I'll Be Voting For The Towne Clown.

With two Elections coming up within the month; the US Congressionals and the Ontario Municipals, the time is ripe to consider who best to Elect.

For me, the olde tried and true is no longer a viable option.

Simply stated, the Professional Politician has failed miserably to look out for the interests of the humble Taxpayer.

When one says 'Taxpayer' one tends to think only of the poor slob who wrestles with his / her annual Income Tax Return but in truth, this has become only a portion of an individual's annual tax liability. Other Taxes, including Realty, HSTs, various User Fees, Hidden taxes on such things as Gas/Fags &Booze are now taking an ever increasing bite out of the growing tax revenue pie.

Plus more and more government services such as Hydro are going stratospheric to cover the airy fairy 'green costs'.

Let me be clear as well, I am not pointing solely at the individual politician in regard to this failure, in truth the major responsibility for the tax and spend orgy rests with their respective Leaderships. But that said, the individual politician has allowed this to happen by following blindly along.

I have flagged in past Blogs one particular area where any semblance of fiscal control has been totally lost for want of proper management and that is in regard to the Civil Service. And when I say civil service I am speaking about all those who receive their wages from tax revenues. This obviously includes the Politicians themselves plus their Bureaucrats but the ranks also include our teachers, our doctors, nurses, police, firemen, military and so on and so on.

Statistics show that the average civil servant is paid up to 40% more than his private sector counterpart and retires a good 10 to 15 years earlier, on an enhanced pension.

How did this come about you might ask?

For the sole sake of Harmony with the Civil Service Unions. Our Politicians have time and again solde out by awarding far too generous wage and pension settlements. As a result, taxes have continually risen and vital services have been crippled for lack of available funding.

In one particular Senate Race in Deleware, the Republican candidate is accused of being a Witch because she met with a Coven in her University days. (I seem to recall though that one of our former Prime Ministers motor cycled around the streets on Montreal wearing a Nazi Helmet which did not preclude for him electoral success). In any event, this lady - witch? - is backed by the Tea Partyers and is being condemned by both Republicans and Democrats alike. Indeed the GOP's senior strategist Karl Rove is on record in opposing his own candidate.

And why is that? I can tell you that it is not because of her minor fling with the occult during her school years, rather it all has to do with Power and more importantly the Loss of Power. Both main stream US Parties are fearful of losing their clout to the ordinary Jane and Joe via the success of the Tea Party.

I can also tell you that if I was an American living in Deleware, the Witch would get my vote since both she and her Tea Party Conferes stand for Smaller Government and less Taxation.

Turning to our own Municipal Election - I am indeed fortunate since all but one of the Candidates can be classed as a Towne Clown. The odd man out is the quintessential politician and sadly, the likely winner, Jim Watson and it is he that will not garner my vote.

Recently, I did read that a Towne Clown had in fact been elected to an office in some jurisdiction and I smiled in the knowledge that he or she could have counted on my vote, if I'd been there.

As I see it...

'Galagher'

The Tea Non-Party

Much has been said and written about the Tea Party - south of the Border ,and to a much lesser extent here in Canada. From my perspective though much of it is wrong.

Briefly stated, the Tea Party is not a Republican Party initiative - although most Tea Partyers are in fact Republican nor is the Tea Party - north of the Border - simply a re-hash of the former Reform Party. In fact, the Tea Party is not a Party at all.

Rather, it is a grass roots development completely outside of main stream politics.

Tea Partyers are your common folk - average Citizens - who are tired of Big Government, High Taxes, and having their Social Norms of a Century and More demeaned by self-styled Elites.

I get a kick out of so called 'pundits' predicting a re serge in Democratic fortunes between now and the November Elections because "The Tea Party has embarrassed the Republican Party".

In fact, the Tea Party itself - sees both the Republicans and Democrats as having embarrassed and demeaned a once proud US of A. The Tea Partyers are simply using the GOP as the lesser of two evils.

As mentioned in earlier Blogs, America is broke - China for all intents and purposes is now calling the shots economically and there is nothing the US can do about. Its $ drops in value daily as the price of gold continues to rise. The Emperor no longer has any Clothes.

