“Just today? Millions of people in the U.S. have felt the world owed them a living for decades. No idea how Canada handles its welfare.”.Well, the short answer is probably that they tax their society as a whole enough to pay for what they consider a proper social safety net for their society as a whole. Unlike us; we want it all without having to pay the taxes to pay for it…point to Canada, I think. At least they face reality..And it’s only human nature to want to get paid without working…that’s why I retired. :) So it’s not just “millions”, it’s everybody; and it’s not just the U.S.; it’s every time and place in history..That being said, it’s also mature, mentally sound human nature to want to feel productive and useful to others. Most people who are out of work honest-to-God want to work, and can’t find anything they’re in a position to take. (Please, everyone, no platitudes like “Anyone who wants a job badly enough can find one!” No, they can’t.).No doubt we have way too many emotional infants who really do think the world owes them a living — maybe because no one ever forced them to face reality. As wonderful as America is (and it truly is), we’re so self-indulgent that we just may have more spoiled brats per capita than anywhere else.
Scatty: That’s true. Taxes are about 20% higher in Canada, but you get 50% more for it. Social insurance is paid by the employer, not the worker, so you get a bit more pay and the boss can’t shortchange the government and pocket the difference like in the US.
Then there is Tommy Douglas’ health care. Sliding scale (based on total family income) payment, everyone fully covered, and it breaks even. The only time I ever stopped a discussion was when BC was finally required to participate. Everyone was complaining about the long wait for elective surgery. I said, “You can always do what we do in the US.” " What’s that?" “If you can’t pay, you die.” It was never mentioned again. As it turned out, the backlog was over in less than a year. All those who couldn’t afford elective surgery finally got their needed operation. My doctor, who practiced under both systems, said, " I can’t say that I practice medicine any differently now that I no longer worry about being paid." His waiting room wall is covered with peer-reviewed papers he wrote for medical journals all over the world. He is in general practice! They don’t consider it welfare – just what a government owes its citizens.
Michael appears to be like many kids who are exposed to their first taste of the workforce. Surprise that if you want something you have to work for it. Your parents or grandparents cannot always afford to spoil you.
Templo S.U.D. almost 12 years ago
(self slap in the face in grief)
pouncingtiger almost 12 years ago
Michael, earn = work.
luckylouie almost 12 years ago
Welcome to the real world, Kiddo.
thesnowleopard Premium Member almost 12 years ago
Sheesh, how old is this kid?
-Saint- almost 12 years ago
Ummmm, my lawn IS weeds…
psychlady almost 12 years ago
Welcome to reality, Michael! You don’t just get a paycheck, you WORK for it!
lightenup Premium Member almost 12 years ago
Uhhh, yes, it is, Michael. That’s the way it works. And if you keep complaining, my price for giving you money will go up.
Seed_drill almost 12 years ago
A young Maynard G. Krebs?
Bisquit1 almost 12 years ago
Why work? when you can get it from the guberment without having to get out of bed.
ssejhill almost 12 years ago
If he completely weeded my lawn all I would have left would be dirt.
jimgamer almost 12 years ago
WORK ???? WHY ??????
PShaw0423 almost 12 years ago
“Just today? Millions of people in the U.S. have felt the world owed them a living for decades. No idea how Canada handles its welfare.”.Well, the short answer is probably that they tax their society as a whole enough to pay for what they consider a proper social safety net for their society as a whole. Unlike us; we want it all without having to pay the taxes to pay for it…point to Canada, I think. At least they face reality..And it’s only human nature to want to get paid without working…that’s why I retired. :) So it’s not just “millions”, it’s everybody; and it’s not just the U.S.; it’s every time and place in history..That being said, it’s also mature, mentally sound human nature to want to feel productive and useful to others. Most people who are out of work honest-to-God want to work, and can’t find anything they’re in a position to take. (Please, everyone, no platitudes like “Anyone who wants a job badly enough can find one!” No, they can’t.).No doubt we have way too many emotional infants who really do think the world owes them a living — maybe because no one ever forced them to face reality. As wonderful as America is (and it truly is), we’re so self-indulgent that we just may have more spoiled brats per capita than anywhere else.
hippogriff almost 12 years ago
Scatty: That’s true. Taxes are about 20% higher in Canada, but you get 50% more for it. Social insurance is paid by the employer, not the worker, so you get a bit more pay and the boss can’t shortchange the government and pocket the difference like in the US.
Then there is Tommy Douglas’ health care. Sliding scale (based on total family income) payment, everyone fully covered, and it breaks even. The only time I ever stopped a discussion was when BC was finally required to participate. Everyone was complaining about the long wait for elective surgery. I said, “You can always do what we do in the US.” " What’s that?" “If you can’t pay, you die.” It was never mentioned again. As it turned out, the backlog was over in less than a year. All those who couldn’t afford elective surgery finally got their needed operation. My doctor, who practiced under both systems, said, " I can’t say that I practice medicine any differently now that I no longer worry about being paid." His waiting room wall is covered with peer-reviewed papers he wrote for medical journals all over the world. He is in general practice! They don’t consider it welfare – just what a government owes its citizens.
Gretchen's Mom almost 12 years ago
If Michael doesn’t “work” for the money . . . then how else does he think he’s going to “earn” it???!!!
iced tea almost 12 years ago
That’s the way the cookie crumbles, Michael.
;)
hippogriff almost 12 years ago
Shyygirl: Yeah, at a minimum-wage job they have to find themselves, and the pay is deducted from their welfare payments.
USN1977 almost 12 years ago
Michael appears to be like many kids who are exposed to their first taste of the workforce. Surprise that if you want something you have to work for it. Your parents or grandparents cannot always afford to spoil you.