Poverty - Canada's National shame
- Thread starter Tyr
- Start date
It isn't just the Maritimes. The work ethic in a few union jobs leaves a lot to be desired. Unions seem to give people the idea that they are entitled to a job rather than actually having to earn a job and keep it. And that's not mentioning the quality of workmanship that seems to lack in a few union jobs.
While I was still a volunteer firefighter, I worked at a job before it turned union and we produced quite well and were pretty content. Then union reps came along and talked us into going union. Production went down to about 5/8 of what it had been. I left for another non-union job and it eventually had union reps come along. Not one worker would even give them a minute of the day because we were happy with the company we worked for. Then there are the "public service" unions ..... :roll:
But anyway, poverty is relative. Considering what wealth is around, if humans were actually humanitarian, there would be no poverty.
While I was still a volunteer firefighter, I worked at a job before it turned union and we produced quite well and were pretty content. Then union reps came along and talked us into going union. Production went down to about 5/8 of what it had been. I left for another non-union job and it eventually had union reps come along. Not one worker would even give them a minute of the day because we were happy with the company we worked for. Then there are the "public service" unions ..... :roll:
But anyway, poverty is relative. Considering what wealth is around, if humans were actually humanitarian, there would be no poverty.
If you average it out. That's about the cost. A 12 pack of rotgut malt liquor or a 40 of sherry is about $15. Meth?-about the same cost. The residents of the Eastside are more mentally deranged than addicted, so rampant drug use or abuse is highly exaggerated
For, alcohol, probably yes. Drugs, you're probably a little off. I'm not really here to argue that because it doesn't really matter at the end of the day. All of us have different experiences living among and/or helping people who are impoverished and/or living on the streets that are different.
That too.
I think we sometimes look for a solution. No 2 people are alike and so 1 solution is not going to work.
Alcohol abuse is more prevalent thatn all other drug addictins COMBINED. After alcohol and precription drug abuse, the combined total of all the other drugs is 1% of the population in Canada (330,000)
Whatever the numbers are, it is shameful that as intelligent as we are supposed to be, we have not even come close to improving our society, and I think the biggest reason why people are addicted to whatever their poison may be, is because society has failed them in some manner.
If the government wants to do something about poverty they must reduce the cost of living. Our poor are not like those on some World Vision Cablecast - We have sufficient resources, land and clean water to feed, clothe and bathe all the folks amongst our borders. The problem is that we view success by the price tags on that which we buy and how much we can waste. Tons of food is discarded everyday from supermarkets and restaraunts but it can not legally be given away. If you wish to supplement your income by taking in a border you must choose to do it illegally or spend thousands to bring your abode up to code. Some areas do not even allow alternate living situations. If say you had a remote sawmill and provided housing for your workers as part of their pay the workers must pay income tax on that value. (foreign workers are exempt from this) If you have a large empty office tower and no prospects for commercial tenants the red tape and other hoops you must jump through make an empty building better than one full of middle income housing. OH and if you do attempt to take any legal action against these tenants they have government paid lawyers that will sue your arse off! - Our taxation system provides help for those on the lower scale of income but breaking in to middle class can cost real dollars out of your pocket. If a person finally gets a job that allows them to afford rent they will find that first and last months rent - electricty and other utility deposits - will require over 1,000 bucks cash before they can break out of the subsidized housing.
These regulations not only hamper the middle class but those who want to help. The local salvation army can no longer operate out of the dark side of town in a clean but outdated building but now must meet all fire code - disability access and property standards - These can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to a building.
It is a complicated web that can only be unravelled a few threads at a time. Sadly our government and special interest groups are tightening the web rather than opening it up.
These regulations not only hamper the middle class but those who want to help. The local salvation army can no longer operate out of the dark side of town in a clean but outdated building but now must meet all fire code - disability access and property standards - These can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to a building.
It is a complicated web that can only be unravelled a few threads at a time. Sadly our government and special interest groups are tightening the web rather than opening it up.
When my family has lots of beans to eat and my neighbour has none, I may tend to share what I have with him.
I was referring to drugs, dollar amounts and a specific group of people, not overall substance abuse (addiction), per total population. And I also said we all have different experiences with which to base our conclusions, some real life, some from stats Canada. Regardless, I agree with Gilbert - numbers aren't really the point. Each of has the choice to help (or not) based on our ability and what we are comfortable doing and you should do something based on that.
Isn't that your point, Tyr? That people are judging and not helping?
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It's why Vancouver has such a high homeless population...Better to be homeless in BC then Sasketchewan or Alberta.
Didn't Alberta give a bunch of welfare receipients and homeless a free bus ticket to BC?
I think we need to teach these people how to fish. Rather then giving them the fish. Welfare chq's are nice...but they don't seem to help solve the problem.
One gentleman on the news last night mentioned that since he'd been participating in a drug study and been given his heroin free of cost he's been able to get a job and hold it because he doesn't have to worry about getting dope sick and looking for money to get more dope. Interesting.
