokers from smoking - so anything goes - including horrid pictures.

But the Do Gooders do not want to stop Abortion - so pictures that have as their goal the encouragement of life must be blocked at all cost.

Hypocritical? You be the Judge.

As I see it....

A Place Of My Own...

As in Parking Place.

Some Readers may recall I did a Blog awhile back wherein I complained about all of the restricted parking spaces in mall lots - but none for the healthy, mobile, well adjusted, and child unencumbered.

I pointed out then, that there were spots reserved for the Disabled, for the Pregnant, Mothers with Children, Fathers with Children and more lately, even spots reserved for hybrid vehicles.

With all those spaces reserved, it left little for the ROU - the Rest of Us - other than at the extreme back of the Lot.

I predicted the day would come though when there would be but one sign on these Lots - to be used by the ROU since all the other parking places would be reserved and therefore Lot Owners would not have to go to the bother of marking off those spots.

I figured though that day was somewhere well off in the future; how wrong I was.

In fact, it is here now.

Just back from shopping at a good sized Mall - anchored by a 400,000 sq ft IKEA including several other stores of note.

But here is the thing - There was only One Set of Reserved Signs available - 8 in all, and all reserved for "Family".

My first thought, and probably yours, was/is that this was just another form of restriction, but I reflected on it and then realized we are all "Family" in one way or another.

Now let me be totally honest with you - these 8 signs included a picture of a man, child, and woman with a carriage which, admittedly, falls within the definition of family. But so do all of the Rest of Us.

In fact, just to be sure, I looked up the definition of Family and found, among other things, it provides for "all ...members of a household living under one roof".

My wife Anne was with me - so the two of us certainly qualified under that definition, having not yet resorted to living under separate roofs.

But Dear Reader, the Definition is not just limited to a man and woman living under one roof. The Definition of Family is so broad it also includes "a group of people sharing common ancestry". And you will note here, there is nothing in this wording that requires this "group of people" to be living under the same roof. It could just be little olde you - living alone - but still part of a Family at large - ie your parents live next door - or you have a sister / brother / cousin living across town etc. Or even in another Country. Yup you are family.

So there you have it - finally an all inclusive definition that at first blush appears to be restrictive, but on closer examination, includes us all.

So no more restrictive parking. Hallelujah !!

We've become one big family again. I just wish they thought to reserve more than 8 spaces.

As I see it....

'K.D. Galagher'

Baaaaa Baaaa Baaa ....

Sheep ....All of Us.

I am on record as saying that the Terrorists - to date - have won.

Western Countries have spent $$$ Trillions of Dollars on "enhancing" Security; there are now more Security Organizations in Government than for any other activity.

Borders have hardened and travel has been impaired especially when it comes to flight.

And it is with respect to this last activity that sparks this Blog.

On the weekend - this Thanksgiving Weekend - one of the busiest for airports across the country, saw airport security staff, at Toronto's Pearson International, walk off their jobs in strike protest.

Thousands of passengers were affected, flights missed, time wasted, tempers flared.... But,

Nothing Was Done, Save For Some Bleating.

I'd like to think that if I had been there amongst the affected fliers, I would have tried to organize a 'walk through security protest'. I would not have attempted to do it myself for fear of being branded a nut bar but if enough joined together it would force the Airport Authorities to look seriously at the nonsense of screening innocent men, women, and children even to the point of having them endure virtual strip searches.

If this caught on, it would take Authorities no time at all to find replacement ways in which to deter Terrorists. Israel does it effectively, we can do so as well.

To regain our freedom, we need to regain our courage and as a first step we need to walk through Airport Security sans the intrusive screening.

As I see it....

'K.D. Galagher'

Wall Street Protestors....

Are Barking Up The Wrong Tree.

We're hearing lots these days about Protesters in the United States taking their frustrations out on Wall Street (i.e. the Financial Industry) and the contagion is spreading here to Canada.

