Slowing the Economy?

[coppertop]

cowman, it is easy to say 'pony up and share the wealth', but that only applies to people that have the opportunity to work or own companies in the energy sector.

I have a son that is raking in a huge income, he is getting paranoid if he takes more than the required four days off a month. Thankfully he is salting some of his earnings away for the time when things aren't as rosy.

[cakadu]

Cowman, if the charges were justified that is one thing, but they shuld have to show that the increase was justified. (She does not have the deep pockets of the municipality that you are referring to in another post. Nor does she have a tax base to spread the increased costs to.)

When comparing value-adding, it would be better to compare apples to apples instead of oranges. When it comes to TV's and electronics, we do not have any advantage and do not "grow" them here. Grains, oilseeds, lumber etc. we do grow here and we send the "value" for others to collect.

I remember seeing a paper written about how producers have to "commoditize" everything and cannot see value-adding so that they get the greater benefit. It goes back to the consumer driven versus market driven discussion we've had on here many times.

When you set things up to be commodities, you automatically set yourself up to take whatever price you are offered.

Is it worth it to "kill the goose" in the short term so you can collect all you can now, or do you stretch it out so that the goose gives you a good living for many years?

[cowman]

Linda: it is a tough old world out there...and bottom line whoever can do it cheaper is goin to win?
Do you or I really care about who can produce that computer cheaper, Quebec or China?
How dumb would it be to sell our beef/whatevert to a Canadian processor...so we would get less than the market decides...while at the same time making the product more expensive for the consumer? Reaally, really dumb business!
Now I realize in this wonderful socialist country we live in...reality doesn;t always work that way? We get these goofy ideas that somehow we can "overcome" the market with drivel like "made in Canada"
It basically is nothing more thanm government money designed to fool the consumer and taxpayer?

[spudchucker]

Coppertop
What are you thinking?
I came out from the maritimes with nothing to my name but a student loan. I went to work in the oilfield. I am now living dept free except for a mortgage (I put a big downpayment on due to money made in the oilfield) and have a comfortable bank account.
If I follow your line of thinking, then people like me should have been content to live in poverty without an oilfield to go to so that you wouldn't have to pay more for your windows?
You got yours so no one else matters?

[cowman]

spud****er: You are the Canadian dream happening! Good for you...you're just the kind of people we need out here!
Sometimes I get sick of this attitude that bloody Canada and Alberta owes me a living!
However we view Alberta it is a land of opportunity! For the newcomer and the old time resident!
I really like your attitude...gives me hope that the next generation is going to make it...in a big way!...and never mind all the old naysayers!

[coppertop]

spudchucker, it't not about the cost of my windows. The Province is going to delay at least 30% of projects they have on the drawing board because of the escalating costs, so when you get sick and need a hospital bed, there isn't going to be one, or when you crack your knuckles in your oilpatch job and need to see an emergency doctor you will cool your heels for several hours. I heard numerous municipal representatives telling cabinet ministers this past week about how much the over runs are in projects they are building, seniors homes for one.
And, before you take a run at me for 'aready getting mine and not caring about anyone else'. I have worked damn hard to keep myself afloat, and throughout my years have contributed as a volunteer to my community and province time and time again, either by donating time or money, so I think your last remark was not called for. When you have given back to this province what many of the people who are on this site have, then blast away at any of us you choose.