Food for thought

The Province of Quebec is a massive hydro producer due to its many fast flowing rivers and dam projects that continue apace. Unfortunately, demand has slowed since the beginning of the recession and several paper mills, large customers, have gone belly-up. Now, Hydro Quebec has to pay $200 million a year to keep the giant Becancour plant closed. In an article entitled, "In a Competitive System, Surpluses Discouraged" (Toronto Star August 21, 2010), Hydro Quebec spokesman says, "If someone can tell us what will happen in three years, I'd like to hear from them." The article continues, "He's merely illustrating the system's fallibility…predictions are made and contracts are signed with electricity producers in order to meet the forecast demand, which can sometimes be wrong." That about says it all re, capitalist production and planning. The anarchy of production and the vagaries of the market will get you every time.
It seems the Afghan war is getting worse. Obama's 30 000 troop surge has failed to meet objectives; the Taliban have not been rooted out of the opium territory and, in fact, are more active with roadside bombs, even in Kabul; 15 000 afghan prisoners remain in prison without charges. As in Iraq, the American-led NATO forces will eventually pull out leaving behind a mess for the local populations. Anyone hear of Bin Laden recently? Of course, the war may well have met the goals of the resource and military-industrial communities but who cares about the people? John Ayers