Piece Meal Deal no this is not KFChicken it's Muskrat

From what I read in the Telegram today - the provincial government is attempting to change a deal on the fly. This reminds me of Premier Lord in New Brunswick when Hydro-Quebec was attempting to buy that province's energy company.

Minister of Natural Resources is quoted in the Telegram story as saying "There are going to be benefits for the people of Labrador, and they will become clearer as this process unfolds and more information gets out." Skinner also said of Danny Dumeresque's critique of the deal, "I'm just concerned that he's out trying to say it's a bad deal when all the terms of the deal have not been negotiated."

I would like to add for Minister Skinner's benefit, that it is not only Danny Dumeresque concerned about the proposed deal and that others have more fundamental concerns regarding the entire approach. I for one can say that the whole proposal negates the fundamental principles of developing renewable hydro for industrial development in Labrador.

All of this was in response to a survey conducted with Labradorians by MP Todd Russell regarding the Muskrat Falls development proposal. See Below and also at the Heart of Labrador

RUSSELL RELEASES PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF MUSKRAT FALLS SURVEY

Results for those surveys processed as of February 8^th are as follows:

On the main question, “Do you support or oppose the proposed Muskrat Falls agreement?”,

·         45% of respondents strongly oppose and 13% somewhat oppose;

·         12% strongly support and 20% somewhat support;

·         10% are not sure.

Results from other questions reveal public concerns about the economic, environmental, and other aspects of the proposed project:

Q1. Does the proposed Muskrat Falls development provide enough benefit for the people of Labrador? — 83% NO.

Q2. Are you concerned about the environmental impacts of the proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 78% YES.

Q3. Have Labradorians been properly consulted about the proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 78% NO.

Q4. Do you feel that you have enough information about the proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 83% NO.

Q5. Should Muskrat Falls power be available in Labrador for residential and commercial customers? — 95% YES.

Q6. Does the proposed agreement respect the Aboriginal rights of Innu, Inuit, and Metis in Labrador? — 67% NO.

Q7. Are you satisfied with the proposed employment benefits for Labrador residents? — 66% NO.

Q8. Do you believe that Labrador will receive a fair share of revenues from Muskrat Falls power sales? — 86% NO.

Q9. Should a dedicated Labrador development fund be a condition of a proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 83% YES.

Q10. Do you support federal funding for transmission lines to Newfoundland or Nova Scotia? — 46% NO, 40% YES. (This was the only question on which opinion is “split”.)

Q11. Do you feel that Labradorians will be the “primary beneficiaries” of the proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 87% NO.

To "have" or not to "have" that is the question

We have a problem here. This "have" status that we are relishing is nothing more than a mathematical equation that Ottawa created to punish Newfoundland and Labrador over our bad behavior.

The equalization formula has changed and we are now "have" because the mathematics of the new equation says we are. Translated - we lose a ton of money and we are now a "have" province. Broadcasting, commentating, reporting, or investigative can somebody please in the media examine this issue.

What is "have" now - what did it used to be?

How much money are we losing for being a "have" province?

Since Danny started his campaign against Ottawa how much money have we lost?

The 2 billion we gained; what happened exactly to that money and how much did we lose because of the way we spent it?

How are we a "have" province when our unemployment level remains in the mid teens - currently 14.3 per cent?

How are we a "have" province when our infrastructure is so deteriorated?

How are we a "have" province when during the time of this crossover we lost two paper mills, fish plants, industry?

Let's look at two comparisons - the Americans feel they are in the throws of a recession  when their unemployment level remains in the single digits and Iceland the proud independent country of less than 300,000 people - that just took a significant hit as other European countries who suffered from the stock market crimes - has an unemployment rate of 8 percent in the middle of the worst economic disaster they have faced.


Then let's look at the opposite - Quebec remains a "have not" province and actually receives greater equalization than any other province and their unemployment rate sits at 7.6 per cent - houses half the federal government - still sits with tremendous industry much developed on the back of our Upper Churchill power - still have their paper mills and a tremendous aerospace presence.

Ontario the newly become "have not" province has an unemployment rate of 8.1 percent, houses the other half of the federal government, industry over industry and those which Canadians have just bailed out of the stock crisis such as the auto giants. The land of we have the best of everything and the largest population.

Seriously people - and please some reputable journalist have a go at this - this "have" status only represents one thing. Danny Williams was unable to convince Harper to live up to his promise on non-renewable resources related revenues (be able to remain in the province) - so that once the oil resource is depleted we will something to show for it and have infrastructure which would allow our continued survival.

The formula which made us a "have" province and Ontario a "have not" has done exactly the opposite. We will continue to lose and when the oil is gone we are finished. Ontario will still continue to shine under it's favorite child status.

So on the provincial level - what are we doing? Nothing - the irony is that tremendous loss of revenues because Harper did what he did has made Danny a hero. Why? He lost the fight - and that's okay - the problem is he quit the fight. There is no doubt that Harper lied - but what did we really do about it?

