Lookin ahead to 2019 Rural Ramblings

It’s that yearly time to put my head on the predictor block. First, how did I do this time last year? Not too shady, if I say so myself. Briefly, interest rates rose, and stock markets are tanking downwards. Correct.

The Republicans lost control of the house in the mid-terms, the trade war with China is ongoing and the Russia investigation goes on. I don’t believe anything fundamentally changed over North Korea. Correct.

The relationship with China and Russia is worse I think but thankfully the Olympics passed off without incident. Correct.

The oil and gas industry, not just in Canada, is still in the doldrums and looks like its getting worse. Sadly, correct.

Brexit is still shakily on course and Angela Merkel has called it a day. Correct.

Climate change is happening, politicians and business think taxation and deals are the cure and wildfires for 2018 were horrific. Correct.

There were more terrorist attacks. Syria looks set for an end of war blood bath. Correct.

I didn’t see any aliens in 2018 but then maybe they were in disguise? There was that cigar shaped object though. I’m going to call that one a draw.

Right, now to 2019. I think we could be heading for a nasty recession. Whether it will be as bad as the one following the 2008 crash, I don’t know. I think stocks went up too fast and too much and that it could be China that sends them tanking further.

I’m afraid that pipelines or no pipelines there will be major job losses in the oil and gas industry, globally, not just in Canada. Times are changing quicker than we think. I’ve changed careers three times in my life. I’m adaptable enough to do it again if I had to. Having an adapt and adopt mindset may help some people.

I expect more devastating super storms and wildfires and the world’s leaders will talk and come up with clever financial solutions.

I expect that there will be impeachment proceedings maybe even indictments too against President Trump. I also expect the Mueller investigation to conclude. I believe Trump will be ever more predictably unpredictable even going to the point of going to war (North Korea maybe) to save his skin.

I think the west will continue to lock horns with China and individuals and businesses might want to rethink their investment and business links in case they lose the lot. Similarly, I think we need to take a good hard look at any business with Chinese ownership.

President Putin is not as popular as he was at home. Don’t be surprised to see sabre rattling and land grabs in Eastern Europe.

Elections, I am not partisan in any way. First federal, the Liberals have substantial leads in Ontario and Quebec, that’s all they need. It is theirs to lose. The rest of Canada can huff and puff but effectively cannot influence the result. With split, and to me, ineffective opposition, I expect the Liberals to win.

In Alberta, if the NDP ditched the carbon tax, I think it has a chance. Without it, not much, although I do expect the UCP to be unpalatable to some Conservatives who may prefer the Alberta Party. I expect a UCP win but maybe not a landslide. Having some polices might help.

Finally, there’s always time for aliens. Try and have a Happy New Year everyone.