"I am entitled to my entitlements." This was said originally by David Dingwall, former head of the Royal Canadian Mint, when he resigned his position in 2005. But isn't that a phrase that says it all these days?
One of those "entitlements" that continues to come up is a national government subsidized daycare system. Activists keep pushing for it. They want everyone to pay for the lifestyle to which they believe they are entitled. Wouldn't tax cuts for one income families make much more sense than paying for a national daycare system for which funding would be astronomical? Besides putting private daycares out of work, it would put government bureaucrats in charge of raising our children. What a scary thought!
By the way, Quebec has subsidized daycare. However, that is one of the many social programs they provide but cannot afford. It is paid for by the rest of Canada through transfer payments (which is something I could rant about for a while, but will save for another time). Anyway, my point is that it is unsustainable.
So people who think the are "entitled" to subsidized daycare among many other social programs (including unlimited healthcare), they might want to think again. Europe's culture of entitlement has led them down a path I don't think we want to follow.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Pierre Trudeau Gets a Failing Grade
I have come to the conclusion that everything that is wrong with Canada today is the fault of Pierre Elliott Trudeau and his government (well, maybe not everything, but darn close). Here are some of my reasons:
1. Changes to the criminal justice system. In 1971, Canada's solicitor general, Hon. Jean-Pierre Goyer, said the following: "For too long a time now, our punishment oriented society has cultivated the state of mind that demands that offenders, whatever the offence, be placed behind bars ...... Consequently, we have decided from now on to stress the rehabilitation of individuals rather than protection of society." And they have done exactly that. Protection of society seems to be of very little concern to today's so-called justice system.
2. The Official Languages Act. This one really bugs me. With all the double printing on labels and having to listen to everything twice, be it on airlines, on the phone with any federal organization, speeches from the government (including debates), etc. And while we are on the subject, if Quebec wants to separate, for crying out loud, LET THEM GO!!!! If they knew we were serious about letting them go, I'm sure the whining would stop.
3. Multiculturalism. This is another bone of contention for me. It is not working. In fact, I think it has made things worse. We have these large ethnic communities now that don't seem to want to be part of Canada.
4. Liberalization of society. Of course, Trudeau is not totally to blame for this one as it is happening to all westernized countries; however, the decline of morality and the culture of entitlement has grown exponentially in the successive Liberal governments. A prime example of this decline was demonstrated with the riots in Vancouver and then London.
5. Then, of course, there was the National Energy Program or the "NEP" which practically destroyed the economy in Western Canada, especially Alberta. It makes my blood boil when I think of the arrogance of that government to basically say F___ You to Western Canada. It left a huge scar that is still visible today.
Well, that was my rant. It feels good to get it off my chest. What do you think? Was Prime Minister Trudeau's leadership good for Canada?
1. Changes to the criminal justice system. In 1971, Canada's solicitor general, Hon. Jean-Pierre Goyer, said the following: "For too long a time now, our punishment oriented society has cultivated the state of mind that demands that offenders, whatever the offence, be placed behind bars ...... Consequently, we have decided from now on to stress the rehabilitation of individuals rather than protection of society." And they have done exactly that. Protection of society seems to be of very little concern to today's so-called justice system.
2. The Official Languages Act. This one really bugs me. With all the double printing on labels and having to listen to everything twice, be it on airlines, on the phone with any federal organization, speeches from the government (including debates), etc. And while we are on the subject, if Quebec wants to separate, for crying out loud, LET THEM GO!!!! If they knew we were serious about letting them go, I'm sure the whining would stop.
3. Multiculturalism. This is another bone of contention for me. It is not working. In fact, I think it has made things worse. We have these large ethnic communities now that don't seem to want to be part of Canada.
4. Liberalization of society. Of course, Trudeau is not totally to blame for this one as it is happening to all westernized countries; however, the decline of morality and the culture of entitlement has grown exponentially in the successive Liberal governments. A prime example of this decline was demonstrated with the riots in Vancouver and then London.
5. Then, of course, there was the National Energy Program or the "NEP" which practically destroyed the economy in Western Canada, especially Alberta. It makes my blood boil when I think of the arrogance of that government to basically say F___ You to Western Canada. It left a huge scar that is still visible today.
Well, that was my rant. It feels good to get it off my chest. What do you think? Was Prime Minister Trudeau's leadership good for Canada?
Monday, August 8, 2011
Bilingualism Rearing its Ugly Head
Michel Thibodeau, a French Candian who is fluent in both official languages, has a hobby of suing Air Canada for not providing service in French. He has recently been awarded $12,000 in damages for ordering a 7up and receiving a Sprite instead because the flight attendant could not speak French on a flight that he and his wife were taking. This is his second successful suit against them.
This also reinforces my feeling that too many judges are spineless and refuse to throw out such frivolous cases. Justice Marie-Josee Bedard wrote in her judgment "The applicants' language rights are clearly very important to them and the violation of their rights caused them a moral prejudice, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of their vacation". Really? Loss of enjoyment of their vacation. What a load of crap. Is she really that removed from reality?
