Before Lorraine Michael tries to promote affordable housing as a good thing and before Kathy Dunderdale listens to her, they should both take a look at this video:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Who Am I?
Today I thought it would be a good idea to provide someone with a nice meal, so I stuck a knife to a rich person and said to give me money or else. I used 20% of the money to pay for my rent, 30% to pay the salaries of people to distribute the money, 20% for random bureaucracy, and I used 30% to buy food for hungry people. I feel great about myself. Aren't I so generous and helpful?
Later I found another person who seemed fairly well off. I again robbed him. This time I used the first 70% of his money in the same way as above, and I gave the remaining 30% to an artist to produce some random music which I don't understand but which he assures me is "cultural".
Later, I robbed someone else. This time they were a hard-working middle class person. The funny thing is, I completely lost his money. It probably went to some red-tape or bureaucracy.
So, who am I? Of course, I'm the government!
Later I found another person who seemed fairly well off. I again robbed him. This time I used the first 70% of his money in the same way as above, and I gave the remaining 30% to an artist to produce some random music which I don't understand but which he assures me is "cultural".
Later, I robbed someone else. This time they were a hard-working middle class person. The funny thing is, I completely lost his money. It probably went to some red-tape or bureaucracy.
So, who am I? Of course, I'm the government!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Taxpayers' dollars spent to save taxpayers money??
I think the dumbest idea ever has to be TakeCHARGE NL. The purpose of TakeCHARGE is to help people save money on energy. Does this make any sense? First of all, every night on TV they present this stupid advertisement featuring talking insulation, and thermostats making bad puns. I've seen this commercial countless times, and the basic point is to tell people it's a good idea to save energy and money! But how many millions of dollars does this useless organization cost taxpayers? I want someone to tell me because I think they have an obligation to make people aware of this.
Not only do they spend tons of money on TV commercials during prime time, they spend money sending out brochures, maintaining an internet website and facebook page, and employing many people. This is total waste, and here's why.
PEOPLE WANT TO SAVE MONEY ANYWAY!!
Seriously, what makes this group think that unless they TELL people to save money, people will just waste it instead?? People are naturally inclined to reduce their energy bill. Private companies can easily sell cost-saving equipment and people will want to purchase them! It annoys me to no end that some "central planners" think that unless they help you make financial decisions, you will be completely helpless.
The irony is that they spend millions of YOUR dollars to tell you to save money. Seriously??
This program probably makes some people feel better. They feel they are "helping the environment", etc. The problem is this should all be voluntary, not paid for our of hard-earned tax dollars.
But what about the people who don't care enough about saving money on energy to research it for themselves? I think by asking that question, it is answered! If someone doesn't CARE about saving money on energy, that's their problem. They can pay for it.
We don't have advocacy groups telling people how to save money on groceries, or on cars, or refrigerators. People WANT to save money on their expenses, no government bureaucrats have to tell them to. It's just one of the basic tenets of economics - people want to spend less!
To those who say this is not government funding, it's funding by Newfoundland Hydro and Newfoundland Power. News Flash: They are public companies. If these were private companies, they would encourage people to buy more energy, not less.
So do we really need government bureaucrats telling us to spend less of our own money? Are you kidding me??
Not only do they spend tons of money on TV commercials during prime time, they spend money sending out brochures, maintaining an internet website and facebook page, and employing many people. This is total waste, and here's why.
PEOPLE WANT TO SAVE MONEY ANYWAY!!
Seriously, what makes this group think that unless they TELL people to save money, people will just waste it instead?? People are naturally inclined to reduce their energy bill. Private companies can easily sell cost-saving equipment and people will want to purchase them! It annoys me to no end that some "central planners" think that unless they help you make financial decisions, you will be completely helpless.
The irony is that they spend millions of YOUR dollars to tell you to save money. Seriously??
This program probably makes some people feel better. They feel they are "helping the environment", etc. The problem is this should all be voluntary, not paid for our of hard-earned tax dollars.
But what about the people who don't care enough about saving money on energy to research it for themselves? I think by asking that question, it is answered! If someone doesn't CARE about saving money on energy, that's their problem. They can pay for it.
We don't have advocacy groups telling people how to save money on groceries, or on cars, or refrigerators. People WANT to save money on their expenses, no government bureaucrats have to tell them to. It's just one of the basic tenets of economics - people want to spend less!
To those who say this is not government funding, it's funding by Newfoundland Hydro and Newfoundland Power. News Flash: They are public companies. If these were private companies, they would encourage people to buy more energy, not less.
