Right now, people are being killed in Iran for protesting the fact that their voices aren't being heard. In Canada, we whine and stomp our feet because making our voices heard might bite into our vacation time. I have also heard Canadians whine about not having an election in winter because, horror of horrors, we might have to put our boots and coats on to go vote.
So, if not winter or summer, exactly when is the right time to fight for what's right?
Most of the people who don't qualify for EI are going to have trouble keeping their mortgages and bills paid. Helping them avoid foreclosure and/or welfare would be one of the most effective ways to combat this economic slump. But the Conservatives won't have it and the Liberals obviously don't have the balls to call an election over it, so these unemployed will twist in the wind while a "committee" argues over the same points that have already been argued in Question Period for weeks on end.
So why the hell aren't we helping people? Why aren't we demanding that help, bad election timing be damned? Is it because those who are employed don't want to give up their precious vacations so we can vote out the guy who won't help the less fortunate?
I want a leader who will stand up and ask these questions, and is willing to demand answers to those questions and immediate solutions. But apparently that's not going to happen anytime soon. Given the events in the last couple of days, I doubt Iggy's going to grow a pair by tomorrow.
And Parliament can sit all summer, as far as I'm concerned. They were paid by us the public for a full session, and only sat for a fraction of it, so I have no qualms about demanding that they continue to sit until an EI solution is put in place for the summer. All the more motivation for the Conservatives to stop putting obstacles in the way and take action now - they wouldn't want to miss their cushy summer vacations, after all.
Which brings me to the second point I touched on earlier. Is that shrinking group of Canadians who still hold jobs, so incredibly selfish, that they simply cannot bear to spend a little of their vacation time to vote out the guy who won't help those less fortunate than themselves? On they go, whining about how rough the winter was and about not wanting to cancel their reservations, and on and on. What the hell is wrong with people?
As a long-time American resident and citizen, I got to vote for the leader of the country once every 4 years, no matter how urgently we needed to kick out the current one. George W. Bush was only one especially obvious example. I treasured the opportunity to make my voice heard as often as possible because it wasn't heard nearly often enough. I've learned to value that opportunity and I'm eager to take advantage of it whenever it is offered. (I voted in every general election since I turned 18.) And let's face it: we already know what each party's platform is, and those platforms shape their policies in mostly predictable ways - so is it really that arduous a process to decide whom to vote for?
Canadians who think they have it so hard should try American voting, where you vote for several political candidates at federal, state, county, and municipal levels; plus judges, school district, water and other special districts; plus 10 or 15 state propositions and local measures, written in legalese, to read through and vote on at the same time. Take a look at the 2008 directory of contests and ballot for my former riding if you don't believe me. The 2008 Voter Information Guide was 144 pages plus a 16-page supplemental guide, just for the federal and state levels - the county and municipal stuff comes in another booklet. They also send you a sample ballot so you can mark it with your choices, since there's too much for most people to remember. Then when you're done with all that, you bring your sample ballot and go vote with a ballot card that slides into a slot behind the ballot pages, and then you go through each page and copy from your sample ballot using a special marker or stylus to mark or poke a hole in the card to indicate all your choices. Here in Canada, we get to concentrate on voting for just one seat - our Member of Parliament. We get to do some research and mull it over, then walk into the polling station, make one "X" and we're done. What's the big deal?
Weather is the last reason I'd expect for delaying an election. I lived in Los Angeles for many years so I am not accustomed to these Canadian winters; but I have now been here through 2 of the longest, harshest winters in recent memory and still would not hesitate to take the time and effort to do my research and brave the weather to go vote. I did it last October and I'd do it again in January, July, or anytime. Canadians' apparent aversion to voting, and for such petty and selfish reasons, is something I find both astonishing and disheartening - especially since voting is so simple and easy here. I love Canada and my fellow Canadians, and that is precisely why I think we can do better than attitudes like this.
Showing posts with label Canadian politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canadian politics. Show all posts
18 June 2009
16 June 2009
No to C-15 and a U.S.-style 'war on drugs!'
Prime Minister Harper is pushing a bill for mandatory sentences for drug crime. It has unfortunately passed in the House of Commons and is currently in the Senate. More here and here.
I lived in Los Angeles, the gang capital of the world, for many years and can personally attest that the largest single contributor to the gang problems is the illicit drug trade. They make big money from the sales of illicit drugs and use it to fund their other illegal endeavours. Mandatory minimum sentences and the "war on drugs" have not abated the gang problems in L.A. - instead, these problems have worsened dramatically over recent years, as anyone who follows L.A. news can plainly see. These are failed, expensive policies that Canadians can ill afford to adopt. I would love to put an end to drug-related crime, but I assure you C-15 will only exacerbate the problem. Please write your senator and ask him or her not to subject Canadians to this legislation, which experience tells us is doomed to fail.
I lived in Los Angeles, the gang capital of the world, for many years and can personally attest that the largest single contributor to the gang problems is the illicit drug trade. They make big money from the sales of illicit drugs and use it to fund their other illegal endeavours. Mandatory minimum sentences and the "war on drugs" have not abated the gang problems in L.A. - instead, these problems have worsened dramatically over recent years, as anyone who follows L.A. news can plainly see. These are failed, expensive policies that Canadians can ill afford to adopt. I would love to put an end to drug-related crime, but I assure you C-15 will only exacerbate the problem. Please write your senator and ask him or her not to subject Canadians to this legislation, which experience tells us is doomed to fail.
07 June 2009
Support David Chen
Petition backs store owner charged after thief tied up
This is an outrage. If the police must exercise "triage," as they put it, to such an extent that criminals are allowed to victimize local businesses on a regular ongoing basis, then obviously there are not enough police on the force or else they aren't doing their jobs. Citizens trying to make an honest living are thus left with no other recourse than to perform a citizen's arrest. If this right is removed as well, criminals will rule the streets!