They are now proposing to giveaway the Lower Churchill in order to drive a short term economy. This will result in nothing more that the further ruination of our future. There are no long term gains in this - we will lose and we will find ourselves subservient again to Hydro Quebec.

Danny Dumeresque - continues to talk about the giveaway and the bad deal regarding recalled power - and that is accurate but what he fails to tell you is that when he and the Liberals with hydro under Dean MacDonald gave away management authority of the Churchill Falls Labrador Corporation (Upper Churchill) to Hydro Quebec - so even though Newfoundland and Labrador owns two thirds and Hydro Quebec one third - Hydro Quebec - in many significant areas of planning and management - has the ability to block us. Funny there was no problem changing the terms of the Upper Churchill contract then.

As people we must protect what we have left and we and the media need to take a critical look at what we are being fed. We must be able to debate these issues openly and honestly and we need the media to concentrate more on journalism and less on reporting and editorials.

On your Ballot - write the words - I want a public inquiry!

I listened to Paul Dicks this week - through a prepared statement doing a few things. They were very similar - in fact too similar to Walter Noel's reappearance a few days earlier. Both of them said I made errors in judgement - both were sorry - then both of them claimed they were within the rules.

Walter Noel and Paul Dicks were Cabinet Ministers - Dicks was Minister of Justice and Attorney General and the Minister of Finance. Noel was Minister of Government Services and Minister of Mines and Energy. Both have premium pensions for their public service. What a pathetic sight they were - either deliberately taking advantage of a flawed system - they were part of controlling - or not possessing the ability until now to determine what they were doing was wrong.

As Ministers what were they responsible for? The two geniuses voted to sell Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - both were involved in energy planning and Lower Churchill discussions. The finances of the province were in Paul's hands and to make matters worse so was the Department of Justice.

This whole mess is more serious than these two people let on - and they know it. These individuals did make judgements of others and they made decisions on behalf of you and me. How reasoned were those decisions?

Dicks announced last week that he was going to pay back the money spent on art and wine. I am curious - where is the art? Where is the wine? If they were purchased as Dicks claims - as a result of errors in judgement - have these items appreciated? If we were to conclude that Dicks purchased these assets with our money - in a sense a loan - which he now is paying back - where is the interest?

How did "intelligent" men believe that buying art - wine - and Christmas presents out of a constituency allowance was okay? They were sitting MHA's and Ministers - did they not think to ask their fellow MHA's on the Internal Economy Commission about the appropriateness of such spending? Did they not - all on their own - think it might be reasonable to suggest a change in the rules?

Paul Dicks is a lawyer practicing with the firm Benson-Myles and is currently a Director of the Bank of Canada. Is this alright? If these two were in charge of setting rules for corporate spending and later it was determined that they made rules in the best interest of themselves versus the shareholders - what might happen? I don't know but Conrad Black might have part of the answer. Yet Walter insists that while he made an error in judgement - he was only making the same errors as if he was in the private sector. Okay Walter try it out - and we will watch your progress.

A public inquiry must occur so that we can ask these people what exactly they were doing. We can also bring up and sort out the whole sordid affair of booting the Auditor General out of their books - ironically brought about by the AG's concern over expenditures made by Dicks.

Instead these people ride off into the pensioned sunset - living with reputations that have been false - but helped them carry on into private life. Let's say the Dick's spending had become public when he was still in office - would he have received the same opportunities after he left?

Would Junior Achievement of Canada looked at him the same way? Would the Federal Minister of Finance have offered him a board appointment to the Bank of Canada? Would Benson - Myles have offered him a position with that law firm? We might never know the answers to these questions and fortunately for Dicks - enough time had passed before the discovery for him to establish himself financially and professionally. The question now is will he be asked to do the right thing or will he offer to do the right thing and resign from positions he now holds - and like so many others of us - have to start again - and again.

All of this is notwithstanding that Wally Anderson is on the campaign trail with Danny Dumaresque - Randy Collins has taken up a great job again with his union - Paul Dicks is living high on somebodies hog - Walter has shown his head during the federal Liberal leadership contest and in this provincial campaign. If no criminal convictions come out of the current charges - it does not change what the Auditor General found. It does not change the over-spending and inappropriate spending.

For all of this this Danny is still making excuses for these people - Gerry does not even want to talk about it - Tom Rideout says he will repay the bonus constituency payment when he loses or retires out of his severance. Not one of them give a damn that thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians do not want to vote - as they are sickened by the whole works of them. Then they come out and ask people to vote - and tell them nothing is accomplished by not voting.

I say to people - go vote - mark the ballot up - send whatever message you want - write in names - scratch off names - or better yet mark in the words - "I want a Public Inquiry".

What are we here anyway? There are people named in the AG report with significant "errors in judgement" who are running again. What have we been reduced to?

Vote against "giveaway" mentality and

I am entitled to my entitlements...

