That's the best we've come up with? This is our solution to what ails the economy is to throw money at it? To spend and throw and have someone else pay for it? Dear oh dear are we cooked. Pretty soon we'll be like the quasi-communist EU. Speaking of which, just because the rest of the world is introducing lame ass stimulus packages doesn't mean they're right nor does it suggest we should follow them.
Oof.
Harps should have stuck to his guns, grown a pair (or at least get a prosthetic spine) and spoken to the people directly if you ask me. Take initiative for crying out loud. What the fuck has happened to the art of leadership here?
I heard someone say the budget was conservative pragmatism at work. If by this they mean bending over then I agree. Had he stayed true blue he would have won more respect. Instead, he played into another trap - the one where the other mirages posing as parties can act with outright indignation about this and that.
If you're a fiscal conservative on this continent you're not represented anymore. Would you personally take on more debt to maintain an life style you can't afford? Why should tax payers be called upon to save the economy for short-term considerations? It's in our collective best interest you say? Phooey I say to that.
I'm not one of those people who wants "visionaries." A visionary is another way of saying ESP. I love when someone takes a chance and it works out and we call them "visionaries" afterwards. They show up on the cover of magazines and hit the talk show circuit saying blah, blah, blah.
All I want is someone to have the courage to do what's necessary and right even if it's unpopular. Of course, tightening and cutting is hard and painful! But at this time it has to be done to ensure long-term health. Government increasing deficits and printing cash are sweeping dirt under the rug. Government involving itself in the business cycle is like shoving a stick in the spokes of a spinning wheel. It's also a racket.
I have much to say but I fear I'll go overboard without humor.
So I'll let the Marx Brothers take over. This is what North American politics reminds me of now.
This should certainly not be considered a criticism, but I must question your level of political understanding if you consider the EU "quasi-communist".
ReplyDeletePags, I go to Europe often. I speak to many. I studied the EU. My competence is fine. It's my impression and impression many over there too. I think you need to read Europe a little more in detail.The level of government control and bureaucracy there is massive. Call it what you want.
ReplyDeleteThe use of the word (of course they're not communists!) was meant to be tongue in cheek up to a point but they're not that far off from it - and neither are we.
When people come into YOUR building representing some unknown bureaucracy telling YOU what to do under the guise of "protecting" YOU, that's pretty much a control state - and a racket.
Welcome to my nightmare!
Ah Commentator, Commentator, I liked that "when people come into YOUR building representing some unknown bureaucracy telling YOU what to do" thing. It's exactly what it is happening here in most of Europe, and in Italy more than ever.
ReplyDeleteBut at least, if you come to Rome and get sick you don't have to sell your Canadian house (or your wife) to pay a doctor.
This Liberty thing you New World people have ... isn't slavery better?
;-)
Commentator: it sounds to me like you are describing Québec as much as the EU.
ReplyDeleteMan of Roma: I think you are confusing Canada with the U-S-A.
We have less liberty, but universal health care.
Yes, I see similarities with Quebec and the EU. That's why my abstract "quasi-communist" reference.
ReplyDeleteIt's ridiculous that a "have-not" province with 7 or 8 million people has a bureaucracy double (if not triple) the size of California. A state as big as Canada in terms of population and with a bigger economy (I think it's the 4th or 5th largest economic actor in the world.)
But Ontario is worse I find. At least Quebec let's some realism enter its political culture.
MOR, I believe Italy (like France) is two-tier, no? Anyway, from what I've read and heard, both countries have a "better" system than Canada.But I don't want to open that can of worms. It's very hard to compare health systems.
MOR, I was told by some construction union bullshit that I could get a $5000 fine for holding a broom in my father's building during a demolition!
ReplyDeleteThey came in with the aura of owning the place (although polite) telling me they wanted a contract between us (the owners) and the demolition team (my cousin who is a legit company); this and that - for a lousy two day job. Of course, my lawyer said to ignore it and we did. I just didn't like the feeling of government coming in with an upper hand like that.
