Sunday, May 31, 2015
Heartwarming lawyer story
One afternoon a lawyer was riding in his limousine when he saw two men along the road-side eating grass.
Disturbed, he ordered his driver to stop and he got out to investigate.
He asked one man, "Why are you eating grass?"
"We don't have any money for food," the poor man replied. "We have to eat grass."
"Well, then, you can come with me to my house and I'll feed you," the lawyer said.
But sir, I have a wife and two children with me. They are over there, under that tree."
"Bring them along," the lawyer replied.
Turning to the other poor man he stated, "You may come with us, also."The second man, in a pitiful voice, then said, "But sir, I also have a wife and SIX children with me!"
Bring them all as well," the lawyer answered.
They all entered the car, which was no easy task, even for a car as large as the limousine was.
Once under way, one of the poor fellows turned to the lawyer and said, "Sir, you are too kind Thank you for taking all of us with you."
The lawyer replied, "Glad to do it. You'll really love my place. The grass is almost a foot high."
Come on now!...you really didn't think there was such a thing as a
heart-warming lawyer story...did you????
Thanks Marc
Saturday, May 30, 2015
black testicles
A man is lying in bed in the hospital with an oxygen mask over his mouth. A young nurse appears to sponge his hands and feet.
"Nurse," he mumbles from behind the mask, "Are my testicles black?" Embarrassed, the young nurse replies, "I don't know, I'm only here to wash your hands and feet".
He struggles again to ask, "Nurse, are my testicles black?" Finally, she pulls back the covers, raises his gown, holds his penis in one hand and his testicles in her other hand and takes a close look, and says "There is nothing wrong with them!"
Finally, the man pulls off his oxygen mask and replies, "That was very nice but, are... my... test... results... back?
Thanks Ivan
Time out for a laugh
A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her
hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband..
She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who
responded:
" Rome ? Why would anyone want to go there?
It's crowded and dirty.. You're crazy to go to
Rome . So, how are you getting there?"
"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got
a great rate!"
"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser..
" That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old,
their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always
late. So, where are you staying in Rome ?"
"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on
Rome'sTiber River called Teste."
"Don't go any further.. I know that place.
Everybody thinks its gonna be something special
and exclusive, but it's really a dump."
"We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe
get to see the Pope."
"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. You and a
million other people trying to see him. He'll look
the size of an ant.
Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're
going to need it."
A month later, the woman again came in for a
hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip
to Rome .
"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not
only were we on time in one of Continental's brand
new planes, but it was overbooked, and they
bumped us up to first class.. The food and wine
were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old
steward who waited on me hand and foot.
And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a
$5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel,
the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were
overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their
owner's suite at no extra charge!"
"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well
and good, but I know you didn't get to see the
Pope."
"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we
toured the Vatican , a Swiss Guard tapped me on
the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to
meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as
to step into his private room and wait, the Pope
would personally greet me.
Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked
through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down
and he spoke a few words to me."
"Oh, really! What'd he say ?"
He said: "Who the HELL did your hair?"
Thanks Ivan
hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband..
She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who
responded:
" Rome ? Why would anyone want to go there?
It's crowded and dirty.. You're crazy to go to
Rome . So, how are you getting there?"
"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got
a great rate!"
"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser..
" That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old,
their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always
late. So, where are you staying in Rome ?"
"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on
Rome'sTiber River called Teste."
"Don't go any further.. I know that place.
Everybody thinks its gonna be something special
and exclusive, but it's really a dump."
"We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe
get to see the Pope."
"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. You and a
million other people trying to see him. He'll look
the size of an ant.
Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're
going to need it."
A month later, the woman again came in for a
hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip
to Rome .
"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not
only were we on time in one of Continental's brand
new planes, but it was overbooked, and they
bumped us up to first class.. The food and wine
were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old
steward who waited on me hand and foot.
And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a
$5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel,
the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were
overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their
owner's suite at no extra charge!"
"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well
and good, but I know you didn't get to see the
Pope."
"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we
toured the Vatican , a Swiss Guard tapped me on
the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to
meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as
to step into his private room and wait, the Pope
would personally greet me.
Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked
through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down
and he spoke a few words to me."
"Oh, really! What'd he say ?"
He said: "Who the HELL did your hair?"
Thanks Ivan
Friday, May 29, 2015
On the record
Many of you who follow my blog feel that I am wasting my time with my rants and anti Harper rhetoric while others think I'm wrong but every once in a while something happens to confirm to me that I am on the right side and those that disagree with me have lost all hope.
That being said, the blog gets much attention from people in the House of Commons, RCMP, National Defense as well as "Gazebo" Tony Clements freaks at GTIS.
As I have said in the past I have 3 tracking programs that compile data on who visits the site, the only ones of interest to me are the trolls in the Federal Government who report back to their Emperor, Stephen "The Psychotic" Harper.
I have been compiling a list of all these trolls and have sent them off to all the Federal leaders with the exception of he who thinks he is Emperor of Canada.
I also have been emailing Senators and MP's on all sides expressing my disappointment in how this government has failed the people.
After 9 years of governance Stephen Harper is still not ready.
Sadly I don't often get responses, particularly from conservatives, but I'm good with that. Conservatives are not interested in anyone who gives them facts.
Then there are those who respond to everyone.....
That being said, the blog gets much attention from people in the House of Commons, RCMP, National Defense as well as "Gazebo" Tony Clements freaks at GTIS.
As I have said in the past I have 3 tracking programs that compile data on who visits the site, the only ones of interest to me are the trolls in the Federal Government who report back to their Emperor, Stephen "The Psychotic" Harper.
I have been compiling a list of all these trolls and have sent them off to all the Federal leaders with the exception of he who thinks he is Emperor of Canada.
I also have been emailing Senators and MP's on all sides expressing my disappointment in how this government has failed the people.
After 9 years of governance Stephen Harper is still not ready.
Sadly I don't often get responses, particularly from conservatives, but I'm good with that. Conservatives are not interested in anyone who gives them facts.
Then there are those who respond to everyone.....
Today at 3:29 PM
Thank you for copying me on your letter to the Prime Minister and the Auditor General regarding government advertising. The Harper Conservative practice of using government resources for partisan advertising is appalling. It is an egregious misuse of public funds. I support your call for an audit of government advertising.
Federal government advertising is supposed to be a means of informing the public about relevant programs. The partisan nature of these ads has been a problem for some time, and the Harper Conservatives have politicized them to a greater extent than any previous government. The recent ads for the Economic Action Plan, Veterans Affairs and the non-existent Canada Jobs Grant that you note are among the most egregious, and there are many more advertisements that should be reviewed.
The Harper Conservatives have politicizing government operations to an unprecedented extent. Their focus on public relations over public information has kept Canadians in the dark about the real workings of government, and has done real damage to democracy in Canada. Stephen Harper was elected in 2006 on a promise to restore accountability to government. He must be held accountable for his abuse of public funds for partisan advertising.
I have advocated for several measures that would improve accountability in government and ensure public money is well spent. A code of conduct and an independent complaints process should be established to ensure that tax dollars are never used for pre-election partisan purposes. The current Accountability Act should also be amended to ensure the independence of those who monitor the government and to guarantee transparency and openness for all government activities.
For further information on my support for transparent, accountable, and independent assessment of spending in politics, please refer to Vision Green at: http://elizabethmaymp.ca/vision-green/p6
Thank you again for writing. Please continue to speak out about the issues that matter to you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth May, O.C., M.P.
Saanich-Gulf Islands
Leader of the Green Party of Canada
The days of "cross dressing" J. Edgar Hoover and his anti-socialist rhetoric are long over - maybe it;s time
Mulcair looking more like a potential PM in waiting
Two polls on the weekend agree on one thing—the NDP is firmly back in first place in Quebec.
Both EKOS for iPolitics and CROP for LaPresse have reported a surge in NDP support in the province in the first three weeks of May, at the expense of the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois.
EKOS has the NDP at 29 per cent in the province, the Liberals at 26 per cent, the Bloc at 22 per cent and the Conservatives at 17 per cent. The NDP was even higher in the previous week’s Quebec breakout at 36 per cent, but gave some back to the Bloc in what appears to be a bump related to the election of a new Parti Québécois leader.
Even more dramatically, CROP has the NDP at 42 per cent, the Liberals at 25 per cent, the Conservatives at only 15 per cent, and the Bloc collapsing to just 13 per cent.
Those are back to Orange Wave numbers.
READ MORE: http://www.ipolitics.ca/2015/05/24/mulcair-looking-more-like-a-potential-pm-in-waiting/
Two polls on the weekend agree on one thing—the NDP is firmly back in first place in Quebec.
Both EKOS for iPolitics and CROP for LaPresse have reported a surge in NDP support in the province in the first three weeks of May, at the expense of the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois.
EKOS has the NDP at 29 per cent in the province, the Liberals at 26 per cent, the Bloc at 22 per cent and the Conservatives at 17 per cent. The NDP was even higher in the previous week’s Quebec breakout at 36 per cent, but gave some back to the Bloc in what appears to be a bump related to the election of a new Parti Québécois leader.
Even more dramatically, CROP has the NDP at 42 per cent, the Liberals at 25 per cent, the Conservatives at only 15 per cent, and the Bloc collapsing to just 13 per cent.
Those are back to Orange Wave numbers.
READ MORE: http://www.ipolitics.ca/2015/05/24/mulcair-looking-more-like-a-potential-pm-in-waiting/
Air Show on steroids!
Go air go.
This is an Air Show in Cameron, a small rural town in Missouri. The pilots, bike and truck drivers and the photographers are all nuts !!
This doesn't border on crazy, it IS crazy! Hold on to your desk, chair, whatever! Best viewed full screen with a HD monitor. This one is waaaay more than just an airshow!!! As GOOD as it gets!!!
Click below:
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BEER & COLONOSCOPY
It was my first time visiting Dr. Putz for a colonoscopy. I went into his office for my first rectal exam.
His new blond nurse, Evelyn, took me to an examining room. She told me to get undressed and have a seat until the doctor could see me. She said that he would only be a few minutes.
After putting on the gown that she gave me I sat down. While waiting, I observed there were three items on a stand next to the exam table:
· A Tube of K-Y jelly,
· A rubber glove, and
· A beer
.
When Dr. Putz, finally, came in I said, "Look Doc, I'm a little confused. This is my first exam. I know what the K-Y is for. And, I know what the glove is for. But can you tell me what the BEER is for?"
At that, Doctor Putz became, noticeably, outraged and stormed over to the door.
He flung the door open and yelled to his new blonde nurse,
"Damn it, Evelyn!!! I said...a BUTT LIGHT!"
Thanks Richard
Thursday, May 28, 2015
The dumbing down of conservatives
How the Harper Government Committed a Knowledge Massacre
Scientists are calling it "libricide." Seven of the nine world-famous Department of Fisheries and Oceans [DFO] libraries were closed by autumn 2013, ostensibly to digitize the materials and reduce costs. But sources told the independent Tyee in December that a fraction of the 600,000-volume collection had been digitized. And, a secret federal document notes that a paltry $443,000 a year will be saved. The massacre was done quickly, with no record keeping and no attempt to preserve the material in universities. Scientists said precious collections were consigned to dumpsters, were burned or went to landfills.
Probably the most famous facility to get the axe is the library of the venerable St. Andrews Biological Station in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, which environmental scientist Rachel Carson used extensively to research her seminal book on toxins, Silent Spring. The government just spent millions modernizing the facility.
Also closed were the Freshwater Institute library in Winnipeg and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland, both world-class collections. Hundreds of years of carefully compiled research into aquatic systems, fish stocks and fisheries from the 1800s and early 1900s went into the bin or up in smoke.
Irreplaceable documents like the 50 volumes produced by the H.M.S. Challenger expedition of the late 1800s that discovered thousands of new sea creatures, are now moldering in landfills.
Renowned Dalhousie University biologist Jeff Hutchings calls the closures "an assault on civil society."
READ MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/capt-trevor-greene/science-cuts-canada_b_4534729.html
Scientists are calling it "libricide." Seven of the nine world-famous Department of Fisheries and Oceans [DFO] libraries were closed by autumn 2013, ostensibly to digitize the materials and reduce costs. But sources told the independent Tyee in December that a fraction of the 600,000-volume collection had been digitized. And, a secret federal document notes that a paltry $443,000 a year will be saved. The massacre was done quickly, with no record keeping and no attempt to preserve the material in universities. Scientists said precious collections were consigned to dumpsters, were burned or went to landfills.
Probably the most famous facility to get the axe is the library of the venerable St. Andrews Biological Station in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, which environmental scientist Rachel Carson used extensively to research her seminal book on toxins, Silent Spring. The government just spent millions modernizing the facility.
Also closed were the Freshwater Institute library in Winnipeg and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland, both world-class collections. Hundreds of years of carefully compiled research into aquatic systems, fish stocks and fisheries from the 1800s and early 1900s went into the bin or up in smoke.
Irreplaceable documents like the 50 volumes produced by the H.M.S. Challenger expedition of the late 1800s that discovered thousands of new sea creatures, are now moldering in landfills.
Renowned Dalhousie University biologist Jeff Hutchings calls the closures "an assault on civil society."
READ MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/capt-trevor-greene/science-cuts-canada_b_4534729.html
Allroads lead to Stephen Harper
Conservative-dominated Senate committee changed Mike Duffy report 7 times: documents
OTTAWA – A Conservative-dominated Senate committee changed a report into Senator Mike Duffy’s expense claims at least seven times, documents obtained by Global News reveal.
The confidential drafts reveal for the first time the extent of the changes on the May 9, 2013 Senate report into the expenses of the now-suspended former Conservative senator.
At the time, the Senate subcommittee on internal economy, budgets and administration comprised of two Tory senators – David Tkachuk and Carolyn Stewart Olsen – and Liberal Sen. George Furey.
The report was based on the findings of a Deloitte audit into Duffy’s expense. The audit said the senator, who claimed living expenses for his Ottawa home, spent about 30 per cent of his time in Prince Edward Island. But it also determined the criteria for primary residence are lacking.
The RCMP has suggested in court transcripts that Tkachuk and Olsen altered the reports with the help of the Prime Minister’s Office after Duffy repaid $90,000, later revealed to have been with former chief of staff Nigel Wright’s money.
READ MORE: http://globalnews.ca/news/2012833/conservative-dominated-senate-committee-changed-mike-duffy-report-7-times-documents/
OTTAWA – A Conservative-dominated Senate committee changed a report into Senator Mike Duffy’s expense claims at least seven times, documents obtained by Global News reveal.
The confidential drafts reveal for the first time the extent of the changes on the May 9, 2013 Senate report into the expenses of the now-suspended former Conservative senator.
At the time, the Senate subcommittee on internal economy, budgets and administration comprised of two Tory senators – David Tkachuk and Carolyn Stewart Olsen – and Liberal Sen. George Furey.
The report was based on the findings of a Deloitte audit into Duffy’s expense. The audit said the senator, who claimed living expenses for his Ottawa home, spent about 30 per cent of his time in Prince Edward Island. But it also determined the criteria for primary residence are lacking.
The RCMP has suggested in court transcripts that Tkachuk and Olsen altered the reports with the help of the Prime Minister’s Office after Duffy repaid $90,000, later revealed to have been with former chief of staff Nigel Wright’s money.
