right to left wrote:Canada! Love it or Leave it!
No, I've been paying my taxes all my adult life, and since I arranged to have myself born during the Baby Boom and came of age in the 70's..when industrial trades paid a middle class income(without a college degree), I worked my way up to where some of my earned income qualifies for that 2nd tier higher tax rate. But unlike business owners who can deduct large portions of their tax assessment as "business expenses" us wage-earners get stuck paying on whatever we can't squirrel away in an RRSP.
Ya I know that sounds mysteriously like Archie Bunker, but weren't you saying there is no Canadian culture? I mean really...if Canuckland is so detestable, it's a small world today. I've lived abroad. It's quite eye-opening.
I came "of age" in '80. I remember the '70's clearly, and I know what you mean about the middle income wage at the time. The ultra-capitalists have fucked that up but good.
I am one of those business owners and believe me, your perception of the tax benefits for expenses is quite incorrect. RRSPs are safe. But real estate has been way better.
But I'm sensing anger in you. And perhaps a tad of jealousy?
You don't have to be angry at successful people. At least not the ones who figured out a way to make the system work for them.
right to left wrote:All that aside, my point is as long as Canada claims itself to be democratic and enshrine free speech, part of that speech is the right to criticize government and also the right not to wear patriotism on my sleeve and not engage in flag-waving at the upcoming Sesquicentennial celebrations!
Then as I was suggesting...you sound like a total malcontent.
Look everyone knows things are not perfect. But you live in one of the most entitled places on Earth.
Maybe you should try living somewhere else so you can appreciate Canada for what it really is?
right to left wrote:I don't criticize Pierre for everything, but his notion of Canadian nationalism was fascistic! It wasn't just the Quebec nationalists who were up in arms, it kicked off activism among Aboriginals, who were trying to end the forced indoctrination along with all the abuses of mandatory residential schooling/and beginning to try to re-establish their languages and traditions.
Yes I was there. I do remember. I had a buddy who came from a reserve in Kananaskis. Great left-winger. Nice guy. Kindo' quiet but a good sense of ha-ha. He went home for Christmas the one year, and came back a little ragged. Seems his brothers and cousins didn't like the idea of him getting a "white" education. So I asked him, why not go to school there? He told me that he wanted to go to university, and knew that if he tried to finish high school at home, he'd never finish.
An interesting perspective...don't you think?
right to left wrote:When it comes to the son...he's not much more than a combination of cheerleader/public relations guy who promises everything to everyone; BUT at least he's not Harper, and better than having Conservatives in power!
Harper did get a bit long in the tooth after so many terms.
The country survived the great recession under him though. Not bad for the ol' resume...
I actually like the deficit spending Pixey-Dust is doing though.
It's good for the economy in the long run, and good for the people in the short-term.
On the other hand, I'm not a fan of his ideas about immigration and refugees.
right to left wrote:1. Actively segregating? I'm not sure what you're referring to, but if it's about bands who don't allow outsiders to move in and buy property, they have to protect what little they have left from developers who are encroaching on all sides.
OK that's not really what I was talking about, but you do touch on the idea.
Here's the thing...it is possible to be a proud native person and have a desire for the comforts of the "white man's" society. Note I didn't say "culture". One does not have to forsake his culture, in order to achieve success in Canada. That is, unless your culture tells you to destroy the existing culture. To re-fit the existing society to fit your desires. That's not on I'm afraid. Not for native peoples and not for Islamist freaks.
Now I do agree that the native people must protect the reserves. It's a part of "Canadiana" and needs to be preserved. Just as I agree that the French Canadian culture must be preserved. If developers are trying to usurp reserve land, they need to be stopped.
However I also believe in the saying, "When in Rome".
It may not "taste" good to you, but the white guys did conquer North America and shaped it to their liking. Is it perfect? Fuck no! Hell Donny-Boy is President of the blessed USA! So what we made is not perfect...by any means. But I think it's a far sight better than living in a trailer in the middle of nowhere with cut-lines for roads, and poor sanitation. If you are not willing to live in the present, you are doomed. In many ways.
“
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
right to left wrote:2. Just like with Black America, the complaint about "rewriting" history is trying to avoid the teaching of real history and challenging the historical myths that saturate school textbooks to this day. What the wider societies have to do is take an honest look at their past, because it explains most of the modern festering problems today! Here's one example:
Canada’s Obligation to End the First Nations Water Crisis
I agree.
Facts are facts.
I'd be interested in knowing a certain fact.
How is it that the reserves have such bad water conditions?
Could it have to do with some sort of moneys having already been granted the nations, and already spend perhaps unwisely?