What's Really Important in Life and Other Musings

You know as parents we never stop worrying about our children...it's like we're 'hard wired' to worry. Our nearly 28 year old child is having major health challenges right now. THey are temporary in nature but we still cannot help but worry.

We hope things will progress in her overcoming these challenges.. but we will continue to worry.

See lots of stuff about Iran in the news.. sometimes think they may focuss on its nuclear ambitions/plans. Yet we don't focus on others who have nuclear capability.. wonder why sometimes.

Of all the ideas of the Iranian president the most distressing is his comments about the Holocaust. To question its historicity is the height of madness. Criticism of actions of te State of Israel does not make one an anti-semite. But questioning the truthfulness of hte holocaust which carried out acts of genocide against European Jewry is most definitely anti-semitic.

I see Canadian political party shenanigans will resume this week...but I doubt all three opposition parties will be able to force an election.. unless it happens by accident...

keeping busy

Still doing lots of stuff... Spending hours and hours helping to bring one of my tax clients up to date on tax filings...kinda wish our Canada Revenue Agency had capability to work through processes somewhat quicker.. but that's probably unlikely.

On that point I see that Agency as a group of individuals who have a job to do. Unlike some of the so-called tax lawyers out there I don't see them as the arch villain of our society. They are essentially an administrative body acting on behalf of policy makers. The CRA must act in a fair manner and my experience has been they usually do.

Had an example of inadvertent 'corporate greed' on a small level this week. I have a friend who went into a nursing home about 18 months ago who forgot to cancel his cable service. His preauthorized withdrawal continued for 18 months. However the cable provider has outlined how to get much of the money back.. and will know in a day or so if it will follow through.

I am nearing this year's end of what has become a longstanding one month a year relationship with the Canadian Diabetes Association. Have met four wonderful colleagues. We have been recruiting residential canvassers for the Association's November campaign at an unprecedented rate.

Various Again

Well the UN General assembly meets this week... and President Obama meets with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. I wish both Netanyahu and Abbas had the political 'clout' to work towards real peace in that part of the world. But I fear that divisions within both countries (Israel and Palestine) will prevent real progress towards peace.

You know most Palestinians and Israelis desperately want peace. Imagine what kind of economic development could occur with peace in the Middle East. If only settlements were halted; if only the Saudi 2002 peace plan were implemented; and if only demonizing the 'other side' would stop.. we could have peace.....

I read a couple of other blogs on a regular basis.. I guess I shouldn't complain about biased political blogging as some readers here may think I do it too ((:-)).

Glad to see that senior politicians and military are questioning effectiveness of NATO's mission in Afghanistan. Clearly something is not working... What is especially good is that Canadian and American political opinion-leaders are beginning to discuss the mission without having to face accusations of not supporting our soldiers.

I am participating in one or two world wide initiatives today. Both originated in online communications.. a short prayer time for peace; and a public event urgingG20 leaders to DO something to fight climate change.

Various Stuff Again

Ouch the 'body bag' issue in Canada. Seems like our federal health authorities included body bags in a shipment of supplies to some Aboriginal communities in Manitoba. What kind of a message does that give to members of those communities. Hopefully the investigation now on will result in the public knowing how this could happen.. such insensitivity and plain dumbness!!!

Two (or is it three) of our federal political parties have switched roles. How confusing can it be.

The very best for 5770 to Jewish readers of this blog. May you be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Various Stuff

Heard item this morning about various opinions on swine flu vaccine. It's effectiveness is being questioned by some. Yet most professional opinion supports its use. My own view is it is better being safe than sorry. An unusual thing with swine flu is that I am not in the high risk group (according to what I've heard). Nevertheless I'll probably end up getting the vaccine.

Our federal political 'circus' starts today in earnest. I hear changes to our Employment Insurance system are coming. Will they help our unemployed (I hope so)? Will then be a cynical attempt to ensure the current government gets support from one of the opposition parties (I feel so). On the other hand a government party trying to get support from one opposition party is what is expected in a minority government situation.

THere is continuing debate here in Ontario over the province's move to 'harmonize' its sales tax with the goods and services tax. People have strong views both ways on the harmonized sales tax idea. On balance though, I believe its advantages outweigh its disadvantages. That belief is based on the practice (to date) of taxing authorities providing relief from this consumption tax by rebating a portion of it to lower income people.

