FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Jul 21

Increased Child Care Benefits Payments – Another Pre-election Bribe for Canadian Voters

by bcurry

Well, it must be close to the federal elections in Canada. The government just announced $3 billion in universal benefit payments being sent out to families this month.  It just happens that the announcement comes before the planned October federal election.  On top of which, the federal Minister responsible, Pierre Poilievre, gives a press conference announcing the pay-out dressed in a blue shirt with the Conservative party crest clearly emblazoned on it.  No partisan politics here!  This is not the first time that Mr. Poilievre has posed as the party cheerleader while serving as a Minister of Cabinet.  After all, he is Prime Minister Harper’s designated errand boy.  In addition, Mr. Poilievre had earlier referenced the rollout of these cheques as being similar to Christmas in July.  Of course, he forgot to mention that, as taxable benefits, millions of the dollars paid-out will be returned to federal coffers come next tax collection.

In the past, the federal Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner has criticized the use of Conservative party logos on cheques and other props during previous federal government announcements.  Here we have a ruling party that has no qualms about using tax-payers’ money to market their political brand.  In terms of informing Canadians of government policies and programs, there is a legitimate role to play for Cabinet members and institutions.  However, one has to question recent television and radio ads and public gatherings that say very little about the policies and programs themselves, and obviously more about the party in power.  All that’s missing are the pom-poms and mascots.  Although Mr. Poilievre could certainly qualify as a party mascot — perhaps a weasel.

I can’t say that I have a lot of faith in the Canadian electorate.  I can only hope that those that do vote will see the overt attempt to buy our votes. Canada’s economy is in obvious trouble.  One has to ask if this is the right time to be handing out universal benefits as if money were growing on the trees surrounding Parliament Hill?  I thought that this was a Government promising to balance the budget next year.  Instead, this is a desperate Government whose only aim is to win the next election, no matter what the costs.  So much for conservative fiscal management!  So much for Government accountability!  So much for Conservative promises!

Canada Federal Election

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Jun 21

Why Bother Arguing With Gun Owners?

by bcurry

More mass shootings in the U.S. and the resulting silence is deafening.  While their President may continually question the fact that his society is the most violent among industrialized countries, the onslaught continues.  The arms industry and its lobbyists rule the day.

Even here is Canada, statistically far less violent but increasingly seeing the use of firearms in homicides, there has been little real outrage over the recent weakening of gun control measures.  Some Canadian gun owners even argue that more gun control is a first step in the government eventually confiscating their weapons.  Sounds like arguments by militant militia movements existing both in the U.S. and Canada.  Remember folks, it’s the God-given right to bear arms!

When the number of guns in the hands of people outnumbers the number of people in a society, it would seem only inevitable that they will be used in violent acts of domestic terror and crime.  Indeed, some would argue that we are now in a state of perpetual war.  Local police are equipped with high-powered rifles, machine guns, armoured-attack vehicles, etc., etc.  As more police are unfortunately gunned down, authorities are becoming more and more like paramilitary organizations.  Can’t really blame them.

Getting guns off the street is a lot harder then it sounds.  Pro-gun groups continue to argue that each individual has the right to defend themselves if attacked or provoked.  It used to be that guns were primarily needed for hunting, target practice and sporting events.  However, we’ve seem for whatever reason to have expanded the need.  Sorry folks, given the political and financial clout of gun advocates, there isn’t really any reason to bother arguing for increased gun control measures.  There are no more excuses, no more rational thinking and no more political will.

Gun Control

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Jun 9

Summer’s Here — But So Is Climate Change

by bcurry

Yep, summer is finally here.  But so are the continuing bizarre, often severe, weather patterns. There is all that drought in the west, tornadoes in the mid-west and bone drenching storms in the east.  Records are being broken everywhere.  And the wind.  I’ve never seen so much wind almost on a daily basis.

While all this is going on, our fearless G-7 leaders were meeting in Germany.  Among the issues discussed was that of climate change and carbon emissions.  Low and behold, they announced an agreement to become carbonless by the end of the century.  In the meantime, let’s try to reduce carbon emissions by 2050.  All probably too little, too late!  At least according to the often ignored so-called experts.

