TheStar.com | Opinion | Cash may never be converted into constructionBut using federal dollars for infrastructure has two powerful political advantages. It gives taxpayers something tangible for their money. And it allows cabinet ministers and government backbenchers to fan out across the country, announcing local projects.
Earlier in the 20th century, governments treated public money with the same puritanical respect that people generally treated their own money in a famously frugal age. It wasn’t that these governments never wasted public money, never misused it. It was that they did everything parsimoniously.
But government waste, though infuriating for taxpayers, is a small thing. The real tragedy lies in the inexorable rise in deliberate spending. In the exponential increases cited by Gordon Robertson, across two or three decades, the most unnecessary spending was entirely intentional, duly instigated by government and duly authorized by Parliament.
Unnecessary government spending is no accident - The Globe and Mail
Owen loves being outside (via Flickr)
Impressive. Japan commits to 20 kW solar panels on all of their 32,000 public schools by 2020 http://bit.ly/CBzsF
Just tried a Galt Knife Old Style beer from Grand River Brewing. Quite tasty.
Owen’s first (captured on film) steps: http://gallery.me.com/mroutley#100189
This is right http://bit.ly/XDNA3 I’ll vote for the party that proposes a credible plan to increase taxes and cut spending.
eHealth Ontario is controversial. But, having just copied my information dozens of times for routine paperwork, we need electronic records.
What makes these service stoppages all the more irritating is that they are unnecessary. Elected politicians can – if they have the nerve – remove the conditions that foster them. Only where cities operate a unionized public monopoly on garbage pickup are city residents potential hostages to a strike vote. And there is no good reason for these monopolies to exist.
Wow, $10,800 per kilowatt of power capacity for nuclear http://is.gd/1zZU9 (via @timbray)
Interesting read on the health effects of wind turbines, with a comparison to coal and nuclear http://bit.ly/S51fv (via @globeandmail)
Family stroll around the neighbourhood. Quite nice outside, if somewhat chilly.
Property rights: the Nisga’a pave the way
www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opin…
Engaging in commercial activity doesn’t make someone less indigenous
Restarting Apple Mail fixes my Notes synchronization problem with the iPhone. Repeat every couple of days.
Replaced stolen electric mower with a manual reel mower. Requires a bit more effort, but works quite well and is much quieter.
Lounging by the kiddie pool after a walk through the park.
Registered for Toronto Hydro’s peaksaver program. My air conditioner is going to join the semi-smart grid and reduce peak load.
http://www.gigatonthrowdown.org/ identifies building efficiency as the lowest cost pathway to achieve 1-gigaton CO2e reduction by 2020.
Bizarre. Someone broke into our garage & stole the landmower, leaving behind more valuable things. Didn’t even take the electrical cord.
Discomfort of my recent capitulation to IT was greatly reduced by #GTD guide to Outlook 2003. Saved hours of fiddling. http://bit.ly/GyObv