December 2011

Work For All Supports

Plan Canada’s “Sponsor a Child” program. This program focuses on creating hope and opportunities for children born into communities and families trapped by systemic poverty. Our contributions provide:

 

 

 

• Adequate nutrition

• Water and sanitation

• Healthcare

• Education

• Family income

 

Thoughts on the Occupy Movement

In 1977, I was attending Royal Roads Military College as an officer cadet. I got paid $1500 per month, but after the army deducted food and shelter, I ended up with about $150 a month in my pocket. Even in 1977, $150 did not buy very many British car parts, trips to Dairy Queen, or movie tickets. I was lucky to have room and board because it would have been tough to make ends meet otherwise.

I have been reading about people across North America occupying parks within cities. I think they are protesting how unequal the wealth is distributed in our Capitalist society. I understand that this is something to complain about – why should I have a home and food and clothing while others are forced to live in the park? But wait… most of the protesters are choosing to leave their homes and choosing not to work or look for work. They prefer to camp in the park.

Pictures in the newspaper showed some of these people set up in comfortable chairs operating their lap top computers!

Here are my points of contention:

1. There is no limit to the creation of wealth. Our North American society spends less than 4% of our GDP on food. All the rest is on “stuff” like nice clothes, entertainment, transportation, and the arts.These are all things that count towards our GDP, but certainly not things we need to survive as a species. Those of us fortunate enough to live in our Capitalist western world have the means to increase the number of people in the top percentile of salaries and wages – by working.

2. Since when is wealth a right or something that government should control?

3. There are still countries in the world where people do not have access to food or education. No matter what skills they possess or what efforts they make, they do not have the opportunity to work so they can earn an income to support their families.

 

Today, the world poverty line is set at $1.25 per person per day, which is about $37 per month. Contrast this figure with the fact that the poverty line in America is about $30 a day or $900 per month. Global statistics indicate that almost 5.15 billion people live on less than $10 a day.

“As a business owner, contributing together with eighty other skilled personnel, I can attest that we are creating value and wealth from our effort that did not exist prior to our involvement in the economy – Capitalism Works!”