Disappearing Middle Class in America

[DemolitionSquid]

I am not quite sure my parents and grandparents said someone about being the 9the 6-9th (i can't remember) generation in Canada and there where 4 additional generations in the USA. All I know is that they didn't like something they had to escape the country and moved to the USA.

Then that doesn't really help our arguments.

So you believe in inequality? Ethnic cleansing is bad and is no joke.

You misunderstood. I believe that what we have right now is inequality. That quote is from George Orwell's "Animal Farm" speaks the truth about how life is right now. I believe we can change it, and support equality. I'm apparently one of few who do.

As an aside, anything can be funny. First rule of comedy.

It is funny how your living in a conservative area, but you have the opposite views. Do you work for the oil companies? Your free to believe in socialistic ideas, just like I am free to believe in change from a monarchy to a republic for Canada. Also do believe a man or women has the right to chose to receive help for the government or not (should it be forced upon them)?

I was born in Ontario, my mother is from Manitoba and is a medical lab tech for the city, and my father is from New Brunswick and is an oil surveyor. I lived in Ontario and BC in my youth, and have lived in Calgary for 13 years. I'm not sure what has influenced my social views the most, but they've all lead me to know something is seriously wrong with how isolated and selfish we've become.

As for the right to choose, I support it. We have both socialized health care, with low cost and long wait times, and private care and procedures with higher cost and instant gratification. I believe this is the best way to go forth, and I just think we'd be better off with more choices like that in more industries.

[mikill]

Then that doesn't really help our arguments.

Sorry I don't know much about it. I am french however.

You misunderstood. I believe that what we have right now is inequality. That quote is from George Orwell's "Animal Farm" speaks the truth about how life is right now. I believe we can change it, and support equality. I'm apparently one of few who do.

As an aside, anything can be funny. First rule of comedy.

I don't think thats funny. Was the holocaust funny for the Jews? I don't think so.

I was born in Ontario, my mother is from Manitoba and is a medical lab tech for the city, and my father is from New Brunswick and is an oil surveyor. I lived in Ontario and BC in my youth, and have lived in Calgary for 13 years. I'm not sure what has influenced my social views the most, but they've all lead me to know something is seriously wrong with how isolated and selfish we've become.

As for the right to choose, I support it. We have both socialized health care, with low cost and long wait times, and private care and procedures with higher cost and instant gratification. I believe this is the best way to go forth, and I just think we'd be better off with more choices like that in more industries.

I doubt we have become selfish as you think. It may be the area you live in. In smaller communities it's clear that everyone knows each other. In big cities like Calgary very few people (if at all) know everyone. You may have more in Alberta but here in Ontario there are no Private hospitials only the public hospitials. OHIP does cover much just a clinic check-ups and some other things. You have to pay for supplements, hospitial care, and surgeries. Plus Alberta has no PST!!! The government makes so much from American Oil it does need PST.

[//MavericK\\]

All men are created equal, but some or more equal than other. And its simply not the best way.

Equality really can't be forced. Sure we can make laws, we can redistribute wealth, we can take from the super rich and give to the super poor, we can enact hundreds of social programs to help the less fortunate, but at the end of the day, inequality, in some from or another, will always rear its ugly head.

If it's not about rich and poor, it will be about something else. Race, religion, political ideology, intelligence, physical ability, attractiveness, popularity...take your pick. True equality for everyone is a wonderful dream. But still a dream.

[DemolitionSquid]

I don't think that's funny. Was the holocaust funny for the Jews? I don't think so.

At some point you have to look at all the shit you've gone through and laugh, else it will eat you up inside. We've been making fun of Hitler since 1940.

But thats another topic.

I doubt we have become selfish as you think. It may be the area you live in. In smaller communities it's clear that everyone knows each other. In big cities like Calgary very few people (if at all) know everyone. You may have more in Alberta but here in Ontario there are no Private hospitials only the public hospitials. OHIP does cover much just a clinic check-ups and some other things. You have to pay for supplements, hospitial care, and surgeries. Plus Alberta has no PST!!! The government makes so much from American Oil it does need PST.

I really think you're misunderstanding.

I KNOW that's how it is RIGHT NOW. Its what I want to CHANGE. As I said before, Canada is NOT a shining example of how it should be, we have our flaws. BUT we still have socialized policies the USA doesn't that have helped our standard of living. Its why we're considered the 4th best country to live in bu the UN, instead of the 13th.

Equality really can't be forced. Sure we can make laws, we can redistribute wealth, we can take from the super rich and give to the super poor, we can enact hundreds of social programs to help the less fortunate, but at the end of the day, inequality, in some from or another, will always rear its ugly head.

If it's not about rich and poor, it will be about something else. Race, religion, political ideology, intelligence, physical ability, attractiveness, popularity...take your pick. True equality for everyone is a wonderful dream. But still a dream.

I know this. But its hypocritical for us to tell our children to strive for a better tomorrow, and not try to start that change with something so simple and fundamental to everyone's well being. I know there will always be those on top and those on bottom. I have never denied this. All I have ever said is we have the ability to raise the floor.

[mikill]

At some point you have to look at all the shit you've gone through and laugh, else it will eat you up inside. We've been making fun of Hitler since 1940.

But thats another topic.

True but I don't think everything that happened was funny.

I really think you're misunderstanding.

I KNOW that's how it is RIGHT NOW. Its what I want to CHANGE. As I said before, Canada is NOT a shining example of how it should be, we have our flaws. BUT we still have socialized policies the USA doesn't that have helped our standard of living. Its why we're considered the 4th best country to live in bu the UN, instead of the 13th.

No I think you misunderstood. I was talking about less taxes, you should come to ontario if you like these policies see how much better it is. Were 4th? Our education is pretty spiteful. How has the policies help us other than unions, health care and minimum wage?

[DemolitionSquid]

No I think you misunderstood. I was talking about less taxes, you should come to Ontario if you like these policies see how much better it is. Were 4th? Our education is pretty spiteful. How has the policies help us other than unions, health care and minimum wage?

Most of my family lives in Ontario, and I was born there. My family certainly doesn't speak as if its as bad as you say it is.

And our education is light years ahead of what American children get. At least we learn where the people we're bombing actually are on a map.

[mikill]

Well, I'll tell you Alberta is much better than Ontario because I have been there. Plus I have an Uncle who lives in Banff. Are you covered under OHIP because you were born here?

[DemolitionSquid]

Well, I'll tell you Alberta is much better than Ontario because I have been there. Plus I have an Uncle who lives in Banff. Are you covered under OHIP because you were born here?

Not sure about the coverage.

[mikill]

Not sure about the coverage.

You should check because they are all different.

Alberta:

•Full coverage for health services that are medically necessary and administered by a physician.
•Partial coverage for certain dental services.
•Partial coverage for services from chiropractors, podiatrists and optometrists

Ontario:

•General Health Check-ups
•Any Life threatening illiness or injury (partially)

Excluded:
•Ambulance services.
•Routine eye examinations are no longer covered by OHIP for people aged 19-64; those under 18 and 65 and older are still covered for an eye examination once every 12 months.
•Some physiotherapy may be partially covered or not at all.
•Regular dental examinations; only some dental surgery that is done in a hospital will be covered.
•Podiatrists are only partially covered by OHIP.
•Chiropractors.
•Necessary emergency medical treatment obtained outside of Canada is only covered on a very limited basis; it is highly recommended to have travel insurance coverage if traveling outside of Canada.
•Prescriptions

[DemolitionSquid]

As I said, it could better.