FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Apr 30

How We Treat Elders is a Reflection of Our Societal Values

by bcurry

Statistically, we are living longer in North America because of better nutrition, health care and medical innovations.  As a senior myself, I have a lot of concerns about how we treat elders.  COVID demonstrated how inadequate our long-term care facilities and senior residences were and continue to operate.  First and foremost, the issue of increasing longevity is a major one given that we have an aging population.  In addition, we have a society that is still primarily focused economically and socially on youth as was the case for much of the mid-twentieth century and on.  The fact that the U.S. has a current president who is over eighty should tell us something, instead of raising concerns over his age in terms of a possible second term.  Ageism is a factor in our everyday lives.  Take it from someone who has faced it first hand.

In other societies, elders are treated with much more respect and consideration.  These seniors often have experienced things, such as wars, persecution and severe poverty: things which none of our younger generation has ever really had to face head on.  Many immigrated to the U.S. and Canada after the Second World War in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families.  Their stories represent the history of post-war immigrants who fled following the collapse of European countries and the emergence of the Soviet Union, and their efforts to create new productive lives in both countries.  I myself was an immigrant making up this historic migration when my parents came to Canada shortly after the war.

For those who fought in the war, we frequently recognize them as the “greatest generation”, many shaped by the Great Depression and who represented the primary generation composing the enlisted forces in World War II.  In past years, they had an important place in our society in light of their sacrifices and experiences.  They passed on their values of working hard and sacrificing for their families, especially their children.  Now, many who were part of the so-called greatest generation are slowly disappearing.  They are no longer there to serve as valuable role models for my generation and our youth.  Instead, in our micro-family society the role of elders has been diminished and diluted to the point of blatant obscurity.  In most cases, they are no longer living with their children and their families.  They are often placed in senior residences and long-term care facilities.  Some seniors are fortunate enough and financially able to stay in their homes with available home care.  However, for some seniors, this possibility is unaffordable or simply unavailable.

Interestingly, it’s somewhat ironic that both countries have federal governments where the elected representation is one with more seniors proportionately represented in comparison to the general population.  For example, the 118th Congress is the third oldest since 1789 and the average age of Congress has been climbing since the early 1980s.  Today, the average age in the U.S. Senate is 63.9 years, and 57.5 years in the House of Representatives.  In Canada, the average age in the federal 39th parliament is about 52 years.  The Canadian senate has more seniors because members, appointed by parliament for their experience and past contributions to Canadian society, can sit in the Senate until the age of 75.

When it comes to governance, including the judiciary, there is much more recognition of the value of knowledge gained through life’s experiences.  Unfortunately, this recognition is not always carried over into our daily lives.  One only has to listen to the stories of our elders to realize their important contributions to our society, no matter how small and distant.  They are part of our history which needs to be recorded for posterity, thereby becoming part of their legacies.  The next time that you encounter a senior, take the time to listen to their personal histories and stories.  After all, they helped to contribute to our society’s foundation and to those changes which helped us evolve into today’s modern society: socially, politically and economically.  We owe it to the elders not to simply ignore them, but to treat them humanely with the respect they deserve as invaluable assets.

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Apr 26

Why the Fraser Institute’s Interpretation of Public Sector Stats in Canada is Misleading

by bcurry

When we think of government employment and operations, we tend to think of employees working away in government offices — i.e. some huge hidden bureaucracy.  Back in June 2015, the Fraser Institute released a report which noted that the public sector share of employment starting in 1992, declined from 26.1 percent to 22.3 percent by 2003.  Subsequently, it also noted that there had been an increase, with a peak of 24.4 percent reached in 2010 and then a slight decline to 24.1 percent by 2013.  As a result, persons looking at the report would immediately use such information to highlight that one out of four jobs in Canada are in government at different levels: federal, provincial and local.  The fact of the matter is that this perception is somewhat misleading depending on which definition of public sector activity one is using.  They then allude to U.S. stats which suggest that one in eight jobs is in the public sector. This comparison is misleading given the differences in public sector definitions between the two countries and the various activities which employ greater private sector resources in the U.S., such as in higher education and health care.

