Average Joe
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Posts posted by Average Joe
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That's not true. About half of the budget goes to personnel, including administration. That's actually lower than places like the Netherlands.
My bad, the way I read it was a lot of wasted money for dead wood personal. I wish I could find it again but my head hurts from all those cars at the Honda Indy buzzing around in my ears.
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While the death of the Arrow was indeed a blow for Canadian aviation, the resulting brain drain to the USA wasn't without its good points.
Ok I read that and can't figure out who you think it was good for. The way I read it, it was a great day for Uncle Sam and the Space program when the Arrow was cancelled. Bad for us.
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I would like to see the military we have equipped with the best possible equipment there is out there. Whether you agree with the war or not, parties from both sides of the fence have sent our troops into harms way. It is only fair that you give them all the best chance to do whatever job they are asked to do and be able to make it home when they are done. Living a stones throw away from the Highway of Heroes, I am reminded often that a motorcade represents the loss of life to a young person fighting on behalf of me, reguardless of the politics, right or wrong. I just hope that the equipment they are given is not the difference between life and death.
I wish I could find a story I read a while back. It was talking about the Defence budget. I believe it stated our military is very top heavy, the ratio of Generals to troops was very high and over half the budget went to administration in Ottawa. I believe we were the highest by far compared to other Western Nations. Typical Canadian, more paper pushers than people actually working. Maybe this is where we could get some extra money with in the existing budget.
Canada has gotten lazy over the years because we live right next to the biggest superpower. I think it has been policy from both sides to cut back on the military knowing that if anything were to happen the US would not just stand there and watch. I also think if they didn't scrap the Arrow all those years ago we would be leaders in the world developing airplanes and who knows what else and the jobs to go with it, both blue and white collar.
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The fact is market competition in a slow economy will mean businesses will pass on the cost savings to consumers.
Just like they did when the GST replaced the Manufacturers Tax. Things sure did change back then.
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Some say Ignatieff blinked.
Harper was looking to go to an election before May on some pretense and tried to make sure that those that opposed him were crippled. What he didn't count on was the Opposition telling him no and saying the focus should be on the economy.
Harper fought for the job, made the Opposition blink and now he is probably wondering if it was worth
But who? A few on the right have said there might not be anyone to hold the present Tories together after he is gone.
You could always runs yourself.
The provinces were not compelled to lower taxes and cut services themselves. They wanted the Feds to pay all the bills?
I often hear this same refrain that all politicians suck. It often follows with a rant against everyone at some point.
If you are the best person for the job, step up and run.
Please remember the rules of this forum and avoid calling any of the namecalling for parties or individuals. It just degenerates a thread.
As far as the Liberals go, I have indicated where I think they have gone wrong. I still believe that Harper will drive us deeper into deficit with his spending.
-Interesting way to look at the game of chicken thing. I'm not sure about that but it is something to chew on.
- Who takes over the Tories? Good question, everyone seems to be a carbon copy of each other. No one stands out.
- I can't run myself, it would be too hard for me to keep all the lies straight. I couldn't run by saying I will not raise taxes and then turn around call it something else while keeping a straight face like my premier in Ont. He only got one vote outta me after that one.
-Yes the provinces needed to cut down as well as cities but Johnny didn't cut anything he just kept money for the feds. I would have had more respect for him if they cut back as well but he had to play the shell game and he did a great job of it. He had everyone screaming at Harris in Ont for all their problems. He did a great snow job, I guess that and some of those government extra's for his little piece of Quebec kept him in office all those years. Good for him, he played the game well.
- Not all politican's suck, the problem is the good ones are outnumbered by the self serving ones. Again I am far from the best person for the job but If I could get elected twice I'd be set for life. Maybe I should think about it and join the crowd at the trough.
May be I'm waiting for our own rock & roll pop culture Obama like guy or gal to appear on Opra and claim our nation in a couple of years and take us to the promused land just like it has happened down there .-Harper, Iggy or Dion would have driven us into deep deficits in this recession. Jack would have killed us. People are screaming for them to do something. Doing something is spending money you don't have. Everyone should have asked the Honourable Bob Rae (which party is he with this week?) how it worked for him in the 90's?