READ MORE: http://globalnews.ca/news/2012833/conservative-dominated-senate-committee-changed-mike-duffy-report-7-times-documents/
Canada: The new police state
Extra Mounties guarding Parliament Hill ring up hotel bills
The RCMP has earmarked $275,000 a month to cover hotel bills for officers brought in from across the country to bolster security on Parliament Hill.
The RCMP has earmarked $275,000 a month to cover hotel bills for officers brought in from across the country to bolster security on Parliament Hill.
OTTAWA—The RCMP has earmarked $275,000 a month to cover hotel bills for officers brought in from across the country to bolster security on Parliament Hill, the Star has learned.
Extra Mounties have been reassigned in the wake of the Oct. 22 attack on Parliament to deal with what the RCMP has called a “critical shortage” of manpower.
The RCMP has been tapping its new recruits to help fill the gaps. As new officers graduate from “Depot” — the RCMP’s training academy in Regina — they’ve been getting short-term assignments to Ottawa to patrol Parliament Hill.
One or two “troops” of RCMP cadets at a time — 30 to 60 officers — are being rotated through the capital on two-month assignments before being sent to their first permanent postings, one source familiar with the arrangements told the Star.
Hoover50th] Fwd: Moose hunters
Two moose hunters, Sean & Liam, got a pilot to fly them into the Canadian wilderness, where they managed to bag two big bull moose.
As they were loading the plane to return, the pilot said the plane could only take the hunters, their gear, but only one moose.
The two hunters objected strongly. "Last year we shot two, and the pilot let us take them both... and he had exactly the same airplane as yours."
Reluctantly, the pilot, not wanting to be outdone by another bush pilot, gave in and everything was loaded.
However, even under full power, the little plane couldn't handle the heavy load and went down, crashing into the deep wooded wilderness.
Somehow, surrounded by the two moose, clothing and sleeping bags, Sean & Liam survived the crash.
After climbing out of the wreckage, Sean asked Liam, "'Any idea where we are?"
Liam replied, "I think we're pretty close to where we crashed last year!"
Somehow, surrounded by the two moose, clothing and sleeping bags, Sean & Liam survived the crash.
After climbing out of the wreckage, Sean asked Liam, "'Any idea where we are?"
Liam replied, "I think we're pretty close to where we crashed last year!"
Thanks Kerry
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Air of entitlement from the conservative serpent
Pierre Poilievre defends use of public funds to make ‘vanity video’
READ MORE: http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2015/05/20/pierre-poilievre-defends-use-of-public-funds-to-make-vanity-video/#.VV8pPmzbLIW
Poilievre, Conservatives blasted over taxpayer-funded 'vanity videos'
CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Friday, May 15, 2015 2:26PM EDT
Last Updated Friday, May 15, 2015 7:06PM EDT
READ MORE: http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2015/05/20/pierre-poilievre-defends-use-of-public-funds-to-make-vanity-video/#.VV8pPmzbLIW
Poilievre, Conservatives blasted over taxpayer-funded 'vanity videos'
CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Friday, May 15, 2015 2:26PM EDT
Last Updated Friday, May 15, 2015 7:06PM EDT
Opposition parties are blasting Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre for taxpayer-funded “vanity videos” that tout the Conservative government’s child benefit plan, saying the spots are little more than partisan advertising.
A nearly three-minute YouTube video by Employment and Social Development Canada features Poilievre at a consignment sale at an Ottawa arena. In the video, Poilievre speaks with parents as he promotes the government’s universal child care benefit, which the “prime minister has increased,” the minister says to one parent.
Opposition MPs criticized the videos in the House of Commons Friday, saying the Conservatives are using taxpayer dollars for political purposes.
READ MORE: http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/poilievre-conservatives-blasted-over-taxpayer-funded-vanity-videos-1.2376289
A nearly three-minute YouTube video by Employment and Social Development Canada features Poilievre at a consignment sale at an Ottawa arena. In the video, Poilievre speaks with parents as he promotes the government’s universal child care benefit, which the “prime minister has increased,” the minister says to one parent.
Opposition MPs criticized the videos in the House of Commons Friday, saying the Conservatives are using taxpayer dollars for political purposes.
READ MORE: http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/poilievre-conservatives-blasted-over-taxpayer-funded-vanity-videos-1.2376289
It is not all conspiracy theory - There is reason for concern based on Harpers recent actions
National Security Advisor Suspects Canadian Politicians Are Under Foreign Control
READ MORE http://pressfortruth.ca/top-stories/national-security-advisor-suspects-canadian-politicians-are-under-foreign-control/
Canada's National Security Advisor, Richard Fadden, has confirmed that various Canadian government officials are suspected of working under foreign influence. A senior advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Fadden says that he suspects foreign governments are buying influence with Canada's officials for nefarious purposes, and that the people have no idea they are being used. Fadden also affirms that we are spending too much time and attention on terrorism, rather than focusing on other pressing matters that require attention as well. "I would be less than candid if I didn't say terrorism is taking up far more of our time than it ever has, and I think in the absence of fairly obvious cases, it would be difficult to comment on whether it's materially worse or better, or the same," he said.
Several years ago, Fadden had also said that political figures were developing questionable attachments to foreign countries. "There are several municipal politicians in British Columbia and in at least two provinces there are ministers of the Crown who we think are under at least the general influence of a foreign government," he said in the interview. He went on to say that "one, possibly a couple" foreign governments were grooming students to become political leaders in Canada and, "before you know it, the country is providing them with money, there's some sort of covert guidance." During one particular interview he even slightly insinuated that China was one main culprit.
