The Conservative Party is making a big deal out of their decision to have MP's attending the Conservative Party convention in Calgary pay their own expenses. Of course, they should pay their own expenses. Harper and his gang are promoting this decision as a noble gesture. They are heroes because they are paying their own expenses to attend a partisan function that has nothing to do with governing the country? Come on. It is upsetting to think they actually feel one option is to have the citizens pay for them. Mind you, if not for the Senate scandal that is exactly what would be happening. We would be picking up the tab. I would wager that is what has happened with previous conventions.
The Senate adjourned today so that Conservative Senators would be able to catch convenient airline flights to attend their convention in Calgary. So important business in the Senate is halted so the senators can look after their partisan political business. I wonder if they are docked a days pay for taking off. No way. Mind you, I am sure even a four day week is rare for these political scavangers.
About Me
- Dr. Larry McConnell
- The author of the awarding winning book Cardiac Champs; a book that teaches people with heart disease, particularly heart attack survivors, how to live a healthy, vigorous, happy life while effectively managing the emotional turmoil that so often accompanies heart disease. Latest book.... A Primer For Old Guys: Eat Smart, Exercise and Be Happy is scheduled for publication in the Spring of 2014
Thursday 31 October 2013
Saturday 26 October 2013
Down With The Senate
The proceedings in Parliament this past week were disgraceful. The political elite charged with governing our country spent all their time looking after their own interests. Their greed and obsession with holding power came through loud and clear. The Senators want to hold on to their plush appointments and the Prime Minister is struggling to remain in power. The best interest of the public has no role in this charade.
The question of the week seems to be whether or not a Senator should be booted out of the Senate without going through some sort of inquiry or trial. Who cares? Only the Senators who stand to lose all their unearned privileges.These leeches are a drain on the public purse. They do not enhance our democratic system. In fact, they stand in mockery of it. Nothing but a bunch of unelected political hacks who hold significant power and influence with no accountability to the citizens.
The Senate is an old British institution. This is a society that reveres social class. Most of its political class gains their clout from being born into the right family. Think of the Queen and the pompous old snobs that populate the House of Lords. Why does Canada want to have a piece of such hollow traditions?
It is time Canada completed the move to its own unique political system. A foreign Queen has no role to play in a country that wants to take pride in its democratic institutions. Similarly, an unelected pack of greedy self-centered elitists should not be allowed to run their private club at the expense of the general population. If these old hacks need a place to hang out and feel important let them set up their own private club paid for out of their own pockets.
It is time to get rid of this useless chamber for the rich and influential.
Let us be done with the Senate.
The question of the week seems to be whether or not a Senator should be booted out of the Senate without going through some sort of inquiry or trial. Who cares? Only the Senators who stand to lose all their unearned privileges.These leeches are a drain on the public purse. They do not enhance our democratic system. In fact, they stand in mockery of it. Nothing but a bunch of unelected political hacks who hold significant power and influence with no accountability to the citizens.
The Senate is an old British institution. This is a society that reveres social class. Most of its political class gains their clout from being born into the right family. Think of the Queen and the pompous old snobs that populate the House of Lords. Why does Canada want to have a piece of such hollow traditions?
It is time Canada completed the move to its own unique political system. A foreign Queen has no role to play in a country that wants to take pride in its democratic institutions. Similarly, an unelected pack of greedy self-centered elitists should not be allowed to run their private club at the expense of the general population. If these old hacks need a place to hang out and feel important let them set up their own private club paid for out of their own pockets.
It is time to get rid of this useless chamber for the rich and influential.
Let us be done with the Senate.
Wednesday 13 March 2013
Pope Francis
NEW POPE..........NO CHANGE!!!
It only took five ballots to get Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires elected Pope. He will be known as Pope Francis. He is a social conservative with a sympathetic attitude toward the poor. Even as a cardinal, Bergoglio had a strong presence among the poor of the city. I was in Buenos Aires last year and was shocked by the huge population of poor people. The number of people living on the streets is truly disheartening. However, I do not think Bergoglio's past work in the poor sections of Buenos Aires will send any message of optimism to the Catholics outside of South America, particularly those in Europe and North America.
