To those folks interested in financial matters, I would like to encourage you to skim through the first few pages of yesterday's post of The Automatic Earth.

The headline of the post is "2010 Trends: The Year of the Wake-up Call".

The topics covered (in just a few pages) are Sovereign Debt, Local Government Debt, Bank Debt, Business Debt, Consumer Debt, Tax Increases, Foreclosures, Unemployment, Stock Markets, and Unrest.

Also be sure to check out the (short) first news story referenced which is titled "Moody’s warns of 'social unrest’ as sovereign debt spirals"

http://theautomaticearth.blogspot.com/2009/12/december-17-2009-2010-trends-year-of.html

I would have to agree that 2010 is going to be a very interesting year.

Well Ben something I would like you to look into. I made a report on some illegal trucking going on in this town, and the DOT I talked too, let the people i reported on this Information. Victoria called me to investigate, and that was the last I heard. 4 Months ago

miboudreau

pretty vague, what kind of illegal trucking, your statement is not clear,

Just curious.

How's about some philosophy?

There is no such thing as "I can't". There are only choices between will or will not and may or may not.

Happy Friday.

I can't figure that one out?

http://www.vancouversun.com/Liberals+must+divulge+contents+lucrative+contract+awarded/2328989/story.html

Here is an interesting link from the Vancouver Sun about the fight the BC Provincial government is putting up to avoid a freedom of information request regarding their contract with IBM.

I have a petty complaint this morning about the drivers coming off McDermid onto 5th ave. There is a stop sign there, please recognize it and at least attempt to stop. As I pass by it every morning, I now assume people won't stop so I don't get hit!

Driving to the coast for the festive season!
Airline tickets WAY too much at this time of year!
Such greed!
I will be turning my brain off for the duration of the holidays, begining when I leave PG tomorrow morning!
No politics,no Olympics,no news,no stress!
Just a good single malt and maybe a good cigar on Xmas day,and lot's of grandkids!
Merry Christmas all!

Spring...

Isn't McDermid Drive attached to Ospika Blvd?

I lived on Ospika for 4 years and witnessed countless vehicles ignore that stop sign completely. It really is incredibly ridiculous just how many drivers fully ignore that sign.

I'd be willing to bet that in the 4 years I lived their about 50 vehicles had to slam on their brakes when they discovered I was inconveniencing them by driving in accordance with the law.

Why people ignore this particular stop sign I'll never know. But someday, sometime, someone is going to hit an innocent driver.

I’m wondering if it’s the same people who think that exceeding the posted legal speed limit in the fast lanes is justified.

"Do or do not. There is no try."

- Yoda.

---------------

"Airline tickets WAY too much at this time of year!
Such greed!"

It's a little thing called 'supply and demand'. Economics is based on it.

???? What stop sign?

Ah ... Charles ... the eternal pessimist .... LOL

"The topics covered (in just a few pages) are Sovereign Debt, Local Government Debt, Bank Debt, Business Debt, Consumer Debt, Tax Increases, Foreclosures, Unemployment, Stock Markets, and Unrest."

Charles, those kind of articles only perpetuate many of the myths about 'debt'. They fail to tell us, purposefully I would say, (though it may be unwittingly, too, hard as that is for me to believe), just TO WHOM is all this sovereign 'debt' owed?

Surely if a country such as Canada is said to now have a National Debt of somewhere around $ 500 billion, and is thus considered to be the 'poorer' by that amount, then logic would seem to indicate that whoever individually or collectively holds this
$ 500 billion must be considered the 'richer' by that same amount, wouldn't you say?

So who holds this $ 500 billion? For if one party, the Government in this case, "owes" this debt, than the other party, whosoever that may be, must "own" it.

Now if it's the citizens of Canada collectively through their holdings of Canada Savings Bonds, T-Bills, other Government Bonds and such like, just where is the problem?

It's not held 'equally', you say? The 'rich' hold more of it than the 'poor'? Who might not, and most certainly don't, in the majority of cases, hold any of it at all?

