Okay - it's been too long. But hey - I've started a business and it's taking some time!
So - on to the issues facing us today.
First - as I write this, Hurricane Gustav continues to blast the Gulf Coast with pounding winds and torrential rain. It's really amazing to me that despite the lessons of Katrina and millions in aid dollars pouring in from around the world we are seeing echoes of Katrina again. A predicted 5 Billion in damages. Levees that are not strong enough. People who refused to leave their homes. thankfully this storm will prove to be far less destructive than Katrina but it does pose some very difficult questions.
1) How many times do you rebuild neighborhoods that sit below the sea level in areas that continue to be devastated.
2) Is all the aid money really being directed to rebuild the city?
3) When will people figure out that we are changing the world's weather patterns through our continuous pollution?
All I can say is that those who tend to live in the most impacted areas come from 2 distinct classes - the extreme rich and extreme poor. Following Katrina many from the first group could afford not to come back - which led to the second group becoming even more desperate. They love their city and they are living where they can afford - the fact that government can't get its act together is not their fault.
If you can help - please do so.
Staying South of the border - can you tell me what the hell Americans are thinking? A recent poll shows that Obama/Biden didn't get a boost from their recent convention. One CNN story stated that the democratic convention and the naming of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate cancelled each other out. Are you telling me that the generational defining speech Barack Obama gave on the DNC closing night to 80,000 live and millions watching around the world is the same as naming some no name governor from Alaska with only 2 years experience.
Can no one see through this obvious pandering to Hillary Supporters from the McCain camp - "Hey you want a strong woman to vote for - come with us!" Let's dig a little deeper. This "strong" woman opposed abortion, is a member of NRA and recently fired a guy who refused to fire a state trooper that had divorced her sister. I'm all for women in power - but I want one with compassion and smarts - not a vindictive, gun toting right wing freak!!
I'm lost. I know first hand that great speeches can't change outcomes (Liberal leadership 1998!) but give me a break. John McCain scares me to death. His archaic right wing views will not be good for his country or mine.
Wake Up America!!! Obama and Biden can restore the greatest asset you have - American Pride.
I think Bill Clinton summed it up best on Wednesday night when he said;
"Barack Obama will lead us away from division and fear of the last eight years back to unity and hope. If, like me, you still believe America must always be a place called Hope, then join Hillary, Chelsea and me in making Senator Barack Obama the next President of the United States."
Okay - take away the partisan beliefs and you still have a man with much greater perspective on the world today.
Finally and certainly not least - we turn to the political drama here at home. I believe it is now clear that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will call an election this week - sending Canadians to the polls for some time in October.
While the PM won't be getting my vote and has absolutely no legitimate reason to waste the cost and time by calling an election - I don't blame him.
The Liberals under Dionne can't seem to agree to disagree lately and their platform is not resonating with voters. The Green Shift has some brilliant ideas and should be the focus for every politician. But with gas at $1.30 and likely to rise because of Gustav - the Liberals are left alone on the left - trying to do the right thing at the most inopportune time.
The NDP have become a fringe party - that lost focus on its base support and didn't capture the hearts and minds of the masses.
Finally, the Bloc Quebecois continue to hold on to their Quebec separatist base even though the separation question is the last thing on the minds of every day Quebecers.
In fact I predict this election will allow Stephen Harper to win another mandate from the people - but barely.
Let's face it. The way he has desecrated our arts and culture scene, pushed our economy backwards, given up on the illiterate, shifted our focus off the environment, forgot promises on childcare, health care and taxes - hasn't been pretty.
In fact, I think Canadians got what I predicted may happen back in 2006.
But this is not the time to say I told you so.
The problem - and here's the real kicker for me - the Liberals could not capitalize on this because the leader couldn't connect with Canadians.
So where does that leave us. A Prime Minister and government that has broken promises and delivered what opponents predicted they would deliver. An opposition that is out of touch, out of step and out of time. A Canadian public more concerned with how much it will cost to heat our homes this winter than who's living at 24 Sussex.
My prediction is that this will be the last election for 2 of our national leaders. I predict that Stephen Harper's Conservative's will win a minority government. I predict more of the same until we wake up and start realizing what is important.
