No, i am not 'dependent'. There are some things in society which makes it run more smoothly and we do pay for that with a spirit of cooperation. If I depended on the government, which I don't, I would be concerned. To put my life or future in the government's hands would be foolish. You dd well buy mentioning these services, btw, because most mention police or firemen.
You may (and I suspect many on the right wing do) find some sort of personal discomfort with the idea of community and interlocking dependency, for whatever reason, but a pragmatic and dispassionate review of the facts leaves no doubt that you are indeed "dependent" in many significant ways. Some (many) things do indeed make society run smoother, and the private sector is not interested in a lot of them, because there is little or no market impetus for them. Hence you are "dependent" on the military, and yes, police and fire services, the criminal justice system, hospitals, schools, research and testing labs, engineers, financial professionals, and many others. And again, many of these work in the public sector, because if you suggested such endevours to an entrepreneur, he would likely say something like: Huh? Where's the quick buck?
And to take one more step back, what is this paranoid fear of government all about anyway? You'd be more realistic fearing the corporate sector, because at least with government, you have a modest degree of sway by voting. And if you really think it is all down the scuppers, start your own party, and see if it flies.
Yes, but are they sustainable now that the boomers are retiring and fewer will be paying taxes. Europe has similar problems because people have learned to expect the government to look after them and now they can't and the Americans, at least among the Republicans, are finally discussing the problem.. We must be sure in Canada that Canadians plan ahead and don;t rely on the government. If they can pay, fine, but it would be unwise to put all our eggs in that basket.
What? A lot of boomers are better of the gen x'ers, who are today struggling with technological change, and political demagoguery. And no, Europeans have not come to expect "government" will look after them, they have molded society to a more democratic and egalitarian model, one that works, and has for some time. Much of the debt floating around their today is the result of the public purse bailing out a wasteful and irresponsible entrepreneurial class- the socialization of private debt.
As for planning ahead, a question: what is the best way to run an insurance company? The most basic principle is spread risk around. How best to do this? Ultimately have everyone in the country a member of the plan. How to do this in a democratic (and often disinterested or apathetic) society? Make it mandatory. Yes, that's right, the dreaded "s" word. Everyone pays just a small amount, and everyone benefits big time, even if they would have opted out, because they were too young, too foolish, didn't hear the news, were mathematically challenged, thought they would never need it, etc.
That's why public programs like the CPP, or employment insurance have been so successful and useful through the years. But don't feel dependent if that riles you. Just think of yourself as a stakeholder in a big enterprise.
I know of no one who is against science and technology but we needn't depend on government for that. All mortgages in Canada are, at this point, dubious.
In a philosophical sense, we don't need government for science research, but down here on earth we actually do. That is because much basic research shows no initial promise of making money, or being worth anything at all. All the same, it must be done, as that is what becomes a basis for further work, and sometimes a (profitable) breakthrough. That's why much basic work is done in state funded universities.
It is a waste of life. Mark Steyn explains it well, and is amusing at the same time.
The Post-Work Economy | National Review Online
Waste huh? I wonder if apprentices in Germany, or university students in Sweden, or those in need of medical care in Britain, and all getting their need met, and life enhanced, by the inefficiencies of social programs would agree with you.
