Heather Scoffield's article on the Canadian dollar in today's Globe and Mail, reports on the climb of the Canadian dollar. Today, the dollar was trading at $1.0459 (U.S.) which is a record high after the Bretton Woods agreement. However, it seems that the main reason for the record high is due to a weak U.S. dollar. “It's clear that a lot of this is U.S.-dollar related, and I can't see anything in the near term that's going to cease the pressure on the U.S. dollar,” Mark Chandler a fixed income strategist for Royal Bank said. Many feel that the dollar has risen too far too fast; but there appears to be minimal changes happening to halt the rise. The rise in the Canadian dollar has had positive and negative effects to Canadians. A positive includes the increased positive self image it has had on the Canadian image of being inferior to the United States. As Canadians we constantly compare our country to the United States and in most cases (especially dealing with the economy) feel inferior. Having a stronger dollar can begin to dispel this incorrect image of our country. A negative effect it can have is the trend towards heading to the States to do our shopping. Many people do not understand the logic of "shopping locally"; and with an increase of our dollar it only increases this desire to take our money elsewhere. If we support our local economy, the money will stay in our community which will benefit us and our families.
This article from the Globe and Mail also discusses the throne speech, but from the perspective of the Liberals and the leader Stephane Dion. The Liberal's do not want an election so they are going to put forward amendments and if they are not accepted they will support the Throne speech in order for an election not to be called. They believe that Canadians do not want an election, but simply want the government to do their jobs. Dion states that there were some good and bad things that came out of the throne speech. The good includes such things as: a pending apology to victims of the Indian residential schools, increased attention to Northern Canada, and extending the scope of the action plan on official languages. However Dion argues that all of these things were not detailed enough. The bad includes such things as: the Conservatives promises in regards to the environment and the war in Afghanistan. I definitely do not agree with the Conservatives ideas on these issues. Although they appear to be taking action with the environment, it is not enough and over too long of a period. Jack Layton believes that the Liberals need to stand up against the Conservative government and its agenda by having an election called. Although I agree that the Liberals need to show leadership and challenge the Conservatives; I am worried of what results will come of a federal election - Conservatives as a majority government!!! However, regardless of when an election is called this fear will always be!
In this article from the Globe and Mail, the journalist discusses what came about from the Throne speech that was held yesterday and what the Conservative platform entails.
While there is chance for a federal election to be called in the near future, the Conservatives feel that delaying the dropping of the election writ may be beneficial for them. A new Strategic Counsel poll suggests that the Conservative government does not have enough support for a majority government, which is obviously the Conservatives ultimate goal.
Based on the Conservative platform, the plan is to hug the moderate middle of the political spectrum. A political science professor states that this is a "long-term plan. The right would be reorganized as the centre-right, which displaces the Liberals. And the NDP, if the Liberals are weak enough, can move slightly more to the centre-left." Therefore it appears that Harper's ultimate objective is the annihilation of the Liberal Party. I do not like this idea of the right becoming more central, and the left moving to be more central as well. I believe that the idea of having 3 different political parties, ranging from the right, to left - with a party in-between is beneficial for Canadian politics and for democracy. Although the parties can be seen to be quite similar, there is still some variance in policies and allows citizens to vote for the party/leader that best fits their own individual ideologies. If there is a convergence of political parties to become even more moderate, there is less choice for citizens to make on how they want the government to run the country. After reading the summary of the Throne speech and the vows the Conservative government has made illustrates the fact that the right is moving more to the centre of the spectrum. One positive of this approach is that if the Conservative government gets re-elected when there is a federal election, left-leaning policies may have more of a chance at being recognized at the federal level.
OK this might be a little crazy, but I couldn't resist sharing this with others...
Today when going to blog, I decided to get all "fancy" and go to YouTube to find some entertaining videos to discuss rather than articles from newspapers. Not knowing much about YouTube I somehow I stumbled onto videos made by an individual in Regina which basically cut down the NDP government and endorsed the Saskatchewan Party. These videos were rather "interesting" to say the least, with all of them referencing SGI as "Socialist Government Ignorance" (SGI). After having a good laugh at these videos I became intrigued and went to check out the creators website which he had listed after each video. The website is: http://www.dental-spy-implants.blog.ca/ I write this out in order for you to see the name of the website... many many question marks are in your brain right now correct?! The name of the guy who created the videos and the website is Don Muntean, and here my understanding of his story which is on his website (which may I add is not easy to follow!!!) In 1998, Muntean got hit by a vehicle while riding his bike, and because of the No Fault Insurance policy of SGI, Muntean was not able to sue the driver to get financial compensation for his injuries. I assume after this Muntean began protesting SGI policy and tried unsuccessfully for compensation. Then in 2002, Muntean went to a dentist in Regina and claims that SGI conscripted the dentist into performing a procedure which involved placing an implant which is a tracking device. into his sinus cavity. Since this date, Muntean has been trying to find out what exactly was placed into his sinus cavity and for what purposes. Muntean: "Now here we are over nine years later - and we have this insurance company - breaking the public trust without regard to morals and ethics - in connection to a spite they've seeded and cultivated - because I could not accept anything less than fair for my permanent impairments." It's me today - with this implant - shall it soon be all SGI clients with their cars.
Well I am not sure what all of you are thinking, but I am wondering what really is going on here, and what this Don Muntean is actually all about! At this point in time I could assume several characteristics of Muntean, but I am not going to make any assumptions on his character. However, I would have to think that SGI has much more to do rather than place some sort of "tracking" device into some guys sinuses!!!! I don't really feel comfortable cutting down Muntean online, so I will just say I question (and disbelieve) all the information he has described with this "SGI conspiracy" and what he has placed on his website. However, as Muntean states in response to someone questioning him: "I wonder if you think that such things are not possible - I would hope that you might use the internet and the puiblic library to become educated on current technologies. What has happened to me could happen to anyone." ..... (Scary music) ... next time you are at the dentist kids, careful what they place in your mouth!!
But seriously, you should check out his videos on YouTube. I am not sure how to place videos on my blog, but hope to figure that out soon. In the mean time click here for his videos...