For as long as I can remember, our Leadership has led as if they know best - to heck with what their citizens - the great unwashed want or need. Indeed, many politicians have confirmed this arrogance themselves when their guard has been down.

Majority Rule - the very essence of a healthy, vibrant Democracy - has been replaced in our time by rule of the Special Interests, the Elites and the Courts.

With the Tea Party - the Majority are now saying that this needs to be changed - that from now on Politicians will Bow to their Will and if the Republicans/Democrats/Tories/Liberals dare try to block them - the Tea Party will find other democratic vessels to work through to achieve their goals. Party loyalties will mean less than results.

And, in that sense, the coming November Elections could very well stand out as a Watershed - a time when the average Jane and Joe begin to take back their Agendas.

One thing is for sure, Politics in the Americas will never be the same again.

As I see it...

"Galagher"

A Tooth For The Killing...Part Two

First a recap.

When I left off I was in the process of locating a new Family Dentist - primarily to get one closer to my home and thereby save going 'down town' for my frequent dental visits.

It also had to do with the fact that I still had my aching tooth - the one that I wanted pulled. As of the last writing I had avoided a root canal and had retained my original Crown. The Dentists though were up by another cool $1000.

My wife Anne recommended a great dentist much closer to home and I was off for my initial visit. It went on some time and the guy seemed quite friendly and his staff were all over you with friendliness.

I should mention that upon my entering their shop I was handed the usual form for completion - the one that asks for particulars about your dental insurance and what drugs you are on etc. But this form went well beyond the norm. For instance, it asked how I wished to be addressed by Staff and Dentist alike. I filled that out with "Worshipful Sir" believing that just 'Sir' was a bit too informal.

Well the Staff convulsed with this but soon made it evident that my wished for title was not in their vocabulary. I then offered 'Sir' but that too received all but howls of laughter. Makes one wonder the value of these forms?

Anyway, the initial visit went well and I kept my mouth shut - not easy in a dentist office - about by bothersome tooth.

A month or two past and I was back at the new Dentist office for my first cleaning. The nice young lady doing the cleaning asked if any teeth in particular were giving my trouble.

Now was my time - "yes" I responded - "my second molar in on the left top side often aches and is extremely sensitive to both cold and hot". "I'll have the dentist check on it before you leave" said she.

In comes my new dentist - harried this time and not with the friendly demeanour he showed during my initial visit. "What's the trouble?" he demanded. And I recount for him the problem I have been having with you know what. "Well I only have two minutes" responded the Dentist - "I do not have time to diagnose the problem."

Had it not been for the nice young lady present I would have told new Dentist what he could do with his two minute diagnosis. Rather and more to the point, I told him that I had an easy solution for him.

Pull It Out.

Well the look on his face far surpassed the expression of my former dentist when confronted with the same offered cure. He nearly swallowed his dentures if he had any which I well suspect he did not.

He grabbed a jar of something or other - inserted one of his instruments of torture into it - telling me that this would drop the temperature on same to nearly zero centigrade - then he applied it to the outside of my troublesome tooth. Wow did that hurt.

Again, I had the sense that a Dentist was taking particular satisfaction in inflicting pain on me. I was beginning to get the impression that Dentists do not like being told to pull anything out.

Where was olde Doc Dunnett when you needed him - he'd pull your tooth out on demand.

I was truly floored by his next comment - "We will now have to determine where the pain is coming from?"

"The second molar in" I proclaimed.

"Not necessarily" he said - "it could be coming from the teeth on either side of it".

"We will need you to see a Specialist to determine the location of the pain".

Another Specialist? You have to be kidding - I thought, but too afraid now to vocalize.

I paid my bill - including an additional $80 charge for the Dentist's 2 minute consultation and picked up my appointment to see the Pain Specialist.

Back downtown I went. The Dental Specialist took but 15 minutes which included a good portion of time talking about the weather - it's been quite rainy of late. He took out a similar looking jar as my new family dentist had and placed into it the same looking instrument of torture and advised me that this was going to hurt.

I told him that I was quite familiar with the drill but I refrained from offering him my quick fix solution.

And Boy did it hurt - but not as much as when Family Doc performed the test.