In Canada, besides public administration, public sector entities are found in the form of numerous government business enterprises (GBEs), active in various industries such as utilities (e.g., hydroelectricity), retail trade (e.g., liquor boards and cannabis stores), transportation (e.g., ports), finance (e.g., deposit insurance), leasing (e.g., convention centres) and recreation (e.g., nature parks).  For example, because of universal health care and health insurance in Canada, the vast majority of medical services are publicly funded, and health practitioners are deemed to be part of the public sector.  In addition, colleges and universities are primarily publicly funded.

Subsequently, the large size of the general government in Canada is primarily because of extensive social protection programs combined with the universal health care and public education systems.  In 2022, Statistics Canada reported that the expenses in 2021 of the 6,135 public sector units (as defined by the agency) amounted to 48.6% of the total gross domestic product (GDP), with consolidated general government expenses alone representing 44.9% of GDP.  These stats would place Canada’s public sector share of the economy in the same allocation as countries such as Great Britain, Sweden and Norway for example.

There is no doubt that the nature and range of industries in which the public sector is involved underlines its economic breadth and influence in Canada.  The public sector represents many workers who provide valuable services to Canadians, including health workers, teachers, firefighters, paramedics, hydro workers, park wardens, police officers, inspectorates, public transit workers, etc., etc.  As one can see, many public sector workers are employed in what are deemed as essential services.  To maintain these services, there has to be an adequate number of experienced and qualified public sector workers.  Wages and benefits have to be competitive with those offered in the private sector in order to attract and retain skilled workers, especially in the current period of labour shortages.

On the one hand, the Fraser Institute is known to be a pro-business entity and tends to take a more anti-government stance in its research and analysis.  On the other hand, in the most recent report released by Statistics Canada in 2021, it noted that public sector expenses (48.6% of GDP) saw a significant reduction from their unprecedented high levels reported in 2020 (58.8% of GDP).  Governments at all levels are attempting to reduce their annual debt levels, back to levels found prior to the pandemic.  It can be anticipated that public sector employment is most likely going to decline in post-pandemic years, particularly with the reduced need for certain services and programs introduced by governments during the pandemic.

To imply that public sector employment in Canada is somehow out of whack, is to ignore the importance of the role of governments in the country at all levels.  Given the scope of the Canadian public sector, the numbers are entirely reasonable and acceptable.

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Apr 19

What Does the Acronym “DINC” Stand For, And Why Has It Resurfaced Today?

by bcurry

During the early eighties, young people who were economically struggling were putting off marriages, children and buying homes.  They represented what became known as the DINC generation, that is to say “dual income no children”.  More recently, the acronym was expanded to DINCWAG, or “dual income no children with a dog”.  The acronym has again surfaced today.

Today’s younger generation, be they millennials or Generation Z, are facing tough economic times as a result of COVID and the current inflationary situation, where high interest rates and soaring housing prices have excluded many from the market.  In addition, rents in major urban centers are at an all time high and new residential construction was greatly impacted by COVID and problems with supply management.  Even in the high-tech industries, more and more layoffs are occurring.

Since the boomer period following the Second World War, birth rates in North American have been slowly declining.  Few people are having three or more children anymore and, with more women participating in the labour market and having professional careers, women are delaying having children into their thirties and even forties.  However, despite new fertility techniques, women are often restricted to having only one child as they become biologically older.  As well, a growing number of people are deciding not to have children, citing concerns such as climate change and inequality.  One suspects from recent studies that this situation will most likely become the norm in our society.

Even Elon Musk has entered into the debate by proclaiming that ‘civilization is going to crumble’ if people don’t have more children.  Musk further added that too many “good, smart people” think there are too many people in the world and that the population is growing out of control.  What does Musk mean by ‘civilization’?  Within his assertions lies an underlying perspective that what the industrialized countries need are more people born to so-called “smart people”.  This gets a little to too close to Adolf Hitler’s obsession with ‘racial purity’ and use of the word ‘Aryan’ to describe his idea of a ‘pure German race’ whereby the ‘Aryan race’ had a duty to control the world.  There are far right extremist white groups in North America who believe that current immigration levels from so-called ‘third world’ countries are diluting the population.  They are thereby loosing their traditional white privilege status, and feel threatened.  Such groups push for white women to have more children, thereby maintaining political and economic control within the society.  Don’t even talk about interracial marriage with these folks!

