Explain to me all this Quebec thing.

[Asher]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
They're parasites on the back of the masses, and they need to be shaken off. All you've told me is that might makes right. Commies have always known that. It's just a matter of getting the great unwashed to realise it too...

Poor people can be rich too.

You want an example? Take my father. He grew up the son of a war vet who became a carpenter in Beachburg, Ontario (a town of 2000 or so). They were incredibly poor, and the father actually died when my dad was in 12th grade. My dad busted his ass and worked hard in school, went to Waterloo and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was hired immediately by Chevron and moved to Calgary, where he's now an executive.

Poor people are poor for a reason. I don't buy the excuse that the rich people are keeping them down, I've seen that it's not true first hand. So don't give me that.

[KrazyHorse]

Congratulations. Both my parents were poor growing up, too and now they're pretty comfortable. Don't mean a thing.

a) The majority of wealth is transferred from one generation to the next via inheitance

b) You're assuming that getting rich implies that you've necessarily put more in than somebody else. Bullsh*t.

[Asher]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
a) The majority of wealth is transferred from one generation to the next via inheitance

So I'm the one with anecdotal evidence?

b) You're assuming that getting rich implies that you've necessarily put more in than somebody else. Bullsh*t.

I did no such thing.
I'm assuming that some people are simply better suited for modern Urban life than others. Not everyone's an Olympian, not everyone's rich.

[techumseh]

Originally posted by Asher
It was a FARCE! ROY ROMANNO?! A diehard SOCIALIST? From the province who invented medicare?! Oh my god, it's such a surprise he thinks the system is fine!

Just in case anyone thinks Calgary boy here speaks for Alberta, let me set you straight. I've had my fill of this Reform/Alliance (that means Republican for our American friends) drivel. And it's Romanow, not Rommano, BTW.

There are delays in our health care system, that is true. But mainly because of the funding cuts of people like Calagry's Ralph Klein, unfortunately the current Premier of Alberta. Here are some facts:

1) The US health care system has over 26 million people with no health care coverage at all. In Canada, everyone is covered.

2) Per capita costs of the health care system in the US, presently the most privatized in the world, are more than double those in Canada and are higher than in any other country.

3) Typical monthly premiums in the US for private health insurance are in the $200-$400/month range. In 8 out of 10 provinces of Canada there are no premiums at all. Alberta is an obvious exception, although premiums here are still pretty minimal compared to the US.

If your daddy was able to get quick service in the US, it's because he's rich and is willing to step over the poor people to get served first. And I can't think of a better example of Reform/Alliance thinking.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Asher

So I'm the one with anecdotal evidence?

No, I'm presenting unverified statistical evidence. Mine is the approved style of debate here.

I did no such thing.
I'm assuming that some people are simply better suited for modern Urban life than others. Not everyone's an Olympian, not everyone's rich.

So you don't think that the current economic system distributes resources to those who deserve it? Why not just do away with any government, then? Step back to feudalism.

[KrazyHorse]

Ah. I see we've found a good Albertan.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by techumseh
In 8 out of 10 provinces of Canada there are no premiums at all.

Isn't it a little dishonest to say that thier are no premiums paid at all?

[KrazyHorse]

No. Premiums are different than taxes. They're a flat rate, taxes are graduated.

They're like a general user fee.

[Asher]

Originally posted by techumseh
Just in case anyone thinks Calgary boy here speaks for Alberta, let me set you straight. I've had my fill of this Reform/Alliance (that means Republican for our American friends) drivel. And it's Romanow, not Rommano, BTW.

Actually, I do speak for Alberta. Incase you forgot, Alberta elected Reform/Alliance people entirely. Not liberals.

There are delays in our health care system, that is true. But mainly because of the funding cuts of people like Calagry's Ralph Klein, unfortunately the current Premier of Alberta. Here are some facts:

No, it's not due to Ralph Klein. The problem is nationwide, not in Alberta. It's due to the federal government, which is liberal at the moment. Coincidence?

1) The US health care system has over 26 million people with no health care coverage at all. In Canada, everyone is covered.

Yes.
In Canada, I pay twice the income tax though to get "free" health care. More than I'd pay for insurance. That's a big price for something free, isn't it?

2) Per capita costs of the health care system in the US, presently the most privatized in the world, are more than double those in Canada and are higher than in any other country.

Because they also have much higher technology. Compare hospitals in the US to those in Canada, there's a visible difference.

If your daddy was able to get quick service in the US, it's because he's rich and is willing to step over the poor people to get served first. And I can't think of a better example of Reform/Alliance thinking.

Yes, that's right. Actually, he physically assaulted a child in poverty and an elderly man in order to get his cyst out right away. Good thing he's much stronger than they were!

[Asher]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
No. Premiums are different than taxes. They're a flat rate, taxes are graduated.

They're like a general user fee.

One might say they're like insurance. Only our premiums are for subpar, free services.

[RedFred]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Yes, I am getting upset. I get upset every time I am confronted with incredible ignorance from central Canada or BC about how swell we have it out here and how we couldn't possibly have anything to be upset over!

This BCer only made a facetious comment regarding Saskatchewan. BC is not immune from various and sundry complaints that could be said to fall under the title of western alienation.

And I agree with Asher regarding our health care system. It is true that the federal Liberals precipitated the crisis by underfunding, but it is time that we look at how it operates. I believe that we are one of three countries in the world, iirc it is Cuba and North Korea that are the other two, that have largely excluded the private sector from their health care system.

I have worked for ten years as a benefits consultant and I have seen a lot of stuff in our system that you would never believe. My feeling is that a two tier system of public and private is the way to go.

[notyoueither]

Yes. I say Michigan is in.

Would that count as a cuture flip?

Welcome to our nightmare. Got your health-care card?

[techumseh]

Originally posted by DinoDoc




Isn't it a little dishonest to say that thier are no premiums paid at all?

Why do you say that? I know it's hard to believe, but - THERE ARE NO HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS IN 8 OF 10 CANADIAN PROVINCES. None. At all. Really. Honest.

[KrazyHorse]

In Canada, I pay twice the income tax though to get "free" health care. More than I'd pay for insurance. That's a big price for something free, isn't it?

You also get basically free university and a better social safety net. You get a government that actually cares about you (yes, even about Albertans), better funding for the arts and an opportunity for everybody to do something with their lives, irrespective of their backgrounds.

Not a bad deal.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
They're like a general user fee.

Say what? Since when are taxes classified as user fees?