But they've got it wrong - the real culprit is their very own Government.

That said, Wall Street makes a nice target since it lends itself to envy on the part of the disenfranchised.

Wall Street has the money while they are stuck with mass unemployment, housing devaluation and loss of spending power as their dollar tanks with quantitative easing (read 'printing money without an underlying value').

But it is Government that is doing the quantitative easing, and it is Government Policies that have failed to spark more employment.

And, it was Government Policy that led to the Housing Crisis by offering mortgages to anyone that - as some wag has said - could 'fog up a mirror'.

So they should really be marching down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington.

I mentioned in an earlier Blog, that there are really two distinct economies in Western Democracies; One that is Private Sector Based; the other Government Based.

Private Sector Based are all those entities that depend on the citizens, in their own country and often around the world, to buy their products and services. If they cannot entice the buyer to do so, they go out of business. It's called Capitalism.

The Other - the Government Based Economy takes money away from its citizens and it does the buying. It buys people - the bureaucrats, it buys ships, and pays out pensions etc. In essence, it robs Peter to pay Paul and sometimes even Peter gets some of his own money back in the form of government services.

But it does not produce the wherewithal (read money) to do the buying and to effect the dispensing of its services. That wherewithal comes from you and me - the taxpayer.

And in the United States the number of taxpayers paying this freight is diminishing since over 50% of its citizens pays no tax at all.

It's the Rich and Richer that do the heavy lifting but to hear Obama and the Wall Street Protesters tell it - it is these Rich that are not paying there way.

But even with the Rich paying more than their fair share, and with over 50% paying nothing, Government Spending continues to out-pace taxes collected. Debt and Deficits are now at record levels - so high in fact, that even in our children's lifetimes, they will not likely be paid off.

Not only is Government Spending on this level unsustainable, it takes away money that would othewise be spent in the private sector which in turn would create the jobs necessary to stabilize the economy.

Sadly, in place of this, we have the spectre of Obama egging on the Wall Street Protesters in an activity that is not only futile but will likely become quite dangerous.

Post Election Analysis...

First, I am rather pleased with my prediction:

% Vote: Libs got 37.6 - I predicted 37.5; PCs got 34.9 - I predicted 33; and the NDP got 23.2 and I predicted 24%

Seats: Libs got 53 - I predicted 58; PCs got 37 - I predicted 32; and the NDP got 17 and I predicted 17.

From my perspective, I was predicting a small majority for the Liberals and with their 53 seats they virtually have that and don't forget - there will be recounts, the Grits can appoint a non-lib Speaker, plus they can entice non-liberals over with Cabinet appointments etc.

So for all intents and purposes they squeaked a virtual majority.


My Analysis:

I had planned to go into this in some detail - reminding dear readers of the many gaffs and screw-ups on the part of McGuinty and company over the course of the last 8 years but for the most part, I have done that in Blogs leading up to last eve. Plus it would take a lot of room and more time than I have this morning.

So a few quick thoughts instead.

First, I cannot remember a more anemic campaign put on by Hudak and his Handlers and I go back quite a while.

Second, I do not believe McGuinty is a liar all the time; ...only when he opens his mouth.

Third, and surprising for most of you no doubt, I am glad McGuinty won.

I say that because by winning, Dalton McGuinty now has to face up to all his follies of his first two terms. Events around the world have overtaken him. He can no longer ignore the high Debt and Deficits that are tearing the Western World apart and that contagion will engulf Ontario over his new mandate.

He did nothing to prepare Ontario for this coming onslaught so it will be fun watching him squirm trying to react to forces now beyond his control.

And, poor olde Hudak did nothing to warrant facing these coming problems.

Plus I am sorry to say, he is not the man to deal with them in any event. He is Tory Lite when Tory Heavy is needed.

The sooner Hudak is gone from the picture the better.