Let’s get real!  The so-called DINC phenomenon has more to do with the economic realities of our times.  It’s tough to have children in an age when the costs associated with raising children in our society are much greater than in the past.  Child care is not cheap and often women or men do not have access to adequate and affordable parental leave after the birth of a child.  The higher costs of higher education alone can be a major consideration, given that most parents want their children to graduate with a degree and go on to more lucrative employment.

With the current labour shortages in several sectors, the U.S. and Canada cannot afford to not use immigration as the primary means to fill jobs with skilled labour.  These jobs include everything from agricultural workers, construction workers, truckers to workers in the services sector.  Let’s face it, the DINC phenomenon is real and one sees it in communities on a daily basis.  The phenomenon has been gradually growing and was expedited by the COVID pandemic, which in itself has had an enormous impact on the world of work in North America.  New technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), are having a major impact and are creating a good degree of uncertainty among the younger generation.  Uncertainty is the key word.  Dealing with it will continue to be a difficult challenge for young couples today and into the near future.  Perhaps Elon Musk might want to come down from his pedestal and recognize the realities of the age in which we live.

Canada Extremist Groups Immigration Immigration Policies Labor Force Labour Force The American Dream Women's Issues

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Apr 14

Yes, Inflation is Real. However, Climate Change is Just as Real.

by bcurry

Living in Ottawa, April can normally be an unpredictable month for the weather.  However, going from freezing rain on one day last week to 28 (centigrade) degree heat the following week is really abnormal.  In addition, the famous longest skating rink — in the Rideau Canal — did not open for the first time in over 50 years of operation due to unusual warmer weather this past winter.  With extreme weather events around the world, even climate change deniers have to sit up and take note.

Years ago, the federal government in Canada imposed a “carbon tax,” which puts a price on greenhouse gas emissions.  Yes, this tax does contribute to inflation, particularly because of the federal fuel charge which affects drivers and businesses everywhere.  However, one must take into account the economic and environmental costs of climate change which are becoming increasingly a major burden on governments and people due to infrastructure damages and related deaths.  Someone will have to pay for infrastructure improvements and maintenance in order to avoid the detrimental impact of future extreme weather events.

There is a need for policies and programs that put a price on pollution and help consumers manage rising costs.  To blame measures aimed at combating climate change and reducing greenhouse emissions is short sighted.  Green technologies need to be supported and everyone is going to have to adjust their standard of living and consumption accordingly. 

Doesn’t matter where you live as the environment and climate change are global issues!  Don’t point to the environmental impact of China, India and other countries in order to argue that we can’t do enough to deal with the issue.  Over forty percent of the world’s consumption occurs in North America, and we need to show more environmental leadership.  China and the U.S. are the world’s two biggest greenhouse gas emitters, so any attempt to address the climate crisis will need to involve deep emissions cuts from these two powerhouse nations. China’s emissions are more than double those of the U.S., but historically the US has emitted more than any other country in the world.  On a per capita basis, Canada is just as guilty.

There is little doubt that food will become even more expensive due to the impact of extreme weather events on agriculture.  Just look to California which is a major producer of fruits and vegetables, or to mid-west U.S. states which provide red meat and grain products.  Farmers are finding it harder to produce because of higher costs for feed, fertilizers and fuel.  Farmers have to adapt to help reduce greenhouse emissions, while introducing more green technologies.  Yes, the initial costs will be high, but the long term benefits will be great and will reduce those costs.  Governments will have to support farmers during this much needed transition.

For too long, all of us have been consuming without having to pay for the real costs associated with environmental impacts.  It’s about time that we wake up and realize these outcomes.  For those lower income groups who are particularly affected by inflationary costs, society will have to help out them and their families to at least have a reasonable standard of living.  This can be done by income tax credits, living wages, affordable housing, universal health insurance, subsidized education opportunities, and improved social assistance programs.  As two of the world’s wealthiest countries, the U.S. and Canada do not have any excuse to provide an annual minimum income — something talked about for several decades.

More corporations have to play a greater role in supporting technological innovations aimed at reducing pollution and greenhouse emissions.  They have to pay their fair share (e.g. corporate taxes) for operating in a stable economy and one which strives to provide for a fair level field to operate in.  Carbon taxes are one way of encouraging innovation and rewarding businesses by recognizing the associated costs designed to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Moreover, we all have to be accountable and environmentally friendly.  Otherwise, extreme weather events like those in Ottawa will unfortunately become the norm.

Canada Cimate Change Climate Change US

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Apr 2

Trump Could Run For President.  This Could Not Happen in Canada.

by bcurry

Legal exerts in the U.S. believe that former President Trump could run for president from prison.  Two previous candidates, Eugene V. Debs in 1920, and Lyndon LaRouche in 1992, both unsuccessfully ran from prison.  Experts note that there’s nothing in the Constitution preventing him from doing so.  Much will be determined by the outcome of a trial over Donald Trump’s indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office which investigated Trump’s personal and business finances, including a payment by Michael Cohen, Trump’s formal personal lawyer.  The payment was made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 election.  One major drawback is, if convicted, Trump would be subject to the same rules as other prisoners, which could definitely restrict his communications and ability to appear at events.  Furthermore, he would need to rely on proxies to campaign for him.  This of course removes Trump from the hustings which has proven to be his greatest strength on the campaign trail, especially among his followers.

Whether or not Trump is found guilty, the situation leaves the Republicans in a major bind, especially during their primaries to select their next candidate to run for president.  Trump’s core is still evidently strong and could mount a serious protest against the choice of any other Republican candidate.  In light of this, there is also nothing to stop Trump from declaring himself an independent candidate for president.  This in turn would most likely split the conservative support in the next election, much to the benefit of the Democrats and the incumbent president.

What’s interesting is such a situation could not occur in Canada as the Prime Minister (PM) is the leader of the party which gets the most seats in Parliament.  Unlike the American president, one does not vote directly for the PM, but votes for candidates of a political party within their electoral riding.  The party leader is selected through a party’s leadership convention, although in the case of an incumbent PM, his leadership is usually automatic unless contested within the party.  A PM typically sits as a member of Parliament (MP).  Once a party achieves the majority of seats in the House of Commons, the leader can then form the government and he or she is designated by the Governor General to fulfill the role of PM.  Thus, he or she could never run for leader of a party and in turn PM from prison.

Since the indictment of former President Trump is the first of its kind in American history, there are a few unknowns as to how everything will unfold.  One must also remember that Trump is still under investigation for other things, including other ongoing investigations related to his role in the Capitol riot, an alleged scheme to overturn election results in Georgia, and his handling of government records.  What’s interesting is that the indictment and these investigations have not really damaged Trump’s popularity among conservatives.  A very recent poll taken post-indictment indicates that Trump’s lead over Ron DeSantis in the 2024 GOP presidential primary surged to a 26-point.  In the poll, 57% of those asked said they would vote for Trump, while 31% indicated that they would back DeSantis.  This whole scenario represents a very real problem for the Republican Party, despite their outcries over Trump’s indictment.

Only in America you say!  America’s democratic institutions have been under attack for some time now from the far-right.  This entire predicament simply adds to the turmoil.  It is obvious that the authorities have to handle the whole episode with diplomacy and silk gloves.  In the end, whatever the eventual outcome of this indictment and ongoing investigations, the whole affair could become a political circus.  Certainly, no one, including a former president, is above the law.  Donald Trump is no exception.  The best thing that could happen is for Trump to withdraw his candidacy to be the Republican presidential candidate.  However, I strongly believe, knowing Trump, that this will never happen!

Donald Trump Elections Political Scandals US US Politics

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