The RCMP

Is it's own criminal enterprise and every Canadian knows it. They got a piece of the action by the Chairman promising them lots of "work". CSIS? I dunno... Underfunded, riddled within by those pursuing petty inside-Canada agendas over external threats.... Nope, we are screwed, no one is guarding the farm.

Capitalism and communism have

Capitalism and communism have the same same leaderships, always had, collectivizing economies and suppressing individual, human rights in their service. Always in the name of "freedom".

Now they have this beautiful brotherhood in China with our capitalists dreaming of the same dictatorships here, while, at the same time, they're building up their armed forces and "missile shields", ready to fight each other for world domination. "Competitiveness"

Harper is a low brow nutcase with mental illness written all over his face and actions. Typical mentally warped conservative/communist/fundamentalist, born without conscience, or any concept of human rights and meanings of democracy, who could never pass a simple psychological test for any job.

He was bound to go crazy with dictatorial powers in his hands and he is. What's the surprise ?

Wealth can not be created, only taken from others, the environment and future generations.

Once humanity comes to grips with this simple and unbreakable physical law, democracy and the Earth may have a chance.

Ed Deak.

I never would have thought...

...that I would be in agreement with Diane Francis on the "witless Tories". Congratulations Stephen Harper, you have done what I always thought was impossible.

China Inc or USA Inc?

Nikiforuk demonstrates his usual power and grace in his prose. I was particularly caught by the statement:

"These companies don't tolerate dissent. They say one thing to the public and do another behind closed doors. Nor do they invest in the local community. They work first and foremost for..."

Should that end with China Inc? Or how about USA Inc?

Indeed, there is far less difference between the state-run capitalism of China vs that of the US. Or Canada for that matter. All rely on the ruthless use of state power, unilateral rule, little regard for workers, and contempt for democracy.

Very strange times we live in. Great coverage as always.

The nut bar in a nutshell:

"profligate stupidity"..."short-term fools"....."engaging in economic treason"....."dumb economic sell-out"...."They have found a weak leader in Canada who sells without negotiating, governs without consulting and rules without thinking"....

Cannot be said better.

Truly tragic that Canada has been saddled with this arrogant moron.

He must go.

An outstanding article of great significance to the future of Canada.

CCP buying up Vancouver Island too

another sign we have lost our way:

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Chinese+sovereign+wealth+fund+eyes+Vancouver+Island+timberlands/7525440/story.html

Sandwiched between 2 raptors

Just give this myopic strategy another 5 years. When China owns most of the strategic resources of Canada, our "breathren" to the south will awaken and will not be a happy bunch! Colonials that we are, we couldn't give a damn right now, and finally the wishes of those wanting to join with the US may come true in a bizarre way. Imagine then if tensions between US and China heat up in the South China Sea.
Why is it that I feel like I'm living in France before the outbreak of the 2nd World War? Time to check out South America...

Reminds me of...

The current government's actions reminds me of the little kid allowed to play with the big boys, who doesn't realize the only reason he's allowed to play is because it's his ball.

Ed...

Thank you for your helpful response to the question I asked you on a previous article comments section. The comments there were closed before I could get a thank you posted, so I thought I'd try here. Your reply gave me a lot more to think about, and prompted a dozen more questions...

I was very encouraged that you are working with someone to correct the economic nonsense that is being taught in our schools. Certainly this seems to me to be a necessary and important part of a solution to our dilemma. If a book comes out of it, I hope I hear of it!

I completely agree, from experience and understanding gained from reflection on it and what I've been able to glimpse of historical realities, that changes and 'organization' (mutually evolved agreements on how to live peacefully and in balance within one's ecosystem) of communities and societies need to come from local individuals, families, and neighbourhoods, not from any conceptual framework imposed from above, no matter what mask the 'above' wears.

I only wonder how this will happen, how we can help each other become and our children become, motivated and capable of doing this, in spite of all of the pressures in the opposite direction.

This present article discusses one aspect of those pressures. I couldn't help being reminded of Harper's comments in India recently, lamenting how difficult it is for their government, regrettably a democratic one, to impose foreign investment agreements against the best interests of the people of the nation, as they see it. How awkward for the corporations and corporate states. China seems to be governed very like a corporation, explaining why Harper is so comfortable with that relationship, rather than with India, struggling to operate as a democratic nation, and those in Canada who resist his success, so far, in selling us out as Canada Inc., one asset at a time, until any alternative vision for the future is excluded.

I am grateful to you and everyone who works to keep that vision alive.

