A provincial election looms in 2015.
In case you missed that point, today's Budget didn't.
Its eye was squarely on the prize.
Between now and then, it's going to be a lean, mean, whip-cracking machine.
Layoffs, consolidations, cutbacks, crafty spins and conspiratorial circling of the bandwagons.
Then in 2015, it will get all mushy, generous and overflowing with largess.
Budgets by this government are not really about families, communities or People.
(As their PR spin would have you think)
They are political tools meant to castigate and control our very lives in between election years.
Budget 2015 will then become even more Machiavellian as it targets in to woo, coo and fool the people during the election campaign.
Roads will be paved, hospitals built,ribbons cut, ferries fixed, babies kissed and maybe even a fake tear shed...
Budgets don't have to work that way - they can be a mindful,compassionate,responsive genuinely engaging and thoughtful process.
But that is not the way this Government operates.
They`d rather build self-serving empires than be there for the People.
The bottom line is that Budget 2013 cannot wipe out 10 years of infractions and political interference.
Even with a shallow 10-year Sustainability Plan as part of today`s Budget,
you get the sense that the expression to hell in a hand basket might just
have been perfectly coined to describe this year`s provincial economic document.
And Election 2015 might just be the year when those in a hand basket
get to take their final haphazard journey.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
The Throne Speech Truth Serum
Sometimes when you speak, you disclose more than you intend.
Take today’s provincial 2013 Throne Speech.
In addition to revealing where the path ahead is veering,
Government also highlighted where there are huge issues.
Well, when you are at the provincial helm for close to a decade,
you get full credit for the path you left behind;
Or in this government's case, for the mess they have left behind.
Today, injected with a little Throne Speech Truth Serum, Government admitted that ...
- They allowed the public sector growth to get out of control. In their own words Newfoundland and Labrador’s public sector costs are greater than our economy can afford or sustain.
- They spent more on public sector than any other province. In their own words ... This province’s public sector spending per capita is the highest of any province
- They screwed up on the price of oil leaving less ching ching in government coffers. In their own words ... From Alberta to Ottawa and beyond, all jurisdictions heavily reliant on oil revenues have suffered large reductions to their bottom lines this year because oil prices have tracked far lower than the markets projected
- They failed to diversify the economy. In their own words ... We must diversify away from an overreliance on oil if we are to put our economy on a solid, sustainable footing
- They failed to live within their means. In their own words ... We have to live within our means and continue to set clear and responsible priorities.
- They have not been prudent managers of our taxdollars. In their own words ...This is the prudent time to take on the challenge of focusing on critical priorities, streamlining our public sector accordingly and zeroing in on the initiatives that place our province’s economy on a solid, sustainable footing for the decades to come
- They have not set sound priorities since 2003. In their own words ... The path forward is about setting sound priorities.
- They have not been innovative in their thinking since 2003. In their own words ... ... The path forward is also about innovation – about finding new and more-effective ways of achieving our goals.
- They have not had a Sustainability Plan until now! In their own words ... This Sustainability Plan will guide our approach moving forward. It is a fresh approach to governance, with a clear focus on the people we serve, the priorities we stand by, the results we need to achieve, and the path that will get us there.
- They have not been spending smartly in health care. In their own words ... We are convinced there are ways to spend our health care investments more effectively to maintain and improve the quality of frontline services while increasing the value we get for these investments.
- Their greatest achievement in the development of our fisheries is the give-away of our resources. In their own words ... After several months of intensive negotiation, the province and Ocean Choice International reached an agreement to reopen the Fortune fish plant to process its unutilized yellowtail quota. This agreement will return a minimum of 110 workers to the plant when the retrofit is complete and secure an additional 126 year-round harvesting jobs.
Sometimes, an innocent psychoactive medication known as the Throne Speech exposes all government's inner truths.
Today's Throne Speech could have been simplified to one truthful line.
We have achieve little, but we NOW have a plan ... after 10 years.
The Truth sometimes hurts,
but it is better than the platitudes and deception contained in the rest of this year's Throne Speech; and the past decade of Tory goverance.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Penashue Patch
There's a new product on the Canadian market- The Penashue Patch.
It promises fast relief from the withdrawals of being ethical, honest, above board,
and having one last shred of decency left.
It does not affect the withdrawer so much as it pains the person watching how low a paid public servant can stoop to fool its master and not blink an eyelash.
