From 10,000 Feet

Predictions for our economic future by the Bank of Canada are for a “marked slowing” of the economy in the second half of 2010 because of the Spanish government’s insolvency. One may ask the question, “why should the problems of Spain affect us here in Canada?” – what is wrong with this picture??? It would seem that having and keeping your financial house in order has been highly over-rated (sic). Or maybe it should be stated slightly differently – being interconnected to a whole group of other nations has been a huge world-wide problem which no one cared to discuss when they were “selling” the idea of globalism.

As I write this column, I feel like an intellectual geek bringing up the issue of globalization. The media and governments have always presented it as an absolute sacrament of an economically prosperous future. There never was a real debate about its merits and potential problems – it was forced upon us. Anyone who opposed it was marginalized and dismissed as a “kook”. However, in the 20/20 vision of first hand experience, NAFTA or the EU have NOT been proven to increase the prosperity of Europeans or North Americans. It has, in fact, done just the opposite. It has made some people very rich, but for the average Canadian, it has been a “cancer”. It has made us victims of market manipulation and has destroyed our manufacturing sector (real wealth) and our economic sovereignty and self-determination.

True Democracy is rooted in the belief that each of us has the inalienable right to choose for ourselves our own course. That right has been taken away from each of us by globalism. We no longer control our economic future. That is determined by people we neither elected nor who have any thought of our welfare in mind.  The centralization of power has few benefits to anyone except those who have it. They are far from the people their decisions affect.

My expectations of what they cunningly called “free trade” have been completely fulfilled – “the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer”. The problem is we all have a short attention span and few pundits ever return to “the scene of the crime” for a second look. I suppose that is what makes some politicians say anything to “sell us”, knowing that later, when the truth becomes known, nothing is ever done about it- but that can change.

Could Wilmot Township drop out of NAFTA? Not likely; however, the concept of economic sovereignty on a local level is a dream worth “noodling”. It would be a “gutzie” move from an informed, united, and creative people that would lead change.

Ontario, Canada, and the world are in a season of monumental change. Those countries and people who lead and shape change are best positioned to prosper from it. The world is looking for leaders who understand the problems and who can facilitate the solutions. We here in Wilmot can lead the province and the country with creativity, vision, and courage in a number of areas. It doesn’t matter where you come from or where you are right now, it only matters where you are going. Our dreaming is not a worthless endeavor, it can shape the future. Our dreams are valuable to us and to others. Our choice to pursue our dreams will be inspiration to those who know us and an example for our children. Dreamers – dream on!!

The birth of HST in Ontario has arrived. I doubt if anyone will be handing out cigars – on second thought, maybe Dalton McGuinty will. Compared to British Columbia, the first step in selling the HST to Ontarians has gone down like an Oceans 11 movie. The tax will probably have a longer life than any of us – sadly, taxes never die; and most of you will by now have received your “bribe cheque”, as many people are calling it. But I am wondering if a bribe today will quell the building anger over the next few months as people see the cost of living in Ontario go up yet again.

Brian Mulroney gave us GST. You may remember that he went from a majority government to holding his caucus meetings in a phone booth because of the hated tax. He never suspected that taxpayers were prepared to respond with such collective retaliation. He underestimated, or possibly misinterpreted just how strongly people felt about the issue even if they didn’t march in the street. It became a life lesson for every politician in Canada that we don’t always say everything we are thinking.

Although Wilmot Township’s taxpayers haven’t marched in the streets in a HST tax revolt (it just isn’t our style), I am convinced that the modest reaction to such a significant increase in taxes does not mean that we believe what we have been told about the tax. In fact, the most common response to questions about the tax is that people don’t believe the government about the personal impact of the HST. They are suspicious and cynical about the cost. They may have been reflecting on the Smart Meter Answer Book which Mr. McGuinty distributed across the province. We were told, as you may remember, that the new system was a way for us all to save money on our electric bill – NOT.  In reality, hydro prices for the same usage were increasing significantly. If you wanted to save money you would have to cook your meals and do your laundry between 9 pm and 7 am – a bit inconvenient for most of us to say the least. The “spin-doctors” where working overtime and what we were “sold” and what we got were very different.

With the G20 ending, some economists suggest that we have entered into a world-wide third depression which they are calling the Long Depression characterized by deflation and continued unemployment. Ontario’s manufacturing sector (our greatest strength) has been destroyed over the last 20 years by NAFTA and globalism in general. The challenges the province faces are of a grand scale and the remedies (if there are any) are multifaceted. Raising taxes seems like the easy way out again. But my conflict with Mr. McGuinty is that  we have been sold the HST with less than half truths; in particular, how higher taxes will increase employment and make all of Ontario more prosperous. If there was any truth to that, I would be the first to suggest doubling taxes. I understand the cynicism among taxpayers because what we are being sold and what we will get I think will be quite different.

