Jean-Marc:

I listened to the commentary on CBC this morning by the student talking about the recent budget. I was pleased to hear a young person with views on the political issues of the day. I did, however, consider a rebuttal to her commentary. She felt that she may need to leave Canada at some point in the future because of our debt and possible lack of social safety nets. She bemoaned the need to help pay off the debt that was incurred by her parents and grandparents. 

I suggest that some of these debts were incurred by her too - to pay for her excellent health care and education (and probable future post-secondary education). Too many Canadians take for granted what we have without internalizing their part in the making. I am certain that MY tax dollars went to help pay for her mother's prenatal care, her delivery, her childhood check-ups and immunizations, the roads that carried her to these appointments and to school, the teachers and textbooks used in her education, her public broadcaster (CBC), and so on. I am also certain that my tax dollars will help pay for her post-secondary education (the cost of tuition does not cover even a small proportion of the costs). 

I too inherited a piece of the national debt. Neither do I agree with all of the ways tax dollars have been spent in the past or in the present. However, I feel tax breaks are a good way to stimulate the economy. One way to support Canada is take your tax savings to BUY CANADIAN. We will some become a "Mexico North" if we don't start supporting Canadian manufacturers. We not only support the manufacturer, we keep Canadians employed.  

A proud Canadian.


>>> Jean-Marc Dupont <[log in to unmask]> 03/03 11:02 AM >>>
Hi all,

Another great CBC commentary this time from the well informed and
educated youth of our country. I was quite impressed with the speaker's
eloquence and passion this morning. For those of you from outside
Canada, "Commentary" is an opportunity to voice an opinion on our
national public broadcaster (a bit like a soap box). She mentions how
people may be happy with our recent federal government's choice to cut
income taxes, but really how we are avoiding the urgent health,
education and environmental system reform needs.

The young women I think hit the nail right on the head when she
mentioned how governments need to get off their butts, stop their
so-called "consulting" and get the the real work of reforming systems.
Not a vary politically strategic thing to do of course, if you consider
the need for reducing our reliance on private practitioners in our
public system (it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where the
majority of our health dollars are being spent ... and how ... but I
digress into my health promotion rant)

She even goes so far as saying how much she loves Canada - her country!
And how much it will hurt leaving it. A thought I myself have to admit
I've had more than once over the last few years. I guess all is not lost
if the youth of today can see the situation as it really is and express
such a clear vision. It's just too bad the adults leading this country
lost theirs.

Don't feel too guilty being a little pleased about the tax cuts, but
please do listen to her commentary directly if you have Real Audio from
CBC's web site at:

http://radio.cbc.ca/insite/COMMENTARY_CALGARY/2000/3/3.html 

Best regards to all,

JM Dupont
[log in to unmask] 
http://www.aldergroup.com