BC NDP’s unwillingness to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to investigate corruption in public administration is one more sign of timidity, a thing becoming the Horgan Government’s hallmark. We’ve seen much evidence of illegal money laundering at casinos and no significant penalties have been assessed against corporation or individuals. Business
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Scripturient: Corruption, Saunderson and the CBC
It’s a seven-year old story about the abuse of power, of corruption, of personal ambition thwarted, of an insatiable sense of entitlement, a craving for attention, and a clique of ruthless people determined to exact vengeance for a perceived slight. And it’s still being told today. It began in 2011
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: The Fox and the Hen House – Trudeau Hands Industry the Keys
It’s not unfair to say that, when the Trudeau government talks about balancing resource development and the environment you can expect a giant thumb on the scale. When the two interests clash, the environment comes away with the shit end of the stick. Even by Ottawa standards, Tuesday’s meeting of
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: It Wasn’t Just a Crazed Kid with an Assault Rifle At that Parkdale High School Yesterday. He had Company, America’s "Bought and Paid For" Congress.
I watched Lawrence O’Donnell interview a father whose 15-year old daughter was at the Parkdale, Florida high school where 17 people, mainly students, were gunned down yesterday. The man’s daughter had not been harmed but he was visibly upset by the event and what she had gone through as she
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: A Fitting End to a Country Grown Too Old
Remember when North America was called the New World? Well, in some ways, it’s rather old, very old. The United States boasts of being the world’s oldest constitutional democracy and, even if that means brushing a few other nations such as Switzerland under the carpet, it clings to that claim.
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: America is Broken, Probably Beyond Repair
The sad fact that America’s Congress is “bought and paid for” is well known. America has long lost any notion of “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” It is instead government of the people by a few people acting for the benefit of a select, privileged
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: The "Bought and Paid For" Tax Reform Bill
The menacing face of Congressional corruption is being exposed in the Republican’s tax reform bill. They can’t hide it any longer. They’re bought and paid for, have been for some years, and now they have to do their patrons’ bidding. Even Senator Lindsey Graham admits the Republicans are at a
Continue readingScripturient: Alectra says no: The Block screwed us again
The headline on the media release reads, “Alectra selling its shares in Collus PowerStream to Collingwood.” What it should add is that Collingwood residents and taxpayers were betrayed by members of their own council and administration. After a three-year campaign to screw us, The Block have won a major victory
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – The Star’s editorial board argues that the Paradise Papers prove the need for a crackdown on offshore tax avoidance. Zach Dubinsky and Harvey Cashore report on one nine-figure scheme cooked up by BMO. And Oxfam offers its list of suggestions to end
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: New column day
Here, on the corporate sector’s expectation that it will be able to write laws and set public policy for its own benefit – and the disturbing number of examples of it being allowed to do just that. For further reading…– Jenny Uechl reported on both the secret CAPP meetings which
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: New column day
Here, on how little Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party ultimately seem to have learned from the fall of Grant Devine and the PCs. For further reading…– Geoff Leo continues to report on the GTH scandal, including the recent revelation that the Saskatchewan Party went out of its way to
Continue readingThings Are Good: Tough Lobbying Rules in Ireland Work Well
Ten years ago when a bunch of bankers greatly damaged the economy the country of Ireland suffered quite a bit. The people of Ireland made the connection between influence on politicians from large corporations on poor public policy – thus they changed the rules on how the private sector can
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – David Sirota interviews Thomas Frank about the U.S. Democrats’ obsession with educational achievement as a cure-all – and their consequent loss of touch with the large numbers of citizens suffering from economic policies which left them behind: Sirota: What do you think
Continue readingIn-Sights: Rafe & Scotty on Denman
A preceding article contains two comments from readers whom I regard highly. The contributions were to Overrun with dullards, bums, and hacks… Because they merit close attention, I present them here again for emphasis. The first was from Rafe Mair: If it weren’t for Norm and one or two others
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On costly considerations
I’ve previously pointed out that there might be much less than met the eye to Brightenview’s much-trumpeted “ground-breaking” at the Global Transportation Hub. But while there’s now some dispute as to what work is being done at the Brightenview site, I’d think we should be particularly concerned about the terms
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Darlene O’Leary sets out the results from public consultations for a national anti-poverty strategy. And Dennis Howlett writes that our tax system could (and should) be set up to build a far more fair and supportive society. – Meanwhile, Ryan Cooper makes
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On sucker’s deals
While my Leader-Post column won’t be running this week, I’ll take the opportunity to offer some context and an update on Geoff Leo’s must-read report on Brightenview’s founders who have become the Wall government’s latest corporate darlings. By way of background, Leo was also the one to break the news
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Afternoon Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week. – Dean Baker notes that a reduction in required work time could go a long way toward ensuring that workers share in productivity gains. – Meanwhile, Max Ehrenfreund writes about new research on the state of the U.S.’ middle class – showing that lifetime
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Afternoon Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Derrick O’Keefe makes the case for much-needed regime change in British Columbia, while Nancy MacDonald notes that such a result is far from guaranteed despite the Christy Clark Libs’ gross abuses of the public trust. And Christopher Pollon examines the close link between
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Deep thought
Some people are concerned about the Senate’s self-definition as a council of owls seeking to keep less-privileged citizens from governing in their own interests. But have they considered this might be a perfectly fair description?
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