I know about neighbourhood blight from personal experience. I lived in Southern California (including Los Angeles) for many years, and most of the entire region has descended into gangland central over time. The first step necessary for this nasty downward spiral to occur in an area is for police to be too understaffed and/or apathetic to perform proper neighbourhood patrols when local crime is on the rise. The second is for its citizens to fail to take action against it, either due to not realizing the severity of the problem in time, ignorance of their rights (such as citizen's arrest), being stripped of their rights (as in this case), or later, hopelessness and/or fear of retribution from the criminals. This is how it starts. And frankly, I have found it impossible to explain to Canadians who have lived in Canada all their lives, just how truly bad it can get.
If you're not shocked and dismayed by this recent turn of events with Mr. Chen, you should be. His stripped rights are your stripped rights should you ever be victimized by crime. Even an effective, well-staffed police force can't have an officer on every corner - so if victim's rights are taken away, and the police continue to be ineffective, that's the beginning of the end for your neighbourhood. Take it from someone who knows.
God help us all if we're going to be expected to stand idly by while we or other law-abiding citizens are being victimized.
If you haven't yet signed the online petition, I encourage you to do so. It calls for a clearer definition of citizen's arrest, defence of victims' rights, and for the charges against Mr. Chen to be dropped, amongst other things.
This is an outrage. If the police must exercise "triage," as they put it, to such an extent that criminals are allowed to victimize local businesses on a regular ongoing basis, then obviously there are not enough police on the force or else they aren't doing their jobs. Citizens trying to make an honest living are thus left with no other recourse than to perform a citizen's arrest. If this right is removed as well, criminals will rule the streets!
I know about neighbourhood blight from personal experience. I lived in Southern California (including Los Angeles) for many years, and most of the entire region has descended into gangland central over time. The first step necessary for this nasty downward spiral to occur in an area is for police to be too understaffed and/or apathetic to perform proper neighbourhood patrols when local crime is on the rise. The second is for its citizens to fail to take action against it, either due to not realizing the severity of the problem in time, ignorance of their rights (such as citizen's arrest), being stripped of their rights (as in this case), or later, hopelessness and/or fear of retribution from the criminals. This is how it starts. And frankly, I have found it impossible to explain to Canadians who have lived in Canada all their lives, just how truly bad it can get.
If you're not shocked and dismayed by this recent turn of events with Mr. Chen, you should be. His stripped rights are your stripped rights should you ever be victimized by crime. Even an effective, well-staffed police force can't have an officer on every corner - so if victim's rights are taken away, and the police continue to be ineffective, that's the beginning of the end for your neighbourhood. Take it from someone who knows.
God help us all if we're going to be expected to stand idly by while we or other law-abiding citizens are being victimized.
If you haven't yet signed the online petition, I encourage you to do so. It calls for a clearer definition of citizen's arrest, defence of victims' rights, and for the charges against Mr. Chen to be dropped, amongst other things.
05 June 2009
We are not the U.S.' clean-up crew
Canada refuses U.S. request to accept Chinese Muslims from Guantanamo
Once in a great while, Harper actually does the right thing.
These Guantanamo Bay prisoners, who have been found innocent, cannot go home (for reasons I will expound on in a moment) but the U.S. doesn't want them either. So, Obama requested that Canada take them... but Harper refused to help the U.S. dump its self-created Gitmo problem on someone else, and for this I have to applaud him.
Some Canadians have a "send 'em back!" attitude toward these prisoners. But this problem is not as not that simple for a number of reasons... not the least of which is that many of these prisoners would be wrongfully persecuted a second time if they were sent back to their country of origin. In addition, many of them weren't in their home country at the time of arrest precisely because they were trying to escape wrongful persecution there.
This is a problem of the U.S.' own creation so the solution needs to come from them too. If these prisoners have been found innocent, then the U.S. needs to take them in, compensate them for the atrocities committed against them, give them counselling to help them overcome the trauma they endured, and provide full services to help them integrate into American society. Expensive? Yes! Messy? Yes! But it is the right thing to do for anyone who is wrongly convicted and brutalized. And it will teach American politicians and voters to think twice about this idea that it's okay to flout U.S. and international laws and run roughshod over human rights as long as you feel justified in doing so. This lesson is long overdue. I lived in the U.S. for many years - so I know from whence I speak. I have many American loved ones, don't get me wrong... but a lot of Americans need to smarten up.
You don't create a disaster of this magnitude and then dump it on someone else's doorstep. You made your bed, now sleep in it.
And don't think we missed the irony that a mere 2 weeks ago the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security was wrongfully accusing Canada of letting the 9/11 terrorists into America, and now here's the U.S. President asking us to take people they deem unfit to stay on their soil. Unbelievable.
Good on ya Harper, for telling them where to stick it.
Once in a great while, Harper actually does the right thing.
These Guantanamo Bay prisoners, who have been found innocent, cannot go home (for reasons I will expound on in a moment) but the U.S. doesn't want them either. So, Obama requested that Canada take them... but Harper refused to help the U.S. dump its self-created Gitmo problem on someone else, and for this I have to applaud him.
Some Canadians have a "send 'em back!" attitude toward these prisoners. But this problem is not as not that simple for a number of reasons... not the least of which is that many of these prisoners would be wrongfully persecuted a second time if they were sent back to their country of origin. In addition, many of them weren't in their home country at the time of arrest precisely because they were trying to escape wrongful persecution there.
This is a problem of the U.S.' own creation so the solution needs to come from them too. If these prisoners have been found innocent, then the U.S. needs to take them in, compensate them for the atrocities committed against them, give them counselling to help them overcome the trauma they endured, and provide full services to help them integrate into American society. Expensive? Yes! Messy? Yes! But it is the right thing to do for anyone who is wrongly convicted and brutalized. And it will teach American politicians and voters to think twice about this idea that it's okay to flout U.S. and international laws and run roughshod over human rights as long as you feel justified in doing so. This lesson is long overdue. I lived in the U.S. for many years - so I know from whence I speak. I have many American loved ones, don't get me wrong... but a lot of Americans need to smarten up.
