Category: economics

how’s that WAR on Drugs working?

On By Rick McIn economics, ethics, gymnastics, health & fitness, product complaintsLeave a comment

Looks like at least $1.5 trillion mostly wasted, so far.

I HATE right wing politicians who trot out this dead horse as a diversion from bigger issues.

The War on Drugs (December 14, 1914 – present) is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, and the stated aim to define and reduce the illegal drug trade. …

… In 1971, President Richard Nixon declared that “drug abuse is public enemy number one” …

On May 13, 2009, Gil Kerlikowske, the current Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), signaled that although it did not plan to significantly alter drug enforcement policy, the Obama administration would not use the term “War on Drugs,” as he claims it is “counter-productive” …

In June 2011, the Global Commission on Drug Policy released a critical report on the War on Drugs, declaring “The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world. …

Obviously, governments have to look at alternatives.

(via Boing Boing)

going to College a BAD investment?

On By Rick McIn economics, education, things getting worseLeave a comment

I talked to a gymnasts’ father this morning at Starbucks. His son has decided on a trade — electrician. No University.

Good call in Canada 2012, in my opinion.

… the spiraling cost of higher education continues to saddle millions of young Americans with a crippling financial burden well before they enter the workforce. …

Click PLAY or watch a FUNNY commentary on YouTube.

Many young people today are best with a trade. Then should use that income to finance their own small business.

Being a full-time Gymnastics Coach has never looked so good as today. Reasonable salary. And plenty of job security.

Romney’s 47%

On By Rick McIn economics, governmentLeave a comment

History will record this video as the beginning of the end of his run for President.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I would loved to have seen Romney TRY to be more fiscally conservative in office. But my gut feel is that Republicans will spend more, on average, than Democrats over the long haul.

Romney is more likely to start a war with Iran than Obama, for example.

cost of University

On By Rick McIn economics, government, product complaints, things getting worse1 Comment

Canada is less expensive than the USA. But it’s getting more expen$ive.

Full-time undergrads in Saskatchewan pay an average of $6,017 / year, compared with the national average $5,581. Ontario is highest at $7,180.

I’ve been hanging out at University of Saskatchewan this past week. Very nice. But I’m less and less convinced that getting an expensive University degree is necessarily the BEST way to go for young people in 2012.

related – Stats Can

Maxed Out – the movie

On By Rick McIn economics, government, movies, product complaints, things getting worseLeave a comment

Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders (2006) is an independent feature-length documentary film and (2007) book that chronicles abusive practices in the credit card industry.

The main premises of the documentary and book are that banks and other creditors deliberately market to people who are more likely to have problems paying and that the creditors benefit from connections to government, the debt collection industry, and from lawmaker apathy. …

Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.

How do credit card companies get away with 20% or 30% interest fees?

How can that be legal?

Shouldn’t they be prosecuted as loan sharks?

You can watch it online FREE.

… This business model is unsustainable. Sooner or later they’ll need to switch to a system where everyone pays a small amount for all loans. No more 0% interest if you pay it off by the end of the month.

GOAL — pay off my credit card debt in 2012. 🙂

can you spare $30 million so I can finish my house?

On By Rick McIn economics, government, moviesLeave a comment

If Romney’s not yet convinced you that the ultra rich cannot afford more taxes, watch this trailer. They have problems, just like YOU.

$ – The Queen of Versailles: How the Biggest House in America Became a Brokedown Palace

$ – At home with the King and Queen of Versailles: America’s biggest (and gaudiest) family home which still costs $65million even though it isn’t finished

Click PLAY or watch a trailer on YouTube.

Clearly there’s no way this family can pay more.

adding a U.S. dollar account

On By Rick McIn economics, product endorsements1 Comment

It was easy.

I dropped in to TD Canada Trust. They quickly added a U.S. Dollar Daily Interest Chequing Account.

This account is perfect if you:

Often make purchases in U.S. dollars
Receive cheques in U.S. dollars
Visit the U.S. a few times each year
Have U.S.-based investments

I’m hoping to SAVE a few bucks avoiding exchange fees.

The only cost on my account is $1 / transaction.

There is another option — Borderless Plan $4.95 / month. I don’t need that much account.

on Arab anti-Americanism …

On By Rick McIn economics, government, Islam, things getting worseLeave a comment

OK … it’s time to leave the Middle East
.
Cost benefit analysis for the interventions in …

• Iraq
• Afghanistan
• Pakistan

Too much cost. Not enough benefit.

In the so-called, War on Terror, it’s time to bring home all troops from all nations. Phase out financial aid.

Arab Muslim nations find their own way. Sink or swim. They are not ready, collectively, for western style democracy.

If you’ve followed this blog, you know I’ve been a big defender of Islam, so often wrongly demonized.

But I’m pretty pissed off by this.

US ambassador to Libya killed in rocket attack

Chris Stevens was a good guy, legitimately trying to help the Libyan people. His motivation was not to “steal the oil”.

Chris Stevens is only one of hundreds of thousands killed over the past 10yrs. But he’s symbolic of how much of the Middle East is not ready for democracy. Not deserving of help from the West. Not valuing help from the West.

The large number of Iraqi people today preferred Saddam. They will have someone like him returned soon, I predict.

Also, the USA cannot afford to continue as policeman to the world. They don’t have the money.

The West should have no boots on the ground in the War on Terror. Instead use technology, including drones, to protect. The priority must be Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.

I feel badly for innocents who will suffer when foreign invaders leave, but they may be better off — long term — than by continuing what we’re doing now.

who will fix broken immigration policy?

On By Rick McIn economics, ethics, governmentLeave a comment

During the Democratic National Convention, Benita Veliz made history during her prime time appearance by being the first undocumented immigrant, or DREAMer, to speak before a national party convention. …

With Benita’s appearance, both parties must confront the issue of what each would do to modernize the nation’s broken immigration system. …

Recognizing their weakness, Republicans in Tampa deliberately ignored the issue of immigration and advisors to Mitt Romney have urged the candidate to avoid it on the campaign trail.

… nominee Mitt Romney has endorsed SB 1070, Arizona’s anti-immigrant law, to become a model for the nation, put forth a “self-deportation” policy, and promised to veto the DREAM Act. …

The Hill

Mexico’s economy is strong. Canada’s is strong. The problem is diminishing over time, the American Dream increasingly less appealing.

But there’s no doubt in my mind that Romney and the Republicans are wrong on this. There’s no way their BS “tough on crime” rhetoric will work.

… Obama’s record on immigration reform, until now, has been far from stellar.

Amnesty should be granted to the best and most productive “illegal” Americans. Over a long time frame.

72,000 so far have applied for “temporary reprieve” under the Obama initiative. A good start.

Unproductive illegals and criminals should be deported. You must earn Amnesty.
_____

Nobody has yet endorsed MY PLAN — That all new citizens of any country be required to take on monthly repayment of their share of the National debt.

For example, if the Canadian debt / person was $33,000 … new Canadians would start paying off that amount as an immigration fee. At, for example, a minimum of 5% of their annual salary / year.

When the $33k is paid off, they are given the right to vote.

If Canada is a desirable country, there should be a cost to become a Canadian.