Is it just me , or is the world making less and less sense with each passing day ? So many events nationally and globally that I have to wonder , what are they thinking . Then as if to add insult to injury they have educated answers that are orated by spin doctors . The cynical side of me says this is all part of the plan . Bring the world to its knees so the mega corps can control even more . Or could it be the education and success makes them believe that they are all mighty . Whatever the case , one observation that is obvious is that common sense has all but become extinct . There is always the self serving interests that takes precedence . Short term gain with nary a thought towards the ramifications for the future . How did we get to here ? When did it begin to change ? I do not know precisely what the future holds , what I do know is if we continue down this path we will self destruct faster than any civilization before us .
My father lived by a belief that if you spent your spent your time helping others, when you can , then loving yourself came with it . Nowadays we have experts telling us to love yourself first look after your own cause no one else will . I followed that line for a lot of years , what I got from it was misery and a lot of people taking advantage of me because I did not fully believe that creed . The lessons that my father taught me either through osmosis or verbally stayed in the back of mind . Here I am well into middle age having discovered it , "finally" . Will I help the greedy when they falter and lose everything ? If I can yes , my actions need to speak louder than my words (written or spoken) . I truly hope that when I find work that this thinking follows me . Perhaps writing these thoughts in a blog will help to reinforce my values . I will never become wealthy nor will I ever become a person of stature in society . I leave that to other members of my extended family , as that is their desire . I will spend the remaining days doing as my father spent all his years hoping I would do . At least I will make a far greater effort from now on .
If my dad and my maternal step grandfather and my step mother could read this they would all smile , nod and maybe even choke back a tear . Who knows maybe they are as I write .
Miss you all and thanks for everything .

Game , Set , Match

Advantage Canada . It now costs $1.03 to purchase a US $ . The fiat currency market is being tossed about on the waves violently . It could be that the markets are signalling to Canada that given the fact that your economy is doing better than holding on , that is , seeing real growth the interest rate should rise . They have a point , however the reasons for holding the line are just as convincing . Growth is regional and is barely begun . Inflation , compliments of the US Federal Reserve has arrived , so any rise in rates could theoretically put the economy back into recession . How likely ? That depends on where you live . If you live in parts of B.C. , Alberta , or Saskatchewan the chances are slim to none . Any other part of the country ,game on ! It could be said that the western part of Canada is busy inflating its own bubble . I will not question the decisions made by the Bank of Canada . Mark Carney has implemented a solid approach and has delivered us from potential chaos and/or ruin . Make no mistake though the risk has not gone away . WE have merely skirted around the risks yet again putting off the issues that need to be addressed . What issues would Canada have have ? Why , the same issues every other developed nation has , Inflation and the addiction to growth .
Growth is something that is self providing . If the population continues to increase and people have creativeness then growth happens . Perhaps not as smooth as economists would like to see or in the "right" locations , but it happens . Worst case you stand still just to survive . It is only when the govt. interferes with stimulus programs and ad hoc financing that the view of growth is distorted and after 30 + years it is no longer distinguishable so a new image is brought forward , more to liking of business and govt. . What needs to happen is there needs to be a one person think tank , figure out what the strengths are and build upon that . No country can be all things to its people .
Which takes me to foreign aid . Since its inception it has been done wrong . The Nations with capital have gone to places that need help and boldly said "this is what we did and we are providing the money , so do it our way" WRONG , people . People that need capital will always be there but the object is to not have repeat customers . Go to them money in hand and ask "what is it you want to do and where can I help ?" They may need to have a one person think tank before accepting the help but it assures a far higher success rate .
A look back over the history of the developed world shows that a lot of things were done wrong . With those lessons in hand perhaps it is best if the economies shrink back and the re building process can begin . Maybe we will even get it right.
What are the lesson that will be in hand ? Lesson 1 is nothing lasts forever .Economies are like plants . They germinate grow ,bloom ,mature , go to seed and die , letting a new plant take its place . Very few of our people in positions of influence want to recognize this fact . That , or there is the perpetual thought that we are in growth or bloom stage . My assessment is that Europe has gone to seed , America is dying , Canada and Australia are mature . I'm sure that sounds harsh and there will be thousands if not millions that disagree with me , I did say it was "my" assessment . All these countries are now behind the 8 ball when it comes to planning a new direction . Growth is out of the question the best all can hope for is a winding down and those individuals in a position to rebuild will see opportunity to do so.
What of the people that are in that position ? In America and to a lesser extent the rest of the developed world these people have been aided by govt. to increase their own personal wealth and that of the corp. they oversee . I do not object to them building wealth . My objection is that they built it on the backs of one country and transfer it to another with higher returns (emerging markets) . A vast majority of the population in these developed economies have no idea how much assistance they are providing to the corporations . These same corps. constantly hold the threat of leaving or closing up should the tax rate rise to ANY degree . Step 1 quietly close the openings that allow transfer of wealth to another country without the approval of the ruling govt. Step 2 set up a protocol for corporations that want to transfer or wind down . Offering a alternative such as restructuring . Hold firm to the rules .
What's done is done . We cannot go and claw back into the errors from the past , for what kind of confidence does that bring ? The best we can do is learn and start over . Let the "chips fall where they may" so to speak . There will be much anguish amongst the people and the banks , the losses will be astronomical , but mark my words failure to address the problem head on and write down a large portion will only cause the entire planet to implode from the greed and unwillingness to learn and bend .
The cynical or realistic thinking (which ever you choose) would say that we have a deep mistrust towards one another . We tend to eye each other with deep suspicion . I think it will only get worse as the gap widens between the "haves" and "have nots" . Protests , uprisings , and outright revolts certainly capture the attention of the political leaders and the media . What the end result usually is , is a few concessions given to those who objected and more given to those who were silent .
There are many external factors that will play out in time . The cost of transporting goods , will global trade continue at a higher cost or will trade be sharply reduced ? I tend to look back at the past 30-40 years and think what if trade had not accelerated at the pace it did ? Would everyone be worse off ? The lifestyle we have become accustomed to may not have happened . Maybe we would have a healthier life or the innovators would have looked for other opportunities .
We are about to find out what might have been the hard way ,as our economy contracts . The question you will have to answer for yourself is will you help your neighbor who is in the same situation as you despite your longing for what you used to have ? In some ways I am fearful of what is come and at the same time exited for a new beginning an era of people working together for the good of each other . A government that holds all its corporate citizens accountable and responsible thereby over time developing a whole new mind set .
It all sounds so pie in the sky but if the will is there from top to bottom we can rebuild with success and a good feeling in our hearts

