My Election Platform

[Scotty]

I got a call from a local candidate last night asking me if I'd be willing to have a sign put on my front lawn like I did last time around so I guess they're starting to gear up for an election.

Over what? Over who can win more power. I have yet to hear anything that makes me more than yawn from any of them. So I decided to make my own platform with a few key policies I think will be both workable, and will win me a lot of support.

1 Health Care

I would put back 1% of the GST cut that was made earlier. The money would be specifically earmarked for the provinces to build nursing homes for seniors. The priority would be to provide temporary nursing care to get sick seniors out of hospitals across the country and free up beds.

2 Science

I would cancel the current R&D tax credits which are so often misused by business and turn that $3.5 billion into direct grants only available for real science and technology research.

3 immigration

All new immigrants would be required to have an approved job offer before coming to Canada. That job has to be one which will provide a livable wage. ie, not in a factory paying minimum wage, not as a busboy or dishwasher. Landed immigrants who lose that job will have 90 days to find another approved job or leave the country. Before citizenship can even be applied for, a stringent language test must be passed. Landed immigrants who commit any crimes will be immediately deported on conviction. The refugee determination system will be entirely revamped, and the legislation put under the notwithstanding clause so as to avoid expensive and time consuming litigation. All refugees whose identity is not proven will be held until their cases have been dealt with. Economic migrants, who currently constitute the bulk of refugees, will be deported. Refugees accepted into Canada will not be permitted to apply for citizenship for ten years. During that time, if the danger posed to them in their home countries is considered to have dropped, they can be sent back. Any refugee who travels willingly to his home country for a visit will be assumed to no longer be at danger and will be removed from Canada.

4 employment. Employment and Immigration will be tasked with finding work for all unemployed who are physically and mentally capable of doing work. If that means cutting weeds by the side of the road, or performing janitorial services at government buildings then that's what they'll do. A new retraining system will be undertaken to provide real skills training for in-demand positions, especially in the trades. Healthy unemployed who refuse to be retrained or work will receive no benefits - ever.

Energy/environment

All new large buildings in Canada will be required to be built with geothermal heating and cooling systems.

Consumers protection

The government will open up the banking, investment, cable/satellite TV, cell phone and internet industries to foreign competition without restriction.

[wyly]

1 Health Care

I would put back 1% of the GST cut that was made earlier. The money would be specifically earmarked for the provinces to build nursing homes for seniors. The priority would be to provide temporary nursing care to get sick seniors out of hospitals across the country and free up beds.

money for healthcare instead of prisons and star wars military toys...I'm good with that

2 Science

I would cancel the current R&D tax credits which are so often misused by business and turn that $3.5 billion into direct grants only available for real science and technology research.

sounds good,

3 immigration

All new immigrants would be required to have an approved job offer before coming to Canada. That job has to be one which will provide a livable wage. ie, not in a factory paying minimum wage, not as a busboy or dishwasher. Landed immigrants who lose that job will have 90 days to find another approved job or leave the country. Before citizenship can even be applied for, a stringent language test must be passed. Landed immigrants who commit any crimes will be immediately deported on conviction. The refugee determination system will be entirely revamped, and the legislation put under the notwithstanding clause so as to avoid expensive and time consuming litigation. All refugees whose identity is not proven will be held until their cases have been dealt with. Economic migrants, who currently constitute the bulk of refugees, will be deported. Refugees accepted into Canada will not be permitted to apply for citizenship for ten years. During that time, if the danger posed to them in their home countries is considered to have dropped, they can be sent back. Any refugee who travels willingly to his home country for a visit will be assumed to no longer be at danger and will be removed from Canada.

serious problems here...

having a job waiting is already a strong immigration requirement...kicking someone out because they lose their job isn't a smart method to attract needed immigrants, these people inve$t a lot in the move and kicking them out because of something not of their fault is only going to discourage many good applicants from applying...

many immigrants are recruited into the country to do minimum wage jobs canadians refuse to do...eliminating this category will drive up minimum wage...if this is done be prepared for rampant inflation and high interest rates that will follow...

language ability is strongly factored into the immigration process and the ability to speak either language perfectly is just irrational xenophobia... millions of immigrants over the years have functioned just fine on limited language ability without any social harm to our country...

deporting convicted criminals, that's already being done...

