The Bloc: Finally good for something

The Bloc Québécois has unveiled a motion calling on the House of Commons to affirm their «full and complete confidence towards Elections Canada and the Commissioner of Federal Elections», which would indeed be an interesting piece of law to debate, as the Conservative party is in a row with these two bodies over elections expenses, with Elections Canada refusing to reimburse the party for many candidates expenses on advertising, and the Commissioner having launched an inquiry into how Conservatives actually funded their advertising.

How can the party of government vote against such a motion declaring confidence in official organisms? How can a party locked in a messy legal battle with the very same two organisations vote vote to affirm their complete confidence in them? This really could make the Conservatives blush, those who came to power on the promise of clean politics and an end to dodgy dealings. One is indeed reminded that no party is free from corruption and misconduct.

Libellés : Politique, ROC

par Borges à 14:49

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Monday Bits and Bobs: French in Québec

• The Bloc Québécois unveiled Bill C-482 in the Fall of last year, intended to extend Québec's Charter of the French Language to all Federal enterprises (with 50 or more people) to the same provisions as any other such employer would be subjected to, mainly an assessment of the linguistic situation at any one place of employment and then corresponding measures to francise. On the face of it this may seem like a good idea in an age where the French language remains under threat from anglophone dominance, to use a scheme which so fundamentally changed the linguistic situation in the province, especially Montréal, for the benefit of French. However when one considers the implications that it may have for French minorities in Canada, as well as the contradiction with the Federal Government's policy on bilingualism, the bill seems less appealing.

• The ADQ has caused a bit of an uproar from the Left in Québec for its campaign posters for 12 May bi-elections to be held in 2 Montréal ridings, for linking the decline of the French language in the city to a growth in immigration, which it opposes (this year will see an increase of 10 000 to the number of new arrivals selected for Québec), and which, apparently, much of Québec opposes as well. Even among Liberal voters, 48% think that the country has «reached its immigration limit». Well the ADQ is still polling less than 20%, so one can take solace in that.

• Madame Marois, leader of the Parti Québécois has promised (or threatened, depending on where you sit) to bring in a new Charter for the French Language, which would oblige all new arrivals to learn French, and put enterprises employing less than 50 people under the same expectations as larger companies to francise, while providing tax credits to help ease the burden.
  

Libellés : la langue, Politique, Québec, ROC

par Borges à 11:12

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A nastier Canada?

The Canadian census is set to reveal a number of worrying trends taking place over the last 25-30 years in the national economy, with a growing disparity in income, and especially with immigrants and First Nations and young people who are finding finding themselves increasingly disadvantaged as they compete in an often brutal labour market. Housing costs are increasing dramatically for those on lower incomes , and there is a general weakening of the economic status of middle to lower income Canadians, with the most vulnerable the hardest hit, while those at the top are increasing their wealth. In the Globe and Mail, New Brunswick economist Lars Oberg remarked:

“Here we are in a country built on the expectation of economic growth,” Prof. Osberg said. “With the Canadian labour force way more educated than it was 25 years ago. With the baby boomers moving into their most productive years. With a whole series of policy initiatives, from the free-trade agreement to de-regulation, that were all aimed at improving productivity and the efficiency of market force. Lots of things going on that one would have expected would produce increases in real wages.

“Yet if you look at what I call the middle 90 per cent [of Canadians on the income scale], there's not a whole lot of change. And if you want to talk about the bottom 5 per cent it's clear that it's a nastier Canada now than it used to be.”

The truth is that only the naive would expect things like deregulation and free trade to improve the standard of living or opportunities for ordinary Canadians, let alone the most vulnerable. The Canadian government has operated in a manor that has largely destroyed the securities that the Canadian labour movement fought so hard to win, and has fundamentally changed the way that people sell their labour to employers, all towards the disadvantage of workers and the increase in profits for the bourgeois.

Libellés : Pauvreté et développement, ROC, Économie

par Borges à 12:11

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Troubling Naivity from the American Left

The American left seems to be quite troubled by the crisis of capitalism which grips the United States, as unsustainable growth continues on the basis of capital that is non-existent, and an economy which has long stopped being productive enough to sustain itself. The Democrats blame Republicans for the laissez-faire approach to business that they see as the problem, and somehow believe that certain measures of remedy could have avoided the massive financial down-falls which are occurring in the financial world.

No amount of regulation would have stopped the global down-turn which is happening. Capitalist governments are not in the business of impeding economic growth, no matter how superficial and unsustainable, so a Democratic president would have had little effect on the problems facing the markets today. Would tighter financial measures and transparency have led to a less deafening blow to numerous financial giants which saw themselves forced to accept government handouts from the Treasury and writing off billions upon billions?

