Craig Read

Minister Manleyness announces a $6 billion surplus ie. over - taxation. CBC applauds, Canadians snigger that they are better than the Deficit eating Americans. Ho hum. Okay let's normalise the numbers. The US spends approximately USD$400 Billion on defence and security or about $1428 per capita. Let's assume Canada, as an adult modern serious nation [ok bad assumption], should spend at least 70 % of the US level or about $920US per capita. This equates to a military budget of U$29 Bn or about C$36 Bn. This is more than TRIPLE the current military spend. Result: Federal Deficit of about $30 Bn or GASP 3 % of GDP. Normalise the numbers you fantasists and recognise that you FREE RIDE. Free riding has costs - military, trade, and political. Canada if it had any semblance of pride and military effectiveness would be running deficits. Instead it channels the free riding $ into post modern babble and programs.

Putin has all but killed this ignorant protocol. Read carefully what he says; 1. The science is bad. 2. It kills economic growth. I guess since the Russians were not part of the Leftist Party Circuit for the Global warming Clergy, that they apparently can think for themselves. "Mr. Putin acknowledged that Russia would get an initial boost from the treaty as it sold spare quotas for carbon dioxide emissions. But having promised to double the size of the Russian economy in 10 years, he went on to say that Kyoto would soon become an economic albatross. Even worse for the warming clergy, the Russian dared to dispute the science underpinning Kyoto. Mr. Putin said he has learned that we simply don't know why temperatures are rising, how recent trends relate to long-term temperature variations and, above all, whether or not changing human behavior would matter to any of this. Finally, to gasps of horror, Mr. Putin noted that it would hardly be a tragedy if Siberia warmed a couple of degrees or if Russians had to "spend less money on fur coats." He added what is obvious to Americans who live anywhere north of Chicago, namely that warming temperatures would probably help Russia's agricultural output. The growing season is short in Siberia."{WSJ Oct 28} No kidding. Canada with a massive geograhy, huge energy requirements, far flung industrial and population centres, and competing and trading with a non Kyoto signatory, approaches Burlesque farce in its demented attempt to sign something that is so specious. This is DA Canada way ?

Neal, I agree. Confederation is failing. Politicians go after Enron Execs who put somewhere between $1.5 B to $4 Billion in off balance sheet items. In Canada politicians have accumulated over $1 TRILLION in off balance sheet debt. Why aren't they in jail ? Who will pay for this ? I ask my parents, typical left of centre smarmy, anti-US, anti-Semitics, who will pay JUST the off balance unfunded liability ? Can they both write the gov't a cheque for $100 K each to pay this off the day before they die ? In fact shouldn't every Cdn be doing the same and paying off these odious debts ? There is nothing moral in overtaxation and debt accumulation. This speaks nothing of the future tax implications of something as dumb as Kyoto. Confederation and the division of powers, and of tax IS the problem. Toronto and Alta are being bled white for the rest of the country. Most people don't have a clue, and this is the most depressing part. Demagogues with facile sloganeering buy votes and win elections with the promise of more program spend. Can't wait for Nationalised Day Care, Dental Care and Eye Care.

The US WILL win this. Only a handful of elements are committing these acts - against it should be said; muslims, secularists, Westerners and NGO's, and not just US targets. In fact it is rather obvious that the terrorists are choosing some easy targets to jolt western opinion and especially the liberal media into calling for a general withdrawal. The greatest task facing the US is to face down the howls of the leftists and their media friends. It will take a minimum 5 years to rebuild this country and in this time expect more of these attacks. The wild card are of course the Dumbo's and their hopeful but irrelevant cast of leaders. If one of them becomes President i predict, today, that the US will withdraw.

That is simply untrue. The average wage in the US is 30 % higher. The average tax rate is 30 % lower. The cost of living depends on where you live, Austin Tx is 60 % cheaper to live in than Chicago - but so again are the Salaries lower. The Standard of living in the US is 35 % above that of Canada. I have posted numerous sources, articles and posts on this. I suggest you do a search on this site for these posts and educate yourself.

What are you talking about ? Tax cuts covered the economic spectrum, cheques were mailed as tax rebates to lower income families. But don't let reality intrude on your democratic nonsense. The US has spent $100 billion on Iraq in total so far. Iraq is only the beginning, more countries need reform. This is a great time to be alive.

Wrong. Any country can become a democracy - just look at Fascist Germany, Fascist Japan and other assorted Fascist/Communist dictatorships. It takes time and the right institutions. You don't rebuild a shattered country in 5 years let alone 6 months. Guys like Riff who sniff that Iraq will fail are wrong. These were the same clowns who maintained that Japan would not be rebuilt and that Nazi Germany must be bulldozed and made into agricultural land and its people enslaved since of course Germans did not understand democracy. You hear the same nonsense when discussing the FSU. As for the EU, someone posted they already contributed 700 million. This is false. They have contribued nothing to Iraq. The EU opposed the Iraqi war to get their money out. This is obvious now that France and Germany will do nothing to aid reconstruction. So much for socialist morality.