That said, it would be justice to see him stay on and for him to face each day how wrong he was in fighting a lifeless Campaign. A Campaign that should have begun at the time he was appointed Leader but never took off.

That's it - Ontario got what it deserved and will soon reap the results.


As I see it...


'K.D. Galagher'

And My Election Prediction ...

Drum Roll Please.

In the last Provincial Election, the Liberals won 71 seats (42%); the PCs won 26 sts (26%) and the NDP won 10 sts (16.7%).


For Tomorrow's Election, I am thinking the Liberals will garner 37.5% of the vote; the PCs 33%; and the NDP 24% based on my reading of the numerous last minute polls.


Based on these numbers, the Liberals will get the most seats.

My breakdown:

1. Liberals ... 58*

2. Progressive Conservative ... 32

3. N.D.P. ... 17

*54 is needed for a Majority.

If my prediction is correct or nearly correct, it will mean another Majority Victory for McGuinty and his fellow Liberals.

His Third in a Row.

You must see the humour in this.

I will provide an analysis post Election on either Friday or more likely, over the course of the Weekend.

As I see it...

"K.D. Galagher'

Now I am beginning to think I have really lost it !!

What I do know is that the World has reached a cross-road in regard to financial and economic matters generally.

This, though, will present an opportunity for a major change in focus; more specifically, how we measure success.

Under the current regime - the one that has been with us since Adam Smith, we are focused on growth - bigger is better.

GDP numbers must grow each quarter or we deem ourselves to be in recession or worse - depression.

In pursuit of our drive for bigger and bigger GDP numbers, profits and the like, Governments spend like crazy, demand more productivity and impose greater immigration.

In response to this I say, what is wrong with Smaller? Or even the Status Quo? As long as our citizens are fulfilled in their day to day lives.

Let me be clear here, I am not for a moment turning my back on Capitalism for indeed it is the only proven, effective way to ensure quality products at as cheap a price as possible. It also treats individuals evenly, i.e. those who are prepared to work are rewarded and those who are not willing to work, do no succeed.

What I would like to see though is less reliance on over all growth - growth at all cost. Such an approach to me causes more damage than good - a Country like Canada is deemed to need massive immigration for fear we will lack needed workers in the years ahead. But that brings with it a host of problems that are not easily dealt with such as inner city crime, too much demand on our health care and social services. That is not to say that immigration is wrong - heck this country is made up of immigrants - the natives too, albeit they came here somewhat earlier. But Immigration for the sake of Immigration becomes a problem in itself.

In place of GDP analysis, I would like to see a Happiness/Contentment/Fulfillment (HCF) Measure developed.

A 'Put People First' approach that encourages an individual to do what he or she likes and / or is gifted in doing. Be that painting, writing, working with the elderly, our youth, kite making etc; in addition to the professions.

This would have to be done in the schools and in society to help our kids identify things they want to do in life - be it a plumber or a garbage collector. Or maybe a garbage collector who also collects scrap and in the end makes a fortune in recycling.

Included in this is to have the time to 'smell the roses' to get some real enjoyment out of life - it is too short a time to waste.

So instead of saying each quarter that the GDP rose or fell 1.5% we would say, the HCF rose or fell 1.5%.

This approach would hopefully get more people involved in life - off welfare, or off the business treadmill into something they get a kick out of.

It would mean lessening our expectations since the type of living I am referring to would not always bring in the big salaries. The Cost of Living would need to decline since that is one of the prime reasons why life has become so much of a chore for many of us - 2 wage earners per household earning more and more but less to show for it.

We don't need the big houses, the costly cars and all the bells and whistles, many of us can and should get by with less
and, by so doing, I believe we'd all be much happier.

Regardless of what is done - we as the Boomers are headed for some dramatic changes as we retire and grow older. There will be less younger folks around to care for us - even with massive immigration. We will have to attend to our own needs, the best we can. And we'll probably be better off for it.

We might just as well get started and work at improving our own HCF indexes.

'As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'