Someone reminded me about this thing.

I suppose I should get back to posting once in a while. Given the political void Federally, there are no shortage of topics to pick that provide opportunity for a good rant.

Wot?

A little fun

Had a brain f@rt earlier, and thought I would pass on this monster of an idea for a Liberal National Anthem. Would be great for the next leadership convention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_e0RmoHb0Y

I reserve the rights of course, so better hurry before the Western Alliance adopts it for a Victory song after the next election. K?

On that note, was this really written for Peter McKay?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm34ZLlIvQg&NR=1

Is Irving Oil firing a warning shot?

Good morning Comrades, some interesting developments on the political front lately. Besides the antsy positions of a number of political entities, it appears Mr. Kenneth Irving has something for them to mull over. Below is a CBC article based on statements made by Mr. Irving at the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers conference held in Saint John N.B. recently.

Read the article carefully and take particular note of Mr. Irving's position on how no-one can predict future energy trends. What is Mr. Irving trying to say exactly and who is it that he speaks for?

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/09/16/nb-irving-oil-energy-554.html

Taxation (To be continued......) and Attack Ads

http://www.gilescartoons.co.uk/cartoon.asp?cartoon=527

Well maybe it's not quite that bad, but close!

On the subject of those putrid attack ads that both major parties seem intent on badgering our sensibilities with, I would like to offer some inspiration on the subject.

Now if you politickers have a sense of humor, imagine this picture;

Harper to one side in cap and gown, complete with tassle receiving a diploma from Paul Martin bearing the inscription "Liberal Economics 101"

Next to him is Ignatieff, complete with Beanie.... hugging his latest text, "Politicking for Dummies".

There is a little orangey colored dog yapping at their feet and a stately looking gentlemen with nice hair stands smiling while reaching for his paycheck. He is mumbling something about getting a pension for the rest of his life.

Now that's a political cartoon worthy of Giles.

Fred says, "Martha! Let's get us one of them new fangled 'lektric cars!"

Old Fred then says, "Then mebbe we should invest in stock in some company thet makes 'stension cords. "

Heard the latest? Ontario plans some kind of grant of up to $10,000 for folks who purchase an electric auto.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/07/15/ont-electric-cars511.html

Better yet Fred, invest in security devices for external electrical outlets. heh...

Well, you know I'm all for anything even remotely positive regarding the development and use of electric vehicles, but I have a question. Considering the current state of supply and demand of electricity, brown outs and all that, how exactly is this all going to work?

Shouldn't we be thinking about buying another horse or two before going whole hog with the cart.....er car?

Yes Charlotte, there is more to life than just Real Estate. Woof Woof

The title of this long overdue entry has nothing whatsoever to do with what I am about to post. The title is intended for those currently engaged in barking rather than meaningful blogging, and they know who they are.

The following I wish to post without commentary, other than to say it represents what was in one persons heart and mind at a given point in their personal journey.

May 28, 2006

Who Cares if A Soldier Dies?

Take a man and put him alone,
Put him twelve thousand miles from home.

Empty his heart of all but blood,
Make him live in sand, in mud.

This is the life I have to live,
This the soul to God I give.

You have your parties and drink your beer,
While young men are dying over here.

Plant your signs on the White House lawn;
"Lets get out of Iraq".

Use your signs and have your fun,
Then refuse to use a gun.

There's nothing else for you to do,
Then I'm supposed to die for you?

There is one thing that you should know;
And that's where I think you should go!

I'm already here and it's too late.
I've traded all my love for all this hate.

I'll hate you till the day I die.
You made me hear my buddy cry.

I saw his leg and his blood shed,
Then I heard them say, "This one's dead".

It was a large price for him to pay,
To let you live another day.

He had the guts to fight and die,
To keep the freedom you live by.

By his dying, your life he buys,
But who cares if a Soldier dies?

Where oh where do the tax $ go? Oh where oh where can they be?

Have you, or someone you know had need of Medical and or Hospital services in recent years? If so, how would you rate the services and would you say they were satisfactory overall?