Locke, you are right. 10 million years ago the Earth warmed considerably. The monkeys in East Africa fell out of their trees as the grasslands expanded and went foraging for food. Eventually they began to walk upright and use their hands as tools..... and well you know the rest. So what caused a massive warming 10 million years ago to force widespread climate change and kick start Homo Sapiens ? Let me guess. According to the UNO it was the emissions of massive amounts of CO2 and Methane from the industrialised forests of the Monkeys. Belching smelters and clogged highways emitting massive chemical agents from the Monkeyopolis' in Africa were trapped by the Isosphere engendering a heating affect which caused the expansion of deserts and grasslands. UNO scientists have confirmed that the Monkey's far from pure noble creatures, were in fact polluting sadists, intent on destroying all plant and fauna life in the old world. The UNO provides no scientific basis for this belief, but just states 'we are the UNO and know best.' Amen.

Goldie good post. Sure Gays can marry on unfounded science. The family, church and morality are passe. Hedonism is in. Kyoto and Global warming on junk science will lead to higher taxes and regulations and more gov't workers and of course transfers to the poorer nations [oh my, tears well up in my eyes as i type]. Banks can't merge because that would affect oligopolistic political-bank relationships and fees [ie. donations]. Immigration can't be reformed since immigration lawyers, MPs and special interests not to mention the CBC, would howl in pain. Health care and the OMA are technically bankrupt but no reform is necessary that would compromise gov't control over 15 % of the Economy. Taxes have gone up consistently each year and so has gov't spend. Why reform when you as the elite benefit ? The situation is little different now than it was under the Romanov or any other European dynasty for that matter - throw a sop here to the masses, another there - a few compromises that don't really matter but give the mass the impression that you care [as tears and compassion flow from eyes and mouth]. Power and money. There is no incentive for the legal / academic / bureaucratic / media elite to change anything. Nothing but a shattering explosion of anger and reform, initiated at the city level will impact this country.

Yes 6 recounts in Florida - and Gore lost every single one. CNN announced 80 minutes before polls closed - breaking the 1984 Election law - that Gore had won Florida. A Democrat inquiry after the election stated that thousands of Rep voters in the Panhandle stayed home thinking the state was lost. Gore was a failure. He won 0 states in the south and lost his home state. How is that possible ?? He only won 11 states. The Dumbocruds are popular in the Liberal north east and HollyWeird. The Liberals should cry about something else. They manipulate CNN and STILL lose. As for the midgets running for their nomination the most odious are Wesley [i hate real war] Clarke, and Howard [Let me imitate McGovern] Dean. These two nabobs have offered nothing intelligent in policy or debate except the usual - Iraq is a mistake, Bush is stupid and the economy is dead. None of the 3 is true, and unless the Democrats come up with something a little more wise and engaging Bush will win 40 states in the next election regardless of what midget is leader.

Time to formally forgive all Iraqi debt issued under Hussein's insane regime. France, Germany and Russia will lose billions. And yes Victoria this is why they were opposed to the war. The best current guess on Iraq's debt comes to $150-to-$200 billion. Worse, Iraq also needs somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 billion a year over the next five years for rebuilding power plants and other reconstruction. And worse still is that these amounts must be handled in a way that does not decimate Iraq's domestic operating budget, which needs to run in the neighborhood of $13 billion a year. Considering the Frogs and Teutons contributed ZERO at Madrid, debt forgiveness is a necessity.

That is true, in times of war deficits can reach 40 % of GDP. This impairs the nation state [ie. Britain post WW2], but if the right policies are enacted after war, the country can rebound [ie. Britain pursued socialism and spent 30 miserable years]. Current budget deficit in the US is 3 % and they are fighting a war. Canada of course spends approximately 57 cents on the military so wars and such do not concern the pacificts here. Once Iraq is settled down, and the economy expands the US will be in budget surplus IF they cut unnecessary spending. Trade deficits are totally different and by themselves are not necessarily negative. The US is simply the largest market and imports everything from everybody. Since the U$ is the reserve currency of the world, running trade deficits means little. Japan, China and the EU still buy US bonds and TBills thereby granting the US access to Trillions of US dollars [China has sent $400 Billion recently in defending the Yuan]. The most important issues: 1. Productivity 2. GDP growth 3. FDI 4. Currency speculations 5. Interest rate spreads between countries 6. Commodity prices On these 4 issues the US is doing well on 1-3. On #4 traders are betting on a Yuan revaluation. On #5 /#6 Canada is reaping benefits and this is why the C$ will artificially inflate until about mid 2004. By 2006 it will be at 60 cents again.

