Month: October 2011

At a time in which most global economies are looking for ways to narrow down its budget deficit, Canada proves to undermine this trend as it continues to overspend on unnecessary policies. This includes the issue of a $10-13 billion imprisonment agenda: more jailing centers within the next 5 years and the addition of police authorities to an already overcrowded task force. Stephen Harper needs to justify his actions as Canada’s crime rate over that past decades shows a steady downward trend, reaching an all time low this year. So, why need the mega-spending on such a negligible cause? This is the question our prime minister needs to answer and a cause that I disagree with. Although the notion of keeping our nation safe is in good sprit, it must be noted that it comes at the expense of tax-payers. This act, coupled with past historic of Conservative party’s other questionable spending decisions, seems to conclude that the government neglects the needs of its population. Furthermore, the fact that Canada is already taking on such massive debt contradicts this decision. In such tough economic environments, Stephen Harper needs to prioritize his issues and focus on solving greater concerns.

Read more about this issue from The Province and CBC

Picture source: http://www.globalresearch.ca/coverStoryPictures2/27631.jpg

A controversial issue that received attention in recent headlines is the practice of euthanasia and its legal stance in Canada. Deemed ethically permissible in several parts of the world, Canada stands as one of the various nations that oppose such drastic policy. In a nostalgic situation that was observed nearly 18 years ago, a women suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis recently requested an act of assisted suicide. The arguments currently is whether or not the Canadian government will ever agree on legalizing euthanasia and create the distinction between what some may call ‘aid’ and ‘murder.’ In a society that we live in, it will undoubtedly be difficult to persuade people in accepting the issue. Personally, I believe that criminalizing a person would be problematic should euthanasia be legalized; people will be able to attribute their actions as a means of support. One could commence with murder and blame it on the fact that the he or she was asked to do it, or that the victim was suffering immeasurable pain. Although few argue that terminally ill patients are credited with ending their own live, the potential of abusing the system creates a paradox of values within humanity.

Picture sources: http://cdn1.beeffco.com/files/images/candidates/98731a224eefe2aa5e36a753af5c835a.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__hz8H5hx-XE/S384mKsn6sI/AAAAAAAAA1k/epqdggk06o8/s200/euthanasia+doctor.jpg

Article cited:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/make-the-right-to-die-legal-with-protections/article2161475/

In response to a series of alleged accounting sandals at Chinese companies listed on the US market, the U.S Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has been trying for months to reach an agreement to audit the books of many major Chinese corporations. Although the PCAOB has gained access to audit firms in many other countries, their attempt to probe China’s accounting practices has produced little success due to America’s current rocky diplomatic state with China. PCAOB may have acted in the name of justice and providing transparency in the market, but it also depicts the Americans’ lack of respect and contempt for other nations such as China. The USA is not the beacon for law and justice; like any other country in the world, the American system too is flawed and corrupt. Therefore, it has neither the grounds nor the rights to investigate the Chinese accounting. In fact, the Americans merely act under the disguise of justice and pretentious morals to achieve their self-interests. This self-centered quality is thoroughly exemplified in American foreign policies concerning less developed countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and North Korea where the Americans strengthen their empire all in the name of curing “festering problems.”

View the original article at: http://ca.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idCATRE79D1U420111014

Picture source: http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20110930&t=2&i=509114877&w=460&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=2011-09-30T160702Z_01_BTRE78T18RT00_RTROPTP_0_MARKETS-STOCKS