This morning I found out a Liberal is running in my district. Joining Tom Osbourne - incumbent and Clyde Bridger for the NDP is Rex Gibbons.

Well St. John's South - you now have the opportunity to get rid of the remaining vestiges of the "giveaway" mentality.

It is time to tell Rex Gibbons again that attempting to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was not only a bad idea (and still is) - but it would have dramatically increased our electric bills - denied the province of hundreds of millions of revenues - and eliminated a great asset owned by our children and one which has become the core of our new energy corporation.

It is time for Rex to retire - and the policies he espouses should retire with him. His take on energy is not only naive it is dangerous - as it would continue to turn over our resources to billion dollar multi-nationals with less than maximum return to us - the people.

It is time to send the Liberal Party a message - that if they want to attract new ideas and people - the front-line must move to the back. If the party is to be rebuilt for 2011 - then Rex Gibbons - Walter Noel - Scott Andrews - Danny Dumaresque - John Efford - Roger Grimes and Norm Whelan have to relinquish the stranglehold they have on its future. You see when the Party President and Campaign Chair have to run - the Libs are no longer membership driven - they are desperate to return to the "glory days" of Clyde Wells and Brian Tobin for their own satisfaction. When you think about it - would Danny Williams want it any other way? For as much as Danny has become a folk hero the Liberals have become a folk villain.

This is not a case of taking one for the party when it is down - this is "it's my party" and nobody else is allowed to come. They will cling to their pathetic grasp of power by the fingernails - until finally it is all gone. They will take the party down further rather than relinquish their self-appointed titles (including the leadership). For them watching new people take the helm is painful - they should take that out on Tobin - not the party or the people.

St. John's South is in a wonderful position to say - we reject your giveaway mentality and we reject a party that is a social club for a few wannabes and hangers-on.

Rex Gibbons will not get my vote.

I have never heard from Rex - that privatizing Hydro - would have been a bad idea - have you?

Doubling our population with the Tories and convenient Liberal policies regarding Labrador.

Doubling our population

$1000 and a chair in daycare ought to do it!!

If the Premier wants to double the population of this province he had better rethink his policies regarding Labrador resources.

If we doubled our population to a million - how would we energize the houses?
To double our population we would have to substantially increase industry and business - how would we energize that?
If this type of industrial development is going to occur - how are we attracting them - with our hydro-power?

There is no doubt Labrador could triple its population relatively quickly - just enact a law that hydro-power will not be exported and let industry know if they want to use that resource they have to come here to get it.

Williams might also be pleasantly surprised when he realizes that necessary infrastructure in Labrador would come quicker if industry moved in. Further the resources in Labrador - renewable power - is likely to keep industry here longer than non-renewables such as oil and gas.

After making a statement like that to the media - the media MUST ask him about his energy plan (pamphlet).

Convenient Liberal policy on Labrador Resources

Listening to Karen Oldford - Liberal candidate Labrador West - on Bill Rowe now - she has seen the light - we should use Labrador power to attract industry there. You don't say Karen - because the Liberal team for the past 15 years did not see it that way. Always good to jump on a "Sue's" bandwagon when the policy flies. Was not that long ago that your buddies were trying to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador hydro - then after the people stopped it - your buddies - ie. Danny Dumaresque seen the light. Remember too Karen that both Brian Tobin and Roger Grimes were looking at exporting power to Quebec.

Let me tell you what I've learned about Liberal Policy - they don't like to acknowledge where it came from - they love stealing it - after the work has been done to promote it - then they drag out a bunch of Johnny come Lately's to espouse it. Looks good on you. The same way medicare came to be - so goes the Liberals.

I remember Karen Oldford saying - when she chose the Liberals over the NDP in the bye-election - she looked at the Liberal policy before making a final decision. Hey Karen, what are you looking at now for Energy Policy? The Liberals would not do an energy plan - and never held public consultations for that purpose.

Whatever sells - whatever gets us elected is the order of the day.

I for one am sad to see the Labrador Party pull back - though I understand the purpose - the only thing the party supporters should do now is get a written commitment from the Liberals and the NDP as to what the energy policy will be regarding the Lower Churchill.

What is an opportunist??? Whose knocking on your door???

Can't vote Liberal - Energy Policy by Gibbons and Dumeresque

Voting Liberal means returning to the energy policies of Clyde Wells and Rex Gibbons - PRIVATIZATION included and further deters any ownership of oil and gas projects. And worse he tries to dupe the media - or he does not understand the issue at all.


It's no secret that I have policy issues with the Premier. I support his move to acquire equity in the oil patch - but I do not support his failed fisheries policy - failed rural policies - and especially the suggestion that Lower Churchill power be exported. The "pamphlet" he calls an "energy plan" could have been written in a few nights by myself and a couple of energy zealots. Further it is an insult to Labradorians - simple as that.