At my age, I won’t probably be around by then.  However, I’m happy that our leaders are finally recognizing that climate change does exist, humans contribute to its existence, and it is here to stay.  All we can do now is take the necessary measures to hopefully mitigate its full impact.  The health and survival of humanity depends on it.  Every sector of our daily lives is affected by weather patterns — including agriculture, travel, forestry, manufacturing, energy production, etc., etc.

Climate change is the number one issue that our grandchildren will have to face.  It’s up to my generation – the so-called boomers – and Generations X and Y to get the ball rolling.  Yes, there may be some sacrifices that we will have to make.  However, the potential consequences of doing nothing or too little are horrific.  Unfortunately, this issue will not be the number one priority of candidates in coming federal elections in Canada and the States.  Once again, getting elected is more important then preserving the planet.

Climate Change

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May 25

Student Debt and the Costs of Higher Education – Worth it or Not?

by bcurry

Just read an interesting Washington Post article noting that roughly over 40 million Americans have student debt.  Indeed, it further notes that 65 ­­percent of student loans are held by Americans younger than 39, while people age 40 to 59 hold another 30 ­percent.  Student debt can be brutally unforgiving for those who don’t pay back the money. Students who default can lose their paychecks, tax refunds, or even a portion of their Social Security.  Total U.S. student loan debt level is at a record high of over $1 trillion U.S.  The average undergraduate who borrows to attend school graduates was nearly $30,000 U.S. in debt.  Almost 20 percent of student borrowers are now in default.  Indeed, some analysts have proclaimed the current student debt loads in the U.S. as the next equivalent to the previous housing bubble.  Thousands of former graduates from post-secondary institutions are simply refusing to repay their education debts.

The level of student debt in Canada is just as much a concern.  On average, someone graduating with a bachelor’s and master’s degree will owe about $20,000 Canadian.  In certain disciplines such as business, law, medicine and dentistry, the final student debt load can total many thousands more. Higher education can often not be achieved without the financial help and moral support of parents, who themselves have to dip into their retirement savings or obtain second mortgages.

Interestingly, the burden of student debt is becoming an issue in the 2016 presidential campaign as candidates court the millions of Americans grappling with the high cost of college.  To date, in expectation of an October 2015 federal election in Canada, none of the federal political parties have really addressed the issue.  There wasn’t anything much in the most recent federal budget concerning student loans and loan repayments.  It seems that the concerns of Canadian millennials, who are particularly affected by high student debt, are not being addressed by the current federal government.

On top of that, many young people are having a tough time getting a good paying job in today’s lacklustre economy.  Minimum wage jobs don’t do much to help pay down student debt.  Is this truly the “lost generation”?  We have thirty-year-olds, as part of the so-called boomerang generation, returning to live with their parents because of financial considerations and poor labour markets.  Some are beginning to question the real value of higher education.  Underemployment has exploded in the last decade, and many have to survive on contract and part-time employment with little job insecurity.  No wonder many millennials have put off getting married, buying homes and having children.  Can’t blame them!  Societies need urgently to address this issue now.  Politicians and educators need to step up to the podium and take concrete actions.  As voters, we need to do this for current and future generations of graduates.

High Student Debt

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May 5

Low Birth Rates, But Who’s Going To Look After Me?

by bcurry

Seniors today are beginning to worry about the future of social security, health care and escaping the throws of poverty.  Birth rates in North America have been on the downturn for the last decade, and especially in the last five years since the Great Recession.  Studies have shown that the so-called millennial women are reproducing at the slowest pace of any generation in U.S. history.  The same is most likely true for Canadian millennials.  According to the Urban Institute in the States, birthrates among women in their 20s declined more than 15 percent between 2007 and 2012.

Now, I understand that younger women were delaying having children in the past because more were into careers and self-employment.  With the current tough economic times, even more women are delaying child birth due to serious financial concerns.  This is completely understandable given the high cost of raising children in this day and age.  Baby boomers never had to face many of today’s harsh realties, including high levels of unemployment, underemployment, housing costs and education-related debt.

