tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post14416469670932947..comments2024-03-28T19:18:40.387-04:00Comments on Northern Reflections: He Doesn't Believe Government Should Do ThatOwen Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-19439626364750296362017-04-17T16:38:35.770-04:002017-04-17T16:38:35.770-04:00It's been clear for decades that our political...It's been clear for decades that our political leaders have been supporting self destructive policies, Mound -- even as they told us that those policies were in our own best interests.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-39107034641915881912017-04-17T15:55:08.659-04:002017-04-17T15:55:08.659-04:00There was a report last week, I think in The Guard...There was a report last week, I think in The Guardian, that predicted within 20-years fully 30 per cent of jobs in the developed world will be lost to automation. 30 per cent, less than a full third I suppose, yet in the context of our consumer economy, our societies, that's a thermonuclear scale disaster.<br /><br />Government has surrendered its power to regulate and control capital, a change that left labour vulnerable to capital's predations. Wealth was quickly siphoned out of the middle class to the richest of the rich, wages stagnated, jobs disappeared, inequality - of wages, of wealth and, most importantly, of opportunity - soared. <br /><br />I know of not one political leader willing to change any of this, not one.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-35394927666782923952017-04-17T14:58:55.268-04:002017-04-17T14:58:55.268-04:00I agree, Toby. Racing to the bottom isn't smar...I agree, Toby. Racing to the bottom isn't smart.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-58526395666352319632017-04-17T14:42:10.902-04:002017-04-17T14:42:10.902-04:00Anonymous Hugh asked, "Why should North Ameri... Anonymous Hugh asked, "Why should North American businesses have to compete with businesses in Asia, where people are paid $5 a day?"<br /><br />Why should North Americans allow imports from businesses that only pay $5 a day? The big problem with our various trade deals is that they push standards down; we need better standards, not worse.<br /><br />Diamonds are common. DeBeers demonstrated that limiting availability causes prices to rise. Canada's milk and egg marketing boards do the same thing. <br /><br />Our governments need to be smarter.<br />Tobynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-64446225793902298152017-04-17T12:55:34.643-04:002017-04-17T12:55:34.643-04:00Money greases the machinery, salamander. And money...Money greases the machinery, salamander. And money gets its way.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-66249091676459939752017-04-17T12:43:44.721-04:002017-04-17T12:43:44.721-04:00.. ah, the evolution of 'jobs or careers' ..... ah, the evolution of 'jobs or careers' ..<br />Are we not able to recognize vast, even sudden shifts<br />in the tectonic plates of culture, environment<br />geography, technology, population ?<br /><br />In terms of attention to reality & electorate & citizenry<br />most 'public servants' are functioning in a seperate fantasy reality<br />that does not include cognition, responsibility or ethics<br />so why trust them with that thing called 'Policy'<br />.. you know, where they are alert and proactive, responsible eh<br />to the needs dreams and wishes of the people who elected them<br />(what an odd concept, I know .. )<br /><br />We now have the spectre of politicians elected for no rational reason<br />.. albeit the most popular in a race among toxic toad parasites<br />We all know where policy comes from ..<br />either the most powerful politican or a consortium of partisans<br />.. or both .. <br /><br />I note provinces pimping jobs jobs jobs .. for the blessed Oil Economy<br />that are sellout pimpage.. on behalf of 'donation Stockholme syndrome'<br />that being where 'governance' is a lip service stroke job<br />from the corporate sponsors of this current captured Party..<br /><br />Yes, in Canada there are exceptions to the rule<br />but any Canadian can see the vast majority in politics<br />are pinned down.. unable to fullfill their job descriptionthe salamanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06853337802990122289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-64195314522024542832017-04-17T11:28:39.480-04:002017-04-17T11:28:39.480-04:00I don't know, Hugh. The bargain hunters -- lik...I don't know, Hugh. The bargain hunters -- like those who go south for cheaper prices -- would always be looking over the fence.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-42347235033230919072017-04-17T11:26:06.185-04:002017-04-17T11:26:06.185-04:00It's never been easy for we human beings to ad...It's never been easy for we human beings to adapt to change, Steve.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-64943139214598215902017-04-17T10:52:03.855-04:002017-04-17T10:52:03.855-04:00A big issue is that most of the stuff we purchase ...A big issue is that most of the stuff we purchase is made elsewhere, not in North America. <br /><br />Why should North American businesses have to compete with businesses in Asia, where people are paid $5 a day?<br /><br />If manufacturing were brought back to North America, of course merchandise would be more expensive, but overall society would benefit, IMO.Hughnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-45673625604374056612017-04-17T10:35:27.053-04:002017-04-17T10:35:27.053-04:00The Luddites and Malthusians were correct, who kne...The Luddites and Malthusians were correct, who knew?Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14162783936999869984noreply@blogger.com