- The whole name calling thing was an accident, honest! The F and L are so close on the keyboard I must have hit the wrong one.
Was that good enough to be a politican or should I keep my day job?
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Max,
I guess you missed my point. I'm talking about people taking avantage of the situation, not culling the herd. I still see it all the time.
The place I was talking about had two or three guys with time in, out of about fifteen. They knew they were "safe" from layoff's, did hardly anything all day and waved it in front of everyone's face. They were laid off and the union got their jobs back and had to let some juniors go instead. You should have seen how big their heads got. They watched them like hawks until they screwed up and pocketed some stuff, two of the three were canned, union argued mildly because it was "just a couple of bucks". Guess what the third guy smartened up real quick watching his buddies walking out the door. They were so full of themselves up until then it was sickening.
Protecting a guy that has been around a while, IF he does his job, I have no problem with that. It's when they use the union as a "bodyguard" to protect their A**es while taking advantage of a workplace is just wrong.
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I looked at the details of the tax rebate in the budget. It's interesting that the last installment of the rebate will be paid in June 2011, three months before the next Ontario election.
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/budget/on...009/bk_tax.html
(my emphasis)
Good (election) planning Dalton. I can picture him reminding voters that it was thanks to his government that Ontarians has a little extra cash for summer vacation. <chuckle>
Come on you don't actually think they would be that sneeky do you?
:lol: Giving me back my own money for summer vacation sounds good to me. Hopefully we will all have jobs to take a summer vacations from.
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If he didn't spent like crazy we'd be having an election? Is that what you are saying?
If the economy picks up, it is the Tories that will benefit. The only problem for them is the deficits that seem to stretch to several years according to the Finance department.
We see blame for all this falling on the Liberals from people here and all over Tory blogs.
Certainly it was to the provinces. And what did they do? Reduce taxes and pass it on to the municipalities.
You can do that now. Just declare bankruptcy.
Harper loves to borrow too.
Harper has been spending like crazy since 2006 even when there was no sign of recession or downturn. He broke every promise he made to be fiscally conservative. He had a surplus coming into office. The one thing people will remember when he leaves is that he left a deficit.
- Ya that's what I'm saying. He was threatened to spend or else look for another job. But I think they were all scared to try it, seeing we just had an election. An amazing game of chicken between Harper and Iggy. Harper blinked.
-I really don't think Harper will benefit if things turn around. He's had his chance, hasn't done a good job and needs to take his golden pension and walk into the sunset. Let someone else give her a try.
-I blame Liberals and Tories for screwing up this country for as long as I can remember. Each blaming the other for the sorry state we are in, neither taking a bold step to fix anything that is wrong. Both always just tinker with problems, they make some minor changes to placate us and it is business as usual. The welfare of this country is never at the top of their agenda's, staying in power at all costs or getting there is. Why else would one party just appoint a leader without a convention and the other call an election because the pollsters say now's a good time and your best chance.They are the main parties and they know it. Jack was an idiot in Toronto and now he has a national soap box to make a bigger fool of himself. Green party? Please! BQ should be shot for treason, until they run people in the majority of ridings across this country and not look out for just one province.
-So by just lowering transfer payments and keeping the money to balance his own books you think John Boy did a great job? No matter how you shake the stick my life was not improved by his actions because all he did was shift the anger of higher taxes from government to government. In the end my taxes for the house went up and so did my provincial taxes but John Boy got to stand up and say look at "our" books they are balanced and I'm suppose to be happy about that? It's just a big shell game and in your eyes they were to be praised. How about fixing the problem and not unloading it onto someone else but that is the way we are these days. If you have a problem start looking around for someone else to blame because the poor thing's are not responsible for what ill's them.
-It would take a tough person to put the welfare of the country ahead of their own goals to fix things. Too many people sucking the teet of the nanny state would be upset and damn it they watch those poll's and try to make people happy. Good luck finding one in today's Politically Correct world.
-As many have already stated Harper has not done a good job but you seem to think the Fiberials can do no wrong and that blind fanaticism is scary. I've voted for both in the past and I can't be that fanatic about one party. What kind of alcohol is in that kool-aid anyway?
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Not all governments are going into deficit. Harper didn't have to let this happen but he couldn't control his spending. He didn't think to have a reserve fund.