You don't create a disaster of this magnitude and then dump it on someone else's doorstep. You made your bed, now sleep in it.
And don't think we missed the irony that a mere 2 weeks ago the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security was wrongfully accusing Canada of letting the 9/11 terrorists into America, and now here's the U.S. President asking us to take people they deem unfit to stay on their soil. Unbelievable.
Good on ya Harper, for telling them where to stick it.
09 April 2009
Republicans becoming a 'regional party'
Apparently, the Republicans are petering out in all but the Deep South. This is fantastic news! And we have Rush Limbaugh - and other loudmouthed right-wing asshats like him - to thank for accelerating the demise of their party.
After all, Rush Limbaugh et al are doing us all a favour. They are coming out and showing the ugly undercurrents so often thinly veiled by the Republican party - contempt for non-whites, women, non-Christians, environmentalists, and the poor, for starters. It's always been covert, of course, almost never being spoken but seen very clearly in the policies it implements. For once, with Rush and his ilk at the helm, the Republican party's actions actually match its words.
It's my fondest hope that, faced with the threat of extinction, the Republican party will be dragged - kicking and screaming, no doubt - into the 21st century. And with it, the Reform Alliance -- oops I mean Conservative Party of Canada. It's time to dump racist, sexist, classist, xenophobic notions and get with the program.
After all, Rush Limbaugh et al are doing us all a favour. They are coming out and showing the ugly undercurrents so often thinly veiled by the Republican party - contempt for non-whites, women, non-Christians, environmentalists, and the poor, for starters. It's always been covert, of course, almost never being spoken but seen very clearly in the policies it implements. For once, with Rush and his ilk at the helm, the Republican party's actions actually match its words.
It's my fondest hope that, faced with the threat of extinction, the Republican party will be dragged - kicking and screaming, no doubt - into the 21st century. And with it, the Reform Alliance -- oops I mean Conservative Party of Canada. It's time to dump racist, sexist, classist, xenophobic notions and get with the program.
08 April 2009
Silly pervert, tits are for kids
Woman inundated with hate mail over poolside breastfeeding
It seems there is no shortage of right-wing whackjobs who don't get the concept that the first and primary purpose of breasts is NOT sex, but rather, feeding one's young.
Humans are mammals. That starts with m-a-m-m-a, as in...
...aw gee what's that word again??...
...oh yes... MAMMARY.
That means "boobies," for those of you who missed Biology 101. That's right, just like every other mammal we are equipped with these for the purpose of feeding our babies.
If you have, in your mind, sexualized breasts to such an extent that you have lost sight of their entire reason for existing in the first place, there is something seriously wrong with your mindset. It takes a pervert in the extreme, to see a breastfeeding mother and think "pedophile." Just what do these folks think people did to feed their infants before artificial baby formula came along? They do realize they probably nursed at their own mothers' breasts at one time themselves... don't they?
But then, it's easy to confirm such perversion, since such individuals have taken to sending this woman hate mail calling her a pedophile and specifying the obscene acts they would perform on her. These people need counselling, and fast. Even for the ones who didn't threaten her with such acts, their sexual mindset is obviously so twisted that we can no doubt expect a high percentage of sexual offenders in this group. I hope this woman presses charges against each and every one so we can get them off the street.
I personally think it's a beautiful thing when a mother does not resort to allowing her baby to go hungry, or feeding it artificial baby formula, out of fear of offending some ignorant twisted pervert. First and foremost, boobs = baby food. And it's the best baby food, above and beyond any substitute humankind can concoct. So perverts, get over yourselves. Boobs were not made for you.
It seems there is no shortage of right-wing whackjobs who don't get the concept that the first and primary purpose of breasts is NOT sex, but rather, feeding one's young.
Humans are mammals. That starts with m-a-m-m-a, as in...
...aw gee what's that word again??...
...oh yes... MAMMARY.
That means "boobies," for those of you who missed Biology 101. That's right, just like every other mammal we are equipped with these for the purpose of feeding our babies.
If you have, in your mind, sexualized breasts to such an extent that you have lost sight of their entire reason for existing in the first place, there is something seriously wrong with your mindset. It takes a pervert in the extreme, to see a breastfeeding mother and think "pedophile." Just what do these folks think people did to feed their infants before artificial baby formula came along? They do realize they probably nursed at their own mothers' breasts at one time themselves... don't they?
But then, it's easy to confirm such perversion, since such individuals have taken to sending this woman hate mail calling her a pedophile and specifying the obscene acts they would perform on her. These people need counselling, and fast. Even for the ones who didn't threaten her with such acts, their sexual mindset is obviously so twisted that we can no doubt expect a high percentage of sexual offenders in this group. I hope this woman presses charges against each and every one so we can get them off the street.
I personally think it's a beautiful thing when a mother does not resort to allowing her baby to go hungry, or feeding it artificial baby formula, out of fear of offending some ignorant twisted pervert. First and foremost, boobs = baby food. And it's the best baby food, above and beyond any substitute humankind can concoct. So perverts, get over yourselves. Boobs were not made for you.
11 February 2009
"Buy Canadian?" How about "SUPPORT Canadian?"
Unions call for 'Buy Canadian' policy
Note that it's the Canadian Auto Workers pushing for this policy. How exactly are we to support their industry? As far as I know, their bread and butter is American car companies. Shall we support their industry by buying American and Japanese cars built in Canada? Are they serious?
Let's not kid ourselves. These aren't "Canadian car companies," they are American companies whose actions are dictated by American interests, and Japanese companies dictated by Japanese interests. They will use us as long as they need us and then bam, out on our collective ear. One need only look at the impending closure of the Oshawa GM plant to see that this is true. There was much pleading and protesting about it, to no avail. And GM has already exported huge chunks of its manufacturing labour to Mexico. Mexico recently surpassed Canada in auto manufacturing. Coincidence? No. It's all about financial advantage. GM is not a Canadian company, it's not based in Canada, and it couldn't care less about Canadian jobs. The sooner we get that through our heads, the better.
