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The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
THE MARVELS OF SOCIALISM
Why is it that people in general seem to be more focussed on "RIGHTS" than they are on responsibilities? The following essay sent to ne with no author listed might provide some clues!
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sportsmonday/story.html?id=4099a7c3-229b-464f-b216-74a9a8c920de
It's all Greek to Quebec
In Greece , citizens can, on average, retire with a full government pension at the age of 58. In Germany , the citizens expected to help bail out the bankrupt Greeks must work until the age of 67 before they can retire.
Naturally, German citizens are wondering how this can be considered fair. Why should they have to work nine years longer so Greek citizens can live a life of leisure?
What's more, in Germany , most working people pay taxes.
In Greece , only 20 per cent pay taxes. Again, unfair.
And yet equalization between "have" European Union states and "have not" European Union states continues, even though it's not making things equal -- it's rewarding laziness, leisure and possibly even criminal tax evasion. Why pay taxes if some hard-working Germans will do it for you? Thus the riots in Greece . They believe they are entitled to those entitlements.
Dysfunctional? You bet.
Hey.....we Canadians would never stand for such a thing. Right? Well, folks, think again.
Equalization in Canada was established to ensure that "have-not" regions could enjoy the same programs as "have" regions and most Canadians wouldn't quibble with that. But that has not happened. In fact, the reverse has occurred. The have provinces have fewer services than the have-nots.
In Quebec -- which opted out of the Canada Pension Plan and administers its own pension plan - citizens can retire with a full pension at age 62. In the rest of Canada, the age contributors can receive full benefits is 65.
In light of the fact that Quebec received $8.6 billion in equalization payments in 2010-11 out of a total equalization pot of $14.4 billion, it's safe to say that citizens in Canada 's "have" provinces British Columbia , Alberta and Ontario -- are paying for Quebecers' early retirement, as theirs is the only province which has such a generous, early retirement benefit.
In other words, equalization is not very equal.
What's more, Quebecers can take advantage of $7-a-day day care, whereas, in most other provinces, $7 wouldn't even buy you an hour of day care or babysitting.
Quebec has a very generous pharmaceutical program unlike any other in the country and Quebec university students pay considerably less for tuition within Quebec than students from anywhere else in the country.
For instance, to attend McGill University in 2010, Quebec students pay $3,475 for tuition and fees. An out-of-province student attending McGill pays $7,008, or $3,533 more than a Quebec student -- more than double! Five of the six cheapest universities in Canada are in Quebec -- but they're only the cheapest for Quebecers. Those same universities are among the most expensive in Canada for non-Quebecers.
Sherbrooke has the lowest university tuition and fees in the entire country -- but again, only for Quebecers, who pay just $2,381. To attend the same university, a non-Quebecer, from Alberta, for instance, must pay $5,914 or $3,533 more than his Quebec colleague. In other words, when that Alberta student works through the summer in Alberta to save up for tuition and living expenses, the taxes he or she will pay will actually help subsidize the Quebec student's tuition.
Lately, Quebecers, like Conservative MP Maxime Bernier, have criticized Quebec 's overreliance on equalization, saying Quebecers are "spoiled children."
But that's got Quebec 's Liberal provincial government fighting back. In its 2010-11 budget document, the Jean Charest government is actually arguing that it should receive even more equalization than it's getting because Alberta 's oil industry is keeping the Canadian dollar high, which in turn harms Quebec 's manufacturing sector. This is not a joke.
"A rise in the world price of a barrel of oil favours provinces that have that resource," states the budget document in Section E. However, the rise in the Canadian dollar that accompanies the rising price of oil hampers the exports of the other provinces. An adequate equalization program can mitigate this phenomenon by increasing the revenues of provinces that are negatively affected by the rise in the dollar, without reducing the revenues of provinces that benefit from the higher price of oil."
In other words, Quebec, which received $8.6 billion of the $14.4 billion doled out in equalization this year, is arguing that it's not enough! It wants more and it blames Alberta 's oil industry for its troubles. It's a curious argument since it can be argued thatAlberta's oil industry is literally fuelling Canada 's economy and largely provided the money that was sent as equalization to Quebec in the first place.
In 2007, the last year Statistics Canada figures are available for all provinces, B.C., Alberta and Ontario were the only provinces that paid more into Confederation than they received. Alberta paid a total of $37.064 billion in taxes and transfers to the federal government and the feds returned $17.567 billion in services and programs, meaning that Alberta contributed $19.5 billion net to the rest of Canada .
