While lamenting the funds poor investment returns due to a strong Canadian Dollar, it lets slip the fact that twice as much of our Canada Pension fund is invested in foreign stocks than is invested in Canadian Companies. The article did not express any concern that fewer Canadian companies could mean fewer jobs for the fewer Canadians who will be called upon to shore up the Baby Boom retirement bash. Forget about strength, it just sounds a little “loonie” to underwrite the offshore interests that will be competing globally with what few companies are left in Canada to underwrite our own well-being in retirement. Apparently our children’s well-being is not the only segment of society at the mercy of offshore business practice. On the other hand, if our suspenders go bust, we can always fall back on cheap (albeit potentially toxic) dog food to get by.
Tag Archive: 2007 Year in Review
Jan 01
My “Recollections of the Great Asian Tsunami” award goes to… China.
Hard to tell which way the tsunami is flowing though as western big business continues to pour wave upon wave of new investments and job relocation into the country despite a deluge of scandals and recalls (including, but not limited to, tainted pet food, toxic toys and toothpaste) flowing right back at them.
In a related story: Beijing announces that it will attempt to reduce the pollution levels in preparation for the 2008 summer Olympics by regulating the amount of cars allowed in the city. Chinese authorities will only allow plates ending in odd numbers to drive on given days while those ending in even numbers will be allowed on alternate days. There are 3,000,000 cars in Beijing with an additional 1000 added every day.
Jan 01
My “Selling Iceboxes to Eskimos” award goes to… PepsiCo Inc.
They are forced to admit that their Aquafina bottled water originates from public water supplies (a.k.a. tap water). It sparks similar admissions from other bottled water suppliers.
Jan 01
My “Dumb and Dumber” award goes to… (Dumb) Mexican Refugees from the U.S.
They believe bogus U.S. ads claiming that they can purchase a special travel junket that includes transportation and the costs of purchasing Canadian Citizenship; and (Dumber) a Canadian Immigration system that claims it will need 16 months to properly investigate their claims for Refugee Status prior to deporting them.
Jan 01
Headlines you won’t see in those mainstream Year-end Reviews 2007
(Hurting) Headitor’s note: Its late, its New Years Eve, and I’SATIREd, sauced please accept that some (or all) of my wreckollections of the year gone by might be a bit scotchy. You should double-check my fracts with some more staid and reputable news sources before using any of the stories that I have dismembered from last year in a serious conversation.
Jan 01
“Oooh Britannia, Britannia rues the waves”
The once proud British Navy’s single most defining moment in the new millennium would appear to be the capture of their dinghy crew by the mighty Iranian navy. After several weeks of hand wringing, oh yeahs, and skyrocketing prices at the gas pumps of the world, the crew is released unharmed upon admitting to piracy, sodomy and substandard international soccer skills. The proud sailors then hit the talk show circuit to make as much money as they can from their recent ordeal.
Jan 01
“World Wars, Star Wars, Price Wars – it all comes down to profiteering”
A fire at an Esso refinery causes a 10 cent hike in gasoline prices at the pumps (for all oil companies) and many Esso stations are required to close their pumps from time to time. As opposed to taking advantage of their competition while they are down, the competition seems content to raise their prices by 10 cents too?
Jan 01
“Digging up the Di(rt)”
In a year that was essentially devoid of any real news, the English press makes Lady Di (now ten years dead their Newsmaker of theYear). Across the pond Anna Nicole and Paris Hilton provide the hard news stories that our press needs to meet the lofty demands of their owners.
Jan 01
“Dizzy blond and the company she keeps prove “what goes around comes around – and round and round and…”
In the wake of the sudden death of Anna Nicole Smith, (so far) three men, including her lawyer and Eva Gabor’s 8th husband, are claiming to have sired her only living heir (Her other son by a different marriage died mysteriously 6 months before Anna). Anna Nicole was a playboy bunny who became famous at age 26 by divorcing her first husband and quitting her job as a topless dancer to marry a wheelchair-bound 89 year old billionaire 63 years her senior just before he died.
Jan 01
“Pet Peeves become Big Business”
Phizer Inc has dedicated 600 researchers and an annual budget of $270 million to develop new drugs for pets. To date some of the drugs currently marketed by Phizer and their equally concerned (as long as you can afford their concern) competitors include drugs for motion sickness, appetite suppressants, antidepressants for separation anxiety, and doggie dementia blockers.
Related Statistic: In 2007 North Americans spent close to $50 billion on their pets which is roughly twice as much as the combined foreign aid budgets of Canada and the United States.