Having had considerable personal experience in this area over the course of some decades, I have come to believe that the following story from the CBC is indicative of many of the ills encompassed in the trough now known as Health Care in Canada.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/06/17/ehealth-ontario-mcguinty.html

A few highlights from yet, the latest scandal;

"Opposition parties continued their calls for Health Minister David Caplan's resignation due to his handling of the scandal, but McGuinty stood by his minister on Wednesday, saying he still has confidence in Caplan.

Meanwhile, the search continues to replace Sarah Kramer, who departed the agency more than a week ago after seven months as CEO and president. She received a severance package worth 10 months' salary, or about $317,000.

Kramer was lambasted for receiving a $114,000 bonus, more than double the amount allowed at the provincial agency. Hudson signed off on the bonus just four months after Kramer started.

Two reviews underway

The former CEO was also responsible for signing off on many of the untendered contracts during her first months at work. She defended the lack of a competitive bidding process, saying it was justified due to the urgency of the agency's work.

Under the old rules, provincial agencies were required to put contracts up for tender if they surpassed $100,000 unless they involve legal services, an urgent circumstance or a patented product unique to a single supplier.

EHealth expenses

Some of the consulting costs incurred at eHealth:

• A $2,700-a-day consultant charging for a $3.26 muffin and tea.
• A $300-an-hour consultant, charging for reading an article on electronic health records given to her by her husband, another consultant.
• Two consultants serving as vice-presidents and flown regularly from homes in Alberta.
• A $1,700-a-day executive assistant.
• Consultants charging to watch an eHealth episode on TVO's The Agenda and "debriefing" on the Toronto subway."

And that friends, is only the tip of the iceberg based on my experiences. Check the comments section for some enlightened views on the matter. I read a few and most have something of value to add to understanding the nature of the problems. None that I read pointed directly to the reality that the problems stem from the top down. Those in the most senior positions running amok in the world of privilege they create for themselves, and the attitude of subordinates that this generates.

No one can do anything without authorization from above, and authorization takes forever largely due to several factors. The most significant of which being a lack of real commitment and posturing. These people do not spend adequate time and effort following up on the effects of their policies and are either largely clueless as to the effects, or are busy trying to cover up the truths and making themselves unavailable. The one thing they have an abundance of though, is excuses.

Another glaring problem is the non unionized administrative people have come from a University environment where a half days effort on the ground is the norm and they continue this approach on the job. This mentality permeates the unionized workers thinking and work ethic. On the flip side, the unionized workers have a set of clear rules which determine such things as hours of work, rate of pay and holidays. The non unionized administrative and medical personnel aspire to enjoy the same benefits, and many do. Both of these things work against efficient delivery of medical services and efficient use of tax dollars allocated to this most important of services.

There is a disconnect between the policy makers, the administrations and those on the floor doing the daily work. This is largely due to a lack of supervision by people such as middle managers whose days are spent just about anywhere but on the floor of the facilities they work in, supervising the personnel they are responsible for. The lack of co-ordinated training and the wide variety of methods being employed and base of knowledge of those actually delivering the Health services is evidence of this. Further, they do not come around after their daytime work day hours expire in order to determine exactly how all of their brain storming, and multiple meetings are working out at ground level. The responsibility for that is left to underlings whose main thrust is to maintain minimum standards, or in other words, whose goal it is not to rock the boat.

Last comment on this line of thought, way too many shingles with professional titles hanging outside of closed doors, the occupants of said offices rarely if ever being seen.

Given the challenges that the many obstacles present, it is especially important to discuss the efforts of those who are committed and manage to perform at an exceptionally high level. They deserve our gratitude and respect and we the Peebles should take care not to associate them with segments that are not gifted, committed and capable. It is unfair to tarnish these people with the short comings of others. They deserve all the praise we can offer not only for what they accomplish day in and day out, but for maintaining a consistent moving forward attitude, in spite of the difficulties that surround them.

It is hard to soar like an Eagle when you work with turkeys, but some do manage it. For them, we should be eternally grateful.