madmax

This isn't the first Conservative that has located a progressive vision. However, in this case, the person is no longer a Conservative. However, this sums up alot of the "lets go after the poor" and ignore those who steal millions or billions and prosper with government handouts to the tune of millions and billions. Its simply a matter of whom, do you want to target and the weak are easy targets. Sound Familiar?

Hyundai had a huge bailout, massive bailout, to big to fail bailout some decades ago. Shhh, they got Federal Canadian Money too. But the situation for Toyota was not bankruptcy, just visions of being the #1 automaker, heading into the worst recession, and a failure to recognize that when people lose their jobs, the last thing they buy is a new car. Toyota made a strategic mistake, but not an unrecoverable one. It exposed some of the flaws in Toyotas decision making and the move away from producing vehicles that were already spoken for in the market.

While I find the acronym worthy of industry today. The rest of your comments is ignorant bunk. I have many companies that have been lean producers for over 15 years. Others who have made the change to lean in the past 2 years. It makes little difference in the final decision regarding the closure of an operation. I am currently working with a Toyoto company that is moving its lean production operation to an American Location where the current plant has not implemented any Lean, 5S or 6 Sigma or any program of anykind ever. It is also not unionized. There are other factors involved and they are political. And this is one company, that when the work is contracted out, I am not certain if it will be a lean operation or not. Lean is not always cheap. Lean is sometimes mistaken for bottomline cuts, or the lowest common denominator and some of the more expensive changes are often bypassed, which can make more efficient long term benefits. This is left with management and COOs. However, a significant part of my operations deal with India as much as other Asian countries. And if you pay attention to the current Ford Shutdown, it is because of a near nationwide strike (I use that term lightly as it is more like a rebellion) that happened.... in India. If it were only so easy as the elimination of unions, then the problem would be the easiest fix in Canadian History. However, this isn't Mythbusters, so you can continue to hold your opinion, just remember it is based upon no facts. Again, in my Region since March of this year, I have seen the relocation of 12 operations of which 3 were unionized and 2 went out kicking and screaming, the other received a very golden handshake, while of the other 9 only one went down with any kind of fight. The difference is at the time of closure, a Union is likely to get a better deal in the situation be it a bankruptcy manuever or a clean harmonious closure. If its ugly, the Union will fight, if its ugly and non union, then the ability to organize a lockdown to receive anykind of severance has to be supported by the Middle management and usually the Branch Manager. Otherwise, expect the Police to eliminate the protest within hours. I find your comments about robots to be funny. I recall being in the various automotive facilities in southern ontario. Right, I saw no robots

Ah shit. I have to agree with you in this thread too... I forgot your Auto background. Right.... Taxis too. Taxi companies find the Crown Vic to be one of the very best. Oh yeah, you get a Crown Vic on your tail and a surprise is coming if you think you are going to pull distance while speeding. I just find the car.....erm.... Ugly.

WildBill.We have to stop agreeing like this.... Seriously, you have hit the nail on the head. Everything you have put forth above is easily verifiable to anyone who takes the time to look into situations that you describe above.

Please sir can I have some more

I have followed the stimulus spending bonanza. Communities had many of these projects underway and in the works. The biggest barrier to their implementation was the current CPC government. However, once the CPC opened up the floodgates, and the LPC said SPEND AND SPEND FAST, the municipalities who already had the Province MPPs and government bodies on board, where able to go ahead quickly with programs that were approved. It wouldn't matter the stripe of the riding, more the activities of the municipalties and how deep they wanted to go in debt. Many didn't want to go in debt as covering their 1/3 is a big price tag. However some Counties and municipalities, looked at the federal stimulus monies as a now or never option and went for the now and worry about paying for it later. Also in the last 15 years, infrastructure spending was weak. I know of a county regarding a massive expenditure on bridge reconstruction. And while the county council is made up of CPC and LPC members, it wouldn't have mattered whether the MP was an LPC or a CPC, because they were ready to go and had made it a local election issue in the federal campaign. I recall their enthusiam when the CPC went from frugal to spendthrifts. Regardless, rural communities like other city municipalities have to come up with their share. And while I see that they often get to the first 50% of their funding pretty easily, it is the final 20% that is the hardest to get. I don't see this as an Urban/Rural issue. I see it as those willing to go into debt to get some things accomplished while the monies there to be had.