I know of two Canadian car companies - Zenn and Dynasty... and neither of them ever got proper support from any level of government.
Compounding this tragedy is the environmental impact of such governmental mismanagement. Both of these are 100% electric cars. They are classified as LSV (Low Speed Vehicles) and are ideal for the type of short distances typical for city dwellers for getting to work, the grocery store, and miscellaneous errands. Since, at last count in 2006, 80% of all Canadians lived in an area classified as urban, a whole lot of people could be using these. Alas, the federal government dragged its heels on making provisions for putting these cars on our roads. Once it finally did, it fell to the provinces, and all but two - BC and Québec - have dragged their heels as well. So, where are these cars getting sold? In the 47 U.S. states that allow them, amongst other places. I've said it before - it's a travesty.
And now that the U.S. economy is tanking fast, and with it their rate of new vehicle purchases, how do you suppose these Canadian car companies are faring? Did the government offer to bail them out or help them along? No! Millions in bailout dollars are instead going to GM and Chrysler, with a line of credit extended to Ford... all American companies.
If the government was really serious about Canadian jobs, the Canadian economy, and the environment, they would give proper support to Canadian-based companies. Why are we giving billions of dollars - that's "billions" with a "b" - to GM, an American company that is already closing down at least one of their Canadian plants? What would happen if we took the money designated for American car companies and put it into Zenn and Dynasty and Canadian startups who want to make cars here? There would still be plenty left over to go into public transportation and infrastructure. Why would we insist on spending big bucks to (1) ensure that our businesses are at a disadvantage and (2) ensure that large segments of our economy and jobs remain at the mercy of foreign interests?
What a crock.
Note that it's the Canadian Auto Workers pushing for this policy. How exactly are we to support their industry? As far as I know, their bread and butter is American car companies. Shall we support their industry by buying American and Japanese cars built in Canada? Are they serious?
Let's not kid ourselves. These aren't "Canadian car companies," they are American companies whose actions are dictated by American interests, and Japanese companies dictated by Japanese interests. They will use us as long as they need us and then bam, out on our collective ear. One need only look at the impending closure of the Oshawa GM plant to see that this is true. There was much pleading and protesting about it, to no avail. And GM has already exported huge chunks of its manufacturing labour to Mexico. Mexico recently surpassed Canada in auto manufacturing. Coincidence? No. It's all about financial advantage. GM is not a Canadian company, it's not based in Canada, and it couldn't care less about Canadian jobs. The sooner we get that through our heads, the better.
I know of two Canadian car companies - Zenn and Dynasty... and neither of them ever got proper support from any level of government.
Compounding this tragedy is the environmental impact of such governmental mismanagement. Both of these are 100% electric cars. They are classified as LSV (Low Speed Vehicles) and are ideal for the type of short distances typical for city dwellers for getting to work, the grocery store, and miscellaneous errands. Since, at last count in 2006, 80% of all Canadians lived in an area classified as urban, a whole lot of people could be using these. Alas, the federal government dragged its heels on making provisions for putting these cars on our roads. Once it finally did, it fell to the provinces, and all but two - BC and Québec - have dragged their heels as well. So, where are these cars getting sold? In the 47 U.S. states that allow them, amongst other places. I've said it before - it's a travesty.
And now that the U.S. economy is tanking fast, and with it their rate of new vehicle purchases, how do you suppose these Canadian car companies are faring? Did the government offer to bail them out or help them along? No! Millions in bailout dollars are instead going to GM and Chrysler, with a line of credit extended to Ford... all American companies.
If the government was really serious about Canadian jobs, the Canadian economy, and the environment, they would give proper support to Canadian-based companies. Why are we giving billions of dollars - that's "billions" with a "b" - to GM, an American company that is already closing down at least one of their Canadian plants? What would happen if we took the money designated for American car companies and put it into Zenn and Dynasty and Canadian startups who want to make cars here? There would still be plenty left over to go into public transportation and infrastructure. Why would we insist on spending big bucks to (1) ensure that our businesses are at a disadvantage and (2) ensure that large segments of our economy and jobs remain at the mercy of foreign interests?
What a crock.
10 February 2009
OC Transpo strike - penny wise and pound foolish
Strike cost city $13.4M - so far
Hope it was worth it to save $3M or so on scheduling inefficiencies!
Mayor O'Brien is an arrogant, pigheaded moron. Alain Mercier is similarly muleheaded and couldn't negotiate his way out of a paper bag. The city councillors, by and large, stood by with their thumbs up their butts. And the ATU needs to get a grip - this is a recession; world economies are tanking; tens of thousands of jobs are being lost in this country; maybe just maybe instead of wreaking hardship on those less fortunate than themselves, they could have just been thankful to have a damn job and helped out their fellow citizens in a jam. And talk about shooting yourself in the foot - they had to know this would result in transit cutbacks and therefore potential layoffs in the future. Certainly having no job results in even more family time than the scheduling they're fighting for.
The city councillors are promising never to "let this happen again." That's not good enough. It never should have happened a first time. They don't deserve another chance. I hope those who voted for them and for this Conservative union-busting mayor are appropriately disgusted with themselves.
I, for one, will not forget this at voting time.
And if we do not continue to push for CIRB to change their definition of what constitutes a threat to public safety, push for public transportation to be declared an essential service, and push for alternate modes of transportation such as a driverless light rail and more cycling lanes, we will still not be assured that a set of fresh political faces will not thrust us back into this same exact situation each and every time an ATU contract expires. We cannot afford to let anyone off the hook. The well-being of our poorest and most disadvantaged citizens, our businesses, our economy, and our environment depend on it.
Hope it was worth it to save $3M or so on scheduling inefficiencies!