Possibly, but companies act in the way that they want and no amount of posturing from either side of the political aisle will see the appearance of a true opposition to the Wall Street lobby. In fact it was the Clinton White House with support from Congressional Democrats and Republicans which opened up this latest round of deregulation, via the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

The truth about capitalism is that it is quite barbaric, quite nonsensical, and unfair by nature. Attacking companies for their right offs, and bourgeois governments for bailing them out, simply serves to sustain the illusion that capitalism entitles something better and more ordered. The cowboys will always rule in the financial chaos that this system of production creates, and crying about playing fair won't help defend vulnerable workers from the ravages of capitalism, both in the United States and abroad. The next thing you know, people will be asking why tens of thousands of children die every night from malnourishment and preventable illnesses. The disease has a name as well: Capitalism.

Libellés : Pauvreté et développement, États-Unis

par Borges à 10:29

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Liberal Victory in Canada! (were elections to be held tomorrow)

Shocking results from the latest polls conducted by the Canadian Press put the Liberal Party of Canada ahead of the Conservative party, and most flabbergasting of all, in the lead in Québec. The figures read 33% Red to %30 Blue, with the NDP coming up with 16%. The Liberal Party of Canada has made tremendous gains in Québec, and puts to bed rumours of discord among the party in Québec, it is obviously strong enough to build up this kind of support, on top of the Conservatives who were believed to be gaining there.

The Conservative loss of support is not easily explained. There has been little political movement in the past few weeks, besides a minor constitutional scuffle. The trend shows that the public is dissatisfied with the reactionary policies of the Conservative Party of Canada, and are putting there faith in the representatives of the left in the form of the Liberal Party. The ways in which the Liberal party has neglected their duty as official Opposition do not seem to matter to voters, but it is important. Now that they have proved themselves a viable option to take government, and Stéphane Dion vindicated in his role as leader, perhaps the parliamentary party will be more bold in their work.

Libellés : Libéraux, Politique, ROC

par Borges à 19:34

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Bush to recognise Global Warming, introduce emissions cap

Today American President George W. Bush will concede that climate change is real and influenced by human activity in his announcement for support of CO2 emissions limits for United States power companies, over 10 years after the rest of the industrialised world signed up to the same thing in the Kyoto Protocol. This is indeed a positive step from what is now the world's second largest polluter (China now holds that position), however the impact should be considered in a global context.

In a country relying so heavily on coal (nearly half of all energy comes from the carbon gold), one of the most destructive and dirty sources of energy, caps on emissions are essential, however this is indeed far too little too late in light of actions taken by other responsible nations of the world. The limits on emissions will not help anything, as current levels are already causing drastic changes in the worlds weather systems. Reduction targets would be preferable, but that cannot be expected from an American president, not at this stage. Let us hope that in the long run this will be the beginning of a long-term, hard-hitting strategy to help remedy climate change.

Libellés : Environnement, États-Unis

par Borges à 09:40

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Obama the Marxist?

The opiate of the people, Barak Obama and his campaign for hope, has been accused in the New York Times Op-Ed section of being a Marxist, because of his apparent views on religion and society. One can't help but smile. In a way the analysis is hard-hitting, in that it shows his own hypocrisy in even making such a statement, being that he is as much a faith-monger as any one else (including Hilary "I have the faith of my parents" Clinton), and just as conservative as the next on issues such as immigration and free trade, demonstrating the similarities between all parties and candidates.

The United States political system, and any bourgeois democracy, seeks to keep the oppressed satisfied by giving them the illusion of control and choice, when in reality their vote is meaningless, as the Democratic and Republican parties are two sides of the same coin, which has only the interests of the bosses and industrialists at their heart. On the day of the election, it is the choice of which face will be the head of the United States executive, but this person is really just a figurehead and will always represent first and foremost the capitalist class, which the American political system only exists to serve.

Libellés : Politique, États-Unis

par Borges à 10:27

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Obama understands "bitter" America

M. Barak Obama, hero of the people and King among Men, apparently has some rather condescending views of middle-class, small town America, in fact he considers them quite "bitter" (his words), which is not surprising considering his multi-millionaire status and privileged background. Monsieur Obama has declared it understandable that so many United Staters cling to such vices as guns and religion in the face of economic hardship and political alienation:

"You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them," he said. "And it's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations," he added.

