After receiving a pay cut yesterday. I sat down and considered the cost of working working in the suburbs vs anywhere accessible by rapid transit.
Annual cost of car ~ $8000 http://www.edmunds.com/tco.html
Annual cost of transit ~ $1000
OR
If I decided to take transit into the inaccessible suburbs.
Total commute time by car ~ 45mins * 2 = 1 1/2 hours
Total commute time by transit ~ 2 1/2 hr * 2 = 5 hours (each way 5 bus connections, with bus service at 1/2hr intervals. )
lost income as result of daily 5hr commute ~ $9000
----------------------
To pay for the extra cost of working in the suburbs without transit access is about $10/hr.
I will happily work in city serviced by good transit for $10/hr less. This high cost for working is why America "Canada/USA" can NOT compete. It affects me personally and I HATE it.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The PMO has all the power in Canada.
http://youtu.be/pEsCPi-BOXA
The PMO has all the power in Canada.
Its his show and his show alone.
And on that point there is no debate!!
The house of commons is nothing more than a bad show, to make the people feel like they have a democracy. When the truth is we have an elected dictator.
http://www.hrsolidarity.net/mainfile.php/2000vol10no09/708/
Elected dictatorships are those where dictatorships cleverly masquerade as democracies. In elected dictatorships, regular elections are held, a docile and subservient press is maintained that purveys lies and fear to intimidate the voters to support the ruling elite. The ability to pull off this masquerade of pretending to be democratic makes elected dictatorships difficult to eliminate.
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/23458
Canadians are so fed up with smarmy politicians talking out of both sides of their mouths, ... Canada is in dire need of politicians who believe in government of, for and by the people, but we won’t get it so long as we allow our leaders to wield dictatorial powers
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Parliament+become+irrelevant+under+Harper/5815682/story.html#ixzz1fsmFygYD
A better comparison to the Canadian situation might be Russia, where Vladimir Putin is able to act without concern for the formal role of institutions, although in Canada there are a series of extra-governmental actors
And we have watchdogs - the auditor general, the parliamentary budget officer and the like - but according to a count by Queen's University Professor Ned Franks, Harper has fired or forced out 10 watchdogs, which tends to cow the others.
The only way this near absolute power held by the PMO can be countered is by the Provinces taking a very strong stand, which may include exercising their sovereignty.
This is the power the Provinces have. It is a very important power which can be used.
The PMO has all the power in Canada.
Its his show and his show alone.
And on that point there is no debate!!
The house of commons is nothing more than a bad show, to make the people feel like they have a democracy. When the truth is we have an elected dictator.
http://www.hrsolidarity.net/mainfile.php/2000vol10no09/708/
Elected dictatorships are those where dictatorships cleverly masquerade as democracies. In elected dictatorships, regular elections are held, a docile and subservient press is maintained that purveys lies and fear to intimidate the voters to support the ruling elite. The ability to pull off this masquerade of pretending to be democratic makes elected dictatorships difficult to eliminate.
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/23458
Canadians are so fed up with smarmy politicians talking out of both sides of their mouths, ... Canada is in dire need of politicians who believe in government of, for and by the people, but we won’t get it so long as we allow our leaders to wield dictatorial powers
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Parliament+become+irrelevant+under+Harper/5815682/story.html#ixzz1fsmFygYD
A better comparison to the Canadian situation might be Russia, where Vladimir Putin is able to act without concern for the formal role of institutions, although in Canada there are a series of extra-governmental actors
And we have watchdogs - the auditor general, the parliamentary budget officer and the like - but according to a count by Queen's University Professor Ned Franks, Harper has fired or forced out 10 watchdogs, which tends to cow the others.
The only way this near absolute power held by the PMO can be countered is by the Provinces taking a very strong stand, which may include exercising their sovereignty.
This is the power the Provinces have. It is a very important power which can be used.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Destruction Conceived by the Corruption of Justice
In international news, early this week Bush and Blair were convicted for war crimes by a less court in Malaysia. But even as alleged criminals do they really have anything to fear. Even as criminals they will mostly like go unpunished as long as the ICC can be vetoed by any of the UN Security Council members. The same is unfortunately true of Harper's Government involvement in torture and corruption of justice.
As long there is no accountability before the Law, justice has been corrupted. The corruption of justice destroys a people.
Amos
Ezekiel
Hosea
I purposely have not given verse references, because without reading with a searching mind you will not understand the destruction conceived by the corruption of justice.