But Charest, who complained in Copenhagen that Alberta's oil sands industry "embarrassed" him, is actually making the argument that despite Alberta 's largesse, it's to blame for the trouble Quebec is in.
In short, it's all Greek to Quebec -- pretty frightening....... eh?
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Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
I agree with what your saying thinker,but I would add that the entitlement mentality is as much about wealthy corporations as it is about the poor. Always someone taking advantage.For every boatload of EBT girls there's a Corporate entity the equals or exceeds the expense on the common citizen.
Corporate Socialism exists and it's the attitude of society to allow these people to get away with ,what they do get away with, that encourages all other social and economic classes of people to do the same. Whose not cheating ? Lots of us ,but we are sure going to pay.
Socialism is misplaced in the United States. It's abused by the masses because the principals abuse it .The biggest socialism problem begins with pensions and special healthcare deals, for government employees, On All Levels. (the higher you go ,the worse it gets)This will be the final upheaval in the economy before massive change is forced upon us,imo.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Sure started something with this one, but it went off in a different direction than what I was implying, so let me be a little more specific. Marx and Lenin were famous for their idealistic premise of; "from each according to his ability, to each according to their need" which sounds very altruistic, but it should be obvious by now that it dosen't create a workers paradise as they envisioned. The point is that the free market allocates resources and rewards much more efficiently than any "central planning" scheme ever devised. The more government intervenes in the economy, the more regulation and bureaucracy imposed on businesses and people, the more the opportunity for gaming the system. The corruption in government at all levels has become so pervavsive than more and more previously honest and moral people are tempted to lower their standards, bend the rules, trying to get their share because they perceive the world as stacked against them if they try to make totally ethical decisions in all matters. The "entitlement" mentality usually starts at the upper levels of society, the sociopaths that gravitate towards positions of power, but also the lower classes who would rather collect welfare than work. Eventually those in the middle are so "squeezed" many also sucumb to the entitlement mentality.
thinker70
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
I'm at a loss for words after reading and watching scottiepimps59's post. While watching it I was hoping it was a Saturday Night Live skit. Sadly it wasn't.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Forget about Quebec - look at France! The rich are getting taxed 70% - it must be the most socialist country in the entire world! Quebec is a chip off the old block but nothing compare to the real thing!
France should raise rates on the poor and middle class if they want to get more tax rev.. cause all the rich have or are leaving..
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
While shocking to many non-Americans and perhaps considered a tongue-in-cheek parody of sorts, having lived in the U.S. South for going on 54 years now I can say with authority, this EBT video is accurate in terms of the underlying pervasive attitude it reveals. With a sense of entitlement comes an out-of-control lifestyle to GET what's yours all while rubbing their own stupidity in the faces of the idiot providers who it seems, are not even as 'smart' as those who trick f*ck the system. Sickening stuff...
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
The cord has to be cut. Start with an end to Medicaid . How about some very humane labor camps.EBT villiage,where you get to raise your children under the control that would prevent you from adding to your family until your ready to pay for your family.EBT Villiage would train mothers in daycare ,home and complex maintenance and lower skilled factory work.Live ,train and work in the local EBT villiage near you.(bring your kids).
I think even the mere conversation about EBT villiages might help the situation ,which is obviously out of control.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Sorry, the link attached to "net consumers" should have been to this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NzspsovNvII#!
Yep, thats where your tax dollars are going.. you work 3 months out of every year to pay for HER ebt card and this music video
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
The writer’s mention of the “haves” and “have nots” is precisely the rub. When one drills down into the WHY…behind those who HAVE NOT, justification for taking from HAVES and redistributing to HAVE NOTs begins to wane on the part of those from whom most of the taking is…well…taking place!
As long as this continues to happen, the problems will only continue to get worse. Redistributing wealth from the savers (net-producers) to the consumers erodes productive capital... savings that a net-producer could have otherwise used to produce more (thereby creating jobs) is instead taxed through inflation and put in the unproductive hands of the net-consumers.
This further discourages net-producers to save and instead motivates them to consume or put their capital at risk. This is not a recipe for recovery and explains why every dollar printed produces less and less GDP.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
When I studied Socialism a bit as an undergrad two and a half decades ago, I remember pondering theoretically how well Socialism might actually work if all people were the same. But alas, at the first sign two or more people differed (duh)…the whole notion that governments can mitigate ‘unfairness’ by providing equally among us came horribly crashing down!