Doris Foster

The easy way out-sell everything to the Chinese now-they are the

only ones with the money now!

The money needed for the politicians worship of the 'growth is good' paradigm - especially while they are in office and more so in government at the time!

US wants the deal to go down

Big oil and US manufacturing equipment who help set up China's sweat shops want this deal.
The US has the most billionaires in the world.
After this Keystone deal will come alive. It will benefit corporations where the lowest price is the law means Canadians better get used to working for next to nothing.

good article, Andrew

and very well written.

We shouldn't really be surprised; our dear leader belongs to a religious group who fully believe that when things on earth are as bad as they can get, God will intervene. The "good" people will be raptured, will fly as on the wings of eagles, up to heaven to become a bit godly themselves... the rest of us are toast.

In order for rapture to happen, things have to go all the way to crap... so our Chairman and his merry crew are busy busy busy doing their best and worst to flush us all so they can rise to sit on the clouds and play harps or whatever it is they plan on doing for the rest of eternity.

Some of us believe this is not exactly a sane mindset. And it is no consolation at all to know that once China is firmly in the driver's seat our Chairman and his cultish crew will find out how much tolerance the state has for those who believe in anything other than the superiority and control of the state itself. What China did to the Falong Gong followers will come down on the cultish crew and they'll find themselves on the receiving end of "re-education". So if we live long enough we might see the Chairman working in the coal mines, using a teaspoon instead of a pick and shovel.

It will not be a consolation.

"May you live in interesting times".

Doris....Thank for your

Doris....Thank for your comments, but there won't be a book, not from me anyway. I get along writing short stuff but have no time, or patience, to write books.

If any of my friends intends to I'll be happy give them all I have.

In any case, I haven't invented anything and have no theories. All I'm saying is that all economic activities are based on physical activities, and laws, that can not be overturned and distorted by imaginary faiths and theories....like our present monetary system.

By the way, I'm writing a biweekly column in the Gold River Record, Jerry West editor.

Cheers, Ed.

anne c

The harp is indeed being played - and if you listen you will hear the shrill whistle of the pied piper also.

Whew! Everything is OK.

Whew! Everything is OK. Thanks to CON MP Lunney in Nanaimo for setting the record straight.

http://www.pqbnews.com/news/179205721.html

I was getting in a lather cuz I thought that there was a potential for a problem of sorts. Turns out we are just helping a small developing economy spread its wings.

Fly little bird. Fly.

The Record

Thanks, Ed. I found The Record and am grateful for access to it and your column.

I hope yours and others' healthy insights continue to come out to the general population, whether by book or other means. I think lots of folks are becoming ready to revise their worldview to overcome the distortions that most have been trained to accept, one way or another. Not everyone, of course, but every individual matters so much in our present need for different choices to be made, economically and otherwise.

It helps me a lot to know that I'm not the only one who cares. Do you know (or know of) Brewster Kneen, author of The Ram's Horn newsletter, formerly of Sorrento,B.C., currently in Ottawa? He is presently writing a book on Democracy? His focus lately has been food (quality, distribution, security, etc.), he wrote "Farmageddon" quite a while ago, about GMOs, and more recently "The Tyranny of Rights" ~ I'm sure he understands how fundamental economic relationships are to everything he writes about, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if his understanding would benefit from and dovetail with yours.

Doris

Democracy where?

Crown corporations had something common Canadians could appeal to. Nowadays just try getting a 'privatized service' to confer with another 'service provider'. At best they'll use personal cell phones to do 'offbook' 'administration'.

FIPPA binds all Canadians to the decree of a third party arbitrator enshrined to protect business performance of Chinese companies in Canada. So, signing China FIPPA mutates Canadian Law and makes it subject to this FIPPA third-party arbitrator.
The three pillars of democracy are thus collapsed by China FIPPA for 31 years of performance compensation: What was the exhaustive and exclusive law of the land, is gamed by being subject to the higher authority of the China FIPPA tribunal.

Harper's deconstruction of democratic process and Canadian values and law started before he agreed FIPPA.

The Kyoto protocol took much dialogue before our legislature saw it fit to Canadian purpose.

Not so for Harper's Alberta development purposes. Kyoto was torn up. Is it not unconstitutional to undermine the legislature so?

Jim Flarity: If global economic weakness is mitigated by the Euro creating a fiscal overseer, are Canadian vulnerabilities reduced by the creation of a Federal Regulator to provide timely and united oversight, assessment and policing? Canada is unique among developed nations in lacking a Federal Regulator. This astounding lack is a failure of due diligence, and is near suicide considering the 2008 credit crisis whose perpetrators evade criminal prosecution.