Over the next few months the illusions about HST will fade and reality will become evident. If Mr. McGuinty has oversold his “product”  there will be a great deal of anger and possibly voter retaliation to a government which has “ zoomed” us yet again. Sadly, by then it will be too late for taxpayers. Rarely are bad taxes ever repealed even by the succeeding government. If nothing more, we will be reminded of the old adage: “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

- In the beginning: some scientists “think” the world is getting warmer
- An “official” panel is setup to promote the views of these scientists (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – IPCC)
- About 2500 scientists join their ranks
- The official platform of the IPCC becomes: we can identify the problem but science can’t solve it – we have to stop carbon emissions – we are sure of that!!
- When the “science” of global warming becomes known, 33,000 scientists and climate experts in the USA sign a petition denouncing the theory.
- No one really knows for sure if there is climate change, or if there is, what is causing it.
- A politician makes a film which makes Global Warming a household word
- There is a law suit over the “facts” and a judge calls the film “Political Propaganda” and requires it to be labeled as such in the UK
- No one says anything about the film’s misrepresentations – more scientists join the opposition
- The major media promotes the Global Warming campaign and marginalizes the opponents
- People start to believe there is a problem and activists get into the game of saving the planet.
- It becomes social leprosy to question the science of the IPCC’s climate change campaign for those in and out of science
- A war erupts between the “warmers” and the “skeptics” – the politicians have to step in.
- Politicians refuse to take testimony of global warming opponents in the US and UK – why confuse the issue?

- Politician turned filmmaker/activist starts carbon trading company to profit from a system that does not yet exist – what does he know that we don’t??
- Major stock exchanges set up trading facilities to handle Cap and Trade (carbon credit trading) businesses years before there is a carbon tax law.
- Politicians, businesses, and scientists are “sure” that only by introducing a Cap and Trade Carbon tax can they save the planet – They didn’t want to do it – they had to!

- Businesses who are given Carbon Credit Trading licenses (politician/filmmaker included) are now making boat loads of money – more than anyone could spend.
- The scientists who said there was no solution to Global Warming (but cutting carbon emissions)  - now have a solution – “we can save the planet just give us the money”
- Politicians, who supported the Global warming (scam) are now getting kickbacks from the carbon traders in the form of carbon credits which are better than money and totally unregulated. – who thought of this great idea!!!
- Governments are getting their piece of the action from the Carbon Tax, the rest goes to “offsetting” the emissions. – this is great for the economy
- The highest consuming nations (the US included) actually get rewarded for their unbridled consumption because every company who sells them products has to buy carbon credits from them. Don’t you just love it!!
- The US Government and their “friends” are getting rich in the carbon credit scam and consumption and credit income is up – thank God, we need the money!
- The IPCC now has unprecedented powers – no one dare challenge them – there is too much at stake.
- Scientists who don’t cooperate with the “IPCC” are branded as “environmental terrorist” – disgusting people, get off the planet!
- Scientists get all the money they want to “experiment” with cutting carbon emissions without cutting consumption – and they are getting rich too!
- They of course can’t solve the problem “overnight” – it’s too complex for that, but given enough time and money they will stop the sky from falling

- The average guy is getting hosed for another few thousand bucks a year  – but that’s not the worst of it.
- Carbon cops are looking up everybody’s butt in the name of saving the planet
- Democracy and freedom is redefined as “living green our way and liking it”.
- Orwell rolls in his grave.
- The rich are getting richer on the carbon trading scheme – they pay their carbon tax with glee.

- The planet is no better off – probably worse.
- The decimation of our forests and seas (a real cause of climate change, if there is change) are forgotten – didn’t we solve that problem?
- The US, and UK force nations who trade with them to get into the game and “save the planet” or be penalized.
- No one can buy or sell anything without Carbon Credits – everyone and everything has to be monitored!
- The IPCC and their “science” becomes the final authority on just about everything – uniting everyone under one great religion
- They put a mark on your forehead or your hand so they know who’s playing the game and who’s not.
- The US controls the Carbon Credit “Currency” and world-wide commerce- why shouldn’t they, it’s their “game”
- Round two of “pillaged the nations of the earth”.
- Nice thing about this “deal” is there is something in it for everyone – but the average guy.

This is one piece of news  that caught may attention because it said so much that hasn’t been said. Time Magazine names Obama “Man of The Year”. Considering that Obama will not be sworn in until 2009 it is hard to understand what it is that he has done to qualify for “Man of The Year” other than win an election.

In light of the facts I wondered if it was a propaganda “play” to give the poor American “sucker” hope in a dismal situation or they (Time) really believed he was the best choice, in spite of the fact he had done nothing, but “talk” a great leader.

When I read the The Runners Up for MOTY it gave me a better clue as to what was going on. Henry Paulson, Tresurery Secretary and the man most responsible for letting the crooks bankrupt the country was Time’s SECOND CHOICE. I couldn’t believe that they could actually be so blind and deceived as to think they could make black white. Paulson, should be indicted for treason, stupidity,and or corruption.

It says more about Time than anything else. They are pumping out the propaganda to calm the naive masses while they and their friends suck the last dime out of the people’s pockets. They won’t get far with it, though.

Somebody said, “you get the government you deserve”. The Americans are among the most materialistic people on the planet. They invented and refined consumerism and have exported this cancerous greed around the world. Now they have proven it is a dead end street and they will suffer for their folly. The problems they have started are only beginning. Their solutions are not solutions they only delay the impact. But it is coming….too bad they are going to take so many innocent by-standers with them.