Some random thoughts...

I've recently moved into my new, albeit temporary, apartment downtown. So far, I'd say it's been a wonderful decision as I'm now walking distance from a number of bars, coffee shops, the library, and the riverfront.

Recently, I grabbed some lunch at a newly renovated bar on Main Street and happened to run into a guy that was in my Intro to Poli-Sci course a few years ago. I remembered he was a philosophy major, but more interestingly, an avowed communist as well. As we began talking, he asked if I had graduated yet; I replied that I had gotten my economics degree. He then said he didn't know how I could study the subject as he found it very difficult. I bit my tung, but I was tempted to quip that perhaps it was his lack of knowledge regarding economic theory that allowed him to actually take communism seriously.

Nationalizing healthcare appears to be a major issue yet again. They tried in the United Kingdom; it failed. Canada has socialized medicine, it too is completely abyssmal. Time and time again, we are told, "oh, nationalized healthcare will work, we just need to [insert utopian rant here...]." These same people, upon learning that the Canadian and British systems they admire are, in fact, terribly inefficient and immoral, point to "successful" health care systems like those found in Belgium or the Netherlands. Of course, both countries are able to do so because they barely provide for their own national defense. The Netherlands and Belgium combined spend less than $20 billion a year on defense (2004 and 2003 figures), compared to America's $623 billion (2004) and the UK's $42.8 billion (2005 estimate). Socialist medicine is easy when the money needed to subsidize it is available because other countries are providing for your defense.

A number of other things are on my mind, but I suppose they shall have to wait. Next week, my father and I shall be crafting an IPA; I may post the recipe online.

DOAC: An Introduction

I haven't blogged for over two years, but as events of the past six months have become increasingly interesting, for better or worse, I have decided to share my thoughts. In the coming weeks I will be opining on issues regarding a wide variety of topics including culture, politics, homebrewing, economics, and running.

For now, though, it's a beautiful day... and I'm heading out to enjoy it.