You are pretty sad Pell if you believe that. I guess until we hold Roman gladitorial contests, open air orgies, bear baiting games, and can eat dog food at Korean restaurants you will not be happy. Canada is so socially liberal it will choke the institutions and pre-requisites for success in the modern world. Hedonism, narcississm, self love and self esteem are the vaunted virtues in today's post modern Canada. Work, denial, morality, patience, optimism, understanding and knowledge are passe. Many things need to be done to reform the country - it depends on your level of analysis. I am sceptical that Federally anything will change. Ergo - more powers for Cities and Provinces. This entails leadership at both levels that want orthodox liberalism and the retraction of government. I frankly do not see anyone in Canada proposing that ideal at any level.

You are a pretty sad apologist. Look at the tax rates between Canada and various states - in some cases the tax burden is double - on average it is 30-40% higher in Canada. [Fraser Institute, Jack Mintz, CD Howe Inst., Canadian Business]. Morgan is right - total debt and unfunded liabilities are crushing society in Canada and the EU. In Canada total per capita debt is $174 K. In the EU the Pension scam alone will cost 100 % of GDP by 2020. The Health Scam in both Canada and the EU will cost the same by 2020. In fact in Canada unfunded Health Liabilities rose by 38 % in the past 3 years [CTF: Walter Robinson, newsletter 10-18]. I pay more in tax than most people make in Gross salary. Is this fair ? Hell no. The money is better off to be invested, create jobs, create capital and put to use, then to be given to corrupts like Chretien and left of centre cowards who buy votes and spread money around like butter. This is not what Canada is about. And the brain drain is real. Losing 40.000-30.000 talented people per year is a huge economic loss. Only 4-5.000 come back - mostly for health care access [like my parents for instance].

That a boy Gugsy, there are many reasons to feel proud about the legacy that Canada possesses. The real issue is however, where is it going and why ? I believe that the original Confederal concept and definition of Canada has been perverted and mangled by power seekers of mostly left of centre stripe, who are using and abusing the system to line their pockets and those of their friends. This is why I advocate Toronto separating as a City State and Alberta re-negotiating its rights in or outside of Canada. The orthodox liberality that made Canada a respected world member is mostly history. In fact that legacy is not even taught in our school systems and certainly not at the university level. Everyone I have met in my travels is proud of their country, even if the country is a rat hole. To me pride is irrelevant - the real question is - where should we go, how do we fix the problems we have today, and what is the purpose of the country and its vision. The Federal Liberals and most citizens want an EU styled nation - socialism writ large - historically these systems always fail.

Deficits mean little if the economy is growing and revenues are rising. The US will be in balance next year IF they cut their spending on non essential programs ie non military programs and special interest group programs. This is the problem. As well deficits have 0 correlation with jobs. Don't forget a little thing called the War on Terror is going on, with Canada contributing - gasp - a whopping $276 mn towards Iraqi reconstruction. The US has only just given $20 billion. Thanks Canada for the huge contribution to restoring Western security. Gosh you are so good. The US Deficit is mostly due to the war on terror and partly due to the recent economic slowdown. Sorry that facts intrude on your reality. And how about Canada.....2 % growth this year vs. 4 % in the US, higher unemployment, higher taxes, deficits in Ontario, over taxation in Ottawa.....no military....free riding drug polices....but the CBC will tell you that you are perfect little creatures with your pathetic annual wage of C$55 K per year 40 % of which is ripped out of your hands. Before you criticise the US reform your own little world.

Well for my money they can't die off soon enough. I am so tired of their sanctimonious drivel. Their vested interests, their lack of morality, dedication to universality, and sentimentalist fantasies. The only problem is that the US drug firms are making medicines that are too effective unnecessarily proloning the life of the grey haired grass smoking generation. Maybe we can ship the whole lot of them off to Florida for early retirement.

Well Howdy finally revealed what was up his sleeve - lies, lies and more election lies. During the campaign Howdy said he would balance the budget. Now he says a $5 billion deficit is the minimum to expect. Howdy promised 220 spending increases during the election. Now he states that no new spending can occur given the deficit. So instead Howdy comes up with the following bright ideas: -Insurance rates are frozen for 90 days [this means higher premiums and lower deductibles in the future] -Energy rates are frozen [Ont. Hydro is bankrupt, this means no new investment, higher future taxes] -Tuition fees are frozen [which will result in higher debt levels for taxpayers as rising costs are not compensated by revenues] -Mandated smaller classrooms [no evidence exists as to the merit of this idea but it does mean more spend] -Business tax repeals [cost is about $2.2 Billion] One knows that Howdy will end up raising taxes to bridge the deficit in year 2 of his Kingship. Year one under Ont. law he can run a deficit. In year 2 he must balance the books. So get ready for a media blitz - da Canadian value blitz - replete with photo ops, tearful immigrants and old people eating dog food - as the Liberals tell you why taxes must go up - to fund the poor and old of course. Meanwhile the money will flow into a myriad of programs most of which are inefficiently managed [like Health Care] or unaudited or just plainly unnecessary. No reforms please we are Canadian.