Mayor O'Brien is an arrogant, pigheaded moron. Alain Mercier is similarly muleheaded and couldn't negotiate his way out of a paper bag. The city councillors, by and large, stood by with their thumbs up their butts. And the ATU needs to get a grip - this is a recession; world economies are tanking; tens of thousands of jobs are being lost in this country; maybe just maybe instead of wreaking hardship on those less fortunate than themselves, they could have just been thankful to have a damn job and helped out their fellow citizens in a jam. And talk about shooting yourself in the foot - they had to know this would result in transit cutbacks and therefore potential layoffs in the future. Certainly having no job results in even more family time than the scheduling they're fighting for.
The city councillors are promising never to "let this happen again." That's not good enough. It never should have happened a first time. They don't deserve another chance. I hope those who voted for them and for this Conservative union-busting mayor are appropriately disgusted with themselves.
I, for one, will not forget this at voting time.
And if we do not continue to push for CIRB to change their definition of what constitutes a threat to public safety, push for public transportation to be declared an essential service, and push for alternate modes of transportation such as a driverless light rail and more cycling lanes, we will still not be assured that a set of fresh political faces will not thrust us back into this same exact situation each and every time an ATU contract expires. We cannot afford to let anyone off the hook. The well-being of our poorest and most disadvantaged citizens, our businesses, our economy, and our environment depend on it.
01 February 2009
Ugh - say it isn't so
Liberal MP David McGuinty (Ottawa South) cynically credited President Barack Obama's visit to Ottawa on Feb. 19 as the reason why Labour Minister Rona Ambrose moved to end the strike.Somebody please tell me that's not the real reason. Granted, it would have been highly embarrassing to have the U.S. President here in a gesture of international partnership, while getting stuck in extra traffic and driving past yelling ATU picketers and yelling anti-strike protesters. Obviously, if we cannot resolve municipal issues in our own capital city then it doesn't really bode well for our capability for international partnership, now does it?
"Ultimately, because (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper was worried about Barack Obama's mobility in this city for his photo-ops," said McGuinty. "I believe that was a contributing factor of solving this strike. Honestly." (full article)
Despite the TTC strike having been ended within 3 days, ours was allowed to drag on for nearly 2 months - maddening and grossly unfair in itself. Given the proximity of Premier McGuinty's very public demands for federal action, citing these facts, and the sudden reversal by Rona Ambrose a few hours later, I admit I assumed a direct correlation between these two events. This situation alone would be an outrage and a disgrace, since it should not require public humiliation plastered all over the mass media to force the government to take care of business - especially given the near-immediate resolution of such a matter in Toronto. But honestly, if the Tories' only motivation to alleviate Ottawans' suffering is potential embarrassment at the impending visit of a foreign leader, and not the embarrassing outcry at home, then they're even worse low-lifes than I originally thought. And that's saying something.
Ontario fairness
It appears that Premier Dalton McGuinty has made some gains for Ontarians (1, 2 in funding for health care, education, infrastructure, and a number of other fronts. His Ontario Fairness website has been up for some time, it seems, as part of a lengthy battle to get federal representation and funding that is actually proportional to our population.
Congratulations, McGuinty, on your successes in this regard.
I think this is especially commendable because, surprisingly, Ontarians don't seem to be clamouring on the Parliament front lawn demanding it. I've known of McGuinty's cause (from his website) since before we immigrated, yet this is the first time I've heard anything about it in the media or anywhere other than his website. Do people just not know about it, or feel like it doesn't affect them, or don't think it does any good to make a stink over it? Maybe they do, and I just haven't been hanging with the right crowd.
Congratulations, McGuinty, on your successes in this regard.
I think this is especially commendable because, surprisingly, Ontarians don't seem to be clamouring on the Parliament front lawn demanding it. I've known of McGuinty's cause (from his website) since before we immigrated, yet this is the first time I've heard anything about it in the media or anywhere other than his website. Do people just not know about it, or feel like it doesn't affect them, or don't think it does any good to make a stink over it? Maybe they do, and I just haven't been hanging with the right crowd.
31 January 2009
30 January 2009
Thank you, Dalton McGuinty
This is my thank you letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty. Much of it is a repeat of things I've said in various places on this blog, but I've included it here for your convenience. Feel free to use any or all of it for your own letter.
Dear Premier McGuinty,
I am writing to thank you for your recent action on the OC Transpo strike that has paralyzed our city for nearly two months.
The ATU's selfishness was unconscionable, and Mayor O'Brien's grandstanding and union-busting games have also contributed greatly to this impasse that has caused so much suffering. The two sides weren't going to budge and if anything had gotten more entrenched over the last few days. And because the feds were far more worried about staying in power than anything else, they left Ottawans literally in the cold. It struck me as more than a little unfair that TTC was legislated back within 3 days but Ottawans have been allowed to suffer through almost 2 months of winter without transit, and with no relief in sight.
MP Rona Ambrose said only 4 days ago that she had no intention of doing anything about this. MP John Baird promised at least several more weeks of red tape. By speaking out as you did, you held their feet to the fire and publicly shamed them until they acted in the best interest of the public. Now they can't stop talking about how they couldn't bear to let the suffering continue and had to act. Their hearts weren't bleeding for us 4 days ago, so I have no illusions where this came from. Therefore, I am writing to the proper person to express my gratitude. You were the only one from higher government demanding a solution and demanding it _now_.
So thank you again, Mr. Dalton - for acting in the best interest of our most vulnerable citizens, even when others cannot be troubled to do so except under fire. Rest assured that I will remember this at the polls.
Warm Regards,
EEP
The transit strike is over - but don't fall asleep!
At long last, thank God, the transit strike is over.
There - was that so hard, you jerks?
It disgusts me that they could only agree to such a simple solution - that is, binding arbitration without preconditions - when they finally knew they were backed into a corner by the feds and going to have to do it anyway. The feds in question being Rona Ambrose and John Baird, who weren't going to do anything either but were publicly shamed and backed into a corner by Premier Dalton McGuinty. The feds who would have been positioned to do something in Parliament sooner had it not been for their leader, who put everybody on a time-out after being backed into a corner himself for not taking proper action on the economy, among other things.
