Saturday, November 20, 2004

Fairness in Eastern Canada

Well it has come to pass, The issue of fairness has finally raised its ugly head in Eastern Canada. This resource rich region has been getting the dirty end of the stick for so long it knows no different. Newfoundland has a plethora of natural resources oil,natural gas, ore, water, hydro capability and wood. However we reap very little of the profits from these riches, instead we remain dependent on handouts from Ottawa, and it seems thats the way successive Federal Governments want to keep it. Indeed most Newfoundland premiers have done little to improve our deal with the Feds.

Now we find ourselves in a unique position. You see we had a Federal Election here and our provincial government, led by the odious, but particularly hard nosed Danny Williams was able to wring a promise from each of the candidates for us to keep 100% of the revenues from oil exported from here (Currently most of these profits are clawed back by Ottawa's equalization formula) Not surprisingly once the election was over the PM attempted to weasel out of the deal. The problem came with the fact that We ended up with a minority government. Newfoundland was able to line up considerable support from other premiers AND some of the other federal parties. Now Nova Scotia is looking for a similar deal. The two provinces have refused to be divided, and Ottawa is running out of options, it appears that twp of Canada's 'Have Not" provinces may soon be changing their stripes

Thursday, November 04, 2004

All Hat

Our Neighbours

Well its official. The USA has elected George Bush for a second term, or a first, depending on your point of view. What brings Americans to vote for a man such as Bush? His policies have virtually left the America alone in the world. What could bring the majority of American voters to believe that a man of obvious negativity could lead them out of the morass that his policies have led them into.
Bush governs by creating a a climate of fear. He and his administration convince Americans that everyone outside of the US is there enemy, and many inside. If you are not a Bush supporter, you are a traitor.
America was cruelly attacked on 9/11 It reacted swiftly and strongly gaining the admiration of many worldwide by tackling terrorism head on. Then the sudden Iraq insanity occured and the world stood amazed as it watched the worlds most powerful nation go down this dark path. Many began to think of the USA as a dangerous and out of control giant with a megloaniac as its leader.
Bush's adversary John Kerry, campagined to rebuild worldwide trust in America, and was rejected. Does America really believe that they are an island, so to speak? Or do they feel that they can force all the world around to their point of view?
Whatever the reason the US has doomed itself to isolationism and to the death of thousands more of its citizens for no logical reason that I can see.