Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
Sep 29th 2011, 3:39 pm
#166
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
The fact is that wealth disparity eventually leads to civil unrest. AC, ask yourself this, what is the economy for? Why do we have one?
Sep 29th 2011, 3:44 pm
#167
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
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Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
Here we go again.
No, Im suggesting that the wealthy should for starters pay the same % tax overall that the middle and low income earners do. As it is they pay about half as much because their income is not derived from "employment". I just want a level playing field for all.
Government will spend money as governments do, but it will take some of the onus off those that can least afford it and that will change their quality of life for the better. The super wealthies quality of life wont change one iota.
The way that taxation and financial regulation has changed in the last 30-40 years in order to favour the super wealthy is an absolute scandal, with extremely widespread implications. Just look at your history books if you think that any great civilisation will last forever.
No, Im suggesting that the wealthy should for starters pay the same % tax overall that the middle and low income earners do. As it is they pay about half as much because their income is not derived from "employment". I just want a level playing field for all.
Government will spend money as governments do, but it will take some of the onus off those that can least afford it and that will change their quality of life for the better. The super wealthies quality of life wont change one iota.
The way that taxation and financial regulation has changed in the last 30-40 years in order to favour the super wealthy is an absolute scandal, with extremely widespread implications. Just look at your history books if you think that any great civilisation will last forever.
What is a "level playing field for all"? A flat tax rate? A progressive one? One that only taxes income? One that taxes capital?
Sep 29th 2011, 3:44 pm
#168
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
So yes, Americans are fifth, but given that they are our neighbours and they're still outnumbered by British people, not really represented in the way you would expect. (And I'm willing to bet Americans who do get permanent residence here do it through the family class to a higher degree too, although I can't find a table for that).
Sep 29th 2011, 3:50 pm
#169
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Joined: Jul 2010
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Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
My expectations are that the offer that would come from the US would to all intention be a proposal that dissolves sovereignty of the absorbed small countries into a bigger US lead group.
When the neighbors have the climate and resources they need, and they are still in major position of power, and we are still beholden to their economy, I don’t see us having much ability to object. Whilst they don’t need us, or want us and can get what they want at the price they’re willing to pay we’re fine. But just like the big corporate world if you can afford to buy out your supply chain and vertically integrating will help you survive, then you’ll do it.
When the neighbors have the climate and resources they need, and they are still in major position of power, and we are still beholden to their economy, I don’t see us having much ability to object. Whilst they don’t need us, or want us and can get what they want at the price they’re willing to pay we’re fine. But just like the big corporate world if you can afford to buy out your supply chain and vertically integrating will help you survive, then you’ll do it.
The US is not as powerful as it thinks it is. Countries aren't corporations either, more factors to consider. http://opinion.financialpost.com/201...s-is-bankrupt/
Sep 29th 2011, 3:52 pm
#170
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
I don't believe that I have ever stated that any great civilisation will last forever, or that I believe that the US is a great civilization.
What is a "level playing field for all"? A flat tax rate? A progressive one? One that only taxes income? One that taxes capital?
What is a "level playing field for all"? A flat tax rate? A progressive one? One that only taxes income? One that taxes capital?
Progressive taxation on income tax with maybe two or three bands (but no zero band and certainly no tax credits for anything at all, certainly not for activities like decorating your house, going to college, or having kids). No capital gains tax. Any investment held for 3 years or more can be sold tax free. Prior to this, profit counts as income. No asset (including housing) is exempt.
No other levies or taxes. Probably no corporation tax or payroll taxes.
Capital shouldn't be taxed as capital formation is (well it should be) a fundamental underpinning of the free market. True wealth comes from capital and not from borrowing.
Last edited by Alan2005; Sep 29th 2011 at 3:56 pm.
Sep 29th 2011, 3:53 pm
#171
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
I'm wondering if similar considerations would apply today? Absorbing a country with 10% of your population, most of whom are more 'liberal' than the average American in terms of social opinions and also more inclined to support bigger government could put the average 'merkan off.
Sep 29th 2011, 3:56 pm
#172
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,374
Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
Bill Gates is a poor example - whatever your view of his products, it's clear that he has created wealth for many many people and that lots of people have jobs because of him. The CEO of the Bank of America for instance, not so much. Lots of people don't have jobs because of him and he still got his hands on loads of government cash,
The fact is that wealth disparity eventually leads to civil unrest. AC, ask yourself this, what is the economy for? Why do we have one?
