Quebec City is called the Paris of North America. I've never been there but those who have say it has an old world charm that's quite beautiful.

Quebec was the second permanent settlement (July/03/1608) started by Europeans in the 17th century. The first was Jamestown, Virginia (May/1607) which was an English settlement.

Except for Native North Americans we're either immigrants or we came from immigrants to the New World. The natives taught the French and the English how to survive in the harsh climates of Canada.

Quebec became a trading center for the natives and the white man in the 17th century.

The French culture was never assimilated by the British, but survives very well in the province of Quebec.

Over the years, Canada has become a truly multicultural country that celebrates differences between cultures and demonstrates that people of different races, religions and cultures can live in peace with each other.

The fastest way to decrease the demand for oil is to increase the demand for "alternate energy vehicles" nationally and internationally.

"The Progressive Automobile X Prize Race" that seeks to create the above by 2010 should be put on a fast track to obtain its goals quicker. The best way to do this is through a Hollywood reality show that lets the audience vote on the most fuel efficient cars.

The race would both entertain and educate worldwide audiences in high tech automobiles of the 21st century.

"The Progressive Automobile X Prize Race Reality Show" would do for the auto industry what "American Idol" has done for the recording industry.

It's ironic that oil closed at $141 a barrel on Canada's 141st birthday. Somebody is thinking of us.

Of the many things that I love about Canada. comedians and "funny" actors/writers top the list. These include John Candy, Mike Myers, Jim Carrey and William Shatner. 

Sure Canada has some great wilderness, but what can beat Bob and Doug's "Great White North, Two-Four Anniversary". It's just so..........Canadian!!!

With the Dow dropping 20% from last October, it looks like Americans are in Bear territory. I wouldn't rely on "Financial Guides or Economists" to get you out. We'll have to do that yourself.

In this blog, I have produced many entries on sane investing and the positive aspects of the U.S. economy. Those entries are found at the bottom of the links section on the right.

Politicians, business leaders, economists can't just sit around and spread doom and gloom. U.S. leaders have to be proactive in solving America's financial and economic problems. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Here are some suggestions to work on:

1. Political and business leaders have to get together and discuss "How oil comsumption can be decreased in every country of the world". China and India would be part of this conference.
2. The U.S. Government should make "hedge funds" more transparent and accountable for speculative moves with oil, food and commodities.
3. U.S. Consumers should have a greater choice of financial and banking institutions to choose from including those who weren't involved in the subprime crisis (i.e. TD Canada Trust Bank, and The Grameen Bank) Both banks have branches in the United States.
4. A program and time line to phase in "alternate energy vehicles" should be agreed upon at the conference above.
5. Political, business and media leaders should go on an "Invest In America Campaign" which would include bargain stocks, bonds, and houses. Full support from the financial sector would be expected. If Americans don't invest in America, foreigners will.
6. U.S. citizens should be encouraged to be investors with long range goals rather than quick buck speculators.
7. Barack Obama is my choice to lead Americans out of its "recession of confidence". If you send him a donation, make sure he knows what the real issues are.

Below is a letter that I sent to Mr. Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank. I think it's time to take his bank to the next level and start micro and macrofinancing in the United States. It's time for a breath of fresh air in the world's biggest financial system.

"I'm a great admirer of your bank and your work with poor people in 3rd world countries. Your system on giving loans on trust and producing only a default rate of 2% is truly remarkable.

In North America, we need a change in the U.S. financial system away from the irresponsible heavily leverage and subprime loan fiascos of the past. We need rays of sunshine to dispel the clouds of doom and gloom from Goldman Sachs, Citibank, The Leeman Brothers and others.

I believe that your bank could play a part in rebuilding confidence in a "Reinvented U.S. Financial System" that would mentor and monitor its creditors so they developed genuine good credit.

The above would result in good mortgages and good lines of credit to those who improved their credit ratings. This applies to anyone rich or poor, businesses and financial institutions.

At a time when you and your bank were succeeding so well, the U.S. financial endured heavy losses which are still being felt throughout the world.

I live in Brampton, Ontario Canada and our particular problem here are exploitive "payday loans" from legal loan-sharking businesses. It's the poor who suffer the most from these predatory companies. Your bank would help put the payday loan sharks out of business.

I know there's a Grameen Bank in New York City, but I don't know if you're planning a branch in the Greater Toronto Area. If you do, I'll be your first customer.

Thank you for helping those most in need".

All the best,
David Barron

The Ontario Government is taking submissions on poverty in Ontario and Canada. My ideas are listed below:

1. Children in poverty are often poorly clothed and hungry. Their education and self image can suffer because of this. Particular attention has to go to eliminating hunger, bad clothing and unhygienic conditions, so disadvantaged children can learn and socialize with other kids without being bullied or humiliated.
2. Tim Hortons has a summer camp program for underpriviledged children. This has been very successful in Ontario. Other corporate sponsors should be found for specialized summer camps for artistic, gifted and difficult children. Whatever the need is for these special students, they should be helped by individual, corporate and government donations.
3. There are places in the libraries and community centres where events and sports are held for kids and youth. I believe its important to sponsor extracurricular activites (like acting groups) and sports teams in a community. Youths, and children have to get out and learn new things plus exercise in a fun way with others. Sometimes poor families can't afford the expense of these activities, so they have to be assisted by charities.
4. There has to be a crusade against poverty from the highest level of government and business organizations. The greatest resource of any country is its children. Poor children must be given an opportunity to succeed like other middle class children.
5. Improved programs for retraining and certification of immigrants must be stressed. There should be more Employment Insurance money spent in Ontario on projects to help people get away from deadend contract and minimun wage jobs.

If you want to make your own contribution to a "New Strategy on Poverty in Ontario and Canada", please click on this link.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters/Simon and Garfunkle

The old economy with its gas guzzling planes and automobiles is starting to go down the tubes. Look at the job cuts to "Air Canada" and "GM Canada".

That doesn't mean that online poker is producing a new economy in Canada or the world. Many people have always enjoyed gambling. At "Poker Stars", I recently improved my poker playing by winning $17,000 in play money over three weeks. That doesn't mean, I'm going to become a profession poker player.

It's good to get better at a challenging game, but a new economy can and will replace an old one. Look at the industrial revolution in the 19th century.

The Government must concentrate on bringing companies to Ontario that will build fuel efficient autos, trucks, buses, and planes. That's part of any "New Economy". 

This is a 10 million dollar race across the U.S. with a goal to develop the cleanest-running car ever without sacrificing driving range or affordability. The race starts in New York in 2009 and will conclude in 2010.

Rocker Neil Young has his own super efficiency racer an electrified 1959 Lincoln called the Linc Volt.  Advanced electric motor inventor Thane Heins is also working on this project.

The goals of the race are simple: "We're going to create cars that will allow us to stop giving our wealth to other countries for petroleum. We'll make history by making gasoline history".

With oil again going up quite a bit on world markets, the quicker this comes about the better it is for all of us.

I've also added some new categories for my links as well. These include "Green Activism And Investing", Great Music From The Past" and "Off-Beat Stuff".

There's at least ten new entries in "Cosmic Views On The Universe". The "Top Ten List Category" has at least four more top lists. Also, there's five more entries in "Investing In The Future".

To me,  blogging and internet sites link not only to human minds and experience, but to other life forms as well. It's a common memory bank that we all can access.

I blog, therefore, I am.