THE COMEBACK:

I almost died from laughing at that show!

Is that so?
What doesn’t kill you, disappoints me.

THE MESSAGE:

"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage." -Niccolo Machiavelli

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS OR DOES IT?

Children from wealthy families growing up in crime free neighbourhoods with, a variety of community facilities, good teachers in good schools and comfortable homes, have a huge advantage in opportunity over children from poverty stricken families in violent neighbourhoods with gangs and inferior schools. However difficult this obvious conclusion is to refute, a more subtle one appears to be the lack of family influence.

A productive discussion among politicians would centre around comparing children of single parent households to those of two parent families. Statistics show that the former have a greater likelihood of ending up in poverty. The reason for the disparity can be attributed to a lack of opportunity.

TONY TODAY:

Opportunity is restricted when the family does

not have enough money to allow members to realize an opportunity.

There exist other reasons for family members to miss out on goal plans that are not set high enough due to:

Lack of role models and guidance.
Misplaced values.
Limited motivation.
Limited self-confidence.
Attractive distractions.
Parental neglect or abuse.

Kids at the top of the social ladder are widening the gap. Even at an early age, the 'bottom feeders’ are truly disadvantaged when it comes to being exposed to opportunity.

Margaret Wente

Wente was a Canadian journalist and somewhat troubled columnist for Toronto’s Globe and Mail. She received an award for column-writing in 2000 and 2001. Much of Wente's Globe and Mail column about a book reads like a mirror of the Times' piece, using the same structure, analogies, and phrasing in numerous instances. Her column also appears to include unattributed material from a TED Talk given by the book's author.

In Canada, seizing the moment is not a rare phenomenon. We certainly have our share of broken relationships, fatherless children, teen violence and criminal adults. Our Educational and Social Systems, in many cases are not working and yet opportunity abounds. Wente writes, "The meritocracy operates superbly well in Canada. In the past couple of generations, we've done a fantastic job of identifying and rewarding talent. Children of poorly educated farmers and of penniless immigrants have grown up to be top surgeons and Supreme Court justices. Anyone who's qualified can get in to university."

IDEAS TO IMPROVE PROGRAMS FOR OUR CHILDREN:

In Secondary Schools, for example, the Ministry of Education should develop a 6 year Technical Program that trains individuals to perform jobs that society needs filled.
The Ministry should introduce 6 year Arts Programs that teach values, relationships, a love of reading and the responsibilities of parenting.
Other 6 year programs should concentrate on developing leadership, creativity and Canadian Pride in citizenship.
Hire teachers that care, are highly effective and well paid.
Make our Social Programs are accountable. If they are not producing results then scrap them and start over. Social Housing in Toronto is a disaster.
Istitute a Guaranteed Income Level for 2 parent, working families. No work; no subsidy!

THE MUSIC: