Heard news reports from Liberal 'thinkfest' in Montreal suggesting maybe.. just maybe... someone will have the political 'skill' and 'strength' to talk about ways to ensure our public sector has the capacity to make needed investments in Canada. We need to have leaders that are willing to talk about public finances and initiate conversations with our electorate about tax adjustments.
But anyone who suggests that is 'shouted' down by the anti-tax lobby in Canada. This lobby has been around for about 20-30 years and their sole purpose in life is to weaken the public sector's ability to make significant investments in social housing, education, welfare, income redistribution etc. etc.
You know about a year and a half ago we had a federal election in Canada. The advocates of some type of tax on carbon were 'creamed' by the voters. But that idea seems to have been good public policy. Yet the anti-tax crowd.. now exemplified by our current federal government went on a savage attack agains the idea.
As a result political leaders in Canada are 'chicken' about taxes and immature to boot. The party that initiates such a discussion in a serious way in this country will have my support whenever the next election comes.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday Morning Musings
Ankle continues to heal nicely. Seeing physiotherapist once a week and getting exercises to strengthen ankle area...using a 'walking cast'... I hope by end of month to be ready to stop using it.. but only time will tell.
The Ann Coulter affair..true it looks bad when the controversy prevented her organizers from allowing her speaking engagement to proceed. In a free democracy it is always better to hear what 'crazy' folks have to say even if one disagrees with them.... but in our democracy we do have laws prohibiting incitement against identifiable groups.
The official from the University of Ottawa who sent the cautionary note to Ms. Coulter was probably trying to help the situation but may have inadvertently heightened the controversy.
Also if media reports are correct the meeting organizers tried to 'stack' meeting with her supporters.
Anyways she speaks in Calgary tonite and presumably anything interesting that is said will be widely reported. She does say things that are uncomfortable and unpleasant to hear. Her alleged joke about ways for Muslims to travel was uncalled for and worthy of public criticism. Her post 911 comments were very objectionable.
Otherwise keeping busy with my tax preparation business...will be posting fewere times until end of April.
The Ann Coulter affair..true it looks bad when the controversy prevented her organizers from allowing her speaking engagement to proceed. In a free democracy it is always better to hear what 'crazy' folks have to say even if one disagrees with them.... but in our democracy we do have laws prohibiting incitement against identifiable groups.
The official from the University of Ottawa who sent the cautionary note to Ms. Coulter was probably trying to help the situation but may have inadvertently heightened the controversy.
Also if media reports are correct the meeting organizers tried to 'stack' meeting with her supporters.
Anyways she speaks in Calgary tonite and presumably anything interesting that is said will be widely reported. She does say things that are uncomfortable and unpleasant to hear. Her alleged joke about ways for Muslims to travel was uncalled for and worthy of public criticism. Her post 911 comments were very objectionable.
Otherwise keeping busy with my tax preparation business...will be posting fewere times until end of April.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
A Saturday Morning Musing
Sitting at a public library 2 hours away from 'home base'... mixing business with personal stuff today...
Just saw tweet about criticism by some folks of pro gay and lesbian rights in context of new Human Rights Museum being built in Winnipeg... you know some people just don't get it....in this, the 21st century in Canada.. how can any thinking Canadian be upset at promotion of rights of minorities.
I also have difficult with 'face covering' concerns in Quebec (and other places).. we should be celebrating cultural differences in our great country.
Just saw tweet about criticism by some folks of pro gay and lesbian rights in context of new Human Rights Museum being built in Winnipeg... you know some people just don't get it....in this, the 21st century in Canada.. how can any thinking Canadian be upset at promotion of rights of minorities.
I also have difficult with 'face covering' concerns in Quebec (and other places).. we should be celebrating cultural differences in our great country.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
It's Problematic Big Time
So our federal government is working to support maternal and child health in developing countries....and it reluctantly agreeds to include 'family planning'.. oh how good of them.
A few days ago it announced it would not support family planning. At least over the last few days they realized how out of touch with reality they were.
But they still have trouble with a woman's right to choose. We have enshrined that right in our country.. but our government refuses to sanction it in other countries. As is happening more and more often their 'base' is bringing out old ideological positions to argue for once again.
Our Prime Minister took a good position some time ago that the issue of same sex marriage was no longer worthy of public discourse. But now his government seems to want to revive the controversy over pregnancy termination. All studies I have seen say real economic development occurs in those countries of the world where women control their bodies and their destinies. Women everywhere must have access to safe ways to go through a pregnancy or if they wish to safely and legally terminate a pregnancy.
Anything less makes our world less equitable to all....
A few days ago it announced it would not support family planning. At least over the last few days they realized how out of touch with reality they were.
But they still have trouble with a woman's right to choose. We have enshrined that right in our country.. but our government refuses to sanction it in other countries. As is happening more and more often their 'base' is bringing out old ideological positions to argue for once again.
Our Prime Minister took a good position some time ago that the issue of same sex marriage was no longer worthy of public discourse. But now his government seems to want to revive the controversy over pregnancy termination. All studies I have seen say real economic development occurs in those countries of the world where women control their bodies and their destinies. Women everywhere must have access to safe ways to go through a pregnancy or if they wish to safely and legally terminate a pregnancy.
Anything less makes our world less equitable to all....
Moving Right Along
Saw surgeon on Monday who said I CAN put weight on foot... Gee it feels good!!!!
This allows me to do things like prepare my own meals in our apartment. It's great not ot have to rely on my caregiver/life partner for all meals.. HOpe to get rid of walker this weekend.. and maybe a week later to stop needing a 'walking cast'. Physiotherapist reminded me other day to 'take it easy' but to work at it...she gave me a few exercise and tips to help out recovery.
Tax preparation business 'clicking along'. Meeting a number of new very interesting clients.
