OddSox

Hmm, almost sounds like a giant Ponzi scheme. Say it isn't so...

I wish I could, but I'm also in favour of cutting taxes and less government spending.

So was I And I agree with you.

The thing is - they're not getting the job done, so why not fire them all? The job still isn't done, but we have more money for beer!

It's kind of a side note, but even the interprovincial trade barriers in this country are ridiculous, and many of them are union-instigated.

Although cute and sort of funny, I hope you're not saying that India is a reject country? That would be sort of rude.

Not really very funny.

So, the US spends $100 billion for influence, not oil? I believe they are doing their best to aid the possibility of peace in the region, while still protecting their own interests - which is not unreasonable. In fact, peace throughout the region is probably in America's best interest - that's what keeps oil prices down. Meanwhile, there are a lot of other countries who have lots to say, but little to contribute.

A lot of people seem to forget that when you make a deal with your friends, the right thing to do is follow through on it. Otherwise, you may find yourself without any friends.

You do realize what the symptoms of cholera are? It's a little difficult to be shooting off rockets when you're leaking yellow stuff all over the place. Meanwhile, there were 2,889 people killed on Canada's roads in 2006.

Oh, and what is the US getting out of it, other than grief like this?

I was thinking the same thing earlier when it was reported that the cholera deaths in Zimbabwe are over 1,700...

I was under the impression that the 'poor' get government rebate cheques sent to them every quarter.

Umm, you were the one who brought up the 50s with your rant about 'white' cab drivers etc. By the way, my parents immigrated in 1953 and could not speak a word of English, as well as many of the parents of my friends.

Immigration levels in the 50's were at least as high as today. Yes they were white - because they came from Europe. And many of them were unskilled and many were unable to speak English. But, just as todays immigrants do, the majority worked hard and managed to improve themselves. In the Seventies, nearly 75% of immigrants had a high school education or less. Now, over 50% have college or university. Also, the large majority of immigrants make the same money as everybody else. In 2005 the median family income for non-immigrants in Ottawa was about $85,000, versus $70,000 for immigrants. Less, but hardly 'minimum wage'. Source: http://www.canadaimmigrants.com/statistics.asp and http://www.canadaimmigrants.com/statistics2.asp

Um, we're talking about government paid union employees here. You're saying that if we pay them $100,000 a year and they pay $40,000 back in their taxes, that's a good thing? Seems to me that the taxpayer ends up $60,000 in the hole.

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/F-35_Lightning_II

It's cute how they stick together and help one another...

Fixed it for you...

Like General Motors? Good comparison.

Uh Oh, please don't start any new conspiracy theories! Although that one is almost believable...

Did you just say that new immigrants = higher crime?

Perhaps you should move to Europe...

Well, there is an oil tanker ship there somewhere...

I don't think there is any longer an argument for mandating that each and every Canadian has mail service to their home. In fact, in many of the newer urban and suburban areas residents are required to pick up their mail at a central location. It would be better to spend the money ensuring that each and every Canadian has access to high-speed internet services...