The Governor General was right forcing all individuals who were elected on Oct/14/08 to work together. There are not one, two or three parties in Ottawa. There are four parties and three independents.They should produce a budget that's acceptable to the majority of M.P.s
The biggest fault of the opposition coalition is that it excluded Conservative M.P.s who were also elected by voters.
The Conservative "Economic Update" was partisan politics, but so was the Liberal, NDP and Bloc coalition.
Lets ditch the election rhetoric and start working together to help all Canadians.
Back in October, the results of the Canadian Federal Election were quite obvious. The Conservatives improved their minority and the Liberals lost 25 seats.
All parties vowed to cooperate together in order to lessen the effects of a coming recession, but that was not the case. Stephen Harper still acted like he had a majority and the three opposition parties conspired to overthrow the Government without even trying to work with it on a "Stimulus Package".
The Liberals made a deal with the NDP and the Quebec Bloc Separatist Party to help them take over the government. This may occur this month or in Janurary/2009.
Stephen Harper and the Conservatives launched an all out attack on this coalition as undemocratic because it wasn't discussed as a possibility during the last election.
I'm not against coalitions, but Stephen Dion left out the party which won the most seats, the Conservatives. This is reprehensible and highly partisan because there are bright minds in all parties who can help Canada in its hour of need.
I would like to see "A Coalition Of The Willing".
A Coalition Of The Willing would be a coalition of the majority members of Parliament. It would assist Canada and Canadians in getting through this tough economic period. To be part of it, one would have to forego partisan politics and work as a team with other party members for at least two years.
A new Prime Minister would be chosen by the majority from this coalition. He would select his own cabinet and hold his position for two years.
Preferably, both Dion and Harper would step down from their positions. They are part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Most Canadians don't want an election. Excluding the Tories from a coalition just puts them into an election mode where "The Green Shift" has become "The Quebec Bloc Shift".
People aren't idiots or incompetent because they support a different political party than you do.
I'm sure one could find intelligent and helpful Conservatives who would be willing to form "A Coalition Of The Willing".
The Governor General should also be approached with this idea for a workable emergency Federal Government.
Harper and Dion are yesterday's men still trying to win yesterday's battles. It's time to get rid of the excess baggage.
An Injection Of Hope Into The World's Stock Markets
Over the last week, The Canadian TSX climbed 13.7%, The S&P 500 12%, The London Exchange 13.4% and The Japanese Stock Market 7.6%.
Perhaps, there's a feeling that the bottom of market has been found and secured. It's one thing to give money to individuals or companies, but it's another thing to transmit the hope of a better world to others. The former is a simple physical act, but the latter is a spiritual power that some of us share with those who went before.
Many catastrophes, wars, recessions and plagues have overwhelmed mankind in the past. Each time, spiritual beliefs have helped people get through those dark periods of human suffering.
When we envision a better existence on Earth, it isn't just for ourselves. It's for our children and our children's children. By creating it in our minds and communicating those visions to others, we are participating in the world tomorrow. Along with this imaging process, we also pray for improved conditions in every aspect of our life including economics and the stock market. Our prayers connect us with the power of belief that can take up or down the scale of human survival.
There is no reason for us to be "helpless pawns in the hands of the God of Market Forces".
When I buy the stock of a company, it's like saying in Vulcanese "Live Long And Prosper". The thought itself has more power than the mere exchange of equities for cash.
The Baby Boomers are those born between 1946 and 1964. For those with lots of energy, you might call them "Zoomers". Sometime I feel like a zoomer and sometime I feel like an over-the-hill boomer. Usually, when I start listening to great oldies like"The Twist"or"Roll Over Beethoven", I get pumped up and start zooming again.
There are many things that boomers have in common with other boomers. Most of us have enjoyed radio dramas like "Murder After Midnight", black and white TV and low tech games like checkers, crazy eights, monopoly and table hockey.
We've also enjoyed a much wider range of music than most other generations. On the page below, you'll find classic pop, "Side By Side" by Kate Starr, early bubblegum music, "Sherry" by The Four Seasons, a musical film novelty song, "Aba, Dabba Honeymoon" by Debbie Reynolds, a rare rock novelty tune, "I Go Ape" by Neil Sedaka, an anti-war protest song, "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" by The Kingston Trio.
There's also self-awareness music from "Both Sides Now" by Judy Collins and a popular religious song, "Turn Your Radio On" by Ray (funny man)Stevens.
One boomer wasn't like another boomer. Back in the 1960s, non-confromity was the dominating trend. "Where it's at for you dad, isn't necessarily where it's at for me".
Some boomers protested against the Vietnam war. Others were heavily into drugs, sex and rock and roll. Others took up new age religions like Scientology, Hare Krishna and the Unification Church (Moonies).
Star Trek started as a TV series and ended up as a science fiction cult.
Each boomer followed his/her inner path towards self fulfillment.
Many of us developed an eternally young headspace. Our parents who were born before the Second World War gradually aged and departed this world.
At this stage in life, we must come to grips with death and see beyond it.
We also have to come to grips with stockmarket losses and recover from them.
We must learn from our mistakes and keep in good physical and mental shape.
Boomers have much to give other generations. The internet makes it easier to "download" our experiences and insights.
Try searching on the internet for the objects, concepts and experiences in the song "Do You Remember These?" by the Statler Brothers below. Boomer realities can be your realities too.
