Harper's Project of Destruction

A very interesting post by Dr. J.F Conway, University of Regina political sociologist and the author of Debts to Pay: The Future of Federalism in Quebec and The West: The History of a Region in Confederation.

Few understand the sheer enormity of what Harper is up to – the destruction of the welfare state, and ploughing and salting the political terrain upon which it stood so it will never sprout again. Those in their adulthood in the 1970s remember the promise and the hope. Those born since know only the long, gradual crushing of that hope and promise as the neoliberal wrecking crew began its work, defeating popular resistance battle after battle. With a majority Harper now intends to complete the destruction. Perhaps it is timely to remember what is being lost and how it was won.

Following the Great Depression and the carnage of the World War II, welfare capitalism made heady promises, and initially delivered on many of them. A greater share of the wealth produced by the combined efforts of capital and labour was diverted from capital to labour with gradual increases in real wages and the establishment of a universal “social wage.”

This social wage included:

1) Publicly funded, universal primary and secondary education 
2) Health care 
3) Family allowances 
4) Old age pensions
5) Unemployment insurance 
6) Social assistance for those in need, and growing investments in public infrastructure and cultural amenities.

A solemn social covenant was made based on the principle of universality. All citizens, even the wealthiest, received these benefits, even though for those with high incomes much of it would be taxed back due to progressive taxation. Nevertheless this principle of universality was important politically and symbolically, since all citizens received tangible evidence of their participation in sharing in the distribution of public goods. No one would ever again be hungry, homeless, denied needed health care, or refused access to quality education.

The rest of his post is here: http://www.operationmaple.com/fyi/harpers-project-of-destruction

Hospital stay

After a lifetime of spending very little time in hospitals as a patient,  I had the opportunity a week or so ago to spend four days in our local hospital, first two days in the emergency room and then two days on a floor in a private room. (I was not there because I wanted the private room, but I was there because the doctors thought I was contagious). 

I learned that self diagnoses is not  terribly smart idea and now I know to check with the Doctor sooner than later when I am sick. I thought I had the flu and for four days treated myself by staying in bed, and suffering with a fever, vomiting, chest pains and a headache. By Friday I was in such bad shape that my wife called the emergency number and off I went to the hospital. 

The firemen and the ambulance crew were at my home within minutes and after a few tests and questions, I was moved to the hospital.  The staff at the hospital that worked on me were wonderful, caring people. They responded to my questions, my needs and they were very thorough. I think I had more tests done in the four days I was in the hospital then I have had in my life.  After three days of testing, the doctor took me off the intravenous antibodies and put me on to some pills, and I started to feel better and by the fourth day I was ready to leave and the doctor agreed.

The front line staff were, in my humble observations, overworked. A few things I need to comment on, the cleaning staff in the emergency ward were working very hard, but they appeared to be rushed and I noticed that they missed several areas around my bed when they were cleaning.  When I was in my room, the cleaner came in once and did a very quick clean, but again missed several areas. I am not sure if she was rushed or whether she did not want to be in a room with a contagious patient.  

The food once I was allowed to eat, was surprisingly not bad, however the food trays were left in the room and not picked up, once they determined I was  not contagious, I took the trays out of the room and told the staff they should be picked up; I noticed that the food trays sat in the area where I left them for about 4 to 6 hours after I had informed the staff. 

I was taken up to the room by an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) who told me that she was working as a porter, because they hospital was short staffed, I also talked to a Registered Nurse who had come in off holidays to work and she told me about working a 20 hour shift because no one was available. This speaks to poor management of the hospital, and my sister-in-law, who is also a Registered Nurse also speaks to me of the lack of mangement skills in running the hospital where she works.

We tend to take our health care for granted, and think it will be there when we need it, but the Federal and Provincial governments are slowly defunding the public health care system and  my fear is that when we need care, it will not be available unless one has the money to pay for it.

I was struck in my two days in emergency by the fact that many of the people in the emergency  were my age or older, many had fallen, or had symptoms of heart attacks r strokes. I was also struck my the level of support that many of these people had, adult children spending hours waiting with their parents. When people were in life threatening situations  what was important was the friends and relationships.

Back to the food, when the last Doctor saw me on Monday afternoon, he told me I could go home and I then commented that I had found the food not too bad. The Dr. looked at me and became very serious, and then said, "I have to reconsider about you going home, your last comment tells me that you are a very, very, very sick man and we have to hold you for more tests." I recovered enough to say, "I didn't finish, the food was not as bad as I thought it would be" The Dr. laughed and said, "Ok, you can go home". We both laughed. 

A sense of humour is important in all situations. My thanks to the staff, the Doctors and Nurses and EagleRidge hospital for their help, support and caring while I was under their care. 

I am still undergoing tests and hope to find out why I was out for the 9 days, but now I am back to normal, I know that we have to continue to fight for our right to good medical care in Canada.

Thanks to the Olympic Athletes

Over the last 15 days I have watched the Olympics in London with interest with high hopes for the Canadian athletes. The young men and women who competed for Canada should be very proud of their achievements. Many outdid themselves and although our medal count was not as high as we as a country had hoped, our athletes did themselves and our Country proud.  

In addition to the Canadian athletes, my thanks go out to all of the young men and women from every country who competed. These athletes should be proud of themselves and their countries should be proud of them. To compete at the highest level is an honour that each athlete will remember for the rest of their lives. The athletes have honoured themselves and their countries with their positive attitude and their dedication to the spirit of the games.

The coaches, managers, trainers, medical and equipment personnel that helped each team also should be thanked for their dedication to the team.

Finally, to the friends and the families of the athletes who have been there when no one else was and who were the difference makers, encouraging the athletes when they needed the support, thank you.

Musing on a Summer day

What if today was your day? The most amazing day of your life,  so far? A day that would change everything for the better? What's already good would become great. What's already great would become amazing. And what's already amazing would become the stuff of legends.


And all you had to do to take advantage of the good and wonderful things about to happen for you, was treat folks with a true and eager kindness, think mostly of those things that please you, and go out in the world, just a bit, where you could meet, and mingle, and fall in love?
Musings on a summer day, but everyday can and should  the best day because as a friend of mine said, any day alive is far better than the alternative. Enjoy your day