CWB Elections

[charliep]

If more transparent pricing (you tell me whether in a single desk environment or open market with a CWB alternative) could add 50 cents per bu to your bottom line, how much more profit would you make on your farm? Is there any other single business change you could make that would add this profit potential?

[TOM4CWB]

Charlie,

Your logic is EXACTLY why our family spent close to seven figures to stop this injustice.

It is also why so many are angry that both the federal and provincial conservatives have done NOTHING CONSTRUCTIVE TO CHANGE HOW THE CWB ELECTIONS or SINGLE DESK work.

[parsley]

In 1963, there were 221,138 permit books.
In 2000 there were 101,299 permit books.
How many permit books are their in 2010? Pars

[charliep]

Can't answer for 2010. The CWB can tell you for the 2008/09 crop year. The number is 56,188. See CWB statistical summary - table 23 page 18.

[URL="http://www.cwb.ca/public/en/about/investor/annual/pdf/08-09/stats_english2008-09.pdf"]permit book holders[/URL]

[jdepape]

hopperbin:

I hear a lot of this complaint that there isn't a "get rid of the CWB" candidate so I won't vote.

The candidates that are running on a "change the CWB for the better" platform - call it transparency, call it better pricing and delivery options, call it whatever you like - these are the ones to give some serious consideration to.

The way I read them is this - they're saying fix what can be fixed, toss it if it can't be fixed. So when it comes to the single desk, it makes sense to fix it if you can. But if you can't, find an alternative - an open market, with or without the CWB.

It's a reasonable approach. Go in with the mindset that you will get rid of the single desk and you are just as single minded and extreme as the other side.

If you are convinced that there is no benefit coming from the single desk, then you just need to be confident that these people will do what makes sense.

On the other hand, you know for certain that the ones saying they will wrap their arms around the single desk and hang on - are not the ones you want to vote for. they have shown that reason and logic will not factor in their decisions - their mind is made up and it really doesn't matter what makes sense for farmers.

I like how Charlie put it - if you don't vote, its a vote FOR the single desk. You can "protest" all you like by not voting but that won't change a thing.

If you really hate the single desk, why would you ever be apathetic about it?

[parsley]

"It's a reasonable approach. Go in with the mindset that you will get rid of the single desk and you are just as single minded and extreme as the other side."

Yes, well.

The idea of being able to sell the paintings I paint, or sell the books I write, or sell the newsletter I compile is a healthy idea, a noble idea; an idea that emcompasses mans' goals of creativity, productivity, self worth, and wealth creation.

A legislated single desk monopoly deters each goal.

So don't ever try to marginalize me, and the people who think as I do, claiming that a marketing choice goal comes from "the single minded and extreme."

We are very clear, the parsleys, the silvers, the freewheats, the farm rangers, the fransiscos et al, about what we believe in.

Choice marketing.

From past experience, though, we're just not so sure about some of the motives or abilities or committment from those looking for our vote.

We've blindly jumped into their beds in the past, only to be sent home nude, broke and sore.

That's the real definition of extreme, isn't it. Pars

[Burbert]

LISTEN BOYS/GIRLS ALL NAME CALLERS COMEDIANS! An election is a popularity contest, held on a regular basis. It has little or nothing to do, with all the drivel yous have spouted, freedom, single desk, money on the table, commies in the cupboard, big comedian vs small comedians, farting, even or odd numbers. ITS A POPULARITY CONTEST, don't get to excited about changn the world, cause it won't happen, DA!

[parsley]

And how does that popularity-benchmark work for your family unit, burburt?

("Holy sheepshit, shut the blinds and lock the door and everyone crouch down and be quiet 'cause Uncle Burburt just drove up," screamed Burburt's nephew, Pubert"

[Ron]

Burbert, I have to agree with you. Not
because I like it but because I've given
up on the CWB. **** em. I will grow non-
board crops as much as I can and opt out
of the pool as much as I can.
The CWB isnt going to change untill they
die. I will wait patiently.

[charliep]

Hopefully everyone understands that 2 people elected out of 5 favoring
a more market oriented CWB could change the voting pattern and
philosophy around the board of direct table for things over which the
CWB has control. Example no cost export licences. Move to cash
pricing for all or select CWB grains. Accountability around handling
money in the PPO contingency fund.

[parsley]

Not if the person sitting on the chair sits on his hands every time a monopolist stares him into compliance. Pars

[charliep]

Perhaps the target should be getting 3 elected that have a vision for a CWB
with a more market oriented focus based on price signals and a view to
allow farmers more freedom in how they choose to market wheat and
barley.

[parsley]

Most guys will hold their noses and vote, charliep, They just need to vent a bit,to send a bit of a message, but NOT be made to look like an ass or be marginalized for being unhappy campers.

Too many calls I get voice dissatisfaction," What the hell do I vote, look at this!!!!!?", but already knowing the only reasonable answer.

Sometimes,Joe just needs to share a rant with a likeminded soul.

No such thing, though, is there
Pars

[Burbert]

I vote that we get rid of the government spies, appointed to the CWB! After all, its our marketing agency, the feds should have nothing to do with it, except of course putting up the cash. These appointments are holding up the progress of the CWB, however, nuf said.........

[vvalk]

burbert. Never heard you complaint when goodale was appointing single desk directors