"The individual becomes in a position to make decisions that affect the country or the province or a municipality. All of a sudden, decisions aren't taken on the basis of the public good but on the basis of another country's preoccupations,” said Fadden. He also previously stated back in 2010, that at least five countries were attempting to recruit future political prospects in universities. It was mentioned that Middle East countries were suspected to be involved, however China remains the most aggressive at funding university clubs, organize demonstrations, and more.
READ MORE http://pressfortruth.ca/top-stories/national-security-advisor-suspects-canadian-politicians-are-under-foreign-control/
Spin Doctor Steve the complete failure
Harper government is faltering on trade. They brag about trade deals they claim to have concluded, but Canada's trade balance just ran huge deficit.
Harper trad...e deal with EU has been announced + celebrated 3 times, but it's still not done, let alone ratified + implemented.
Harper trad...e deal with EU has been announced + celebrated 3 times, but it's still not done, let alone ratified + implemented.
The trade reality under the "all spin-no action" Harper government is 51 months of trade deficits - including the biggest in history.
MORE SPIN ON THE NEW TFSA LIMITS
MORE SPIN ON THE NEW TFSA LIMITS
MR. OLIVER IS CONTRADICTED BY HIS OWN DATA
A few days ago, I published an article examining the Harper government's most recent statistics on the public's use o...f Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs). You can see it at http://ralphgoodale.ca/blog/93-canadians-doubling-tfsas/
A few days ago, I published an article examining the Harper government's most recent statistics on the public's use o...f Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs). You can see it at http://ralphgoodale.ca/blog/93-canadians-doubling-tfsas/
The figures, freshly published by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for 2013, together with the pre-budget and post-budget analyses of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), make one point absolutely clear. There is a good policy case for maintaining TFSAs with an annual limit on contributions at $5500, but there is no compelling argument to nearly double that annual maximum to $10,000.
Finance Minister Joe Oliver felt obliged to respond to my blog. You can see his comments at http://news.nationalpost.com/…/letters-suspension-of-disbel…. The Minister's reply was rhetorical and ideological. He made no effort to address the CRA's latest numbers because they contradict him.
If he is trying to argue that the annual TFSA limit at $5500 is too low and needs to be drastically increased, he would have to demonstrate that a large and growing number of Canadians are regularly maxing-out and need a higher limit. But that is simply not the case.
Here are three "killer facts" from the CRA that destroy Mr. Oliver's position:
First, over 28-million Canadians are legally entitled to hold a TFSA, but more than 60% don't participate at all. And only a tiny fraction of those eligible -- a very small 6.7% -- are contributing the maximum.
Second, any room to contribute that a TFSA-holder does not use up in one tax year can be added onto future years. According to the CRA, the average TFSA has, within existing limits, some $13,500 in unused room available for more contributions.
Third, the numbers of people maxing out their TFSAs has been dropping steadily in both absolute and percentage terms since the program's first year. In 2013, it was down 39% from five years earlier.
So where is the argument for increasing the limit? Mr. Oliver certainly hasn't advanced one.
By the government's own prognostications, what they're proposing is pricey. Nearly doubling TFSA limits will cost several hundreds of millions of dollars over the next five years, and some tens of billions of dollars over the longer term.
Mr. Oliver seems to think that's a good thing -- even if more than 93% of Canadians get no benefit -- because, in his view, anything and everything that diminishes the Government of Canada is a step in the right direction.
But if the federal government weren't so warped by that ideology, what are some of the other policy choices that might be made?
Veterans could be treated with greater generosity and respect.
The middle class income tax rate could be reduced.
Child Benefits to help parents with the costs of raising children could be substantially enhanced for nine out of ten Canadian families.
The eligibility age for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement could be restored to 65.
We could have a strong national system for helping military personnel, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders with the debilitating realities of PTSD.
Mr. Harper's plan to scale back federal support for medicare could be reversed.
Our country could make a quantum leap forward in building vital public infrastructure to underpin a more prosperous, productive economy, generating both jobs and growth.
We could tear down barriers to education and skills training, and climb back into the top ranks of countries investing in scientific research, new technology and innovation.
It's all about choices and priorities. There are many better alternatives -- to nurture Canadians' precious tax dollars, break free from mediocrity, and build a better country. One that works for all of us.
Finance Minister Joe Oliver felt obliged to respond to my blog. You can see his comments at http://news.nationalpost.com/…/letters-suspension-of-disbel…. The Minister's reply was rhetorical and ideological. He made no effort to address the CRA's latest numbers because they contradict him.
If he is trying to argue that the annual TFSA limit at $5500 is too low and needs to be drastically increased, he would have to demonstrate that a large and growing number of Canadians are regularly maxing-out and need a higher limit. But that is simply not the case.
Here are three "killer facts" from the CRA that destroy Mr. Oliver's position:
First, over 28-million Canadians are legally entitled to hold a TFSA, but more than 60% don't participate at all. And only a tiny fraction of those eligible -- a very small 6.7% -- are contributing the maximum.