And if he didn't we would be back to the polls AGAIN wasting more money.
Are you seriously suggesting that Harper should have had a "reserve fund" of thirty or forty billion dollars each year just in case he might need it for something?Like, oh, this massive stimulous budget which your party threatened to overthrow the government if it didn't bring in? Which your party was pulling its hair out, screaming and gnashing its teeth and running around in circles screaming in angushin for?
You guys are such flaming bloody hypocrites. You started this thing in Afghanistan, and as soon as you were in opposition you started pompously demanding the Conservatives end it. You demanded, absolutely demanded a huge stimulous package, and right away you're already snivelling about it and weasling out of responsibility and blaming it on the Tories.
Of course, that was the plan all along. If things turn around they can take credit that it was LCP's input to force the spending to make everything better and if it didn't they just say 'don't look at me it's his fault', they are running the joint. Liberals are sitting in the catbird seat politically, either way they win.
All this blaming of the Liberals for everything gone wrong is so laughable that it defies belief and it is probably why the latest poll yesterday has the Liberals a point ahead of the Tories.I don't blame them at all, someone is spinning this and it is working pretty good for them.
Last I remember the Liberals left things pretty good for the incoming government. :lol: On the backs of the provinces, reducing transfer payments. That's OK that Mike guy in Ont will take the heat for us.I wish I could just reduce the amount I owe on a whim. Sure would make my books look a lot better just telling anyone I owe to take what I give you and be happy about it.
I can't the Liberals wanting a deficit. I think people will remember they are the party of balanced budgets. Selective memory again. Pierre loved to borrow, that's what got us in this mess long ago.Jdobbin the difference is negligible. I'm not defending the spending increases, I'm saying that Martin did no better.It's never been my mission to convince you that Harper was a frugal PM. He's not. It's been my mission to dispel the myth that somehow Liberals are naturally more prudent financial managers.
Granted, Chretien turned around the disastrous policies Pierre Trudeau started and Mulroney never fixed, but you can't cling to that still as evidence that current Liberals are also good at managing budgets. I have tried to show you that Paul Martin's spending policies were just as bad as Harper's. 14.0% is only 0.8% better than 14.8%. It's a meaningless difference.
Given that Martin was spending at almost the exact same rate that Harper did, it's foolish for you to imply that under a Liberal government we would have somehow avoided the deficit we're facing today. The previous Liberal government spent just as much money as the current Conservative government and the election dialogue in October indicated that this was a policy set to continue.
When the Liberals threaten to bring down the government for not doing enough (spending) to stimulate the economy and then they sign on to a $30B stimulus package, the only way you're going to convince anyone the Liberals could have or would have avoided a deficit is if you live in Magical Fantasy Land.
If you're serious about wanting to avoid a deficit you DO NOT sign a $30B stimulus package. You're dubious opinion seems somehow to be that the Liberals WANTED stimulus spending, but not $30B of it, although they're totally fine signing for it????
You are banging your head against a wall, their need to sugar coat everything is unreal. Harper is far from great but all these people seem to think the LPC can do no wrong at anytime in history. That is what drives me nuts. If your guy isn't that great don't fall all over yourself twisting things to make them seem great. No one is perfect but you wouldn't know it around here.
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Oh for heaven's sake! We whine on and on about efficiency in government, and reduction of beaurocracy... and then when someone actually does it, whine some more.
Frankly, the government is quite welcome to the money it collects from me on all the new houses , feminine hygiene products and childrens clothing I plan to buy over the next few years, so long as it is costing retailers and government less to collect it, and the savings are remitted right back to me... which is exactly what a harmonized, rebating system does.
I'm no fan of McGuinty- think he's a freaking joke, as a matter of fact- but even a blind dog finds a bone now and again.
Do you actually believe they are going to get rid of the deadwood, hell no they will just move them around to other departments. The public sector unions would scream bloody murder if they laid anyone off during these times, that only happens in the private sector
. Do you really believe the retailers are going to help you out and lower the prices because of this, ya right, the stock holders will be happy I'm sure. Every little bit helps their bottom line. I hope you are right about government and retailers remitting the savings back to us but I wouldn't hold my breath. It's just another tax grab just like the health "Premium" that was to improve our health care. -
Very nice summation Wild Bill. I too believe someone should take the reins who is different than the Fiberals. Give people a clear choice between parties and see where the cards fall, trying to be something for everyone doesn't seem to work.
