It seems today that Stephane Dion has decided to step down. The one thing that seemed to really destroy the Liberals out of the gate was their Green Shift programme. It seems that Canadians really talk a good game about the environment but are not prepared to actually do anything!
I think that people would go along if; (1) There was absolutely no change in their lifestyle and (2) it won't cost them a penny. Why - because fundamentally we are a selfish people. You have to look at all the SUV's - no-one needs an SUV. A mini-van would be more suited to the tasks which most use them for. We still have drive-though restaurants.
That's Canada in a nutshell - talk big and no action.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Keynesian economics make a comeback...
If John Maynard Keynes was alive right now he would be laughing his head off. Modern business orthodoxy believes in a free-market without government interference. In the early 1980s the government of the UK buried the Keynesian economic model. The US of course was always wary of government interference - but still they continued to reduce regulation. Over 20 years of unbridled and unregulated financial markets and look at the mess! Short-sightedness and bad planning brought on by greed.
John Maynard Keynes advocated interventionist government policy, by which the government would use fiscal and monetary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of economic recessions, depressions and booms. Most of the western governments rejected government regulation, control and interference in the markets. The companies of course, were not above accepting handouts from these "non-interventionist governments".
Which brings us to 2008 and the current crisis. The government of the UK has effectively nationalised the Halifax Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB. Even the great beacon of capitalism, the US had to step in and bail their major banks. It seems they are capitalists on the way up and socialists on the way down.
During the past 100 years, we have seen Fascism fail, Communism fail, Socialism fail and now finally Capitalism in trouble. All competing theories of government have their pros and cons (discounting the obvious cases of Genocide and violence). All of these competing theories fail to take into account the inherent corruption and greed of those who are driven to power.
Hmmm... maybe we should only have leaders who don't power - they have to be dragged kicking and screaming into office. The personality type of those drawn to seek power seems to be inherently corrupt and greedy. Even those idealistic few who gain power are ultimately corrupted by power. If someone can come up with an answer, I would like to hear it.
John Maynard Keynes advocated interventionist government policy, by which the government would use fiscal and monetary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of economic recessions, depressions and booms. Most of the western governments rejected government regulation, control and interference in the markets. The companies of course, were not above accepting handouts from these "non-interventionist governments".
Which brings us to 2008 and the current crisis. The government of the UK has effectively nationalised the Halifax Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB. Even the great beacon of capitalism, the US had to step in and bail their major banks. It seems they are capitalists on the way up and socialists on the way down.
During the past 100 years, we have seen Fascism fail, Communism fail, Socialism fail and now finally Capitalism in trouble. All competing theories of government have their pros and cons (discounting the obvious cases of Genocide and violence). All of these competing theories fail to take into account the inherent corruption and greed of those who are driven to power.
Hmmm... maybe we should only have leaders who don't power - they have to be dragged kicking and screaming into office. The personality type of those drawn to seek power seems to be inherently corrupt and greedy. Even those idealistic few who gain power are ultimately corrupted by power. If someone can come up with an answer, I would like to hear it.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Follow-Up
I have sent an e-mail to the NDP of Canada asking them to explain how higher corporate taxes will create jobs. When corporations flee Canada to jurisdictions with lower taxation they will take their jobs with them. I think that Mr. Layton has an overly inflated opinion of Canada - namely that companies are willing to pay higher taxes to stay here....ummm.... no.
I doubt very much that I will receive a meaningful answer.
I doubt very much that I will receive a meaningful answer.
Political (il)logic
Let me see... the 2 major opposition leaders (Liberal and NDP) are attacking the Conservatives because PM Harper does not want run a deficit in these uncertain economic times. This evening I'm watching the news and none of them will say they are willing to run a deficit... pardon? So what exactly are you attacking the Conservatives about?
Jack Layton (NDP) does not seem to have a very good grasp of economics. He says that he will generate jobs by raising taxes on industry. So... when the companies flee the country, how will more jobs be generated?
Jack Layton (NDP) does not seem to have a very good grasp of economics. He says that he will generate jobs by raising taxes on industry. So... when the companies flee the country, how will more jobs be generated?
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