Is anybody else as thoroughly disgusted as I am?
And does anyone notice that at every step in this process it was the Conservatives that needed to be cornered like a rat and forced to take proper action? From Conservative Mayor O'Brien to Conservative MP's Rona Ambrose and John Baird, to Conservative PM Stephen Harper - how such people get voted in is beyond me.
In any case, the end result of the labour board's decision that transit is not an essential service, according to its ridiculously narrow definition, is that the ATU will be able to strike again in the future. Baird has said (after the aforementioned cornering) that this definition can be reviewed. But if we are going to be smart about this, we cannot allow all of this to fade into the background now that the buses will be back on the road. As long as transit is not an "essential service," we know the possibility of a strike always looms at the end of every contract.
We must keep the pressure on Baird to pursue this and we must pressure the Mayor and Councillors to get some decent alternative transportation in place.
There is no way our entire city should be brought to a grinding halt, and our most vulnerable citizens victimized, every time the ATU decides it doesn't like something. The light rail nightmare O'Brien helped create needs to be sorted out and fixed. We need to get that thing going. We need to look into the feasibility of a driverless system like Vancouver's Skytrain. We need to press for more bike lanes. I've said it before and I'll say it again... we can live with this hanging over our heads for decades to come, or we can start mitigating the situation now so this never happens again. But if this situation has shown us anything, it's that we cannot rely on our public officials to take the initiative. We must call them and write letters to them, especially our Mayor and Councillors, demanding continued action. If we do not, we will only have ourselves to blame the next time we are left in the lurch for transportation.
There - was that so hard, you jerks?
It disgusts me that they could only agree to such a simple solution - that is, binding arbitration without preconditions - when they finally knew they were backed into a corner by the feds and going to have to do it anyway. The feds in question being Rona Ambrose and John Baird, who weren't going to do anything either but were publicly shamed and backed into a corner by Premier Dalton McGuinty. The feds who would have been positioned to do something in Parliament sooner had it not been for their leader, who put everybody on a time-out after being backed into a corner himself for not taking proper action on the economy, among other things.
Is anybody else as thoroughly disgusted as I am?
And does anyone notice that at every step in this process it was the Conservatives that needed to be cornered like a rat and forced to take proper action? From Conservative Mayor O'Brien to Conservative MP's Rona Ambrose and John Baird, to Conservative PM Stephen Harper - how such people get voted in is beyond me.
In any case, the end result of the labour board's decision that transit is not an essential service, according to its ridiculously narrow definition, is that the ATU will be able to strike again in the future. Baird has said (after the aforementioned cornering) that this definition can be reviewed. But if we are going to be smart about this, we cannot allow all of this to fade into the background now that the buses will be back on the road. As long as transit is not an "essential service," we know the possibility of a strike always looms at the end of every contract.
We must keep the pressure on Baird to pursue this and we must pressure the Mayor and Councillors to get some decent alternative transportation in place.
There is no way our entire city should be brought to a grinding halt, and our most vulnerable citizens victimized, every time the ATU decides it doesn't like something. The light rail nightmare O'Brien helped create needs to be sorted out and fixed. We need to get that thing going. We need to look into the feasibility of a driverless system like Vancouver's Skytrain. We need to press for more bike lanes. I've said it before and I'll say it again... we can live with this hanging over our heads for decades to come, or we can start mitigating the situation now so this never happens again. But if this situation has shown us anything, it's that we cannot rely on our public officials to take the initiative. We must call them and write letters to them, especially our Mayor and Councillors, demanding continued action. If we do not, we will only have ourselves to blame the next time we are left in the lurch for transportation.
29 January 2009
Voices of reason on the OC Transpo strike
Finally... it's so refreshing to hear from politicians who get it and are willing to do something about this:
In case I wasn't direct enough before, I'd like to extend a big thank you to the Premier for forcing the feds' hand on this, since they were stubbornly unwilling to do anything and both sides of this debate are obviously so pigheaded we'd be fighting to keep this from ruining another Christmas if somebody didn't do something. I'll be sure to write him a nice thank you letter.
Oh and don't worry, Mayor O'Brien, I won't forget you at the polls either. Your insistence on making this a public referendum on union-busting, and your stupid union-busting games, have contributed greatly to this impasse that has caused so much suffering. Make no mistake about it - the ATU does need a swift kick in the rear, but so do you. And I hope Ottawans give it to you but good.
See, some of our MP's get it. It is a full-blown crisis and should have been treated as such weeks ago. The two sides aren't going to budge and if anything have gotten more entrenched over the last couple of days. It's ridiculous. And because the feds were far more worried about staying in power than anything else, they left Ottawans literally in the cold. Yes, it struck me as more than a little unfair that TTC was legislated back within 3 days but Ottawans have been allowed to suffer through almost 2 months of winter without transit, and with no relief in sight until Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty cranked up the pressure on the feds. Is it that we're just not as important as Torontonians? Just a few days ago, Rona Ambrose was saying she had no intention of getting involved and John Baird was promising us a minimum of several weeks of red tape. Suddenly these two have reversed themselves and are talking about how too many people are suffering and they couldn't let it go on. Their hearts weren't bleeding for us 3 days ago - Premier McGuinty made a public stink about it and held their feet to the fire. Ottawans would do well to remember this at voting time. I know I will.[Ottawa Centre New Democrat MP Paul Dewar:] If the two sides can’t agree on arbitration, it will be ordered by Parliament with his support, he said.
“This is not an inconvenience. We’ve got a full-blown crisis.”
...
Ottawa South Liberal MP David McGuinty called on Labour Minister Rona Ambrose to introduce the legislation as soon as possible.
“I hope it comes as soon as possible — yesterday. This should have been dealt with three weeks ago,” he said.
Mr. McGuinty said it was unfair that the Ontario government legislated an end to a strike by Toronto Transit Commission operators within 72 hours, while the federal government treats people in the national capital region like “second-class citizens.”