I also don't like his style - the Führer comment that got him into an outrage - pontificating on hitting below the belt. The Premier says they will do the campaign without getting into "gutter" politics. The truth is - the man threatened civil servants - threatened to sue bloggers - and generally is a bully. He surrounds himself with "experts" as long as they are his buddies or past business partners.

I support his stand on removing non-renewable resource revenues from equalization - but he is doing nothing practical to make "Steve" live up to his promises.

He's just dragged out the joint management of the fishery again and his desire to see Canada take custodial management of the nose and tail of the Grand Banks - but oddly when Loyola Hearn reneged on this promise - he claimed Tom Rideout and the provincial government agreed with changes made to NAFO on surveillance and penalties. Then the whole works of them got rid of FPI - no equity there. This also includes the Liberals who did not want to upset some of the potential for political contributions.

But let's get to it.

Gerry Reid has just added another piece of logic to his "no equity" policy. Now he says Norway just took equity because it needed to kick start it's offshore - in the same way that Canada did when it took equity in Hibernia.

Why then Gerry does Norway continue to take equity position? Why then Gerry does Norway continue to be a major shareholder in Norsk Hydro? How about this?

Norway has produced this year - a "simple" easy to follow "FACT" sheet on the petroleum sector. Here's a sample found in the document.

The government receives a large share of the value created through:

* Taxation of oil and gas activities

* Charges/fees

* Direct ownership in fields on the Norwegian continental shelf (through the State’s Direct Financial Interest, SDFI)

* Dividends from ownership in Statoil

The State’s Direct Financial Interest (SDFI) is an important source of state revenues, in addition to taxes, fees and dividends from its ownership in Statoil. SDFI is an arrangement in which the state owns interests in a number of oil and gas fields, pipelines and onshore facilities. Each government take is decided when production licences are awarded and the size of the state interest varies from field to field. As one of several owners, the state pays its share of investments and costs, and receives a corresponding share of the income from the production licence.

Gerry - regardless of what Rex says - trying to sell the media that crap is bound to come back and bite you.

And Gerry - let me cut this off at the pass - on Hydro...

Just last month - and based on the current and future value of hydro-power the Government of Norway issues this News Release:

The right of reversion – The Government secures public ownership of hydropower

It says in part:

Today, a provisional decree has been passed in the King’s Council with instant effect which is considered to bring the right of reversion in accordance with the ruling of the EFTA Court and the EEA agreement. It is stated that the basic principle of public ownership of the Norwegian hydropower resources at state, regional and local level is being maintained. It will no longer be given licenses for acquisition of waterfalls and hydropower plants to private actors. Such actors can, however, still own one third of public owned hydropower plants, Mr. Enoksen says.

and

I am very pleased that we have reached an arrangement which completely keeps our most important renewable resource on public hands. We maintain public ownership at state, county and municipal level and thus secure all public hydropower owners rights to the hydropower without time limits, Minister Odd Roger Enoksen states.

Voting Liberal means returning to the energy policies of Clyde Wells and Rex Gibbons - PRIVATIZATION - included and further deters any ownership of oil and gas projects. And that goes for Party President and Candidate Danny Dumeresque (another Clyde boy that promoted and apparently still does support the ideology of privatizing hydro).

The Weakest Link

It's real easy to beat up on Gerry Reid today - the polls are miserable for the Liberals - to say the least.

As the Leader of the Official Opposition - Gerry's pay is a little more - but he's certainly not compensated for the load placed on his shoulders.

There is no doubt - now - to people who care about the existence of a Liberal Party and who genuinely want to rebuild it - from the bottom up - with complete top-down replacement - that the policies and the people delivering them are not resonating with the voters.

This is not just Gerry Reid - he just wears it. First of all almost half of people who will at least admit they will vote Liberal - will not back their leader - they choose Danny or are undecided. That's a tough one for the party and it's advisers - who chose to place Gerry Reid up-front despite the numbers showing he is lagging behind the party. That was and is a a strategical error in the Liberal campaign. Secondly the Liberal policies (such as they are)are not being supported by Liberals let alone the general population. Thirdly "New Liberalism" is an oxymoron if delivered by Gerry Reid - Danny Dumeresque - Rex Gibbons - John Efford - Norm Whelan - Walter Noel - and Roger Grimes. "New Liberalism" must fall to the party supporters - who clearly want a change in the old "party".

So while Gerry wears the shirt - the rest of them are responsible for manufacturing it.

There are real issues out there to challenge the Premier on - but if the communications director and other staffers and executive - don't see immediate media interest - it is placed on the back-burner. Currently there Liberal leadership seems to take direction from the media - which ultimately traps them into Danny's message. Generally speaking the local "journalists" are frightened to death - disinterested - and/or incapable of doing the necessary investigative pieces needed in a democracy - when the Opposition is weak. There are some exceptions - usually in the Telegram or on the Fisheries Broadcast. Outside of that - we get carnage - school opening - doggy-doo - red herrings - and an update of government News Releases.

