I took it on the chin a little for my last post about Iran. I stand by my assertion that the West is largely tuned out of what’s going on over there despite the harrowing images we see and the inherent beauty of the struggle.
When Tiananmen Square happened, did you recognize what was happening? When the spotlight is shined on Chinese human rights violations, do you consider the impact you have by purchasing Chinese made goods? The question is: Would you choose to financially enable a regime whose practices you disagree with? Since 1989, Wal-Mart has expanded worldwide. In 1989, Wal-Mart made just over $1B. Last year, $16B+. Wal-Mart’s inventory is 70% made in China. Do you see what I’m saying?
In the open market, we vote with our dollars. When we spend, we support the actions of the company making the products we buy. Here’s another example: If you are not cool with clear-cutting the rainforest in Brazil, maybe McDonalds isn’t the burger for you.
Now to Iran. I’m sure most of your labels don’t say ‘Made in Iran’ and you’re probably not buying a lot of produce or deli products from the Middle East. So it’s not as though you’re personally responsible for funneling thousands of dollars to Iran. But there is a lesson to be learned from this story.
Between Canada, the US, and England we all have democracies with the potential for corruption. England is dealing with politicians who’ve been dodging taxes. The US… where do you start? The Treasury Secretary who didn’t pay taxes? Canada has no problems whatsoever. At all.
It makes sense to me that we should learn to check up on our politicians better than we do now lest we lose control of our gov’t. Somebody will pipe up and say that I’m being a little extreme. Yeah yeah. I know Canada has a long way to go before we’re at the Iran stage. Iran is pretty much turned up to 11 at this point. Watching it makes me wonder why, at election time, only 59% of Canadians get it.
John Landry
on Jun 23rd, 2009
@ 11:45 am:
Truth be known, Canadian politicians are just more civilized about their discretions – acceptable levels of corruption and the good old Canadian politeness make any digresion acceptable.
roger
on Jun 23rd, 2009
@ 11:58 am:
I fully agree. It’s true that raiding the RCMP pension fund is not nearly as unacceptable as, say, regional genocide; ethnic cleansing. Given the relative nature of our strifes in Canada, I’d expect Canadians to shelve their politeness and start holding our leaders more accountable.
Tony
on Jun 23rd, 2009
@ 11:58 am:
I hardly think we are on the brink of losing control of our government. The very fabric of the way it is set up keeps us in control at all times. Conservatives largely maintain the voter turnout. If they start pissing people off.. once and a while a huge number of liberals will come forward and out vote the conservatives, after which is followed by a gong show at times after which the conservatives regain control and so it goes on and on… Our banks are pretty much the strongest in the world, we’re a pretty tolerant people compared to most countries.
Who’s to say people who don’t vote, don’t get it?
Many employers aren’t aware they are required to let you go and vote, and don’t let their staff go. Many people in the province work in remote locations that are not near polling stations. However I suspect that most people who don’t vote do so because they rely on the healthy competition between the conservatives and the liberals. They don’t feel one is too far off from the other.. I’m quite sure most people tune in for the big issues, and let the “politrekkies” battle out the tidbits.
I make it a point to try to buy Canadian goods, which is actually quite hard to do.
Tim Hortons, AM(American)
Home Depot AM
The Bay, Zellers, Home Sense AM
Sears AM
Staples AM
All restaurant chains AM
Futureshop AM (which is covered in Canadian flags and colors)
Best Buy AM
The Source AM
Safeway AM
Walmart AM (the epitome of all evil for Canadian businesses)
90% of food chains and clothing stores are American
Some Canadian chains. Buy from these stores! Will it even help??
Local shops (not chains – the best thing to buy from), ever so disappearing to the Walmart evil giants.
Local farmers.
Canadian Tire CDN (only of which some items are canadian produced)
Marks Work Warehouse CDN (only of which some items are canadian produced)
Superstore CDN (only of which some items are canadian produced)
Totem CDN (only of which some items are canadian produced)
Sport Check CDN.
roger
on Jun 23rd, 2009
@ 12:14 pm:
Tony,
What you say doesn’t well account for what happened here in December. The Canadian electorate nearly did lose control of the gov’t because of a naked power grab by third and fourth place finishers and a desperate runner-up. Losing control of gov’t doesn’t only mean we’ll have the army shooting babies in the street.
I can’t contend that actually casting a ballot is difficult in Canada. There are a series of advanced polling dates along with the opportunity to mail-in a ballot. It is also widely publicized that your employer must grant you a certain amount of time on election day to vote. The opportunities are there in spades. To your point, however, I have said in the past that Elections Canada does a poor job of telling people exactly how and when to vote. Most people who don’t vote don’t do so because they are disengaged, disenfranchised, or simply don’t care.
Take a look at operations on the municipal level in Canada. Voter turnout for city elections is typically poor and those who do vote often have very little education about the choices they make. The result is an often unchecked city hall running with an agenda, not a mandate.
I appreciate your participation in this discussion.
Tony
on Jun 23rd, 2009
@ 1:25 pm:
“Most people who don’t vote don’t do so because they are disengaged, disenfranchised, or simply don’t care.”
From people I talk to, they usualy say things like, “meh, they’re both equally as good and e
Tony
on Jun 23rd, 2009
@ 1:34 pm:
… sorry hit Enter by mistake.. con’d..
From people I talk to, they usualy say things like, “meh, they’re both equally as good and equally shady”. I don’t think both the liberals and Conservatives are so very different except in that they each choose a range of issues to fight their agenda from. None of the issues are really ever very heavy, and if they are, those are the issues they come together on. People aren’t as much disenfranchised as they are content. I think this is the kind of voter turnout you get when things are pretty much running AOK with the exception of the odd issue. Canada likes Canada. People are more likely to be set with their country on autopilot when it’s a decent plane ride.
In places like Iran, flying requires full time attention and sometimes taking out the pilot. (probably not the best analogy for that country..)