Interesting comments on the world today.

MARGARET WENTE
The world is much better than it seems

MARGARET WENTE
The Globe and Mail
Last Updated: Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015 12:03PM EST
Who wouldn’t be depressed about the world today? Donald Trump! Islamic State! Oil slump! Mass shootings! Global warming! Everywhere you look, it’s doom and gloom.

So, turn off the news and consider this. For most of humanity, life is improving at an accelerated rate. Most people find this hard to believe – after all, we’re programmed to look for trouble. Here are some reasons to start the new year on an optimistic note:

Global poverty has plunged. This year, for the first time on record, the percentage of the world’s population living in extreme poverty has sunk below 10 per cent, the World Bank says. This is a stunning achievement. As recently as 1990, 37 per cent of the world’s population was desperately poor. Since then, around 1.3 billion people have been lifted above the poverty line, which is now set at $1.90 (U.S.) a day. That’s a low bar. But it means that more people than ever before have a tolerable life.

)snipped(

added link:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle27923750/
Published: Friday, Dec. 25, 2015 4:00PM EST

We're doomed, doomed I tell you.. we're all doomed.

Well said.

Of course it isn't all doom and gloom, at least not here, yet.

Even the poorest in this country can reasonably expect to wake up in the morning with all four limbs attached and unless you have other needs you can still expect to go to bed without an empty belly.

If you spend any time at all watching, what for some reason broadcasters call the 'News', then you could be forgiven for thinking that humanity is on the verge of extinction.. but that's not to say things are great.

I've always argued that a thin veneer of civilisation exists in most developed countries and you don't have to dig deep to scrape it away. The eight year old kid who grew up in the seedier side of most cities would run rings around me if what we call society ever collapsed. It's the civil structure that prevents this from happening, and where this breaks down you transfer from national culture to a gang or tribal one.

Don't be fooled into thinking it couldn't happen here, it'll only take a small push to allow some of the more aggressive groups in our society to seek dominance over others.

We sit on the head of a pin, any slip in one direction or the other and we topple.

We would do well to study the lessons of history, and politicians most of all, should seek to become less radical, that way lies the dark side. But as we are becoming increasingly aware, moderate politicians lose their appeal when voters become irrationally fearful. Remember one Adolf Hitler was legally given his position even after he'd told people what he was likely to do. Could people like Trump do the same? And the likes of Netanyahu, who would seek to maintain a racist state would do well to realise, as PW Botha did, that apartheid systems don't last forever.

But in comfortable, moderate Canada we should enjoy the present.

Happy New Year.

"Global poverty has plunged. "

May have plunged on a global scale.

In BC child poverty is up, in 1989 it was 15.5 and in 2012 up to 20.6 (other provinces are only slight better, but poverty is slowly ticking upward in Canada). National average is around 19%.

Some regions of BC are as high as 54%.

"In the Central Coast Regional District, the child-poverty rate is 54.8 per cent. "


Rate of child poverty in B.C. has climbed above national average - The Globe and Mail

Do you regard yourself as being in poverty?
Is, in your opinion, being poor the same as being in poverty?
What's your definition of being in poverty?

As 2 adult with no kids, no. Food and housing insecure yes. If we had a kid, said kid would be considered to be living in poverty.

Do we make enough to live comfortably in Canada, no. Household income for the year will be about 24-25k, less then I originally thought based on most recent pay stubs. 11,000 alone went to housing, and we live in the lowest rental place available in Squamish.


Doesn't matter what my definition of poverty is, the stats from the agencies and government show its ticking upwards in Canada. But to me poverty is being unable to meet your basic needs.


Poor = being able to meet basic needs, but nothing left for say savings for a rainy day or retirement.

Poverty = unable to meet basic needs, such as housing and food.

So have you ever had to exist in an outside environment for any length of time (over 24 hours) without shelter because you could not afford shelter.

Have you ever been forced to exist without food for in excess of 24 hours because you had no money with which to buy food?

For a matter of fact I have in 2012, well I had some food but no shelter and no income. What exactly is your point? Why dont you accept Canada is not some utopia and has poverty which has only gotten worse since the feds announced almost 30 years ago to eradicate it.

Have you ever visited the Vancouver DTES and witnessed the poverty?

I am fully aware that Canada is not Utopia and that poverty exists here.

You seem to be trying to dispute it to me.

My, that's a strict definition of poverty. I assume you use that to frighten the staff.

I think that, in fact, my parents' generation was the last for which the working man's living standards improved, "you've never had it so good" was substantially accurate. And it was the last to offer upward mobility in the workplace to those born poor or uninformed; now a thirty year old former feckless youth has missed his or her chance due to not having obtained a degree. (And, yes, AC, there are always exceptions).

Unfortunately I cannot continue this conversation with you, lest what I say causes me banishment by the Mods. FYI, you enjoy Mod protection from members/ posters here who want to write more critical responses to your posts.

No...I think it's because you often behave like a bit of an arse.

If you can't continue, then why did you start it? Just another dig at your favourite target?

Oh just go back to your grocery pricing and rent collecting.