KATHLEEN WYNNE

A LOSER IN MY BOOKS…

And not because she is a Lesbian…

Nor because she represents my first wrong prediction for this year …I believed that Pupatello would win the Grit Honour.

Rather, it has to do with her previously stated positions on both abortion and sex ed.

In the case of the first, she is pro abortion and I would not even vote for a Conservative / Libertarian if he or she held such a view.

Second, was her championing of Grit Policy as Education Minister:

• teaching children as early as grade one about the correct terms for male and female genitalia;
• informing grade three students about homosexuality;
• masturbation lessons for those in grade 6;
• and finally, for those senior kids in grade 7 – all about anal and oral sex including the best way to do it from the rear.

I do not see any of this being the business of our educators – Wynne included, for non-teen children.  Rather these are issues that should be left to the parents and if the parents want to teach their infant children about the correct names for body parts …so be it, that is their call.

Given this suspect background, I shiver to think what the dear lady will come out with as Premier – where she can impose her ‘vision and will’ on all matters of policy.

Granted, the poor woman has been handed an unenviable job, given the state of disunion left by her predecessor, but if her stint as Education Minister tells us anything, she will be most likely not up to the challenge.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

MALI

 

Harper is right to keep Canada out of a ground action in Mali – no good will come of it, just as it failed to materialize in Viet Nam, Iraq, and currently Afghanistan.

The bad guys simply wait us out.

That is not to say we just roll over in the face of terrorist aggression.

We need to support the locals in all ways we can short of providing ground troops.

In the case of Mali, it is really up to neighbouring African nations to get involved since they are all faced with the same prospect of an Al Qaeda take over.  We in the west can and should supply equipment / weaponry.  Moreover, we should blast the terrorists from the air at every opportunity.

In the end, this will work and terror will be defeated until the next time.  And when the next time comes – as it certainly will – we blast them from the air all over again until they get the message.

As I see it…

‘K. D. Galagher’

The US Economy Will Go Off A Cliff …

 

Sooner than later ..but it will not be the fiscal cliff that currently consumes so much of American News.

Indeed, in an earlier Blog I labelled the latter Cliff a Hoax and suggested strongly that the best thing that could happen to the good old US of A would be for it to take the jump a.s.a.p..  It calls for both Tax increases and Spending Cuts – which is exactly what America needs – despite the fact that the Republicans are opposed to tax increases and the Democrats are opposed to spending cuts. 

In that regard, they both end up being wrong.

The fiscal cliff I am now speaking about has yet to arrive albeit, it is well on its way.

But before I get further into today’s blog, first a word on moving …It Sucks.

We are in the midst of a move and it is one tiring ordeal.  I would not wish it on any one; stay put if you can.

Now back to the Day’s Subject.

There is only so much money available in any given country.  Moreover, that money is generated by the private sector in spite of the fact that one of its biggest users are the country’s governments; municipal, state and federal … such as is the case with the US.  Simply stated, the more money government takes, the less business has for use in creating more wealth – i.e. to increase the size of the pie.

The Federal Debt now stands at 16.5 Trillion Dollars and continues to rise at a record pace.  The first fiscal cliff was all about giving the Feds the authority to increase this debt ceiling further.  It failed miserably in addressing the real problem – Government has grown too big / too expensive.

Expenditures will continue to exceed revenues despite plans to tax the rich more.  Added to that is America’s (plus Europe’s) reckless printing of money

These twin evils will eventually result in spiralling high interest rates which together will severely devalue their currency. 

In the short term, this might even prove a boon to the US as consumers and businesses alike rush to get rid of their devaluing dollars in a bit to purchase hard assets such as real estate and production equipment. Stock Markets too can be expected to rally – as they are now – with investors focused on owning stocks rather than investing their savings in vehicles that pay ridiculously low interest.

But the longer view will see this spending collapse in the face of high interest rates and currency which in worth less.  

The only one that can stave off this dreaded prediction is the recently re-elected President of the United States and for whatever reasons, he is unable to to do so. By the time he wakes up to this, it will be too late. 

Indeed, I suspect the US has already crossed the Rubicon.

As I see it…

 

“K. D. Galagher’ 

 

 

A Tale of Two Families: The Rich and The Poor

 

The Province of Ontario announced today that “rich” seniors will have to pay toward their home care health services.  Moreover, greater costs re prescription drugs will also be passed on to the rich elderly in the near future.

The Province’s definition of ‘rich’ for a senior Ontarian couple are those couples earning more than $160,000 per year.

Future modification of this definition of course will rest with the Province.  Watch the number continually decline as the province descends more and more into debt.