As I further studied human sociology and psychology and other forms of government, I postulated the WHY behind the inevitable demise of Socialism’s long-term viability to be primarily because states are ill equipped to tax equally and fairly, and people are just bound to notice! The writer’s mention of the “haves” and “have nots” is precisely the rub. When one drills down into the WHY…behind those who HAVE NOT, justification for taking from HAVES and redistributing to HAVE NOTs begins to wane on the part of those from whom most of the taking is…well…taking place!
Economically, if you mirror socialism against any type of business model, a PONZI SCHEME is really the only thing that truly fits that description—hardly a ‘business’ model. And one need look no further than the U.S. Social Security ‘Ponzi Scheme’ to understand the eventual undesirable end state of decades of promises to pay…funded by an ever decreasing pool of available contributors and giving to an ever increasing pool of expectant recipients.
At the end of the day, for all the boasting certain nations do about their apparent success providing low cost services to their citizens—there remains no free lunch. Somebody, somewhere—pays!
-Wedge
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Why do the underdogs rage? Crown of Peace Holy wine for all! Kombay.
http://www.vimeo.com/hoondokhwe2
Timothy Lee Houston
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
In Quebec, the mean average time you'll be waiting in the hospital waiting room is 18 hours last time I heard the stat.. We do not count time in minutes or hours here but in how much half-of-a-day it'll take to see a doctor. I also think that it's 50% of the total provincial that is thrown in the health department (plus they added a health contribution on our tax report that is 200$/adult for everyone but without fixing or adding any new service).. This is insane and if you need a surgery, you better have this specialist in your entourage because you won't get treated in months or years.. I'm definitely for a public healthcare system but it seriously need a major change because throwing more money at it doesn't seems to fix anything
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Aaron , I don't think we strongly disagree on some things about healthcare insurance.Just some holes to fill. . My understanding is you want a system more like the U.S. where (ideally), markets can cause competition,thus giving deals on costs,if your savvy enough or lucky enough to find them.That has proven to work for a while but recent history also proves just how flawed that system is,and it's detriments are mounting . Nobody should try and excuse that fact.The system does NOT work.
I have stated previously that "healthcare insurance ",in the U.S. ,should be run by the State with regulations to be followed and transfer of funds per capita from the Federal Gov't. States would run independently from each other and the Feds. This would make business excel ,throughout the country,since the business of healthcare insurance would be eliminated Healthcare Insurance is today, the greatest liability to small business. ..Is this socialist ,yes,so are a lot of things in government that I'm opposed to .If you oppose everything about socialist governing, there is a line -up of useless bureacracy that has to go, long before defense of our citizens ,from within.their own bodies. This is a far greater need than defending against radicals or nature .Of course some will immediately come to the conclusion that I want to strip military power and hand over our natons defense to some healthcare bureacrats.That's just so ridiculous ,I won't even discuss it.I don't believe you think ,I'm after that scenario.
Then the second part of the healthcare equationi Private clinics for cost .Whether it's cancer treatment or specialists in organ transplants or wellness clinics even private MD's ,they would all be welcome to operate with no cost barriers,completely independent of government. This is a cash only business .Governments ONLY stipulation. Everybody wins . People of wealth need no health insurance .People that are relatively healthy their entire lives and save a bit can use the clinics if they desire or simply stay in the government sponsored system.Entirely up to the individual.If clinics (for business reasons),want to do Pro Bono work,that's their good right.If they do not.,that again is their good right.
The public system would become stronger on the fact that expensive operations and treatments would no longer be wasted on the wealthy,that neither want to be in a public system,or do they need to be .
The Public system run by a State could actually be competitive with other States.Remember ,how a State chooses to run it's own healthcare is entirely up to them.Totally independent of each other but MANDATED by the Federal Gov't to have a system. The truth is in the United States today is that ,it's not that the system needs fixed ,as in Canada,it's the fact that there is a total absence of a system.,within private healthcare.