The Federal public sector, union protected employee, is pointing fingers. A Public sector union keeps your wages high. Regardless, if I had to take "welfare" away from the mulitudes of people you claim to be "healthy, Energetic, and remove them from the safety net. I can assure you that many of those energetic people may not have reached the heights of success in their careers today. Some of the first people to go on welfare are University grads, broke, not enough work experience to qualify for EI, and quite frankly no employment in their fields, sometimes for many months and sometimes for longer then a year. If I had to take away the welfare from, a young woman of 18 years of age, and prevent her from going to highshool, (As happened in the Harris regime, shortly after this event), this woman would not have went on to University along with OSAP Grants, Loans, and Burseries. She would not have went on to law school, and if I could take this part back I would, gone onto mergers and aquisitions in the corporate world to be one of the most significant global trotting pirates of today. Regardless, this person is looked upon as a huge success story, amongst her family, a family that saw her younger siblings not receive the same benefits as she did, only a few years afterwards. They went on to great careers in criminal activity, and learned the ins and outs of petty theft from other well trained criminals. A different form of energy expenditure, if you will.I know many skilled people, how when out of school and in and out of their apprenticeships had to resort to welfare as an income support. No, its never talked about. But its true. Construction workers are often in and out of the welfare ranks, as they are sub contractors. When its good its good, and when its bad its very bad. When I was a construction worker, I saw many people in and out of difficulties and aided by the safety net. Today some are owners of some very powerful companies. But you would never know their backgrounds unless you worked with them in the past. Man has no natural enemies. Mankind is the natural enemy to Lions, Elephants, Whales etc. Many animals have been wiped out and are extinct because of mans actions. There are no buffalo. Perhaps you consider this a good thing. Actually, we put a system in place that allowed many in the "weaker herd" to break their bondage and become free. There has been a trend in the past 15years to undermine that and make it more difficult for those people from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed. We had greater success in the past then we do today. Yet there are always good people willing to help out and pick up the slack. Today that person seems to be Grandma who runs the church basement meals. It is my opinion that we help all children, regardless of their economic background, in order for them to reach the true potential. Only a fool believes we can better a childs life by taking away food and shelter. And its a petty person believes that by feeding, clothing and sheltering a child, that somehow this disadvantages someone else. None of which surprises me coming from you. I find your opinion to be a sheltered one. Shall we queue up the iceflow for you upon your retirement?

Sounds like your a little too spoiled with that government paycheck. To lazy to shovel your own driveway and sidewalk? What I find interesting, is that I know a good number of people on OW, and during this recession, I have watched as people denied EI have had to use the Welfare system. I still have more respect for these people then I do for you. Your a lazy government worker with too much time on your hands. That's why you can bitch and complain so much about the little things. However, to be courteous. You can hire a servant to do all your chores and domestic hardships. Just ask this person how to get em cheap. You both seem to have the same mindset. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Dhalla

And your point is.... Seriously.... Insulting the government is understood. The CF on the ground do as much and agree about the fancy speeches and BS. The only insult of CF I recall of recent came from Fox "news"

Funny. Afghanistan has a strong history of keeping out unwanteds. Stronger then any other nation. The history suggests it is easy to go in and painful to stay. Afghanistan has also been able to fight wars for 30 years consecutive. I am surprised to believe, that the country that is known for its self determination and ability to field armies through tribal alliances has been unable to do so with the prescence of a powerful western force after 8 years. The Taliban were able to control 90% of the country without a foreign prescence on the ground. The Taliban were routed as a government in 2001. And the population was to be thrilled by their removal. So thrilled that this independant country can't field an army. I talk to enough people going back and forth. Can't say that they agree with you. THey are only doing their job.

What legislation is that? Could be, but I thought Nova Scotia privatized power along time ago. I'd like to see the restrictions that hold it at 15%.

I am a Mopar fan. However, the Crown Vic is one of the best service vehicles going. Comparing maintenance costs the Crown Vic surprised the heck out of me on savings. I had no idea how robust this car was. As for its commercial appeal. It never appealed to me.

No, I am actually understating much of the Harris period. Perhaps worse of all, however, is that the errors of Harris are diverting a conversation about a government that is adrift. Which is why the current Ontario Liberals continue to receive a free ride. I do think some of Mr Hardners posts are somewhat overly passionate, but, that is one reaction that is triggered from numerous people when it comes down to the Harris era. However, that said, I agree with him, that we haven't had "good government" for some time. The same is said of the Rae era. And both governments also went in directions we had no business in going. Whereas the current government is triple worse then the Rae government for fiscal spending, and triple worse then the Harris government for scandals. However it is also doubly immune from criticism as it has a teflon coating as voters remember both the Heir and the other style of governments of the past. THus, the reality is today, you still have no choice. And if you are serious about the Harris Government, then you can vote for the people who were behind Harris and currently stand beside Hudak. That would be your alternative based upon your comments. Meanwhile.... I like you sig. Flaherty has some splaining to do, no doubt.

There has been a running thread on Afghanistan for as long as I have been on MLW. You answer to a short question is short, brief and unfortuneately, over simplistic. Everyone needs to go back and read through those threads. Then things will be as clear as mud.

