Saving the world isn't an easy proposition

Some thoughts from a friend and others, and a few of my own.

To set the stage, a quote from Hans Hofman. “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

Another, from Woody Guthie. “Anyone can make something complicated but it takes a genius to keep it simple.”

While billions of human beings are suffering in many ways throughout the world, hundreds of highly paid and pampered “Fat Cats” sit in their ivory towers, accomplishing little to make things better! They have made that the shameful norm.

One simple solution passed on to me is most worthy of consideration. Imagine thousands of small packets containing tablespoon sized dollops of peanut butter. In the same package, birth control pills and sanitary pads.

All items, non perishable. All light weight and low cost. All able to withstand an airdrop to anywhere in the world. None of any value if seized by some warlord.

The peanut butter contains valuable vitamins and minerals. The birth control pills allow women to not be saddled with far too many suffering children. The sanitary pads, so young girls no longer miss weeks of much needed schooling; embarrassed by having little protection during their periods.

No more billions of dollars of foreign aid rotting on the docks or in some warlords' army stores.

No more foreign aid workers kidnapped for ransom or slaughtered and their storage depots looted. No more frustrations getting aid where there are no roads to deliver it.

While on the topic of saving; our federal government remains cluelessly indifferent. No end to unbalanced budgets or an out of control deficit. Interest paid on the deficit takes up 8% of the Fed's spending and is expected to hit 14% by 2033.

Having increased our bloated public service by an astounding 50%, they are now facing a strike for billions of dollars for more salaries and perks. And that while quadrupling the cost of hiring big business friends to consult for an estimated $190 billion in 2022 alone! The equivalent of about $1,300 for every Canadian! How much health care would that buy?

Our armed forces are again decimated by yet another Trudeau because fixing them doesn’t get you elected as well as dumping billions of dollars into projects in Quebec and Ontario. Procurement is a repugnant, sorry mess for most anything. Ridiculous delays and doubling of estimated costs have become standard. Saving billions on proven ready to use compatible equipment for near instant delivery is ignored because it doesn’t buy votes.

Our pledge to NATO for 2% of GDP is a worldwide standing joke. The United States news media even highlighted a quote from our smart mouthed prime minister to NATO that he had no intention of keeping his promise; much like many others.

Trudeau keeps punting inept ministers from one portfolio to another. They spend more time trying to justify their screw ups than improving on their responsibilities. Prudence is not in their vocabulary. Denial and punting their responsibilities down the road are standard. Blaming everything on a Harper government from a decade ago is wearing thin on most Canadians.

Perhaps, it's time for a change. But a change to what? Thus, in closing, I must quote some famous people and their thoughts on politicians:

“If God wanted us to vote he would have given us candidates.” (Jay Leno)

“The problem with political jokes is that they get elected.” (Henry Cate)

“Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.” (Nikita Khrushchev)

“When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become president; I’m beginning to believe it.” (Clarence Darrow)

“Politicians are people who; when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.” (John Quinton)

“Why pay money to have your family tree traced; go into politics and your opponents will do it for you.” (Author unknown)

“Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession.I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.(Ronald Regan)

“Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.(Oscar Ameringer)

“I offer my opponents a bargain; if they stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them.” (Adlai Stevenson)

“A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.” (Tex Guinan) Dale Ferrel, Leduc