why discriminate against refugees? that's irrational...if their on welfare the entire time sure send them back, if they've settled into the country and are contributing to the economy what's the point of then sending them back other than xenophobic/racist reasons...the entire point of immigration is finding people to contribute to our society but you want to kick them out despite that...if they travel back to their own country would need to be examined case by case basis, it may or may not invalidate their claim...

your immigration stance is either based on really bad information or xenophobic/racist

4 employment. Employment and Immigration will be tasked with finding work for all unemployed who are physically and mentally capable of doing work. If that means cutting weeds by the side of the road, or performing janitorial services at government buildings then that's what they'll do. A new retraining system will be undertaken to provide real skills training for in-demand positions, especially in the trades. Healthy unemployed who refuse to be retrained or work will receive no benefits - ever.

you'll end up swelling the ranks of public employees which may or may not be a bad idea...they'll need to be given a livable wage which would cost us considerably more in tax dollars than welfare and UI payments...plus side is giving people pride in being productive....

retraining someone 50yrs old and up is futile no company hires 50+ beginners in the trades...

there is a certain percentage (about 3%)of the population that cannot or will not work no matter what, cutting off benefits will leave them no option but crime to find income, it's a cheaper option to pay them than to house them in prison...

Energy/environment

All new large buildings in Canada will be required to be built with geothermal heating and cooling systems.

good idea, I would add low or no interest loans for homeowners to do the same...

Consumers protection

The government will open up the banking, investment, cable/satellite TV, cell phone and internet industries to foreign competition without restriction.

sure as long as they follow our domestic regulations...

too many flaws to get my vote...

Edited March 12, 2011 by wyly

[William Ashley]

Over what? Over who can win more power.

"It is called a non confidence vote on a budget." It isn't about "power" it is about how money is being spent, and how people are being taxed, what fees exist, how the government is structred, what programs exist etc...

1 Health Care

I would put back 1% of the GST cut that was made earlier. The money would be specifically earmarked for the provinces to build nursing homes for seniors. The priority would be to provide temporary nursing care to get sick seniors out of hospitals across the country and free up beds.

I'd scrap the GST completely and implement a National Health Insurance Plan, provinces could sign on to. Scrap health transfers to the provice and establish a medical fund to buy rights and develope medicine and medical techonology that would be owned by the public (government of Canada) - I'd scrap personal federal income taxes - and remove "default corporate tax rates" but I would institute a "poverty loopback" for the medical industry set at 15% (but this would also be applied to imported medical goods as a equality tax on all foreign medical goods) - this would subsidize care for the impoverished - for provinces and territories that institute the NHIP.

2 Science

I would cancel the current R&D tax credits which are so often misused by business and turn that $3.5 billion into direct grants only available for real science and technology research.

I'd remove income taxes. I'd also recruit as many researchers as possible a more active national research council. Benefits would be access to facilities and "credit" and prestige. The fund itself would give a "reward" on valuation. Meaning the people would have to pay, but promiinent projects would be featured by the government. Individuals who contribute to the fund get a share in the fund (as a public research crown corporation) - so anyting developed by the council would yeild a return for anyone who invested in it. Likewise members who accept being part of the council get share in any return. It would be a pulbic mechnism for determining what projects to grant. - since it is people paying for it if so anyway. The council would also help indivdiuals lauch joint governmental/private companies with full support of the government and its "easily shared" infrastructure such as office space, and other forms of infrastructure that can be shared without marked loss.

3 immigration

All new immigrants would be required to have an approved job offer before coming to Canada. That job has to be one which will provide a livable wage. ie, not in a factory paying minimum wage, not as a busboy or dishwasher. Landed immigrants who lose that job will have 90 days to find another approved job or leave the country. Before citizenship can even be applied for, a stringent language test must be passed. Landed immigrants who commit any crimes will be immediately deported on conviction. The refugee determination system will be entirely revamped, and the legislation put under the notwithstanding clause so as to avoid expensive and time consuming litigation. All refugees whose identity is not proven will be held until their cases have been dealt with. Economic migrants, who currently constitute the bulk of refugees, will be deported. Refugees accepted into Canada will not be permitted to apply for citizenship for ten years. During that time, if the danger posed to them in their home countries is considered to have dropped, they can be sent back. Any refugee who travels willingly to his home country for a visit will be assumed to no longer be at danger and will be removed from Canada.

