Politics 16 - Changing Political Gender

I am bound to leave the realm of global thoughts as Canada prepares for a General Election, because I have some questions.

It is not difficult to find terrible things to say about the Prime Minister, Stephen Harper (Conservative) although, there are a few things that I actually agree with.

There are a few worrying things to say about Justin Trudeau (Liberal) but, in my opinion, he more than satisfies my need for a Harper replacement.

I keep looking at Thomas Mulcair (National Democratic) and try as much as I do, I find it impossible to understand what he is both for and against.

By the way, who is Mr. Mulcair?

Today, I notice that Greece has a new female prime minister and, therefore, it occurs to me that we could do worse than have Elizabeth May (Green) as the next prime minister.

Oh, I am quite serious.

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World Domination - An Essay

It’s the month of June already ... and I’ve got the classic writer’s ‘block’.

How do I avoid the quintessential rants about politics or religion when they loom darkly over our very existence.  Greece, Iraq, Ukraine, Islam, and the South China Sea (and Canadian politics continues its’ attempt to dumbfound us).  The Solar Impulse 2 is grounded in Japan after an exhausting, but record-breaking, 40-hour flight from China, where it had been resting for a lazy month of “commercial reasons” after a 7-hour flight from Chongqing to Nanjing.  Will it take more than the balloon-inspired 80-days for it to circumnavigate the Earth?

The hard drive on my computer has developed signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and my symptoms of acid indigestion, probably due to the half-chicken that I ate yesterday, would only interest my doctor during his 5-minute annual checkup next week.

Which leaves me to come to grips with my monstrously thought-provoking subject of World Domination.  Ideally, one should obtain a large globe of the Earth (No, Google isn’t good enough) ... I’ll wait.

Since the amazing breakup of the USSR, and the coming into power of the Putin dictatorship, the great Russian bear has demonstrated its’ determination to regain control of those ex-Soviet states by any means it considers necessary.  Thus, although the annexation of Georgia and Crimea will not cause sleepless nights in the ‘West’ as it should, perhaps drawing attention to the alarming increase in military activity on the borders (including international sea and airspace) will. Certainly, ex-soviet states that are not members of NATO, are increasing their defense spending.  It is just a matter of time for acknowledgement that eastern Ukraine has been annexed.  What could they do?  One defensive shot and Russia could take over in a matter of weeks, resulting in feeble diplomatic protests at the UN.  How many people noticed the visits recently by the prime minister of Greece to Moscow regarding financial assistance.  What could Mr. Putin ask for in return, probably, air and naval bases in Greece.  After all, Russians are already the largest tourist groups in Greece.  Thus, that could influence Russia’s southwards strength into the Mediterranean.

Now, spin the globe to bring the Chinese dragon into view.  Inner Mongolia has been taken, perhaps Mongolia itself could be taken in association with Russia.  With Islamic problems as an excuse, the province of Xinjiang would be next, and Tibet is already taken, as is Hong Kong and Macau.  Taiwan will, initially, become another Hong Kong.  There are continuing border disputes with Pakistan and Tajikistan (and India), thus, all the so-called ‘istans could be shared with Russia also.  It is said that Mr. Xi is returning to the strong-arm policies of Chairman Mao and this is quite evident in the so-called South China Sea annexation of the Spratly Islands just 200 km off the coast of the Philippines (but more than 1,000 km from the nearest Chinese land mass) including similar disputes with Viet Nam and other Asian countries.  Soon, China’s strength in the area will be such that the US will be unable to defend a further annexation of Korea.

If we take a large red paint brush and highlight the countries that I have described, the future of our Earth looks quite uncomfortable, and if we imagine the red paint spreading in all directions, then, I‘ll definitely want to get off.

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Politics 9 - Percentage Formula

I had cause to read the Cyprus Mail this morning, and was driven to write a comment to an article about the trade union of bank employees reorganizing the downsizing of the Bank of Cyprus.  I know, I should improve my prioritizing, i.e., Blog first, then, the media.

The EU has applied draconian measures to the Cypriot economy where some banks have ‘gone under’.  Unfortunately, Cyprus politics has been tied to Greece, and still is.  Hence, the application of strict rules for a much-needed ‘bailout’ by the EU.

The financial story is quite complicated, and would require more space than this Blog allows.  But, with regard to the Bank of Cyprus, the EU Troika forced the bank to freeze 47% of the accounts, and depositors having more than € 100,000 had the excess turned into long term bonds, not to mention a maximum daily withdrawal amount of € 300.

Naturally, many employees were ‘invited’ to accept retirement, and the remainder will experience severe pay cuts.

“The union proposed the percentage of pay-cuts that should be imposed by the banks, as if this were its responsibility. It decreed that cuts for salaries between €2,000 and €4,000 would be 10 per cent, between €6,000 and €8,000 at 20 per cent and over €10,000 at 30 per cent.  The unions dictated that the higher the salary, the higher the percentage cut, which on the surface seemed fair but it is not, because it reduces wage differentials”.

“Why should a senior bank executive, who works long hours, has many more responsibilities and much more pressure suffer a bigger pay cut than someone in middle management with a much easier job? Only unions, the great levellers and enemies of excellence, would think this is good arrangement. In effect, the unions are imposing an income tax policy, which they have no legal or moral authority to do, in the name of workers’ rights and nobody is prepared to challenge them.”

Thus, I felt that a comment should be made, because this has always been one of my favourite subjects.

What is the purpose of a salary increase (All things being equal)?  There are two simple reasons, 1. To reward excellent work, and 2. To adjust for inflation.

Of course, we all know that annual salary increases are regarded as an automatic event, regardless of employee excellence or the cost of living, and that is the first incorrect model.  Furthermore, management tries to use a formula of percentages for salary adjustments which is also unfortunate for employees at the bottom of the scale.

If there is an increase in inflation of 1%, and a related increase to the cost of living, does the CEO’s family annual grocery bill increase by € 2,000 and that of the cleaner only increases by € 200 (Assumes salaries of € 200,000 for the CEO and € 20,000 for the cleaner).  Of course not.  The cost of grocery essentials increases equally for both families.

Therefore, the unions, in this example, are right to apply a varying scale, and those at senior levels should stop complaining.  There are good times and bad times ... this is not a good time.

It is time for using the 3-star hotel.

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