It was like, "who the f are you guys?"
We're ok with regulations (you need it in some cases) but it's overkill here. It should be limited.
@Palgolak
ReplyDeleteIn fact I was referring more to the USA than to Canada, though I didn't know you have such dreadful bureaucracy in Quebec. I'm pretty sure though it is not as bad as in my country. If you want to open a coffee shop in Italy, it can take ONE YEAR to get permissions and to comply to regulations (talking about Rome though, the eternal ... chaos). How can we compete with other countries like that? I've heard in Spain you can get permissions etc. in 2-3 weeks! Well, they are coming out of a dictatorship, and made all speedy, so hungry they were for modernity, nonetheless …
@Commentator
How much does it take in Quebec to open a business as far as regulations and permissions? I'm sure it doesn't take A YEAR, like here!
That 'union bullshit' seems pretty bad though. Maybe you have a thick bureaucracy that *works*! Might be worse than one that doesn't, like ours, but I wouldn’t bet.
No, it doesn't take a year. Far from it but you do have to "grease" here and there. Many permits for nothing. Our socialism is not as bad as Italy's. Mind you, is the EU just as bad?
ReplyDeleteThat's why Spain and Ireland are competitive again. Keep interventionism at a minimum. It's not that hard.
A thick bureaucracy that works? I dunno. Unions prevent progress in my view. I don't think we're all the efficient nor are we realizing what we're capable of. If Quebec would go the Ireland route this place would rock big time.
Keep interventionism at a minimum. It's not that hard.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that simple instead. With thousands of regulations and barriers you need a lot of 'grease', as you say, that feeds entire categories of parasites, like controllers, lawyers, police, business and tax consultants. Governments aren't strong (or willing) enough to do some real cleaning and simplification.
Despite all this, Italian economy works, and it is one of the rich states on earth. I wonder the 'big time' Italy could have if set free from these damn blood-suckers or leeches or worms or whatever you call' em.
ReplyDeletePS
Now Spain has a bigger crisis than we have, much bigger. Ireland, no idea.
Yes, I remember studying Italian politics (madonna, what a bordello) and a scholar saying the same thing: Italian politics may seem strange to us (North Americans, Northern Europeans) but it works for Italians. I add, there's a certain pragmatic rhythm to it. Italians don't seem to be caught up in the notion of nation-state like we do.
ReplyDeleteI once "dated" a gal from Bologna. She was a confessed communist and she told me Italian nationalism was weak; if not fake. She used the example of how Italians stand for the anthems at the Olympics. "We don't cry for the flag. We're busy looking in the crowd."
That was funny.
Yes, Italy is a G7 nation. 7th largest in the world in terms of GDP - its quality of life is high too. I know there are all sorts of ways to measure economic wealth (some don't even accept GDP), but for all intent and purposes Italy is rich.
BUT, much like Canada, I submit that Italy can and should do better. The Economist (what's left of its dignity anyway) had a survey of Italy and concluded as much. There's no nation like it in Europe they felt and they saw no reason why Spain should pass it in tourism.
Speaking of which, I know that the construction boom buoyed Spain, but wasn't aware of its problems. What sort of problems? Well, Spain doesn't have the manufacturing and industrial might, legacy and talent of Italy.
But it did "pass" Italy in league soccer and basketball - for now. ;<)
My parents just came back from Barcelona. They thoroughly enjoyed it. Spain is an extremely interesting country. But that's for another time; perhaps on your blog!
EE: Interventionism: You're right: easier said than done. I often think about what it would take to clean it up. Usually I just shrug my shoulders and think: either you walk away or start a revolution.
ReplyDeleteYou would have to change a mindset over slow evolutionary process. That means declaring "war" on so many article of faiths that have become to common or accepted norms; especially in economics.
Politically, politicians have to truly speak for the people by giving tough love. Time for them to let people be their own maestro; their own driving force in society.