Canada is a young country whose institutions could mature to promote robust democracy.
But it does seem we have no government, we have political partisanship devoid of ministerial responsibility when we need their conscience to keep focus on Canada. So, Catapillar makes off with the industrial know-how developed over generations of deisel-electric locomotive production. And with Fippa our resource value-added potential is squandered to better China.
And the party that lied about jet fighter costs to better their election platform? Why no Public Inquiry to the erosion of democracy from sea to sea on their Election Day?
Are the old folks homes in Victoria, Calgary and Durham safe from their thug intimidation this election? Are robo and human callers going to misinform us again? Elections Canada and the Supreme Court seem paralyzed by technical minutiae.

Rule of law in democracy is fragile. If we lack the institutions to keep us robust, a Federal Regulator, we can build it. But, if we subject our Law to the arbitration of third parties we erode and make brittle the institutions which ought serve and protect us.
'Off-book administration', prorogation to block budget release, omnibus budgets which remake environmental status to protect waters around Tory ridings – Where is the self-regulation in our democracy?

Stop China FIPPA
A PUBLIC INQUIRY FOR 2011'S FEDERAL ELECTION CRIMINAL ABUSES

Australia's federal "NDP" Government

Australia's federal government, Labour, is akin to Canada's NDP and is also affiliated with Socialist International.

During the last six years of Australia's federal Labour government:

1. Australia has also been negotiating a free-trade agreement with China;

2. $45 BILLION of Chinese state-owned investment has poured into Australia with the Labour government's approval;

3. These Chinese companies include Sinopec, CNOOC and Petro China;

4. Most of the Chinese investment in Australia has been into mining and oil & gas;

Yep. All approved by Australia's Labour government.

So how does one square this circle? Under a "Conservative" government this is all baaaaaad... but under an "NDP" government this is all good?

Are people on here now going to complain to Socialist International to have the Australian Labour party kicked out of the organization?

Or is everyone here just whistling Dixie?

I'd say the government is whistling dixie

If you'll notice, but I doubt you read the whole article, the writer complains the NDP has done nothing either.

What the hell are the actions

What the hell are the actions of any Australian or any other government have to do with Canada ? Regardless what they call themselves.

These stupid "-isms" have ran their courses as any other religions and it is about time we start looking at the realities and not "scriptures" by long dead prophets.

By the way, Australia have wasted their resources and now are screaming for help.

That's all, because we're on the same way, advised by the same asshole, miseducated economists all over the world.

Ed Deak.

Let's Jail our Prime Minister

The FIPPA treaty abets and supports a regime that does not entertain democratic rights or the rule of law.
Are we talking about China or Canada. Canada supports the rule of law alright....... and if the law gets in the way of the rules, harper just changes the law. harper should without a doubt be tried, (and found guilty) of fraud and treason. I say should, because we as Canadians are a ball less, too nice and too easily bought off peoples.

Harper's weakness? I think it's his plan

Imo, this isn't Harper's weakness. He said we wouldn't recognize Canada when he was finished, and what better way to accomplish that than allow the Chinese gov't to take over the only industry Harper thinks is the entire economy, bring in Chinese workers and army. Canada done, over. Harper happy. He gets the oil money, we'll never know where it goes, or to whom.

The worst part is, all evidence points to Harper as having stolen the 2011 election, and therefore everything he does is illegitimate.

Luke

Every Liberal politician in Canada seems to be either resigning, about to lose their seat or on trial for corruption.

"Liberal"? "Conservative"? New Democrat"?

How about "Canadian"?

We KNOW who WE are. We need no career politico, media whore or uniformed thug telling US who WE are.

Time to take back OUR country.

Political names and labels

Political names and labels mean absolutely nothing.

In past history religions have been the biggest killers and destroyers. All claiming the commandment of "Do not kill", while urging their followers to commit mass murder against others, on the "Orders of God", who popped out of heaven and gave contradictory instructions and orders to a thousand "prophets", admired and revered by the sucker public.

"Prophets" should be the biggest blasphemies to all "true believers", because if God wants to talk to humanity, He can talk to all 7 billion of us, at the same time, in hundreds of languages and doesn't need any jerks for "prophets".

The same goes for ideologies, using all kinds of phony names to enslave minds.

The biggest mass murderers in recent history, Stalin, Hitler and Mao, all called themselves "socialists".

