Does the comment 2007 can be better mean for him or us?
I doubt he is thinking about anyone but himself

If it does not get better for us, I doubt it can look better for him?
I prefer to be an optimist-rather than a cynic.
B C has probably come the furthest along in a couple years than it had for a couple decades.
I give thanks, as the struggles now seem to have been worthwhile, as we have pulled up our bootstraps and seem to be fleeter of foot, and lighter in heart.
We are truly blessed, and I, for one, am grateful.

Those with wealthy have made out like bandits. The middle class is disapearing, and we now have a new branch of poverty called thew working poor. Gordo should be very proud he has accomplished a great deal of the destruction he wanted to increase the wealth of the few. Hopefully, this year will not see him disgracing British Columbia while in Hawaii again. Then agai with a D.U.I. and then the raids on the legislature, I can hardly wait to see what this years Hawaian excursion will bring.


Merry Xmas to all and a special mery Christmas to all the disabled out there. Hopefully this will be the year that we get something in our stockings from the provincial government instead of a lump of coal!!!

Gimmee, gimmee, gimmee, gimmee, gimmee, gimmee, gimmee!!!
It is surely the governments fault, and the other taxpayers, that some are handicapped. We should all be only too happy to give hundreds and hundreds of dollars to each person who considers themselves "disabled."
I recall in years passed, the families took care of their own. Now it is so easy to fill out some forms and have the government dish out the cheques. And it will never be enough-will it??
Is it possible we have all gone through some rough times, and possibly there was No form for us to fill out to help us along.
And old sobersides has never had a drink, of that we can be sure??? Or can we?
Nah, we will have three classes-as we will have the "rich', the "poor" and the "destitute."
Rest assured the destitute will cry loudly and get taken care of as usual. The poor will still be the middle class-desperately trying to make enough to pay their own bills, and those for the destitute.The rich will keep everything going so people have employment and receive paycheques.
There will be no such thing as "change."
Even the handicapped can be productive in some manner-sure would beat all the whimpering!

I give thanks every day for where I live and where I was born. Even the most difficult days in the lives of most of us who live in Canada have very little to complain about.

The opportunities are everywhere. I am thankful for business people everywhere who create the jobs for folks, so they can provide for themselves and their families. If any of us have an obligation, it is to provide an opportunity for others to earn a living and do something of value in trade for a paycheck.

I am thankful for those who have alot and share with those who are not so fortunate. It's difficult for the poor to help the poor, so I know that the bulk of the money, food and support comes from those who are generous. Blessings and Merry Christmas to everyone. Chester

Merry Christmas, everyone! Thank you for your positive outlook, Mr. Premier! Happy New Year 2007!

:-)

Sorry. I should have known better than to expect charitable thoughts at Christmas. I hope that at least some of you might be able to muster a bit of compassion for those less fortunate than yourselves. I guess it is just not in the cards for some. I still wish you a Merry Christmas as living in abject poverty has taught me to care for my fellow man. I hope you never find yourselves in this position.

I wish all all the best of the season, happy holidays or Merry Christams, whichever you prefer....
And all a happy new year.....
no matter who you are or how you feel about anything....
We can always hope!

amen brother (or sister!!).

I give far more than I could ever receive, but I do not expect anything in return.
So of what benefit are charitable thoughts and compassion?
Did the government not give you additional funds for Christmas?
Did charitable organizations not provide you with a hamper-or hampers?
Were you not invited for meals?
Was anyone kind to you by making your burden of poverty more bearable at this time of year?
Obviously you have some amenities, such as a roof, electricity, a computer, and internet fees!
How many street people have nothing?
Do you ever give thanks for what you do have?
Might give that a try!

Trusted must be one of Campbell's best buddies. Realist is correct when he says the middle class is disappearing. I consider myself as one of the disappearing. I used to have a bit of money in the bank come payday, now I'm scrounging to pay the higher taxes and cost of living increases. I have not changed my life style in the last 20 years, so someone has that extra money, it sure isn't me.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all middle class overtaxed B.C'ers and to all of the poor working people on minimum wage in B.C. who are just trying to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads.

Yes, and I presume it is the middle class and poor who pay your wages and provide you with employment so you can pay those bills-which you yourself are responsible for accumulating.
Do not live beyond your means-do not so readily use plastic to purchase, and do not feel you are entitled to every luxury which hits the market.
Check out the ratio of rich, perhaps 10%, and the other 90% perhaps feel the same way you do. And many rely on the so called rich for that almighty paycheque.
Life is what you make it, and the responsibilities you took on you felt were justified and you could take care of them.
Remember, a lot of tax you pay goes to help those "poor" folk you are crying for.
I hope they put up the minimum wage to $16.00 an hour, and then let's hear you cry about increased taxes and prices, as believe me, the
additional money has to come from somewhere, and all the crybabies will not get off the hook.
Just take care of your own resources and learn to budget. Maybe you are better off than you think!