The European & North American Catholics are more concerned about his theology. They will be disappointed to learn of his 19th century conservative views. This is not a man who will tolerate contemporary social values influencing Church dogma. He views homosexuality as unnatural and sinful, is opposed to same sex marriage, will not permit the ordination of women and has outdated views when it comes to human sexuality. Most of the western world's Catholics have long left the Church, but those remaining tend to be progressive when it comes to church policy so they will find little to cheer about with this new appointment.
To be honest, I do not know what other outcome one could expect given the process. Let's face it; locking up over a hundred unmarried senior men in a chapel to select a leader in complete secrecy is no prescription for selecting someone suited to the modern world.
It only took five ballots to get Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires elected Pope. He will be known as Pope Francis. He is a social conservative with a sympathetic attitude toward the poor. Even as a cardinal, Bergoglio had a strong presence among the poor of the city. I was in Buenos Aires last year and was shocked by the huge population of poor people. The number of people living on the streets is truly disheartening. However, I do not think Bergoglio's past work in the poor sections of Buenos Aires will send any message of optimism to the Catholics outside of South America, particularly those in Europe and North America.
The European & North American Catholics are more concerned about his theology. They will be disappointed to learn of his 19th century conservative views. This is not a man who will tolerate contemporary social values influencing Church dogma. He views homosexuality as unnatural and sinful, is opposed to same sex marriage, will not permit the ordination of women and has outdated views when it comes to human sexuality. Most of the western world's Catholics have long left the Church, but those remaining tend to be progressive when it comes to church policy so they will find little to cheer about with this new appointment.
To be honest, I do not know what other outcome one could expect given the process. Let's face it; locking up over a hundred unmarried senior men in a chapel to select a leader in complete secrecy is no prescription for selecting someone suited to the modern world.
Friday 8 March 2013
It Has Been Awhile!!!
I have been working on a new book so no time for posting. Due for publication in December.
There has been a lot of talk in the news about the over consumption of salt. A genuine problem. It is a good time to start monitoring the amount of salt you consume. You may get a surprise!
Just about everyone eats too much sodium because it is present in all kinds of salt and most people like the taste of salt. It is a bummer, but you will notice that all the good tasting sauces are very high in sodium. Indeed, it is an additive in a lot of our food. Yet, your body only needs a small amount of sodium. At our ages, the upper daily sodium limit recommended by Health Canada is 2,300 mg, but a daily intake of 1,200 to 1,300 mg is deemed adequate.[1] You should know that you can get the required amount by eating healthy foods since many naturally contain small amounts of sodium. Indeed, it is advisable to stay away from sea salt and refined salt as much as possible. Don't add salt when cooking, avoid deli meats and packaged snacks, and don't use table salt.
A good way to avoid over consumption is to stay away from packaged foods. Take the time to cook.
The men in red are about to elect a new Pope. I am for the Canadian!!
I have been working on a new book so no time for posting. Due for publication in December.
There has been a lot of talk in the news about the over consumption of salt. A genuine problem. It is a good time to start monitoring the amount of salt you consume. You may get a surprise!
Just about everyone eats too much sodium because it is present in all kinds of salt and most people like the taste of salt. It is a bummer, but you will notice that all the good tasting sauces are very high in sodium. Indeed, it is an additive in a lot of our food. Yet, your body only needs a small amount of sodium. At our ages, the upper daily sodium limit recommended by Health Canada is 2,300 mg, but a daily intake of 1,200 to 1,300 mg is deemed adequate.[1] You should know that you can get the required amount by eating healthy foods since many naturally contain small amounts of sodium. Indeed, it is advisable to stay away from sea salt and refined salt as much as possible. Don't add salt when cooking, avoid deli meats and packaged snacks, and don't use table salt.
A good way to avoid over consumption is to stay away from packaged foods. Take the time to cook.
The men in red are about to elect a new Pope. I am for the Canadian!!
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