Indiivduals would need to pay down their share of the debt to get citizenship. Individuals would need to pay a retainer to enter the country. Visas would be removed completely. And workcamps would be established for immigrants who are not self supporting if they wish to stay. Illegal immigrants would also be sent to the work camps. The camps would provide for them (like a refugee camp/ghulag) proceeds of the camp would be paid back to the individuals there eqaully each worker gets 1 share. (after camp expenses the proceeds would be split between the government and the workers. The funds that go to the government would go toward programs for immigrants, including the camps.

Oh and if you are wondering everyone to come into the country would need a 2nd bank account. They are given a "bank card" (they would be given the option for a simple subdermal implant like norplant) that is also their ID. a wrist band (or angkle or neck) with rfid must be worn at all times. Security Forces in Canada would have a reader, and be able to manually check with the biometrics that they need to register with to get the account and wrist band. Censors would be placed in populated areas secure zones and roadways to track the movements of "foreigners"

"hidden and not hidden" biometrics scanners would be set up to check for biometrics and insure that people who are suppose to be wearing their band are. Those who are found in an aera without their band could be arrested as a public safety offence.

4 employment. Employment and Immigration will be tasked with finding work for all unemployed who are physically and mentally capable of doing work. If that means cutting weeds by the side of the road, or performing janitorial services at government buildings then that's what they'll do. A new retraining system will be undertaken to provide real skills training for in-demand positions, especially in the trades. Healthy unemployed who refuse to be retrained or work will receive no benefits - ever.

Individuals are responsible for their own destiny, but a right to work is also there. The right to work program would move government aquisitions from the private sector to "right to work program sources" where pratical. In addition clear developmental goals would be set to provide for essential services and basic needs such as community housing, agricultural projects, and management of in demand resources in the strategic reserve (meaning the strategic reserves unmet demand would direct right to work projects. Funds raised would be redistributed on a share and reserve basis, and the people who participate in the program would have a say into the program (after the "basic guidelines" were set, meaning it would be a cooperative management program.

Energy/environment

All new large buildings in Canada will be required to be built with geothermal heating and cooling systems.

It is not the place of the government to tell people to do with their property. I think advising this and facilitating people with the knowledge or starting a crown corporation for the purpose of energy efficiency might be ok. The only way this would be applicable is if it were a public safety risk not to do this.

Consumers protection

The government will open up the banking, investment, cable/satellite TV, cell phone and internet industries to foreign competition without restriction.

I support a stronger central bank that has a public banking apparatus called the "2nd bank of Canada". The CRA would instead be changed to a bank of sorts --- personnel would manage the bank in part where willing. Goverment offices would be turned into branches (or offer a person who can liase - is trained to deal with customer service requests) - Everyone would have this account and people would be paid through it, but they could link to their own private bank account.

Employers could "proxy" payments but they would need to report the proxy payments. for instance if they wished to pay in cash or some other method such as foreign currency.

The government would via a payfor be willing to expand infrastructure in a more modern way - for example implementing WIFI throughout Canada if there was a public demand and willingness for people to pay the cost for the public program (and it wouldn't be that much) this would be secure" and epople would have more access to government services via the public intranet (would not be connected directly to the WWW. Citizens would have to connect with their individually registered key. It would be a public safety offence to use someone elses key.

The market should regulate itself but activities that endanger public safety should not be allowed. Companies that do not wish to be taken over, should not offer themselves for sale. A new class of coprorate offering would be NATIONAL CORPORATION - for federally incorporated companies.

These companies would

MAJOR:. Not be allowed to offer sale of shared or the company to non citizens and thus no non citizen could buy shares.

MINOR: A maximum total offering of 49.9% of shares would be available to non citizens who were resident in Canada.

LESSOR: A maximum total offering no greater than the largest citizen owner would be allowable. Meaning if the largest Canadian ownerh only owned 3% of shares the total foreign share offerings would be less than 3%.

-----------

The implant would be an option for citizens who wish to have one for ease of accessing their own 2nd bank account, insuring abudctions are tracked, as well children are safe and trackable on roadways and in populatio centers, and things like public transit, and public facilities, roads,etc. etc... A nanny program would also prevent truency and juvinile delinqunecy, and act as a preventing agent for cimres.