So do we really need government bureaucrats telling us to spend less of our own money? Are you kidding me??
Monday, December 5, 2011
OCI already lost $10 million over three years - time to face reality
So the unions are belly-aching now because Ocean Choice International is shutting down its fish processing plant. They demand it be kept open. This is despite the fact that over the past 3 years, OCI has lost $10 million dollars. This should first of all highlight to these people that running a business is a profit and LOSS endeavor. Sure, it's possible to make millions of dollars, but as is clearly demonstrated here, it is also possible to LOSE millions of dollars.
Anyway, despite its dismal financial history, OCI offered to give workers another 18 weeks of work, then they would probably receive nearly a year in EI benefits. In all, these union workers would probably have well over a year to find new employment in a productive sector of the economy.
But this wasn't good enough for union reps. They demanded that the plant be kept open through massive subsidies into the foreseeable future. Never mind that this is a money-hole, these workers feel entitled to permanent work for their entire lives no matter what external factors present themselves.
The plant wasn't even going to fully shut down, 80% of it was.
Every single day, people lose jobs. But not everyone is a member of a whinny union which expects to be treated like royalty. Most people just lose their job then go find another one. They don't demand huge government subsidies to keep them afloat. We even have massive amounts of EI that everyone is entitled to.
Seriously, go find another job. You weren't born as a fish-plant worker. You can do something else, and you have over a year to find it.
Anyway, despite its dismal financial history, OCI offered to give workers another 18 weeks of work, then they would probably receive nearly a year in EI benefits. In all, these union workers would probably have well over a year to find new employment in a productive sector of the economy.
But this wasn't good enough for union reps. They demanded that the plant be kept open through massive subsidies into the foreseeable future. Never mind that this is a money-hole, these workers feel entitled to permanent work for their entire lives no matter what external factors present themselves.
The plant wasn't even going to fully shut down, 80% of it was.
Every single day, people lose jobs. But not everyone is a member of a whinny union which expects to be treated like royalty. Most people just lose their job then go find another one. They don't demand huge government subsidies to keep them afloat. We even have massive amounts of EI that everyone is entitled to.
Seriously, go find another job. You weren't born as a fish-plant worker. You can do something else, and you have over a year to find it.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
CBC's new owner gives the news some action
Ok, so this is an ad produced by the so-called Friends of CBC or something along those lines. It's a group which is strongly opposed to any defunding of CBC. Well, I'm all for defunding CBC and I think everyone ought to be.
CBC receives $1.1 billion per year from Canadian taxpayers. That's more than education in Newfoundland. Anyway, it's totally unnecessary, and it is taking hard-earned income which could be used to improve people's lives and instead used to produce shows on the CBC.
The CBC should not be abolished, it should be privatized. If people love it so much, it should be able to survive just like CTV, Global, and others.
Stop wasting tax dollars on pet projects like this.
CBC receives $1.1 billion per year from Canadian taxpayers. That's more than education in Newfoundland. Anyway, it's totally unnecessary, and it is taking hard-earned income which could be used to improve people's lives and instead used to produce shows on the CBC.
The CBC should not be abolished, it should be privatized. If people love it so much, it should be able to survive just like CTV, Global, and others.
Stop wasting tax dollars on pet projects like this.
Sad, desperate caller on VOCM Night Line and the Government's unfairness!!
So a lady called into VOCM Night Line complaining, as do virtually all callers, that the government is simply not doing enough! She was upset because she does not qualify to receive Canada Pension until she is 60, which is a few years away. She got injured on the job and cannot work. The story seems sad. But later you find out her husband is working (at an undisclosed location) and she receives compensation from Workplace Compensation Commission. But the evil government will not give her her pension 3 years early.
This is absolutely absurd. First of all, she did not make a special contract with the government at any point to start receiving funding early from her Canada Pension. Why should she receive some special benefit that no one else in the country can receive? Who does she think she is?
Secondly, she is receiving an income from Workplace Compensation Commission and her husband also has an income. Perhaps she needs to consider living more frugally to make ends meet.
Once again, people have a special sense of entitlement and believe the government should cater to their every whim. Otherwise the government is evil.
In any event, this should never happen because the government should not be involved in pensions or in workplace compensation for injuries. These should be privately acquired by citizens either individually or within the company for which they work. Why should everyone get the exact same thing whether they want it or not.
