Budget Surplus Feb. 2009

[Hydraboss]

My point being...that a large part of the people that think these benefits are "benefits of living in Canadian society....benefits that we all share" are the same ones that either participate little or not at all in the funding of said programs.

Things aren't about to change to the way that you want them because the people don't want them to.

So now you speak for "people" do you? And you can solidly predict what will happen regarding change in this country because of....your vast experience?

Let me guess: you're still in school.

edit to add:

being in step with mainstream Canada

And "mainstream" is who? Central Canadians?

Edited April 28, 2009 by Hydraboss

[Smallc]

are the same ones that either participate little or not at all in the funding of said programs.

And you have proof of this?

So now you speak for "people" do you? And you can solidly predict what will happen regarding change in this country because of....your vast experience?

I never said such a thing. I base my prediction on the way Canadians as a whole seem to vote and respond to polls. They are very middle of the road. They won't support vast increases in taxes and social services, but they won't support further erosion of them either.

Let me guess: you're still in school.

Red River College of Applied Arts, Sciences, and Technology.

And "mainstream" is who? Central Canadians?

The majority.

[Smallc]

for example:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/Majori...7271/story.html

[Hydraboss]

So if 58% of Albertans wanted to separate (especially if 40% STRONGLY AGREED), you'd be okay with that because they're the majority?

[Smallc]

So if 58% of Albertans wanted to separate (especially if 40% STRONGLY AGREED), you'd be okay with that because they're the majority?

What I would think would be rather irrelevant now wouldn't it (if 58% constituted the clear majority required for separation), but I'm really not sure what that has to do with anything...especially since polls in 2005 (I believe) found that only 18% of Albertans want to consider it (and as the article states, it's probably not even that high)...add to that the poll that showed that Albertans gave Canada a rating of 94%...and you're question begins to sound silly.

http://www2.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/ne...7b-0e6cb1736e72

Anyway, it seems that only 1/3 of Albertans dislike public health care as it is...and probably many of those don't dislike the idea. Health care, as one of Canada's most important social services, is a good example of what I'm talking about.

[jdobbin]

So if 58% of Albertans wanted to separate (especially if 40% STRONGLY AGREED), you'd be okay with that because they're the majority?

If there was a referendum with a clear question as outlined in the Clarity Act and Albertans voted a clear majority, they could begin negotiations for separation.

I don't think I have ever seen a legit poll that showed that Albertans were ready to do that.

Edited April 28, 2009 by jdobbin

[Smallc]

It really doesn't matter since he was just trying to deflect anyway.

[Alta4ever]

They aren't entitlements. They're benefits of living in Canadian society....benefits that we all share.

So you are entitled to your "benefits". Got news for you most of it is waste that we the "canadian society" can do without.

[Smallc]

Got news for you most of it is waste that we the "canadian society" can do without.

And I have news for you....that's your opinion and nothing but.

[Alta4ever]

"that's your opinion and nothing but."

Which is shared by most of the population of this country west of the center of the universe.

[Smallc]

Which is shared by most of the population of this country west of the center of the universe.

Actually, I've just proven that it isn't when it comes to health care. Not even in Alberta. It certainly isn't in Manitoba and it certainly isn't in Saskatchewan (and definitely not in the urban areas)...not the lower mainland either...and most likely not most of Vancouver island. People may dislike specific things, but that's neither here nor there.

Edited April 29, 2009 by Smallc

[Dave_ON]

Which is shared by most of the population of this country west of the center of the universe.

We all know that Calgary is the centre of the universe. But suffice it to say it's quite presumptuous how so many Albertans claim to speak for "the west". They speak for Albertans; it has been my experience that the rest of the west doesn't agree with Alberta by default. BC especially is culturally distinct from the Alberta and they tend to swing politically and in terms of population are a larger percentage of "the west".

Albertans also tend to squawk a lot about what the majority of Canada wants out of one side of their mouth and out of the other side criticize what Ontario and Quebec wants, which just happens to constitute the majority of Canada, 63.2% of the population to be exact. Sorry but that's the reality of the matter.

My question to you is this, if as you say the majority of Canadians (i.e. those who live in Calgary and the greater tar sands area) want such drastic social reform, why is it that the CPC who wished to save us from the socialist plight that has plagued us for nigh on 60 years were unable to pull off a sound majority? Even when their strongest opposition was a divided, leaderless and essentially broke liberal party? The logical answer would seem to be that in fact the majority of Canadians do not want this change, hence they didn't vote for it.

Finally Hydraboss we're all well aware that Albertans are the only people in all of Canada that pay federal income tax. That doesn't explain why a good chunk of my paycheck, and the rest of the working Canadians in other provinces, goes missing every pay.

edited to correct a typon on population percentage

Edited April 29, 2009 by Dave_ON