An appalling example of Identity Politics
As we live through the grossest of orgiastic festivities seen since the times of the Roman Emperors (my opinion) two words that have been rattling around the vast spaces in my mind - Identity Politics. IP is the phrase used to describe voting for candidates entirely based on identity: race, ethnicity, sexual preference etc.. Voting for someone you like and can identify with because you feel some kinship with is acceptable. But what is not acceptable, to me, is voting for someone based on race or ethnicity. It means that candidates don't have to propose policies - just say to the electorate "vote for me and get back at those who have been holding you back!" The worst examples of this are the results of African elections in tribal areas. But even Mugabe can get voted out in an election that did transcend Identity Politics. BTW the test for me that Obama has to pass is the passage of the demand that was supported, and still is (he says), - the legislation that makes union organising possible by means of a "cardcheck". I'm from Missouri - show me!
Back to Washington and Obama. I know that of the two candidates I would have voted for him, but based on his policies. Not on the basis of an Oprah endorsement. Yesterday, watching the op-ed shows, was the last straw and I knew I had to speak my opinion. On George Stephanopolis's show two experienced journalists both glowed about the prospect of a man of colour being sworn in. One even bragged that what a wonderful thing it was that an "African" was becoming president. The other held up a tableau of previous presidents that showed Obama at the end of the list. Obviously different from the others, by the darkness of his skin. "That's all I want to see", said she.
This is wrong; vote for a President based on policy, how naive some say. But that's the way I feel folks.
The Doctor Issue
Went for a walk in the Mall on Saturday and passed the glitzy sign-up stand attended by representatives of the Port Hope Health Centre. I wondered then just how many people are without doctors and wonder why the "orphaned" haven't been more vocal in their demands. I hope to see a consolidated list of the numbers of "orphans" and the demonstrated need for more doctors.
The latest bailout demand based on a lie
With new reports that Ottawa is demanding that labour costs come down to the level of the Japanese makers in Canada this demand should be shown for what it is - a way to push the unions into the mud facedown. If one believes that the hourly labour cost in the big three is $75.00 and the the others pay $45.00 one has a case. But the big three are paying "legacy costs" and the way the $75.00 was arrived at was to take the total compensation and divide it by the number of active workers. This does not take into account the costs of the retirees. the Japanese do not have retirees on the payroll thus lower hourly rates in a fraudulent calculation - so the $75.00 calculation is false. The demanders of this condition don't understand the situation, they should and when they do we can all be realistic about a bailout.
Back to Washington and Obama. I know that of the two candidates I would have voted for him, but based on his policies. Not on the basis of an Oprah endorsement. Yesterday, watching the op-ed shows, was the last straw and I knew I had to speak my opinion. On George Stephanopolis's show two experienced journalists both glowed about the prospect of a man of colour being sworn in. One even bragged that what a wonderful thing it was that an "African" was becoming president. The other held up a tableau of previous presidents that showed Obama at the end of the list. Obviously different from the others, by the darkness of his skin. "That's all I want to see", said she.
This is wrong; vote for a President based on policy, how naive some say. But that's the way I feel folks.
The Doctor Issue
Went for a walk in the Mall on Saturday and passed the glitzy sign-up stand attended by representatives of the Port Hope Health Centre. I wondered then just how many people are without doctors and wonder why the "orphaned" haven't been more vocal in their demands. I hope to see a consolidated list of the numbers of "orphans" and the demonstrated need for more doctors.
The latest bailout demand based on a lie
With new reports that Ottawa is demanding that labour costs come down to the level of the Japanese makers in Canada this demand should be shown for what it is - a way to push the unions into the mud facedown. If one believes that the hourly labour cost in the big three is $75.00 and the the others pay $45.00 one has a case. But the big three are paying "legacy costs" and the way the $75.00 was arrived at was to take the total compensation and divide it by the number of active workers. This does not take into account the costs of the retirees. the Japanese do not have retirees on the payroll thus lower hourly rates in a fraudulent calculation - so the $75.00 calculation is false. The demanders of this condition don't understand the situation, they should and when they do we can all be realistic about a bailout.
1 comments:
At my peak performance I never made more than $18.00 per hour. I paid into a pension plan dollar for dollar. I paid into a dental/prescription plan. I raised a family on that. This year I have retired. Now tell me why I should be forced to subsidize the pay of autoworkers.
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