We also have here in Ontario a health care levy that is income based.

So much for one tier health care.

With this background, let’s for a minute look at two representative families; Paul and Laura Rich and Blake and Jessie Poor.  The Rich and the Poor families live on neighbouring streets and each have two children.

The Poor family lives in public housing and pays no rent.  Their income is entirely from welfare and all of their dental and health costs are covered at public expense.  No effort whatsoever is made to save for retirement.

The Rich family parents have modest jobs, a mortgage and pay for all they get in life. They also (foolishly) save for their retirement.

When both sets of parents reach retirement age, Mr. and Mrs. Poor will receive OAS, CPP and Gains.  They will also receive all of their health care costs free of charge – paid for by the Riches of the Province.

The Rich parents, Paul and Laura, will also receive their CPP but their OAS will be subject to claw back and they will not qualify for Gains since they took the trouble to make modest arrangements for their senior years.

In addition, with these recent government announcements, the Riches can now expect to contribute more money to their health care – in the areas of both home care and prescription drugs.

There is a moral to this story and I leave it to you to ferret it out.

But the real story here is that governments seem to be bound and bent to address their budget shortfalls by continually increasing taxes, rather than cutting useless spending.

The ultimate outcome of this will be a continually disappearing middle class.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

 

You Missed A Few …Galagher

 

As in prognostications for 2013.

How So?

“You never mentioned a word about Quebec …was this by design?”

You are correct, I did not mention Quebec this year. I guess I place it much in the category of Ontario …but even worse.  Both have become economic basket cases and in Quebec’s case it goes out of its way to discourage business.

Consider it missed on purpose.

“Galagher, will there be an election in Ontario in 2013 and if so, which Party will win?”

This one was a real omission.  As with Quebec, I try not to think too much about our Province given the way it has been mismanaged over the course of the last 9 years.  But still, I should have dealt with it – so here goes:

Yes there will be an election and I suspect the Tories and Hudak will finally win one.  That said, my preference – as many of you know, was that the current occupant of Queen’s Park had stayed and faced the music…that is to say, that he tried to have deal with the mess that he and he alone created.  The coward though cut and ran.

So probably Hudak but whomever wins – even a re-tread Liberal – my heart goes out to them.

“Will Chief Theresa Spence succumb to her hunger strike?”

No.  Simply stated she and her common law band manager have too much too lose by ending her life prematurely.  Now if the hunger strike was being conducted by one of her subjects – living in squalor on her reserve, my answer would be different.  It is hard to feel compassion with Spence given that she refuses to disclose where all the $millions go that are handed to her and her partner while all the while crying the poors for her Reserve.

And Finally,

“How Much Snow Are We Apt To Get This Winter of 2013?’

So glad you asked…. Lots.

It seems these days that everything comes in the extremes – too hot – too cold – too wet – too snowy – so given the high snowfall in late 2012 – you can expect it to continue throughout the balance of the Winter of 2013. 

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

2013 Predictions…

 

My Goal this year is to do better … much better than my predictions of the year just past.

Thankfully, this should not be too difficult a task.

Finally, before I start, I must apologize for the tardiness of this Blog – once again we have been experiencing internet troubles…

Okay, let’s get going; I will be using a different format from last year:

1.  Canada

• Young Trudeau will win the Grit Leadership…sadly;
• Sandra Pupatello will win the Ontario Grit Leadership …poor dear;
• Harper will continue in earnest to implement his conservative agenda which he finally began in 2012…about time;
• The NDP will win this year’s election in BC …no brainer;
• Native unrest will intensify, especially as it relates to their efforts to derail the construction of oil and gas pipelines. This despite the fact that Oil / Gas is one of the few things that we in Canada have going for us …certainly we no longer can depend on Manufacturing for job creation …  It is going to get very nasty;
• Teacher protests will spread to the entire Public Sector in the face of desperately needed cuts in spending…poor dears;
• Canada will continue to lead the G-7 in economic growth but will still toy with recession…nothing to brag about.

2.  United States

• Will continue its descent into Debt.  By year’s end, the Debt will total well in excess of $17 Trillion which will be well over 100% of its GDP.  (the current debt level of $16 Trillion already totals 104%);
• The Debt Raters will downgrade the US credit rating;
• Interest Rates will rise;
• Gold will continue its march higher in value and will exceed $2k per oz by year end…buy gold;
• Oil however will not rise from current levels – $85-$90 per barrel, due to eco decline / slack demand …stay clear of oil companies;
• The Fed will continue with its disastrous policy of ‘Quantitative Easing’ which is simply a fancy term for the massive printing of money with nothing to support to it.  This has the affect of devaluing hard earned savings and pensions…steer clear of bank savings accounts;
• Civil unrest, so evident in Europe, will spread to the States when the current occupant of the White House finally forced to take some timid steps to reel in spending.