How sad that people like this still exist after all these years of evolution. Maybe Darwin was wrong!!! Or maybe this is what he called a throw back. hard to say. thanks for defending the disabled but I'm afraid many who are born to privilage or are increadibly lucky enough to prosper just do not understand human suffering and thus are doomed to a tremendous shock at the Pearly Gates!! At least we tried to help him to see the light but some just refuse to see the light. In response to your question we received a whole twenty dollars extra for xmas. This is to buy a turkey dinner and toys for our children. Yes I was invited to dinner but you'd be surprised at how many people (possibly like trusted) only do it once as we (the disabled) can never affords to return the favour. I can assure you that someone who receives $856/month for himself and his child to live knows how to budget like you will never know. Before you start to presume to understand the situation don't try to give advise on something you know nothing about. I repeat Merry Xmas to you. Enjoy what you nhave now as your monetary world is just an illusion.

You take the liberty of assuming my world is a monetary one?
You assume you are the only one who has lived on a limited income, and had to budget.
Do you get the $856.00 as a disabled payment, and do you receive additional funds for the care of the child, which I gather lives with you?
Do you pay for medical, dental, eyeglasses, prescriptions etc.?
I have had the same people come to my home 15 times at least in a year for dinner, and when they come for coffee, (often), they are given something to eat. I have never had a meal in their home, nor do I expect to. I was raised by parents who never begrudged any person food, and I suppose it rubbed off.
You also take the liberty of assuming those who acquire prosperity are "lucky." Luck has nothing to do with it. Hard work, dedication, and sacrifice should have its rewards. I have never collected a penny welfare or unemployment insurance. I was taught how to work at a young age and carried on.
Read your Bible. If one acumulates wealth through their own endeavors, they should not fear the pearly gates.
Blame the government all you want-and as for the people -I do not know what you expect from them? Perhaps you could inform us as to the payment we all owe you, and why?
Merry Christmas to you also.

Wow, lots of Christmas spirit going on here today ??

What a bunch of mucky-mucks.

Firstly, I think 2007 will be a better year for BC in general. I'm not a Campbell supporter, but I think he has achieved some great things for BC considering the years of mess he was left to clean up. I think we are on track at the very least.

Secondly, my socialist side would like to see every person employed in some way, placed in a position that suits their abilities. I've worked in environments where this has been done and it's an amazing experience. People who have been handed challenges in life, and fight back to make a life for themselves anyway, are some of the best employees anywhere. Able-bodied people tend to feel they can find a job somewhere else and don't try as hard. I have worked with people who have severe birth defects, like missing all four limbs, and they are gainfully employed and do a really good job for their employers. This can be made to work, with a little effort and reorganization. Splitting tasks, and job-sharing work well for people who have limited stamina.

I hate to join the "trusted" camp as we are often worlds apart, but come-on REALIST, live up to your name. From your posts alone, it seems you have spent at least half a day on the computer, doesn't that sound like something that can be turned into a job, somewhere, somehow ?

People are inherently lazy and if disability paid a livable wage, half the planet would be on it.
That's the crux of the whole matter. If you choose to stay status-quo, then you know what to expect. If you choose to change your life, anything is possible. All these people that you criticize for having anything, are not special people. Thirty years ago they were a bunch of stupid kids playing in the schoolyard. The only reason they have what they have is that they tried. Maybe you have been dealt a bad blow, but do you think it's an exclusive club ? I've been given the sh!tty end of the stick so many times, I've grown to like the taste of it.

Remember:

Falling is easy, it's getting back up that becomes the problem. And if you don't believe you can find a way out, you become the problem.

Go ahead and tar me, but I hope I just did you a favor. Like I said, I've worked with people who can't wave bye-bye and they run an office.

You will not get tarred by me.
You just said it better.

I am currently in third year at the UNBC. I am an honours level student. Social Policy is one of the courses I have taken at various levels. Highly educated individuals have taught me about what is really going on. I have fought for years to obtain the right to my education and i can tell you that i have had every possible barrier thrown in my face trying to prevent me from becomming a productive citizen. I do not want to depend on those who act and talk like trusted. So don't come down on me from being a dependant. If you lived in the disabled shoes and faced prejudice like we have seen here from Trusted you would know the reality of just how difficult it is to get an education that will allow you to be productive. A man who talks against allowing the disabled to live a life that is at least humane has little to offer society. And then to use god as a means to defend his belief in a false god(Money) shows me i have nothing further to share with a person of this ilk.