Selling the house to pay the mortgage is fiscal stupidity. Harris was not the sharpest tool in the shed. He was also a polarizing individual. Then there were the clowns like Snobelen who believed that he should be paid like a corporate executive as an MPP. He also believed the public should be happy he is out of the country in his ranch because he can take care of things with his cell phone. They were a bunch of hyporcrits, and very much into fine dining and entitlements. (someone who saw through this was Bill Murdoch, who was begining to show a strong independant streak) But what I don't like about Harris, "the straight shooter" is that he wasn't. He was a coward who hung the police force out to dry. So whatever you think of Ipperwash, the fact is, Harris ran away like a coward, and engaged in denial. However, the handing of the ETR is indicative of the overall competence of the Harris Conservatives. Idealogical boneheads focused on short term gains for long term pain. It was Harris who then put the fear into industry by tossing out Ontarios hidden gem. Low cost power to industry. Industry just got screwed in California and Harris was bringing in the left coast nightmare to Ontario. He stepped aside for Ernie Eves, but ever since, hydro has been a lost file of consective PC and Liberal Governments. While every government has their good points, and even the 3 stooges governments have provided some measure of good programs ideas or direction, Ontario has not been served well for nearly 20 years.

This has been in the works for sometime. Its not good for the families. What do you want the government to do? Don't worry, Ford got their tax cuts, and the employees will all be offered retraining on the hopes they won't take it up. There is a discussion going around in circles right now. Last Spring.... Diane Finley was stated that EI was lucrative and she wouldn't pay people to stay home on the couch. Of course there are far more out of work then jobs available. So, government has gone superbig on retraining. And then this shocking discovery. Retraining costs a pile of money and they really don't have it. So, the government has discovered that people not able to find work and on the couch will take them up on retraining and break the bank. So, now the government is going to restrict training because people are going to school instead of trying to look for work. And they believe it is better to pay people to stay home and collect EI rather then retrain them. Ofcourse only a small small percentage are able to take retraining, do to personal circumstances, or seats available in facilities. What do you do when the courses you want to take are full for the next two years as you find you are competeting with highschool grads for the same openings. But retraining sounds great to those of us working. It sounds like we are taking care of the poor stupid unemployed people. The only problem now is that we afford to retrain 2% of those laid off let alone the other 98% and the EI fund is dry. ST. Thomas is going to be in difficulty and quite frankly, its not only where the government has been, but the rank and file of union shops have been living in a bubble while they work and other lose their jobs. It is the working rank and file who have to stand up. And they are not doing anything until it is them and by then it is way, way, way , way too late. Manegement knows what is happening and cannot prevent or change these corporate decisions made in another country. They want to see more action from workers on the shop floor getting involved and speaking up. I don't see it.... and if the politicians don't see it, and rank and file don't care..... Well then, the jobs will continue to leave, as they have been since the CPC and Ontario Liberals came into power.

I just thought I should pull this up......from the past....about as close as I come to making a prediction.

Angus Reid Poll released in full today. CPC with 14 point lead CPC = 40 LPC = 26 ndp 17 BQ= 9 GP =7

To be certain, the Public Education system has been a mess since the coming of Mike Harris. Quality of education has not been improved. Teacher testing and student testing is a joke. As for the shifting of the burden of education and downloading every other service to the municipalities, the municipalities got the raw end of the deal, most of all property owners. I do mimic the previous poster about the 3 stooges majorities.

I doubt in each case sighted, any political party has created a protest in the gallery. I have seen similar outbursts in a courtroom. Many observers often cannot restrain their emotions. Just because one is invited, doesn't mean that each person offers responsible behaviour. While this story has died down, I found a few comments of interest. 1) the NDP have offered no support for the protestor activities. There is anger among the protestors because Jack Layton apparently sat down during the disturbance and didn't wave or nod or acknowledge them. (Reading this on a blog) 2) Elizabeth May came out with full praise for the behavior, immediately after the incident. I personally have little problem with outburst from the gallery. They get to voice their displeasure with government, as many people would like to do, and then they get arrested for doing so, as many people would not like to do. Apparently they got lots of press, which is what this stunt was intended to do. And it appears more people accept youth doing youthful activites then get themselves all worked up. You'd think you didn't live through the 60s...... or did you hallucinate past that decade

Or Kraft dinner, as also happened not to long ago. The flying boxes of KD. I didn't know these recent protesters had weapons, such as teddy bears, KD or IED, I just thought they used their vocal chords? Do you have a report that assault weapons were found on the arrested?

I believe the intent of the CPC is to campaign on the political subsidies not bring down the government over it. What was petty about the effort last fall is that the party made no mention during the campaign of their intent. And thus political parties borrowed against the projected subsidies and would have the rug pulled out from under them. However, it did wakeup the LPC in that they should raise their own monies. As for the NDP apparently, all this negative press, about money, low polling numbers and such have proven a red herring for the quarter. The NDP poll numbers are steady and traditional. And from this report, their fund raising just hit an all time high in a non election period. http://www.punditsguide.ca/2009/10/ndp-sco...3rd-quarter.php

How is Argus opinion worse then the actions of the LPC? And it would appear that you have a personal habit of reducing the discussion with such terms as "Your Boy" when having a discusion on the forum. Argus cannot be rehabilitated and we are all pretty used to when the conversation is off the rails and personal. No need for you to respond in a similar manner or treat others with such disrespect.

Two for two in the last two posts