The whole cable-gate fibre-optic fiasco would be hammered by Opposition and media alike in any other province. But since Kelvin Parsons made the slip in the House of Assembly of saying - the deal might be alright - while challenging the process - not a word. The Liberal caucus has buried it.

The energy plan that has been promised time and time again - has still not been released - despite the announcement of a wind project - the issuing of a draft on the gas royalty regime - to the major oil and gas players - but not to the public or media. The energy plan still in hiding despite the continuation of Lower Churchill discussions - and work in the field. Without that plan we cannot know what this government believes will be the energy needs for Newfoundland and Labrador for the next 50 years. Therefore the direction for the Lower Churchill is cart before the horse. But the Libs say nothing and worse have not released any suggestions of their own.

The sale of FPI - and the disregard of this government respecting the value of the marketing arm - and it's disposal to Nova Scotia. The joke of a fisheries conference and the continued out-migration of our people caused by the instability in this our most valuable natural renewable resource.

Instead of hammering and hammering on the Stephenville mill or the situation with the Metis - they continue to fall all over the Hebron MOU and the Premier's position with the oil magnates.

Inconsistency in policy by this Premier when it comes to equity positions and demands for processing facilities - goes unchallenged.

The non-response to the restructuring of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - and what the real potential problems might be. The piece meal privatization of generation projects such as the wind project - which sees Newfoundlanders and Labradorians paying the Italian Government for energy.

To hold a News Conference to say - we will lower fees for your automobile - seems a little shallow when compared to the astronomical decisions which have to be made.

It still amazes me that cling-ons of the Liberal Party - demand to keep control - and do - despite the outright rejection of the voters. This is what happened to the federal Tories and if this continues here - there will be a wipe-out of this Liberal Party.

MHA Roland Butler was just on VOCM talking about matters in his district - when Randy Simms asked him about the poll. He answered "...we can't ignore what the polls are saying..." well yes Roland - unfortunately the Party is ignoring what the polls have been and are saying - that is the problem. Roland also mentioned the polling is done with 400 or so people - no - that's wrong - they alter the numbers every other poll - this time over 800 people were polled. This is something the staffers might have advised him on.

The Liberal Party has chosen to promote its weakest link heading into this fall election - I only hope there are Liberals who are seeking office - who reject this decision and keep their feet firmly on the ground in their chosen districts - and stick to what works for their particular constituency. Remember people - there are and could be some backbench members that will have less of a voice than a strong Opposition member.

Although the numbers for the PC Party are astronomical - Danny is still ahead of his party - that's something neither the Liberals nor the NDP can campaign on. The NDP may hang on to their traditional vote and may even take some from the Liberals - but Lorraine's leadership is limited to maintaining the one seat the Party has kept - primarily because Signal Hill - Quidi Vidi has become a seat of entitlement for the NDP - something which also must change.

I await with interest to see if the hold-up in the St. John's East Tory nomination - is not being held to "Marshall" the cable guy's agenda. Will we see Ken or Steve come forward in the next couple of days? Despite Jerome Kennedy's billing as the star winger - the center-man has yet to emerge for the Ballard - oops I mean William's team.

For Newfoundland and Labrador - the loss in not restricted to the Liberals imploding - it may also include the loss of the Lower Churchill as a key growth potential for Labrador - as the Premier gets drunker on "power".

The People's Paradox

Kowtowing to a savior.
Is this what we want from our provincial MHA's or federal MP's?






What the people say they want - what the political parties will tolerate - and our weak 2 party sharing system.

How many times have you heard people express dismay when politicians tow the party line instead of standing for the position widely held by a particular constituency?

When Charlene Johnson - Trevor Taylor - and Harry Harding stood by the party during the RMS fiasco in the fishery - despite the wishes of the fishermen - people were angry and perplexed - it also turned out they were right - but 1 fishing season suffered catastrophic consequences.

When Stephenville lost the paper mill - workers wondered where Joan Burke and Jim Hodder were.

When Loyola Hearn - Fabian Manning - and Norm Doyle did not support this province respecting the broken equalization promise - people were angry and still are.

When John Efford did his song and dance over equalization - while Paul Martin was trying to get out of his promise - people were shocked and upset.

When John Hickey ignored the broken promise of his leader to the Metis Nation - people in Labrador were incensed.

What all these people - some of them long-standing respected politicians - chose to do - was tow the party line.

The people claim they want a representative who will stand by them and their communities - and when a choice has to be made - the member should stand with their constituency not the party line.

The political parties will avoid at all costs - independent thinkers who will do this.

The people of Newfoundland and Labrador will only elect the two traditional parties - and very rarely an independent member - who in short order joins one of the parties anyway.

Our system is weak and the two party system (the NDP never present themselves as government in waiting) we have does absolutely nothing to deliver the representation people say they want.

The two main parties in this province are the Liberals and the PC's who swap power back and forth - usually with one savior leader or another. Then of course the corporations which like to control and run the province - especially resourced based companies and financial institutions fill the coffers of who they think will win.