The Patch is proudly manufactured by the Harper Corporation.
It's the perfect solution for those who want to quit being an upstanding and honourable politician; and instead have the desire to engage in dirty low-down politics - all pain free and devoid of morals.
It is guaranteed to remove all guilt of allowing one to carry out any charade in front of the public, no matter how sinister and self-serving.
While further studies are pending, the Harper Conservatives have a patent on the product and they are confident it will set the next generation standards of political behaviour.
Further, it is highly regarded by the Harper-ites as a fool-proof remedy to win elections and by-elections.
The Penashue Patch is a highly recommended resource for those that want to butt out democracy and decency.
Other than ongoing delusions and shallowness, there are no real side effects.
Unless of course, you are the victim that has to inhale all this second hand toxic smoke.
Then you might want to exercise your god-given democratic right to butt out and walk away from this poisonous political substance.
It truly is the only cure against the Harper Cancer Stick ...
It promises fast relief from the withdrawals of being ethical, honest, above board,
and having one last shred of decency left.
It does not affect the withdrawer so much as it pains the person watching how low a paid public servant can stoop to fool its master and not blink an eyelash.
The Patch is proudly manufactured by the Harper Corporation.
It's the perfect solution for those who want to quit being an upstanding and honourable politician; and instead have the desire to engage in dirty low-down politics - all pain free and devoid of morals.
It is guaranteed to remove all guilt of allowing one to carry out any charade in front of the public, no matter how sinister and self-serving.
While further studies are pending, the Harper Conservatives have a patent on the product and they are confident it will set the next generation standards of political behaviour.
Further, it is highly regarded by the Harper-ites as a fool-proof remedy to win elections and by-elections.
The Penashue Patch is a highly recommended resource for those that want to butt out democracy and decency.
Other than ongoing delusions and shallowness, there are no real side effects.
Unless of course, you are the victim that has to inhale all this second hand toxic smoke.
Then you might want to exercise your god-given democratic right to butt out and walk away from this poisonous political substance.
It truly is the only cure against the Harper Cancer Stick ...
Saturday, March 16, 2013
The Great Rural Rot Strategy
The Great Divide is yawning wider and wider -
the Urban-Rural Divide in NL that is.
In Election 2003, the Tory Government promised a
Great Rural Strategy
"All ready to roll out" promised power hungry DW of his plan
to bring great wealth and expansion to the outlying regions.
Ten years later, the camera is now in focused
And the picture isn't pretty
Rural regions are rotting in the Government's cellar
Like vegetables left too long in the deep damp wet underground...
The Rural Rot stench comes from anti-rural measures
heaped unto the compose pile over time.
But, just in recent memory we have enough stench-ables to make one wonder who is tending to the rural garden.
Look what this government hauled out of the topsoil in NL just a few short months ago
1) The EAS Offices These offices allowed rural clients to secure long-term employment with the help of people close by and empowering them to reach their potential. Now they are told to swim alone. To boot there are over 226 jobs taken from rural communities due to these cuts. Makes sense if you are trying to resettle - a backward step if you are a rural advocate!
2) The RED Boards Funding for these critical boards were cut earlier this year both by the feds and the province. Economic and business development in rural regions have lost a major nutrient and now these 19 boards will die on the vine as well as public participation and community education relating to economic growth.
3) Fish plants Since December 2011, 12 fish plants have closed under this Government's watch. Actually, government wasn't watching at all - they were hiding behind the rural-urban great divide wall as they gave the thumbs up to industry to wreck havoc with the community garden known as the fishing industry. They didn't stand proud in front of the people reassuring they had a plan. Another industry relegated to the cellar!
4) Schools Government continues to yank schools out of communities by heaping piles of toxic pesticides - viable ones at that! Schools are the heart of a community and once a school closes, a community is not far behind ... Where is the plan to protect communities by ensuring their schools remain opened and multi-purposed? Government needs a reform of the School Closing Act and a new model to ensure regional economic development and schools are all connected.
5) Ferries Communities that depend on ferries need these vessels just like schools in order to be viable and sustainable; but despite many promises and a strategy, the Tory government have not been good gardeners when it comes to providing reliable and safe ferry service to many of our isolated communities.
6) Rural Broadband Technology is everything in this modern world but this government has been slow off the mark in planting this vital service to many rural communities. Take the Burin Peninsula where there are close to 20,00 people and large areas without cell coverage! We're not just talking about keeping in touch to have a conversation - this is life and death stuff.