Call Harris what you want but he did what he said he was going to do and I respect that more than anything even if I didn't agree with all of it. We need more politicians to do just that, this crap of telling me that it is raining as you are pissing on my leg is getting old. Tell me what you stand for and let the chips fall where they may but human nature will not let them, they need to lie and cheat the achieve their own personal goals of power.
All parties seem to change with the wind on policies to make sure they are still popular.
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He may have done that , but then again, so do thousands of people , everyday and twice on Sunday.(at least they do with cigs)
He could have done lots of things to get the guy smoking pot to do it elsewhere. I suspect there was some bad blood between them, and as such, the smoker dug in his heels, idiot that he is.
He probably was a smug jerk, but he has the law on his side. He was medicinally prescribed the pot, and smoking outside is not against the law.......although we are moving that way.
If someone doesnt like the smell in public, move away. I dont like the smell of roofing tar , nor buses, nor diesel engines and car exhaust....please do it elsewhere. Do you think that works?
"No but do you run to the HRC because your nose was offended, of course not."
See above.
What right was violated?
"To feel secure maybe."
All I'm saying is if people took others into consideration once and a while the world would be a better place.
This me first and the hell with the rest of you society of ours will not allow it to happen though. -
double post.
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Including colour , creed or sex?
Why not? I have no problem with black organizations.
I googled it and came up with this page.
http://www.littleafrica.com/resources/organizations.htm
The only white organizations I could find had something to do with being a supremacist or an aryan.
No society of White Engineers, White Filmmakers Hall of Fame, White Womens Network or even Harvard White Law Students Associations.
So should I go and Cry to the HRC that my rights are being trampled on because African Americans/Canadians have their own clubs or Associations and I feel discriminated against. NO but if the shoe was on the other foot watch out Al Sharpton would be all over you. Double standard what's new.
What about Curves, the exercise place? It's women only, that's not right you can't do that, maybe I should call HRC and see if I can't fix that. What the hell it wont cost me anything the HRC will pay for everything and if it doesn't work out for me, oh well. They go out off business because of legal fees and I walk away being a S***disturber.
Great System.....
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So how would you fix this?
In the restaurant example the guy out of spite lit up at the front doors. I as a smoker would never dream of pulling that crap with a regular smoke let alone a joint. My late father would have cuffed me up side the head for being rude and inconsiderate to others. They interviewed him on a Toronto radio station and he came across pretty smug and entitled to do whatever he likes, whenever he felt like it. What about some consideration for those around you. If I am in MY car or house I can smoke to my hearts content but while in public lighting up where ever I feel like it is not fair to those that have never started or have stopped.
What about the rights of the women in the gym? Why does the rights of one out weigh the rights of many?
I guess thinking of others has gone out the window in this selfish society of ours.
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That's the problem with these things, a business owner has to defend himself out of his own pocket to this mickey mouse witch hunt with no downside to the complaining party. If he goes out of business because of it to bad??????? He should be able to go after the government for legal fees if he wins but he won't, the deck is stacked against him. The commission needs these complaints to justify their existence.
Settlement? "was then asked to offer a settlement to the transsexual." Right there they lost me, if your rights were stomped on and you feel so strongly about it, money should have nothing to do with this unless you are just looking for a quick buck at the expense of someone else.
Sounds like someone is looking for the money tree and they will magically no longer feel their rights have been abused. Surprised?
Sounds just as good as the one around Toronto a year or so ago.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/585012
I'm sure there are valid complaints and the reason you don't hear about them is because they are valid. Just another example of people milking the system and no one has a pair to put a stop to it.
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And you know that HOW? HMM???
If it wasn't for unions you'd still be slaving for $4/hr with no OHIP.
Count you blessings 'private' one, that you live in a province with strong unions.
Unions in the day were a good thing.
