The Census,yawn…

Statistics, as the saying goes, can be made to say or prove what ever one wants them to say or prove. Particularly in the hands of politicians,definitly not an impartial or unbiased bunch. Indeed statistics are raw data processed,i.e interpreted.

First get your facts, then you can distort them at your leisure-Mark Twain

And  as with statistics, the arguments in defense of the mandatory census, are just as dubious and or open to interpretation. Indeed can a convincing argument be made that in fact the mandatory census is essential to good governance  ?

I think not .

Lets look at some of these arguments,although many are obviously nothing more,or can easily be construed as,  good old fashion political partisanship ?  Don’t read this to mean support,Harper definitly deserves much criticism. The guy does grate on one’s sensibilities,like wise for most of his  inner circle.

First the suggestion that the entire fabric of  Canadian society is or soon will be breaking down are in my opinion highly exaggerated.

It’s nothing less than our civic duty to run this horrific gang of subliterate hoodlums out of office, by any means necessary and as soon as possible, to get the hands moving clockwise again. We’re in serious trouble, folks, and it’s time for the craven politicians of the Opposition to gird their loins.

Here’s one post-modernist who suddenly has a hankering for a swift return to the rule of law and the security of statistics and the scientific method. (Somewhere my late father and sparring-partner, a rationalist to the end, is smiling.) I’m not just angry; I’m terrified. And I happen to believe that a majority of my countrymen and women are feeling the same way about now.  [@]

Sorry Dawg although I am not easily terrified , I am  amused. The, save us Iggy implication, was just to funny.

Further more the census and lousy governance have co-existed  long enough for one to  confidently deduce that good or effective governance does not depend on the existence of a mandatory census backed up by force of law .

Next up Linda McQuaig ,who books & political writings I have read and enjoyed although some what critically.

The poor rarely get such sympathetic attention; indeed they rarely get much attention at all. And they’re soon to get even less.

That is the real reason for the Harper government’s decision to scrap the long-form census matters, and why the debate over it is more than a bizarre obsession with statistics in this overheated summer.

As a number of experts have noted, the decision to replace the mandatory long-form census with a voluntary abbreviated survey will result in less reliable data collection, particularly from the poor and marginalized.

So, as income becomes ever more concentrated at the top, as it has in recent years, we’ll know less and less about those at the bottom, making them easier to ignore.  [@]

Please, the poor & marginalized have always been ignored .

Social service etc for the poor are the first to be cut during  economic down turns,or not. In fact resources  ear-marked for social service are never sufficient for the task ,and imagine despite the availability of census data,well at least for now

Linda McQuaig then goes on to contradict her self , pointing out  the real problem,  again hardly related to or dependent on there being a mandatory census…

In debates over public policy, the rich tend to dominate, while the poor are barely heard.

Uhhhmm the rich get richer the poor stay poor & voiceless. In other words ,the more thing change the more they stay the same.

On another level its interesting  it witness the trust some people show the “masses”, so much so they get all bent out of shape over the concept of a voluntary census.  Indeed its quite ironic considering that many of those  blowing a casket are and would consider them selves  of the ‘left’ .

But then again the “masses” have never known what’s good for them selves, or in their own best interest (well at least the 40-51% that actual vote). That’s what the experts are for.

Boy that Harper’s a nasty bit of work first he messed with the long-gun registry and now the census. I ask are no statistics safe ?  What ever will the experts do without their statistics,how will the politician govern ? What of corporations and targeted ad campaigns ?

Anyway here I wait, although stoically ,  for the doom to come.  Being not only poor but also  disabled,  thank god I am also not an immigrant that would be a little to much for one person to bear. Indeed I  might have contemplated suicide,on second thoughts  I can’t even do that, damn that  long-gun registry.

“Keeping guns away from depressed people is essential. [@]

That said, on a more serious note,I have yet to come across an argument that proves the need for ,or the actual worth of  mandatory census’s in general. Like wise the government’s reasoning’s for ending mandatory census’s  are just as vague and unconvincing.

Although the libertarian angle does play to a valid concern of many Canadians. That being government intrusion,on pain of jail or fines, into the lives & privacy of  it’s citizens.

Perhaps we should be asking ourselves, why it is that so many Canadians distrust the sincerity and or motivations of the government.

Now if only the Conservatives would do actual do something useful of a libertarian nature . Like repeal all those nanny-state-laws that regulate personal behaviors – e.g what we must or can’t wear ,how we raise out children , what we can say or not say,and that criminalize   victimless behaviors  etc,etc…

PM Harper,Threat to Canadian Democracy….

No not really, despite the  Coy-ne talk about Canadian democracy spiraling down the drain , and the King and Queen analogies.

Yes it might be maddening to the opposition(the elected opposition, together whom constitute the majority of seats) & to many ordinary Canadians,remember them the voters ? Many of whom also want answers,and rightfully so, on some rather important & troubling issues.

