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The US is engulfed in a divisive debate between democrats and republicans over Universal Healthcare versus the status quo. The opponents to universal healthcare are against it not just because they object to funding it but they view a loss in this battle could have deeper effects on the political right. If a universal healthcare system could be successfully implemented the United States could move further to other progressive policies.

All other industrial countries have a state-funded healthcare system and there is deep opposition to any dismantling of those systems all over the world. The US has the most decentrailized government in the world where individuals and NGO’s are responsible for delivering services that governments deliver.

The slippering slope for the political right is higher taxes, more government services, and more equitable taxation. A more progressive America could also move into political affairs with less military action and a more activist approach towards global warming, global poverty, and ending global conflict.

Pittsburgh vs Detroit

Hossa left the Penguins because he thought Detroit had a better shot of winning a cup. Pittsburgh doesn’t lack the experience anymore and even though Detroit doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses they are the underdogs in this series. Crosby and Malkin are the league’s two most dominant centermen and both of them are on separate lines.

Pittsbugh in 7.

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh vs Carolina

The Penguins have the advantage over the Penguins in every category accept Carolina’s cluth performers. If the Penguins can’t end the series early Cam Ward won’t let the Penguins win a Game 7. Pittsburgh is on a mission after the coaching change and the team to beat this year.

Pittsburgh in 4.

Western Conference

Detroit vs Chicago

This could be the more exciting series. In the playoffs experience usually trumps youth. The Hawks were able to defeat Luongo and could also beat the wings defense and make Osgood look human. This series will look like last year’s Cup final where the inexperienced pens played the seasoned Wings.

Detroit in 5.

Boston vs Carolina

I am shocked the Hurricanes beat New Jersey. Carolina has never been a talented team but twice this decade they made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Carolina may have another similar run but on paper matched up against the Bruins they don’t stand a chance.

Boston in 4.

Washington vs Pittsburgh

The matchup the NHL has been waiting a few years for won’t disappoint. Washington doesn’t have the penguins experience and since the Penguins coaching change they are my favourite to win the cup.

Pittsburgh in 6.

Detroit vs Anaheim

The Ducks beat the cursed Sharks but the Wings are anything but cursed. Detroit’s only obstacle will be the Ducks defense of Niedermayer, Pronger, and Whitney.

Detroit in 6.

Vancouver vs Chicago

The young Hawks defeated the Flames who were desperate for a series win and gave away a first round pick for Jokinen. The Hawks have very little holes other than a lack of experience. The Canucks still rely heavily on Luongo who is human and can’t shut-down Kane and Toews.

Chicago in 6.

Montreal vs Boston

A rematch of last year’s first round match up except Boston and Montreal switched 1-8 seeds. Boston surprisingly finished first with spectacular goaltending, young forwards making big leaps, and strong top-3 defenseman. Montreal is the underdog but is a tough opponent that could be underestimated. Kovalev recently has got his elite game back and Price is playing well again also. Montreal’s more experienced forwards and team toughness could give the Canadiens the edge.

Montreal in 7.

Washington vs NY Rangers

The Capitals feel destined to follow the Penguins run of last year. They have super talented stars on a young improving team that is capable of winning the cup. The NY Rangers have struggled with mediocre seasons from veterans Gomez and Redden. It will be a long series mainly because of goaltending. Lundqvist gives the Rangers a fighting chance over Theodore’s erratic play.

Washington in 7.

New Jersey vs Carolina

The devils were a playoff team without Brodeur. The canes who struggled to creep into the playoffs don’t have much of a chance.

New Jersey in 5.

Pittsbugh vs Philadelphia

Philadelphia has great core but the Penguins have been red hot since their coaching change. Guerin and Kunitz have fitted well with the Penguins.

Pittsbugh in 5.

San Jose vs Anaheim

The Sharks have choked every year since the lockout ended. Thornton has been a post-season bust and Nabokov has looked fatigued by the time the playoffs have started. The Ducks surged to make the playoffs and their three top defensemen Niedermayer, Pronger, and Whitney will lead to a major first round upset.

Anaheim in 6.

Detroit vs Columbus

This is the Jackets first-ever post season appearance. Mission accomplished and thanks for coming.

Detroit in 4.

Vancouver vs St. Louis

Luongo has a tremendous advantage over Mason who was castoff by the Predators. The Blues miraculously made the playoffs with numerous injuries but likely have run out of luck.

Vancouver in 5.

Chicago vs Calgary

This is the closest matchup. The Hawks are a very talented young team but they are facing off against the Flames who are very eager to go deep into the playoffs after acquring Jokinen.

Calgary in 7.

