Explain to me all this Quebec thing.

[KrazyHorse]

It's all about choice, right? Not poverty?

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
BTW, I find it "curious" that you wave away Asher's assertion regarding the faliures of the Canadian Health System without any evidence to the contrary simply because you feel that everything is fine and a statement that Canadian people are lazy.

a) Asher has forsaken statistical evidence for anecdotal evidence. I find it very hard to argue with him on that basis, since it's irrelevant.

b) Contrary to his sarcastic remarks, the federal government has undertaken a serious study of any shortcomings in the system. When actual data comes out of it I'll be happy to argue based on it. There's a hysterical attitude in this country toward health care, simply because it is publically-funded. It's very easy to dismiss those with problems in the US as being responsible for themselves. That way you don't have to care when the system falls down.

[Asher]

KH, don't act all holier than thou.

You're saying that in order to fix the Canadian system it needs more funding.

More funding means more taxes.

But oh, wait, who gets to pay those taxes?

The richer people.

The Canadian health system is not FREE in any terms. The Canadian system revolves around the richer payingfor the poorer to get medical service. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but stop using other words. The rich get taxed heavily in Canada, much of it going to funding health care for other people.

Raising health care funding is simply forcing richer people to buy "insurance" for the poorer people. And it's not even GOOD service. And the real kicker is, people like you run around jumping and clicking heels screaming, "It's free! FREE!" while other people look at their income tax statements and pull their hair in frustration.

[notyoueither]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Explain to me all this Quebec thing.

My this is becoming fun. I never thought OT could be so much fun.

Originally posted by Tingkai
And Ontario and Quebec paid for the CPR, which cost a fortune in its day, and the main beneficiaries were the western provinces.

But I still say its the refinery fumes.

Uhhh. Sorry to burst your bubble, but....

A rail link with BC was a precondition of their joining Confederation. It was not built for the enjoyment of the beaver and moose and buffalo who were the main inhabitants of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta at the time. Another thing. The rail road was necessary for the Canadian government to assert sovereignty across the West in the face of American pressure.

People followed the rails. No rails, fewer or no people. In fact, Western Canada was largely settled in accord with plans in central Canada to create it's own colonies. Guess you didn't know that did you buck shot? Well guess what? We don't particularly care to be treated as colonists out here anymore! You think Quebec has reasons to grumble. Live a life on these Prairies and then tell me about it!

One last thing. Ever heard of the Crow Rate? Yeah, that's the one. The one where Western Canada was subsidised for shipping grain to Eastern Canada. Did you know the flip side? Western Canada paid jacked up rates to ship any finished goods to Eastern Canada. That and the fact that if you grow wheat on the prairies you must sell your crop to the Canada Wheat Board. Try to truck it across the border at your own expense and the government of Canada will prosecute you. Meanwhile, farmers in Ontario and everywhere else can sell their produce any G*d-damned place they want, free of the CWB. Chew on them apples.

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!

If I hear anymore ignorant platitudes about how Alberta is just spoiled I think I may burst. Go ahead. Do it! Prove how incredibly ignorant you all can be.

Ahem. Time for tea.

[KrazyHorse]

Raising health care funding is simply forcing richer people to buy "insurance" for the poorer people

That's right, to a certain extent. We don't have a completely free market, and we don't want one. Why should the rich buy the roads or the police or the army for the poor? There's never been a free market economy for the basic reason that it's an impossible concept. The idea that you can separate an individual's contribution to society out is fundamentally flawed, and the idea that capitalism as it exists now does this is just plain laughable.

[Asher]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
a) Asher has forsaken statistical evidence for anecdotal evidence. I find it very hard to argue with him on that basis, since it's irrelevant.

I haven't seen you post any facts or anything to back up your anecdotal evidence.

b) Contrary to his sarcastic remarks, the federal government has undertaken a serious study of any shortcomings in the system.

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!

[KrazyHorse]

It's a farce! It's a farce! I don't care what the numbers will say, it's all lies!

[KrazyHorse]

I get the feeling you'll be much more comfortable in the States. We'll be sorry to see you go and all, but au revoir...

[notyoueither]

Health care, shmelf care.

We really should just start charging for it and let the pitance Ottawa contributes to Alberta be lost. We can still fund it ourselves. Why not, we already do through taxes to the province.

[Asher]

It's a farce! It's a farce! I don't care what the numbers will say, it's all lies!

The thing his report LACKED was numbers.

He basically said more money will solve the problem. Being socialist, he doesn't see a problem with the continual rise of income tax. It's fine, he says, because it's free! Free I tell ya.

That's right, to a certain extent. We don't have a completely free market, and we don't want one. Why should the rich buy the roads or the police or the army for the poor?

Why should the poor live off of the generosity of the rich?

The world's not a fair place. I mean, we're hindering evolution with socialist policies these days. People become more and more lazy because they realize they can. I can be lazy because someone else will pay for my health care. I can sit on my ass and get fat and watch TV and drink beer all day because health care is free, I don't need to pay for it...

The idea that you can separate an individual's contribution to society out is fundamentally flawed, and the idea that capitalism as it exists now does this is just plain laughable.

Why isn't car insurance free too, KH?
They made it a law to have it, why isn't it free?

The government is not consistent.
No one said pure capitalism exists now, you're setting up a straw man...

[notyoueither]

Of course, we already do charge for it. It's called an Alberta Health Care premium.

[KrazyHorse]

Why isn't car insurance free too, KH?
They made it a law to have it, why isn't it free?

Because I'm not in charge.

Why should the poor live off of the generosity of the rich?

Why should the rich maintain their position due to the toil of the poor?

[Asher]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Because I'm not in charge.

Why don't you make food free too? Everyone needs food.
And electricity. That should be free.
Why don't we just give ALL of our money to the state so they can make EVERYTHING free for us. Free is good!

Why should the poor live off of the generosity of the rich?

Why should the rich maintain their position due to the toil of the poor?

Because they've got the ability and skill to do so. That's how the world works.

There's a more general concept of the food chain in nature. Are you familiar with that?

Some people just aren't as cut out in life as others.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Asher

Why don't you make food free too? Everyone needs food.
And electricity. That should be free.
Why don't we just give ALL of our money to the state so they can make EVERYTHING free for us. Free is good!

Sounds good to me.

Because they've got the ability and skill to do so. That's how the world works

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...

[notyoueither]

Notice that map is Red. Very Red.

Capitalists and Communists. Ohh my!

I think I better depart before I blow another gasket.

Sorry, but that rail road thing was too much to ignore.