Where to Now , may I ask ?

I am marginalized but it is of my own making .
I have failed to rise to a level of competence .
I have the ability to observe and to sympathize but these skills are not required in a society where the mantra is " dog eat dog " .
Oh how I yearn to see those who are worse off than I , for it gives me a feeling of hope , all be it an illusion or false hope .

Clean up in aisle Wisconsin

The fiasco in the state of Wisconsin has been going on now for over a week with no settlement in sight . Battle lines are drawn and neither side now is willing to come out of their trenches . In an effort to maintain fairness it has been publicly stated that the unions were willing to take some cuts and deal on the others it is the government that has crossed their proverbial arms and stuck the heels in to the dirt . The democrat side of the house is doing what they can with their minority position to protect the working side .
But let's not forget there is a deficit and the sooner it gets dealt with the easier it is for future generations . The one thing I have never understood in the american political arena is the fierce resistance to increase taxes and trim the government . There are only 2 ways out , raise money or cut expenses , some times both . It is imperative that the public be aware of the dire situation and be part of the process . Slashing expenses on the stage while the stagehand shovels money back in to the bucket only fuels the anger in the taxpayer .
Many know I live in Canada and there was a time in this country where we faced a similar financial wreck . Our governments raised the tax rates and cut services and in 8 years we were head above water . Now , I want to point out that the services cut were across the board , No single sector was targeted and I think that is the hot coal in the sock of Wisconsin . One sector is being asked to bear the brunt of changes .
I have tried to stay away from taking sides in this blog submission . My greatest fear is that at the state level and/or at the national level these realizations will not be seen and it will slide ever more into the pit of debt . What happens there I will not address at this time . Suffice it to say there will be much gnashing of teeth .
Good luck to you , Cheeseheads and Buckeyes . I will be watching with interest and cheering for common sense and good will to prevail .

This morning I went back and re read my past submissions , proof reading is certainly a wonderful tool and it would be in my best interest to use it . Just so you know I do how to use the written and spoken english language , to a certain extent at least .
I spend more time than I should on the social site facebook and there are people that are friends of mine on the site that are asking me to write . (forgive them father for no not what they ask) .
As a result of being on fb (facebook) I am able to see links to news and opinion articles . One that came to my attention last week and I still think of was the Wyoming legislature passing a bill that allowed citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a permit . Being a Canadian I have always struggled with the American "right to bear arms" slogan or constitutional right . My mind immediately goes back to Tuscon , Arizona recalling the shooting spree in Jan. 2011 . Arizona has such a law that allows concealed firearms . I know , it would not prevent all shootings and I know it's people that kill , however I feel that such laws allow for the thinking to change "I can so I will" to god forbid , "I have it so I will use it" . A person prepared to fire a weapon is no match for some one armed but not prepared . Even though we share a continent and the world sees the two nations as one culture , this is but one of the glaring differences in our cultures . There are countless others , but out of respect for my neighbors and friends in America I will not mention them at this time .

glance back, look ahead

For quite some time I was unable to access this site for reasons only known to cyberspace hence the long gap in posts . Regardless as the title suggests a glance back and a look ahead in this installment . I did construction and home renovations for a time and enjoyed it , then become ill for a brief period and have been unable to find a suitable re entry point in to the workforce since . According to all the experts we narrowly escaped a global depression all thanks to the US Federal Reserve . My home province never saw a downturn in activity just kept chugging along , thankfully , the novelty has worn off for the media . What is so interesting is the dismal year that we had in farming last year should have put a damper on the economy but failed to do ,so , have things changed ?
Record prices in everything and I do mean everything . It is noticable at the grocers and is creeping in at the retail gas pumps . Housing here has lost all sense of logic . Farmers are setting up for a record crop year , but as they always say , long time till harvest . Sheep prices have gone off the map as well , this worries me , will price drive demand off ? It all looks so perfect , I sense impending doom . This is going to come crashing down on us yet again , it has to , we haven't fixed anything . My prediction has been Oct/ 2011 . For some reason the market does not like Oct. This time around I am not so certain Canada will get off so lucky . Even though we have the natural resources some parts will be affected badly . Having said all this I hope I am wrong .