7) Health Care Government promised a Regional health facility for Western Nl and it is clear this infrastructure will be ripped from the grounds of rural Nl either as a reduced service or a no-go!
Rural Rot is the flavour of the day under this current government.
They promised a fertile garden but they have not been diligent nor accountable; and rural Nl has been underseiged.
Communities are in crises - physically and spiritually.
Government clearly is not up to the task of repotting our communities and our regions.
And so the great Urban-Rural divide continues ...
The rural rot stench rises up to remind us that we must effect change sooner rather than later.
kp
the Urban-Rural Divide in NL that is.
In Election 2003, the Tory Government promised a
Great Rural Strategy
"All ready to roll out" promised power hungry DW of his plan
to bring great wealth and expansion to the outlying regions.
Ten years later, the camera is now in focused
And the picture isn't pretty
Rural regions are rotting in the Government's cellar
Like vegetables left too long in the deep damp wet underground...
The Rural Rot stench comes from anti-rural measures
heaped unto the compose pile over time.
But, just in recent memory we have enough stench-ables to make one wonder who is tending to the rural garden.
Look what this government hauled out of the topsoil in NL just a few short months ago
1) The EAS Offices These offices allowed rural clients to secure long-term employment with the help of people close by and empowering them to reach their potential. Now they are told to swim alone. To boot there are over 226 jobs taken from rural communities due to these cuts. Makes sense if you are trying to resettle - a backward step if you are a rural advocate!
2) The RED Boards Funding for these critical boards were cut earlier this year both by the feds and the province. Economic and business development in rural regions have lost a major nutrient and now these 19 boards will die on the vine as well as public participation and community education relating to economic growth.
3) Fish plants Since December 2011, 12 fish plants have closed under this Government's watch. Actually, government wasn't watching at all - they were hiding behind the rural-urban great divide wall as they gave the thumbs up to industry to wreck havoc with the community garden known as the fishing industry. They didn't stand proud in front of the people reassuring they had a plan. Another industry relegated to the cellar!
4) Schools Government continues to yank schools out of communities by heaping piles of toxic pesticides - viable ones at that! Schools are the heart of a community and once a school closes, a community is not far behind ... Where is the plan to protect communities by ensuring their schools remain opened and multi-purposed? Government needs a reform of the School Closing Act and a new model to ensure regional economic development and schools are all connected.
5) Ferries Communities that depend on ferries need these vessels just like schools in order to be viable and sustainable; but despite many promises and a strategy, the Tory government have not been good gardeners when it comes to providing reliable and safe ferry service to many of our isolated communities.
6) Rural Broadband Technology is everything in this modern world but this government has been slow off the mark in planting this vital service to many rural communities. Take the Burin Peninsula where there are close to 20,00 people and large areas without cell coverage! We're not just talking about keeping in touch to have a conversation - this is life and death stuff.
7) Health Care Government promised a Regional health facility for Western Nl and it is clear this infrastructure will be ripped from the grounds of rural Nl either as a reduced service or a no-go!
Rural Rot is the flavour of the day under this current government.
They promised a fertile garden but they have not been diligent nor accountable; and rural Nl has been underseiged.
Communities are in crises - physically and spiritually.
Government clearly is not up to the task of repotting our communities and our regions.
And so the great Urban-Rural divide continues ...
The rural rot stench rises up to remind us that we must effect change sooner rather than later.
kp
Monday, March 11, 2013
NL - What is this Place?
Newfoundland and Labrador
It's our own little precious space and place upon Earth ...
Our Home
Our Heart
Our Soul
Our Song
Our Temple
Our most treasured amongst all cosmic gifts
Where our families and our tribe are
Where we want to be (even when we are not there)
Where we work (or hope to work one day)
Where we grow and learn (around the shore or up the shore)
Where we dance, sing our songs, recite our stories (in own own unique way)
Yes bye, we're
Geographically interesting
Culturally intriguing
Linquistigly wealthy
Historically rich
Politically passionate
Emotionally connected
Genetically spawned from ocean and waves
Amazingly talented and resilient are our people
We march to the beat of our own drum ... echoes from our Native brothers and sisters
We feel special and scared - even when others do not see our beauty
We are warriors - yet peacekeepers, hospitable and community-minded
We're fierce about protecting our own and our outports ...
Fightin Nlers when we need be!