“The well-being of the citizens, in my view, have to take precedence over the right to collective bargaining,” Mr. McGuinty said. He said both sides in the labour dispute have lost perspective and it’s time for the federal government to intervene.
“There is just too much suffering and too much cost. We have got to get these buses rolling.”
In case I wasn't direct enough before, I'd like to extend a big thank you to the Premier for forcing the feds' hand on this, since they were stubbornly unwilling to do anything and both sides of this debate are obviously so pigheaded we'd be fighting to keep this from ruining another Christmas if somebody didn't do something. I'll be sure to write him a nice thank you letter.
Oh and don't worry, Mayor O'Brien, I won't forget you at the polls either. Your insistence on making this a public referendum on union-busting, and your stupid union-busting games, have contributed greatly to this impasse that has caused so much suffering. Make no mistake about it - the ATU does need a swift kick in the rear, but so do you. And I hope Ottawans give it to you but good.
28 January 2009
At last, a voice of reason
Legislate OC Transpo back to work, McGuinty tells feds
Excerpt:
And this just in, literally in the middle of my post...
It appears now that the Cons' crisis is over and the pressure is on, lo and behold there may be federal action on this after all:
House of Commons to hold emergency meeting on transit strike
Excerpt:
Excerpt:
Wow... could it be that someone is exercising some good sense on this issue? The City and ATU remain pigheaded on this and don't want transit declared an essential service. The labour board has decided it isn't going to be of any help.“I think it’s gone on for too long,” Mr. McGuinty told reporters at Queen’s Park. “It affects our most vulnerable citizens. It’s dramatically affecting our economy at a time when we can’t afford to have these kind of things get in the way. So my advice to the federal government is you’re going to have to come to grips with this.”
...
"It's the responsibility and the obligation of both these parties to get back to the table and come up with a negotiated settlement as quickly as possible that's in the best interests of the citizens of Ottawa," Ms. Ambrose said last Thursday. "It's in (the city's and the union's) hands to solve."
Mr. McGuinty said that response demonstrated “a lack of leadership.”
“I think the public interest has been compromised,” he said Wednesday.
And this just in, literally in the middle of my post...
It appears now that the Cons' crisis is over and the pressure is on, lo and behold there may be federal action on this after all:
House of Commons to hold emergency meeting on transit strike
Excerpt:
[Rona Ambrose:] "As of last night, the talks have stalled and they are at a stalemate and it is my belief that when the government sees a situation where there is clearly no compromise or no flexibility being shown by either side to reach an agreement, it is our obligation to act," she told reporters on Parliament Hill. "I'm prepared to act at this time, I'm prepared to introduce back to work legislation."Funny, she wasn't three days ago. It's amazing how many times this government can flip-flop. You could get whiplash from the blinding 180-degree turns. But there are occasions such as this (and the budget) when it badly needed to happen. Finally, maybe we can get some kind of expedient solution to this.
Put your foot in your mouth and "swallow hard"
So Ignatieff is going to "swallow hard" and support the Cons.
Well, Chantal Hébert called it, I'm sorry to say... but also provided some interesting and enjoyably scathing commentary. Don't misunderstand, I think she's great... I just wish she'd been wrong about this.
Now, I understand the need for expediency in taking action on the economy, but obviously Harper does not since he was willing to prorogue Parliament in order to run away from a confidence vote. How many more chances do we need to give him before realizing that he can't be trusted to do what needs to be done? It's like trying to reason with a pathological liar and hoping that maybe, just maybe, he'll tell you the truth this time. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
I still don't fully understand Ignatieff's reasoning for "swallowing hard" and accepting this. Getting the quickest possible action on the economy? Wouldn't that be hard to do with a PM who was willing to put such an urgent matter on ice for 6 weeks for personal political gain? After such a stunt, how can we expect him to act with any urgency on this matter? If he doesn't, and what sane person would expect him to given his recent behaviour, wouldn't taking a "wait and see" attitude postpone proper action even further?
Or is it, as Peter Mansbridge asked him, a way to leave the impending deficit and economic pain on the heads of the Cons then have the Libs swoop in later when things are looking up again? That would be just as dirty, partisan, and selfish a trick as Harper's vote-ducking last month.
Most infuriating of all: Ignatieff's support now means that Harper's dirty little trick worked and he will be able to remain PM. How many similar stunts will we see in the future now that everybody gets to see you can get away with this?
Mr. Ignatieff needs to lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way. Otherwise described in my childhood household as "sh*t or get off the pot."
And I agree with many of Jack Layton's points today (as you can see above) but his repeated commentary about a "new coalition between Harper and Ignatieff" is just childish and inflammatory. Yes I'm angry too, but such rhetoric is not helping.
I have an idea: we'll put Harper in teamwork training, Ignatieff in assertiveness training, and Layton in finishing school.
Well, Chantal Hébert called it, I'm sorry to say... but also provided some interesting and enjoyably scathing commentary. Don't misunderstand, I think she's great... I just wish she'd been wrong about this.
Now, I understand the need for expediency in taking action on the economy, but obviously Harper does not since he was willing to prorogue Parliament in order to run away from a confidence vote. How many more chances do we need to give him before realizing that he can't be trusted to do what needs to be done? It's like trying to reason with a pathological liar and hoping that maybe, just maybe, he'll tell you the truth this time. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
I still don't fully understand Ignatieff's reasoning for "swallowing hard" and accepting this. Getting the quickest possible action on the economy? Wouldn't that be hard to do with a PM who was willing to put such an urgent matter on ice for 6 weeks for personal political gain? After such a stunt, how can we expect him to act with any urgency on this matter? If he doesn't, and what sane person would expect him to given his recent behaviour, wouldn't taking a "wait and see" attitude postpone proper action even further?
Or is it, as Peter Mansbridge asked him, a way to leave the impending deficit and economic pain on the heads of the Cons then have the Libs swoop in later when things are looking up again? That would be just as dirty, partisan, and selfish a trick as Harper's vote-ducking last month.