Tax cuts are working, the markets are up 30 % this year in spite of last weeks 1 % decline and many Granny's hold their pensionable earnings in funds that feed off of the DOW. Time for the liberal media to report the truth - the economy is in good shape and disposable incomes are up and in certain sectors, jobs are up as well. Only in transport, logisitics, some manufacturing sectors and thankfully government are jobs down significantly.

That is right Ned, but in the meantime the EU, the UN and even the US send about a billion a year to the PLA for various projects - and of course military purchases. Until Arafat is dead, the PLA reformed and the money transfers stopped, nothing will change there. Most Israeli's would willingly trade land for peace, but why should they, when they are fighting a war against an irrational and hate filled brainwashed enemy.

Neal some good points, however, Canadians are so left of centre that an axe wielding right of centre government will never get elected. From primary school to marxist university professors, through to the media and the CBC, Canadians are told that socialism is moral and necessary and that any form of Americanism or capitalism in which there is risk and no guarantees of any sort is to be not only eschewed but denigrated. Canada is an EU nation on the wrong Continent. Our elections are a joke - Diane Francis wrote a good article in the post today on the mediocrity of Cdn politicians, policies and viewpoints. She says that there is simply no choice in this country. All parties serve up the same basic socialist steak - just varying degrees of how well it is cooked. It will take years after the current generation in power dies to reform this country. I have always wanted to write this book: "The Worst Generation; How the Hippies destroyed Society."

Right on. The US is growing GDP at 5 % + right now, durable goods orders are up, commodity indexes are up [which is a leading indicator], money M1 supply is up, rates are low, productivity is shooting through the roof [3x the rate in Canada] which means higher profits and longer term more jobs and innovation, the dividend tax credit is reorganising corporate governance and inducing investment, and all sectors are growing ie. the recovery is not industry specific, Iraq and Afghanistan are being reformed, the war on terror is now actually engaged [as opposed to the Dumbocruds 90's policy], and the UNO, France and Germany have been given the big middle finger which is about bloody time. As for jobs more Americans have jobs now than at any time in history, regardless of liberal media hysteria. The natural unemployment rate is 5 % and with current profit growth we will see that rate in 2004. Not bad for a country that went through 9-11 and the bursting of the Clintonian Internet bubble.

Cool posts Guys. I read parts of the existing French inspired EU Constitution. As the Economist stated - throw it in the bin. Complete nonsense. Some much liberal left of centre piffle it makes the head spin. Spain, Poland, Sweden, Holland and Britain - this is where the hope of Europe lies. The EU experiment as it currently sits will fail. Economics and finance have a nasty habit of superceding left wing ideology.

Alberta sends $9000 per household to fund the rest of socialised, effiminized, post modern Canada. Time for the Albertans to either Re-Confederate or leave, and if they leave, make damn sure they take the oil with them.

De-regulation works. The Airline industry [outside of Canada] is an example - lower fares, more flights, more choice and reasonable [though not great] service. Transport in the States is another example. The US is the world's freest transport market in the world and this stimulates greatly the movement of product by air and land across the country. England de-regulated water and power and has now the best infrastructure and lowest costs for both in the EU. With clear laws, and accountability [ie. if i turn hit my light switch and nothing happens i have legal recourse to fine the provider], it works. IT does not work when gov'ts do things by half measures and partially de-regulate, partially control and enact wage/price freezes. All this does is send mixed messages and lead to inefficiencies. Ontario's half baked ideas on energy reform or Mexi-fornia's energy plans are clear examples. As is Dalton Howdy Doody's ideas on freezing insurance rates for 90 days. That a boy Dalty, that means future premiums will go up and deductibles down. Thanks. Why doesn't Dalton decrease the gov't tax on insurance - the highest in N.America ? Or Pearson - the Libs reversed privatisation in '93 which cost $500 million, then partially privatised it later [with their friends], delayed projects and cost overruns now total $500 million and new taxes [departure tax etc] along with these costs make flying more expensive and cause higher airline costs. For God sake privatise airports and remove these bloody taxes. Well i am at it - get rid of the LCBO - I am sick of paying 40 % more for booze in gov't controlled stores. To put up with this nonsense a man should have the right to drink for cheap.