Seeking the fullest expression….

This morning I was watching a past Barbara Walters and Oprah interview. Oprah said these words that truly resonated. She said, “I am seeking the fullest expression of myself as a human being on earth.” These words were just what I needed to hear today. Tell me this statement does not strike a chord somewhere inside you?

 

Cheers,

Vee

How will the new 2012 budget affect you?

It seems to me that Canadians are now going to truly experience the impact of laissez-faire policies as a result of the recently passed budget.  How will less government affect us in the bigger picture?

Budget highlights:

• $5 Billion will be saved by trimming the government
• $378 million in foreign aid to be cut within 3 years
• The new budget intends to reduce department spending by 7%
• 19,200 public sector jobs will be eliminated within the next 3 years
• Change in Employment Insurance (EI):If you work less, you will earn less” (CTV.ca)
• Old age security (O.A.S) will be delayed to the age of 67 starting in 2023; it was previously 65
• National round table on the
• Ottawa will stop making pennies
• 1 year $205 million hiring tax credit for small businesses
• 50 million over 2 years for youth employment strategies
• $1 Billion to support science and technology

How do you feel about all of this? In favour…..not in favour? Without a doubt, there is a lot more to be looked into in order to have a deeper analysis.   Personally, I am not sure how I feel about  this new budget. I am yet to read between the fine lines.

Meanwhile, I am one of those buyers you will spot digging through their purse trying to get rid of  pennies, but at the same time I feel like it’s going to be odd not having pennies at all.  love-hate relationship? Hmmm….I guess I will only know once this particular mandate is in full effect…lol.

Source: http://www.ctv.ca

My two cents re: ‘KONY 2012′ filmmaker controversy

The way I see it, the fact still remains that many have been greatly affected by Joseph Kony’s actions. In regards to the KONY 2012 video, I do believe that it contributed to raising awareness to a serious issue that millions were clueless about. Hence, it going viral!  We may not know the filmmaker’s intentions or whether the funds raised are getting to the people that actually do need them (funds channeled through his organization). Many of us have a ton of questions that I believe should indeed be addressed. However, with all these qualms going on, I do hope that the children will remain our focus as they are the ones who hurt each passing day.

Vee

How did we get here and what will it take to recover?

Source: Joe Heller

What will it take for the economy to completely recover? As many of us know, consumer spending in the United States accounts for almost 70% of economic activity. To put it simply, one would assume that the more we spend, the sooner it will take to get back to the good old times.  But isn’t this how we got into trouble in the first place? I did a bit of research and discovered that personal debt in the U.S. increased after the deregulation of the credit card industry in the 1980s. Prior to that, credit cards were primarily possessed by the affluent. However, in the 1980s, borrowed money became very easy to acquire. Could this be a valid reason as to why we are currently heavily indebted? I would imagine that this would insinuate that we should therefore be saving more and spending less. However, this would contradict what most economists affirm.  I mean it does make sense that the less we spend (products/services), the less labour needed and unfortunately this usually results to unemployment.  What a perplexing catch-22! So, what then will it take? Does anybody know?

 

Vee

Do we need retail therapy?

I am reading this book called Profit Over People and the author noted something that sparked my interest. “Neoliberal democracy produces consumers instead of citizens. Instead of communities it produces shopping malls” (McChesney, 1998). This statement made me think of how we go crazy for Boxing Day sales particularly those ‘door crasher’ items. Have you seen people being trampled over? I have and it is sad, sad, sad. Funny thing is, we hardly seem to have the same enthusiasm when it comes to supporting matters/ issues that affect us and our communities.  Not cool!

Just for laughs…. “The only reason many American families don’t own an elephant is that they have never been offered an elephant for a dollar down and easy weekly payments” (Mad magazine) Funny!

I guess many of us just love to shop for things on sale even when they are not needed. Are we  in need of a major retail therapy? I don’t know….you tell me!

Vee

What do you value?

I saw this quote on my girl’s page ….”People were created to be loved.
Things were created to be used.
The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used” (Author unknown).

Simple, but profound!

Vee