Get it together.
I did not state I was in any manner against assisting the disabled.
I asked you questions you avoid answering.
You have basically shared nothing other than voicing complaints on the horrifying system you are subjected to.
Tell the readers just what you feel we owe you-and why.
Tell us what you receive. In full.
Lay it on us, "share"-stop avoiding by attacking.
Is that your only defense? Attack-avoid?

trusted, I don't think that your questions will be answered in a satisfactory manner!!!

There are many countries in the world where there is indeed horrifying, grinding poverty.

Canada is NOT one of them, fortunately.

I have worked all my life, paid taxes all my life, generously supported charities all my life and I have never been even the least envious of people who possess more material wealth than I do.

One Gordon Campbell's policies have done more for everyone in this province than the previous four NDP premiers combined during a whole decade.

This is a great source of irritation to many people out there who just can't admit that it is a fact even though they themselves are benefitting from it.

Ok, ammonra, this is where you normally have something contrary to comment.

Let's have it.

Thanks diplomat.
I find it rather irritating when I cannot, under any circumstances, obtain an answer to my questions, which originated from anothers complaints.
I also have worked all my life-and so have many others. Some have become very well to do-while others have been satisfied with a reasonably secure life style.
I have been much more of a giver than a taker, and I have paid taxes and my just dues throughout the years. I have also felt at times I worked too hard to gain too little. What I have came from work, at times to the point of exhaustion, and I do not think any person has the right to attempt to belittle me by assuming I am wealthy, and therefore undeserving.
Without workers like myself, these same people that condemn would have far less.
What amazes me is their objection to give the information as to what they are the recipients of. Their condemnation of the system is uppermost, and nothing else has any bearing on their passing judgement against all except the disabled or handicapped.
Campbell has brought stability to this province. We should be pleased. I must say, my property taxes have increased, as have many other essentials. That surely is the price we pay for a viable, and vibrant economy. I am certain a portion of the extra money I pay out is to accommodate for the well being of the disabled.
I do not begrudge it.
Happy New Year-and let us work to keep the peace, both rich and poor.

Like i said above we Receive $856/month to live upon I do not receive any more than this. I get nothing to support my son. I do have a question for you though. If Gordon Campbell has been so good for the people of this province how has he managed to do the same for every province in Canada? The answer is of course that Campbell's policies have done nothing to help the citizens of British Columbia. What has helped has been the increased prices of natural resources. It is an accepted fact that government policies have very little effect on the economy. Campbell has been lucky to be in office at a time when natural resources are at a premium. If the NDP or the Greens or even the rhino party was in power we would still be swimming in money. This will become evident to all when these prices return to their normal levels and the taxpayer will be forced to increase his/her contribution to pay for the rebuilding of Canada's Social Safety net and the ludicriss tax breaks given to corporations. This is going to be horrendously expensive. Supporting the disabled or the homeless is much cheaper than trying to fix the problem after they have become engrained in the street ethic and must fight addictions or at best rebuild their lives. Those who think Campbell has been good for British Columbia are in for a shock when things go back to normal. No need to respond to this just note it and when it happens you will see once again that the truth was out there and most were living with their heads in the sand when something good should have been done.

Yes, I have my head in the sand. It's all luck and no skill, the world is a real b*tch out there.

Sorry, I can't discuss any more ultra left wing platitudes right now; too busy making a living and paying taxes.

Good luck! Perhaps your son can get some help from the other parent.

Yes it makes no sense to have a battle of wits with someone unarmed.

That is why I give up. I feel I am taking advantage of you by making the attempt to tell you we do not owe you a living simply because you happened to be born. We do so because we are humane.
Now you have graduated us to the addicts we should support, the street people, and next it will be the prostitutes. The government provides needle exchanges, methadone, shelters, food, etc., and it all comes from the people's pockets who work for a living to support themselves, and those who do not.
Yes, diplomat, it takes 2 to make a baby, and you can bet if REALIST is providing the home there is compensation, along with all medical, prescriptions, eyeglasses, dental plus plus.
REALIST has not stated what is expected for a welfare payment. I do not have any idea what we seemingly owe this person. I do not believe educating one with such high expectations of obtaining something for nothing will be of any advantage. Perhaps this is why the party has had difficulty in being accepted.
Speak up, REALIST, and tell us exactly what you expect from those of us who work.
We would seriously like to know. At least, I would.

