more Tax Free Stuff

A while ago I commented on the new Tax Free Savings Account available to Canadians:Click! You invest with after-tax money and the gains are tax free. I reckon I'd have to write up a spreadsheet to keep track ... and did that here.

 

Socialism, eh?

Winston Churchill, in an electoral broadcast prior to the British general election of 1945, said: . . . a socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the object worship of the state. It will prescribe for every one where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and what they may say. Socialism is an attack on the right to breathe freely. No socialist system can be established without a political police. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo, no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance. I reckon that's what many Americans think of "Socialism". However, a "social democracy" ain't quite like that. Indeed, contemporary social democrats support: ⊗A mixed economy consisting mainly of private enterprise, but with government owned or subsidized programs of education, health care, childcare and related services for all citizens. ⊗Government bodies that regulate private enterprise in the interests of workers, consumers and fair competition. ⊗Advocacy of fair trade over free trade. ⊗An extensive system of social security (although usually not to the extent advocated by democratic socialists or other socialist groups and communists), with the stated goal of counteracting the effects of poverty and insuring the citizens against loss of income following illness, unemployment or retirement. ⊗Moderate to high levels of taxation (!!) (through a value-added and/or progressive taxation system) to fund government expenditure. Social democrats also tend to support: ⊗Environmental protection laws (although not always to the extent advocated by Greens), such as combating global warming and increasing alternative energy funding. ⊗Support for immigration and multiculturalism. ⊗A secular and progressive social policy, although this varies markedly in degree. ⊗A foreign policy supporting the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and where possible, effective multilateralism. ⊗As well as human rights, social democrats also support social rights, civil rights and civil liberties. I find it curious that governments arrange for roads and bridges to be built, free primary and secondary education, power transmission, the safety of drugs, seat belt use, water distribution systems, etc. etc. etc. This government intervention is not "Socialism" ... until they include universal healthcare. P.S. Though Social Democracy means different things to different people, I reckon it always includes: ⊗Political democracy = equal right to vote. ⊗Social and economic democracy = equal right to an education, medical care, pensions, employment and safe working conditions.

 

Healthcare

I watch with unease the debate in the U.S. re healthcare and its reform. I listen with astonishment at the untruthful statments re Canadian healthcare, like: You can't choose your own doctor or hospital. The government makes these decisions for you. Clearly that's unAmerican, eh? Indeed, it's (gasp!) Socialism! In the 1940s, Truman proposed national health insurance. It was attacked as "socialized medicine". Naturally, it died. However, all industrialized countries in the Western World have universal healthcare ... except the U.S. Then there's this Canadian gal who, on U.S. ads, claims: "I survived a brain tumor, but if I relied on my government for healthcare I'd be dead". In fact, Shona Holmes went to the Mayo Clinic (cost = $97,000) to remove a benign cyst on her pituitary gland. It was NOT life threatening. Indeed, she would / could have had it done in Canada ... after a wait of several months. It's them long waits (for non-life-threatening illnesses) that mar the Canadian system but at least it's universal ...and no Canadian worries about healthcare costs (whereas medical costs are a major source of bankruptcy in the U.S.) A few years ago I wrote this: http://www.gummy-stuff.org/health.htm It shows that, in spite of paying the most for healthcare, Americans do not have the best results: I understand that, now, the U.S. cost is 17% of GDP. For the richest country in the Western world, that's a shame. Some interesting reading: Ted Kennedy speaks of healthcare: http://www.truthout.org/071909R?n An expatriate who came back to the U.S. from Britain: http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/07/american_health_care_the_view.html If you're rich ... no problem! http://www.truthout.org/072509D The cost of healthcare: http://www.nchc.org/facts/cost.shtml ... and the effect of the stock market on your premiums: http://www.insurancecompanyrules.org/blog/entry/health_insurance_premiums_and_the_stock_market/

 

Camping

We just returned from a 3 week camping trip to Texas where we saw 2 of our kids and 6 of our GRANDkids and, 'cause there was WiFi Internet access, I could write a daily diary: Click! Being with Kevin & Sharon's kids was great fun!! http://www.gummy-stuff.org/Kevin-kids.htm Now (at our advanced age) we'll need 3 weeks to recover.

 

Happy Birthday Gerry

Since Heidi & I will be in Texas when Heidi's brother, Gerry, has his 70th birthday, here's a video birthday card: CLICK!

 

Best City in Canada

So Heidi & I were having an afternoon drink, overlooking Lake Ontario in sunny Burlington, Ontario ... and commenting on how delightful it is to live here (thanks to Deanne). Then we talk about the "best" places to live in Canada. Then I take another sip then head off to the PC and google best cities to live in Canada Then I find this: Earlier I noted that Canada was the 3rd best country to live in. Click! Then I return to the balcony and continued sipping ... with a smile.

 

Heading South

In a few days we're heading South to visit two kids and ... six grandkids. The youngest of our GRANDkids is Kate: I think she's about three (?) Alas, her age changes every year. Anyway, I may (or may not) get this painting finished before we leave ... especially with Heidi's help.