"some critics have suggested that Article 16 does not go far enough and in fact undercuts the role of the P-5 by requiring an affirmative vote to stop the prosecutor.(72) The Security Council only has the power to allow an investigation or prosecution to continue, but not to stop one. Conversely, others have expressed fears that the Security Council’s deferral power could eviscerate the independence of the prosecutor and the Court.(73)"
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/researchpublications/prb0211-e.htm#jurisdiction
“If some States are able to use the ICC for their political motives, or if some individuals are beyond the reach of the ICC because of their position within a State, the Court will lose credibility, human rights will continue to be violated, and democratic development will be stifled. We understand that some States propose granting the Security Council sweeping powers to determine the docket of the Court. The granting of such powers to an essentially political body is incompatible with the establishment of an effective judicial body. The Court requires total independence in order to guarantee that the highest standards of international justice are respected.”
As long there is no accountability before the Law, justice has been corrupted. The corruption of justice destroys a people.
Amos
Ezekiel
Hosea
I purposely have not given verse references, because without reading with a searching mind you will not understand the destruction conceived by the corruption of justice.
"some critics have suggested that Article 16 does not go far enough and in fact undercuts the role of the P-5 by requiring an affirmative vote to stop the prosecutor.(72) The Security Council only has the power to allow an investigation or prosecution to continue, but not to stop one. Conversely, others have expressed fears that the Security Council’s deferral power could eviscerate the independence of the prosecutor and the Court.(73)"
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/researchpublications/prb0211-e.htm#jurisdiction
“If some States are able to use the ICC for their political motives, or if some individuals are beyond the reach of the ICC because of their position within a State, the Court will lose credibility, human rights will continue to be violated, and democratic development will be stifled. We understand that some States propose granting the Security Council sweeping powers to determine the docket of the Court. The granting of such powers to an essentially political body is incompatible with the establishment of an effective judicial body. The Court requires total independence in order to guarantee that the highest standards of international justice are respected.”
Friday, November 18, 2011
The Monarchy powers the PM currently enjoys MUST be removed.
Quebec is considering sovereignty to escape Harper's tyrannical rule.
"This isn't a tough-on-crime measure we're seeing today — it's a tough-on-democracy measure," Quebec Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournie
He said he will now study all measures available so that Quebec can maintain its own approach to crime-fighting.
Quebec says it can't understand why, with some of the lowest crime rates in the country, its own lenient approach would be ignored in favour of expensive policies that have failed elsewhere.
"This is a clear illustration — yet another illustration but a very, very serious illustration — of the major dysfunction that the Canadian federation can cause," said PQ justice critic Veronique Hivon.
Harper is not tough-on-crime. If he was he would demand full investigation into Afghanistan corruption and relate torture, G20/G8. He would not game the election spending regulations in clear violation of their legal intent.
Harper is tough on democracy.
Write your provincial MPP, and ask them to seek sovereignty to escape Harper's tough-on-democracy.
Tell them you do not want the Federal Government and Secrete Police of CSIS systematically secretly monitoring your every action without cause. You do not want to be secretly detained without warrant and intensely questioned without a reason given for doing so. You do not want the Government using copyright legislation as a means of restricting access to its documents and denying accountability.
Demand full disclosure of pre-election political advertising. Demand full disclosure of all media financial transactions.
Democracy only works when an informed public votes in fair elections. Democracy does not work when elections are bought.
Stop undue influence and conflict of interest, Demand a permanent ban on X politicians from becoming lobbyist.
Demand the monarchy powers the PM currently enjoys be removed. These unrestricted powers to appoint and influence appointees, removes all accountability and provides the PM dictatorial powers.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/quebec-harper-government-tough-on-democracy-not-tough-on-crime-134071723.html
"This isn't a tough-on-crime measure we're seeing today — it's a tough-on-democracy measure," Quebec Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournie
He said he will now study all measures available so that Quebec can maintain its own approach to crime-fighting.
Quebec says it can't understand why, with some of the lowest crime rates in the country, its own lenient approach would be ignored in favour of expensive policies that have failed elsewhere.
"This is a clear illustration — yet another illustration but a very, very serious illustration — of the major dysfunction that the Canadian federation can cause," said PQ justice critic Veronique Hivon.
Harper is not tough-on-crime. If he was he would demand full investigation into Afghanistan corruption and relate torture, G20/G8. He would not game the election spending regulations in clear violation of their legal intent.
Harper is tough on democracy.
Write your provincial MPP, and ask them to seek sovereignty to escape Harper's tough-on-democracy.
Tell them you do not want the Federal Government and Secrete Police of CSIS systematically secretly monitoring your every action without cause. You do not want to be secretly detained without warrant and intensely questioned without a reason given for doing so. You do not want the Government using copyright legislation as a means of restricting access to its documents and denying accountability.
