Public Values

Park Avenue: money, power and the American dream

Jan 282013

The monopoly game's been rigged.

from Why Poverty?

This powerful documentary explores the process by which America went from a country of mostly-middle-class people to a society of a "Grand Canyon divide" between the very wealthy and everyone else. Social psychologists explain the results of experiments which demonstrate how the monied feel entitled and deserving of wealth, while their empathy declines. The Horatio Alger story of pulling yourself up by the bootstraps is becoming less and less likely. Big money rigs the rules via lobbyists and right-wing think tanks who actually write legislation for state and federal governments. In the cross-hairs of the one per-cent? Public sector unions.

"Making money equals freeedom–freedom from any responsibility whatever."

From public health to private business

Jan 282013

Public Values

The claim of an unsustainable public health care system is false.

from Revolting Europe

To justify their cuts, the Popular Party (PP) has long been trying to convince us that Spain’s public health system suffers unsustainable hypertrophy. Nothing could be further from the truth: in 2008, at the start of the economic crisis, Spain devoted 6.5 percent of its GDP to this end. This is well below the average of the top fifteen countries of the European Union, which was then 7.3 percent.

Repeal of Bill 115 hypocritical, says CUPE

Jan 282013

Public Values

Campaign to protect bargaining rights launched.

by SGNews Staff

The repeal of Bill 115 is an attempt by Ontario Liberals to show they have changed, but CUPE says the attempt to fool people won't succeed. CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn called the announcement hypocritical.

Debate on land privatization should turn to rights implications

Jan 282013

Public Values

A railway bridge in Ontario's Garden River Indian Reservation.

First Nations land not real estate — it's homeland.

from Windspeaker

The House of Commons Finance Committee has recommended the privatization of reserve lands. The suggestion was made when the committee presented its pre-budget report before the holiday break. The committee thinks a policy such as this would help reduce poverty on First Nations.

A political strategy for Ontario teachers and education unions for 2013

Jan 242013

Public Values

Support for the NDP crucial in the coming election.

from the Little Education Report

Having backed a mixture of Liberal and NDP candidates in a strategic voting strategy since 1995 and before, the teachers, education unions and perhaps some other public sector unions need to put on their thinking caps to work themselves through 2013 and an anticipated provincial election, notwithstanding coalition or working together talk emanating from some quarters.

Good things start at the bargaining table

Jan 242013

Public Values

And wind up improving conditions for all.

from the Canadian Union of Public Employees

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is launching a television advertising campaign intended to help build awareness of the benefits of collective bargaining for everyone in Ontario.

EU trade demands should be “of grave concern” to Canadians

Jan 242013

Public Values

Secrecy-shrouded deal should be openly debated.

from the Canadian Union of Public Employees

Last week the Ottawa Citizen reported that "the federal government appears only weeks away from completing negotiations on a Canada-European Union free-trade agreement that would be the country’s largest and most important international trade pact in a generation." Read this response piece by the Council of Canadian's Maude Barlow and me.

Minister asked to intervene in Shaw-Rogers spectrum deal

Jan 242013

Public Values

Real choice in the wireless market at stake.

from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre

Five consumer and public advocacy groups have asked the Minister of Industry to take action to stop Rogers Communications Inc. from acquiring spectrum from Shaw Communications Inc. as a move which would be "contrary to your ministry's clear policy to preserve that spectrum for new wireless entrants."

Teaching is what I am

Jan 242013

Public Values

But I think about leaving.

from Our Times and the BC Teachers' Federation's Teacher newsmagazine

It's not a job really; it's what I am. You see, I'm a teacher and have been for 19 years. Other than taking time off in the middle to have my own kids, I have always been a teacher. And I'm a good one. I laugh with my Grade 4 and 5 students each day. I'm quick with a hug or a high five, a granola bar for a kid who's hungry, or a quiet word with a kid who needs that instead. I don't believe in much homework, especially not for nine- or 10-year-olds.

Kids should be outside, in boots and raincoats if necessary, building and digging and mucking about. At past meet-the-teacher nights, I've said to parents, "Go for walks with your kids. Play chess together. Play Monopoly. Watch something on Discovery Channel and then research it together. Snuggle on the couch and read a great book together. It's the relationship you build with the kids now that will hopefully see them through difficult times in their teens, or have them coming to you for advice instead of to their peers. Nothing is more important than that. Certainly not a math worksheet." And most parents agree with me, enthusiastically.

New trade treaties jeopardize fisheries regulation

Jan 242013

Public Values

Could undermine public policies that curb domination by large corporations.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

The proposed Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and other trade and investment treaties threaten the sustainability of fisheries and fishing communities, says a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

Older Entries Newer Entries