Hello, You've reached the United States Government. We are currently Closed.

Can you believe it?  The United States is CLOSED.  The government is on a shutdown. Why? Because the Republicans and the Democrats can't agree on the budget.  And next week, they have to debate on what to do about their $17 trillion - yes TRILLION dollar debt.  Do they ask other countries to borrow money to pay down their debt (thereby putting themselves further into debt), or do they default.  And what does that mean?  What happens if a government defaults on its loans? 
When governments default on debt, several negative effects are likely to follow. The reasons for the default usually stem from revenue shortfalls, and the effects can be both short and long term for government officials and taxpayers. They include higher costs to borrow money and a reduction in services for taxpayers.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_7800623_happens-government-defaults-debt.html#ixzz2gV0Etikp

Doesn't sound so bad, does it?  Now think about it - you want to access a program for your child.  This program is funded by the government.  Your child has been identified as autistic and needs this therapy that you managed to find with government funding, thereby making it more affordable for you.  But guess what?  Because the government is bankrupt, they are no longer funding that service.  You either pay out of pocket, or you don't get that service.

Same goes for if you want to take a camping trip to a national park.  You can't go see Old Faithful right now, because Old Faithful is in a National Park and you can't get into one - they're all closed.  You can't go to the Grand Canyon, even if it's been your life's dream.  Because the Grand Canyon is a National Park and they're closed.

What does this mean for us Canucks?  Right now, not much.  We won't feel the pinch of this government shutdown immediately.  When will we feel it?  When exported product from the US is delayed because the shutdown has affected the US based business that would export.  When exported product from Canada is delayed because the shutdown has affected the US based business that would receive it. 

Our economy, in light of the global financial crises is pretty strong.  But it's not infalliable and it's not impenetrable.  We will likely feel the pinch from this US Government shutdown if it lasts too long.  The last time the US Government shut down was in 1996.  And that was only for 3 weeks.  If this shutdown lasts longer, the world may be in for some very tough times.

I think it's time that the world economy stopped relying on the American Dollar.

Individually wrapped peppers? Really?

So, today I went to do my grocery shopping at Walmart.  I was astonished to find that the bell peppers were individually wrapped.  In a day and age when sustainability and the environment is of greatest concern, it is shocking that a company like Walmart, which says right on its corporate website that it seeks to create zero waste would sell a product that actually creates unnecessary waste.

In trying to teach Banana and Squish about environmental responsibility, I skipped the peppers and moved on to find other vegetables that are  not individually wrapped. 

I called the store to speak to the produce manager and asked why they are selling peppers individually wrapped.  Her response was "for less handling of the product.  The company who sells them to us sells them individually wrapped."  I asked how we could change that.  She agreed that individually wrapped peppers create extra, unnecessary waste and suggested I contact head office and suggest they move to a supplier who doesn't use individual wrapping.  I wrote an e-mail to the corporate head office asking how they could sell a product like this when they say they strive for environmental sustainability.

It sure does make a case for getting up early tomorrow and shopping at the farmer's market rather than going to the supermarkets or big box stores.  At least, I know those vegetables are grown locally at family farms.

Please help me by putting pressure on Walmart to stop selling individually wrapped peppers.   Email Walmart's Canadian Corporate Head Office at the email below and tell them you don't want your peppers individually wrapped.  Let's make a change for our environment!

cacustrel@wal-mart.com