Birkbeck's Blog

More Wasted Tax Dollars

2012-02-25T00:57:00.001-06:00

Prime Minister in China

2012-02-09T11:13:00.000-06:00

The Prime Minister's visit to China is one of the most successful visits by any Canadian Prime Minister to China. Over 20 agreements or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) have been signed. One of the agreements, that especially benefits Saskatchewan, will expand Saskatchewan's export of uranium products to China. The Prime Minister's visit will benefit the entire economy of Canada in one way or another long into the future. Check out the Prime Minister's website for expanded information on his achievements.

The Harper Government

2012-02-06T14:04:00.000-06:00

Stephen Harper once stated he would not run deficit budgets. Well, where are the balanced budgets? The Harper Government reports that they will not balance their budget until 2014. It will likely be later. What happened to fiscal responsibility? What happened to transparency? What happened to honesty? The Conservative Party violated Canadian election laws during their 2006 campaign and finally pleaded guilty in court paid a small fine and no one went to jail.

Stephen Harper has failed to reform the Senate. He once held the position that he would never appoint anyone to the Senate not first elected in some form. He also once held the position he would not appoint anyone from the Senate to Cabinet. Stephen Harper, in his first Cabinet in 2006, appointed a liberal in the name of David Emerson to the Senate and into Cabinet in one move. Where is the elected Senate he once supported? Where is Senate reform?

The Harper Government’s tax cuts have come in the form of tax credits that fail to assist low income Canadians who pay no taxes. Consider how this affects fire fighters and kids in sport or arts. It is lower income Canadians who need tax relief. 10 million Canadians will not benefit from a tax credit. Now expect a 1.2 billion-tax increase on the Employment Insurance payroll the Harper Government plans to introduce on January 1, 2012.

Rail Service plays an important role regarding Canadian transportation. Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP) are failing to meet expectations of shippers. The Harper government completed a Rail Freight Service Review in 2010 that was three years in the making. The Review identified deficiencies in how CN and CP fail to meet reasonable shipper expectations. Is The Harper Government acting to address identified deficiencies in how the two railways move freight in Canada?

The Harper Government is now embroiled in a hotly debated discussion on pension reform. Where did that come from? Was that in the Conservative Party campaign at the last election? Stephen Harper waded into the debate with remarks he made while in Switzerland. If he knew his intentions regarding his remarks then he should come clear with Canadians and let the rest of in on his intentions. For now, the Harper Government seems to be in full retreat in the House of Commons. The Harper Government will need to attain the moral high ground before they proceed with any pension reforms. That will mean addressing the matter of MP pensions that are currently outrageous, as you will find in the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Report. This would have to come first before attacking pensions like the Old Age Security and the linked Guaranteed Income Supplement. An even greater concern is the Harper Government’s intentions regarding the Public Service pensions.

Canadians handed the Harper Government a majority government at the last election. We are now beginning to see what Prime Minister; Stephen Harper intends to do with his majority government.

Enjoy your government and Have a Great Day!

Act for America Founder

2012-02-04T00:49:00.000-06:00

Act for America

2012-02-04T00:46:00.000-06:00

Bill Cosby

2012-02-02T10:52:00.000-06:00

"I'm 76 and I'm Tired"

I'm 76. Except for brief period in the 50's when I was doing my National Service, I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for some some serious health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly 40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as though retirement was a bad idea, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia, New Zealand, UK, America and Canada, while no one from these countries are allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other Arab country to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off?

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.

I'm really tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

I'm also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and early 20's be-deck them selves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making themselves un-employable and claiming money from the Government.

Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 76.. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter and her children. Thank God I'm on the way out and not on the way in.

A Controversial Video

2012-01-31T00:27:00.001-06:00

Licia Corbella - Calgary Herald

2012-01-30T22:40:00.001-06:00

At last, a journalist with a sense of humour to make her point.

Playing fairy godmother to Quebec not so fun

CBC Report - Mafia

2012-01-16T23:24:00.000-06:00

The CBC reports that the Mafia is worth billions. Read more...