Second, any room to contribute that a TFSA-holder does not use up in one tax year can be added onto future years. According to the CRA, the average TFSA has, within existing limits, some $13,500 in unused room available for more contributions.
Third, the numbers of people maxing out their TFSAs has been dropping steadily in both absolute and percentage terms since the program's first year. In 2013, it was down 39% from five years earlier.
So where is the argument for increasing the limit? Mr. Oliver certainly hasn't advanced one.
By the government's own prognostications, what they're proposing is pricey. Nearly doubling TFSA limits will cost several hundreds of millions of dollars over the next five years, and some tens of billions of dollars over the longer term.
Mr. Oliver seems to think that's a good thing -- even if more than 93% of Canadians get no benefit -- because, in his view, anything and everything that diminishes the Government of Canada is a step in the right direction.
But if the federal government weren't so warped by that ideology, what are some of the other policy choices that might be made?
Veterans could be treated with greater generosity and respect.
The middle class income tax rate could be reduced.
Child Benefits to help parents with the costs of raising children could be substantially enhanced for nine out of ten Canadian families.
The eligibility age for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement could be restored to 65.
We could have a strong national system for helping military personnel, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders with the debilitating realities of PTSD.
Mr. Harper's plan to scale back federal support for medicare could be reversed.
Our country could make a quantum leap forward in building vital public infrastructure to underpin a more prosperous, productive economy, generating both jobs and growth.
We could tear down barriers to education and skills training, and climb back into the top ranks of countries investing in scientific research, new technology and innovation.
It's all about choices and priorities. There are many better alternatives -- to nurture Canadians' precious tax dollars, break free from mediocrity, and build a better country. One that works for all of us.
Evangelical TV
Grandpa and grandma were watching the television evangelical show and the preacher said, if the viewers at home wanted to be healed, place one hand on the television set and the other hand on the body part where they wanted to be healed.
Grandma got up and slowly hobbled to the television set, placed her right hand on the set and her left hand on her arthritic shoulder that was causing her to have great pain.
Then Grandpa got up, went to the TV, placed his right hand on the set and his left hand on his crotch.
Grandma scowled at him and said, "I guess you just don't get it. The purpose of doing this is to heal the sick, not to raise the dead."
Thanks Randy
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
For all you naysayers beware the blacklegged tick has arrived
Changing climate brings ticks, Lyme disease into Canada
The blacklegged tick population is creeping northward into Canada, and with it climbs the risk of contracting Lyme disease.
York University researchers are warning that climate change is causing the country to become increasingly habitable to the blood-sucking bugs, which migrate by clinging to travelling birds and deer.
Jianhong Wu, the director of the York Institute for Health Research, says the tick population will grow exponentially in the coming years in many parts of Ontario.
Over the next 60 years, his team forecasts a huge growth in tick populations in the United States. The range of habitat will also expand substantially in Western Canada and grow further north in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, Wu says.
His team created a series of heat maps depicting the current and predicted rate of population increase.
READ MORE: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/changing-climate-brings-ticks-lyme-disease-into-canada-1.2387044
The blacklegged tick population is creeping northward into Canada, and with it climbs the risk of contracting Lyme disease.
York University researchers are warning that climate change is causing the country to become increasingly habitable to the blood-sucking bugs, which migrate by clinging to travelling birds and deer.
Jianhong Wu, the director of the York Institute for Health Research, says the tick population will grow exponentially in the coming years in many parts of Ontario.
Over the next 60 years, his team forecasts a huge growth in tick populations in the United States. The range of habitat will also expand substantially in Western Canada and grow further north in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, Wu says.
His team created a series of heat maps depicting the current and predicted rate of population increase.
READ MORE: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/changing-climate-brings-ticks-lyme-disease-into-canada-1.2387044
From the Enough Harper Community
Harper and the CPC are constantly talking up their economic pedigree. But the truth doesn't match their rhetoric.
Here is a boiled-down Canadian Press piece. I've edited it since while the CP tried to expand on the numbers, but I view this as a statement of fact. Especially given how much the CPC like to delude themselves about the economy.
OTTAWA - "Prime Minister Harper has the worst record of any prime minister on economic growth since R. B. Bennett in the depths of the ...Great Depression." — Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau,
Friday, May 15, 2015.
Here is a boiled-down Canadian Press piece. I've edited it since while the CP tried to expand on the numbers, but I view this as a statement of fact. Especially given how much the CPC like to delude themselves about the economy.
OTTAWA - "Prime Minister Harper has the worst record of any prime minister on economic growth since R. B. Bennett in the depths of the ...Great Depression." — Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau,
Friday, May 15, 2015.
___
Though Justin Trudeau said it as recently as last week, the Liberals have been claiming since at least 2013 that Canada's economic growth under the Harper-led Conservative government has been the worst since the 1930s.
Among those who use it often is Liberal MP — and former federal finance minister — Ralph Goodale.
In an April speech, Goodale added some detail, noting that "since the Harper government came to power, Canada has had an average annual economic growth rate of only about 1.75 per cent — that's the worst growth record of any prime minister since R. B. Bennett in the 1930s."
How accurate is the Liberal claim?
THE FACTS
A nation's economic growth is usually measured by way of gross domestic product, the total value of all the goods produced and services provided in a country during a single year.
To determine the average economic growth under each Canadian prime minister, The Canadian Press used GDP data provided by Statistics Canada.
