The other day, I posted about our successive governments’ inability to resist the siren call of the corporate imperative, wedded as they are both socially and ideologically to their summons. In my previous post, I explored how postal banking fell victim to that imperative. Today I explore another example of
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Politics and its Discontents: Be Careful What You Wish For
As you likely know, Jeff Bezos is currently searching for a second headquarters for his company, Amazon. And much to the delight of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Mayor John Tory, Toronto has made the final cut of 20 cities being considered. Whoever lands the company is promised upwards of
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Corporate Imperative At Work
Robert Reich continues to fight the good fight. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Democracy’s Shortcomings*
“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”― Winston S. ChurchillThe above is clearly not in accord with the thinking of our ‘betters,’ aka the corporate elite, who are now lamenting the terrible things that democracy …
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Timely Reminder
I have been convinced for some time that the prevailing message of those who truly govern us is that protest is futile. The following puts the lie to that propaganda, and perhaps serves as a timely reminder of the dangers of our own pending trade deal …
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Fox In The Henhouse: Alberta’s School Helpers
In response to a recent blog entry that discussed Rex Murphy’s most recent oil-shilling efforts, The Salamander alerted me to a Desmog Canada story going back almost two years. It is a story with profoundly disturbing implications, dealing as it does …
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Thinking Beyond The Conventional
We are regularly told, both by governments and their corporate confederates, that these are tough times, and that only patience and a freer hand for business will bring about eventual relief. To the seasoned observer, such a prescription is utter nonse…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: This Does Not Sound Good
Given that the government of Justin Trudeau is in favour of trade deals such as the TPP, its approval seems a foregone conclusion, despite its many grave potential drawbacks:For a fuller discussion of the above graphic, please click here for both text …
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Blowhard Blah Blah Blah
Please pardon the rather inarticulate nature of this post’s title, but it seemed appropriate in dealing with this subject:And it would appear that Toronto Star readers have taken the full measure of Kevin O’Leary:O’Leary mulls Tory leadership bid, Jan….
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: "It’s A Trojan Horse In A Global Race To The Bottom"
That’s how Former Secretary of Labour Robert Reich, in this brief but very illuminating explanation, describes the Trans Pacific Partnership, approved by the Harper government but not yet ratified. It will be the first real test of how well the new Tru…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Embracing The Veil
H/t The Toronto Star While our prime minister claims, when attacking the niqab, that Canadians hold openness and transparency as societal values, he is happy to keep us in the dark about all of the secret negotiations going on to conclude the highly controversial Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, leaked elements
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Robert Reich’s Warning About the Trans Pacific Partnership
Although directed to an American audience, these warnings are equally applicable to Canada: The Trans Pacific Partnership is a zombie that refuses to die no matter how many stakes are driven through its heart. Today the Senate voted 60 to 37 in favor of “fast track” negotiating authority, and final
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: What Constitutes Reasonable Return?
Orphan diseases are perhaps the most cruel of illnesses. Frequently life threatening, they afflict only a very small percentage of the world’s populations, thereby discouraging research and making any drugs that are developed prohibitively expensive. Are pharmaceutical companies that do develop treatments merely getting fair return on their investment, or
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Things We Are Not Supposed To Know Or Think About
While The Star’s David Olive recently wrote an article extolling the economic benefits of the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership, others strongly suggest the need for extreme caution, not just because of potential job losses, but also due to the very real losses in national sovereignty that will ensue if the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Pope Just Doesn’t Know His Place
At least. that’s what I infer from the blather of Catholic League President Bill Donohue: No doubt, obeisance to the corporate agenda is what Donahue and his ilk expect from any self-respecting pontiff. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: … Your Young Men Will See Visions, Your Old Men Will Dream Dreams.
Although far from a biblical scholar, I find the above line, taken from the Book of Acts, to be an apt title. Even though I am taking it out of context, it encapsulates for me a capacity that the world in general, and Canada in particular, has lost: the capacity
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: On Our Diversions
This is one of those days when I haven’t felt like writing anything. And George Orwell said just about everything better, anyway. H/t Mint Press News Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Amanda Lang Interviews Ed Broadbent
If you have as low an opinion of the CBC’s disgraced chief business correspondent, Amanda Lang, as I do, watch the following video. I think you will find that, with her absolutist questions typical of the extreme right and the intellectually deficient, she does not exceed expectations. For Broadbent’s thoughts
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Next System Project: A Practical Example
Yesterday’s post revolved around The Next System Project, an initiative committed to exploring replacements for the traditional institutions that are failing our world so badly. One major focus of the project is on expanding business models that grant company ownership to workers. That goal put me in mind of a
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Quiet Eloquence Of Harry Smith
His is a quiet eloquence that speaks far louder than all the braying our political ‘leaders’ engage in with abandon. Harry Smith, about whom I previously posted, is a man who has seen much during his long life. He has seen the worst that happens when society treats the majority
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