On the other hand, we have an aging population, with those over 65 heading to make up a quarter of our population in the not too distant future.  Indeed, extreme financial circumstances are forcing many seniors to continue working beyond the normal retirement years.  However, once retired and with the forecast decline in the future labour forces, who is going to support all those existing social programs?  Due to a lack of retirement savings for many seniors, they have come to rely on government assistance just to make ends meet.  Furthermore, don’t count on your kids to look after you!  As it stands now, they need your help more often than not.

As a society, it would appear that we have to do a lot more to encourage young people to have families, and right away.  This may mean greater financial incentives and government assistance to do so.  We need to introduce more paid maternity and parental leave programs, affordable child-care services, tax benefits for each child, improved post-secondary education grants and loans, affordable housing, etc., etc.  Seniors need to support such initiatives, for to do so will benefit them as well in the end run.  Wouldn’t they like to become grandparents while they’re still alive?  The old saying that children represent our future has never been truer.  It’s time that we recognize and support policies that would lead to an increase in the birth rate.  Families contribute to society in so many ways.  Such family-oriented policies will certainly enhance all our futures, including those of the millennials.

Canada US

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Apr 8

More and More Government Handouts – Another Canadian Federal Election Must Be Coming

by bcurry

How about one more tax credit for the middle class?  Now we have Goodlife Fitness Centres Inc. lobbying the federal government for a fitness tax credit for adults of all ages.  So if I like, as a mature adult, to ski, play in an adult sports league or work out at a gym club, I could receive a tax credit up to $500 per person.  This would be on top of those tax credits already available for any children involved in fitness activities, to be bumped up to an eligible amount to $1,000 per child.  Needless-to-say, all these tax credits will eventually cost the federal government hundreds of millions of tax dollars in the near future.  The costs of implementing the adult fitness tax credit have been estimated by the government to be $69 million in the first year and $275 million each year after.

Now, I have a real problem with subsidizing Goodlife Fitness Centres with taxpayer money.  I also have a problem with subsidizing those adults who, of their own volition, decide to participate in sports or fitness activities which the average taxpayer cannot really afford.  Let’s face it, given the annual fees for gym clubs, tennis clubs and ski lodges, most of us would probably pass on such activities.  I couldn’t even justify paying for those fancy gym outfits and shoes designed to impress the other members.  Instead, we regular people look for more affordable past times like walking, hiking in parks, riding bikes, skating on public rinks, etc., etc.

Why not invest in infrastructure from which all of us can benefit!  I for one would like to see more taxpayer investment in national and local parks, in playgrounds, public swimming pools, boys and girls clubs, school fitness programs and outdoor public facilities accessible to everyone, regardless of income levels.  Today, obesity and other health issues are a concern not only for the middle and upper classes, but also for society as a whole.  In the name of gaining a few extra votes, why is it that the ruling party has to be so short-sighted?  Is it because poor people tend not to vote in large numbers?  Where are the studies that show that such tax breaks really make a difference one way or the other?

After all, we are a free society where people can make their own choices about where to spend their hard earned dollars.  If your income is such that you can spend it on fitness or arts and music activities, then that’s your choice.  Why I as a taxpayer have to subsidize it is a whole other matter.  Sorry, Mr. Finance Minister, my vote cannot and will not be bought by such obvious ploys.  As a society, we have many more urgent issues to resolve: national security, the economy, unemployment and the environment to name only a few.

Canada Federal Election Federal Government

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Mar 26

Canada’s Expansion of Iraq Mission to Syria is a Huge Mistake

by bcurry

No matter what the reasons that the Canadian government gives, the proposed expansion of the current Iraq mission to Syria has all kinds of serious consequences.  Simply stating that Canada is following the American lead provides little in the way of justification.  Syria is a bigger mess than even Iraq.  Let’s recap for a moment.  The Syrian uprising, part of the so-called Arab Spring, originally involved opposition groups to the current Syrian government under its dictator Bashar al-Assad.  The Americans didn’t step into this internal war, preferring to wait and see.  However, things didn’t go well for Assad, making him commit even more atrocities against his own people, including the use of chemical weapons.  Still, the Americans didn’t step in.  Then along came ISIL or ISIS, a major radical group who began to make territorial gains in Syria and eventually into Iraq.  So now, the Americans, no longer knowing who to support militarily in Syria, decide to go after the most radical group — ISIL.