THIS WOULD NOT BE FORCED ON CITIZENS! NEVER!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norplant

Edited March 12, 2011 by William Ashley

[Scotty]

having a job waiting is already a strong immigration requirement...kicking someone out because they lose their job isn't a smart method to attract needed immigrants,

It's not strong enough. It should be mandatory. Too many immigrants come here and find they either can't get work or can't get decent work. Less than half immigrants who are brought here specifically under the skilled program specifically because of a particular skill never find work in that field because their skills are simply not transferable/acceptable here. If they have a well paying job offer, well and good. If they lose it and can't find another within 90 days then they probably don't have a very in-demand skill. We don't want them living here in poverty working at a dead end, nothing job. We only let them in because of their skill and job offer. If those don't prove to be wanted by the market then they should go home.

.

these people inve$t a lot in the move and kicking them out because of something not of their fault is only going to discourage many good applicants from applying...

We have far more applicants than we need. We can afford to lose some.

many immigrants are recruited into the country to do minimum wage jobs canadians refuse to do

See, I just don't believe that. Canadians will do minimum wage jobs if they don't have a choice. Employment Insurance and welfare rules need to be amended to encourage people to take a job - any job they can get.

language ability is strongly factored into the immigration process

Not nearly strongly enough. And we accept third party assessments of their language ability form areas of the world with rampant corruption. Stats Canada has already identified lack of language skills as a major factor in increasing immigrant poverty. Again, we have lots of applicants. We can skim off the best, most likely to succeed and lose the rest.

deporting convicted criminals, that's already being done...

Often not, and even when done only after years and years of appeals.

why discriminate against refugees?

Because they are the least skilled, least educated, least successful immigrants, and the ones most likely to be living in poverty, on welfare, and involved in crime. We approve a far, far higher percentage of applicants than any other country, and most of them are economic, not political refugees. In addition, many so-called refugees are using false documents, and never show up for their hearings.

you'll end up swelling the ranks of public employees which may or may not be a bad idea...they'll need to be given a livable wage which would cost us considerably more in tax dollars than welfare and UI payments...plus side is giving people pride in being productive....

If people CAN work, then they SHOULD work. Getting money for nothing leads to cultural sickness, leads to dependency, and saps any will or desire to take risks or work at crappy jobs to get experience. If I hadn't taken some crappy jobs when younger, I wouldn't have gotten the less crappy jobs, and then the better jobs after that.

retraining someone 50yrs old and up is futile no company hires 50+ beginners in the trades..

.

Sure they will, if there is legitimately a labour shortage like they keep whining about. Stop the flow of temporary workers and companies will damned well have to employ local people.

[jbg]

1 Health Care

I would put back 1% of the GST cut that was made earlier. The money would be specifically earmarked for the provinces to build nursing homes for seniors. The priority would be to provide temporary nursing care to get sick seniors out of hospitals across the country and free up beds.

That's more mixing of provincial and federa jurisdiction so it's a horrible idea. I'd go for reducing income taxes so that provinces would have more taxing resources available. Or perhaps people would have more money since they earned it in the first place.

2 Science

I would cancel the current R&D tax credits which are so often misused by business and turn that $3.5 billion into direct grants only available for real science and technology research.

Plead ignorance on the abuse issue. Pass on this one.

3 immigration

All new immigrants would be required to have an approved job offer before coming to Canada. That job has to be one which will provide a livable wage. ie, not in a factory paying minimum wage, not as a busboy or dishwasher. Landed immigrants who lose that job will have 90 days to find another approved job or leave the country. Before citizenship can even be applied for, a stringent language test must be passed. Landed immigrants who commit any crimes will be immediately deported on conviction. The refugee determination system will be entirely revamped, and the legislation put under the notwithstanding clause so as to avoid expensive and time consuming litigation. All refugees whose identity is not proven will be held until their cases have been dealt with. Economic migrants, who currently constitute the bulk of refugees, will be deported. Refugees accepted into Canada will not be permitted to apply for citizenship for ten years. During that time, if the danger posed to them in their home countries is considered to have dropped, they can be sent back. Any refugee who travels willingly to his home country for a visit will be assumed to no longer be at danger and will be removed from Canada.

Good as far as it goes, but I think the pre-1965 focus on needed skills and compatibility with Canadian culture would be far better. I want that in my country too. Especially agree that they should be fluent in English, French or Canadian within a short period of arrival.

4 employment. Employment and Immigration will be tasked with finding work for all unemployed who are physically and mentally capable of doing work. If that means cutting weeds by the side of the road, or performing janitorial services at government buildings then that's what they'll do. A new retraining system will be undertaken to provide real skills training for in-demand positions, especially in the trades. Healthy unemployed who refuse to be retrained or work will receive no benefits - ever.

