Live From China

Sorry, but you are not a red neck. Not by my definition anyway. I know (intuition) that you would not speed through a small neighborhood and just about kill two children without a hint of remorse. I know you would not brag about how great it is being in jail (three squares a day, you know). I know you would not attempt to run someone down with your car just because they are running. I know you would not assault someone just because you didn't like the color of their shirt. And so on. Yes, these people are self-centered bastards. Yes, they are criminals. But they are also red necks. So help me out here. What makes them tick?

I think the real point is that excessive spending is excessive spending. And this is even worse when nothing is really accomplished. It doesn't matter if it is the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, Rhinos or the Skateboard Party of Canada. It is time it stopped. No one needs to spend $5000 on an airline ticket when a $1500 one is available. And they don't need to bring along their secretary, assistant to the secretary, etc. And staying in seventeen-star hotels. I am sure if government officials didn't attend the conference in Geneva, it would have had a negative impact on Canada. One of these days a PM will say, "When I was in the Opposition, I criticized So-and-so for this! We are not going to turn around and do the same thing!" Then again, I am probably just living in a fantasy world

I think of this event especially around Christmas, since that is when it occurred. By the way, I do NOT think of the more conservative posters on this board as red necks. My definition? You'll see. Many years ago, I was running through a new subdivision. One of those engineered ones with those curving and twisting streets. It had recently snowed and the road surfaces were covered with patches of ice. Around a corner came a hot car, big, noisy and moving very fast. Too fast for the neighborhood and the conditions. On this same corner children were playing. They were oblivious to the car, and the driver was oblivious to them. I sensed a potential disaster and ushered the children off the street (they were actually on the edge of the sidewalk; one foot on the street). Sure, enough the car hit an icy patch and began to slide slightly sideways. Fortunately, he regained control. But, had I not shouted, "Slow down!", (this made him stop) he would have hit the children and certainly killed them. He slammed on his brakes, got out of his car, and said, "Who the f**k do you think you are to tell me......" He was wearing his logging company jacket, so he appeared to be locally employed. He was definitely not drunk. I told him that there were kids on the street, and he just had a so-what attitude. Fortunately, neighbors who had also seen the incident appeared and told him to get the "hell out of here" before they called the police. Here's the clincher: had the neighbors not appeared, I am convinced he would have attacked me. I grew up in a resource-based town with these kinds of red neck yahoos. What makes them tick?

Well said, Catchme! I mean how much courage does it take to beat up on the poor, especially their children? This is the disgusting type of behavior of which smug, self-righteous people should be ashamed.

Couldn't agree more, Saturn! Many older people are laughing all the way to the bank! And at our expense. We keep forgetting that some of them "got while the getting was good." And they want even more, and we gladly give it to them. Yet we begrudge a child and his mother getting barely enough to live on! I get a very strong impression that many people believe (1) that those collecting welfare are fraud artists, and (2) once you are on welfare, you must be punished. Once again, most of the victims of poverty are children. I find it hard to believe that a 10-year old child could put together a scheme to defraud an agency. You never know though; children are pretty clever these days

No.

I am glad to hear this, Drea! Your company is obviously showing social responsibility. What a wonderful country this would be if everyone was willing to do this.

I think society beats this into us. I remember when I actually thought I might have to go on welfare. I was angry, worried, discouraged, etc. but not ashamed. Thankfully, I didn't have to apply for social assistance. If "push came to shove", would you be willing to job-share with someone on welfare? Or help to train them in your office, organization, plant, etc.

The stranger I pick is Bill Gates

Do they not have some kind of guaranteed income programs in European countries? If they do, I am sure their taxes are high. If they exist, how do they work? Are they successful? (And, please, if they do exist, just because rich people grouse about them doesn't make them unsuccessful!). I know that poor bashing is popular, but what about corporate welfare? What about rich people who continually ask for tax breaks, and then ask for the burden of these "lost" taxes to be passed onto people who can't afford it?

I think the problem with something like workfare is that it is probably more costly than welfare itself. I think the cost of setting up and administering such a program must be high. And in all fairness, the workfare recipients should be paid at least minimum wage. Otherwise, the program, would really smack of punishing people for being on welfare. I don't know why it irks so many people that there are other human beings on welfare. First, I don't believe that most of the recipients want to be on welfare. Secondly, I don't believe most recipients are cheats. We love to quote anecdotal evidence of people on welfare with a brand new van or the woman who quit her job because welfare paid more. I mean would people really be interested in a headline that stated, "John Q. Anybody Is Legitimately On Social Assistance"? As a human being, I am ashamed that poor bashing is popular. I think many people are what I call "social bullies." And like most bullies they are cowards who enjoy targetting those who are weaker than them. And many of the poor are like a person who is both too weak to fight back and with their hands tied behind their back. Just the kind of target a bully loves. Many of these "social bullies" love to forget that a huge number of the poor are children.

BHS, did you find out any more about Ft. St. John?

Saddam was tried for the murders of 132 people. He certainly murdered many more than that! I really think it is time we also went after the Western thugs in suits who back him. One bully at a time, I guess.