Little do people realize, when an employer considers hiring someone, they have to take into account ALL expenses associated with that person. Even if they are only paid minimum wage of $10, the employer might end up having to pay $15 or $18 per hour once all the stupid government taxes are taken out.
Give the money to the employees instead and let them decide what they want to do with it.
But another important point is that this lady was whining about how she "paid into" this pension plan all her life and she owns it. Sorry, you're wrong. You don't own a particular pension plan. There is NO pension plan with your name on it. Instead, everyone is grouped together, they pay into an enormous fund and then it's doled out in some particular way once someone retires. The problem is that the whole thing is based on a certain working population which supports a smaller retired population.
But things are changing. Fewer children means the ratio is skewed. There used to be far more workers to support the retirees. But now there are more retirees and fewer workers. Eventually it will be completely unsustainable!
This is all just government mismanagement. Once again, the government needs to butt out!
This is absolutely absurd. First of all, she did not make a special contract with the government at any point to start receiving funding early from her Canada Pension. Why should she receive some special benefit that no one else in the country can receive? Who does she think she is?
Secondly, she is receiving an income from Workplace Compensation Commission and her husband also has an income. Perhaps she needs to consider living more frugally to make ends meet.
Once again, people have a special sense of entitlement and believe the government should cater to their every whim. Otherwise the government is evil.
In any event, this should never happen because the government should not be involved in pensions or in workplace compensation for injuries. These should be privately acquired by citizens either individually or within the company for which they work. Why should everyone get the exact same thing whether they want it or not.
Little do people realize, when an employer considers hiring someone, they have to take into account ALL expenses associated with that person. Even if they are only paid minimum wage of $10, the employer might end up having to pay $15 or $18 per hour once all the stupid government taxes are taken out.
Give the money to the employees instead and let them decide what they want to do with it.
But another important point is that this lady was whining about how she "paid into" this pension plan all her life and she owns it. Sorry, you're wrong. You don't own a particular pension plan. There is NO pension plan with your name on it. Instead, everyone is grouped together, they pay into an enormous fund and then it's doled out in some particular way once someone retires. The problem is that the whole thing is based on a certain working population which supports a smaller retired population.
But things are changing. Fewer children means the ratio is skewed. There used to be far more workers to support the retirees. But now there are more retirees and fewer workers. Eventually it will be completely unsustainable!
This is all just government mismanagement. Once again, the government needs to butt out!
Way too much government in Newfoundland!!
I guess that's the point of this entire blog. But more and more I realize just how pervasive the government is in every aspect of our lives in Newfoundland and Labrador. You can't turn around without the government having a committee look into what you're doing and having its hand deeply embedded in every transaction. Whether it's business, healthcare, the fishery, oil and gas, welfare, social workers, committees, bureaucracy, feasibility studies, transportation, free trade, tariffs, farming, arts and culture, and the list just goes on and on. There isn't a single area of Newfoundland life where the government doesn't have a dominating presence, and I for one am sick of it.
Politicians have an insatiable desire for more and more of our money. First they impose burdensome taxes to fund its innumerable programs, but that is not enough. Then the government has to control alcohol, cigarettes, gasoline, gambling, and many other "sin" taxes. The government will stop at nothing to dominate more and more of our everyday lives.
But who really benefits? Mainly those with connections. The squeaky wheels benefit. You see, the government doles out money in a way which is always unfair. The constituent who knows how to work the system can receive far more government funding than the person who doesn't know the system or how to navigate it.
"Poor me" cries all these people looking for handouts. Then the politician, whose ONLY goal is to get re-elected, doles out someone else's money and claims to have helped the "people of Newfoundland and Labrador". No, that wasn't the politician's money. That was money generated from the productive sector of the economy!
Politicians have an insatiable desire for more and more of our money. First they impose burdensome taxes to fund its innumerable programs, but that is not enough. Then the government has to control alcohol, cigarettes, gasoline, gambling, and many other "sin" taxes. The government will stop at nothing to dominate more and more of our everyday lives.
But who really benefits? Mainly those with connections. The squeaky wheels benefit. You see, the government doles out money in a way which is always unfair. The constituent who knows how to work the system can receive far more government funding than the person who doesn't know the system or how to navigate it.
"Poor me" cries all these people looking for handouts. Then the politician, whose ONLY goal is to get re-elected, doles out someone else's money and claims to have helped the "people of Newfoundland and Labrador". No, that wasn't the politician's money. That was money generated from the productive sector of the economy!
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