Tony At 10: CHANGE REQUIRED, BLOG # 201; SEP 18,2015

THE MESSAGE:

As a modern society grows and develops there are many conventions that require personal reflection by its members. Whether it is a belief, a theory, a tradition or a rule some people choose to overlook any controversy and accept the status quo. Perhaps they feel it is not worth the bother to resist or change their opinions. Maybe they feel that trying to change the status quo will be a useless endeavour.

Others gravitate to the latest popular beliefs or political causes. They march, protest and feel good about being part of some cause. Some overreact and resort to violence, rioting and looting

For most of us, it is a simple thing to recognize evil; to despise it and react to stories of murder, rape, child abuse or blatant egotism, with a shudder and a head shake while asking, "How could someone do that?"

It is not so simple to sort out the claims of extremists in any situation: whether it pertains to the environment, capitalistic greed, religious zeal, racism or political rhetoric. These claims fill the news releases and are filled with incomplete analysis, fudged facts and biased opinions.

THE FOLLOWING TOPICSS ARE PRESENTED AS A FEW PERSONAL OPINIONS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DISAGREE, CHALLENGE, QUESTION OR PRESENT ALTERNATIVES.

BUT PLEASE, ALSO THINK ABOUT THEM.

WHY I LOVE CANADA

Most citizens in the USA are very disappointed in the leadership and policies provided by Obama.

We are fortunate to be led by STEPHEN HARPER an intelligent, hard working and sensible Prime Minister.

Canada is a freedom-loving, peaceful and compassionate country in which to live. We welcome those from other lands who seek to live a more satisfying life or desperately avoid evil regimes and are willing to assimilate to the mores of Canadian society. Canada provides education for all youngsters and the opportunity to find happiness in the 'CANADIAN WAY' .

CAN WE IMPROVE?

THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT

The Canadian Senate is not an elected body and is long overdue for reform. If we assume an intelligent electorate, it would be a simple thing to accomplish senate reform by selecting Senators through an election process.

Presently, the Canadian system of patronage appointments to the Senate for life, permits a payback system where senators are appointed for some past favours or contributions to the benefit of the ruling political party. They can indulge in corruption and fraud without much oversight.

REFORM

There should be a maximum of 4 senators per Province and a minimum of 2. Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia should elect 4 each with the remaining provinces electing 2 each. The 3 Territories would elect 1 each. This would result in an assembly of 29 Canadian Senators who would vote on and, with a two thirds majority, approve or deny any legislation passed in the House of Commons.

UNIONS

Some say it stands to reason that having a union would curtail unfair pay and scheduling practices, because unions offer a voice and a means to bargain for better pay and conditions.

The other side of the argument is that businesses need to organize themselves so that they can continue to create employment and grow the economy. I don't believe that you can legislate morality. If the business leaders of today are greed oriented, then we have a huge problem; one that is viewed by everyone as a quasi-crime. Our society needs to invent a system where workers agree to and sign a job description before accepting a position. They can unite in a workplace environment and take their demands to the bosses with reason and an understanding of the company structure, its finances and its position within the economic framework of the jurisdiction.

In the absence of an organized effort, there is nothing to stop individual workers from writing to a company to express dissatisfaction with how employees are treated. Presumably, image and brand are very important to corporations and, accordingly, they would want to know if you think the company’s practices are at odds with their image and brand. Unions have gone beyond what is a common sense approach. Their leaders can be inflicted with greed. Some unions are infiltrated by political influences and seldom consider the overall effect of their demands. They can protect bad employees and inefficient work, encourage indifference and drive up costs, causing businesses to close their doors and move elsewhere.

In Ontario, Hydro One and the Power Workers’ Union reached an agreement which will see workers get shares equal to 2.7 per cent of their base pay every year from 2017 to 2028. This while Ontario has the highest per capita debt in the western world and our economy is struggling.