By Andrew Coyne, published in The Globe and Mail December 14, 2024.

It was a good primer on this topic. I think the point that the LPC vacancy in these turbulent times - Dump as POTUS - reveals weaknesses in our political system with respect the PM’s power, and should perhaps be cause for reflection, is a valid one.

Less interestingly, it’s been ages since I read an article in The Globe and Mail. I basically had to hold my nose through the paragraphs about Trudeau - 2 to start - that were obnoxiously uncivil. Mr. Coyne wasn’t that complimentary of the CPC, but he certainly wasn’t as vitriolic. It was so icky to read in parts, which perplexes me

I think we also need more strategies to keep the trains moving, especially during rush hours. I think the most common reason I hear for unplanned subway downtime is “security incident” and “medical incident”. I think the (increasing number it seems of) fare enforcement officers is bad spending. As a TTC user they’re of no benefit to me, and I don’t think they effectively reduce fare evasion either - I think the value is crap. I’d rather see security and medical/nursing personnel on trains or at stations to intervene sooner (security and medical incidents, respectively) and keep the trains running.

The crowding at St. George station is getting nuts

Yup they’re all pre-rolled joint tubes from a gov-regulated weed store in Ontario

Conservatives are fiscally responsible /s

As a short or medium term solution, a hospital or public clinic might dispense medication to you directly (and at no charge) if you explain that you’re having difficulty with housing and medication costs at the moment. Those healthcare providers should want to help you stay on your meds for relapse prevention, etc. I’m in Ontario, so I don’t know the QC system, but I could see a walk-in/ED visit providing you with 1 prescription’s worth of meds. If you take part in some programming (e.g., a meeting-per-week program) you might be able to get it for free for months/years

One of our best MPs, that’s for sure

There are people who have to work for there money, and there are people who passively make money (and basically don’t pay taxes on that passive income)

The parallels between the republican/democrat and conservative/liberal parties in that dems/libs are to some degree better than the more right-wing parties but still bent of @#$%ing the working class is tough to stomach

globe and mail editorial endorsement of Freeland to follow 🤦‍ (facepalm)

First off, this move is antithetical to the idea of making the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes. Second, if you’re making $1M on capital gains in a year, you’re not upper middle class or lower upper class - or whatever ‘they’re not that rich’ argument you intend. Third, and most importantly, the upper middle class/lower upper class (to use dated terminology) being taxed on their capital gains is a by-product. These taxes also catch, probably as they are intended to, people making 10 million or 100 million (I can’t imagine lol). And let’s not forget, they didn’t work an hour to make that money.

How come only those of us with jobs should pay income taxes?

Yes. There are so many different specialized kinds of nurses, nurses are highly skilled, and not every procedure needs an MD anesthesiologist. A healthy adolescent or young adult getting wisdom teeth extracted is very different from a medically complex older adult undergoing hip replacement

This is conjecture, but I think it’s protectionism by strong Canadian physicians’ unions. More physicians in the job pool means less job security and earnings potential for those already in it. There are many ways we could get more physicians in the workforce and/or in rural/remote communities that domestic MDs may not want to work in

Homer Simpson voice: mmmmmm… chocolate graveyard

Removed by mod

The Angus Reid poll suggests a connection between income level and Canadian pride. People with incomes below $25,000 were less likely to be proud of Canada (48 per cent), while those with income above $200,000 were more likely (65 per cent), according to the poll.

Westlake is not surprised that one’s finances might influence their love of country. “Cost of living is up, access to health care and access to doctors is something a lot of people are struggling with. Housing prices are up,” Westlake said. “We’re coming out of a period of quite significant inflation. So you have a bunch of these things that hit people in their pocketbooks that tend to shape public opinion in all types of situations that probably reflect poorly on incumbent governments.”

WHoOOooOooOOoo are you talking about? :P

omgosh, so precious 🥰

Depends on the human. Ime anyway :P

Right on!

Wow, cool-looking bird! That’s really neat that you’ve seen that family evolve. I’m a city-dweller with not much greenspace access and I yearn to have something like your magpie family relationship in the future!