Well, now, we've long had a certain left-of-center Party in this country that still believes that the "poor are poor because the rich are rich". It's nonsense, really. But they fervently still believe it.

And that the cure for this is to act like Robin(g) Hood, and take from the 'rich' to give to the 'poor'.

But don't you find it just a little curious that in all the grand pronouncements towards creating the "justice of equality" this certain Party comes out with, there has NEVER been a call from them to REDISTRIBUTE THE NATIONAL DEBT?

To take away those Government debt instruments supposedly greedily accumulated by the 'rich', whoever they may be, and re-distribute them equally amongst all. Why do you suppose that is?

Could it possibly be because most of the National Debt is NOT held by the 'rich' at all? But is rather held by the 'banking system' who created it "out of nothing", as the saying goes, and claim "ownership" of their creation? What really gives them the rights to this "ownership", keeping in mind that the debt itself is secured, not by "nothing", but by a floating charge on the country's national assets, and the Government's ability to TAX?

Have a great trip and enjoy the festive season Andyfreeze.

Commoner posted: "There is no such thing as "I can't". There are only choices between will or will not and may or may not."

Okay, so there is no such thing as "I can't"

How about "I can't hear!"

So you are implying there are no deaf people. There are only those who wish not to hear.

I think you need to provide some conditions to the statement you made unless you really think there are no physical barriers and that they are all psychological barriers.

How about "I can't drive because I have had too much alcohol". Actually they can, except that it is not safe and it is likely illegal. Thus they "will" not drive. But I think "can't" is a more appropriate word because they are actually impaired so they really cannot drive to the standard which society has deemed to be acceptable and safe for everyone concerned.

re: He spoke - ???? What stop sign?

The intersection I'm referring to is where McDermaid connects with Ospika Blvd.

There's a stop sign there because the two streets join in somewhat of a " T "...

But many people believe it's more like a " Y " and that it's okay to just "fit in" as traffic goes by....

I was driving down Brunswick street yesterday and noticed for the first time the two huge, electrified signs for the very temporary location of the H1N1 clinic.

If our health care is in such a financial crunch, wouldn't it have made more sense to have signage that isn't so expensive? I don't get it...

bigmom...H1N1 sign...What do you expect..it was a project done by a bureaucrate who has never signed the front of a cheque in his life. Doesn't know where the money comes from and doesn't care.

Hey folks,fa la la la la it's Christmas in a week. Time to change those crabby pants into happy pants. How about a week of saying nice things? Like...what do I like about PG or what do I like about BC or tell us what you are doing for the holidays.

Merry Christmas to all and have a safe and happy one.

I am not sure what an electrified sign is. I have not seen it.

Perhaps it is a standard "readerboard" sign that can be programmed for the occasion and is used in other places when needed by northern health.

Nope, That would have been such a great idea, though - and well spent money. These signs have a back light so that they can be seen in the dark - perhaps they did that because the clinic was open until 8pm. But it's definitely a one use sign - next year when we have the H2N2 flu, we'll have to cough up for new signs...

It's pretty much guaranteed that if they went with a 'cheaper' sign someone would've complained about that too.

Nope, That would have been such a great idea, though - and well spent money. These signs have a back light so that they can be seen in the dark - perhaps they did that because the clinic was open until 8pm. But it's definitely a one use sign - next year when we have the H2N2 flu, we'll have to cough up for new signs...

I have a question? I was watching history channel about WW2 the other day, and got to thinking. Before the war the world was in a depression, so were did the money come from to gear up for the war. The U.S. came out as a rich superpower after the war. Again where did all the money come from?

Just listenened to Meisner with guest Councillor Cameron Stolz talking about the DBIA. I have come to the conclusion that Ben Meisner is a bully and why anyone would bother to subject themselves to his abuse is beyond me. It is also very apparent he is totally biased in his reporting - guess that comes with not being a professional. Cameron - you did a good job and I hope Meisner eats crow when all is said and done with the vote.

