Gov'ts Turn Their Backs On The Poor

<p>I got so upset reading this report that my first submission did not credit The National Council Of Welfare, these are the folks that produced this report. <p>You can see how we have benefitted from the NAFTA and the other "Free" trade treaties. Life has become harder for those of us who were not born with silver spoons in our mouths. <p>We need to start the next election campaign right now! No waiting, lets start hammering those greedy corporate and political welfare bums because they actually get the <b>well fare</b>. Those in need get in lines for the crumbs.

The right-wing agenda that has permeated the US and Canada since Reagan has no use for those that can't keep up.

They simply hurt the bottom line, and I have seen many ideas to make the system work better, but the best system of all would be to find a number that allows families and those on disabilities the amount that would let them lead a normal life and then index it to inflation.

I'm afraid the corporate powers and banks will not allow our politicians to go the distance, since they control the money these days.

When I see Alberta and Ontario, the wealthiest provinces in the country cut so sharply, someone has to be held responsible.

Mike harris is one goat of many, let's find the others and force them to explain their position.

The system will not fix itself.


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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

Right on, Jim and Milton. I`m tired of seeing on the news that 'we`re in an economic boom' and '400,000 jobs were created last month.' But we know that those new jobs are all minimum wage jobs, and the 'boom' is only for a small handful of people. I truly think we have to hammer away at these despotic politicians from all angles, be it letters, protests, or posting blunt signs on the offices of our MP`s. I think activism has to take it up a notch, not in a violent way, but in a way that simply refuses to be ignored!

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Dave Ruston

Now we know where all that money Paul Martin promised during the election came from, that wasn't <b>"available"</b> when he was Finance Minister. Our PM's math: Take 2, give 1, and make a big deal out fo giving the 1.

I agree. I also believe Canada needs to either create or attract higher paying jobs so that the poverty rate will decrease. With higher paying jobs, however, means more higher education requirements will be needed to fill those positions. Is the general public willing to to take the time and money to recieve a higher level of education if not already achieved it?

There are many unemployed and under-employed that have the education.

It is the workplace that is changing, and the average person is unable to stop it.



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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

"<u>It is the workplace that is changing, and the average person is unable to stop it. </u>" No, it cannot be stopped. But the least our society can do is <b>prepare</b> it's citizens to <b>cope</b> with the change. It's fine for the "experts" to announce that the average high school graduate can expect to have a half-dozen careers in their working lifetime. But that's where it stops. The fear of change has been implanted, but the tools have not been presented.<p>---<br>RickW

The council and Statscan are always moving the goalposts on what it considers poverty so it's hard to appreciate the claims of these organizations. $25,000 per year is spent on every aboriginal person in Canada yet many live in poverty, proving that spending more doesn't achieve anything.

All it proves is that you are not willing to say who you are. Why is that? You shoot your mouth off as though you are not aware that this is the way a person loses face.
The fact that a few first nations people get $25,000 a year has nothing to do with what we are discussing here. The fact that a few people make $1 million a year or more while billions of people make less than $500 a year shows that a massive restructuring of the global economic system is overdue. We can start here in Canada by raising the subsistence level social safety net.

Per capita, $25,000 per year is spent on each aboriginal - it's not that each aboriginal is necessarily given $25,000/yr.

How is it spent on each Aboriginal? More likely it is allocated and then diverted into the hands of the rich like every other political scam our great leaders have authored.

The reason the defined poverty level changes is because it costs more to live in some areas of Canada than in others.

Hey Jim,

The right wing agenda believes everyone should pull their weight. In addition instead of waiting for the government to do something, why not do something yourself. Like volunteer at homeless shelters, mentor to them financialy. Bring them a meal or a decient suit and tie for their next job interview, offer them rides for job hunting etc. That's what Pres. Reagan believed in, all of us helping each other vs. a faceless government! Why not rally Union members who have been hurt by NAFTA to find their own investers and build their own companies?

As you all know I do share some of your concerns I am not a big fan of NAFTA myself(surprised? considering that I am an evil American Republican! oh yeah I almost forgot, I am also a white male.!;))

Lets reach out to the people that have lost jobs, give them hope, and maybe a few ideas to help them get them out of their situations. I really like the idea of union members starting their own companies and crushing the assholes that laid them off--- poetic justice!

Hey guys can you get spell check on this someday---please?

Mike

Mike, good ideas all. However, it takes having a car to be able to travel. My current vehicle is a 1990 Dodge van that the steering has fallen off once, and the welding job is only temporary because the frame is completely rotten. I use it once a week for groceries.

I live in a retirement community and I fill my time by helping many seniors with their computers, teach them how to use them, repair them and I do not charge for these services. (other than materials). I am within walking distance of all people that live here and across the highway.

Sure, some folks offer me a little something, but I do not ask for anything.

This is my way of contributing.

Does that pass your muster ??



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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca