Making Canada Relevant Again- The Economic Super-Thread

[squealiox]

US has a much more manageable level of debt, relative to GDP: the fact that the US dollar is used as the international medium of exchange (and Reserve Currency) suggests that the US should be running trade deficit over time to remain in equilibrium.

that equilibrium would continue, too, if the dollar were to remain the only major currency that looks like a benchmark store of value to traders and monetary authorities. forex trading is as much about perceptions as fundamentals, and the dollar's value has increasingly been all out of proportion to the relative size of the us economy. but now that the euro has come into its own, the ground has shifted. central banks are slowly developing a taste for diversified reserve portfolios. it's happening already. the only question is will there be a tipping point to an ugly currency crisis, or an orderly retreat of the dollar.

 

[48Highlander]

If the majority of the people support democratic socialism = then Canada is not doomed = since they are getting what they asked for. I personally have no use for a busy-body state where micro-management of the individual is the norm.

The majority of Germans initialy supported Hitler, but they still ended up "doomed".   People getting what they ask for does not equal people getting what they need.   A homeless guy may ask you for money, but if he uses that money to buy alcohol or drugs, he's actually worse off than if he hadn't gotten it.

 

[TCBF]

" but now that the euro has come into its own, the ground has shifted. central banks are slowly developing a taste for diversified reserve portfolios. it's happening already. the only question is will there be a tipping point to an ugly currency crisis, or an orderly retreat of the dollar."

Watch for Islamic countries gradually leaving the USD and going back to the gold Dinar.

 

[Zipper]

which is why, despite NDP propaganda to the contrary, you cannot "exploit" labour, except in the case of indentured servitude

Not that I agree with the NDP for the most part. So I would guess that you think that it is alright that your boss asks for you to do a bunch of overtime shifts without paying you any extra for that work? And that it happens on a regular basis? Not supply you and your family with benefits (that are your choice to take or not)? Not give you any holiday time? Give you 10 minutes for lunch a day? And not supply you with a safe work enviroment?

Interesting.

As for the US trade deficit. If that were true that they "should" have one? Then why is it that they only entered into one in the early eighties (Regans time)? And I agree with what Squal is saying again. Good point.

And for the Islamic world heading for the Dinar. It would make things interesting if they demanded that their oil payments came in that form. However I think they are smarter then that, and would follow the rest of the world towards another "global" (electronic) currency, instead of heading back the world before WWI.

People getting what they ask for does not equal people getting what they need.  A homeless guy may ask you for money, but if he uses that money to buy alcohol or drugs, he's actually worse off than if he hadn't gotten it.

Agreed. But are you going to make that choice for him? Or are you going to give him money? Buy him some food instead of giving him money? Point him in the direction of the nearest shelter (like you know where that is)? Or look at him funny and tell him "to get a job" as you hurry past?

 

[TCBF]

"payments came in that form. However I think they are smarter then that, and would follow the rest of the world towards another "global" (electronic) currency, instead of heading back the world before WWI."

The whole idea of establishing The Calphate is to take us all a lot further back than WW1.

 

[squealiox]

The Kyoto Accord is an example of economic warfare.   I think it was intended at the deepest level to retard the USA, but Canada obligingly signed on.   It is a mistake to concede any possibility of slowed economic growth or transfer of wealth in which not everyone participates to equal detriment.

and who are the dark forces behind this sinister plot?

 

[Edward Campbell]

and who are the dark forces behind this sinister plot?

The European Union: the most hostile (to North America) and most protectionist grouping on the planet.

Kyoto is so deeply flawed that it cannot have any serious environmental rationale - there must be some other reason for it: economic warfare makes sense.

 

[pbi]

a-majoor brought up a very good point, but was unfortunately incorrect in his reference to the lack of diversity in Canadian Industry....

GO: that was very good. Living in Winnipeg, which has low unemployment, steady (but slow...) growth and the second most diversified economic base in Canada (after London Ontario IIRC), I agree fully with your observation that our economic landscape is changing. Here in Manitoba, we are importing workers from Europe as fast as we can go to man the industries of the southern part of the province in places like Morden, Winkler and Altona, or just east of here in Steinbach. We also have massive hydroelectric capability and will soon be making lots more coin by selling it to Ontario and the US, further fuelling Manitoba's economy. Saskatoon is growing, and is developing itself as a high tech centre.

We are no longer a nation of "hewers of wood and drawers of water" alone: most of us live in cities over 100,000 and work in some kind of service industry (again IIRC...)

Cheers

 

[Andyboy]

Agreed. But are you going to make that choice for him? Or are you going to give him money? Buy him some food instead of giving him money? Point him in the direction of the nearest shelter (like you know where that is)? Or look at him funny and tell him "to get a job" as you hurry past?

You know what Zipper your bull is starting to stink this place up. Tell us St.Zipper, what do YOU do when you pass a homeless man? Living in Edmonton (edited from Toronto) you must pass street people several times everyday. I'd really like to hear what you do and how you think it helps them.

 

[Andyboy]

Not that I agree with the NDP for the most part. So I would guess that you think that it is alright that your boss asks for you to do a bunch of overtime shifts without paying you any extra for that work? And that it happens on a regular basis? Not supply you and your family with benefits (that are your choice to take or not)? Not give you any holiday time? Give you 10 minutes for lunch a day? And not supply you with a safe work enviroment?

I'm afraid I have to raise the BS flag here.