All they are good for these days is breeding entitlement and with that laziness follows. I see it everyday, people with seniority D-Fing all day long while juniors do all the work. The most senior guy was flaunting it and paid with his job because he took (stole) a 2 dollar fitting and was caught. Looks good on him, if he pulled his weight no one would have cared. He admitted taking the stupid 2 dollar part ( exact words "I took it so what, it only worth 2 bucks!"), they charged him with theft and fired him. The union ranted about it but in the end he's gone and might even have a record to boot.
I applaud the employer for coming up with a creative way of getting the dead wood gone. But that's what unions have done in the work place these days, no incentive to work hard or even do your fair share if you have seniority because if there are lay-off's the junior guy gets shown the door not the hard working guys at the top.
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How long has it been since the last teachers' strike? Can't remember. Seems like a few years or maybe even before the last Ontario election. Just goes to show how long relationships can last without being intentionally confrontational. With a Conservative government, there's been strikes and demonstrations every six months.
The teachers unions have gone head to head with every party, the NDP (Bobby Rae), The Tories (Mike Harris) and now the Liberals and Dalton offered them double digits. Still not enough.
What's the common theme? Greedy unions shouting WE WANT MORE! We have a tough job, take the summer off and recover at the cottage why don't you. Give me a break you are not the only ones with a tough job.
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Of course I'll probably get tongue tied and slip in my drool, or at least that's what you think I'll do, right?
I just find him very fascinating as an individual and find nothing in his education or life experience that would inhibit his ability to lead this country.
:lol: Thank you for the laugh. First sentence.I'm glad you have great admiration for the man, I wish I could say the same about anyone. As far as I am concerned all the party's and their leaders are disappointing in one way or another. Unfortunately for me Iggy doesn't pass the gut test, I don't believe he is back in this beautiful country of ours for anything more than to put another notch in his career post. Seems to be his way of doing things.
Call me cynical but I don't take any of them at face value or trust their motives. All I want is someone who will state their policies, stick to them and not change their mind because the latest poll says something is not popular. I voted on what they said they were going to do, so don't change the game after you got what you wanted. POWER. I would vote for someone repeatedly if I knew I could trust them but I guess thats why voter turn out seems to be getting lower every time, no one trusts them.
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The government wouldn't have to legislate such things if people weren't so stupid about certain things.
You can't make common sense laws every time someone does something YOU perceive wrong.
Would I do it ? No.
Is it right or wrong, I don't know. Who am I to tell someone how to live their life?
Why don't you outlaw kids meals at McDonalds or even the whole company because you think it will lead to fat kids and or adults. Wait a minute we should outlaw video games and tv because all that promotes is outta shape people as well, I can't remember the last time I had to slow down for a street hockey game.
While we are making all these laws, lets mandate 1 hour outdoor exercise for everyone at 6 o'clock every night, do a couple of laps of the neighbourhood and get to know everyone and promote the it takes a village to raise a child theme to new levels.
I just wish all levels of government would get back to the basics and stop trying to save the morons from themselves, no matter how hard you try you are not going to stop people from doing foolish things. Just leave me alone, my folks raised me with common sense and I don't need big brother checking on me .
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There's definitely a larger customer base, so in the entertainment business, that's where the money is. With hockey players it depends on the draft or trades.
A teaching position at an Ivy League school is definitely a high honour for a University professor, and only an idiot would turn it down.
However, much of Ignatieff's time outside the country was spent as a journalist and documentary filmmaker, in wartorn countries. He always travelled on a Canadian passport and his documentary won a Gemini (a Canadian award). He has always been a Canadian and has never sought any other passport of citizenship. Harvard recruited him to head up their Human Rights Department. He didn't answer an ad in the paper.
The Times Square thing was a lark. It won't mean a thing to Americans viewing it, anymore than Harper's insanity after Chretien's decision. When Harper got into trouble was coming back and assuming we don't get Fox, denied he ever supported the War in Iraq.
I''ve read this tread from start to finish and your knowledge of Iggy is scary. The love and life's facts of the man is impressive, do you work for him or just stalk him?
CAW/UAW
in Federal Politics in Canada
Posted
So that is for that plant or the whole company? If it is the whole company who is to say that plant is making any money. Either way they will do the same as the folks here in Oshawa and price themselves out of the market. The truck plant moved to Mexico with others to follow I'm sure.