John Turner, Joe Clark and Kim Campbell were excluded because they served as prime minister for less than a year.
For years in which there was a change of government, GDP for that year was added to the tally for both governments.
Here are the results:
R. B. Bennett, 1930-1935. Average economic growth rate: -2.34 per cent.
William Lyon MacKenzie King, 1935-1948: 6.24 per cent.
Louis St. Laurent, 1948-1957: 5.20 per cent.
John Diefenbaker, 1957-1963: 3.78 per cent.
Lester Pearson, 1963-1968: 5.43 per cent.
Pierre Trudeau, 1968-1979: 4.28 per cent.
Pierre Trudeau, 1980-1984: 2.16 per cent.
Brian Mulroney, 1984-1993: 2.51 per cent.
Jean Chretien, 1993-2003: 3.32 per cent
Paul Martin, 2003-2006: 2.71 per cent.
Stephen Harper, 2006-present: 1.77 per cent.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
Simple math indicates that yes, under the Conservative government led by Stephen Harper, Canada's economic growth rate has been the worst since the Great Depression. But economists warn against using that math to make a political judgment.
The Canadian Press
Administrators comment:
Harpers saving grace compared to 1930's is the fact that we have social programs such as CPP, EI and welfare otherwise there would be complete caos and long bread lines.
Let us not forget the unprecedented demands being made on our food banks and the phenomonen of crowd funding as well as the many new foundations which have taken up the lack of federal funding of the needy. All these things hide Harpers real economic failures
Though Justin Trudeau said it as recently as last week, the Liberals have been claiming since at least 2013 that Canada's economic growth under the Harper-led Conservative government has been the worst since the 1930s.
Among those who use it often is Liberal MP — and former federal finance minister — Ralph Goodale.
In an April speech, Goodale added some detail, noting that "since the Harper government came to power, Canada has had an average annual economic growth rate of only about 1.75 per cent — that's the worst growth record of any prime minister since R. B. Bennett in the 1930s."
How accurate is the Liberal claim?
THE FACTS
A nation's economic growth is usually measured by way of gross domestic product, the total value of all the goods produced and services provided in a country during a single year.
To determine the average economic growth under each Canadian prime minister, The Canadian Press used GDP data provided by Statistics Canada.
John Turner, Joe Clark and Kim Campbell were excluded because they served as prime minister for less than a year.
For years in which there was a change of government, GDP for that year was added to the tally for both governments.
Here are the results:
R. B. Bennett, 1930-1935. Average economic growth rate: -2.34 per cent.
William Lyon MacKenzie King, 1935-1948: 6.24 per cent.
Louis St. Laurent, 1948-1957: 5.20 per cent.
John Diefenbaker, 1957-1963: 3.78 per cent.
Lester Pearson, 1963-1968: 5.43 per cent.
Pierre Trudeau, 1968-1979: 4.28 per cent.
Pierre Trudeau, 1980-1984: 2.16 per cent.
Brian Mulroney, 1984-1993: 2.51 per cent.
Jean Chretien, 1993-2003: 3.32 per cent
Paul Martin, 2003-2006: 2.71 per cent.
Stephen Harper, 2006-present: 1.77 per cent.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
Simple math indicates that yes, under the Conservative government led by Stephen Harper, Canada's economic growth rate has been the worst since the Great Depression. But economists warn against using that math to make a political judgment.
The Canadian Press
Administrators comment:
Harpers saving grace compared to 1930's is the fact that we have social programs such as CPP, EI and welfare otherwise there would be complete caos and long bread lines.
Let us not forget the unprecedented demands being made on our food banks and the phenomonen of crowd funding as well as the many new foundations which have taken up the lack of federal funding of the needy. All these things hide Harpers real economic failures
MONEY BAGS
Glass takes one million years to decompose, which means it never wears out and can be recycled an infinite amount of times!
Gold is the only metal that doesn't rust, even if it's buried in the ground for thousands of years.
Your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end.
If you stop getting thirsty, you need to drink more water. When a human body is dehydrated, its thirst mechanism shuts off.
Zero is the only number that cannot be represented by Roman numerals.
Kites were used in the American Civil War to deliver letters and newspapers.
The song, Auld Lang Syne, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year.
Drinking water after eating reduces the acid in your mouth by 61 percent.
Peanut oil is used for cooking in submarines because it doesn't smoke unless it's heated above 450F.
The roar that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in the ear.
Nine out of every 10 living things live in the ocean.
The banana cannot reproduce itself. It can be propagated only by the hand of man.
Airports at higher altitudes require a longer airstrip due to lower air density.
The University of Alaska spans four time zones.
The tooth is the only part of the human body that cannot heal itself.
In ancient Greece, tossing an apple to a girl was a traditional proposal of marriage. Catching it meant she accepted.
Warner Communications paid $28 million for the copyright to the song Happy Birthday.
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
A comet's tail always points away from the sun.
The Swine Flu vaccine in 1976 caused more death and illness than the disease it was intended to prevent.
Caffeine increases the power of aspirin and other painkillers, that is why it is found in some medicines.
The military salute is a motion that evolved from medieval times, when knights in armour raised their visors to reveal their identity.
If you get into the bottom of a well or a tall chimney and look up, you can see stars, even in the middle of the day.