In order to change up the 2 party system - people need to find the courage and the sense to vote another way - they have to be open to and support new parties and independents federally and provincially - and become more involved in the NDP. The latter is more difficult as the NDPas similar to the PC's and Liberals have their long-standing members who tend to dominate the party executive and control the party message. We need to look at proportional representation and public funding of elections - so new parties or even the NDP can get some money in the bank for votes they receive. (The same as the new federal system)

Understand this clearly - it is unlikely that until we do this - anybody you vote in under the traditional party system will ever choose you the constituent over a party position. It is also unlikely that new leadership will come from within - as the parties tend to seek names and personality types that appear to be knights on a horse with all the answers from outside.

That's why Tom Rideout did not last long - Bill Rowe gained leadership but not government - Ed Roberts was rejected - Don Jamieson did not get the nod. Loyola Sullivan - Ed Byrne - Lynn Verge - and Len Simms could not take government either. That is why Roger Grimes never had a chance. Instead we had a long list of saviors riding in and carrying their parties to victory.

This also causes another problem. The people who choose to run when a new savior presents are more opportunistic than anything else. They do not have to be strong in their own right - and they fully expect to get a well paying job with great benefits because their leader has the population spellbound. Unfortunately this means they are too grateful to their boss to do anything but nod in agreement. They are lead around by the nose - and despite their claims of protestations from within - they fail in changing policy which they know is bad for their constituents. Look at the numbers of people who sought PC nominations - then look at the other two and their candidate rosters.

Newfoundland and Labrador could use a couple of minority governments to shake up the status-quo - and members feelings of entitlement. In order to do this at least 3 strong parties must be present - and sadly as I write this today - we only have one.

Freedom of speech and independent thinking is not permitted in our two party system - unless you are the leader - and there is no fear that the populous will turn on that leader for the weak members he/she is stuck with.

Governments and Oppositions need more than one strong - articulate - and educated person - they need many people who can get in there and voice new - creative - and progressive policy. They do not need a bunch of bobbing heads calling open-line programs and saying I am part of so-and-so's team and that person is great. When is the last time you heard Wally Young call open-line and say this new policy initiative is something I have researched and proudly put forth to my colleagues?

Now the party system also protects itself - they will weed out any voices who may call it as they really see it - and stick to either weak or partisan fanatics who cannot see anything good in the other party's platform. Parties also discourage independents by telling us that if you are an independent - you will not be heard and you will be placed in the wilderness. This is of course not true - and some of the best work done by Yvonne Jones is when she sat as an independent - after the party system chose Danny Dumeresque and not the real choice of the people of Cartwright - L'Anse Au Clair.

Quebec is a good jurisdiction to look at - and examine how the wishes of Quebecers do come first and they are prepared to cross the floor - sit on their own - create a new party if they are forced to tow a party line contrary to interest of Quebecers.

Most other provinces have a strong 3 party system and some of them more to ensure that no one party or two become complacent and arrogant toward the needs of their constituents.

So when I hear some people lambaste Fabian or John or Loyola or Joan or Charlene - I can only conclude they don't really mean it. There are no consequences to these people because either - the party they represent have a savior as their leader (meaning they will get re-elected anyway) or the party will convince the particular member that the party will take care of them if their voters boot them out.

It is time for the voters of Newfoundland and Labrador to get more savvy when it comes to elections and political parties - and it's time for those parties to worry that the same old system won't protect their entitlements.

Just some Things...

Like this story out of Hamilton Ontario

The entertainment piece on Shaye contains this sentence:

Ex-Newfoundlanders Kim Stockwood and Damhnait Doyle and PEI native Tara MacLean are shown balancing family, friendships and the pressures of the music industry. All three had pre-Shaye solo careers and all three continue to work on their own projects outside of the group.

I'd like to know what the gals think about being referred to EX-Newfoundlanders...
_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Security and Prosperity Partnership (Bush Harper and Calderon) with Corporate Elite determine for us what our country will be like in the future.

Three right-wing gurus "brainstorming" in other words being lead around by the nose by corporate masters.

Council of Canadians and Maude Barlow provide these highlights on the group:

1. The SPP is the political manifestation of a corporate plan for economic and security integration that was never voted on in any country.

2. Energy is arguably the sticky goo holding the SPP together. Canada and Mexico have agreed to give U.S. oil companies an even tighter grip of both countries’ resources in return for vague assurances that the U.S. won’t shut the border to our goods.

3. An SPP roundtable on the “Future of the North American Environment” on April 27, 2007 in Calgary discussed “water consumption, water transfers and artificial diversions of bulk water,” with the aim of achieving “joint optimum utilization of the available [North American] water.” The meeting was part of the White House-funded North American Future 2025 Project that has Canadian government backing as a venue “to help guide the ongoing Security and Prosperity Partnership,”...