Shirley Darragh is my mother's sister. In better times, I remember how much fun she was. She could enjoy a good laugh .
I'd like to thank my cousin, Collen Carr Smith and my cousin Julie Bishop, Shirley's daughter, for providing me with details of her death and last moments.
Shirley's online obituary can be found on this website. Please sign the questbook linked to the site.
Julie looked after her mother, right to the end.
The two original members left in the Peever Family from the 1920s and 30s are Alan Peever and Olive Buckley.
When my mother (Doreen Barron) passed away a couple of years ago, I created a weblog obituary for her. Chick here to see it.
Some of my pleasant memories of the Peever family can be found in this blog entry.
A Letter To The Prime Minister Of Canada On Hedge Funds
The letter below was sent a couple of days ago to the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper.
I hope you will continue the crusade on this issue and send your own letter to the leader of your country:
"Last month, I bought some blue-chip stocks at a bargain price. Like you said in the last election, “The stock market dive should be looked upon as a buying opportunity.”
Unfortunately, there was no one around to warn me and other investors about hedge fund sell-offs that amounted to billions of dollars. Hedge funds, apparently, have more than a trillion dollars under their management.
The present Bear Market is a very risky place to be. Who knows when the bottom is going to be found on it, especially, if hedge funds managers have to sell blue-chip stocks to cover margin positions.
As long as there is no control over these panic sell-offs, I’m not buying anything on the stockmarket. It’s been rumored that more panic selling by hedge funds could reduce stockmarket value by another 30%. No kidding, I watched this forecast from a fund manager on BNN(Canadian Business Network).
I don’t even know why hedge funds exist. Shouldn’t there be just one level for group investment, MUTUAL FUNDS? Hedge funds lack accountability or transparency. The G20 group that met in Washington recently, surely knows the negative impacts that markets have taken from hedge fund sell-offs.
With online investing so easy, it’s important to have an adequate risk assessment of macro economic conditions.
There are heavy risks investing in anything in a bear market. It’s like trying to catch a knife that is falling. These risks should be communicated to investors.
Companies that could go bankrupt like GM or Nortel are high risk investments and should be labeled as such. Stock-rating experts label stocks, “buy”, “sell” or “hold”. There should also be a label that says “don’t buy” or “not recommended to buy under present market conditions”.
We are relying on governments to manage risks connected to stock markets. This is not being done as many investors have been spooked and chased out of the market.
Few of us can tolerate having RRSPs or pension funds devastated by speculators with lots of money.
It is time that markets were made safe for real investors rather than those who want a quick buck.
Do whatever needs to be done in these situations, put hedge funds out of business or communicate risks factors on market indexes relating to massive sell-offs.
It's hard to believe that Neil isn't in "The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame". He's had numerous hits like "Calendar Girl", "Little Devil" and "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" which was #1 in both the 60s and 70s.
Other artists have had hits from his songs which include "Stupid Cupid" and "Love Will Keep Us Together".
You can sign a petition on this website and help Neil get into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. He deserves it. He's one of the happiest guys in rock and roll and tours regularly.
In this blog, I have emphasized the positives about North American economies. It is true that under the present conditions, we have to invest and spend smarter than we have in the past, but I believe with God's help we can do it and lead the world out of recession.
Some more reasons for optimism are listed below:
The stockmarket has already priced in a global recession for 2009
The stockmarket is down 40 percent, but there are stocks that are down 75 to 90 percent. The babies are getting thrown out with the bath water. Some stocks will go to zero, but there are companies out there with fantastic management teams and decent balance sheets and their stocks will come roaring back.
The positive effect of $60 oil should start boosting the North American economies over the next six months.
The G20 leaders are going over comprehensive financial reform plans and economic stimulus packages which will help turn around the economies of the world.
It's highly unlikely that the world leaders will not make the same mistakes that were made at the London Conference in 1933. This occurred during the Great Depression.
Most of us thrive on challenges and problems. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
This term refers to a brief recovery of stocks during a bear market like today. The Dow finished up at 552 points and the Canadian TSX rose 430 points.
Have the markets hit bottom? In January 2008, "investing experts" were discussing the same idea. Maybe we should consult Daffy Duck or Elmer Fudd on this matter too.
It would be great if markets have bottomed out, but I think the above recovery is just part of the present volatility. Sheep can run into the market as well as run out of it.
I have heard some experts on business television predict that North American stockmarkets could fall a further 30% because hedge fund managers are still under pressure to sell stocks and pay off debts. They have approximately 400 billion under management.
I don't believe stocks will fall another 30%. The G20 is meeting in Washington this weekend to go over the peculiar problems of this global recession and find ways to end it soon.
The fourth quarter of this year doesn't look good and the first quarter of next year doesn't look good either. The markets could decline another 5 to 10 percent because the crystal ball gazers (the economists) haven't seen the recession's end in their crystal balls.
Eventually, the downturn will come to an end because there are many people in businesses and governments who are trying to turn the bad news around. When stocks, houses, gasoline fillups, and consumer goods become cheap enough, people will buy them.
Yesterday, there were a record 83 unique visitors to this blog. I would like to thank everyone who remembered me and veterans on "Remembrance Day".
I always try to put a little magic into this weblog. With 1357 entries on just about every subject under the sun. I hope that you find something that challenges and stimulates your perceptions of this life and the next.
Please enjoy Judy Collins song from the late 1960s, "Both Sides Now":
Side By Side/Kay Starr
St Johns