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For measuring the success of a society I would look at metrics like GDP per capita, productivity, purchasing power, real wages adjusted for inflation, human development index, and quality of life For example, you can make a ton of money, but if it doesn’t buy you much, that’s a problem. If you’re sitting in traffic for 2.5 hours a day, that detracts from quality of life. If your housing costs eat up too much of your income, that’s a problem. If too much of your income services healthcare and other essentials, that’s a problem. Bottom line: After paying my taxes and for all my essentials (housing, health, commuting, etc.) what disposable income do I have? How much can I save? Am I upwardly mobile? Are there opportunities? Do I have access to quality education? Quality healthcare and other services? Amenities like sports stadiums, golf, etc.? Can I afford those Leafs tickets once in a while? Is the infrastructure in good shape or tatters? My general takeaway is that we’re overtaxed on energy costs, our commutes and transit are substandard, our cost of living is too high, our wages are growing tepidly Our essential services like healthcare have declined in quality in terms of waits and access to diagnostics. Basically life became more expensive and has declined or stagnated in terms of quality of live over the past several years We had a nice moment in the mid 2000’s to early 2010’s when our dollar was strong, our taxes declining, our tax credits up, and our infrastructure expanding, without the insanely rapid immigration and overwhelmed services that we see today. Basic services like getting a passport are a pain in the ass today I avoid hospitals now because I know I can’t get out in less than 4 hours no matter how minor the ailment. The roads are clogged Wages can’t keep up with inflation My kids can’t afford homes If I want to eat out, I have to decide whether I want to pay for that $20 burger, fries and drink for everyone in my family How often am I splurging now as compared to even 5 years ago? I think there’s an undeniable financial and quality of life squeeze for most Canadians today.

It is comical that when I travel to Canada for work, I get interrogated and have to bring a statement declaring that I am not there to work or perform any jobs Canadians can do and that I promise to leave when I am done with said business trip promptly... But if I sneak across the border from Africa, I guess I get to stay and live?

It was a very good speech in that it laid out problems in general and simple terms and followed that with solutions that were easy to understand. The speech attacked (mostly) policies and praised so many people. It had touching moments when talking about the people hurt in the shooting. They will attack him for "getting economic advice from a waitress" and jokingly saying he's buying votes (by making the economy better).

Sure. Tell that to Mike Pence, or Liz Cheney, Brad Raffensberger or any number of Republicans who simply did their jobs. And they're getting literal death threats for simply doing the right thing instead of following Trump. And people like Paul Ryan, once the VP nominee simply left because there was no room in the Party of Trump for conscientious disagreement.

I think August is right, it's mainly our massive population growth that hides the real picture. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/economics/2024/07/19/population-growth-masked-canadas-recession-like-economic-backdrop-rbc/ Though Canada’s economy is not technically in a recession, economists say it “feels like one,” given the current economic circumstances, as high population growth prevented an economic contraction. Nathan Janzen, RBC assistant chief economist, and RBC economist Carrie Freestone said in a report Wednesday that as per-person output is declining in Canada’s economy, population growth “prevented outright declines in Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP).” The report notes that this is occurring alongside unemployment rate increases that would be expected in a typical recession. “Higher interest rates alongside decades-high inflation in 2022-23 ate away at household purchasing power. Weaker demand spurred a rise in the unemployment rate of a size that historically only happens in recessions,” the report said. “But decades-high population growth has masked this recession-like economic backdrop. Canada has added 2.1 million additional consumers since mid-2022.”

“The US is not a Democracy” is one of those untrue talking points that Republicans suddenly started saying circa 2014 when Putin started grooming Republicans with online influence campaigns that included this message . The US is a democracy….at least for now….look it up. A Republic is type of democracy.

You're saying that to deaf ear's, blind eye's and mouths the size of 1000 watt sub-woofers.

I would put it another way, Joe collected the most ballots of any presidential candidate in history.😉

It wasn’t illegal or political violence. Stealing the documents was illegal and the “raid” was a polite and professional search arranged with Trump security in advance with FBI agents discretely wearing civilian clothes so as not disturb the other guests.

These numbers are based on projections of population growth. Note that the IMF does not refer to real GDP per capita. The economies of Canada and the US are growing because we have more people. Government leaders typically don't care about GDP per capita. They care about total GDP because this represents how much they can tax. When Xi sits down with Trump or Biden, the question is the waterflow they can divert through the hydro generators. They don't care about the height of the falls, their beauty or even the overall volume of water.