4. Joint Canada-U.S. no-fly lists, exclusive airport service for “trusted travelers,” and racially based immigration policies that criminalize people from “high risk” countries. These are among a few of the extremely disturbing “security” measures contained in the SPP. The simple fact that Maher Arar is still on the U.S. no-fly list, despite exoneration and a formal apology from the RCMP and our federal government, is proof that none of these measures can make Canadians any safer.

5. In May 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper put 10 members of the CCCE onto a permanent high-level advisory board called the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC). This group has been asked to “prioritize the priorities” in the SPP and to “drive change.” Meanwhile, the public and most of our publicly elected officials have been left out of the picture completely.

6. The Council of Canadians demands that Canada cease all talks leading toward deeper integration between Canada and the United States. At the very least, we must bring the SPP to the House of Commons for a full debate. We must also disband the North American Competitiveness Council and consult with Canadians in a meaningful and participatory way on Canada-U.S. relations. The majority of Canadians would prefer a “Sovereignty and Justice Partnership” with the United States, which protects Canada’s energy and water, preserves an independent foreign policy, and addresses real security concerns instead of the fantasies of the Bush administration.

Meanwhile our MHA's and wannabes are still stuffing hotdogs on the BBQ circuit.
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Meanwhile where is our energy plan? How much is Timothy Powers of Summa getting paid by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to "lobby" the feds? So what then is John Fitzgerald (Danny's boy in Ottawa) doing? What is Ed Martin doing? Has Ed Marting ever brokered a hydro electric deal prior to becoming CEO of NLH? Unfortunately the media is tied up finding out what happened to Tara Oram's voting. Or that the RNC hired two people. Or the highway and police carnage of the day. Or Danny's red herrings like Grenfell or gravel pit camping instead of his failed threats to Harper over equalization.

Where's the energy plan? What's happening with the police investigations of the other MHA's? What about the Auditor General's report on House of Assembly spending? Or his report on Persona? What happened with Persona? Are they sold? What does that do to the "local" argument? What about the fishery? FPI? Or where is Loyola Sullivan - who takes a job under the Prime Minister that lied to us and him when he was provincial Finance Minister?

Why are we talking energy nationally when "Mr. Open and Accountable" has not brought any Lower Churchill discussion to the House of Assembly? Who is writing the bits and pieces "red non-book" for the Liberals? Who are the policy gurus? Are they Walter Noel? Roger Grimes? Danny Dumeresque? Art Reid? John Efford? Norm Whelan? Rex Gibbons?

Why did Yvonne Jones say Danny was a statesman - when the whole Liberal message is that he is a bully who cannot negotiate anything?

It would be nice to have an aggressive media don't you think?

Time to wipe the Slate clean...

The way I see it - Danny Williams will govern with 48 members the same as he would govern with 28 - 30 - 35 etc.

In fact the Liberals that are there provide no real opposition as they are uninspired - offering minimal solutions - and generally twisting already failed policy directions.

Danny will win the next election - and as people we will need a new government in waiting. We will need new ideas and challenge the status quo - with emphasis on youth and the future of our nation.

Wiping the slate clean of all Liberal incumbents is a great start leaving the party with no choice but to attract new people and finally pass the torch to others. You can only recycle Walter Noel - John Efford - Rex Gibbons - Gerry Reid and Danny Dumeresque so often.

I receive emails from Liberals every week who feel abandoned by the party and no longer welcome to provide input. Although they know come election time their "volunteer" time and services will be sought - they know they hold no real place in the tired party.

Hopefully the Labrador Party can elect 2 or members this time around - funny - but I think they would provide much more effective opposition than the Libs hanging on by their fingernails.

It is not pleasing at all to know that Danny has another 4 years - and there will be many challenges to keep him and the Cable Guys in check but it's nothing the Libs are doing. For the most part the government is being challenged by certain Telegram reporters - bloggers - and open-line contributors.

Consider - when Danny flies away - when he is finished - the remaining group are essentially bob n nods for Williams and not one of them is showing leadership potential. Worse another Cable Guy or Ross Reid could be hiding in the wings to keep Newfoundland and Labrador in the right hands. The NDP refuses to build! The Libs will need to provide new new new - else cable or railway guru 2 will be anointed.

There is no opposition - they take a holiday when Danny does - they ditch and run federally - when Danny says it might be opportune for them to do so and the remainder are the recyclables on the outside. The most press they can generate is when Efford says "he won't rule out" running again. Oh goody....

Hopefully in 4 years the picture will be brighter.

Another 4 Years of Destruction....

I watched David Cochrane of CBC explain some time ago how the Greene Report and recommendations would allow media to catch the self-serving politicians if they attempted to hide or otherwise sneak legislation through that increased or changed the nature of their allowances. So much for that - as it was a blogger - I believe who caught the crowd as they all postponed the changes until after the election.

The fact that the media did not catch it is no surprise - they had that opportunity when legislation was amended to boot the Auditor General (Beth Marshall) at the time - out of the books. They should have done the job they are really meant to do. That is to protect our democracy when all political parties are in it together. They dropped the ball - and the rest as they say is history.