Subsequently, the Iraqi government and security forces couldn’t stop ISIL’s advances inside Iraq, threatening to bring down Iraq’s American-supported and primarily Shia-backed government.  ISIL found support among the Sunni population in Iraq who felt persecuted by the Shia regime, and have faced atrocities by Shia security forces and local militia.  Enter Iran, whose military guard began to support the Shia militias in Iraq, who in turn appeared better able to defend against ISIL than Iraq’s government forces.  Let’s not forget about the Kurdish forces fighting ISIL in northern Iraq, and who would still like to have more independence from Baghdad.  At this point, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called on the U.S. to provide military support in the form of air strikes against ISIL and military advisors to Iraqi forces on the ground.

Six months ago, Canada entered the American-led campaign along with some other European and Arab countries.  Remember, this is not a NATO endorsed campaign.  Canada’s token contribution deployed several dozen special forces troops to northern Iraq, six fighter jets, two surveillance aircraft, a refuelling plane and around 600 support personnel based in Kuwait.  So far, Canada has had one casualty and three injured by Kurdish friendly fire.  Have air strikes really accomplished much?  ISIL’s advancements have to date been slowed, but most military experts believe that the war against ISIL can only be won on the ground.  In the case of the Syrian campaign, the results of air strikes are even less convincing.

Yes, ISIL has made some vague propaganda threats against Canadians, has committed atrocities, and a few Canadians have even gone to join ISIL in Syria, along with other foreign combatants.  However, is there really a serious threat to the homeland from ISIL?  Or is this just political maneuvering on the part of the Canadian and American governments to justify their military actions in the region?  What are the governments’ exit strategies?  Indications are that the Iraqis and Syrians could be at war for years.  Neither the current Iraqi nor the Syrian regime appears to be able to deal with this mess.  Do the Canadian and American governments really believe that they can resolve the disputes without further bloodshed and atrocities?  These are real questions and consequences that need to be further explored before both countries begin to witness ever-growing “mission creep”.  Unfortunately, the majority of Canadians and Americans don’t really understand the complexities of the situation to adequately address these questions.  Sorry, but it’s the truth.

Iraq Iraq and ISIS Syria and ISIL

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Mar 3

Ultra-Conservatives Rail Against Health and Physical Education Curriculum in Ontario

by bcurry

Well, now they’ve gone and done it!  The Ontario Ministry of Education has introduced a revised health and physical education curriculum for elementary and secondary schools in the province of Ontario.  Replacing a curriculum used since the nineties, the revised version is designed to bring the curriculum into the 21st Century.

Oh, but wait!  Out of the woodwork has emerged outrage and accusations from various ultra-conservative groups, including some in the province’s Conservative opposition party.  How dare we incorporate sex education which provides useful and relative information about relationships, including those involving sexual relations.  They argue that the government is stepping all over the rights of parents to educate their children on such matters.  OMG — never mind talking about homosexuality, sexual orientation, and how to respect people’s rights.

I wonder how many of those in opposition have actually read the two documents outlining the curriculum.  I have, and concluded that the curriculum has been developed in a sensitive and objective manner.  The curriculum provides an excellent foundation for discussion among young people at various stages of development.  Indeed, only about 10 percent of the material actually deals with sex education per se.  The rest deals with matters related to the physical and mental health of children and adolescents.  Nothing therein prevents parents from talking to their children about relationships and the important values surrounding them.  If anything, the information provided will help parents to have meaningful and constructive discussions.

Kids today are increasingly being exposed to all kinds of sources containing sexual content, especially through the Internet, television, film, etc., etc.  As parents and society, we need to balance these other sources with one that provides for informed and intelligent discussion.  Our children deserve to be guided in a safe, open and respectful environment during their developmental years.  As adults, we owe it to them.

