September 17, 2013
RE: “Robin Hood” Editorial of September 16.
I need to begin by saying that we live in a society of ,
generally, caring people. But I also believe we can do SO SO much
better in order to actually be a caring society. And reading this
editorial yesterday morning pushed many of my buttons.
Full disclosure. I am a Social Democrat/Democratic Socialist. I
fully believe the role of society, through its elected government is
to create a more equitable distribution of wealth. My faith requires
nothing less. And the measure of whether that is being done well
enough is not in the measures listed in the editorial (which I assume
came from outside Alberta since it references an progressive tax
system that we sadly did away with under the reign of Ralph Klein and
Stockwell Day). The measure of how well we are redistributing wealth
is in a basic question.
Does everybody have their basic needs to food, shelter, clothing,
education and medical care met?
Now I ask you can you honestly say that is true of Canadian
society? No, most certainly not. And so we have to do better.
But instead the editorial complains that we are “robbing” the
rich and then suggests that not only are we giving those at the
bottom end too much but that it is their own fault that they are
poor. I quote: “That's still a shame. Not just because everyone
else is shelling out for this. But because these people clearly
aren't living up to their potential.”
Frankly the top earners in any country, particularly when they
make several hundred times more than the lowest earners should pay
the majority of the tax bill. If you earn over 500 000 and pay 66%
as a practical tax rate (which I am sure NOBODY does) you are still
taking home more than a whole slew of Canadians. Isn't that enough
to do to ensure that you neighbours don't have to choose between food
and rent?
I agree, let us try and grow, sustainably, the economy. But lets
also let our neighbours live in dignity while we do it. In then end,
it will make growing the economy easier if more people have money to
spend.
70,000 a year is plenty, try living on 100 o 150 a month as many people do after rent is paid, then you will know what poverty means, when u don't actually have the things some complain about being had to 'make ends meet', imagine charity and tithing to 'serve the poor', where does all the money go? How much goes for many and their assistants and administartion? Is some charity simply business and the some poor are actually a commodity passed around between them at times, under the guise of helping the poor? What do you think?
ReplyDeleteA: lots of room for improvement and heavy lifting?
Delete--
What is the OT verses that relate to giving up ones possession and giving it to those in need is the fasting we were 'told of'?
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.(from Matthew 6?)
Actually Stephen (yes I recognize your style) how esay it is to live on $70 grand varies widely across the country. And some one who has that little after rent (single couple or family) is not being given what they need to live on. Society has failed them.
ReplyDeleteANd if you refer to OT verses, it is usually considered most appropriate to actually quote verses from the Hebrew Scriptures. Or maybe you made a typo in your first sentence?
Stephen the rest of your comments have been marked as spam and removed. Just because you can not discuss an issue where the discussion is happening is no excuse to try and discuss it where it is not happening (and try to import it in). And random lengthy quotations of Scripture are not discussion. Please learn from 3 years of this.
ReplyDeleteGord, I shared a couple songs, posted some scripture and asked you questions, to a quote from you and complimented it and added another quote from a famous person that related to thread. So what? U make a scene at we? And ignore my questions, and erase my posts, you call spam, beauty is in eye of beholder and some eyes are full of darkness, why didn't you answer my questions asking for your insight, you have a odd sense of leadership, and certainly a 'my way or highway' attitude about how to talk. It's weird Gord, maybe it's just u hold a grudge?, do all these things remind you of another socialist with control issues?
ReplyDeleteI have a harder and harder time supporting the UCCan financially, as such is the treatment by its staff. It's ridiculous Gord, I asked some good questions, I'm used to being able to speak as equals to people, I don't feel like I have to sit on the floor 'at you feet/knee', you focus on my posting style rather than the questions and the reality I was asking of your insight, you choose drama at wc? Why post there because I copied over your quote and said some nice things about it, what's your problem? I don't even think your fair in what conversation is, it is weird, I don't think I'll try again with you next year, your too rude. Bye.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
ReplyDeleteyou posted 14 comments on one blogpost in one day. That is spam. I didn't really even read them fully. ANd I have learned that trying to a tually communicate with you is not fruitful. I will only attempt it in a public forum where others can judge which of us is being more or less reasonable. YUou have NEVER treated me with anything other than disdain in the past so I am very dubious when you reappear.