Demand full disclosure of pre-election political advertising. Demand full disclosure of all media financial transactions.
Democracy only works when an informed public votes in fair elections. Democracy does not work when elections are bought.
Stop undue influence and conflict of interest, Demand a permanent ban on X politicians from becoming lobbyist.
Demand the monarchy powers the PM currently enjoys be removed. These unrestricted powers to appoint and influence appointees, removes all accountability and provides the PM dictatorial powers.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/quebec-harper-government-tough-on-democracy-not-tough-on-crime-134071723.html
Saturday, October 8, 2011
High land cost caused by expanding suburbs have push farmers off most of the number one farm land in BC.
High land cost caused by expanding suburbs have push farmers off most of the number one farm land in BC.
BC produces less than 50% of its food. A large part due to the best farm land in BC lost to suburban sprawl. http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/AboutUs/Issues/AgriculturalLand/tabid/111/Default.aspx
http://www.metrovancouver.org/planning/development/agriculture/AgricultureDocs/Local_Government_Policy_Options_to_Protect_Agricultural_Land.pdf
agriculture on a small land base point to one of the primary challenges facing the viability of farming the most fertile soils in this province: land use conflicts between agricultural and urban uses. Both because the land market values farmland for its non-farm uses, particularly residential and industrial uses, and because of the prevalence of conflicts that result from different land uses in close proximity to one another, the agricultural importance of the land is undermined. Farmers cannot access land for agriculture because of its cost and there is a shortage of land for leasing due to non-farm uses.
Farming in the South Coast area is also characterized by relatively low gross farm receipts due to these land costs,
Both of these characteristics – high land prices and low gross farm receipts – discourage capital investment and product innovation, and prevent new farmers from entering the market
-------------------
Farm land can only be preserved if it priced so that farmers can profitable earn a living farming.
The agriculture land trust fund which must be paid into when taking agriculture land out of production, would create a price buffer between the price of land seen by developers and farmers. Using this trust fund to pay for fully reclaiming farm land would provide a means of cleaning up sprawl slum.
Unfortunately, many farmers are highly indebted and depend on increasing land values to avoid foreclosure. The introduction of an agriculture land trust fund would reduce the price paid for agriculture land. Farmers must be protected from this devaluation. How??
BC produces less than 50% of its food. A large part due to the best farm land in BC lost to suburban sprawl. http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/AboutUs/Issues/AgriculturalLand/tabid/111/Default.aspx
http://www.metrovancouver.org/planning/development/agriculture/AgricultureDocs/Local_Government_Policy_Options_to_Protect_Agricultural_Land.pdf
agriculture on a small land base point to one of the primary challenges facing the viability of farming the most fertile soils in this province: land use conflicts between agricultural and urban uses. Both because the land market values farmland for its non-farm uses, particularly residential and industrial uses, and because of the prevalence of conflicts that result from different land uses in close proximity to one another, the agricultural importance of the land is undermined. Farmers cannot access land for agriculture because of its cost and there is a shortage of land for leasing due to non-farm uses.
Farming in the South Coast area is also characterized by relatively low gross farm receipts due to these land costs,
Both of these characteristics – high land prices and low gross farm receipts – discourage capital investment and product innovation, and prevent new farmers from entering the market
-------------------
Farm land can only be preserved if it priced so that farmers can profitable earn a living farming.
The agriculture land trust fund which must be paid into when taking agriculture land out of production, would create a price buffer between the price of land seen by developers and farmers. Using this trust fund to pay for fully reclaiming farm land would provide a means of cleaning up sprawl slum.
Unfortunately, many farmers are highly indebted and depend on increasing land values to avoid foreclosure. The introduction of an agriculture land trust fund would reduce the price paid for agriculture land. Farmers must be protected from this devaluation. How??
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Americans made two mistakes which squandered their advantage in Afghanistan.
Americans made two mistakes which squandered their advantage.
"People welcomed the Americans [because] they saw them as their liberators. There was no room for the Taliban to stage a comeback immediately."
"I think the Pakistani military... tolerated the Taliban and also helped them”
Hasan Askari Rizvi Defence analyst
By 2006, however, the Taliban had infiltrated large parts of the south - especially the provinces of Zabul, Kandahar and Helmand.
By 2008, they were spreading out north towards Kabul.
Brig Shah says the Americans made two mistakes which squandered their advantage.
"They focused on military objectives instead of stabilisation and development. And they soon went to fight a war of choice in Iraq, abandoning the war of necessity that had brought them to Afghanistan."
The lack of reconstruction, and rampant corruption among government officials at a time when millions of refugees were returning from Iran and Pakistan, led to widespread disenchantment and fuelled insurgency, he says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15132461>
Dick Cheney foolish defends the use of torture.
