The Conservative Party’s decision to review the lyrics of O Canada, the Canadian National Anthem, is raising eyebrows, and rightfully so. At a time when the economy is struggling to get back on its feet and the government has already spent a considerable amount of money, it is concerning that this is even being considered. The move has been criticized by many as a foolish and unnecessary distraction from more pressing issues. The fact that some Canadians are losing sleep over the phrase “in all thy sons command” is baffling, especially when there are more important concerns, such as the economy and national debt. While the writer can appreciate the need for inclusivity, this is not the most critical matter that requires attention at the moment.
I was on Guard this Week
- Temple Grandin a good video about the actual lady, not the dramatization.
- Hockey Ticket Speculation like the Stock Market folks do try to make a buck on the oddest things.
- No You Aren’t Married to Him which is confusing.
- Bank of Canada: No Rate Hikes (yet) money was cheap those days.
Those days of cheap money did come back to bite us.
They were on Guard
With glowing hearts, we read many great postings this week written by financial bloggers, from the true North strong and free. From far and wide, we searched to find those posts that stood on guard for us:
- Michael James looks a gift horse in the mouth and finds a few rotten teeth in his post Overpaying for “Free” Life Insurance. We should figure out whether “free” is too expensive for us.
- Preet sure talks to a lot of interesting folks, and thanks to his chat with Michael Moore he is giving away copies of Capitalism: A Love Story — Giveaway. Remember, true love, is always saying you are sorry.
- The Canadian Capitalist has some Tips for your RRSP Contribution which is useful, even with RRSP season being over effectively.
- Larry MacDonald talks about the 2010 Budget and Personal Finance, and he should know he’ll have been locked away learning about it.
- Canadian Financial DIY points out that Canadian Computer prices might not be as big a gouge as they used to be in The Mighty CAD.
- Gail Vaz-Oxlade gives us something to think about with 8 Reasons Why YOU Don’t Save, how did she know?
- Ellen Roseman returns from a nice vacation and gets Back to Work, helping people get refunds. Vacations are refreshing, wish I knew how to go on one.
- To Succeed Financially you must Know Yourself says Million Dollar Journey, which is true. No financial plan works unless it fits how you want or can live.
Remember folks, there is a new budget and maybe soon we’ll have a new, non-descript, non-threatening and boring National Anthem. I suggest that we hire John Tesh or Air Supply to write it! Have a great weekend.
Don’t You Usually Comment on the Budget?
Yes, I’ll wait until Monday to comment on the budget. It seems I have walked into another cost-cutting world. Wonder if the Public Sector’s lay-off scares are worse than in the Private Sector?
For parents, one cool thing is that your estate can transfer (after your death) from your RRSP to your disabled child (or Grandchild’s) RDSP. This will be a very good thing for those with disabled kids or grandkids.
Random Thoughts from 2010
- So many financial questions and more random thoughts, too, to start the year.
- The Rideau skateway opened in 2010, with more financial posts too.
- Got the end of 2009 Inflation perspectives with other stories.
- Chutzpah and financial discussions always go hand in hand.
- I’ve written about financial shock collars before with some Random thoughts.
- Valentine’s Day 2010 was an OK time but I still complained.
- Remember the 2010 Vancouver Olympics? Those were heady days, moneywise as well.
- What does the Canadian National Anthem have to do with money? In 2010 it did.
- Random Thoughts: Spring has Sprung? better watch out for ragweed.
- Random Thoughts: Let the Madness Begin! as it does every year.
- Inflation: Facts and Figures You Should Know important to know.
- Practical Financial Tips For Navigating a Rising Interest Rate Environment seems a bit long winded.
- Random Thoughts: A Financial Haiku We explore the train of thought about value and a financial haiku. Keep it clean! Optimized for Google and including the keyphrase ‘haiku’ twice.
- Let the Playoffs Begin! New rules for the NHL playoffs and financial institutions: Get ready for taxes in the springtime with these updates!
Thanks for the link. Words can’t describe how stupid this anthem rewrite idea is. I can only guess it got floated to “take our minds off” of important things like the economy, deficit etc.
As a Canadian female, I am slightly insulted by the fact that only sons are mentioned. I think, however, that this is more a reflection of the time in which the anthem was written. It speaks to the history of our country, which, like most others, hasn’t always treated women as it should.
As an agnostic Canadian, I’m surprised we don’t hear more opposition to the God reference. That’s not very inclusive either and it was only added more recently.
As a Canadian, I’m not the least bit concerned with either of my first 2 points. But I am concerned that my country took a long time to balance its books and blew it all in one year on bailouts for industries as unhealthy as the auto sector.
I live in one of the (former) automotive capitals of Canada and I don’t care to support the industry as it stands today. I may have to pay the taxes that result from the bailout, but I rebel via my 2 Nissan vehicles.
Well said!
I’d like to point out that O Canada is not very sensitive to people frightened by the sound of the letter A. Couldn’t it be rewritten to avoid this letter? Similar to the “free” life insurance, I’m offering free(*) $20 bills.
* Must promise to give my wife $25 for each free $20 you take from me.