Philosophically speaking:

"How about "I can't hear!"

Simple: I am unable to hear.
***
"...Thus they "will" not drive."

Again simple, they may not. They are prohibited by law therefore they do not have permission. They still may choose to drive or not.
***
"Do or do not. There is no try."

- Yoda.

I like it MrPG!

So how does everyone like the new Lotto Max Lottery?

I was in Vernon again recently and there seems to be a regular flow of Letters to the Editor" from people who dislike it.

I've read things such as... charging twice as much for an entry level ticket (6 bucks for the Lotto Max) is too much... to comments about the 50 million dollar Max prize is WAY TOO MUCH for one ticket holder to win.

Some people I've talked to have said they think the top prize should be in the 10 million dollar range and anything over that should be slit into 1 million dollar amounts.

Me personally... I buy 6/49 tickets and don't want to enter into a 24 dollar a month payment plan just for the opportunity to have odds that are compared to the chance of getting struck by lightning... I'm already doing that with the 6/49 and certainly don't want to put out cash for every darn draw out there just to make sure I cover all my lottery bases.

So I choose to stick to the 6/49.

How about you... any thoughts?

Watch out for people trying to scam you for money on your gas bill. Superior energy is out again. Had a rep come to my door saying they were just out to make sure that me and my neighbors were "price protected". Don't show these people your Terasen gas bill, in fact don't even talk to them. They work on a commission basis and they want to sign you up and lock you into a 5 year contract that will cost you roughly $600 a year in gas charges. Gas prices have been falling, and your Terasen bill will reflect this with savings to you. This company makes money preying on the vulnerable and the uninformed. They are slick and without a conscious. They will allude to being somehow affiliated with Terasen and will flash you a pamphlet from Terasen regarding deregulation of the industry and infer that they are affiliated with them or that Terasen thinks you should be giving them the time of day. Don't entertain them with your time. Tell them to get off your property, and call and warn your neighbours. They are nothing but scam artists.

toolittletoolate. Hardly a revelation. Why would you subject yourself to his program in the first place?

seamutt, They went into debt, they sold victory bonds, victory stamps. Even us kids raised money for the "war effort".

It was a noble effort to fight the "Hun". Man they had us brain washed like never before.

We went from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy. For us at home it was a God send. We were able to find jobs and to prosper.

Was it worth it. I dont think so. Forty thousand young Canadians never came home. We would of survived without the war.It would of taken longer to stabalize our economy. Hind sight is twenty-twenty.

How we would of coped with the Nazi regime is another story. Appears the German people thought it was OK.
Cheers

Re:Junco

VERY GOOD ADVICE INDEED. AVOID ANYONE TRYING TO GET YOU TOO SWITCH YOUR GAS PROVIDER FROM TERASEN.

I have encountered these people from Superior Energy before and they are very very tricky with their wording.

EVERYONE I know who has been tricked into switchnig has always had to pay more than the Terrasen rates.

By the way... isn't there a 30 day period where you can cancel the new contract if you have second thoughts?

I've heard this but I don't know.

"So I choose to stick to the 6/49.

How about you... any thoughts?"

You'll never win it, so what's the point? Lotteries are a voluntary tax.

The gas company scam artists have been to my door as well. They'll say anything to get you to sign on the dotted line. And yes, you have 30 days to cancel any contract you might be tricked into signing with these guys. I won't be fooled, but I feel sorry for the more vulnerable and gullible people out there.

My motto for 2010:

Every day is a good day, although some are better than others.

I am male. I can't give birth to a baby.

A Happy Holidays to everyone! Ben, keep up the good work!

Cheers!

re:MrPG - You'll never win it, so what's the point? Lotteries are a voluntary tax.


I may never win... but a good friend of mine won 2.5 million... so it always gives me a little hope.

"I may never win... but a good friend of mine won 2.5 million... so it always gives me a little hope."

