Mighty AC

Sure...but how can we possibly use the science budget to subsidize oil interests if our very own research makes it clear how dangerous that action is? How bad would it look if a nation's top scientists publicly demonstrated just how backwards their own government's policies have been? Hence, if a government is going to make unethical decisions in the interest of short term monetary gain, it is really a requirement to gag those that deal in truth and evidence. So you see...their hands are tied.

Another question for the Con faithful. Do you worry that Sun News and Ezra Levant will become too much of a joke for even the fanboys to take seriously now that they are defending Tommy Boy on the new Ford Nation talk show? Again, is the con movement so devoid of talent that their marketing machine has to try and defend this scumbag, instead of building up the next guy? http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/11/18/fords-set-to-kick-off-new-sun-news-show-just-after-council-decision-to-strip-rob-of-many-of-his-powers/

He reminds me of Charlie Sheen during the "I've got tiger blood" phase of his latest, drug induced, public meltdown. I think either Ford, and the company he keeps, see this behaviour as funny/witty or he believes proceeding in this manner will convince enough idiots to vote for him next year. I have heard more than one Conservative loyalist try to defend the man, spouting nonsense like "if the man can run Toronto properly I don't care if he injects himself with smack in city hall". These are the same hypocrites that want to take a hard line on crime and punishment. My question for Con Fanboys is, why do you feel that you have to defend the man? Isn't it better to cut your losses and back the next conservative hopeful? Maybe one that doesn't have drug, alcohol, rage and self control issues? **Edit: Typo (line to losses)

But mainly from the brand new tax revenue created by the GST.

Boomers are the largest segment of the population and have had their political whims catered to. 30 years ago they were demanding social services, now they are demanding fiscal restraint, while simultaneously telling younger generations to suck it up and tighten their belts. Only people with benefits and decent wages pay for chefs, home renovations and RMTs.

While attempting to charge some spectators today, apparently in his brothers defense, Fordy ran over Councillor Pam McConnell. Never a dull moment. http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/11/18/rob-ford-city-council-begins-unprecedented-meeting-to-strip-ford-of-most-mayoral-powers/

Deleted: Post made in the wrong thread.

Hudak backs Wynne's position on Ford saying he would support action to deal with the mayor if council asks. The rats have fled the sinking ship and are now shooting holes in the capsized hull. http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/11/18/rob_ford_conservative_leader_tim_hudak_would_support_action_to_deal_with_mayor.html

Contact sports with pads are much tougher on the body, and especially the head, than those without. Better equipment has made today's sports safer from a cuts and bruises standpoint but there is no good way to stop a brain from crashing around inside the skull.

When considering topics such as this, I find it interesting to think about what the west will go to war to protect and what we willing give away. It really highlights how politicians pay lip service to middle class voters while obeying the ownership class.

My question was, how long can we continue to erode the bulk of our tax base? You ask a good question though. What can be done so that more middle class north americans capitalize on the overall economic benefit? In my opinion, we can't thrive off of just highly skilled professional jobs and low paying service positions. The widespread erosion of secondary industry not only eliminates decent paying, low and semi-skilled positions, but also drastically lowers demand for spin off business often serviced by skilled trades. I think the eventual modernization of our energy systems will partially replace some our lost manufacturing jobs. Smart grid construction and maintenance along with local, renewable energy generation and building retrofitting will fill some gaps. Additionally, we could follow the Norwegian example and bank a large portion of the wealth generated through resource extraction. The fund, when used to provide services, helps reduce the wealth gap. Beyond that I'm not sure. Could we incentivize local processing and production without violating trade laws? Possibly encourage vertically integrated co-ops?

I played football at a fairly high level along with hockey and rugby. One of my kids already plays hockey, though thankfully it appears that his skill set will prevent him from playing at the top levels. His head should benefit from a slower pace of play and less ice time than the AAA guys. I absolutely loved football and sorely missed it when I hung up my cleats, but I don't think I want my children to play.

I don't think Tim is claiming that Obama and Ford are the same. The two mean are obviously polar opposites. However, it seems that in desperation for change people can turn politicians into something they're not nor even claim to be. Obama was handed a tough economic and political situation while carrying Superman-like expectations; disappointment was inevitable. Ford was the opposite of David Miller and the public, jonesing for change, was willing to overlook the problem signs. The similarity is that in both cases unrealistic expectations were heaped on the two men. The differences though are endless.

This is another example of how free trade agreements erode the middle class. The company will increase profits and a few people at the top will benefit while at the same time an entire community is devastated. 1,000 workers are directly affected plus the suppliers, plant service businesses and an entire community of shops that will feel the pinch as people are forced to cut back. The loss of livable wage jobs is not offset by saving a buck on t-shirt at Walmart. Property values in the area will fall and local governments will experience shortfalls. Considering, income taxes make up the lion's share of federal revenue, how long can this game continue?

The conservative race to the bottom for the middle class. If only Canadian workers earned third world wages and we scrapped all those ridiculous environmental regulations and safety standards, then all would be right in conservatopia.

I'm not opposed to candy as a treat. My kids eat candy but we make it something special, not just a normal or regular snack. After holidays that now involve large quantities of candy we end of giving away or throwing out the vast majority of the sweets we collect.

Mexico does happen to be either the fattest country in the world...or possibly the second fattest behind the US. They also happen to consume prodigious quantities of sodas. On the surface the tax, if coupled with education and proper product labelling, seems like a good idea to reduce a dangerous level of sugar consumption. However, clean fluid sources in Mexico are hard to find and sodas could at least be counted on to be germ free. Canada doesn't have widespread problems with drinking water so it would be a much better fit here.

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day and Norah Jones have covered "Songs Our Daddy Taught Us", an album of traditional folks sons done by the Everly Brothers in the 50's. Their version is called "Foreverly" and this is the first single. I love covers, especially when artists cross genres.

Frank's misuse of funds didn't embarrass the city on the world stage, nor did it prevent them from operating as usual. I'd say the difference comes from the sheer magnitude of the offenses. Tell me, why do feel the need to defend the guy? The guy is a world class joke. Why not demand he resign and then unquestioningly back the next conservative candidate?

There are several good live performances of this song, but I really like the words and this version displays the lyrics. I once sang a stirring rendition1 of this song in a Rochester pub, in front of clients, after a few too many pints. 1 The opinions expressed by the author of this post almost certainly do not reflect those who witnessed the performance.

It wasn't exactly a story that captivated the masses now was it? The premier didn't have microphones in his face demanding a comment.

Depends on what we mean by more vs better. If you can make more without making life worse then we will be doing things better. If the goal is to simply increase GDP we are just measuring more. GDP is increased by both all the money spent on things that make life better and things that make life worse. To GDP money spent on more gas guzzling cars is no different than money spent on super efficient transport. Money spent locking up inmates in a private jail is no different than money spent educating people. Money spent developing a smart grid and green power is no different than money spent expanding fossil fuel extraction. My point is we don't have to give up on capitalism to incentive better over more. We just have to ensure that the proper regulations and tweaks are in place and that negatives like pollution are priced and not considered externalities. Hence if we incentive safer, healthier, cleaner and more fair capitalism will solve those problems along with the usual hurdles like faster, cheaper and newer. There are barriers to incentivizing 'better' though. The corporate hold on governments for example. Russell's rant highlighted some of these issues and hence we are discussing potential ways to combat the problems that strip power from we the people.

A carbon tax would be the most efficient way to reduce carbon pollution while reducing the potential for corruption.