Canada

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Feb 18

At This Pace, Say Good-bye To Our Freedoms

by bcurry

It’s ironic that governments always declare that we have to give up some of those very freedoms that our ancestors fought to protect in past wars.  In the name of national security, you appear to be able to justify just about anything.  Freedoms, like to freedom of association are also being watered down by recent government actions.  The right to unlawful search and seizure has also been compromised both in Canada and the U.S. by recent government actions.  In Canada, the authorities now have the ability to seize cell phones, tablets and other personal electronic devises without a warrant if a person is arrested for an alleged crime.

In both countries, various governments have moved to take away the right to strike from public sector unions during collective bargaining.  Given that the public sector is the last bastion of unionization, such government actions will further diminish the ability to collectively bargain for better working conditions and compensation.  Fortunately, some courts have and will rule that such prohibitions affect our freedom of association.

Just the other day, a young female student in the province of Quebec was stripped searched by the school’s principle on suspicion of possessing or selling drugs in the school.  This was done without the presence of her parents or the police.  Indeed, such searches were openly applauded and defended by a number of Quebec politicians.  I can only hope that such a denial of basic rights never happens to a child of their own.

The Canadian government’s most recent proposed anti-terrorism legislation would allow the authorities greater powers to search, seize and share personal information all in the name of national security.  As was the case in the U.S. after 9/11, our spy agencies will have increased powers to monitor our every move, physically or electronically.  Civilian oversight of the monitors appears to be weak, and should be of great concern to those who value their privacy and freedom of expression.

Sometimes, individual rights and considerations have to be adjusted for the good of the collectivity and society as a whole.  However, when the impact on basic freedoms is so great as to erode their effective value and respect, it’s time to take a step back and consider the real consequences.  Just how much power do we want to give to Big Brother as a free and democratic society?  How many freedoms are you willing to have watered down?

Anti-Terroism Canada Federal Government

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Jan 19

Race Relations Still Have a Ways to Go in Both Canada and the U.S.

by bcurry

Saturday Night Live did a brief satirical piece on the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., where his ghost returned to comment on the advances that African Americans have made in the last 47 years since his death.  The comic portraying him kept referring to the ever elusive climb to the top of the mountain alluded to in one of Rev. King’s many memorable and inspirational speeches.  The mountain seems to have gotten higher and the climb harder.  Indeed, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day the nation and the President are still struggling with issues of race and discrimination.

Although in Canada, I lived through the sixties’ civil rights movement as covered extensively by American and Canadian media on television and in news print.  As a teenager in High School, I remember the coverage of the now famous Selma march, the assassination of Rev. King and subsequent civil rights’ activity by the American federal government.  The images of police brutality against peaceful demonstrators and the resulting public outrage are burned into my memory.  I knew then as I know now that race relations in both countries would never be the same.  Testimony to this was the election of a black President.  African Americans today have the right to vote.  Their civil rights are protected under law.  All of which can be largely attributed to Rev. King and his calls for justice, action and civil disobedience in the 1960s.

However, President Obama has had to tread a fine line when it comes to matters of race relations.  His game plan is one of seeking steady progress within the system, most often with calls for restraint, lawful demonstrations and commissions of inquiry.  Following the fatal police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, he deployed the U.S. Attorney General to investigate whether a young black’s civil rights had been violated.  The President also wants to work with law enforcement officials to improve race relations, often incurring the wrath of black constituents.  Sometimes the President is caught between a rock and a hard place, damned if you do and damned if you don’t.  No easy task, especially for a black President — so give the guy a break!

Here in Canada, race relations are a bit better largely due to our history and laws.  However, when it comes to our native population that’s another matter.  Just as blacks make up a disproportionate number of inmates in U.S. prisons, so do native males and females make up a disproportionate number of inmates in Canadian prisons.  Crimes against native women far outweigh those against Canadian women in general.  Canadians have a ways to go to improve native relations.  There is also a need to deal with the higher number of visible minorities living below the poverty line in both countries.  While access to higher education has improved, access to better paying professions is still a concern for visible minorities, in particular recent immigrants.  Much more work needs to be done on improving race relations in both countries in order to more quickly climb that intangible mountain.

Canada Race Relations

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