Non-Smoking Week

2012-01-15T12:52:00.008-06:00

The Prime Minister has reminded us that it is non-smoking week from January 15th through the 21st. Here is his statement.

Quote... “Every year smoking adversely impacts the health of millions of Canadians – including those affected by second-hand smoke – heightening their risk of cancer, heart disease, emphysema and a number of other conditions. It also costs our health care system – and therefore taxpayers – a substantial amount of money.

“However, through initiatives such as National Non-Smoking Week, stronger labelling and distribution regulations, a Canada-wide toll-free quit line number and information website, and efforts to combat contraband tobacco, our Government is helping to reduce the smoking rate across the country – especially among youth.

“Despite this positive trend, we recognize that the number of people smoking in our country is still too high, which is why we are continuing our efforts in 2012 to help bring it down further.

“I encourage all Canadians who smoke to make a resolution to quit the habit both for themselves and for their loved ones.” _Unquote.

This comes on the heels that his government will keep their promise to reduce spending on health care. This will require the provinces to pick up where the Harper Government falls short.

If the Harper government is truly concerned over tobacco then ban the product or at least assist people to quit smoking with something more than a toll-free quit line. Retailers of tobacco claim they make very little out of selling tobacco products. Then quit selling tobacco and support the move to reduce smoking.  Market all tobacco products out of the existing liquor outlets and especially those operated by the government. Alcohol products are supplied in designer bottles and snazzy containers and the artistic displays in liquor stores are impressive. There are no disgusting photos of an auto accident on a liquor bottle. Tobacco on the other hand has a photo on the package that is disgusting. That is why the product is hidden behind a cheap shower curtain or hinged doors in gas stations and other outlets. Then it is argued that they are kept out of site so no one is tempted to take up the habit. What sense does this make and why the difference between alcohol and tobacco. They are both addictive and neither is good for your health. It is fine to be a social drinker, but you can not be a social smoker. Alcohol is socially accepted and tobacco is not.

People using liquor and tobacco could make use of off-sale outlets and drive through locations to pick up liquor or tobacco. It seems odd that you are old enough to drive a vehicle at 16 and go to war and die for your country at 18, but in most provinces in Canada you can not consume alcohol until 19 or sell tobacco products to a minor.

There is a lot of talk about the terrible consequences of smoking.  There is very little talk about the consequences of using alcohol and even less talk about the consequences of drug abuse.

Maybe it is time to have the government introduce mandatory periodic drug testing in our schools, universities, technical schools, like SIAST, and other educational institutions. Why should taxpayers fund students going to school while intoxicated with illegal drugs?

Each year when the government announces anti-smoking week they should also announce how much revenue they raked in through the sale of tobacco.

Why not introduce an anti-fat week to address the problem of obesity. Is that not a health issue as well? Being over weight is not healthy and it too must be a burden on our health care system. What is the government doing about that? Is it time for the government to introduce regulations prohibiting food outlets from marketing unhealthy foods? Is it time for the government to be more involved in healthy lifestyles as a means of reducing the cost on our health care system.

Now do not blame me for all this. It was the government under pressure from various non-government agencies and lobbies that got us into this mess. Hence all the anti-smoking regulations.

Years ago many of my elders used to smoke cigarettes, cigars and pipes, chew tobacco and stuff it up their nose, hang out in smoke filled facilities like curling rinks, ate fatty foods like eggs fried in pork fat and were never involved in all the exercise programs currently available. They never knew terms like saturated and unsaturated fats and likely never ever heard of Yoga. Regardless, they lived long lives with few exceptions. What is up with that?

Well, that is all I have to say for now.  I have to go and have my oatmeal porridge sweetened with real Maple Syrup washed down with a coffee sweetened with artificial sweetener. Then it will be time for my Siberian Husky to take me outside for exercise on a cold January day. I may even have a cigarette if there is no one within a hundred yards of me and feel good that I am helping to fund my government to tell me I am costing them money by smoking.

Please do not get too fussed over this blog post and Have a Great Life. You may live longer than you think unless you die of stress by thinking about all this too much!