The "and" in the last sentence-2nd paragraph, should be, "to" those who do not.

>"Yes it makes no sense to have a battle of wits with someone unarmed."<

Yes, indeed. You (REALIST) seem to be without any ammunition, except for some irrational remarks about Canada being horrifyingly cruel to those who think they deserve more and more.

The statement I made about the "other parent" and the responsibility that comes with procreating is the one that provoked the reply about the "battle of wits" and I am not surprised.

Trusted, a cable tv service plus internet costs at least several hundred dollars per year. Things can't be that bad when these are still affordable to a person that claims to be barely scraping by.

>"...to tell you we do not owe you a living simply because you happened to be born."<

Some people honestly believe that they are owed that much. They also claim that corporations never pay their fair share of the taxes, or even that they pay no taxes at all.

This of course means that the majority of all taxes are paid by ordinary working people and it is those ordinary working people whose taxes pay almost the whole bill for any social programs, no matter how generous or less generous they happen to be.

That is why you, trusted, are not being unreasonable when you ask to be given more details by a recipient who claims to have been treated unfairly.

It is only fair and reasonable.

"It is an accepted fact that government policies have very little effect on the economy. "

And here I was most certain that Ralph Klein's and his predecessor's policies discoverd oil in Leduc and gas and oil sands in the rest of Alberta...... ;-)

I know one thing that government policy in Alberta did do; they shared very little of the wealth accumulated through mere residency in a particular part of the country with the rest of Canada.

Like evertyhing else in the world, some things can be gotten BY SOME with hard work, while others are born with a silver spoon in their mouths, and yet others, no matter how hard they try, just can't progress to where they would like to be. And you can count Trump amongst the latter, even though he has billions.

Why people put others down because they do not happen to see things the way others do, is beyond me. Discuss differences, discuss similarities, and avoid discussion alltoghether if your's is the only world view there is you can accept.

Her a iwas gone for a few days to spend a wonderful Yuletide in Cinema and this whole discussion boils down to "I do more to be my brother's keeper than you do" .... "no you don't" comes the reply.

If one has to talk about giving to others, especially through taxes, then one really does not understand the spirit of giving.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/life/story.html?id=d4167859-05c0-4213-aa24-dbec3c707eb1

Now, on a related subject, isn't it too bad that our governments have put us into a postion where we have to give individually at all just to make sure everyone has the basic necessities?

Were or are tribal societies whose members are interdependant as mean spirited about giving? It seems to me to survive as an individual the whole must survive and for the whole to survive the individual must survive. Or maybe we simply must cull the elderly and the weak? Might as well from some of the discussion going on in here.

When I read such dribble, the thing I ask myself is "where has our upbringing failed us?"

Happy Yuletide to all.

"Trusted, a cable tv service plus internet costs at least several hundred dollars per year. Things can't be that bad when these are still affordable to a person that claims to be barely scraping by."

Diplomat .. perhaps you know where trusted lives. I do not. In the absence of my not knowing, why even bother a guess as to how one accesses the internet or cable TV?

If trusted, as just one of the "for instances", rents a living space where the TV and the computer use, among other services, are provided by the owner of the house or the operator of the house, those come at no cost.

The question is, how does one provide the bare necessities on the amount of money alloted? You know, those things that are a bit more difficult to get for nothing - shelter, furnishings, food, hygienic supplies, transportation, clothing, utensils, maybe even the odd ticket to a movie at Xmas time. Second-hand clothing and utensils, as well as furnishings can often be gotten at no cost or very low cost.

So, every day becomes another day when one's main purpose in life is to survive for yet another day. Some people have gotten themselves out of such positions to not have to spend everyday thinking of that. The majority of people in our society, however, were born into situations where they did not have to do much to pull themselves out of such situations.

Mostr people were given a formula they almost automatically followed more or less in the footsteps of their parents or peers through connections, knowing how to access resources, and getting a good kick start to set themselves up for relative success.

So don't everyone on here bitch about how you all had to toil and slave and how you still have to, because we know full well that most do not. Don't set yourselves up as martyrs, because you are far removed from being that, merely because you pay your taxes.