Nothing shocking in his assumptions, indeed the ruling class purports to understand the reactions of the working class and tries to assuage them all the time, hoping to pull the wool over the eyes of the electorate so that they realise not the truly corrupt and oppressive nature of bourgeois democracy. The real bitterness that the working class feels is towards their bosses, the owners of companies and businesses whose income and homesteads are secure, their children's future assured, profit made on the backs of the labour force. Union leaders and politicians have managed to portray themselves as working for the betterment of the average wage-slave. May it soon come to be realised that only a real mass organisation of workers can secure and maintain the gains that must be made for the American and world working class, that they may be secure in their livelihood and liberated from oppression.

Libellés : Pauvreté et développement, Politique, États-Unis

par Borges à 10:43

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What can the Liberal party do for you?

For a committed Marxist, the most important goal is the emancipation of the working class through the transformation of society into one based on collective ownership, and where individual freedom is allowed to truly flourish by the crushing of the oppressive classes and their machinery (the bourgeois state). However Marxists understand the progress of history, and that revolution will only occur when the time is ripe. Until then, we must work to radicalise the workers of the world and advance their conditions.

Upon orientation in the Canadian political sphere, one finds themselves confused. What is truly left and what is truly right, and where does progress lye. Are the Liberals, the NDP, either of them a viable choice for government, worth an individual's vote, let alone one's time and energy. What is the best position for someone working for the radicalisation of society. What are the tasks for a Canadian Marxist to tackle, and who to support?

The tasks for a Marxist is to advance the general state of workers in any given place, increase their freedom, and demonstrate the true nature of class society.Canadian society seems to facilitate a bourgeois party which though supportive of the capitalist system, has strong socialist values, and a strong humanitarian mission, with a focus on individual rights and freedoms. This party is the Liberal Party.

Canada is in an interesting situation. The provision of universal healthcare, old age security, and the general benefits afforded by the Canadian system to its citizens is not a blessing, it has been a right hard won over years of struggle. This is still a society built on the exploitation of workers, the exclusion of the oppressed. Poverty and degradation remain a blight on the cities and rural landscapes. As traditional industries close their doors, and governments are systematically defunded by the Conservative regime in Ottawa, the Canadian people are once again under attack.

The only party which can defend the Canadian public from the attacks of the Conservatives, and their provincial allies, is the Liberal Party. No other party provides the commitment to the young, the old, the sick, the working, the poor. That is what really attracts one to the Liberal Party of Canada, and very much close to the heart, the Liberal Party of Québec. Though supporting individual enterprise as well as corporations, the party remains firm in its commitment to gains made for Canadian workers in their centuries long struggle.

Its simply a question of practicality, if the Liberal Party of Canada, or indeed of Québec is open to the ideas of social justice and the emancipation of the oppressed, as well as the protection of individual freedoms and self-determination, then that is the party that a Marxist supports. This Marxist at least.

Libellés : Libéraux, Politique, ROC

par Borges à 09:02

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Oui, en anglais au Québec

La provision des services essentiels aux nouveaux arrivants est une question important dans la débat linguistique au pays. Est-ce qu'un état unilingue, comme le Québec, doit fournir services dans la langue anglaise pour la communauté native qui fait une partie intégral de société québécois? Absolument. Mais est-ce que les immigrants non-francisés ont un droit aux services dans la langue de Shakespeare?

Il est dit que presque 3/4 des immigrants non-francisés utilisent les services en anglais, plutôt que français, même s'ils ont une connaissance basique de la langue. Apparemment, les immigrants allophones préfèrent l'anglais en public. Problématique?

Selon un immortel de l'Office Québécois de la langue française, non. Les services fournis en anglais sont pas un détriment a l'intégration des immigrants. À même temps, le gouvernement veut finir les communiqués en anglais avec les immigrantes, même s'ils veulent être servis en anglais. Donc, Mais on doit se questionner pourquoi l'anglais est préféré incroyablement par les immigrants non-francisés?

Si on favorise l'intégration des immigrants à société collective, et la langue est le premier but pour ce plan, est-ce que l'état québécois doit encourager l'utilisation de français parmi les nouveaux immigrants, dans toutes les domaines de vie, et est-ce que cela inclut les services sociaux et soins de santé? Doit-ils forcer les nouveaux arrivants à utiliser les services en français. Est-ce que l'anglais menace le français en matière de cet enjeu?

Libellés : la langue, Québec

par Borges à 09:24

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Mitigation v. Adaptation: Climate Change Strategies for Tomorrow

Is the best way to handle the very real problem of climate change to reduce emissions at all costs, or to accept that climate change is happening (and even if all emissions stopped today, we're looking at about a hundred years of drastic climate change effects already) and that we must change our lifestyles and economies in order to work with climate change that is inevitable.

