Conference kaosws::canada

339.0. "Good business or good politics primarily." by MQOSWS::N_CARDELLA (Father of Tiger) Fri Aug 03 1990 18:46

    Hello.
    
    I find there is an odd presumption in Canada (and maybe throughout the
    world) that business and businessmen are what we need to get us back
    on the road.
    
    1. My dad keeps saying that the Desmarais, Simards, and Bronfmans of
       Quebec won't let Quebec separate from the rest of Canada.
    
    2. On a radio talk show, 1 caller suggested that the large American
       oil firms won't let Iraq keep its present occupation of Kuwait.
    
    I wonder where people get the notion that the business community have
    any say in the destiny of countries (or provinces).  Or that the business
    community knows what's good for us and that good business will
    lead to good politics.
    
    If we look at Mulroney's track record, it seems to prove just the
    opposite.  People thought that a smart Bay Street businessman
    in Ottawa would be good for Canada. but Mulroney's failures are all
    on the political aspects - Meech Lake, the Indian land claims, the
    abortion law, etc. and they are tearing the country apart.
    
    In addition, his business track record is debatable.  Although the dollar
    is strong (great for foreign investors), the interest rates are
    too high (lousy for the average mortgaged Canadian).  And the verdict
    on free trade isn't in yet... but it certainly isn't a success up till now.
    
    It seems to me that good politics should lead to good business... that
    business will flourish where there is a nation of people all proud to
    be part of that nation, where minority rights are protected, where
    there is open dialogue between all levels of government, where
    democracy is exercised daily (not every 4 years), etc.
    
    What do you think?  Good politics primarily or good business?  Can we
    have both?
                                                                    
    Normand

    hmmmm ...
    
    	democracy every four years?  what happened to 3.5 or 5 years?
    	is 4 a reference to the american system.
    
    	strong dollar is a double edge sword and should only be reviewed
    	with other measures are included, such as GNP, trading surplus
	and deficit.  ie, a weak (low value) dollar can mean improve
    	finicial comparison against foreign competition (job strength)
    	or increase foreign investment into the canadian economy (is this 
        good or bad? ... depends on your trading deficit, GNP etc...
    	and your political views) or a weak dollar can weaken your
	spending power (lower std of living).  
    
    	hence, i can take the same item and show you how it is good 
    	and bad. economical strength is a measure of mutliple variables.

        
    dave

    
    oh yes .. i will not touch the basic premise of the topic is good
    business good for politics.  why? i hate politics.

    Does 'good politics' exist ?
    
    What a dreamer. My Utopia too but its all smoke, $$$$ runs the world.
    
    Lloyd

    Of course, good politics exists.  We've had some genius politicians in
    this country, although, I won't venture to name them (for fear of
    receiving hate mail, hahah).
    
    I don't know... it seems to me that if business continues to play
    the upper hand in our politics, then we're in for a rough ride...
    but then again, I live in a dream world I guess.
    
    Normand