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9 comments:
#1 even in 60s, 70s & 80s...
In the 1st image, which is from the post-war period, things were simpler back then. Cars had two engines, two transmissions, many colors, and usually three trim levels. They worked well. With prosperity, longer-lower-wider with fancier trim and looked better. You could get what you wanted. There were always "better" brands, as always. The post-war economy built the middle class as did better union wages. The focus then, was paying fewer federal taxes, if possible. A huge game! Tax rates were higher then than now. The government was the largest employer and those wages pumped-up the economy. We had a huge military, even two Air Forces, with bases scattered across the country. The industrial complex to support these things was huge, too. The middle class expanded more!
When the conservatives became powerful enough to get tax cuts passed, they were mainly for individuals, it seemed. People liked this! But they failed to understand that when the federal government doesn't fund something desired, that falls to the states and municipalities to do that. So local sales and property tax increases result.
Technology costs have massively-increased for law enforcement. Public school funding has decreased from less money from the feds. People feel they need to live "at the top of the hog", rather than "comfortable", which means a $300K house sitting on a $100K piece of land, typically. A less ornate house, but still nice, could cut $100K from the price, even a bit smaller, too. But that is not THEIR mindset, as they complain about high property taxes which result. They need to "remake their bed", as they increase all of their neighbors' taxes too!
I saw yeaterday on USA news that one years in «college» (here might be university) cost $90 000. OMG! not surprising that your poeple cannot afford education and remain in low one.
Here in Canadian social-democracy of Province of Québec, one year in a university is around $6 000 - $10 000 per year.
Our governement is funding our university up to 72% of the cost and student pay the 18% left.
We have a two years time of college (CEGEP) after high school 12th grade before going to university which the cost is as low as $300/year.
One of the advantages to live in a social democracy, not a communist society for sure. Not mentionning our universal health care system we have for decades.
JiEl, it used to be that way here too. My entire university education cost $5,000 in the early 1980s. The educational system was heavily subsidized.
When Ronald Reagan was eleceted we knew that would all change.
People like my parents were tired of paying taxes (as though they were the ones paying most of the budget). They bought the corporate line.
Just don't take their Social Security and their Medicare away, that would be cruel!
@LeftField,
While Reagan was President, we had the late Brian Mulroney as a Conservative Party Prime Minister and he did alot to maintain our social security net and did even more to go against the South African appartied leading it in the UN with some talks with Reagan and Margaret Tatcher who were against it.
Mulroney did also reunite USA and Mexico for the Free Trade Treaty.
AND he was a Conservative.. Which means that your «Conservatives» are far right more than any of ours.
Mulroney died at the beginning of March 2024 and he was recognized as one of our greatest Prime Minister..
Yes, we pay lot of taxes (My income tax on both federal and provincial is 15% in all). I have a $40 000 income as a retired teacher and Canadian citizen and I just had a $ 2000 tax return directly deposit in my bank acount.
What is sad in USA is that your wild-savage capitalism held by big financial system is killing any chances to be more educated, wealthy and healthy for those is costing too much for your average poeple.
Having a huge health issue and you have to show your credit card going to a hospital and have to declare banckcrupcy because the fees are astronomical.
I know it because one of my aunt had to go to a hospital in Florida many years ago and after 4 days she had a $30 000 bill to oay and worst, they didn't even cured her.
She came back in Montreal where she was treated and cured with $0 and no bill.
@JiEl, please do not forget that I too am a Canadian. Try being a USonian living in Canada, earning $US. It got complicated. My US friends thought I was crazy to be paying US and Canadian health insurance. I couldn't have been prouder.
Unfortunately, on the very goddamn day I left Canada for the US I had a gallbladder attack. It festered and three months later cost over $120,000. The operation alone was $90K. My deductible was $10K. One year after the ordeal I got a bill from the hospital for $1.27!
Regarding Mulroney, he also alienated a lot of people in the western provinces. I think Trudeau was probably one of the greats. The senior one.
I would disagree with you on some of your assertions of Mulroney. He was responsible for privatizing a lot of Crown Corporations. That hurt a lot, and still does.
Let it be known---
Those undocumented immigrants pay into Social Security...
About 13 billion a year...
@VRCooper,
I thought your statement to be way off, but checked it out! Wow! You are correct!
Imagine.
My partner, a Canadian, does volunteer tax prep for people in our neighborhood. He comes home sometimes, amazed that people can live off of what they earn. He is amazed at how much they work, how much they contribute; and he directs them to services that can help them ease their burden.
Shame on those of us who think they are takers. The takers are the ones who don't pay their fair share.
The very wealthy have always been the takers. And we are the ones being taken.
In California we have cities with unincorporated areas of affluent people who fight tooth and nail to prevent incorporation i.e. pay their fair share of local taxes. Also they’re the ones living in the fire zones and flood zones of hill top homes. When disaster strikes they get Fed aid to rebuild (you know how they hate the Feds, and anyone seeking assistance in hard times) and everyone else’s property insurance gets raised.
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