Smart Meters

2012-01-13T14:05:00.000-06:00

Class-Action Lawsuit - Tony Merchant

2012-01-09T12:45:00.001-06:00

Lawsuit claims farmers owed $15.4B for Wheat Board CTV Regina

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T21:15:00.005-06:00

Well, here we are in the year 2012. Time just keeps rolling on and speeds up as we grow older. Regardless, Canada is a great country and Saskatchewan is leading the way in economic growth and prosperity. It has not always been this good and we should be prepared for the eventual peaks and lows that are associated with any economy.

To make things even better our weather in Saskatchewan and across the country is absolutely unbelievable. We will enjoy it for now and prepare for more seasonal temperatures before winter runs out.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year, prosperity and good health throughout this year 2012.

Drunk Drivers

2011-12-14T13:01:00.000-06:00

Driving a motor vehicle is a challenge as you dodge all the poor drivers on our streets and highways. Many people are involved in vehicle accidents. There are accidents on our streets and highways every day. It is why we have to pay high insurance fees on our vehicles. Vehicle accidents can be minor and annoying. They can also be very serious leaving people injured either for a long time or for life. They are often deadly. Serious injuries often leave people with long periods of pain and rehabilitation. An accident involving death leaves families and friends with a lifetime of mourning.

With all this in mind, why do people drive while intoxicated. Zero tolerance is the only reasonable approach to dealing with drunk drivers. One drink is simply too many if you plan to operate a vehicle. Is it really worth risking your life and the life of others? There is no excuse worth hearing from those found guilty of driving while intoxicated. One convicted on a second offense, should lose their privilege to drive for life. The alternative is to run the risk of these drunk drivers seriously injuring others or worse, the risk of causing the death of completely innocent people. These risks also include pedestrians.

Bad drivers need to have their driving privileges removed based on their driving record. Drunk drivers should have their privileges removed more quickly and for longer periods. There may be some hope of rehabilitating a bad driver, little for an intoxicated driver and next to none for one addicted to substance abuse like alcohol. What reason is there for us to feel sorry for someone facing driving while intoxicated charges before the courts?

Ezra Lavant on Attawapiskat

2011-12-12T01:49:00.002-06:00

Understanding Attawapiskat

2011-12-12T01:33:00.001-06:00

Watch this Sun News video.