Labor laws against such practices notwithstanding  : the solution is to find another job and deny that employer your skill and knowledge. That employer is not obliged to employ you nor are you obliged to work for him. If he is taking advantage of you it is because you allow him to do so.

Do you have specific examples of such conditions existing or is this another "feeling" you get? If such conditions exist somewhere why haven't you reported it?

 

[tomahawk6]

Austin Bay a respected military writer has ventured into a new field - prediciting Canada's future. Its thought provoking but very speculative. Here is the column:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20050428-095316-9424r

 

[Zipper]

The whole idea of establishing The Calphate is to take us all a lot further back than WW1.

Agreed. Pretty scary place.

You know what Zipper your bull is starting to stink this place up. Tell us St.Zipper, what do YOU do when you pass a homeless man? Living in Edmonton (edited from Toronto) you must pass street people several times everyday. I'd really like to hear what you do and how you think it helps them.

Funny how you didn't even answer the question? I wouldn't have posted those alternatives if I had not done all of them at one time in my life. Yes, I used to be a rigid thinker and judger of people and told them exactly what I thought they should do to solve their problems. Then I grew up and saw the real world for what it really is. And actually where I live in Edmonton (not 95st and 118 ave), I rarely see "street people". Although those times I have encountered them (usually in the parking lots of shopping areas) I have helped them as best I could, although rarely through money hands outs for the original reason above. Hardly a Saint, but treating them like a human being is always a start.

Labor laws against such practices notwithstanding   : the solution is to find another job and deny that employer your skill and knowledge. That employer is not obliged to employ you nor are you obliged to work for him. If he is taking advantage of you it is because you allow him to do so.

Do you have specific examples of such conditions existing or is this another "feeling" you get? If such conditions exist somewhere why haven't you reported it?

Actually and thankfully there are few to none of these places in Canada. And I agree with you that we can and should make those choices. But if you look around the world, there are many places where that choice is not an option. Shall I list? Or are you not aware of them already? Little hint. Try looking at the labels on your cloths, etc...

 

[Andyboy]

What is funny is your implication that if people don't choose to act in the way you believe is right then they wrong and bad. Pretty arrogant, Zipper but not unexpected. You've made a lot of insulting assumptions and insinuations in your posts without the burden of having to back any of it up and I'm getting tired of it.

What is also funny is the admission that you rarely "encounter" street people yet seem to have "them" all figured out. How many of "them"   did you "encounter" this week St.Zipper? Any? How about this month? Oops there I go with numbers again, sorry, we all know how you hate numbers. Not that it would really prove anything other than you are talking out your hat yet again. I live amongst some very poor people St.Zipper, don't presume to know me or what I stand for.

Thanks for dropping by, have the best day ever!

 

[Zipper]

And you still haven't answered the original question!!

I'm not saying that people have to act any particular way. I'm just giving an alternative opinion to all (what I see as) the far right winged, individual first over all, ideology that is spouted here. If everyone here always agreed with one another and it was just a "I hate the government" blow off, then it would be a very boring place with very little to learn. People have different opinions, and those opinions can change to some degree when good arguments are presented and/or new ways of thinking come to light. God knows I've had a few changed here.

As for me "rarely" encountering street people anymore. It is because I (and my wife) have worked my(our) ass off so that we no longer live a neighborhood that they frequent. It doesn't mean I have never lived in such, or that I grew up around them. It is how I treat those people today when encountered that is important. Volunteering time at a food bank, church, etc are all good ways of helping them. But what is most important is to KNOW that they are PEOPLE who are working just as hard as I am in many cases (with what they have) to see their ways through life. And in many cases it is the opportunities (or lack there of) that they have received thoughtout their lives that have brought them to where they are today.

So I'm just saying that the callus attitude of "get a job" doesn't wash in almost ever case. If given the opportunity, they would not be there anymore then you or I.

 

[TCBF]

"So I'm just saying that the callus attitude of "get a job" doesn't wash in almost ever case. If given the opportunity, they would not be there anymore then you or I."

True.

So, lets tell our leaders to dump the political dogma, help those who CAN and WILL be helped, and stop flushing money on the rest, who are write-offs.  Keep them alive?  Yes.

 

[Zipper]

Agreed to a point again. :

The problem is, identifing who is who. Yes there are the obvious ones who are just milking the system and can be punted. But then it gets grey awefully fast...

 

[Andyboy]

And you still haven't answered the original question!!

And you still haven't gotten the point. I didn't answer the question because you aren't qualified to judge my actions. It is arrogant on your part to think that you are and even more arrogant to offer a list of things you've done as though they are some sort of yardstick by which we should all measure ourselves. Get over yourself, you don't have the answers, nobody does. The best thing we can do is judge for ourselves who we can help and who we can't and then act on it. 

 

[Infanteer]

What in heavens are you guys arguing about - I'm lost....

 

[GO!!!]

a_majoor - I'm serious, can you please provide an example of economic leveraging being used to seriously harm Canada as a nation? The concept is interesting.

 

[Zipper]

Good question.

I think Andyboy here is protesting the fact that I made issue with someone (forget who now) making a point of "why should I give money to someone who doesn't work for it." or something along those lines about homeless people. And that I gave some examples of some things you could do instead of giving them money. Other then that. Don't know.

Otherwise.

The best thing we can do is judge for ourselves who we can help and who we can't and then act on it.

Couldn't agree more. but then we wouldn't have anything to talk about around here... ;D