His Finding?

It's your second molar in from the top left.

On your way out pay the nice receptionist $120 for my diagnosis.

A day or two later my New Family Dental Office called to say they have received Pain Specialist's report and I am to come in as soon as I can.

In I go - where upon I am told that a gel can be applied to my gum surrounding my second molar in and that with luck that will be all that is required to solve the problem.

Technician applies the gel while New Dentist offers up that if this does not work and there is better than a 50% chance that it will not work - then we will have to do a Root Canal.

At this point I have totally given up on my quest to have the damn tooth pulled - I ask him if he can do the Root Canal?

"No, we will have to send you to a Specialist".

Finally some good news - the Receptionist hands me the Bill for $40 but it is marked paid. "On the House" she proclaims.

If only she had also referred to me as Worshipful Sir.

A Tooth For The Killing...

Upper Left Mollar; First or Second One In.



When we were younger, visiting a Dentist was a 'one stop' activity.



My life long friend John will well remember our visits to olde 'Doc' Dunnett - what he lacked in bedside manner, he made up for in getting the job done. No shipping you out to some Specialist for him.



Sadly, this one stop shopping in Dentistry seems to be no more.



As Rodney Dangerfield would say; take my tooth for instance.



It all started some five years ago when I earnestly went about getting my teeth in good order prior to my Retirement. In those years I visited my Dentist 2x per year and had all my substandard teeth capped.



Not long after Retirement though, I visited my Dentist's Office for a regular cleaning and was told that a small cavity had developed under one of my new Crowns - 'First Mollar In - On My Upper Left Side'.



"We'll need to fix that one", proclaimed my Dentist.



"And how do you propose to that"? I enquired.



She proceeded to tell me that I would be sent off to a Root Canal Specialist and then I would return to her for the needed filling and new Crown. Point; Set; Match.



I told my Dentist that I was under the impression that these Crowns would preclude the likelihood of cavities but she disabused me of that thought; apparently one is more prone to cavities after Crowns are installed. A fine time to find that out.



My mind though was tranfixed on the cost. Some $1k had been spent on the original Crown and filling and now some scant years later, an entirely new Crown was being prescribed. Plus of course the Root Canal and the new Filling. It just did not seem to be worth the price.



"Pull It Out" I demanded.



Well you would think I told her ... Well anyway, the look of disbelief on her face was something to behold.



After some major negotiation we came to the following settlement:

• She would fix the cavity and work around the Crown to save it from replacement.

There was one small catch however.

I would have to go to a Special Dental Surgeon who would surgically prepare the gum to enable my Dentist to access the cavity and all the while preserve the Cap.

I wasn't too keen about this precondition but reluctantly went along with it. After all, my Dentist had met me more than half way by agreeing to fix the cavity without requiring either a Root Canal or the Destruction of the Crown.

So a few weeks later and in another part of the City I found myself in the chair of the Specialist Dental Surgeon.

"What Have We Here?" he enquires.

I bring him up-to-date and end by asking him how much 'surgery' this will entail?

Apparently quite a bit.

"Pull It Out" I demand.

This guy was a much cooler cat - he did not go into paroxyisms of disbelief. Maybe it had to do with the fact that as a Specialist he was above such common emotion.

Whatever, his response was to just let him 'take a quick look' and see if he could do the job with a minimum of time, bother and of course expense.

Needless-to-say, I was skeptical but reluctantly agreed.

The appliances in place and the work underway there was no time for me to enquire on his progress.

"All Done" he soon announced.

"What is all done - the quick look" I replied.

"The Surgery, you are now ready to have the cavity filled".

Foiled again. I try to make the best of it.

Could he not fill the cavity and I'd be done this very day?

Mr. Cool no longer. He explained to me that he does not do 'fillings' - in fact has never done a filling He is, after all a Surgeon. I thought of old jack-of-all trades Doc Dunnett.

Now back to my original Lady Dentist after having paid Specialist Surgeon some $800.

Original Dentist though is still arguing that I should first have a Root Canal and of course a new Crown.

"Pull It Out" I demand.

