Random Thoughts: Debate This!

No YOU are Wrong Sir!

I can’t say, as I have been watching the election tomfoolery this week too closely. Even the debates seemed mostly to be about the nerds taking on the schoolyard bully (in the English debates, the bully was Mr. Harper. In the French debates, it was Mr. Duceppe). Still, everyone keeps expecting another Mulroney/Turner-type debacle, but these leaders have been too highly coached to make the same mistakes Mr. Turner made. Frankly, it was all a big yawn, but Jack Layton made a few “techno-hip dude” comments, which were fun to read about the next day (Epic Hashtag Fail, nice touch, Jack).

Lots of talk of changing things to make things better for the Canadian Family and wooing the younger voters and such, but not a lot of new and exciting things either. Maybe I am jaded by the number of elections in the past few years, but this all seems very old hat to me. Gone are the exciting days of Trudeau-mania, now we sort of live in a white bread, dull, colourless political world. No swagger from any of the leaders (Layton’s leather jacket seems to be as bombastic as any of them might go), this election might bore the voters to death if they are not careful.

Here are some statistics this week, and a few personal finance discussion points from me this week:

• With Unemployment Inches Down, and Employment Hovers for March 2011, we see some continuing good news on the job front, but will these good numbers continue throughout the summer?
• Do you have a Spring To Do List ? I do, and it keeps growing, but we’ll have to think about it closely given there are some must do tasks on the list.
• For those of us (like me) who are still carrying debt the Continuing Loose Money Policies of the Bank of Canada is good news, however, there are black clouds on the horizon (did I say Inflation?).
• Are you wondering What To Do With Your Tax Rebate ? Look no further I have a few ideas (pay down debt), for you.
• Random Thoughts: Shut down! the best of the weeks coming up to the 2011 Federal Election.

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As a note, I enjoy all comments (even the ones that question my sanity), and will try to respond to most comments, so please feel free to comment away.

More interesting talking points on the Election and other ideas from our other friends in the Financial Blogosphere:

• Michael James speaks the Yang worship word, which is forbidden in his post, Tax Freedom Day, and an official atta boy/girl for the first comment that mentions which Original Star Trek episode I am referencing.
• Tom over at Canadian Finance Blog asks How Much Mortgage Can I Afford ? Me, I already know since I already got one, how about you?
• Canadian Capitalist points out Why 30 Year Olds are Screwed, which is the point of view of Kurt Rosentreter, glad to hear he thinks we 50 year olds are OK, however.
• Just to pile on the topic Larry MacDonald adds in Under 30 and Screwed a few more points the author may have missed in the Canadian Capitalist's post. Sorry folks, I guess I am happy that 50 is not the new 30?
• Ellen Roseman celebrates four years of blogging fun with How to bring back great customer service, but I think she is being optimistic if she thinks it is going to happen at Bell. I am a share holder, I don't want them being good with customers, that costs money!!!
• Boomer of Boomer and Echo points out How Baby Boomers Influenced the Banking Industry, that is saying like how the Tsunami influenced Japan.
• Preet shows he is a man of great understanding in his Globe post Is hiring help worth the price? Yes, if you hate chores, which is my Father's theory. He knew he could do the job, he'd much rather have someone else do the job well.
• Financial Highway asks a trick question I guess Should You Let Your Kids Move Back In, and of course the answer is absolutely not! Yes, I might let my kids move back in for a short period, but I am not letting them know that, they'll be back on me like Locusts on the savanna.
• Sustainable Personal Finance points out the power of the Internet with Sustainability Tip #102: E-file , and oh, if you live in the US, have you done your taxes?!?
• Sandy at YesIamCheap asks What is Keeping You From Finding a Job? The fact that I have one is slowing me down right now.

Carnivals this Week

I also had some submissions accepted to various carnivals, so go have a read of these as well:

• Thousandaire hosted the Totally Money Blog Carnival #13 which featured my post Security: The Most Important Financial Concept
• Money Management hosted the Carnival of Personal Finance - Financial Literacy Edition which featured my post On Line Financial Services.

Remember

"We're gonna win this one, take the country by storm
We're gonna be elected
You and me together, young and strong"

Author: Alice Cooper (bet you thought it was the new Liberal catch phrase eh?)