3.  Iran

• I have predicted in each of the last 2 or 3 years that either Israel or the US would finally take steps to wipe out Iran’s nuclear capability…it hasn’t happened, so I am not going to make the same prediction this year.
• I will simply say, as I have in the past, that the Iran Nuclear Issue is by far and wide, the major issue facing the World and if Iran is allowed to deploy nuclear weapons – we are all in great do do – Israel, the West, the Middle East – and yes, even ordinary Iranians and I will hold the current occupant of the White House responsible.

3.  Europe

• Will endure business as usual; that is to say, it will descend once again into recession, civil unrest will continue to disrupt life in many of its member states;
• Debts will fester;
• The EU will be fortunate to hold together albeit it is likely to do so for at least this year.  Should its problems continue into 2014 the unity of the Union will be very much in doubt.

4.  Afghanistan

• The Taliban will continue to retake the country this coming year as NATO forces proceed with their pull-out…pity the poor female members of their society…maybe the West should relocate them all before the final pull-out?

5.   Syria

• Many are predicting a long stand off with Assad – extending over several years.  I don’t – he will be gone by year’s end and most likely within the next 5 to 6 months.  Russia will likely broker a deal for his relocation if the locals don’t get him first.

6.  The Middle East

• Will continue to descend more and more into an Islamic Winter. 
• Al Qaeda will be more brazen there as well as throughout North Africa.

7.   Russia

• Putin will continue to impose his ‘one man rule’ i.e. dictatorship on his far flung country…its economy will suffer accordingly. 

8.    China

• Will continue to outperform the West but at reduced levels given the abysmal state of European and US markets.

That’s it.  If you believe I have missed anything of significance, please let me know and I will address it. 

The bottom-line here is that year 2013 is all about economics and how we in the West are in for a very rough ride and we sink under a mountain of debt.  On the positive side, wars involving the West, will diminish which is just a well for the cynical reason that we simply cannot afford them …especially the United States but that will likely be a leading story for 2014.

With this, I am going to return to my book writing and with it …reduced Blogging.

I hope 2013 is good to each and everyone one of you.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

A Double Entendre…

 

Idle No More …of course.

Before I get to predicting events for 2013, I cannot resist working in this one Blog about what is going on re our Natives – as per above, and in particular, the current hunger strike by Theresa Spence.

Spence:

– the Chief of Northern Ontario’s Attawapiskat First Nations.

- the one whose common law husband Manages the Reserve.

- the one who refused to open the Reserve’s Books to show how nearly $100 million had been spent over the last five (5) years.

- the one who refused a Government of Canada Manager / Auditor admission to the Reserve to get a handle on the apparent mismanagement.

Each year, the Feds ($18 m) and the Province of Ontario ($4.5 million) give approx. $22.5 million to Chief Spence to run her reserve.

That is roughly $16,500 per every man, woman and child.  That’s $66,000 per family of four (4).

Where does that money go? 

Who knows.

The Band also receives substantial revenues from mining interests in the area.

Where does that money go?

Who knows.

So here we have a secretive Chief and her bosom buddy Common Law Band Manager, overseeing millions and millions of dollars yearly, without being accountable to the Feds, to the Province, to the Canadian Taxpayer and not least, to her own poverty stricken band members.

You have to feel sorry for dear Chief Spence.

And, after not allowing Federal Management in to manage the disaster known as Attawapiskat, Chief Spence has the nerve to Blackmail Prime Minister Harper by going on a hunger strike to force a meeting with him.

Now That’s Chutzpah.

If I was the Prime Minister I would most certainly not meet with the dear woman.

She has offered in his stead, to meet with the Governor General and if the Gov Gen was so disposed, I would allow for that.  His is but a ceremonial role most of the time anyway.

The Gov Gen could spend a little time with the Chief passing the pipe and, if nothing else, it would make for a nice photo op.

Moreover from my perspective, Chief Spence is most unlikely to carry this hunger strike to the bitter end.  Simply stated, unlike her subjects up north, she has too much to lose.  She and her common law husband are living like royalty and she is not likely to give that life style up so cavalierly.

So there is Harper’s out, send in the Governor General.

Canada is in for a very difficult time with the activists natives and we need to send a strong message that their disruptive and often illegal antics will no longer be tolerated.

In that regard, we might just as well lbegin with Chief Spence … close down her Reserve and provide her members with some hope at last. 

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’