But when it’s all said and done, serving up a ‘pirogi’  or two, violates none of the rules or protocols of Parliament. In fact it’s just  politics as usual…

Indeed we have all been here before…

When the going gets tough, and or some hard & uncomfortable question  need answering, the ‘tough’ get proroguing.  Next thing ya know, its a different day month & folk’s are talking about different shit.

All said, it is fun watching Liberals get all bent out of shape, on this occasion of  Harper’s  proroguing of Parliament,only his second…

Particularly when these same forgetaboutit Liberals had nothing to say when King PM Chretien served up four, during his ‘reign’ as King PM.

1. February 5, 1996  2. September 18, 1999  3. September 16, 2002   4. November 12, 2003.

That’s how you  do proroguing, the Liberal way,Liberally…

Peas of a pod,them Conservatives & Liberals.

Apathy anyone,perhaps a nap…

Appearances being what they are;Is Michael Ignatieff a dud

The Conservative declare victory gloat….

An internal memo circulated amongst Conservatives declared victory over Ignatius.

“The Liberals have reversed themselves on EI reform (their 360-hour demand has been abandoned) and withdrawn the threat to force an unnecessary summer election,” the memo said, referring to Ignatieff’s push for a 360-hour EI eligibility threshold across the country.

Iggy does what Liberals do best….posturing & serving up spin & lest I forget …the never ending threats, where as he/they might actually do something, other than talk that is.

imply did his job by holding the government to account.”We have found a way to make progress for Canadians on EI and we’ve found a way to make this government accountable and I feel that this is a good day for our country,” he said.

“But more importantly, it’s a good day also for this system of Parliament.”

Ordinary Canadians,particularly the unemployed,let them eat cake talk. So goes Liberal promises-poll-iticing  i.e,to hold Harper’s ideologues  to account & ensure  the rights & well-being of ordinary Canadians are not compromised.

“We have found a way to make progress for Canadians on EI and we’ve found a way to make this government accountable and I feel that this is a good day for our country,” he said.

Uhhmmm the logic escapes me,progress…by doing nothing ? How ivorytoweresque of you.

Both Harper and Ignatieff hailed the agreement as a good day for parliamentary co-operation.

Wtf  …Iggy need you be reminded -the Conservatives are not the co-operating kind- hell everybody knows that. You’ve been had dude,out maneuvered yet again…how many times is that now ?

And I have to ask,what the hell is this…

“If you mess with me, I will mess with you until I’m done.”…@

Lol, is that what you call taking the gloves off ? Well if it is,I guess nobody should be that surprised that you are continually being out maneuvered,and  by a posse of not so bright ideologues at that.

P.S  You should give up the poker Micheal,you definitly suck.

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The Mean-Spirited & Paternalistic Ideology of the Conservatives Government on display for all to see

The Conservative Government’s decision to not include any  real help for and or to seriously address  the difficulties being faced by Canadian workers,in their latest budget …

Is indicative of the underlying values that inform and drive Conservative ideology in general. In particular,that which informs & underpins the thinking of  Harper,Stockwell Day et al,those who represent the Reform/Canadian Alliance wing  of the Conservative Party.

Witnessed the statement by Federal Human Resources Minister Diane Finley on why the government did not increase Employment Insurance (E.I) benefits,waive the 2 week waiting period,and or increase the length of time workers can collect. She states (Jan 30)…

“We do not want to make it lucrative for them to stay home and get paid for it,”

Although the government did increase the time that workers can collect E.I from 45 weeks to 50 weeks.This was only done,begrudgingly and  then only after the opposition party’s  threatened to bring down the government if they did not amend  the budget .

And despite the fact that the E.I fund…

which amounts to over $54 billion, has been built up entirely by payments from workers and employers

The idea that Mrs Finley could say such a thing illustrates  a total lack of respect for ordinary working people and their contributions.

Coming from someone who supposedly represents Canadian citizens/workers ,indeed who’s salary is dependent on taxpayers/working Canadians,her paternalistic comments are outrages.Particularly when these same political “leaders” have no qualms about raiding the public trough, when ever they feel their pay and or iron clad,gold plated pensions are “insufficient”.

From the Tyee…

In essence, she is saying that Canadian workers, in their hearts, are lazy and would prefer sitting at home to working.

If that is the case, how do she and her government explain that Canadian workers are considered to be among the most productive in the world? They work in demanding, difficult and often dangerous occupations. Whether it be bush work in -40 degree weather; in hot restaurant kitchens; in sawmills and pulp mills; in mines, steel mills and assembly plants; in fishing and farming; on oil & gas and construction projects; in hospitals and schools; in minimum wage service sector jobs, it is their labour that is the foundation of all wealth creation in this country.

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Pajamas Media;Stupidity is the message

Apparently Joe the Plumber “never was a plumber” ,is going to be reporting on the Gaza war. In his new job as a war correspondent not really a war correspondent,for the conservative site  PJTV.com, part of the  Pajama “Media” outfit.