I often wonder about welfare and EI abuse. Yes, we all know it happens but I wonder how much. I recall hearing a radio report in which EI admitted that the number of cheats was extremely low. Of course, maybe they were just trying to save face Not too sure about welfare. It seems to me that both spend far more money on enforcement than they get in return. Why bother? But then, I guess if they didn't, there would probably be a lot more fraudulent claims. Not too sure if I would say that seniors "abuse the system", unless we say that getting more than you put into the system is abuse, but then the system is set up this way, etc., etc., etc.

Well said, Renegade and geoffrey. However, I feel the following is just too silly for words: I think it is easy to say plan for a secure retirement, but I think many people cannot simply because they cannot afford to (and I know this sounds strange, but what do you do if all your money goes to surviving?). It must be remember many seniors "got when the getting was good."

Actually, this is no different than feeling entitled to something because you were born. If we use your logic, one should also be entitled to something because they have NOT lived as long as someone else And I have a surprise for you, I am almost a senior myself! (Although my father constantly referred to me as a "youngster" ) And when the day comes, I will not object to paying full price for a haircut, etc.

Why are they entitled? Where is this enshrined in law? What does a reduced rate for a hair cut or theatre admission have to do with paying taxes? And some seniors have NOT worked a day in their lives NOR paid taxes. Actually, you are "barking up the wrong tree." I actually NEVER stay in provincial campgrounds. All my camping is done in remote wilderness areas accessible only by foot, skis or water. It was just an observation. Just remember when a senior stays for free, that fee is not "forgotten." It goes into the fee of someone who has to pay. Not one person here has said we are owed a living. And I think the point some people are making is that our retirements are NOT secure. The government plans we are paying into may not even exist by the time we retire. Some financial planning may help, but given the unpredictability of the financial world ........

This is what I was thinking of. I have heard seniors actually brag about getting more than they put into the system and in the same breath criticize people for collecting EI and welfare. I usually remind them they are getting nothing more than "glorified welfare." I know there are other groups that have a sense of entitlement and that there are seniors who are living "hand to mouth." What I always found funny was the so-called "senior's discount" at theatres, etc. A senior who has far more money than many people and no mortgage, etc. gets into a show for a considerably reduced amount Or better yet: in a BC campground up drives a senior in his $75,000 mobile and gets to stay for free :angry:

I must know the "wrong" seniors. None of them volunteer in any community services. They complain about how much income tax they pay and openly declare they don't care if there are any pensions for the seniors of the future, just as long as they get theirs.

Does anyone here get the impression that "seniors" have a tremendous sense of entitlement?

I have never been to FSJ but I would say you have to think about why you are doing this. And I think it has to be more than, "I want a job!" And, yes, be sure you have housing in line before you move; even if it is just staying with friends. If you can get a good-paying position and are saving for something like university, perhaps it would be a good place to work. If you are young and single, do not throw away your youth on just making money. What I am saying is have a plan in place. There are probably some negatives. I do not think red-neck, resource-based towns are good places to raise families. (I grew up in one). True, wilderness is always close and the family can get away from the red neckery. But you could be working with people whose conversation involves the type of engine in their truck or the fight they saw in last night's hockey game. Some of the rednecks are angry and violent! I am obviously being judgemental but this kind of social atmosphere grinds away at your spirit. I have seen several young people go "up there" and come back with lots of money and something called alcoholism in full tow.

There is one thing that concerns me about all of this. As young people head off to make high wages, many with no skills or training, (some as thick as fence posts!) all of this reinforces the growth of an entire generation with a trumped up sense of its own worth and as materialistic as hell. Many are surrending their youth to get a big truck or car, skidoos, a house, and so on. No longer do I hear young people talking about travelling, climbing mountains, learning to fly, or curing cancer. All I seem to hear is money, money, money, and I see them acting superior. Many are extremely greedy. And many of them are as dull as watching grass grow! What is even more astounding is when I hear them saying they have trouble "making it" when they can bring in $7000 a month! I think many will be in for a rude shock when the boom dies and they discover what they are really worth.

Some questions since I am not up on this topic. Does Alberta go through a boom-or-bust cycle like other provinces, or has it been immune to this kind of thing? I have had friends who have told me that Alberta has never suffered from this economic disease, and yet another friend of mine who works in Fort McMurray said in the mid- to late-80's, that people literally walked (with only the shirts on their backs) away from Ft. McMurray when the tar sands went bust for awhile. I have heard the same magical stories about Grande Prairie. It has never suffered from hard times, the streets are paved with gold, etc., etc. I personally don't believe it. So next question: what's going to happen to all those high-paying jobs when a bust hits? Are Burger King employees going to suddenly be cut back to $8/h? And what happens to the home owners who are no longer able to get $3000/m for renting out their house?

I think any Mulroney or Trudeau! The kids look like real suckholes. I actually don't think Don Cherry should be included. He knows he's annoying, and that is his schtick.

Anyone can make a passport. The real crux of this issue is, "OK, if you do have passports, do they actually work?" And that always was the issue. Once again, provide the list of 36 countries that accept them.