The People... Defeated

Hey what's happening in our world. Change is sweeping (?) in Northern Africa and the Middle East.

It's an exciting time to be in this world...people everywhere need the ability to engage in democratic politics. People need to have representatives who act in their (the people's) best interest. Autocracy is wrong and should be opposed by various means.

Seeing what has happened in Tunisia and may happen in Egypt gives credit to that old parade/demonstation slogan.. namely

'The People, the People, Will Never Be Defeated'

January 16 - is this an election year in Canada

Have seen lots of election articles in media.. heard lots of politicians say they don't want an election nor do Canadians.

But as I have said before an election is the highest expression of our democratic system. We need a chance to pass judgement on the current government's priorities and perspectives - building more prisons despite crime statistics, purchasing large planes without tender, abolishing long form census etc. etc.

Heard last few days our Prime Minister wants to once again, strip parties of public financing... seems to want us to go back to situation where money talks in politics. Does he really want a return to the days when large corporations determined outcome of elections?? I really hope not.

Of course when the election does come Canadians can ensure that DOES NOT happen by voting in each riding for the candidate most likely to beat a governing party candidate.

January 9,2011 - Circle of Life.. we are all mortal

As many know we relocated out to Saskatchewan in 2010 in anticipation of a tragedy. Our son-in-law's health is deteriorating and we are unsure how much longer he has. He has been quite stoic about all that is happening but it is 'getting him down'. His extended family is providing as much support as they come. While we cannot do anything to help him directly we can continually reassure him his son will be looked after.

Heard today about several other tragic deaths. All are were unplanned or happened to folks who were too young to go.. but alas there is nothing anyone can do about it. Some time ago I put together a few words expressing my philosophy in dealing with tragic events....I reproduce it here with only a few wording changes removing some personal information.

I have a firm belief in the following:

1 NO point in getting upset about that which you cannot change.

2 Realizing that 'stuff happens'.. I was very impressed with Rabbi Kushnir's "When bad things happen to good people'.. we live in a chaotic universe.. most stuff happens without any reason. Sure my mother was a heavy smoker years ago which may have contributed to COPD etc. but there isn't a 'damn thing' I nor anyone else can now do about it. Our son-in-law had a tough childhood...constantly changing residences and colon cancer was in his family history.

What I can do and when I do feel bad is when there are things I could do. A specific example.. I was close to getting a new very interesting part time job when the call came to go to Ottawa in early November. I had to cancel a job interview. Fortunately the person doing the interviewing has said he is really 'impressed' by me and is willing to wait until I am back.

I am a (very) liberal Jew because I believe Judaism's emphasis on 'tikkun olum' or repairing the world is of primary importance. This is also why I am active in groups like Amnesty International. Even in my tax business, I see myself as a problem solver/fixer of people's tax issues. You may know that many friends and parents of friends are amongst my clients.. but I can see I have/am been able to help them resolve tax problems.

I think (and this is why I am ok being here) that my 'DNA' in terms of social conscience is from my mother. While my father was a 'supporter of good' it was always in a quiet way. I, like my mother on the other hand have not been reluctant to tell the world what we think. (Just have a look at my blog posts the last several months) Facebook is so wonderful (to me) as I can vent vent vent ((:-)). As I do in this blog.

I also have been 'blessed' with a long marriage to my best friend.. we are over 41 years together. We view reason for long relationship is 'acceptance'. There are things about my best friend that I cannot stand (but the overall affection I have for her greatly outweight that feeling). And I know there are things about me she cannot stand.... but we are happy together.....

I am also a 21st century 'multitasker'.. I am sitting in her room (in Ottawa) watching her in good times and bad times. I am using this machine to communciate with Regina folks on variety of issues. I am also running my tax preparation business - while it is off season right now, I have been running it long enough there is some work in off-season. Tomorrow I have (what is now a phone) meetign with two guys in Regina about their corporate bookkeeping which I have agreed to do. Yesterday I had a email exchange with a long term client about possibility doing some bookeeping for him.

January 2, 2011 - short entry

Today is the anniversary of my birth. I have been touched by the many warm wishes I have received, mostly on the social networking site facebook. That site is a wonderful way to keep in touch with friends and family, near and far.

Social media/social networks are in the forefront of today's communication media. They allow instant collaboration and conversation.