“I can’t remember a circumstance when so many members of the government including the Prime
Minister say things that need to be corrected because they aren’t true.” Keith Boag, CBC News

The most disturbing argument the Prime Minister brought forward during his address was the phrase “the opposition wants to overturn the results of that election”. The majority of members in the house are not conservatives. Shouldn’t every riding be equal? If the Conservatives can’t get any support from the opposition then is the only alternative for the opposition to take the reins of power rather than repeating the election result of a few weeks back?

This coalition made Canada look like a bananna republic. If the country needs to move forward both major parties must look at replacing their leaders sooner than later.

Canada has gone through 3 federal elections in the last 4 years and there’s been no consensus among Canadians who should govern the country. Parliament has allowed the party with the most seats to govern Canada without any interference from the opposition. The conservative’s plan to eliminate public political party funding united the opposition against the government.

My biggest objection to recent events is the argument that the coalition deal is illegal or undemocratic. This is not a coup but a legal way of replacing a government that has no support from opposition parties in a minority parliament. Every seat in the House of Commons must count and forcing opposition parties to vote for the government when they disagree with their policies is undemocratic. Canada does not have a presidential system and the Prime Minister’s job depends on his support from the house. The conservatives could have taken power from Paul Martin in 2004 and whenever a Prime Minister resigns while in office a new Prime Minister assumes power without an election. This power transfer should not look as unprecedented as the media is framing this story.

I believe the coalition is the right thing for Canada. The Liberals will hold the seat of the Prime Minister and Finance Minister. They are taking over in the midst of a crisis that they are now responsible to solve and if they make a misstep the NDP or Bloc can bring the government down. Another election 2 months later will just repeat the same results and accomplish nothing.

Obama has risen to the US Presidency faster than any American in modern history. Just 4 years ago he was just a state senator. Today he is the President-Elect of a nation in economic disarray. The attributes that helped him rise to the presidency are the same that can help him solve the economic crisis.

Words matter.

Obama’s superior oratory skills can grab the attention of Americans and the world. His inexperience also is an asset because he won’t be afraid to act boldly with actions that a veteran politician can wince at. Also, his meteoric rise to power will give him the confidence to solve the economic crisis and not to give up after his hard fought election victory.

The US presidential election finally ends on Tuesday and Obama will win decisively on Tuesday if the polls are correct. Other than widespread voter fraud or some other castrophic event, Barack Obama will be America’s first black president.

The United States economy is in ruin, its military demoralized from losses in Iraq, and most importantly its global reputation hit rock bottom under Bush. There couldn’t have been a better time for the US to elect a President who wants to make change. Obama’s oratory skills, his youth, and his background of working for the underdog give him the skills and values to face this challenge.

Many in Canada and around the world have started to give up the United States. In Canada the US housing crisis was ignored because of our strong oil reserves and we thought economic peril wouldn’t spread to Canada. Europeans have a new currency and through economic cooperation they believed they could strive economically regardless of what was happening in the US. Before the financial crisis, Iceland was considered the most autonomous nation on Earth because it doesn’t need trade with its vast thermal pools that heat the entire country.

When the global financial crisis hit it proved how interconnected the world is. Every nation in the world can have the most strict financial standards, abundant energy supplies, and numerous trade partners but they still can’t escape this crisis. Global mutual funds and transnational companies are dependent on global stability. When there is global instability the world can tilt towards a global recession. When the world’s largest economy pludges into economic disarray we all go down.

Right-wing politicians have hijacked America and reinforced irresponsible behaviour that threaten it’s global dominance. Massive tax cuts, huge deficits, limitless military spending, and inadequate social development programs are the values the republicans have implemented. As a result, the US has a record deficit and there wasn’t even a clear plan to recover because the bottom fell out. Americans didn’t just allow their government to practice irresponsible economic behaviour but personally they racked up credit card debts and bought mortgages they couldn’t afford. Still even today americans have failed to take personal responsibility for their economic distress and are trying to pin the blame on the financial institutions that were equally foolish by giving them loans.

Obama is not a miracle worker but he has the ability to trigger a global miracle. Words matter and Obama can use his greatest asset to motivate his nation. America needs a leader that will give them what they need and what they want. America needs a leader that will inspire them and be a positive image of America when travelling abroad. Also, the next leader must tell Americans they must act more economically and ecologically responsible. Americans must act more responsibly personally and must accept the fact that if that the federal government must have the power to improve their country. In order to provide essential services without plunging into debt, taxes are necessary. Elections shouldn’t be a game about which candidate will lower taxes the furthest but instead which candidate has the best ideas. This election- Obama is that candidate.