Quebec, Democrats, Sinkholes and Friday #Shoutouts

The best phony headline of the week, “Quebec roads invade Ontario!” and with the discovery (by a driver who didn’t see it until he was in it (luckily, he is fine)), the Ottawa Pothole season begins early! If you have not seen the pictures, one of my posts this week includes this massive hole that you normally see elsewhere (read Quebec), but I have included it at the bottom of this post as well.

Speaking of La Belle Province, as I said, it’s like Cirque du Soleil: entertaining and spectacular, but no one really understands it all. The wicked-out gunman killed someone during Mme. Marois’ speech was insane (even for Quebec) and I do not wish to trivialize the death of his victims either, but even I didn’t see that one coming. The PQ minority election (with not enough seats to create any viable coalition) is pretty much the best result that could have come out of it. There will be another election fairly soon, but who will lead the Provincial Liberals? Better still what will Jean Charest do now that he has resigned? Will the former Federal PC “leader” run for the Federal Liberal leadership? If you can have a former NDP Premier running, why not a former PC leader?!? Never a dull moment in Quebec.

Down South, the campaign starts in earnest with the Democrats rolling out “Slick Willy” (Bill Clinton) to try to kickstart the Obama campaign. I note the Republicans haven’t pulled George Bush (W. or Senior) out of the woodwork, but they are talking of Ronald Reagen a great deal (i.e. Romney is like Reagen in 1980), not sure Romney can pull off a good Gipper imitation (and Mrs. Romney is No Nancy Reagen).

Back to school week here in Ottawa goes relatively well, other than holes in the ground opening and swallowing cars, the world returns to a level of normalcy. The next long weekend to come is Thanksgiving? That is a little disheartening.

Weekly Recap

None of my posts disappeared in a sinkhole this week, but there were some good ones:

• I got lazy (and busy) so my Sunday post which normally highlights my Tweets got pushed to Monday thus Happy Labour Day and Sundays Best was on Monday
• In preparation for the Quebec election, I waxed philosophical about living through the quiet revolution and the first PQ election victory with QUebec and 1976 all over again
• I went through my archives of posts I had started but hadn’t quite finished with Like a Fish Needs a Bicycle, maybe I should have left it on the shelf.
• The Bank of Canada continues its loose theory of money lending which is highlighted in Overnight rate stays at 1% in September (in Canada)
• Better Dividends, Presidential Races, Elections and Friday #Shoutouts My what a busy week behind and ahead of us, with a lovely long weekend in between (and it is back to school too).

And thanks to those who added me on Twitter.

Links for the Week

Crazed gunmen, global economic headwinds, real hurricanes, and continued lower interest rates were in the news, but what did my favorite writers write about:

• Larry MacDonald points out that the Shadow Banking System needs some Regulatory framework just like the “real” banking system, good points here (technical financial stuff, but important to understand).
• My Own Advisor gives us an August 2012 Dividend Update where he points out that the Banks who keep claiming business will not be so good soon, aren’t telling the complete truth.
• Mr. Money Mustache brings us Does Peak Happiness Really Come at $75,000/year? I have no idea, but I have a bone to pick with the MMM, they get featured in a local Ottawa newscast, and no love for a local Ottawa blogger? That is cold brother!
• The Blunt Bean Counter got me thinking I should maybe have a private corporation with Private Corporations – Using Family Trust to Fund University Costs, but I guess it’s too late now.
• Jeremy at Modest Money gives us 5 Frugal Tips to Get Through Hard Times, there are more than 5?
• Michael James gives us a few Lessons from the Facebook IPO, and IPOs in general, but given the hype for this one, I guess Facebook is a bit of a focus point for investors right now.
• Gail Vaz-Oxlade gives a friend some advice with 7 Car Shopping Mistakes, some very good points here, although she doesn’t mention, don’t drive your car into a sinkhole.
• Preet may not be writing much lately, but he is as busy as heck too, but in the Globe and Mail he did write about Hey scholars, does your debt-to-income ratio make the grade?
• Ever wonder what the heck I look like and whether there are articles about me, well I found on-line a great article that Larry MacDonald wrote a few years back about yours truly (even has a picture of my son).