The fact is that wealth disparity eventually leads to civil unrest. AC, ask yourself this, what is the economy for? Why do we have one?
I can't wait for those that, for example, have properties on two continents, to weigh into this debate. I state Bono Syndrome applies
Last edited by Almost Canadian; Sep 29th 2011 at 4:12 pm.
Sep 29th 2011, 4:51 pm
#173
Part Time Poster
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 4,219
Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
Knowing that his dad had been to his school years before and had later made a heafty donation that had got his GPA2.0 upto a GPA4.0 as he realy understood what old money could buy ...
Sep 29th 2011, 6:31 pm
#174
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
I have to say I was highly suspicious of my citizenship ceremony because there weren't any Chinese or Indians at all but there were loads when I took the test. I'd say more than half were Chinese. But anyway, these are the stats: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resourc...rmanent/10.asp
So yes, Americans are fifth, but given that they are our neighbours and they're still outnumbered by British people, not really represented in the way you would expect. (And I'm willing to bet Americans who do get permanent residence here do it through the family class to a higher degree too, although I can't find a table for that).
So yes, Americans are fifth, but given that they are our neighbours and they're still outnumbered by British people, not really represented in the way you would expect. (And I'm willing to bet Americans who do get permanent residence here do it through the family class to a higher degree too, although I can't find a table for that).
well, this is purely anecdotal, but the american immigrants i know came here as skilled workers. and they came because they wanted to leave the US.
Sep 29th 2011, 8:36 pm
#175
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Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
Its about taking care of the bottom 20% and stopping the top 10% screwing over everyone else because of their wealth and associated political influence.For me its about having a society where everyone has a decent quality of life, and you simply cant do that where a small proportion of people have more than that could ever possibly spend in 100 lifetimes, while others work hard to get by and fail because the system is tilted so far in favour of the wealthy.
Taxing the wealthy is not going to impact their lives any, they can still keep score of how clever (or lucky) they are to be great investors or industrialist by taking home huge salaries and bonuses, but they can give some more of that back so that those at the bottom can have a decent standard of living too, they cant possibly spend it all anyway. Carlos Teves' $300k a week is peanuts to the people I am talking about.
Stop moaning and do something about it?... great advice, I wish I had a clue how to go about dismantelling the current economic and political patronage system, its rather a daunting task. Some smartarse will no doubt say if you care that much give up more of your paycheck to help redistribute the wealth, but frankly what I could do to help is insignificant, I could be taxed at 50%, but I dont think that extra money is going to have much impact compared to taking 30% of what the Westons and Thompsons of this world earn in a year.
Maybe educating others as to the scale of the problem is a start...
I dont really know, but looking at the situation based on US stats I know what has snuck in there is obscene.
Off the top of my head Id say leave my tax burden where it is, tax the poor less, tax the extremely wealthy (those whose income far exceeds what they could spend in several generations) more, properly fund social services like childcare and education and full healthcare that make life better for everyone and provide a safety net and future oportunities for the next generation based on ability and not parental wealth, regulate the markets better, and do something for business to encourage them to stop shipping jobs off shore. Then figure out a way to close the many tax loopholes that are clearly out there that the wealthy can pay smart accountants to exploit. Whats that? NDP? Green, Socialist Worker?
I guess we are all doomed by global warming in the long run anyway, so I should just relax and have a beer and forget all about it.
Last edited by iaink; Sep 29th 2011 at 8:54 pm.
Sep 29th 2011, 9:47 pm
#177
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
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Sep 29th 2011, 10:03 pm
#178
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Sep 29th 2011, 10:42 pm
#180
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 79
Re: Will you still emigrate when the Canadian recession kicks in?
I have to say I was highly suspicious of my citizenship ceremony because there weren't any Chinese or Indians at all but there were loads when I took the test. I'd say more than half were Chinese. But anyway, these are the stats: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resourc...rmanent/10.asp
So yes, Americans are fifth, but given that they are our neighbours and they're still outnumbered by British people, not really represented in the way you would expect. (And I'm willing to bet Americans who do get permanent residence here do it through the family class to a higher degree too, although I can't find a table for that).
So yes, Americans are fifth, but given that they are our neighbours and they're still outnumbered by British people, not really represented in the way you would expect. (And I'm willing to bet Americans who do get permanent residence here do it through the family class to a higher degree too, although I can't find a table for that).
UAE ranks eighth..............mostly likely because of the huge Southeast Asian and Arab expat community living there.