>The federal governement play Robin Hood. It takes money from the richest provinces to give it to the poorest.
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>The principle seem simple enough, but it have many rules and not everyone agree or understand them well enough, so it's a matter of frequent dispute between provinces and the federal governement.
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>>Why the transfer payments? How does that work?

Sylvain;

I have been enjoying the exchange about Canada. Very interesting.

We have many policies as to how tax money is redistributed. In fact it works from federal to the state level, from state to community and down to some individuals. Now, some poor people get a little and the rich get a lot. That last part is important. If you are rich you should get richer. If you are poor you should get poorer.

We have a conflict as to how we treat our citizens and residents in need. The Protestant Ethic, which our country is founded upon (along with the Puritan beliefs) states, “Every man must help himself”. Therefore government should not help the individual. The Catholic belief is to help those in need to help themselves. Our political ideology is closely tied to and influences many political beliefs and actions.

The most important thing about being a citizen or resident of the United States is to remain in debt so you have no time to worry about anything that happens outside of yourself. Keep buying material objects to keep the economy going and use your credit card – you know that little piece of plastic.

The way civilization works is simple: First you bring the missionaries to introduce Christianity and then you pass out Macy’s credit cards. Having accomplished those two things you can truly say that you are a “civilized community”.

Today it may not be religious beliefs we are pedaling as that has been replaced by economic incentives. And as for the Macy’s credit card, any credit card will do – even loans to foreign countries. Once we have civilized you, you will never be the same.


Tom