Why are you changing the subject toSyria? Lol...Assad managed to maintain control of that country despite the us efforts to assist isis in making Syria also uninhabitable. Israelaid was an ngo that was central to the project of relocating Syrians to europe..and for the most part it was done with excuses about them being good for business somehow. But Syria still has food and water and hospitals and electricity, making it quite different from gaza, of course. The only similarity it has is that Israel wanted to destroy the country, so it is interesting that you even brought it up. We already know...and even Angela merkell herself admitted, that millions of the migrants to Europe during that mass immigration crisis were not even Syrian, despite pretending to be...and many were not even the age they pretended to be as the Swedish dentist pointed out (and was thrown in prison for). The reality is that Syrians did not all have to flee Syria, so they didn't. The excuses for mass immigration were simply wrong...so this is a silly comparison. Unlike Syria, Israel actually could potentially empty out gaza (although they are kinda losing to hamas right now)...and all those people will be shipped to the west. Many to Canada? Sure, why not? But it is funny how you are changing the subject from already changing the subject. What do you think of my analysis for the reason to make antisemitism illegal? That was the heart of the issue, remember?

and here I thought only brooks babbled.

No, most of the world's democracies run on a variant of the Westminster system. Certainly among the first world nations. And no, most of the republics aren't democracies. Of course it's a little hard to say, as noted china consideres itself a democracy but we wouldn't. You just make shit up and run with it. Like - didn't you think i'd either know or look? Really. Define what a 'democracy' is then. virtually every expert out there agrees that they are not democracies in the actual meaning of the word, which would mean the people rule by popular vote. The people do NOT rule by popular vote in a constitutional democracy. You need to listen more.

Maybe if Democrats had a deeper bench we could find someone who wrote a memoir but has almost no experience in politics or government. But hell, I suppose that's a pretty good resume for Republicans, who last ran a reality TV star with zero experience in politics and government. 🙄

You say the craziest things. Today's Republican party could not be any more top-down. The litmus test for viability is loyalty to Trump--agreeing with whatever crazy shit he says next. People are not allowed to criticize him or oppose him. They must either bend the knee and kiss the ring or they are exiled and punished. If someone (even a VPOTUS, for example) doesn't go along with Trump's crooked, schemes they are risking not just their political future, but even their lives.

Agreed. He needs to get into the business of unifying this country and then just stay in that lane.

Also read as the world pop goes down,N.A pop goes up.

Yaaaaaa, that's why they didn't tell people that the jabs were genetic therapy, and not "vaccines" - most people wouldn't have taken them had they known. The question scientists are trying to answer now (way too late) is: Now that we know these jabs are altering DNA, what does that mean for fertility/future generations? So far, the answer from the pro-jab people is "Just don't worry about it, nothing bad will happen." I don't find that reassuring, after these same people have lied repeatedly about the jabs.

as usual, when backed into a corner you turn to dishonesty. Why? If you find yourself having to lie as much as you do to make your point - doesn't that tell you that you don't have much of a point and maybe you're on the wrong side?

But actually not a friend. Just a 'former classmate' . And his comments are in direct opposition to other people who went to school with him. For example other students and school professionals say he was badly bullied - this kid says he didn't think he was. So someone's wrong. And he's 20 so highschool was a ways back. It's not much of an indicator to what he's thinking now, that's a period of pretty rapid change for most of us. What he was like when he was 15 - 16 might be very different. So i don't think you can say his "friends" think he's conservative. You havent' made that connection at all. At best you can say that one former classmate thought he was conservative in high school, but his knowledge is questionable given that his other statements are at odds with other observers.

Financial and moral profligacy, overbearing laws and regulations, higher taxes, anti-democratic policies, and divisive rhetoric. Woke lunacy and the green scam.

She ruled that the guy was illegally appointed thus any rational person would conclude that anything he did was illegal.. duh They violated Baron and Melania's 4th ammendment rights

The howling outrage is what will make it all worth the effort don't you think? Poilievre will have plenty of other social partisan issues to address that should take the base's mind off the hard problems he'll be as ineffectual at solving as anyone else.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/15/trump-shooter-motive

Then Tucker realized he had the house key on him the whole time

The Hulkster. Lol...so many memories... I don't rightly know what will happen with Brandon. One thing is for sure...his legacy will be the model for corrupt, long term politicians. An American embarrassment. As to the assassination attempt...nobody will ever know the whole story and the Democrats will always be a bit suspect.