Have to run....
This allows me to do things like prepare my own meals in our apartment. It's great not ot have to rely on my caregiver/life partner for all meals.. HOpe to get rid of walker this weekend.. and maybe a week later to stop needing a 'walking cast'. Physiotherapist reminded me other day to 'take it easy' but to work at it...she gave me a few exercise and tips to help out recovery.
Tax preparation business 'clicking along'. Meeting a number of new very interesting clients.
Have to run....
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Musing Today
It's been a few days...mixing it up with three things in my life... first is preparation of income tax returns...lots of work to do even if I am less 'ambulatory' than usual. So many of my clients are quite accommodating in bringing their tax papers to me.
Unsure if I am progessing as fast as I could but seem to be turing around a lot of customer returns.
The other thing in my life is beginning to disengage from various voluntary activities in the Ottawa area. As we approach a major relocation in June, this will become an increasing part of my days. We've been in Ottawa a little over 7 years but have established so many relationships. (We are considering seriously a going away social to say 'good bye' to many of our good friends).
And there is the ankle.. oh the ankle.. still avoiding putting any weight on it... see surgeon next Monday ... I hope things will change but am unsure.
Unsure if I am progessing as fast as I could but seem to be turing around a lot of customer returns.
The other thing in my life is beginning to disengage from various voluntary activities in the Ottawa area. As we approach a major relocation in June, this will become an increasing part of my days. We've been in Ottawa a little over 7 years but have established so many relationships. (We are considering seriously a going away social to say 'good bye' to many of our good friends).
And there is the ankle.. oh the ankle.. still avoiding putting any weight on it... see surgeon next Monday ... I hope things will change but am unsure.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Musings on Federal Budget
Lots of topics to chat about here. I like idea of second year of stimulus funding. I also like changes to have banks only hold on to cheques for 4 days; and to allow consumers access to first $100 within 24 hours. Having just heard banks reporting record profits (again) I am sure this move won't hurt banks and will help consumers.
I was disappointed in announced cutbacks to foreign aid.
The 'rigidity' of restraint measures will not help Canadians. So many folks seem to think the providers of public service are 'running amok'. As one who used to be a public servant I know public sector employees are just as conscientious about spending money as are employees in the private sector. We are all taxpayers so we all benefit by prudent public sector spending. But I really have issues with those in our media (especially radio talk show hosts) who blame all our ills on 'public sector' greed.
There were 'glimmers' of hope in political reaction to yesterday's budget. I saw some indication of a willingness to compromise on some issues...I wonder if our federal government will show some flexibility on some contentious issues. Who knows, if they did, we may get some real co-operation amongst the federal political parties. Wouldn't that be nice!
I was disappointed in announced cutbacks to foreign aid.
The 'rigidity' of restraint measures will not help Canadians. So many folks seem to think the providers of public service are 'running amok'. As one who used to be a public servant I know public sector employees are just as conscientious about spending money as are employees in the private sector. We are all taxpayers so we all benefit by prudent public sector spending. But I really have issues with those in our media (especially radio talk show hosts) who blame all our ills on 'public sector' greed.
There were 'glimmers' of hope in political reaction to yesterday's budget. I saw some indication of a willingness to compromise on some issues...I wonder if our federal government will show some flexibility on some contentious issues. Who knows, if they did, we may get some real co-operation amongst the federal political parties. Wouldn't that be nice!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Mid week Musings
Getting used to air cast on my ankle...nice to be able to take it off once in a while. Also a friend of our is to loan us a bench to let me sit in the tub and have a proper bath/shower which I have been unable to do so far...sponge baths just aren't the same ((:-))
Tax preparation season is well under way. The ankle is presenting some challenges but we seem to be coping. My caregiver/life partner/wife is so accommodating in driving me around.
Awaiting with 'baited breath' the resumption of our federal Parliament. Somehow I have this 'feeling' we will quickly see real attempts at interparty co-operation (oh how naive can I be at sometimes), or a return of hyperpartisan politics. If the latter occurs, my only consistent and continuing reaction will be... bring the election on!!
Tax preparation season is well under way. The ankle is presenting some challenges but we seem to be coping. My caregiver/life partner/wife is so accommodating in driving me around.
Awaiting with 'baited breath' the resumption of our federal Parliament. Somehow I have this 'feeling' we will quickly see real attempts at interparty co-operation (oh how naive can I be at sometimes), or a return of hyperpartisan politics. If the latter occurs, my only consistent and continuing reaction will be... bring the election on!!
Monday, March 1, 2010
March Musings
A few topics today.
Had great success putting current condominium on market...have conditional sale in less than 3 days. The journey of 2010 continues.
Enjoyed watching Olympics but GLAD they're over. Congratulations to Canada's athletes on a good performance at these games.
A little concerned at the predominance of one sport. Seems like most of the Canadian media were disproportionately concerned over results in one event. Men's hockey is an important sport in Canada but one wonders why it monopolizes coverage. I fear we may have gone into a national 'funk' if the men's team had lost yesterday. But one has to always remember it is ONLY A GAME.
Also meet with surgeon today about the healing of my ankle. Hope to make progress with newer less bothersome cast.
Had great success putting current condominium on market...have conditional sale in less than 3 days. The journey of 2010 continues.
Enjoyed watching Olympics but GLAD they're over. Congratulations to Canada's athletes on a good performance at these games.
A little concerned at the predominance of one sport. Seems like most of the Canadian media were disproportionately concerned over results in one event. Men's hockey is an important sport in Canada but one wonders why it monopolizes coverage. I fear we may have gone into a national 'funk' if the men's team had lost yesterday. But one has to always remember it is ONLY A GAME.
Also meet with surgeon today about the healing of my ankle. Hope to make progress with newer less bothersome cast.
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