Terrorism feeds on misery, corruption and HATRED!
With reduced corruption the Afghan government would have been able to win many hearts and minds of the Afghan people and police itself. Reducing the world terrorism threat.
The decision to use torture and support the corruption of justice required to make torture possible has been a strategic blunder. Rebellion against the corruption within the Afghan Government gives the extremist terrorist more than enough support. We have wasted untold billions. We have wasted what was probably our only chance to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and reduce the threat of terrorist who feed on the misery, corruption and hatred.
Torture is corruption of justice. The hatred created by torturing for information is beyond our comprehension.
Through the misery, corruption and hatred created through torture, Dick Cheney is a danger to all.
"People welcomed the Americans [because] they saw them as their liberators. There was no room for the Taliban to stage a comeback immediately."
"I think the Pakistani military... tolerated the Taliban and also helped them”
Hasan Askari Rizvi Defence analyst
By 2006, however, the Taliban had infiltrated large parts of the south - especially the provinces of Zabul, Kandahar and Helmand.
By 2008, they were spreading out north towards Kabul.
Brig Shah says the Americans made two mistakes which squandered their advantage.
"They focused on military objectives instead of stabilisation and development. And they soon went to fight a war of choice in Iraq, abandoning the war of necessity that had brought them to Afghanistan."
The lack of reconstruction, and rampant corruption among government officials at a time when millions of refugees were returning from Iran and Pakistan, led to widespread disenchantment and fuelled insurgency, he says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15132461>
Dick Cheney foolish defends the use of torture.
Terrorism feeds on misery, corruption and HATRED!
With reduced corruption the Afghan government would have been able to win many hearts and minds of the Afghan people and police itself. Reducing the world terrorism threat.
The decision to use torture and support the corruption of justice required to make torture possible has been a strategic blunder. Rebellion against the corruption within the Afghan Government gives the extremist terrorist more than enough support. We have wasted untold billions. We have wasted what was probably our only chance to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and reduce the threat of terrorist who feed on the misery, corruption and hatred.
Torture is corruption of justice. The hatred created by torturing for information is beyond our comprehension.
Through the misery, corruption and hatred created through torture, Dick Cheney is a danger to all.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Loopholes in Canadian conflict of interest regulations
Loopholes in Canadian conflict of interest regulations allow telcos to buy influence in Federal Conservative government policy making.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/news/124984399.html
“As you can see, it is illegal to take improper advantage of your former office, especially by giving advice on matters you dealt with, and especially by giving advice using secret, privileged information you obtained while in office,” Conacher told the Capital News in an e-mail.
But Conacher is concerned by what he calls “loopholes” in the current federal laws governing lobbyists because neither the federal Commissioner of Lobbyists, nor the federal ethics commissioner audit or inspect the activities of former ministers, staff or senior officials to see if they are following the rules after leaving office.
Loopholes in the current federal laws governing lobbyist allow the near monopolist telcos to use former Industry Minister Jim Prentice and former Conservative MP Stockwell Day to obtain special access to the Conservative government policy making.
Corruption and democracy: Political finances - conflicts of interest - lobbying - justice (2008)
ISBN 978-92-871-6355-4
ISBN : 978-92-871-6355-4PDF
http://book.coe.int/EN/ficheouvrage.php?PAGEID=36&lang=EN&produit_aliasid=2294
Conflict of Interest polices and Instruments (page 90)
- restrictions and control of post-employment business and NGO activties
http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/news/124984399.html
“As you can see, it is illegal to take improper advantage of your former office, especially by giving advice on matters you dealt with, and especially by giving advice using secret, privileged information you obtained while in office,” Conacher told the Capital News in an e-mail.
But Conacher is concerned by what he calls “loopholes” in the current federal laws governing lobbyists because neither the federal Commissioner of Lobbyists, nor the federal ethics commissioner audit or inspect the activities of former ministers, staff or senior officials to see if they are following the rules after leaving office.
Loopholes in the current federal laws governing lobbyist allow the near monopolist telcos to use former Industry Minister Jim Prentice and former Conservative MP Stockwell Day to obtain special access to the Conservative government policy making.
Corruption and democracy: Political finances - conflicts of interest - lobbying - justice (2008)
ISBN 978-92-871-6355-4
ISBN : 978-92-871-6355-4PDF
http://book.coe.int/EN/ficheouvrage.php?PAGEID=36&lang=EN&produit_aliasid=2294
Conflict of Interest polices and Instruments (page 90)
- restrictions and control of post-employment business and NGO activties
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