Before you figure out what's wrong with my proposal ,think about the advantages and then weigh them against the disadvatages.I think I answer both the socialists and the libertarians with some very real arrangements.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Southpen,
We agree on some things and strongly disagree on others - clearly. Thanks for elaborating on the cost point. It's something I think I will be researching in depth when I have time as the economics of healthcare intrigue me greatly. My next point isn't directed at you, so take it for what you will: cheaper cost doesn't mean better. You get what you pay for. Canada's healthcare comes with its pros and cons, no doubt about it. However, ask many in this country about the quality of care, and I think many will agree, who have ever been hospitalized, that our healthcare system is rationed (for lack of a better word). It's a tragedy to see people go bankrupt when they are hit with an illness - an absolute tragedy. But with that said, it will also be an absolute tragedy when a country goes bankrupt trying to provide its citizen with universal healthcare.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Aaron, Here's an interesting article entitled U.S. Healthcare costs More than "Socialized" European Medicine, by Harvey Morris , if you can look it up
It talks about ,among other things that the costs per capita ; Combined Private and Public healthcare costs being 8200. I had said from a stat on wikipedia, that public cost was at 3400.If public is 3400 and private is the remainder between 8200 and 3400 ,equalling 4800,that puts private costs at 1400 more than public, per person..These figures are from 2010.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Aaron, The principal point of our discussion is that I find it kinda funny that you attached a label, seemingly (to me ), of the U.S. just breaking into the realm of socialism,because of the recent healthcare debacle.
We do agree that the U.S,. ,already IS a socialist country.I just think that the socialism is routed wrong. ie; FEMA What a horrible waste!
I didn't mean to imply you shouldn't mention Obama trying to gain votes on this issue.Of course ,He is!
The Republicans have made suggestions ; Really ,like what? I'm no fan of many of the spineless Democrats in office right now,they're just a little brighter than the Republicans,which measured by other era politicians are about equal to the ones of the guilded age. I have NEVER heard a Republican answer to the healthcare problem other than a tax credit ,which is kin to having a COO of a mining company saying we need the labor to take the bus to work,for them to cut down on their costs.The company will buy the bus tickets.
Where do I get most of my numbers (info). I get it off the internet. I'm a skimmer ,sometimes reading as much as 30 articles in a day.I tend to not write enough down,however just going on Google and typing in Health care in the U.S. will take you to information that explains how the U.S. is #4 in the world behind Norway,Monaco,Luxemberg for public health care costs per capita.
LOL ,Monaco Luxemberg ,Two of the 3 smallest nations in Europe. The U.S., according to that information on Wikipedia spends about 3,400 per person.
I understand your distaste of socialism Aaron.I share most of your views but like I've said before healthcare in the U.S. is for haves and have nots.Everybody else is basically one illness away from bankruptcy (even if you've been a financially responsible person) Many of the haves are rich.I don't be grudge them for being rich. Seriously wealthy people, DO NOT NEED healthcare ,of any kind. Most of the haves are part of a socialistic bureacracy that is second to none ,in the world,for protecting it's own.If you have a government job ,your all set ,if not your screwed,or you could be.
My point about the military is that ,It is the essence of a bloated bureacracy ,which is infact "Socialistic" ,in nature,always has been,always will be.It is a necessary component to protect the property and liberty of it's citizens,however it is a monster on the loose,with no restraints. I've stated many times that socialism is necessary in many forms .It's part of the good functioning of a modern society,but it has to be controlled. Before you rip apart what Obama seeked (originally),try to understand that much of the waste in healthcare is from battered systems that a new system would seek to replace.ie; Medicaid ,Medicare It's just too slow ,because of too many narrow views in America. If you want to decrease socialism in America ,I would begin with military and pension reform .The healthcare is already socialistic that is proven to be severely flawed,more so than Canada's and more expensive. Somethings needs a major overhaul.We can start now calmly or it will be forced upon us in the coming years.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Southpen,
Comparing the US military to Obamacare (in respect to both being a socialist program)?
Your argument is that America was already a socialist country and mine is that it now became one. So without trying to say why my reason is better than yours or why your reason is better than mine, at least we agree on the principal point. No? Let’s keep in mind the point of this original blog.
You stated "As far as Obama vowing to clawback CEO's bonuses. He won't have to."
I'm just stating what Obama said today in his press conference. Surely it was more Obama rhetoric to try and divide the rich from the middle-class. I'm well aware of that.
You also stated that “I don't really like the healthcare law in it's present form but just once I'd like to hear a detailed plan of what should replace it. How about one of those genius's from the Republican party actually saying something that isn't a catch phrase, something of substance."