Hitler's outfit was called the Nazionalsocialistische Deutsche Arbeiter Partei, where the nickname "nazi" originated.

Stalin and Mao ruled over "people's democracies", where the people had nothing to say and if they tried, they were murdered by the tens of millions.

"Conservatives" are supposed to be the biggest flag waving patriots, ready to die for "freedom" and "country" at a moment's notice.

Right ? The super patriot nationalists.

Of course, now they're selling off their "sacred homelands" to some of the biggest crooks, enslaving and stripping the democratic rights of their own citizens in the name of "wealth creating foreign investment".

The more things change, the more they remain the same. Will humanity ever wake up to the thousands of years of royal screwing still going on ?

Ed Deak.

Hey Cool hand!

Ed is right but assuming we look at Australia, here is something critical which you conveniently forgot to mention. Your supervisor should have checked you copy before posting it.

"This favouring of foreign investors over domestic companies is one of the reasons that the Australian Productivity Commission and the Australian government decided against including these arbitration mechanisms in future treaties, let alone in a treaty where Australia occupied the capital-importing position and appeared especially vulnerable to lawsuits." Gus van Haarten in an article on the Tyee.

I guess your reading is very selective. But we are all getting quite used to it.

Don Davies

NDP MP Don Davies is doing a ton of work on this issue. He is the international trade critic and he is well worth googling. Just thought I would mention his name as Nikiforuk doesn't seem to have enough respect for 'the one or two NDP MP's' to actually name them.

Oh, China

My favourite part of the Chinese strategy is the way they overpay for companies. It also makes sell-happy Canadian FDI boosters scream and point: "SEE? SEE? MONEEEEEY..." Really though - look at all that money! The Americans wouldn't overpay for a company by 30%! Are these Chinese fools, or what?

Of course these are not fools. Masters of cost control, productive to a fault, and having free access to the biggest single pool of qualified, non-union labour that has ever existed, they make back every last penny they "lost" on the big buy-out. In fact, by categorically dominating a market with these buyouts and ownership positions, they are able to exercise control even more efficiently.

And that's the gist of it: control. The Chinese government's way of doing business - imagine this - is all about control. Big price tags on acquisitions allow them to execute those buys exactly when they want to, which is very important and well worth the money when that single buy is but one link in a chain. When does the chain end? When they completely control the market, obviously. Then they can use that local market in concert with the other markets that they've been gradually, carefully cinching up.

A guy like Harper is just the shyster who runs for office in this country full of nice folks who don't ask too many questions and have no clue, or prefer not to think about, the value of what they're sitting on. Same thing for Chretien and Mulroney and a string of small-minded chumps. As if our PM went to China looking for a good deal: the power worshipper that he is, he probably quivered with sickly reverence at the prospect of an audience with those Communist Party men, who control so many people, who can project capital into any sphere, and who have the temerity to seek control of the whole world. I can just imagine Harper and his team of salivating morons going through the pantomime of negotiation, acting as if they knew what the fuck they were doing, already defeated.

I don't know

Mr. Harper is very clearly the head of a deeply corrupted party which is allied to other deeply corrupted organized um... let's call them schemes in many countries and companies. The man is a basic mark. His own personal nastiness makes him so easy to have, like a gambler who can be reliably drained by his own greed. But...

China may also be in deep trouble at home for the same reason that our governments are in such trouble here. Corruption was recently exposed there in a NY Times article that detailed the multi-billion dollar holdings of the poor old white-haired momma of their departing fearless leader. The story was quickly censored, but these things have a way of getting out, and the Chinese people are not fools.

They are only some few decades from their revolution, and that experience is fresh in them. They know the risks better than most people, but they also know their power much more immediately than others whose revolutions are more distant in their memories.

The corrupt Chinese Communist Party could as easily fall as Mr. Harper's little house of cards. It certainly will, unless they can fix their problem within the rule of law.

That does seem a bit unlikely though, given that corruption is criminal behaviour everywhere, and at it's very heart.

The criminal behaviour of the

The criminal behaviour of the ruling classes, all over the world, is licenced, excused and forced on by the present monetary system built on non existing, imaginary figures, as any of the past and present destructive, colonizing religions in history.

When a theory is permitted to overrule physical realities and human rights, disaster has always and will always follow.

Our presently ruling neoclassical market economic theory, built on the fantasy of perpetual "growth", without any liability columns in their accounting system, is nothing more, or less, than a pseudo religion, enslaving people's minds.

Ed Deak.