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ReeferMadness

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Everything posted by ReeferMadness

  1. ReeferMadness
    All right! Now we'll have 2 things to celebrate on October 19! Don't let the door hit your butt on the way out.
  2. ReeferMadness
    And yet they still manage to understand that there is something wrong with giving corporations privileged, extrajudicial access to suing countries. Imagine that. Somehow, in all the cheer leading and echo-chambers that drown out any intelligent debate in this country, that never comes up.
  3. ReeferMadness
    Yeah. Have you noticed that CETA, which Harper also signed to enormous fanfare, hasn't been ratified? Why do you suppose that is? It turns out that Europe, where they still believe in democracy, isn't so crazy about the investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms that give corporations more rights than their own citizens. Imagine that. So, now we have the same provision in TPP. Is this a way of corralling the Europeans and forcing them into a NAFTA style deal? Our lazy, right wing press are presenting these trade deals as a balance of interests between countries. That's deeply misleading to the point of being wrong. The balance that is really being affected is between ordinary citizens, national governments and multi-national corporations.
  4. ReeferMadness
    Those who can, think. Those who can't, worry about niqabs.
  5. ReeferMadness
    Morally wrong? You mean like changing election laws to disenfranchise people who are unlikely to vote for you? Or cheating on elections? Or sucking power away from elected representatives and giving it to unelected hangers on? Or bribing a sitting senator? You know what's really morally wrong? Supporting a guy who practises race-baiting politics because you think he puts money in your pockets.
  6. ReeferMadness
    A group of 587 academics has written an open letter taking the Conservatives to task for their divisive politics and the use of vicious propaganda. Time to go, Harper. You're way beyond your "best before" date and your government is starting to smell. Maybe the Conservative supporters on this board can't figure it out but the academics aren't fooled.
  7. ReeferMadness
    I'll vote for that. :D
  8. ReeferMadness
    Ummm - because there wasn't even a PMO in Canada before the 70's?
  9. ReeferMadness
    It would be an honest reflection of the sad reality we're in. A broken voting system and a morally bankrupt government.
  10. ReeferMadness
    What pros? What cons? I've seen almost no usable information on this deal but Harper and right wing economists are in overdrive assuring me that it's wonderful. Excuse me if I'd like to make up my own mind. No, I think the people should be preserved no matter what. Have you noticed that nobody in this election is even talking about the record numbers of homeless people and people living in poverty in this country? Everyone is talking about the middle class, whatever that is. And you're skirting the issues. Why are we compensating corporations when it's the individuals that will be worst hit? And why are we giving foreign Corporations rights that Canadian citizens don't have? And why are corporate interests included in the negotiations but nobody else? Really? I'll just run down to the food bank and tell everyone in line that they can go get these mysterious retraining programs, whatever they are. They'll be driving Porsches in no time.
  11. ReeferMadness
    I don't make car parts or milk cows so I guess I don't have a problem. Is that your point? Maybe I should be like the rest you and shrug my shoulders and say, "Hey guys. Sux that ex-bosses got big payouts and you got nothing. But hurry down to the food bank - they might still have something!". Maybe it shouldn't bother me that governments are off in secret, negotiating an agreement that give foreign corporations more rights than Canadian citizens. Maybe I should like it that corporations were involved in the talks even as labour groups, environmental groups and the rest of us were kept in the dark. Or maybe... you guys should wake up and give a shit about what's going on in the world
  12. ReeferMadness
    And who feels that? Even better, where is the analysis of that? I've heard lots of feel good statements from all kinds of people but no real information from anyone.
  13. ReeferMadness
    You mean how Ethyl Corp (the good folks who figured out how to put lead in gasoline) got $20 million because we wouldn't let them use the MMT additive (which was banned in California)? Or how about Bilcon, who is currently suing us for $300 million because the environmental assessment thought it wasn't a great idea to build a quarry in the Bay of Fundy? Do you guys even know about the investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms that were in NAFTA and are now in the TPP? They supersede the courts and give the decision to a tribunal of private sector trade lawyers. The process is conducted in private and there is no appeal. NAFTA chapter 11 has made Canada the most sued country in the world. But hey. The important thing is that we don't worry about people who milk cows for a living. They need to sink or swim.
  14. ReeferMadness
    So, again, why compensate anyone? You and and Michael clearly don't give 2 craps about the poor people who could easily find themselves on the street. Why is it OK to compensate the business owners? Huh. And where exactly is that cost benefit analysis? Maybe Harper gave it to you because I haven't seen it.
  15. ReeferMadness
    Then why compensate anyone?
  16. ReeferMadness
    Yeah. Cuz we all know there are only 2 options in the world - Dickensian capitalism or Soviet communism. Please sir - can I have some more?
  17. ReeferMadness
    Yeah. Cow milkers, who probably make something close to minimum wage and likely don't have a wealth of marketable skills, will qualify for a few months of employment insurance payments. Partayyy!!! Whereas, the business owners, who are much more likely to have assets and wealth, don't. You're entitled to your opinion that the business owners deserve help but the workers don't. I wonder what the Canadian public would think.
  18. ReeferMadness
    So, you're saying that it's OK to compensate the owner/operators and let the workers sink or swim?
  19. ReeferMadness
    Illegitimate? It's your vote - do with it what you will. There are a number of Conservative supporters on MLW whose statements indicate that they support Harper because they are greedy and selfish; and at least one has come right out and said so. Personally, I have benefited from Harper tax measures, as have millions of others. If I voted simply on my own short term self interest, I'd need to go and take down all the mirrors in my house because I couldn't look at myself. I believe in bigger things. There's nothing wrong with voters forming blocs and coalitions but that's not exactly what is going on here. It's depressing to sit here and ask people to cast their ballot for someone they don't like to stop someone they really dislike. Voting should be a positive affirmation, not an exercise if fear and distaste. My hope is that the NDP will, as a condition of supporting the Liberals, make them implement PR instead of AV. Then we won't have to debate strategic voting in the future.
  20. ReeferMadness
    I normally despise strategic voting but there is a time and place for everything. And this is it.
  21. ReeferMadness
    This should make Conservative voters think. But nothing else has so I doubt it.
  22. ReeferMadness
    More proof of Harper dishonesty. During the debates, Harper crowed that his was the first government that saw lower GHG emissions. How much of it was due to his government. According Professor Mark Jaccard, none.
  23. ReeferMadness
    It was enacted but not enforced until now.
  24. ReeferMadness
    I've read a number of articles that say, there will be little difference at the grocery store. American milk contains growth hormones and it's not legal to sell in Canada.
  25. ReeferMadness
    Only if they're not too bright. The money goes to the "industry" but it's the workers that will be most affected. What is "the industry"? In the case of dairy farmers, it probably means that they will have their quotas purchased by the government and retired. What happens to the workers? In the case of the auto industry what does it even mean? The auto industry consists mainly of global corporations. This deal just lets them move more of their production to wherever labor is cheapest.
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