Comments on: A Society of Pensioners http://www.thepolitic.com/archives/2005/05/27/a-society-of-pensioners/ Conservative group weblog that publishes daily commentary on political events and topics affecting Canada, the United States and the world. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:50:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: ThePolitic - Canadian Political Weblog » Ken Dryden: No Place for Liberty http://www.thepolitic.com/archives/2005/05/27/a-society-of-pensioners/#comment-69519 ThePolitic - Canadian Political Weblog » Ken Dryden: No Place for Liberty Tue, 31 Jan 2006 19:38:36 +0000 http://www.thepolitic.com/?p=623#comment-69519 [...] As for his rhetorical question speculating if the government had simply doled out $100 to people 100 years ago, one can respond by speculating what society will look like when government has taken over all aspects of Canadian society. For instance, 3 million Canadians, about 10% of the total population, work for one level of government (including federal, provincial, and municipal). Having so many “pensioners” (Edmund Burke’s term) is bad for society because it makes for dependence and stifles dissent (who’d criticize government if their job was on the line?). Moreover, means Canada has a sizeable faction directly interested in the expansion of government. [...] [...] As for his rhetorical question speculating if the government had simply doled out $100 to people 100 years ago, one can respond by speculating what society will look like when government has taken over all aspects of Canadian society. For instance, 3 million Canadians, about 10% of the total population, work for one level of government (including federal, provincial, and municipal). Having so many “pensioners” (Edmund Burke’s term) is bad for society because it makes for dependence and stifles dissent (who’d criticize government if their job was on the line?). Moreover, means Canada has a sizeable faction directly interested in the expansion of government. [...]

]]> By: Tom http://www.thepolitic.com/archives/2005/05/27/a-society-of-pensioners/#comment-770 Tom Mon, 30 May 2005 19:10:59 +0000 http://www.thepolitic.com/?p=623#comment-770 Wow, so by implication what brought down the USSR was that it couldn't hire enough state operatives? Questions about liberty, civil association, pluralism, responsible government, or self-government aren't as problematic as the technical question of hiring enough people? Yes, Canadians are demanding more and more from their government. But shouldn't Canadians also examine whether that's such a good idea? Do we really need government to wipe our bums and blow our noses for us? If we asked that of our government, would you still respond that it's up to government to hire the right amount of bum wipers and nose blowers? Wow, so by implication what brought down the USSR was that it couldn’t hire enough state operatives? Questions about liberty, civil association, pluralism, responsible government, or self-government aren’t as problematic as the technical question of hiring enough people?

Yes, Canadians are demanding more and more from their government. But shouldn’t Canadians also examine whether that’s such a good idea? Do we really need government to wipe our bums and blow our noses for us? If we asked that of our government, would you still respond that it’s up to government to hire the right amount of bum wipers and nose blowers?

]]> By: ThePolitic - Canadian Political Weblog » A message from the Government of Canada: stick ‘em up! http://www.thepolitic.com/archives/2005/05/27/a-society-of-pensioners/#comment-765 ThePolitic - Canadian Political Weblog » A message from the Government of Canada: stick ‘em up! Mon, 30 May 2005 14:22:00 +0000 http://www.thepolitic.com/?p=623#comment-765 [...] Tom Cerber’s recent points on the growing size and scope of Canadian government are wor [...] [...]
Tom Cerber’s recent points on the growing size and scope of Canadian government are wor [...]

]]> By: Lyndon Simmons http://www.thepolitic.com/archives/2005/05/27/a-society-of-pensioners/#comment-764 Lyndon Simmons Mon, 30 May 2005 13:43:23 +0000 http://www.thepolitic.com/?p=623#comment-764 Which would be worse for democracy? Having enough, or not having enough employees to design, implement, manage and evaluate government policy? Citizens are demanding more services and work from governments, which is why governments, in turn, need to hire more employees. And, whereas it is true that governments pay their employees from tax revenues, it is also important to remember that these employees also pay taxes (thus, effectively, paying part of their own wages). I also think it is a pretty big stretch to claim that all government employees (and their families) are being held hostage by fear. If anyone failed in the case in Quenel, it was the union who is charged with protecting the rights of their employees. Which would be worse for democracy? Having enough, or not having enough employees to design, implement, manage and evaluate government policy? Citizens are demanding more services and work from governments, which is why governments, in turn, need to hire more employees.

And, whereas it is true that governments pay their employees from tax revenues, it is also important to remember that these employees also pay taxes (thus, effectively, paying part of their own wages).

I also think it is a pretty big stretch to claim that all government employees (and their families) are being held hostage by fear. If anyone failed in the case in Quenel, it was the union who is charged with protecting the rights of their employees.

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