(06-29-2017, 11:14 PM)RolloTheGreat Wrote:The problem is that it leads to somewhat of a Caste system whereby the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Good luck to anyone living in the lower class in the USA in terms of getting a higher education. There are so many barriers. Here in Canada we have started making higher education completely free in places for certain income levels. Our taxes are higher here but not by that much, plus we have universal health care which removes a huge burden off employers and counteracts the higher taxes to a large extent.(06-29-2017, 07:41 PM)gstanford Wrote: Sucks to be an American I guess.
Here in Australia the minimum wage is $36K per annum or $18.46 per hour.
Our age pension pays nearly the same rate.
America, land of the free enslaved.
I just bought a new "land locomotive" as you call them for over $40K after I talked them down a bunch. How does that $36K play into the cost of living in the modern world, especially in a place where a ton of your stuff is imported and costly?
Our system isn't perfect, but everyone willing to work has opportunity to "get rich". I think we have that as much or more than any place.
Our ways don't coddle those who don't want to work, but they can reward those who do very well. (and not bleed them for the slackers to the extent the socialist nations do)
I totally hear your point regarding successful people paying too much in taxes. However heath care and education are very important to me, along with infrastructure. They are for the common good. A lot of Liberal spending and waste drives me crazy, however I really do feel that we need to have basic supports in place for *everyone*, rich or poor. The thing is, Conservatives waste just as much money as the Liberals, just in different ways. The Conservatives tend to give handouts to big business and corporations, along with massively wasteful military spending. At least when the Liberals do it their heart is in the right place.
We all think differently. I always try to vote based on what's best for my country. Not some blind ideology. I have a good look at the party leaders. Here in Canada our economy is revving right up, it sounds like things could get really good here in short order. I credit a lot of that to Trudeau. I think he has done an outstanding job.
By the way, Rollo, welcome back (I think). Please behave.