Spirited
Creative
Colourful
Genuine
Real
Friendly
Humourous
Charming
Soulful
Mysterious ...
This is where we fish upon the water
in oilskins and Cape Ann batten down
And where you can take the bayman out into the world,
but you cannot take the bayman from the depth of our being ...
Upon these waters we are brave and beautiful beings
and our blood is full of salt water and unimaginable scars
And we suffer our loss with stoicism for it blossoms our character
We know how to reach down to the bottom of our soul and carry on
We know how to lift our neighbours, our friends and our community
We know stuff that others just do not comprehend
Like how to jig a cod, cook a jigs dinner, go mummering
Ya, we just know about the real good stuff of life and loving ...
We are built to endure even as over time we
transform ourselves time and time again
The winds of change ever blows upon our waters and shores and through our complex beings;
Yet, in the end we are attached (beyond a shadow of a doubt)
to this wonderful womb that is called Newfoundland and Labrador
Miraculously, it never changes - even when it changes ...
For it is
Our Comfort zone
Our Heartbeat
Our Shared Identity
Our Pride of Place
Our Universal Place
And which, as one poet enthused, holds fast our hearts and claims each of us for its own
Newfoundland and Labrador is more a place within
indescribably beautiful
our spiritual harbour
a pearl in our inner emotional sea
Even from space, it's soul sings a song of cosmic perfection ...
where "land and people are one ...locked in a forever love and longing ...
Picture - Chris Hatfield
to ocean, to spindrift, to storm?
It's our own little precious space and place upon Earth ...
Our Home
Our Heart
Our Soul
Our Song
Our Temple
Our most treasured amongst all cosmic gifts
Where our families and our tribe are
Where we want to be (even when we are not there)
Where we work (or hope to work one day)
Where we grow and learn (around the shore or up the shore)
Where we dance, sing our songs, recite our stories (in own own unique way)
Yes bye, we're
Geographically interesting
Culturally intriguing
Linquistigly wealthy
Historically rich
Politically passionate
Emotionally connected
Genetically spawned from ocean and waves
Amazingly talented and resilient are our people
We march to the beat of our own drum ... echoes from our Native brothers and sisters
We feel special and scared - even when others do not see our beauty
We are warriors - yet peacekeepers, hospitable and community-minded
We're fierce about protecting our own and our outports ...
Fightin Nlers when we need be!
Spirited
Creative
Colourful
Genuine
Real
Friendly
Humourous
Charming
Soulful
Mysterious ...
This is where we fish upon the water
in oilskins and Cape Ann batten down
And where you can take the bayman out into the world,
but you cannot take the bayman from the depth of our being ...
Upon these waters we are brave and beautiful beings
and our blood is full of salt water and unimaginable scars
And we suffer our loss with stoicism for it blossoms our character
We know how to reach down to the bottom of our soul and carry on
We know how to lift our neighbours, our friends and our community
We know stuff that others just do not comprehend
Like how to jig a cod, cook a jigs dinner, go mummering
Ya, we just know about the real good stuff of life and loving ...
We are built to endure even as over time we
transform ourselves time and time again
The winds of change ever blows upon our waters and shores and through our complex beings;
Yet, in the end we are attached (beyond a shadow of a doubt)
to this wonderful womb that is called Newfoundland and Labrador
Miraculously, it never changes - even when it changes ...
For it is
Our Comfort zone
Our Heartbeat
Our Shared Identity
Our Pride of Place
Our Universal Place
And which, as one poet enthused, holds fast our hearts and claims each of us for its own
Newfoundland and Labrador is more a place within
indescribably beautiful
our spiritual harbour
a pearl in our inner emotional sea
Even from space, it's soul sings a song of cosmic perfection ...
where "land and people are one ...locked in a forever love and longing ...
Picture - Chris Hatfield
What is this place
that keeps us in thrallto ocean, to spindrift, to storm?
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Democracy Karma- You Betcha!
A Government watchdog - Democracy Watch - has told the Dunderdale Government that
she is isn't pushing the democratic wheelbarrow really well.
In fact, they slammed her government for being the worst secretive Government in Canada - especially as it comes to a Cabinet document called "Orders in Council".
Not surprising coming from a crew that enacted the worst anti-transparency legislation in all of Canada - Bill 29 - the Bill that specialises in undercover operations.
Someone once said that "the greatest distinction between animal and man is the ability to hide the truth."