I think most people are aware that the Republicans came up with their own ideas for healthcare. Right or wrong, agree or disagree, they made suggestions. As usual, Obama shot down any ideas that weren't in-line with his thinking - even within his own party!
Also, where are you getting your numbers on Medicare and Medicaid costing more than Canada’s provincial healthcare systems combined “per capita”? I’d like to look into that for my own curiosity.
Aaron
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
"we can put America on the list of socialist countries " Aaron ,your stating this because of the health care law being held up? When wasn't America a socialist country? The U.S. military is the largest single entity socialist experiment in the history of the World.. It covers everything from it's own pensions to healthcare to untold trillions in government funded experiments and contracts ,to enormous real estate holdings and even it's own laws WITHIN civilian territory. All owned and operated by a bureacracy within the Federal Government.Please!
Lets continue . Medicare and Medicaid ARE socialism, at it's worst. Like the military ,they fund only a small segment of society but somehow cost more than Canada's Provincial healthcare systems combined ," per capita" They also pay for negotiations with hospitals and medical suppliers while Private insurers wait for outcomes and lobby on the contention that they are not being treated amicably.
As far as Obama vowing to clawback CEO's bonus's.He won't have to .The markets would have /should have, years ago,however corruption is so terribly entrenched in healthcare,that's not the easiest thing to do.
I don't really like the healthcare law in it's present form but just once I'd like to hear a detailed plan of what should replace it. How about one of those genius's from the Republican party actually saying something that isn't a catch phrase,something of substance.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
After today's decision by the Supreme Court, to largely uphold Obamacare, we can put America on the list of socialist countries. This could end up being the straw that broke the American economy's back. Obama has vowed to clawback CEO's, of insurance companies, bonuses to help pay for healthcare. Another monumental moment for the community organizer.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
BucsGo,
Welcome to our community. It's a great bonus to this thread in having someone like yourself, a resident of Quebec, able to share insight on the matter.
"Most of the people I talk to are well aware that this model isn't sustainable but I think we'll have to hit rock bottom before anything change because too many people are benefitting from the system. Once the majority of the boomers, which a lot are government employees who retires early, will be retired for a few years I think we'll see the crisis amplify for real... That's human nature I guess.."
Your quote nails it down perfectly. Sad, but true.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Living in Quebec, I can understand the ROC (Rest of Canada) being upset with the social programs that are in place in Quebec. I'm myself very worried bout our future as no politician have the courage to tackle the growing debt problem (which do come from generous social programs but also from corruption in the construction (roads cost 30% more in Quebec than in the rest of Canada), lack of productivity, general obstruction to resource exploitation and more). In 2003, I voted for the Liberals with the belief that they would do better than the Parti Quebecois (PQ) at managing the economy but they did increase the total province debt by 33% to 250B$.. Last year our minister of finance said the finality wasn't to balance the provincial budget but to be happy as a nation.. This year he started the provincial budget speech by citing a study about an hapiness index where we scored high in most of the category.. This is ridiculous.. Corruption scandals are everywhere (financing, ex-minister getting high salary jobs in the private sector where they worked in the governement) with the Liberals and dissatisfaction about them is in the roof but no opposing party seems to be strong enough to take them out... There is actually a political void in the choice the Quebecers have to change the picture. PQ is a joke and the CAQ (Coalition Avenir Québec) has eaten up the ADQ (Action Démocratique Québec) the only real center-right option party with a reverse merger in hope to access power more rapidly.
Most of the people I talk to are well aware that this model isn't sustainable but I think we'll have to hit rock bottom before anything change because too many people are benefitting from the system. Once the majority of the boomers, which a lot are government employees who retires early, will be retired for a few years I think we'll see the crisis amplify for real... That's human nature I guess..
IMHO most of Quebecers would be happy to contribute to develop an healthy collaboration with the ROC but until the boomer generation (which carry on the dream of living in a "free" Quebec) is gone I think we'll continue to have the separatist-federalist relation with the ROC... I do think that Quebecers will always be different (from a cultural standpoint) from their neighbours but that doesn't mean we can't coexist in an healthy diversified Canada..
On a side note about Quebec, there is actually no "social crisis" about education fees raise in Quebec. Almost every student attending to CEGEP and university finished their session without any problem. The problem is only in Montreal where the mayor Gerald Tremblay is the person with the least leadership in the world and allow anything to be done in its city!