Agreed. That would materially increase the incentives of the unemployed to find work or become entreprenaurs themselves.

Energy/environment

All new large buildings in Canada will be required to be built with geothermal heating and cooling systems.

Why? Sounds expensive and inefficient.

Consumers protection

The government will open up the banking, investment, cable/satellite TV, cell phone and internet industries to foreign competition without restriction.

Agree, except I think deregulation has worked horribly in all of those fields, except internet, in the U.S. Why do you think it would be better there than in the U.S.? I wouldn't wish another 2008 on a country that's my worst enemy least of all Canada.

[Shwa]

Especially agree that they should be fluent in English, French or Canadian within a short period of arrival.

Get that toque off the chesterfield eh? And take off ya hoser!

[jbg]

Get that toque off the chesterfield eh? And take off ya hoser!

Canada's a separate country from the U.S. and England so it has its own language, no?

[Shwa]

Canada's a separate country from the U.S. and England so it has its own language, no?

Yeah, sometimes Microsoft refers to it as 'English (Canada)' so it must be true.

[William Ashley]

Why? Sounds expensive and inefficient.

It really isn't that expensive if it is managed by the government properly. The construction skills for heat sinks isn't really that expensive, all that is required is a little bit of tunneling. It might not be practicle for "all" large buildings though but most would probably beneift. Green building systems are proven to be cost effective and at times cost less than alternate choices. It would increase initial costs a little but things like heating costs can be reduced offsetting the costs over the life span of the building. I'm not in favour of forcing this, but I think it is definately something to promote and encourage.

Edited March 13, 2011 by William Ashley

[SF/PF]

It really isn't that expensive if it is managed by the government properly. The construction skills for heat sinks isn't really that expensive, all that is required is a little bit of tunneling. It might not be practicle for "all" large buildings though but most would probably beneift. Green building systems are proven to be cost effective and at times cost less than alternate choices. It would increase initial costs a little but things like heating costs can be reduced offsetting the costs over the life span of the building. I'm not in favour of forcing this, but I think it is definately something to promote and encourage.

Geothermal systems require supplementary heat during a sizable portion of the year in Canada. Large scale systems are pretty expensive to install, so I'm unconvinced that they would be particularly efficient econonomically speaking.

A lot depends on the projected lifespan of the building.

[William Ashley]

Geothermal systems require supplementary heat during a sizable portion of the year in Canada.

It really depends on insultation and heat loss and how good you are heat sinking your hot air, There are also focusing system example black surfaces, lenses to focus heat. There are plenty of designs.

I've studied it for a little while a few years ago and feel that it is really a efficiency loss not to implement systems that have been around since the age of rome.

Large scale systems are pretty expensive to install, so I'm unconvinced that they would be particularly efficient econonomically speaking.

It really isn't in terms of the cost of the building and cost recovery over 5 to 10 years it saves money. That is why companies are starting to use green technologies in part. This is why I encourage a public trust to be established to help low earning companies with loans for infracructure on a basis of collatoral, and repayment on a valuation basis locked into the the of inflation. (as well companies that take part in the program would pay 1% of their savings from the program annually as a gratuity - this to be paid back into the program to make loans available for green infrastructure investments )

A lot depends on the projected lifespan of the building.

Yes but most buildings being built should be based on atleast a 20 year model and it should pay for itself multiple times over by that time.

I could do a lower cost than you quote most likely. Got a building we can talk. I know people that do this for a living.

Edited March 13, 2011 by William Ashley

[Molly]

Get that toque off the chesterfield eh? And take off ya hoser!

Ask him what a toboggan is.

[pinko]

I would like to see the tax loopholes for the rich tightened up, more tax brackets for the higher income individuals and put a stop to the huge subsidies provided to industries like the oil and gas industry. In addition a guaranteed annual income should be implemented modeled along the lines of that in Manitoba in the 1970s.

Dividend income should be taxed at a higher rate and a tobin tax should be instituted.

While there is certainly room for improvement in bringing immigrants to Canada it would seem to me demographics dictate an ample number of immigrants of working age will be required to support the aging population of Canada.

Such measures would bring the needed finacial resources which then would be allocated to affordable housing, health and education.

