what is “net neutrality”?

King Ralph, the dominant local politician in my lifetime was ousted early. He will be gone likely by the end of December, 2006. He was first elected Premier in 1992.

I have a soft spot for Ralph Klein. He supported our gymnastics competitions when he was mayor of Calgary in 1980. A real people’s politiician.

Shame he did not read the writing on the wall. A sad end to a unique, controversial career.

Ralph Klein – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

new Bolivian president cuts his own salary

On January 31, 2006 By Rick McIn economics, government1 Comment

The Bush speech writers will likely tone down the emphasis on democracy after Hamas got elected in Palestine and an extreme Socialist was elected in a Bolivian landslide.

Evo Morales, the first indigenous president of Bolivia, took immediate steps to make his mark. He should — the average Bolivian president remains in office less than a year!

It’s a brave gesture. But to me this looks like another chapter in the history of doomed socialist experiments.

Consider building tourism instead, Mr. Morales. Look to Peru.

CNN.com – Bolivian president gives teachers half his pay – Jan 27, 2006

health care – will it be there when you need it?

On January 27, 2006 By Rick McIn bad news, economics, government, health & fitnessLeave a comment

Unlike most every other Canadian, I think the solution to the dilemma is the free market. The much-maligned American way.

Sure the USA model is expensive now — but with time free enterprise should sort that out.

This article came as bad news to me:

America’s health-care crisis | Desperate measures | Economist.com

hospital

Canadian election

On January 23, 2006 By Rick McIn governmentLeave a comment

4 white guys I will not be voting because I was too disorganized to do so before I left the country.

Australians must vote, you know. Even if they are away overseas as many are.

Mandatory voting? Interesting concept though it flies in the face of freedom.

Dali Lama

On December 21, 2005 By Rick McIn governmentLeave a comment

Like the Tibetans, I worry what will happen when their spiritual leader dies.

If only the Chinese would make peace with him before his death. Or at least allow the Dali Lama one last visit to Lhasa.

Not likely.

Tibetans in exile | The wrong side of the mountains | Economist.com

Foreign aid done right?

On December 7, 2005 By Rick McIn government, photosLeave a comment

I check the BBC photo pages daily.

young Afghan girl smiling

This set impressed me. Delivering relief supplies to Afghanistan.

BBC NEWS | In pictures | Getting food to quake survivors

Is Canada the least racist country?

On December 7, 2005 By Rick McIn governmentLeave a comment

graph

People ask me about Canada when I travel. I always tell them that Canada is the least racist country I know.

More than half the citizens of Toronto and Vancouver are foreign born.

These days the economy is thriving so we need not look for someone to blame.

Canada is the only big industrialised country to notch up consistent surpluses both in its federal budgets and in its trade and current accounts. For five years it has had the G8’s fastest growth.

Canada now has the world’s second-biggest oil reserves after Saudi Arabia.

More in a recent Economist magazine article:

Peace, order and rocky government | Economist.com