This time without the former dramactics she proceeds to work on the cavity. I get the feeling that when she injects the novacane she takes special delight in jabbing it in as hard and fast as possible. I refuse to flinch - but I do have a long memory.

Work done and another $200 paid, I leave her chair with her warning ringing in my ear that I will likely be sorry for not having agreed to the Root Canal - the one that she could not do herself in any event.

I decided then and there that it was time for me to engage a new - main Dentist. I figured I could not do worse and I was fairly philosophical about it - although down another $1,000 bucks - I still had my original Crown and no Root Canal.

As I see it.. part two to follow next...

"Galagher"

Shot Themselves In ...

their collective feet.

This week's vote on the gun registry was a disappointment to me but as pointed out by many pundits, it could be a boon for the Tories.

Indeed, if the Conservatives get their long sought after Majority in the coming Election - it will be due in large part to the position they have taken on the Long Gun Registry - that is to say it is a monumental waste of time and money.

I have covered the reasons why in a previous Blog but suffice to say, we here in Canada already have two gun registries and a third is simply not needed despite the protestations of the Three Opposition Leaders. Hunters are licenced, and Gun Owners, me included, must have an Acquisition Permit to buy both long guns and ammunition.

The Libs brought in this wasted registry following the Poly Tech massacre as a feel good measure that would not have stopped those deaths had it been in effect prior to that tragic event and would certainly not stop future such occurrences today. They simply wanted to be seen doing something despite the fact that it made absolutely no sense yet cost a King's ransom.

The Heads of Police are in favour of its retention - not to save lives - but to secure more money and create more police jobs. I know this may come as a shock to some but I have worked in the past in close association with the police and there is nothing they like more than increased budgets and personnel. But rest assured, the local constable - often a hunter himself - knows well the futility of the registry.

I get a particular kick out of Ignatieff saying that it is now time to "heal the Rural / Urban rift" - just after he and his anti long gun conferes poked the Rural Community in the eye by voting for the continuation of the Registry. Pretty galling to me !!

The long gun to the Rural is like the Watering Can to the Urban. They are simply tools to get the job done.

Enough said about that. But back to the Political Fall-out.

My guess is that 12 seats are now up for grab by the Tories given the naive position taken by the Opposition. Some left wing pundits state that the long gun issue will not last until the Election - "bread and butter issue of the Economy are what count".

These pundits are saying that from the comfort of their Urban sprawl - the long gun issue in the Rural parts of Canada, especially in the more northerly reaches, attains a religious zeal that is not soon apt to be forgotten.

Count me as one of those who believe that the Tories lost the vote but may well have won the coming Election.

As I see it...

"Galagher"

IT JUST MAKES GOOD SENSE....

How can one argue about government initiatives that 'just make good sense'. It is fool-hardy to even try.

As I have stated on previous occasions, It All Started With Seat Belts..

It really didn't, it started much earlier than that - but the Seat Belt Requirement stands out in Government's attempt and to date - successful attempt - to take us into the Nanny State.

As a Libertarian my major belief, outside of the Realm of Religion, is that Individual's should be free to do what he or she likes, unfettered by government control ..AS Long AS - his or her actions do not directly harm another person.

Back to Seat Belts.

If an Individual does not buckle up and is thrown from his vehicle and is injured or dies - it is that individual alone who suffers directly. I say, let him or her make that decision for themselves. The State has no role here.

The Elitist / Statist though would say, oh but if he or she is injured the cost associated with their care is borne by all taxpayers and hence "others do suffer" for that person's stupidity (i.e financially). And of course, It Just Makes Sense.

Now let's look at another situation where Libertarians more or less agree with the Politically Correct Class (PCC) - Drunk Driving. In this case, measures are needed to stamp out drunk driving because there is no guarantee that only the Drunk Driver will be killed or injured as a result of his or her stupidity. ( I do take exception to the very low .05 threshold that the PCC has established to infer that a driver is drunk but that is a matter for another time). In essence - their basic premise is sound because the actions of a drunk driver can lead directly to the suffering of others.