I would also trim military expenditures and stop the purchase of the F35 aircrafts.

Edited March 13, 2011 by pinko

[Scotty]

That's more mixing of provincial and federa jurisdiction so it's a horrible idea.

Frankly, the provinces are doing a lousy job on health care. I'd like to see one central authority, even have the feds take over. But in any event it's clear we need guidance from the feds on this issue of seniors.

Plead ignorance on the abuse issue. Pass on this one.

Flawed R&D scheme costs billions

Agree, except I think deregulation has worked horribly in all of those fields, except internet, in the U.S. Why do you think it would be better there than in the U.S.? I wouldn't wish another 2008 on a country that's my worst enemy least of all Canada.

I'm not talking about deregulating. I'm talking about lifting the protection the local oligarchies enjoy, protection which has made them fabulously profitable and able to keep prices higher than anywhere else in the world.

[Smallc]

Frankly, the provinces are doing a lousy job on health care.

Some are, and some aren't. Overall, outcomes are very good. Centralized authority isn't the answer though, as it will simply remove the administration even further from the issues on the front line.

[Scotty]

Some are, and some aren't. Overall, outcomes are very good. Centralized authority isn't the answer though, as it will simply remove the administration even further from the issues on the front line.

One of the major issues in this country is the games they play with responsibilities, passing the buck back and forth until the public doesn't know who to blame. With politicians, if the public isn't blaming them for a problem - then there is no problem.

Canadians need to have one government/department/agency to hold responsible for health care problems.

[Smallc]

Canadians need to have one government/department/agency to hold responsible for health care problems.

And they have that. No matter what money Ottawa happens to contribute, ultimate responsibility to health care is the responsibility of the provinces.

[ToadBrother]

One of the major issues in this country is the games they play with responsibilities, passing the buck back and forth until the public doesn't know who to blame. With politicians, if the public isn't blaming them for a problem - then there is no problem.

Canadians need to have one government/department/agency to hold responsible for health care problems.

Oh goody, another constitutional amendment! Let me know how you plan to get this one passed the provinces.

[Scotty]

Oh goody, another constitutional amendment! Let me know how you plan to get this one passed the provinces.

Health care is becoming too big for the provinces. The cost is ballooning to the point they're going to wind up spending the majority of their budgets on it. Ontario's health care budget is growing at such a rate it will consume 80% of the budget by 2030. Something has to be done or they'll only need one cabinet minister - because they won't be able to afford to do anything else.

[Smallc]

Health care is becoming too big for the provinces.

If it's too big for the provinces, it's too big for Ottawa, insurance companies, or individuals then. The same people pay for healthcare no matter what model is used.

[jbg]

Health care is becoming too big for the provinces. The cost is ballooning to the point they're going to wind up spending the majority of their budgets on it. Ontario's health care budget is growing at such a rate it will consume 80% of the budget by 2030. Something has to be done or they'll only need one cabinet minister - because they won't be able to afford to do anything else.

The problem is that medical advances are costly and more can be done for people. We need people to be productive through at least their 70's. It's that simple.

[SF/PF]

Health care is becoming too big for the provinces. The cost is ballooning to the point they're going to wind up spending the majority of their budgets on it.

We're not going to fix the problem by going private or going more "universal." The cost of treatment, equipment and drugs is going to continue to skyrocket until we fundamentally rethink patent law.

[jbg]

We're not going to fix the problem by going private or going more "universal." The cost of treatment, equipment and drugs is going to continue to skyrocket until we fundamentally rethink patent law.

Even that's not a free lunch since someone has to develop technologies. What we really have to think about is how long we work and what we do medically for people.

[Scotty]

Even that's not a free lunch since someone has to develop technologies.

Most new medical devices/medicines are developed with major government funding. In light of that, I too think the patents which let manufacturers charge whatever they feel like charging need to be reexamined.

[SF/PF]

Even that's not a free lunch since someone has to develop technologies. What we really have to think about is how long we work and what we do medically for people.

I'll try to dig it up, but years ago I read an issue of Discover (or SciAm?) that had an article on scientific funding, especially in the health and pharmaceuticals sector.

The argument was that, in many cases, private corporations buy into research done and paid for publicly in universities when the potential for a marketable result is already quite high. In essence, they buy into something that is almost a "sure thing," put the finishing touches on, and claim ownership of a product that the taxpayers ultimatly developed through public R&D investment.