Just thought you should know that I do not receive one cent from his mother. I can thank you for going to work to pay for my lawyer who will help me get the piece of paper required to receive an extra $95 dollars per month (Their gross ineffiency not mine, and your dollars not mine). This will cost you about $5000 so thanks and I should also mention thanks for supporting the government that has seen a 70% increase in emergency usage of the disabled due to increased stress and poor treatment by the government. We put the figure around $600,000 dollars (in Prince George Alone) your tax money has paid to msp to fix what was avoidable in the first place. Keep supporting Gordo and these ridiculous false economy measures and we will keep using your tax dollars as band aids. So don't cry to me about having to pay taxes when it is the very people you claim to support that are screwing you out of your tax dollars. Wake up. Oh yeah, I get the internet through my University courses. I can't afford cable television and the internet is the only source of news information available to me. I perfer it as I don't end up repeating the corporate news by-line that supports good old Gordo and thus I don't look foolish by repeating the half truths and code used to hoodwink citizens like those on these pages. I speak to fix the system for everyone, while you speak to protect your misinformation thanks for continuing to pay though.

Methinks owl is a bit confused re the postings.
Maybe he has too many spirits in his bar and is imbibing a bit too much. Just maybe!
As no one has claimed to be a martyr-is he perhaps reading more into the opinions , thereby feeling more capable of rendering a logical and reasonable opinion?
It is my understanding even those on pension pay taxes, so tax relief must be a generosity extended to very few. Oh, by the way-are many old age pensioners on fixed incomes?
I am relieved owl is so knowledgeable they (he says "we"). just know we do not toil and slave.
It is not my main purpose to aim to survive yet another day.
I was given no formula, fortunately owl must have been the recipient of one.
Give it a rest, owl, before you have to kick start yourself into a reality check.
Whew-what will be next-and I sure don't think diplomat has a clue as to my identity, let alone knowing where I live?
By the way, I do not rent, and I pay my cable and internet. Yes, it is many hundred of dollars yearly. The initial purchase of a computer was expensive, but even the professed poor seem to have them.
Life cannot be all bad, now can it?

Cripes, will you gentlemen quit already.
Now we have upset REALIST to the point it may be necessary for a trip to emergency for more "stress meds." Stress trips by disabled increased to the tune of $600,000.00. We are getting into big trouble with this one.
And $5000.00 for a freebee lawyer which we are on the hook for, so he gets another $95.00 a month.
And mama pays zippo? Must be on assistance also.
And Campbell is responsible for it all, but he doesn't care, cause it is the lowly taxpayer that foots the bills.
I am beginning to think we are getting screwed without even getting kissed!
Now that hurts!

Trusted: "I recall in years passed, the families took care of their own."

I do not know how many years you would have to go back for that. How about those who have no family? You seem to peg people into holes which just do not exist for some.

Go back far enough and there was no public education ... but there were still taxes.

Go back far enough for many of the things which are provided from tax money these days and they did not exist .... but there were still taxes.

As has arissen in sevral postings on this site, the family is no longer what it used to be. We are getting closer and closer to the village not only raising the children but also taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves.

Should they remain silent and simply take what is given that may not be sufficient for a human being? Are they not part of society so much so that we have to lable them as ungratefulls?

How demeaning can you be!!?

"It is my understanding even those on pension pay taxes"

If their pension income is high enough and their deductions are not suffcient, then they most certainly do pay taxes.

While taxes may be withheld from income from government or private pension incomes, whether one ends up paying additional taxes at the end of the year or whether one receives refunds, is all a matter of individual situations.

One thing is for certain, whoever pays whatever amount of taxes, part of which is to go to those who are less fortunate and require assistance, certainly does not pay those taxes into any local coffers where one may have a more reasonable prospect of seeing how the money is actually spent. We cannot go to the City and demand they should be spending their money on different priorities. We are far to far removed from those who make those types of decisions.

Remember the Backpacker motel fiasco? Where and when are the housing units which the province was supposed to be building being built? Why are there so many street people in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, and all other large and even small cities in Canada? Are people getting lazier than they used to be? Is there a hidden "functional illiteracy" that few are aware of? Is it better to pay a qualified worker 1.5 times or even 2 times normal wage for overtime, or hire a new individual who may simply not be able to do the job? Let someone on here who has experience in hiring people into "starter jobs" tell us what frustrations he or she may have in hiring someone reliable.

It is a very simple concept based on adequate fact - not everyone is able to perform work as others can.

And, there is one other simple concept that ties in with that which is even more important - not everyone is willing to hire someone who is a much slower learner or may be an individual who can never achieve the norm working effectiveness expected for a position.

Some employers may be willing, but will only do so if they get some government incentives - topping up of wages to minimum wage; purchasing of a computer station which will stay with the company even though the individual it was bought for is eventually laid off, and so on.

So who is the money grabber in that case?

The system is frought with problems and we are too far removed from monitoring in more local detail those we pay taxes to.