Self Sufficiency – the big lie

(Picture-Jatta-Earning a living in The Gambia is not easy) Much of the focus of the developed world and its austerity drive is on “self sufficiency”.  The belief is that if you isolate people from social support they somehow will become self sufficient. 

Of real concern

(Picture of Nyima with her mother Abee) Life for most appears to be one big “worry”.  It is no wonder that for many, life feels like a treadmill that continues to accelerate as one runs to keep up. 

Creating a new economy

The time has come to recognize that in the world the economy has collapsed and a new economy must be created. The old economy was created after the great depression and World War 11 and was built on world reconstruction and an industrial model that spawned the greatest innovation, technological and social development in human […]

Political Power – a necessary transition

We don’t have to look very far to witness the excessive use of political power by those who control governments.  Any modicum of a majority is enough to push radical change, widespread policy shifts or approval of the most nebulous of projects.  There is no need to engage people in the debate; the fact that […]

Masters of Our Own Destiny

A new mantra has appeared in the continuing effort to justify the Muskrat Falls Hydro project, with its ever escalating price tag and dubious provincial benefit package.  Other arguments have apparently proven less than credible and much less believable for most of the people in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Premier is now posing the question […]

Corner Brook Pulp andPaper – a sad but necessary demise

In Newfoundland and Labrador since its beginning giveaways were a big part of economic development.  The list of enterprises that have been built with government support is endless.  The losses over the years are no less significant when you count the cost of our natural resource depletion, environmental destruction and the resources and benefits that […]

Community Development – an age old solution

There appears a singular definition of development that is being promoted as the world navigates its way through an economic crisis unlike any that it has seen before.  This definition suggests that development is about economy, economy is only money and money come from business. This definition has led most governments to conclude that the […]

A Reawakening

After the near collapse of the global economy and its financial institutions in 2008 there was much talk about “green shoots” of recovery emerging.  They are having great difficulty germinating in the corrosive soil of austerity being imposed by extremist right wing agendas in many countries, including our own. The reason for this collapse can […]

The Search for a Solution

My last article (Insulting Elders – Abusing Youth) prompted from someone who regularly responds to my articles a question for me of “What is the solution?”.  Over the years other friends, colleagues and readers have asked this same question.  It is a valid question to ask of one who is perceived as most often trying […]