Should we adapt the way we build, the way we live, in order to change with the planet, as our ancestors have done for thousands of years, without putting so much emphasis on reducing green house gases? Should pre-emptive flood defences and drought resistant crops be invested in, rather than an obsession with CO2 fasting? Should we just let it be?

It's easy to talk about the effects of climate change in North America where the effects are little felt and could be easily handled with money, the impoverished countries of the Sahel facing desertification and flood prone nations such as Bangladesh are at the mercy of changing conditions. Adaptation is expensive, but it's not impossible. And indeed it is easier to implement large social engineering changes through adaptation rather than leaving it up to each individual (and worse) industry to reduce their output.

There is a middle way to be had of course, where we invest in both mitigation and adaptation, and do both.

More info: Analysis Radio 4

Libellés : Environnement

par Borges à 09:29

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Douchebag Watch: Tom Lukiwski

Conservative MP Lukiwski of Regina has an interesting sense of humour. Things that he finds funny: AIDS, and immigrants. Nice one. His stand-up acts include such winners as:

“There's A's and there's B's. The A's are guys like me. The B's are homosexual faggots with dirt on their fingernails that transmit diseases.”

Hilarious. You may resign now M. Lukiwiski.

On a more serious note, this is a stark reminded of the sort of hatred and ignorance that still exists in the world today. Though these comments were made almost 2 decades ago, these comments would not seem so out of place in certain pubs and bars around Canada, homophobia still exists, as does the sort of absolute stupidity and misinformation surrounding HIV-AIDS. This sort of pervasive predjudice is among the easiest to combat: You simply have to stand up and say something. You hear gay bashing: Tell 'em to shut the fuck up. You hear someone speaking derogatory remarks about people of another racial or ethnic group, be strong, and let them know that it's not cool, and not funny. All it takes is courage.

par Borges à 08:19

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Canadian Constitution: Don't even THINK about it

There has been a suggestion (later retracted) by M. Blackburn of the Conservateurs that Parliament could be ready to open up the Constitutional dialogue once again, this time to include recognition of the Québécois nation within Canada. How exciting!

Having never actually lived through what is perceived as a heart-wrenching and utterly divisive political process, one is utterly intrigued by this notion that the wounds would be opened again for the sake of the recognition of Québec as its own socio-ethnic group. Meech Lake seems to have already attempted a similar feat with the distinct society and failed. Parliament has succeeded in making such a declaration of the Québécois nation, which seemed to please many when it was unveiled in Fall 2006. So what is the point of opening up the debate again for the purpose of this recognition?

None apparently, which is why M. Blackburn was forced to withdraw his comments and admit that «the fruit is not ripe» for the debate to be tackled once more. Liberal's don't like the idea, and M. Duceppe says: «The problem is not with the fruit, but it's the entire tree that is rotten», referring to any sort of Canadian federation which includes Québec as a non-response to the national question.

The Tories are obviously playing for votes in Québec, and one cannot blame them considering recent polls showing an electorate ripe for the taking. The sort of nationalist pandering that has been occurring, the soft-hearted currying of favour, could very well work to the Conservative advantage when polls are released, and M. Harper is promising to open up the debate once government has a majority. On va voir...

Libellés : La question nationale, Politique, Québec, ROC

par Borges à 13:05

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Wednesday Bits and Bobs: Bye Bye Bertie

• Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern (10 years running) of the «natural party of government» Fianna Fáil, will be stepping down on 6 May 2008 in relation to questions about his propriety in regard to certain alleged payments by a developer (property is BIG in the Irish economy). When will Prime Ministers learn (and their families) learn...don't fuck with property!
• People in France (75% in fact) look favourably upon the May 1968 Demonstrations which paralysed the capital and took a wrecking-bawl to the French Government and brought huge gains for in relation to relation between the sexes, unemployment, education, and youth relations. So much for Sarkozy's wish to "liquefy" the heritage of May 1968 (his words)
• As should have been expected, the polls look to go to a run-off vote as neither President Mugabe of Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front) and former trade unionist leader Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change seem to have achieved a majority. However now the MDC has released a winning figure of 50.3% for M. Tsvangirai which means that he would be the elected president, should these figures be accepted.
  

Libellés : Afrique, Bits and Bobs, Europe, Politique

par Borges à 08:05

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America's First Muslim President...

Yes, 10% of Americans think that Barak Obama is a Muslim, which considering he has a Muslim name isn't all that shocking... but would they still vote for him....

par Borges à 06:40

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