City States - Vatican City

2011-12-07T13:18:00.001-06:00

Vatican City

2011-12-07T13:03:00.001-06:00

THE WEALTH OF THE VATICAN CITY In American currency, today’s bankers estimate the consolidated wealth of the Vatican (The Holy See) is between 10 to 15 billion dollars! Of this wealth, Italian stockholdings alone run to $1.6 billion, 15% of the value of listed shares on the Italian market. The Vatican has big investments in banking, insurance, chemicals, steel, construction and real estate. Earnings produced from tax-free incomes provide dividends which pay for the Vatican City expenses. I refer to the book entitled THE VATICAN BILLIONS by Avro Manhattan. I want to bring to your attention the fact that this information was published 10 years ago, and the figures will undoubtedly be even more startling today: "The Vatican has large investments with the Rothschilds of Britain, France and America, with the Hambros Bank and with the Credit Suisse in London and Zurich and elsewhere. In the United States it has large investments with the Morgan Bank, the Chase-Manhattan Bank, the First National Bank of New York, the Bankers Trust Company, and others. The Vatican has billions of shares in the most powerful international corporations such as Gulf Oil, Shell, General Motors, Bethlehem Steel, General Electric, International Business Machines, T.W.A., etc. At a conservative estimate, these amount to more than 500 million dollars in the U.S.A. alone. "In a statement published in connection with a bond prospectus, the Boston archdiocese listed its assets at Six Hundred and Thirty-five Million ($635,891,004), which is 9.9 times its liabilities. This leaves a net worth of Five Hundred and Seventy-one million dollars ($571,704,953). It is not difficult to discover the truly astonishing wealth of the church, once we add the riches of the twenty-eight archdioceses and 122 dioceses of the U.S.A., some of which are even wealthier than that of Boston. "Some idea of the real estate and other forms of wealth controlled by the Catholic church may be gathered by the remark of a member of the New York Catholic Conference, namely 'that his church probably ranks second only to the United States Government in total annual purchase.' Another statement, made by a nationally syndicated Catholic priest, perhaps is even more telling. 'The Catholic Church,' he said, 'must be the biggest corporation in the United States. We have a branch office in every neighbourhood. Our assets and real estate holdings must exceed those of Standard Oil, A.T.&T., and U.S. Steel combined. And our roster of dues-paying members must be second only to the tax rolls of the United States Government.' "The Catholic Church, once all her assets have been put together, is the most formidable stockbroker in the world. The Vatican, independently of each successive pope, has been increasingly oriented towards the U.S. The Wall Street Journal said that the Vatican's financial deals in the U.S. alone were so big that very often it sold or bought gold in lots of a million or more dollars at one time. "The Vatican's treasure of solid gold has been estimated by the United Nations World Magazine to amount to several billion dollars. A large bulk of this is stored in gold ingots with the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank, while banks in England and Switzerland hold the rest. But this is just a small portion of the wealth of the Vatican, which in the U.S. alone, is greater than that of the five wealthiest giant corporations of the country. When to that is added all the real estate, property, stocks and shares abroad, then the staggering accumulation of the wealth of the Catholic church becomes so formidable as to defy any rational assessment. "The Catholic Church is the biggest financial power, wealth accumulator and property owner in existence. She is a greater possessor of material riches than any other single institution, corporation, bank, giant trust, government or state of the whole globe. The pope, as the visible ruler of this immense amassment of wealth, is consequently the richest individual of the twentieth century. No one can realistically assess how much he is worth in terms of billions of dollars." Read more...

Saskatchewan Legislative Assemby

2011-12-02T12:43:00.001-06:00

The First Session of The Twenty-Seventh Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan is set for Monday, December 5, 2011. This is when our provincial politicians will attempt to work together on the legislative agenda set by the government. The "together" may be difficult.

There is already some competition within the SaskParty to see who will be elected as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The current speaker, Don Toth seemed to be doing quite well. He is apparently now being challenged for that position from within his own party. Is the SaskParty is looking for someone who will favour them in rulings? Or is someone not likely to be in Cabinet looking for a higher pay cheque? Either way, the conflicts and division among our elected officials has already started before the opening of the Legislature. Is anyone surprised?

Investment Advice

2011-12-02T10:24:00.001-06:00

Investors always advise you to invest for the long term. Is that good advice? Some problems are not likely to go away anytime soon because of worldwide government debt that is on the rise. As long as we have unmanageable government debt, we will have long-term problems with the markets.

In Canada, annual health-care costs have more than double since 2005. They went from $140 billion to near $200 billion in that time. $25 billion comes from the federal government’s transfer of funds to the provinces. Additionally, the federal government spent well over $10 billion to fight a ten-year war in Afghanistan.

The Harper conservative government cannot stop spending money and has a growing national debt crisis they do not know how to stop. If they did then they would not have contracted a private company costing them millions more in expenditures to tell them how to stop spending and adding to the national debt. That tells you how smart our elected officials are, including their administrative officials.

The left liberals interestingly have a better record managing government debt than do the right leaning conservatives who moved to the middle. Various media reports have detailed this many times. The history of Canada’s national debt is a matter of public record.

It seems controlling government spending is the best way to stabilize the markets. Otherwise, the debt in Greece, Italy or any other country in Europe would not affect the markets. The debt in Europe, US, and Canada are all a problem and will be for the long term. Where does that leave investing for the long term?

Where was the Canadian dividend fund before 911 and where is it today? That would be the best indicator of where long-term investing will get you.

Statement by PM Stephen Harper

2011-11-24T07:53:00.001-06:00

Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a recent statement recognized the contribution of Muslims in Canada. He also recognized the growth of Islam in Canada and how religious freedom is an essential building block for peace in Canada and around the world. Read more...