To quote someone I do admire, "As a religion, bilingualism is the god that failed. It has led to no fairness, produced no unity, and cost Canadian taxpayers untold millions." That was said by Stephen Harper when he was president of the Canadian Taxpayers Association.
Unfortunately, I think he is keeping thoughts like that to himself these days.
This also reinforces my feeling that too many judges are spineless and refuse to throw out such frivolous cases. Justice Marie-Josee Bedard wrote in her judgment "The applicants' language rights are clearly very important to them and the violation of their rights caused them a moral prejudice, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of their vacation". Really? Loss of enjoyment of their vacation. What a load of crap. Is she really that removed from reality?
To quote someone I do admire, "As a religion, bilingualism is the god that failed. It has led to no fairness, produced no unity, and cost Canadian taxpayers untold millions." That was said by Stephen Harper when he was president of the Canadian Taxpayers Association.
Unfortunately, I think he is keeping thoughts like that to himself these days.
SlutWalk is Misguided
Have you ever heard of Slutwalk? I hadn't until recently. It's women getting together and walking in protest to victim blaming. It started as a protest to Toronto Police Constable Michael Sanguinetti's comments that women should "avoid dressing like sluts" if they don't want to be attacked. The walk is gaining momentum in Europe, Australia and North America.
I agree that Constable Sanguinetti was definitely out of line with that comment and I also agree that sometimes people blame the victim, perhaps even subconsciously, for putting themselves in harm's way. However, I have also noticed that some women think they have the right to wear whatever they want, no matter how revealing, and they shouldn't be getting any unwanted attention. Hello!!! Let's be realistic here, girls. If you put it out there, you are going to get attention, especially the unwanted kind.
Now I'm a modern woman and I believe in equality for all human beings. However, I also believe in human nature. SlutWalk is telling our young girls that they "should" be able to be as free as they want. I fear that message may give them a false sense of security and encourage them to be more daring.
Unfortunately, just because something "should" be the way you want it to be, doesn't mean that it is.
I agree that Constable Sanguinetti was definitely out of line with that comment and I also agree that sometimes people blame the victim, perhaps even subconsciously, for putting themselves in harm's way. However, I have also noticed that some women think they have the right to wear whatever they want, no matter how revealing, and they shouldn't be getting any unwanted attention. Hello!!! Let's be realistic here, girls. If you put it out there, you are going to get attention, especially the unwanted kind.
Now I'm a modern woman and I believe in equality for all human beings. However, I also believe in human nature. SlutWalk is telling our young girls that they "should" be able to be as free as they want. I fear that message may give them a false sense of security and encourage them to be more daring.
Unfortunately, just because something "should" be the way you want it to be, doesn't mean that it is.
Crackdown on Polygamy
If you have been following the story of Warren Jeffs and his polygamous organization/religion (a cult really) you will be pleased to hear that he has been convicted of child abuse and aggravated sexual abuse. They are awaiting sentencing in Texas.
If you have not heard of him, he is a despicable human being who broke away from the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and started his own church when LDS banned the practice of polygamy. Last report stated that he has 78 wives, 12 of whom were under age when he married them, the youngest being 12.
Here in Canada, in Bountiful, BC, we have our very own polygamous community that is connected to Mr. Jeffs' so-called church and it is run by Winston Blackmore. At least five of the under aged brides of Mr. Jeffs' are from Bountiful. Mr. Blackmore ripped these poor girls from their families and sent them down to Texas for Mr. Jeffs to marry or give to someone else to marry. Mr. Jeffs would sometimes return the favour. It sounds an awful lot like slavery to me.
Although I could never condone, of course, the actions of these two men, I can somewhat understand it because they are power hungry, nacissistic pedophiles. What I don't understand, however, is the motives of all the people that are enlisted along the way (quite often family members of the girls) to ship them out like cattle to another country. How do they justify it to themselves?
Texas is cracking down on this despicable practice. Mr. Jeffs is the eighth person to be convicted so far since the 2008 raid on his compound. It's time for British Columbia to get on board and start protecting the children from these monsters.
If you have not heard of him, he is a despicable human being who broke away from the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and started his own church when LDS banned the practice of polygamy. Last report stated that he has 78 wives, 12 of whom were under age when he married them, the youngest being 12.
Here in Canada, in Bountiful, BC, we have our very own polygamous community that is connected to Mr. Jeffs' so-called church and it is run by Winston Blackmore. At least five of the under aged brides of Mr. Jeffs' are from Bountiful. Mr. Blackmore ripped these poor girls from their families and sent them down to Texas for Mr. Jeffs to marry or give to someone else to marry. Mr. Jeffs would sometimes return the favour. It sounds an awful lot like slavery to me.
Although I could never condone, of course, the actions of these two men, I can somewhat understand it because they are power hungry, nacissistic pedophiles. What I don't understand, however, is the motives of all the people that are enlisted along the way (quite often family members of the girls) to ship them out like cattle to another country. How do they justify it to themselves?
Texas is cracking down on this despicable practice. Mr. Jeffs is the eighth person to be convicted so far since the 2008 raid on his compound. It's time for British Columbia to get on board and start protecting the children from these monsters.
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