Speaking of debates it is 'instructive' to watch public health care debate in US. The last developed country to have a public system of health insurance. Yet it spends more on health care on a per capita basis. Opponents of President Obama's initiative are using outlandish and yes, reprehensible tactics. Obama's indication he is the 'last' president to deal with this issue is noteworthy (and praiseworthy).

co-operation not coalition

How many times do our political leaders have to say something before it is believed. Hearing politicians says things 'over and over' again makes one wonder if their 'notes' ever change.

Sounds like even if we have a federal election in Canada this fall, we will end up with a similarly-composed House of Commons. So the parties will have to co-operate regardless of the result.

Any 'my way or the highway' approach by party leaders should be firmly and completely rejected by the voters.

September 11, 2001 remembered and follow up

Eight years ago our world changed. Most of us remember what we were doing when we heard of the terrorist attacks in the United States. We all watched in horror as thousands of innocent people died that day.

Our world has changed so much since that days. Many of the democratic countries in the world has passed draconian laws restricting civil liberties of their citizens and residents. In many places of business there is almost a paranoia about security. CUstomer service defintely is subordinated to security concerns. As an example at government offices in this town some of which won't accept envelopes for employees working in those offices unless the employee is there to accept it in person.

We will never know the complete motivation of the perpetrators of the 911 attacks. Butif it was to create a continuing sense of paranoia they seem to have succeeded.. such a tragedy.

federal election or not

Why are so many afraid... it allows us to express our judgement where it counts the most.. at the ballot box.

Social Justice vs. Social Change

I have often thought about this issue (maybe mislabelled as well).

In societies like here in Canada we have a plethora of organizations in the human services area that help folks dealing with a variety of issues. A major group of human service organizations are food banks and emergency housing shelters.

Many of us at various times help out at these agencies. Yet when we do that are we 'tolerating' societal conditions which makes these agencies exist. One has to ask why food is distributed so inequitably in countries all over the world. Why do some people find themselves with no place to live. Why are instances of gender-based violence such a problem.

YOu know if we had really 'caring' society we would not need these types of institutions.

I know very progressive-minded individuals who decline to volunteer at these organizations for the very reason mentioned above.

Our public financial system ('taxes') does in part help reduce social inequities by its progressive nature at least at the federal and provincial levels in Canada. But I have sympathy with those who feel the 'anti-tax' hysteria of the last 25 years have severely restricted government (the political arm of society) to help reduce soical inequity.

Here in Canada 20 years ago all federal politicians voted to end child poverty by 2000...that's almost a decade ago and we still have child poverty in Canada.

Labour Day Weekend 2009

YOu know if one looks around at most of our socially progressive laws in our country.. dealing with human rights and employment standards, it is the labour movement that was one of the first groups to push for change.

My understanding is they have always groups like trade unions pushing for better working conditions.. not only for their members.. but also for all others in societies..not only here but all over the world.

People who criticize trade unions.. and there are lots of critics out there.. just don't get it...but if they honestly looked at the history of unions they should change their minds... regrettably many are so warped in an anti-union bias they don't want facts to interfere with an opinion.\\

Pre-Election Shenanigans

Oh the level of hypocrisy from our political leaders. If you believe our current government, it's popular home renovation tax credit may not be in place if a federal election is held. But all parties support the measure. All academic and other commentators have said an election won't significantly affect Canadians' ability to benefit from the credit.

My sense is the economist and other commentators have got it right.

Our governing party spokespeople say any fall 2009 election is unnecessary. But they did not say that a year ago...how times 'change' ((:-))

A 2009 Canadian Federal Election.. Maybe

Well we are again in 'election' mode according to recent pronouncements of the federal Liberals and the media.

I see lots of folks are saying 'no one' wants an election. Well I beg to differ. As I have indicated before elections are the highest form of democratic expression that we know. I don't believe the corporate world's fears of 'uncertainty' are grounded in fact at all!!!!

If parliamentarians cannot agree then bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!

If we do have an election I suspect results will be quite similar to current House of Commons. We so badly need electoral reform so the public varying views will be better represented in Parliament.