An outfit  not known for their objective “reporting”,perhaps that’s the point. After all  “Joe the plumber“  has shown  himself to be fairly adept at spin and bullshit.

Indeed he should round out the team at Pajamas quite nicely. This is the guy who stated,publicly and on TV  no less, that the consequences of any Obama victory “would be the death of Israel”.

Wow what “insight” ,man I  can’t wait for some more “hard hitting” and “objective reporting”. If any one can dig up the “truth”  surely that person will be  Joe “ never was a plumber/not a real war correspondent”.

These boot’s are gonna walk all over you

So threatens PM Harper…

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued this threat to supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board’s export monopoly.

“We’ll continue to fight in Parliament… But the bottom line is this. Mark my words. Western Canadian farmers want this freedom (an open market) and they are going to get it. And anybody who stands in their way is going to get walked over.”

Just one thing wrong PM Harper,as you well know the farmers in who’s name you supposedly speak,support the CWB in fact’…

Last Tuesday, the results of the CWB’s second biennial director elections were announced. Four of the five victorious candidates — and eight of the 10 farmer-elected directors — back the state trading enterprise’s single desk.

I believe they call that  democracy. Perhaps it’s time you get over your obsession with the CWB ,and respect the democratic wishes of our hard working  farmers.

Harper has had the CWB in his crosshairs since he was president of the far-right National Citizens’ Coalition. As prime minister, he has fired its CEO, Adrian Measner, imposed a “gag order” on the board and its members from defending the single desk, twice arbitrarily stripped farmers’ names from the CWB directors’ voting lists, violated the prohibitions against third-party advertising during director elections and tried to violate the federal Privacy Act by allowing his minister to pressure the board to hand over farmers’ confidential financial information.

Three times in 11 months, a federal court has found that the government has broken Canadian laws in its ongoing anti-democratic and demagogic attacks on the CWB.

Indeed how about behaving more like a PM should…i.e  lead,rather than seeking to divide and conquer.

Read more on Harper’s ideologically motivated  attack on the CWB here

And just in case you still do not get it

NDP,NDP,NDP….

Seems Harper’s strategy of seating through the leaders debates trying to look prime ministerial,didn’t do much for his fortunes.

Rather then solidifying Conservatives support and possibly pushing it closer to majority territory,their overall support has declined.

In fact Harper,by waiting until after the debate to release the Conservatives platform,made sure he would not have to answer questions of any real substance.

If the leaders debate doesn’t do it for the Conservatives what can,or will ? Me thinks not much,is the writing on the wall ?

Pollster Jean-Marc Léger writes…..

there are three “magic moments” in an election campaign when the voters are up for grabs: the first 48 hours after the election is called, the 48 hours following the televised leaders’ debates and the last 48 hours before the vote.

So while Conservative support slides, NDP support continues to rise much as has been the case since day one.

Indeed the NDP continues to go from strength to strength.

Dare to dream….

T-minus 9 days until the only poll that counts

Words are never just words

Indeed they are often the best indicators of a person’s character & thought process,the “cut of their jib” as the saying goes.

Particularly those words spoken during moments of spontaneity or shared between friends and compatriots.

In this case Conservative’s ,from cabinet minister’s,to candidates,to party insiders…

Calgary Conservative incumbent Lee Richardson on immigrants…

“Talk to the police. Look at who’s committing these crimes,” added Richardson, the Tory candidate in Calgary Centre. “They’re not the kid that grew up next door.”

Conservative Candidate for Toronto Center Chris Reid...

A man with a knife was able to go on a murderous rampage decapitating a fellow human being. The rest of the bus was unarmed and helpless. What was the generous Canadian thing to do? Help a fellow human being? No. Flee in terror. Passengers and the bus driver stood by and watched another person being butchered, and couldn’t muster up any courage or self sacrifice to intervene. This is where socialism as gotten us folks, a castrated effeminate population.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on the recent listeriosis outbreak which caused the deaths of 17 Canadians…

He called the crisis over tainted meat “a death by a thousand cuts – or should I say cold cuts,” and jokingly expressed the hope that Liberal critic Wayne Easter was among the victims.

Darlene Lannigan aide to Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon on native protesters…

“If you behave, and you’re sober, and there’s no problems, and if you don’t do a sit-down and whatever, I don’t care.

Ryan Sparrow, a key war room operative in the Conservative campaign on the father of a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan for…

suggesting the father of a slain soldier who criticized Stephen Harper today was a Liberal.

Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski on gay’s…

“There’s A’s and there’s B’s. The A’s are guys like me, the B’s are homosexual faggots with dirt on their fingernails that transmit diseases.”

Least we forget “puffingate“, which again illustrates quite nicely,the childishness and stupidity of even more conservative insiders.

T-minus 19 days until the only poll that counts

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