The Implausibility of Professor Tom Flanagan

Nipawin - February 12, 2001 - by: Mario deSantis

kleptocracy
I just received Brian MacLean's economic newsletter⁽¹⁾. MacLean provides few comments

about the article "Why Canada is a kleptocracy⁽²⁾" by Tom Flanagan, and since sometime

ago I wrote few comments myself about this Albertan professor,

$2,103
per capita
I took the time to read this article. Mr. Flanagan states that from the 1960s through the

1990s, Albertans contributed an annual average of $2,103 per capita more to

Confederation than they received in federal benefits, and as a consequence he describes as

Kleptocracy the development of the Canadian political system over the past 40 years.

corrupted
I certainly agree that our political development has gradually corrupted to reach what I

believe is the bottom. I also agree that our own leadership, be business, be academic, be

bureaucratic or otherwise, has eroded as well. This state of affairs is embodied by our

Prime Minister who is preaching human rights in China, while making sure to help himself

and his friends at home.

property
rights
But when Mr. Flanagan says that Alberta's long-term interest lies in maintaining

property rights, free contracts and market prices and denounces Premier Klein's move

to help maintain lower energy cost for Albertans, then he reveals himself as the true

supporter of kleptomaniacs.

beyond
the absurd
Since when democracy is run on the notion of property rights? Since when we can

negotiate free contracts with our Energy businesses? Since when there are free market

prices? Professor Flanagan doesn't seek comfort in reducing the complex to

uncomplicated polarised black and white⁽³⁾, professor Flanagan goes beyond the absurd,

and justly, economist MacLean says that he is merely implausible.

------------References/endnotes:

List of relevant political and economics articles http://ensign.ftlcomm.com

1.
MacLean's Economic Policy Page, February 10 2001 update

2.
-
Why Canada is a kleptocracy, Tom Flanagan, February 6, 2001, National Post (if the link fails to work click here.)

3.
Upon Considering What is Naught, by Timothy Shire, February 11, 2001



Nipawin - February 12, 2001 - by: Mario deSantis

kleptocracy	I just received Brian MacLean's economic newsletter⁽¹⁾. MacLean provides few comments
	about the article "Why Canada is a kleptocracy⁽²⁾" by Tom Flanagan, and since sometime
	ago I wrote few comments myself about this Albertan professor,

$2,103 per capita	I took the time to read this article. Mr. Flanagan states that from the 1960s through the
	1990s, Albertans contributed an annual average of $2,103 per capita more to
	Confederation than they received in federal benefits, and as a consequence he describes as
	Kleptocracy the development of the Canadian political system over the past 40 years.

corrupted	I certainly agree that our political development has gradually corrupted to reach what I
	believe is the bottom. I also agree that our own leadership, be business, be academic, be
	bureaucratic or otherwise, has eroded as well. This state of affairs is embodied by our
	Prime Minister who is preaching human rights in China, while making sure to help himself
	and his friends at home.

property rights	But when Mr. Flanagan says that Alberta's long-term interest lies in maintaining
	property rights, free contracts and market prices and denounces Premier Klein's move
	to help maintain lower energy cost for Albertans, then he reveals himself as the true
	supporter of kleptomaniacs.

beyond the absurd	Since when democracy is run on the notion of property rights? Since when we can
	negotiate free contracts with our Energy businesses? Since when there are free market
	prices? Professor Flanagan doesn't seek comfort in reducing the complex to
	uncomplicated polarised black and white⁽³⁾, professor Flanagan goes beyond the absurd,
	and justly, economist MacLean says that he is merely implausible.

------------References/endnotes:

	List of relevant political and economics articles http://ensign.ftlcomm.com

1.	MacLean's Economic Policy Page, February 10 2001 update

2. -	Why Canada is a kleptocracy, Tom Flanagan, February 6, 2001, National Post (if the link fails to work click here.)

3.	Upon Considering What is Naught, by Timothy Shire, February 11, 2001