Then there is Loyola - the 30 million dollar big spender - while more influential MP's and federal cabinet colleagues are passing out Billions!!!

The man who so willingly takes pot shots at Gus Etchegary - while using him as a human campaign poster for the last election. It's not as if the fellow did not know Etchegary's position on the fishery. It is not as if they had ever met. The fact is Gus did not change - the metamorphosis occurred in Hearn after he won the election.

We have Manning and Doyle backing up the Minister by talking about the Atlantic Accord. They saved the Accord - funny the Accord was not a discussion during the election. Harper promised to remove non-renewable resource revenues from the equalization formula. That would have eliminated the need for the Accord and would have been a universal amendment not geared to any province specifically but representative of a change in economic thinking - which promotes long term financial health of jurisdictions exploiting non-renewable resources.

At the same time we have the provincial Liberals seeking Joey for policy - the Tories doing what they want with whom they want - whenever they want - including very significant decisions made on the fishery (FPI) - energy with no plan yet unveiled including wind development - privatization of energy resources - the Lower Churchill etc. - business deals with buddies - and tourism services provided out of Quebec. But Gerry et al will not make a dent - and the media is on the BBQ circuit with them. Danny Dumeresque as part of the Efford - Dumeresque team with leader Reid will not be effective in building the party - however will achieve Effords objective - the one he demonstrated after he lost the leadership race to Grimes. All Liberals left out there should really think about what that was.

There is no obvious movement in the provincial NDP - with most identifiable labour reps choosing to seek nominations for the other parties.

There is no doubt we have a mess - and one we will have to suffer through for the next 4 years.

The only people who have a chance are Labradorians under the Labrador Party. Continued luck to them - and I hope they take the lead and protect those extremely valuable resources.

New Liberalism????

Joey - John - and Gerry

Here we go - in the face of an October election the provincial LIBS have developed policy. We are now witnessing the most uninspired - tired - recycled - and antiquated thinking since Rideout was Premier.
We have supportive Liberals predicting the loss of federal government chiks if we keep up the "terrible message" that we can do it on our own. So here we go Gerry Reid - John Efford - Danny Dumeresque and the ghost of Joey are using the well documented threat of starvation without Canada. The new confederates - the old confederates.

Sadly this comes at a time when the one thing Danny has done right "we believe in ourselves again" is catching on - particularly in our youth. The propaganda from central Canada claiming that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are beggars and worse ungrateful beggars is being challenged. After all it is expected that our province will be off equalization "top ups" before Quebec!!!!

This is a time when the Liberals should be rebuilding - bringing in new ideas and continuing with the thought that our resources should be maximised for OUR benefit. Instead I hear new Liberal candidates call open line programs to give a "town cryer" account of events taking place in the districts they are running in and saying nothing about saving and making prosperous the communities therein.

We have two liberal pros bailing out to seek election shelter on the federal scene because Danny told all who would listen not to vote Conservative in the next federal election. Imagine that Judy Foote and Oliver Langdon fighting for the federal nomination because Danny made their victory possible. Now that's leadership.

Further - what of Roger Jamieson who is a new face on the political scene? He may perform better for communities who have suffered under the provincial representation of Foote and Langdon.

We need a strong opposition - especially during Danny's second term - or better yet we need new leadership to prevent Williams from giving away the mighty Lower Churchill. Sadly the Liberals do not have the guts or maybe the knowledge to take the plunge and do something proper like fighting for industry in Labrador versus Ontario.

The only thing the Libs offer is to backpedal on the gains we made on our resources and continue the same old dependence on the feds and their chiks.

As for the NDP - labour leaders continue to seek nominations for the Libs and PC's while not giving a thought to the "labour" party. Lorraine Michael - when heard last on Open Line was talking about online bingo - not the catastrophic devastation of rural Newfoundland and Labrador - and not a solution to go after the feds for retribution on the continued missing groundfish stocks. I wonder is Earl putting his hat in the ring for a south coast seat for the NDP?

The Opposition Parties demonstrated no leadership with respect to Greene's report on MHA spending - benefits etc. and fell into line behind the government's decision to hold the changes until after the next election.

The choices are minimal and the consequences scary - I for one am actively planning for 2011 when the people may have a new options for government and a future. Let's be vigilant and make up for what the media and current crop of politicians are not doing - saving our province and creating a strong and bountiful future for our new nation and our youth.

This blogger will wait to hear what the wannabes have to say on relevant issues.

You see I can confirm that the Connaigre and Burin Peninsula's are beautiful - breathtaking and have all the promise in the world to survive and thrive - now wannabes tell me what you plan to do to guarantee that future. Something other than I am attending this event or that event or eating chicken at this BBQ and speaking at this come home year etc.

Candidates should do some soul searching not sole trotting and determine if they can really offer something to those people who trust their family and communities continued ability to exist in Newfoundland and Labrador.