They emphasis the need to address asset revaluation concerns in the context of climate politics and suggests that a focus on domestic politics is crucial. They also discusses the role of obstructionist interest groups (like the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers) and their influence on climate policy, pointing out that
Continue readingTag: Economics
Views from the Beltline: Limits of the free market
Whenever I do those quizzes that purport to reveal where you fit on the political/philosophical spectrum, they insist I’m a social democrat. This rather surprises me because I tend to think of myself as more of a liberal. Whatever. I am a strong supporter of the free market. In fact,
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Precariat jobs could be good jobs
What is a good job? In most people’s minds I assume that would be something that pays well and provides good benefits, steady employment and satisfying work. In the post-war period that described manufacturing jobs. They weren’t good because of the benevolence of the free market. Quite the contrary. They
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The amazing American economy
Reading a very good book recently I was once again reminded of the irrepressible nature of the American economy. The book is Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology by Chris Miller. It tells the story of that technological miracle that created the modern world—the silicon chip.
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: How neoliberalism brought down Russia … and nearly us
The economic collapse of the 1930s brought down democracies across Europe unleashing fascism across the continent. Other countries, including Canada and the United States, introduced drastic measures to protect the vulnerable which helped save them from the same fate. Capitalism was failing, rescued by the rudiments of the welfare state.
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The brilliance of the Sustainable Jobs Act
Last week the feds tabled Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, in the House of Commons. The bill would create a Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council to advise the government on clean energy jobs, require that Ottawa come up with a sustainable jobs plan every five years, and establish a Sustainable Jobs Secretariat. The
Continue readingIN-SIGHTS: Should we care?
Robert Reich is an American political economist, professor, author, and political commentator who has been quoted here before. His May 5 newsletter discusses why corporations have so much power and workers have so little. While specifically about the USA, Reich’s words apply similarly to Canada. Reich notes indisputable trends and, if
Continue readingA Puff of Absurdity: Why We’re Not Keeping Kids Safe from Covid
I mentioned a bit about McKinnon and Co. in footnote to a recent post on health care privatization, but these threads need a wider audience. I can’t verify any of this, but it all comes with legitimate links and images from the documents. Long story short, Canada put economic recovery
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Kendra Pierre-Louis discusses the need for journalists to cover the massive health risks posed by COVID-19 even as (or even because of) the failure of governments to do so. – Jed Anderson calls out the increasing privatization of universities in Canada (facilitated
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Andre Santa Cruz et al. study the immunological dysfunction that looks to be the norm for up to six months after a COVID-19 infection. And Geraldine Nouailles et al. find that there’s substantial room for improvement in the types of vaccines currently
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Frustrated Farmer Faults Feckless Finance Phony for Folly
Forgive me for being frank. Scott Moe’s government is going to do Eff all. Bottom line is our GHG emissions are rising at a time we desperately need to be curbing them. One of Regina’s best economists is noting how we’re not doing enough, too. It’s the carbon budget that
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Without a Home, but Wins a Medal
I looked closely at the article hoping to see that McPherson had also been given a home, but he clearly hasn't. Wouldn't a home be better than a medal? (Or maybe he could receive both?) — Robin Ganev (@RobinGanev) February 28, 2023 Ernie has worked for months on keeping people
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Dismissing the low taxes myth with a word
If there’s a common refrain in Conservative election platforms it’s lower taxes. No matter the current tax level, Conservatives believe it must be lower. If this is simply a belief that more money should be spent individually and less collectively, so be it. A reasonable sentiment. But we also constantly
Continue readingIN-SIGHTS: What time is it?
Co-authors Mariana Mazzucato, Professor of economics at University College London, and economist Rosie Collington think democracy is endangered by the growing involvement of consultants in public policy development and implementation.
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Population decline is a boon, not a bust
Great concern is being expressed about declining populations. Most recently we have read that even China, the most populous nation on Earth, now experiences a declining population, joining Japan, South Korea, Russia, Italy and others. More countries would be in their company if it wasn’t for immigration, including Canada. Our
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: SaskPower Plots To End Drinking Water Availability
Not maintaining availability and quality of drinking water is an option? Cool. Cool, cool, cool. NOT COOL, @SaskPower. What happens if the slavering hordes decide in the poll that we don't need drinking water?! CC @CorbLund @JeffWaltersSask @emi_eaton — Saskboy from Saskatchewan (@saskboy) February 10, 2023 Corb Lund is among
Continue readingKen Chapman: REBOOT’S 4-H BETTER VOTER TOOL
This post is part of the series for Alberta Rebooters to consider their personal situation as we approach our voting decisions in the May general election. I’ve posted on the importance of elections as a chance for change, and charting our way as citizens in uncharted economic, social and environmental
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: SaskTel’s email bait and switch
After offering free email since the 1990s, to start charging per email account is an absurd insult to customers and should probably be illegal. The problem is the provincial government who could potentially do something about it, is hoping to sell off the crown corp, so they won’t do something
Continue readingThings Are Good: Putting Eco Back in Economics
Traditional economists ignore reality to justify their thinking, and anyone who studies economics is well aware of this. From the myth of the “rational human” to trickle down economics, to the very idea markets are “natural” all ignore the actual state of the world and people. Due to the mainstream
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week. – Cate Swannell discusses how research showing the multitude of harms which can result from COVID-19 infection. Calixto Machado-Curbelo, Joel Gutiérrez-Gil and Alina González-Quevedo study how new variants are entering the brain in different ways than prior versions – easing the respiratory damage associated with
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