Evolution is alive and well in this province it seems...
Hiding the truth involves not just covering it with a dark heavy cloak (Bill 29),
but secretly and maliciously manipulating online political polls meant to gauge the people's opinion - something the premier saw as quite ordinary and laudable.
"You betcha!" we engage in the lowest form of politics, she retorted when questioned about this trickery.
They say what goes around comes around.
Democracy has taken a backseat with this Government for way too long - so, according to the laws of karma, we expect that it will regain its rightful place very soon.
Hey, if you cannot drive even a wheelbarrow straight, you've driven yourself out of a job.
But this tribe is shameless - they will still ask for your vote in 2015.
Hopefully, Democracy will win on that day
- and hopefully we can ALL say with pride that we made it happen.
"You Betcha!"
kp
"
she is isn't pushing the democratic wheelbarrow really well.
In fact, they slammed her government for being the worst secretive Government in Canada - especially as it comes to a Cabinet document called "Orders in Council".
Not surprising coming from a crew that enacted the worst anti-transparency legislation in all of Canada - Bill 29 - the Bill that specialises in undercover operations.
Someone once said that "the greatest distinction between animal and man is the ability to hide the truth."
Evolution is alive and well in this province it seems...
Hiding the truth involves not just covering it with a dark heavy cloak (Bill 29),
but secretly and maliciously manipulating online political polls meant to gauge the people's opinion - something the premier saw as quite ordinary and laudable.
"You betcha!" we engage in the lowest form of politics, she retorted when questioned about this trickery.
They say what goes around comes around.
Democracy has taken a backseat with this Government for way too long - so, according to the laws of karma, we expect that it will regain its rightful place very soon.
Hey, if you cannot drive even a wheelbarrow straight, you've driven yourself out of a job.
But this tribe is shameless - they will still ask for your vote in 2015.
Hopefully, Democracy will win on that day
- and hopefully we can ALL say with pride that we made it happen.
"You Betcha!"
kp
"
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Fisheries - Deja Vu - all over again ...
The fishing industry (has) fallen from grace
and the interest and determination needed from
both the provincial and federal governments
simply (is) not there ...
You could be forgiven if you thought that
quote was referencing today's fishery.
We all know that during the Tory reign of
the past decade, the fishery has been a very
low priority - the ugly sculpin of family, as the sexier files of
oil and gas and Muskrat grab all the attention.
Interestingly, that quote was taken from a piece
"Decay of Trade" by the late academic David Alexander as he
reflected on the province's major industry in the late 1950s!
Alexander further observed "The Canadian authorities seemingly
regarded the Newfoundland fishing industry as
"an ancient relative that should not be encouraged."
It seems, according to Alexander, "that our fishing industry went into decline
once the Island entered Confederation. In fact, the federal government's involvement in the Atlantic fisheries was considered as relatively passive."
Ghosts of governments past come to haunt us on the shores of the present with their similar disengagement of our major industry...
It's scary that after all those years, both levels of government are still in control of
a rudderless ship called the fishery where there is no leadership, no vision, no dialogue and no action plan to bring this industry back to where it needs to be - in the bow of the provincial ship.
May we somehow navigate these troubled waters to find a strong fishery narrative in our future, as has been in our past ...
and the interest and determination needed from
both the provincial and federal governments
simply (is) not there ...
You could be forgiven if you thought that
quote was referencing today's fishery.
We all know that during the Tory reign of
the past decade, the fishery has been a very
low priority - the ugly sculpin of family, as the sexier files of
oil and gas and Muskrat grab all the attention.
Interestingly, that quote was taken from a piece
"Decay of Trade" by the late academic David Alexander as he
reflected on the province's major industry in the late 1950s!
Alexander further observed "The Canadian authorities seemingly
regarded the Newfoundland fishing industry as
"an ancient relative that should not be encouraged."
It seems, according to Alexander, "that our fishing industry went into decline
once the Island entered Confederation. In fact, the federal government's involvement in the Atlantic fisheries was considered as relatively passive."
Ghosts of governments past come to haunt us on the shores of the present with their similar disengagement of our major industry...
It's scary that after all those years, both levels of government are still in control of
a rudderless ship called the fishery where there is no leadership, no vision, no dialogue and no action plan to bring this industry back to where it needs to be - in the bow of the provincial ship.
May we somehow navigate these troubled waters to find a strong fishery narrative in our future, as has been in our past ...
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