When a person dies, hearing is the last sense to go. The first sense lost is sight.
In ancient times strangers shook hands to show that they were unarmed.
Strawberries are the only fruits whose seeds grow on the outside.
Avocados have the highest calories of any fruit at 167 calories per hundred grams.
The moon moves about two inches away from the Earth each year.
The Earth gets 100 tons heavier every day due to falling space dust.
Due to earth's gravity it is impossible for mountains to be higher than 15,000 meters.
Mickey Mouse is known as "Topolino" in Italy.
Soldiers do not march in step when going across bridges because they could set up a vibration which could be sufficient to knock the bridge down.
Everything weighs one percent less at the equator.
For every extra kilogram carried on a space flight, 530 kg of excess fuel are needed at lift-off.
The letter J does not appear anywhere on the periodic table of the elements.
Thanks Ellen
Chuck the Rooster
A FARMER DECIDED HE WANTED TO GO TO TOWN AND SEE A MOVIE.
THE TICKET AGENT ASKED, "SIR, WHAT'S THAT ON YOUR SHOULDER?"
THE OLD FARMER SAID, "THAT'S MY PET ROOSTER CHUCK. WHEREVER I GO, CHUCK GOES."
"I'M SORRY SIR," SAID THE TICKET AGENT "WE CAN'T ALLOW ANIMALS IN THE THEATRE."
THE OLD FARMER WENT AROUND THE CORNER AND STUFFED CHUCK DOWN HIS DOWN HIS OVERALLS.
THEN HE RETURNED TO THE BOOTH, BOUGHT A TICKET, AND ENTERED THE THEATRE. HE SAT DOWN NEXT TO
TWO OLD WIDOWS NAMED MILDRED AND MARGE.
THE MOVIE STARTED AND THE ROOSTER BEGAN TO SQUIRM. .. . THE OLD FARMER UNBUTTONED HIS FLY SO CHUCK COULD STICK HIS HEAD OUT AND WATCH THE MOVIE.
"MARGE," WHISPERED MILDRED.
"WHAT?" SAID MARGE.
"I THINK THE GUY NEXT TO ME IS A PERVERT."
"WHAT MAKES YOU THINK SO?" ASKED MARGE?
"HE UNDID HIS PANTS AND HE HAS HIS THING OUT", WHISPERED MILDRED.
"WELL, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT", SAID MARGE."AT OUR AGE WE'VE SEEN 'EM ALL"
"I THOUGHT SO TOO", SAID MILDRED, "BUT THIS ONE'S EATIN' MY POPCORN....!"
Thanks Ivan
THE TICKET AGENT ASKED, "SIR, WHAT'S THAT ON YOUR SHOULDER?"
THE OLD FARMER SAID, "THAT'S MY PET ROOSTER CHUCK. WHEREVER I GO, CHUCK GOES."
"I'M SORRY SIR," SAID THE TICKET AGENT "WE CAN'T ALLOW ANIMALS IN THE THEATRE."
THE OLD FARMER WENT AROUND THE CORNER AND STUFFED CHUCK DOWN HIS DOWN HIS OVERALLS.
THEN HE RETURNED TO THE BOOTH, BOUGHT A TICKET, AND ENTERED THE THEATRE. HE SAT DOWN NEXT TO
TWO OLD WIDOWS NAMED MILDRED AND MARGE.
THE MOVIE STARTED AND THE ROOSTER BEGAN TO SQUIRM. .. . THE OLD FARMER UNBUTTONED HIS FLY SO CHUCK COULD STICK HIS HEAD OUT AND WATCH THE MOVIE.
"MARGE," WHISPERED MILDRED.
"WHAT?" SAID MARGE.
"I THINK THE GUY NEXT TO ME IS A PERVERT."
"WHAT MAKES YOU THINK SO?" ASKED MARGE?
"HE UNDID HIS PANTS AND HE HAS HIS THING OUT", WHISPERED MILDRED.
"WELL, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT", SAID MARGE."AT OUR AGE WE'VE SEEN 'EM ALL"
"I THOUGHT SO TOO", SAID MILDRED, "BUT THIS ONE'S EATIN' MY POPCORN....!"
Thanks Ivan
Dress Code!
Many of us over 50 . . . WAY over 50 . . . are quite confused about how we should present ourselves. We're unsure about the kind of image we are projecting and whether or not we are correct as we try to conform to current fashions.
And for those of you receiving this who are nowhere near 50 yet, keep reading anyway.
. . you'll be there.
Despite what you may have seen on the streets, the following combinations
DO NOT go together and should be avoided:
1. A nose ring and bifocals
2. Spiked hair and bald spots
3. A pierced tongue and dentures
4. Miniskirts and support hose
5. Ankle bracelets and corn pads
6. Speedos and cellulite
7. A belly button ring and a gall bladder surgery scar
8. Unbuttoned disco shirts and a heart monitor
9. Midriff shirts and a midriff bulge
10. Pierced nipples that hang below the waist
11. Bikinis and liver spots
12. Short shorts and varicose veins
13. In-line skates and a walker
And the ultimate 'Bad Taste' in fashion:
14. A thong and Depends
Please keep these basic guidelines foremost in your mind when you shop.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might
as well dance!!!!
Thanks Shirl
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