Sorry for the english level in this text, I'm a french-speaking canadian from Quebec
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Heres the original article from May 2010
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sportsmonday/story.html?id=4099a7c3-229b-464f-b216-74a9a8c920de
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
The ‘have’ provinces are Saskatchewan, BC and Alberta (on a per capita GDP basis which takes into account debt loads). Ontario is turning into a liability, just not as much as Quebec. From a debt burden/ person perspective, Quebec ranks the worst in our country at $39,773 ( per individual). It’s no secret why. Ontario is number 2 at $36,004. To put that into perspective, Alberta sits at $14,544. BC, my home province, in my opinion, is about to go down the toilet too if the NDP take power.
Your blog stated: “What's more, Quebecers can take advantage of $7-a-day day care, whereas, in most other provinces, $7 wouldn't even buy you an hour of day care or babysitting.”
This is a statistic I was unaware of. With my first child on the way, and looking into the cost of such child care programs, I find this to be amazing and ridiculously unsustainable like many of Quebec's socialist programs.
Charet is completely out of touch and his comment just magnifies his lack of understanding. Not to mention the fact that Quebec is extremely resource rich. That province has ample opportunity to take advantage of rising commodity prices. It may not be with oil, but there are many other commodities trading at highly profitable levels which sit in the ground within Quebec’s borders.
Southpen, Quebec receives a lot of added benefits (largely unbalanced) because of the amount of representation they have in our parliament. It comes down to politics and winning votes in that province. There is a long history with Quebec that goes back to the settlement of our great country. I choose not to get into it as it would require a novel (many have been written about the history of Quebec and the province's politicians ‘hard done by’ attitude). I visit Quebec a couple times a year and find the people to be very kind and the majority are the furthest thing from separatist and are proud Canadians. However, politicians in Quebec like to have that underlying threat of separation in their back pocket to keep Ottawa on its toes and of the mindset that they need to keep Quebec happy.
There must be a lot of federal money squandered away in Quebec. Just driving on the province's highways shows that its infrastructure is a disaster. I’ve never seen so many potholes on highways in my life. It’s flat-out dangerous. Given the amount of money the province receives annually, you’d think they would improve their infrastructure. I wonder where they are spending their money? I digress.
Representation in the house of commons
Alberta 28
British Columbia 36
Manitoba 14
New Brunswick 10
Newfoundland and Labrador 7
Northwest Territories 1
Nova Scotia 11
Nunavut 1
Ontario 106
Prince Edward Island 4
Quebec 75
Saskatchewan 14
Yukon 1
TOTAL 308
Quebec has a population of roughly 7.9 million
Alberta has a population of 3.8 million (roughly half that of Quebec’s) yet it has just over a third of the representation in parliament...
Canada is a socialist country in my view. Not nearly as bad as much of Western Europe, but a socialist country nonetheless. I love my country and believe it is the most livable, fair and rewarding in the world. We have our issues, but what country doesn’t?
Obama is a socialist. There is no doubt in my mind. The question is, can he implement his socialist ways onto the American people. I like to think Americans are smarter than that.
Great post Thinker70.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
Good blog thinker. Your article should be a reminder to Americans, that Provinces are more powerful within your Federation than States are in our Union.There are big differences in how Canadian Provinces operate with their peers.Constantly I hear the phrase "Canadian healthcare ",as if it's something like an extended Medicare.
I've noticed Quebec seems to be given disproportionate favor by the Federal Gov't. Is it because of the seperatist issue?,or is there more to it?
I think transfer payments from Federal Gov't to Provinces/States is a good idea ,if it's necessary but should be based on population ,Shouldn't it? I mean ,Doesn't Ontario have the most problems,being the largest? ie ; Look at California,What a mess.
Socialism is running unrestrained here in America as well,it's just covered up better.It comes in the form (in many cases),dressed like conservative business. Voters in both countries ought to really understand better ,the wide implications of socialism on different levels. I see every level wanting something they assume is either a birthright or a bonus for being so important .Not really a lot of difference ,in my mind. I'm stuck in the middle.
Re: The MARVELS of SOCIALISM
this post makes my blood boil.. when will the Canadian government stop giving quebecers the house and start treating EVERYONE as equals.. what a crock of ...