Antsy wrote:Singlecell wrote:I wish crownsown would stick around these threads. Anytime someone mentions that they're a leftist he disappears the hell out. His opinion is important whether he thinks we don't think that or not. Everyone's opinion is important, and what more, it's important to learn how to work together with people who think differently from you. Statistics must be respected on both sides.
It doesn't matter if our economies doing well compared to the USA or whatever, they're our largest trading partner, BY FAR compared to everyone else. If they crumble, we will inevitably fall after them. The west has been suffering greatly ever since we globalized our economy, involving the Asia's. Their success is attributed by our weakening.
We need to become more independent or at least facilitate the means to separate our dependencies from hurting us. I see a lot of articles in the news, ripping into Ontario these days, how we're "lagging behind". The fall of Ontario can be attributed to may things, but mostly globalization, as it was once a manufacturing powerhouse.
I'm happy to hear Crownsown's opinion as well. I don't know if Knuckles quite "outed himself" as a socialist. I took his posts to read that he is self employed (although he may or may not have employees) and that usually pushes someone at least to centrist. Maybe I came off as socialist? Perhaps in Alberta and Texas.
I hear what you're saying about the need for increased independence for our markets. As an Albertan, I just don't see it happening so long as the environmental lobby drives the national conversation according to its own agenda. I'm not about to deny climate science here; just calling out the lobby for completely ignoring issues like coal burning power plants and the environmental consequences of hydroelectric power generation in favor of flogging the oil and natural gas industry in the west of this country. Come to think of it, aren't these lobby groups based in central / eastern Canada and the US? It's a coincidence. It does, however, remind me of the allegory of the man who cut off his nose to spite his face.
Gentlemen,
I apologize for not getting more involved. Your right I jump in then skirt off. Unfortunately due to work I get a few moments to browse the forum then have to leave. I don't often have time right now to properly response. Rest assured I will when I get a chance. This is not the only thread I need to respond to....Just before I jump off yet again, you are correct in your assessment of Canada's economic dependance on the US in my opinion. 54 cents on every dollar is dependent on the American Economy. This is slowly decreasing as Canada signs more deals with emerging economies in Latin America, China, etc. This has been going on for years, and if there is a criticism of it..its not happening fast enough...its taking decades.
Where I disagree with you in Ontario... is that we are lagging behind... because we refuse to move ahead. Our current governement is trying to prop up industries we can no longer be competitive in like manufacturing. What is truly offensive about this is that the tax payer..whether personal or corporate is forced to subsidize these businesses (auto for example). Add to this a huge government, etc. and when your paying over 1/3 of your income in taxes there is a point when whether a corporation or individual has to say enough is enough.
There is a balance...tax more, companies leave to greener pastures. that means jobs, etc. leave with them. Tax less, it creates an environment where businesses want to set up. Tax to little, and the basic services government was initially meant to provide start to suffer. Regulation and oversight....The days of making $40/hour to work on an assembly line is going. Some say its already gone. The point being is that not moving with an economy...trying to tell it how to work as opposed to working within it is a recipe for failure. Always. As much as we would like those $40/hour semi skilled jobs on an assembly line to be there forever, technology, economies change. We either change with it....or else...
(since I have been self employed for much of 25 years, I thought I was one too until someone called me a Socialist)!
thus, I would surmise they might be somewhat happier...hmmm, a happy pessimist ...an unlikely occurrence !