That's what the BCLC counts on to keep the money rolling in.

Commoner want's to abolish the word "can't"

In the phrase you state: "I am male. I can't give birth to a baby." Commoner would like you to say you are "unable to give birth to a baby."

So, let us then take that further.

1. Cannot is the opposite of can.
2. Unable is the opposite of able.

So, if commoner wants to get rid of "can't", it would be logical to say that commoner should also get rid of "can".

I am all for making the English language simpler. Let us get rid of redundant words.

What distinguishes "able" from "can"? If they are redundant, which word should we get rid of?

"I am able to walk"

"I can walk"

It is obvious, in my view, that we should keep "can" and discard "able" in the interest of brevity. Keep the verb, drop the adverb.

Newtechie and Mr.PG re:Gas scammers.
I had read once that you only had 10 days to cancel and that included weekends and holidays in the mix, so even less time because all were not working days. There is another company so it might be different for each one. Regardless, they should be run out of town on a rail.

Lotto Max lottery should revamp their payout as well as their prices. I too think they should make 10 million top prize and make the rest million dollar prizes. They are just greedy and decided that even if they raised the prices, enough people would still be compelled to buy.Gambling addiction being what it is. Innocuous enough I guess if you are an occasional player and are spending within your means.However you are in trouble when you just have to have that lotto ticket rain or shine. Fine if you have the money to "donate", not so good when you don't. I buy the odd mini dip. It gives me one set of numbers with a chance to win on 649 and BC49 with the extra. $4 and I get to fantasize for a few days. Cheap entertainment for me and no one in my family is going without because of it. Anyone reading this and thus deciding to go with this combination and then winning...well remember who suggested it, ha,ha Remember the little people:}

--16,500 delegates and reporters, 152 world leaders, and approximately 150,000 protestors, celebrities and other climate clingers have dieseled in on jets from all over the world to ride in limousines, scarf scallops and caviar, and preach to the rest of us working stiffs about wasting energy and eating too much meat.

Copenhagen climategate

^^^^ It's funny because it's true! ^^^^

Scallop anyone?

"It is obvious, in my view, that we should keep "can" and discard "able" in the interest of brevity. Keep the verb, drop the adverb."

Gus: "can" is a 3rd person auxilliary verb and "able" is an adjective. "Will" is a verb. So using your logic, we shall keep "will" and drop the rest. :0P

Maybe they planted trees... Really folks, we are a little dumb on 250. We bitch about climategate and such when the SMART folks are cashing in. There has to be a lot of money to be made here. Case in point, a concert a few years ago wanted to be carbon neutral so they planted about 10000 trees. They died of course, as they were planted in unsuiitable ground, HOWEVER, they paid a fair bit of coin for those trees, and reaped a bit fat exucse for generating all that carbon for the concert. Those of you who are familiar with tree planting here in the north know that 10,000 trees represents about 4 to 10 man days to plant. How much money do you figure there out there, off-setting methane emissions from 'concerned' citizens groups or 'green' companies, planting areas not otherwise scheduled to be plan... Wait! Forget isaid anything. I havbe to go look into something...

Speaking of planting trees for carbon credits has anyone seen the trees that were planted out on the Moldowan forest road on the old Berger and Rainer ranch? The company that sells French's Mustard, Frank's hotsauce and lysol just to name a few purchased the property to plant trees and get carbon credits. I believe the company is Reckitt Benckiser, they have operations in 60 countries. I took a drive down that road a couple of years ago and saw all the earth mounded up and was curious as to why. Was surprised at the answer.This would be a good piece for the local rag. A lot of people would find the story interesting I think.

It is not that I wish to abolish the word "can". The point is how each of us views our place in the world. I believe each of us is more than what we do to earn our livings. I also believe that there are no limitations only those we choose to place over ourselves.

When someone says, "I can't do that because..." what are they actually saying to themselves? The individual is making an excuse to justify their current condition and/or remove themselves from responsibility for their own action(s).

For example, if one is dissatisfied with their job they might say they can't change jobs because of the income they receive from it. What they might not realize or be refusing to accept is that they in fact are choosing to stay. Perhaps the person is unwilling to make the change out of fear. Or they might enjoy complaining about their dissatisfaction because that is what is considered "normal" for them.

So, in fact there is no such thing as "I can't" - only the will to make the personal change.

:)

This year I chose not to avail myself with a H1N1 flu shot. I'm still alive. I laugh at death. What an overblown exercise. Who paid what, to who, how much, and when? What are they gonna do with all the extra vaccines they are stuck with? Again, it's only money. We got lots of that.

eatsbushesshoots&leaves, I must have been having a weak moment - you are so right. Never again.

I would like to thank the residents of Candy Cane as well as the countless others in this city who have put together so many beautiful displays of Christmas lights. Taking my three year old to look at all the lights and seeing the amazement on his face and hearing the excitement in his voice has brought me much Christmas joy....and seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child again has been magical. Thank you.
Merry Christmas!

"This year I chose not to avail myself with a H1N1 flu shot. I'm still alive. "

I got the shot and I'm still alive too.

Good for me.

Seamutt:-"I have a question? I was watching history channel about WW2 the other day, and got to thinking. Before the war the world was in a depression, so were did the money come from to gear up for the war. The U.S. came out as a rich superpower after the war. Again where did all the money come from?"
-----------------------------------------

Retired:-"seamutt, They went into debt, they sold victory bonds, victory stamps. Even us kids raised money for the "war effort".

It was a noble effort to fight the "Hun". Man they had us brain washed like never before."
==========================================

When it comes to "money", we were well and truly 'brainwashed' for a whole decade before anyone marched off to fight the "Hun".

And that process continues today. You can see that from what's included in Charles's 'pessimistic' articles, as Gus calls them.

What they, and thousands of others like them, are intentionally telling us. Namely, that mere "figures" are more important than the physical reality they are supposed to be, but are increasingly not, an accurate "reflection" of.

But NOT so that we'll change the "figures" to make them do what they're supposed to do, and "reflect" that physical reality. But rather to try (again, and fail) to change the reality to fit these "figures."

And so we're told that we can't expect to have proper services, ones that are actually improving continually as we grow ever more efficient in our REAL ability to deliver them, but that we have to devolve into some condition of stringency and rationalizing, because "there's no money". What utter nonsense!

There has never been any country that had to stop fighting a war because it "ran out of money". It might have had to quit if it ran out of soldiers, or munitions, or food, etc.. Or its been "bombed back into the Stone Age" by its enemies, and has nothing left to fight with. But not ever because it's run out of "money". 'Financially', a war can go on forever. It's a great stimulus for an industrial economy's 'finances', as WW II so amply demonstrated.

To answer your question, seamutt, the "money" to fight World War Two was created by the banking system "out of nothing" as a debt to the banking system.

The sale of SOME of this debt to the public through Victory Bonds and the like, paid for out of personal savings or wages, simply legitimized the process.

Hey, MrPG My guess is that you don't laugh at death. Maybe next time.

I have to say there is way too many overly aggressive drivers who drive too fast for road conditions in the winter. I drove home from Prince George last night in a full blown white out. I dropped my speed down to 60 kph and basically kept it between the ditches. I was passed by 4 pick-ups at various times and 1 trucker.

Now I am not saying that I am the worlds best driver but when it is snowing so hard that you can't see beyond the friggin hood of the vehicle you are driving then it is time to slow down.

Also, there is a problem with you if you feel comfortable driving at that speed during a Blizzard. No matter what you tell me there is NO WAY you can get that vehicle stopped in time to avoid an accident on a snow covered icy highway driving at 110 kph. Speed limits are there for times when you can drive at OPTIMUM conditions with plenty of visibility.

Some people are too stupid to drive.