Younger people probably do not remember the WWF days in the 80s, when there were major wrestling cards at Trump Plaza. Hulk Hogan and Legally Elected President Trump go back a long way. The DemoNazis are wrong on all the issues. They don't have anything to campaign on except "Orange Man Bad" and "abortion." And they are going to LOSE big time in November. And they lost their chance when Legally Elected President Trump turned his head slightly and their minion on the roof missed that head shot.

And Unelected Joe's massive ADOLF HITLER ego will not allow him to exit the race. He is going to drag his Nazi party down to defeat.

But when people got fired for offensive posts and behaviour, it was the end of culture remember? Snowflake culture? Looks like we're back to agreeing about civility.

The whole thing was perfect as far as I'm concerned. I believe he was talking about all the criminals crossing illegally and poisoning, raping and killing Americans, when he said they are vermin. Which...they are. The Republicans are now united more than we've seen in decades. I think they are going to get the vote out in droves this time. They are extremely motivated. On the other hand, the Democrats have, what is commonly known as "issues". Let the feathers fly.

The left normalized violence and calls for violence some time ago. "Punch a nazi" was a big thing and everybody who was right of bernie sanders was defined as a nazi. They absolutely believed they were 100 percent justified and called for others to do it. only right wing thinkers believe that rights should belong to all people. The left believes that human rights should be subject to their approval before being exercised

And people like you are how we *know* that Trump and the MAGA turds are a threat to democracy. You're not even trying to hide it anymore. The party that used to complain primarily about "big government" is half full of people openly lusting for fascism. That's simply the government you want.

The best speech was last night's with that 96 year old WWII vet who was willing to go and kick some ass if he had to. Trump's granddaughters was good too. That Don Jr really screwed up when he let that Vanessa get away in exchange for that Kim Guilfoyle tho. Yikes

Two things can be true.

You need to be cautious with your words. You are getting into territory which can come back to bite you hard. I am not a judge and only God is the final or ultimate judge. We are commanded in Scripture to bless Israel and the Jews. As for the interpretation of John 8:44 you need to be cautious because it could be a sensitive subject that could could bite you if you are trying to play games with it or use it to try to justify anti-Semitism.

Speaking to Israelis in other words.

Well, I have mostly posted peer reviewed scientific studies because I know "peer review" is important to some here. When I have posted studies not yet peer reviewed, I have said so right at the beginning of the post.... And if it's an opinion piece, I point out that it is an opinion piece. How are scientific studies "NOT SCIENCE"? First you want peer reviewed studies, then when they are provided, you claim that is "not science." You're not making sense. As usual.

It isn't deceptive at all, it's more accurate than just gdp by far. No one financial stat gives the whole picture but gdp per capita is a VERY important figure. It addresses quality of life, tax to service ratios, a bunch of things.

That is literally the term for it - "Punishment by process". We see it frequently, such as when charges are brought in canada even tho they know the person will get off, and dragged all the way through the process then dropped at the last second but by then tens of thousands in legal costs have been incurred. This is used in canada for cases involving self defense historically or firearms issues. Even tho the charge is bogus it's enough to trash someone's life defending against it only to have it dropped at the last second. I have a funny feeling it won't actually amount to much. But we'll see.

Trump's new and fresh administration is going to crush a select number of Libbie liars and cheaters. He'll also have the opportunity to pack on more judges...maybe even a new SCOTUS judge or two. Enjoy the election sweetie...

They have nothing to worry about if they are innocent...

A flag is not hero worship... it does not represent one person ... analogy does not work. The thread is about who? Hmm... first word in the thread title should be your first clue. Second.. what is the topic? Again, lets read that thread title. So, the bandages are very much related to the thread. If I was a partisan type, I would go to to a rally and not need the extra decorations. My presence signals my intentions.. bandages are just silly. They are free to wear them and I am free to look at it on a screen and laugh.

Nobody said anything about them not existing. I said they were destroyed. They are not now the countries they were before. They still exist but they were destroyed. If i drive a car into a wall, the car will still exist but it will be destroyed. Even if it's rebuilt it was still destroyed in the crash. This is pretty simple. Soooooo - i was wrong about highschool? Still in elementary then?

The biggest tip-off for me that the climate hysteria is fake is that the solution to the "problem" is "Give billionaires ALL the money in the world" while they private jet all over the world to their multiple homes, eating (real) beef carpaccio but YOU are punished for driving to work.