Duh?!

My blogs often start with "Duh", because I regularly have no clue about why our "leaders" do the things they do?

Take the recent G7 Finance Ministers meeting in Banff.  Astoundingly, Trump's tariffs were not even on the agenda!  When I heard that, I was flabbergasted.  These people run the finances of their respective countries, but they left off the most impactful measures currently skewing their country's fortunes! 

A fun time was had by all in Banff.

Here's what they agreed to:

• "A G7 Financial Crime Call to Action to spur further concrete progress in tackling financial crime, including money laundering and terrorist financing. Canada will contribute $4.8 million in new technical assistance to developing economies so they can contribute to this effort;

• "Support the expansion of the World Bank-led Resilient and Inclusive Supply-Chain Enhancement (RISE) Partnership to strengthen the integration of developing countries into critical minerals supply chains. Canada will contribute $20 million to support the expansion of the RISE Partnership, including in Latin America and the Caribbean;

• "Address risks stemming from the large increase in low-value shipments imported into G7 markets; and

• "Continued unwavering support to Ukraine, an agreement to continue to explore all possible options to hold Russia to account, including further ramping up sanctions, as well as efforts to foster private sector participation in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine."

Supporting Ukraine remains a very dumb idea; that conflict is unwinnable.  Throwing billions at Zelensky with absolutely no accountability is ludicrous.  The guy seems to be feathering his own nest big time.  According to the 'Pandora Papers'  Zelensky won election on a promise to clean up corruption, but it seems he's right in the middle of it.  

He has given himself a salary of between $20 and $60 million.  Really?!  The guy was a standup comedian, for Gawd's sake.  He has also bought luxury properties and villas in the Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Belize, Egypt and London, as well as a fleet of luxury cars and other goodies.

And isn't it a coincidence that his relatives and in-laws also started buying luxury properties and yachts right after the war began and the money started flowing his way.  Just saw coverage of yet another international meeting during which he asked for, yep -- more money!  The brass neck of the guy is unparalleled!  Let's face it, no matter how much the world hands him, he will never defeat Russia.  Never.

The more fundamental question is, why was Tiffany (Tiff) Macklem co-hosting the event?  As the governor of the Bank of Canada, his principle mandate is to ensure price stability.  That's it.  Unfortunately, he is prone to yapping about politics, and this meeting is about nothing more.

So, Tiff, start staying in your lane and leave the politics to the politicians.