Most infuriating of all: Ignatieff's support now means that Harper's dirty little trick worked and he will be able to remain PM. How many similar stunts will we see in the future now that everybody gets to see you can get away with this?
Mr. Ignatieff needs to lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way. Otherwise described in my childhood household as "sh*t or get off the pot."
And I agree with many of Jack Layton's points today (as you can see above) but his repeated commentary about a "new coalition between Harper and Ignatieff" is just childish and inflammatory. Yes I'm angry too, but such rhetoric is not helping.
I have an idea: we'll put Harper in teamwork training, Ignatieff in assertiveness training, and Layton in finishing school.
26 January 2009
The Tories have a coming-to-Jesus moment
...or at least, they'd like you to think so. Here's the full text of what the media is hilariously calling the Pamphlet from the Throne.
But here are a few interesting phrases from it (emphasis mine):
As for the rest... bovine excrement about the Cons holding hands and singing kumbaya with the other parties. I imagine the GG had to pop a Gravol before reading this one.
And is it just my imagination, or was the GG seething mad when she read it? She looked like she was extraordinarily pissed off and trying hard to hide it... a pleasant smile with flared nostrils and eyes that could cut through steel. And who could blame her if she was? She's already been put on the spot in one untenable situation by this PM, with possibly more to follow, by his idiotic games. And it's anybody's guess what they talked about for 2 hours before she granted him prorogation. I'm still convinced she attached some conditions we don't know about.
But here are a few interesting phrases from it (emphasis mine):
we strive for greater solidarity"There can be no pride of authorship" - translation: We have no qualms about continuing to steal other parties' ideas, reached through their research, at their expense, and presenting them as our own. Here we have the most truthful statement in the whole speech.
Our Government approached the dialogue in a spirit of open and non-partisan cooperation. There is no monopoly on good ideas because we face this crisis together. There can be no pride of authorship –only the satisfaction of identifying solutions that will work for all Canadians.
unity, determination and constancy of purpose.
As you unite in common effort and in common cause,
As for the rest... bovine excrement about the Cons holding hands and singing kumbaya with the other parties. I imagine the GG had to pop a Gravol before reading this one.
And is it just my imagination, or was the GG seething mad when she read it? She looked like she was extraordinarily pissed off and trying hard to hide it... a pleasant smile with flared nostrils and eyes that could cut through steel. And who could blame her if she was? She's already been put on the spot in one untenable situation by this PM, with possibly more to follow, by his idiotic games. And it's anybody's guess what they talked about for 2 hours before she granted him prorogation. I'm still convinced she attached some conditions we don't know about.
Letter to my councillor
I wrote the following letter to my city councillor today. A bit late, I admit, since they are meeting with the ATU today, but I have little faith that they will come to agreement today anyway. I recently sent an e-mail of outrage, carbon-copied to my city councillor, Mayor O'Brien, and the ATU. My councillor answered stating that they voted to add another $500,000 to assist low income and vulnerable people who are affected by this strike. I replied with the following. Please feel free to use any or all of this to write to the Mayor, your City Councillor, or any other government official if you are so inclined.
Dear {name},
Thank you for your efforts to provide assistance for our city's disadvantaged. It's not that these efforts go unappreciated; it's just that the need is so great and the extra help has not been nearly sufficient or fast enough. As you can see, public protests have begun today because citizens have had enough of these hardships.
I don't know if you will reach an agreement today, and I'm sure you are overwhelmed with letters and e-mails on this. But I have a few of suggestions, for what they're worth.
1) Compromise more with the union on scheduling to get the buses back on the road - just bite the bullet - BUT.....
for their UNCONSCIONABLE selfishness and willingness to impose extreme hardship on our citizens, and to protect us in the future:
2) Use future transit funding to implement an automated, driverless system such as Vancouver's Skytrain, and
3) Do whatever it takes to get the light rail system going in our city.
I am normally pro-union in my views, but this abuse of the public by the ATU has caused me to rethink my position. This is the capital of a G8 country and there is no reason why a group of bus drivers should be able to bring this entire city to its knees every 3 years if we can not or will not cater to their every wish. Something needs to be done, and if we have alternate transit options in place they won't be able to repeat this nightmare year after year. Knowing the possibility of a similar crisis always exists, it would be extremely irresponsible not to make other provisions. Granted, these are not short-term solutions - but we can live with this hanging over our heads for the next few years while we take steps to mitigate it, or we can live with it for decades to come.
Thank you for your time. Please feel free to share this letter with the mayor or other councillors as appropriate.
EEP
The loudmouth speaks, after all
...and basically says, no help here - figure it out for yourselves.
Mind you, Baird didn't bring up the strike himself but was questioned on it by reporters... at which time he essentially promised to relegate the work-rest requirement question to several months of red tape (or several weeks if expedited - notice the "if") and left us on our own for the rest. He would have continued as though the strike wasn't happening at all, if he hadn't been cornered like a rat. Just like Harper and his treatment of the recession... repeated denial of its very existence and refusing to act on it (after all, it doesn't exist!) until cornered like a rat by the coalition.
Colour me surprised.
Incidentally, here is the media's version of the Harper personality transplant I proposed here and here.
Prime Minister needs to build confidence
Good luck with that. Once a gutless liar, always a gutless liar. Here's hoping the Liberals reject the budget.
Mind you, Baird didn't bring up the strike himself but was questioned on it by reporters... at which time he essentially promised to relegate the work-rest requirement question to several months of red tape (or several weeks if expedited - notice the "if") and left us on our own for the rest. He would have continued as though the strike wasn't happening at all, if he hadn't been cornered like a rat. Just like Harper and his treatment of the recession... repeated denial of its very existence and refusing to act on it (after all, it doesn't exist!) until cornered like a rat by the coalition.
Colour me surprised.
Incidentally, here is the media's version of the Harper personality transplant I proposed here and here.
Prime Minister needs to build confidence
Good luck with that. Once a gutless liar, always a gutless liar. Here's hoping the Liberals reject the budget.
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