2011 Saskatchewan Election

2011-11-08T08:36:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to Brad Wall and the SaskParty for their landslide election win on November 7, 2011. The result essentially mirrored Brad Wall’s popularity as Premier of Saskatchewan over the last four years. The election focused on leadership as much as it did about issues. It was an election based on the SaskParty’s performance in government and going forward as opposed to turning back to the old NDP. The decision on election night could not have been clearer.

Brad Wall will be the Premier for the next four years with the challenge of maintaining his level of performance. Brad Wall must now train a new crop of brand new MLA’s and keep them busy. Brad Wall can now move forward unrestrained by a small NDP opposition and that may be a challenge.

Brad Wall was humble in accepting the decision of Saskatchewan voters for handing him the responsibility of serving as Premier for another four years. He and his caucus must remain humble over the next four years. That too will be a challenge.Being at the top is tough because the alternative is going down and that is a real and present danger.

Regardless, congratulations to everyone who participated in this election and especially the voters’ responsible for this historic election in Saskatchewan’s history.

Afghanistan

2011-10-27T08:53:00.000-06:00

How many reasons do the US and Canada need to get out of Afghanistan? Recent comments from Afghan president, Hamid Karzai stating he and Afghanistan will be there for Pakistan if war breaks out between the US and Pakistan is the latest reason.

No good is achievable, on the long term, in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. The measure of success in Afghanistan pales in comparison to the loss of life within our military and the cost of over a billion dollars a year to Canadian taxpayers. Prime Minister, Stephen Harper even had this rebel address the House of Commons. I never did understand the merit of that decision.

American politicians are outraged as Operation Enduring Freedom cost 468 billion US dollars and 1,820 American soldiers. All this and Afghanistan will back Pakistan in a war against the US!

Leave Afghanistan, and only Afghanistan, to decide their own fate. The time to leave Afghanistan is now. Read more...

Coffee Obsession

2011-10-21T08:42:00.000-06:00

The obsession with Tim Horton’s coffee is amusing. I can appreciate a good cup of coffee as well as anyone, but sitting in a long line of vehicles at Tim Horton’s on a regular basis burning gas is ridiculous. On many days there are long lines of traffic that back right onto the street with the potential of an accident waiting to happen. Caffeine craze works 24/7 with peaks at certain times of the day and on certain days.

Orders for large or extra large double double or triple triple are high on the list if not the norm. People are truly hooked on coffee if not addicted. It truly is a phenomenon.

I refuse to get in the coffee line. I enjoy Tim Horton’s coffee and other coffee providers like Robin’s Donuts, McDonald’s and other providers. I refuse to sit in long lines anymore over a cup of coffee. It is easier to make a coffee at home for the road, and then cast a smile of relief as you drive by the long lines of traffic at a coffee drive through.

May patience, respect, and safe driving be on the minds of those still hooked on their obsession with a great cup of coffee? Moreover, Have a Great Day!

Regina South Campaign

2011-10-19T08:20:00.000-06:00

Yens Pedersen is a quality candidate for the NDP in Regina South. Regardless of how you may have voted in the past or of your political ideology Yens Pedersen is deserving of your vote. He is a fresh young face and a man who is prepared to hear and act on your particular point of view. Yens Pedersen is motivated by his constituents and less by the beliefs of his party or leader. He is a candidate with leadership qualities and a positive view to change for the future. He is not bogged down with the rhetoric of old party policies and more likely to act on modern day concerns faced by his constituents.

Bill Hutchinson is the incumbent MLA for Regina South. I met him once in my life and that was at my initiative a long time ago. Since his election, he never called me or came to visit. Hutchinson is a typical career politician. What else has he done?

By contrast, Yens Pedersen took the time to sit down in my backyard and visit with my family knowing I have been a conservative all my life. He knows I should naturally vote for the SaskParty, but still remained respectful and heard my views. Further, he returns my phone calls.

I do not hold a membership in any party and I have not financially supported any party federally or provincially for many years. I vote for candidates whom are quality candidates and the best candidate running in my constituency. In Regina South, that would be Yens Pedersen.