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I'm Mad As Hell


Did you ever feel like you're living in a movie? I do. Except the character I play has no control over events. The perfect movie to describe my anxiety would be Network. And I, of course, am news anchor Howard Beale. You know the guy. He's the one in that biting Paddy Chayefsky-scribed dialogue who famously exhorts his viewers:
"...I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, stick your head out, and yell, "I'M MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE..."  
Oh, if only yelling this from my window would have some effect. Why, you ask, am I so possessed? You didn't ask? Never mind, I'm gonna tell you anyway. You're welcome.

The Canadian government, the one I didn't vote for, has turned me over and given it to me up the whazoo. Well, figuratively speaking, of course. And not just once, but over and over again.

It wasn't bad enough that for the last two years I've been bombarded by those cacophonous television ads for Canada's so-called economic action plan when I try to watch everything from a hockey game to the Food Channel. Yeah, the government's so far spent over $26 million telling me what a great job it's doing. Oh, they think so, eh?

What about their de-invenstment in scientific research in this country? And muzzling the federal scientists who still have jobs? What about their neanderthal approach to global warming? What about their ramped-up involvement in international conflicts? What about their ignorance for the environment? And the list goes on to include everything from attack ads to government senators padding their housing allowances to the tune of $90,000.

And if that weren't enough, the Prime Minister's Office has instructed all departments to refer to the government as The Harper Government when they issue news releases. This marks the first time since confederation a government has done such a thing. I guess that's so we Canadians can distinguish a bonehead government from the previous ones.

But the so-called Harper Government is like the gang that couldn't shoot straight. Listen to this. Recently they misplaced $3.1 billion from their terrorism prevention budget. Now there's money well spent. And who knew Canadians were fighting terrorism, anyway?

And they must be worried about how they're being perceived by Canadians. Lately they've taken to e-mailing bureaucrats about Canada's Economic Action Plan and asking them who they're going to vote for in the next election. The e-mail is from the Conservative Party's Executive Director and reads, in part "The Conservative Party of Canada depends on the support and advice of Canadians like you - that's why we're reaching out this year with a series of online surveys".

There are a couple of disturbing aspects of this activity. One, infringing on our privacy by obtaining and using e-mail address lists and, two, asking bureaucrats, who are supposed to be the epitome of impartiality, how they're going to vote.

Recently, a parliamentary committee with a majority of government members decided they were going to undertake a review of Canadian history. If they're going to rewrite it I can tell them where to start - the last two years!


Now, I'd better be careful because in all my ranting I have to remember what eventually happened to Howard Beale in Network. At the end of the movie they shot him. Well, at least he was put out of his misery. I have to put up with this crap for at least two more years!

Comments

Boom Boom Larew said…
Dang... and I thought things were bordering on ridiculous here. Hope your whazoo recovers from the devastation. Sending good thoughts!
nonamedufus said…
My whazoo is sore as hell.
Cheryl said…
Drat. I've always looked to Canada for relief from the inanity in the US. Hang tough, buddy. Sounds like you're going to need more books to block out the noise of the politicos.
nonamedufus said…
Oh, I see what's going on in the States, too. The sad thing is it seems to go on in politics pretty much everywhere. It's sad. It just seems that elected governments think they have a license to screw us.
Debra She Who Seeks said…
Throw the bums out! That's always the best solution. Elect new bums!
nonamedufus said…
Ah, but that's the problem. The next election isn't for another 2 years yet.
Cheryl P. said…
I think you made a good point, that politics seem to be generally flawed everywhere. I do agree that it gets difficult to bear. I have become quite cynical. It seems that no matter who is elected there is still so much of a quagmire...inefficiency and waste. GGGRRRR
nonamedufus said…
Yeah GGGRRRR pretty much sums it up, Cheryl.
meleahrebeccah said…
"Recently they misplaced $3.1 billion from their terrorism prevention budget. Now there's money well spent. And who knew Canadians were fighting terrorism, anyway?"

Um --- that's a LOT of freaking money.
nonamedufus said…
Um --- yeah! And they can't find it.
Linda Medrano said…
Move to California, Dufus. We have no problems.
nonamedufus said…
Chump change it's not.
nonamedufus said…
I'd love to. I don't even mind sitting at the burger table. If I could bring my doctors I would.
meleahrebeccah said…
Not even a little.
Shawn Ohara said…
I was satisfied that the Conservatives won the last election. They seemed best able to manage the existing/ pending economic crisis. The PC did a good enough job riding out the economic mess with which we were left. The Liberals had poor leadership and no direction and the NDP had too many kids running. You aren't the only Canadian fed up with Harper's government. And unlike before, we have options. Stronger Liberal red leadership and NDP orange. Trudeau is not ready to lead the country but he may be in three years. And while I am not a fan of the NDP, Mulcair was my MNA in Chomedey & I am a fan of the man. The next election though will see a shift to the traditional Liberal/Conservatives finishing 1 and 2, with the NDP in third.
Indigo Roth said…
John, I feel for you buddy. The schmucks running the show here are lining their pockets while giving us a similar wazoo treatment. However, with regards to Canadian military expenditure, you may enjoy this, eh? Roth
nonamedufus said…
Canadians? With guns? Truth be told our military budget has been cut back considerably.
Anonymous said…
I have "always" been skinny, 5'9 in no way weighed more than 125-130, by no means owned scales and whilst I don't eat massive portions and I'm relatively picky, I don't always eat the healthiest.

i.e. Cereal for supper. I used to be blessed with a few really very
good genetics and have In no way been on the diet program.
I began speaking 25 mg of Zoloft for Peri-menopause and also as a result of a good deal of adjustments
in my existence inside 6 months (moved, married, occupation modify,
sold my house, bought an additional property, daughter marrying, son
graduating) Most likely a wonder it was attached intravenously.
.Even so I have always been very active my entire existence both
operating, biking and so forth...in order that was my drug of option (endorphin's) I didn't observe considerably adjust in any respect in my fat
at first, then a year later my clothes size went from dimension
four to an eight. 10-12 lbs doesn't sound like a whole lot, but on somebody which is around the slim aspect to start with, made a massive difference in my clothes and also the way I felt. I was working out harder and consuming much less, which to be sincere, a lot much less and I would happen to be starving myself. I don't sit around and my partner compares me for
the Energizer Bunny. I made a decision right after studying
the fat achieve to finish the usage of Zoloft and handle the smaller sized issues in Menopause.
6 Months later on, a little far more moody, but have lost
ever pound I place on. I must have been the small share of folks that experienced excess weight gain, but in addition I think the studies never observe the information lengthy sufficient
because it wasn't immediate with myself. Men and women preserve saying the fat obtain was Menopause and for any although I believed it until I determined to go off Zoloft and find out what occurred. Household background on my Mother's side was that all of us
stayed slim even through the Menopause. So
now once i get upset or moody, I put my operating footwear
on and hit the asphalt.

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Nicky said…
In the last election, I nearly voted for the Marxist/Leninist candidate because he seemed like the best of the worst. I'm not sure the choices will be better in two years time.
nonamedufus said…
Where's the Rhinoceros Party when you need them?

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