Rural Equalization?

[cakadu]

Correction to my last posting. The program that was both Federal and Provincial was referred to as the Canada/Alberta Agriculture Infrastructure program, not to be confused with the Provincial Resource Road Program.
Sorry if I caused any confusion cakadu.

[gwynplaine]

For a self-professed socialist, It's interesting, Cowman, to see you critisize the Corrupt socialists.

I think we need to ask ourselves are we Albertan, or Canadian? Every taxpayer in Canada is on the same tax grid and is subject to the same programmes, as I understand it... Albertans make more money, snd so pay more money. Isn't it 'fair' that way? I mean, for an industry that requires cash injections from time to time to remain sustainable, wouldn't we, here, understand that as CANADIANS we have a duty to help those less fortunate... regardless of their geography? Or demographic?

Again, playing Devil's Advocate here... I'm looking for some consistancy between some of the postings above, and having a hard time finding it. My opinion, is keep the money in Alberta, and keep more money in my pocket... we'd ALL be better off if we helped each other out one-on-one instead of relying on Corrupt socialist policy and institution to care for us - all the while complaining we haven't got our fair share either.

Imagine the opinion of an Ontario Professional, reading the paper and seeing another couple hundred million tax dollars going out to Farmers... does he control the weather? And, does he know that that money never really does get there, in enough time or enough quantity? All he sees in the Globe and Mail is his tax dollars bailing out yet another "unprofitable business".

I know the value of agriculture, and insist to all who'll listen that a healthy Ag industry is the foundation of a healthy national Economy... but the people who complain about us are saying the same things a lot of us are. And, it seems to me, we're both as informed.

[gwynplaine]

I am not afraid to say that I am an Albertan first, Canadian second. Alberta is where I live, make my living and have raised my family. I am not a separatist and never will be, but I think that Albertans pay their share into the coffers of this country. Ask any MLA in Alberta just what this province hasn't received back in transfer payments from the feds, and they will be pleased to tell you it is one heck of a lot. That in my opinion is paying our share and more....

[cowman]

Actually gwynneplain, I would critisize "corrupt" capitalists or fascists too? The main word here is "corrupt" not socialist?
I call myself a socialist...but every little expert in politics would label me some sort of extreme right wing type!
Once again here is how I see true socialism: All the public domain in Alberta belongs to the people of Alberta. Not the politicians and not the wealthy.
Therefore the crown owned oil,trees, grazing leases and water belong to the people of Alberta? The roads,airports, hospitals, schools, parks, government buildings etc. all belong to the people of Alberta? Now I think you will agree the investment we have made in all these facilities is considerable?
All of these facilities are maintained by various schemes that we all pay into? Income taxes make up a portion of that but also consumption taxes as well as the "royalties" on our various resources?
So even the wino in the street is paying his fair share...especially considering he isn't getting very much of a return on his investment?
Here is a novel idea...Give the money generated by all these resources to the people and run all public facilities and infrastructure on a user pay formula! Do you think that would be fair? Let the people decide how they will spend their money?
Do you think it is fair that someone who has made the decision to not have children, should be forced to educate yours, when you are perfectly capable of doing it yourself?
As far as Canada goes, do you think it is fair that a family in Alberta should be forced to pay over $20,000/year to the family in Quebec or PEI or wherever? That is the value of the equalization payment?
Now I am a firm believer in the saying "I am my brothers keeper" and I do believe it is our duty to help those less fortunate than ourselves! But you can't legislate morality or high ideals!That has to come from inside and hey, the greedy will always be with us. However I do believe if we had a system in place where the Alberta people got their fair share of THEIR resources/investment, that it would be harder for the greedy to steal it.
So here would be how it would work: Every month you would get your dividend check in the mail from the natural resources as well as the profit from our public infrastructure. Then you could decide if you wanted to spend your money on...whatever! If the doctor wanted $1000 for an examination, you could either pay it or decide no I don't think so! I think I'll go buy a new TV instead, or perhaps I'll stock up on vitamins or something!
The bottom line is YOU would be responsible for your life and how you lived it! And you would be getting all the money that was yours to start with?

[gwynplaine]

Cowman: ABSOLUTLY. This is precisley what I have been saying... I'm totally in favour of your posting. This relies heavily upon MUCH less government involvement, and a novel idea: No income tax. At all. Service taxes, fine. You decide how you spend your money, and you're charged user fees, or "taxes", if you will, for the services you use. Be they Doctor's Clinics, highways, railways, cigarettes, Ski hills or prophylactics. And the market will charge what the market will bear.

Here's the pill, now: Agriculture is included, as well. WE keep more of our money, for rainy days, or even non-rainy days, and leave the Government in place only to maintain national defence, and economic policy. I.E., ensuring a fair global market. Which our government has an extemely poor record of doing. Stepping into Provincial Jurisdiction, however, seems to ba the mandate of the last 8 governments.