I remember saying at the time Seat Belts were made mandatory that soon we would have the State telling us what to eat. In fact, I thought this most unlikely. Silly me - since this is exactly what has been happening of late. "Junk" Food has already been taken out of our schools, Fast Food Outlets are now required to list the caloric count for their foodstuffs, and threats are now being made to force these Outlets like McDonalds to reduce the fat and salt content in their various products.

What the State is saying, is that it does not trust Adults, either for themselves or as Parents, to make the 'right decision'. That 'decision' of course is the one the State promotes.

I say let the People eat what they want and if they die of a heart attack - so be it.

But the Elitists / Statists would say, society is getting too fat, health care costs are skyrocketing and action needs to be taken to stop people from eating unhealthy foods. And of course, It Just Makes Good Sense.

As an aside, I find it interesting when these PCCers point to the costs associated with a heart attack and how much it burdens the health system. They imply that society would save all kinds of money if everyone was more healthy. I am not so sure that an objective study would support this. Indeed, most health care dollars are spent on end of life care - the care of seniors who linger months and years in bed long after their minds and bodies have worn out. Quebec and Holland are currently looking at ways in which to remedy this.

Cigarettes. If someone smokes and ends up ill because of their smoking - he or she is the direct cause of that illness. It affects no others. Libertarians are all for their smoking. They are after all - Adults and in a free society have the right to make their own decisions even if those decisions run counter to their health.

In come the Statists / Elitists - smoking is bad for you and if you are too stupid to realize it we will bring in measures to curb this activity. No smoking in or near public buildings - private or government- it makes no difference. Tax the living daylights out of tobacco - make it too expensive for the average Joe. (I do not agree generally with the illegal activities carried out by Natives in this country but I do agree with their efforts to smuggle smokes and booze because State Taxes are merely a back door attempt to ban these substances. If Government truly thinks these items are in need of banning - then be above-board and bring in legislation to do just that. (As I recall, the USA did just that in the 1920s).

In any case, there is no doubt that smoking is harmful to an individual and that any steps taken by the Government to stop this activity - Just Makes Good Sense.

I could go on and on.

And by the way - have you heard that the Ontario Government wants to ban barbs on fishing hooks. I can see they will soon want to ban gun powder in rifle shells In any case, It Just Makes Good Sense.

I can foresee the day when a future Government will require all of its citizens to enter into a plastic bubble before leaving their homes to venture outside. It will only Make Good Sense since studies will show that citizens outside of plastic bubbles are exposing themselves to injury and even to death. You certainly cannot argue with that.

As I see it...

"Galagher"

To Burn or Not to Burn...

That has become the Question...But, with respect, it is not the Issue.

As we all know by now, a man in Florida calling himself a Pastor and his merry band of but 30 followers is threatening to burn copies of the Muslim Koran on the anniversary of 9/11.

That this chap is a nut bar is beyond question - indeed even as a self styled Libertarian, I would have no difficulty in seeing him charged under Hate Crimes if he goes ahead with his plan, which at this point, it appears may not, given all the negative press.

But I believe the issue itself goes deeper than it has been portrayed in the media and by the politicians and even by senior military.

Their initial reaction is - 'you must not burn the Koran since that will only incense radical Islam to cause death and injury to many innocents'.

I concur with their analysis since it will indeed result in innocent maiming and death. But the fight for freedom over the years has resulted in much more loss of life and injury and is too precious to relinquish without a fight.

And that is what this issue comes down to - Preserving our Freedom.

When we restrict our actions for fear of what Radicals may do to us, we are trading our Freedom for peace. Chamberlain, as some of you older readers will remember, tried that without success.

In fact, if it is not a Koran burning - the Radicals have shown themselves quite adept at finding other reasons to rant and rave and kill and injure.

Moreover, if those same Radicals threatened to burn the Bible or the Talmud it would be met with a collective yawn on the part of Christians and Jews alike around the world. They would not like it, but they would consider the source and would dismiss the act as the ravings of idiots.

Real Rage should be reserved for vile acts such as those continually demonstrated by Extreme Muslims - beheadings, hanging of 7 year olds, stoning of women, bombings and the like.

To go back to our misguided 'Pastor' - it is my hope that common sense will prevail but if he goes ahead - I will keep it in perspective that it so sorely deserves.

As I see it...

"Galagher"