For me, it's not about the taxes. Canada is a pretty heavily taxed country, but for the most part, I don't really mind. There are inefficiencies that could be eliminated, but all-in-all, from a money perspective, it's not that surprising.
Yes, I did cherry pick a case because it's so shocking and horrendous - it's an extreme example of what can happen in a society that has given up so much in exchange for such and extensive social net. We're not talking a bit of a social net to help people get by in their time of need. We're talking one of the most comprehensive most far reaching social nets in the world. And what they've given up in exchange for this is enormous. Their data collection on the citizens, for example, is much more invasive. The right to personal privacy, and to live slightly outside the box has been curtailed. It even impacts the parenting. Not only is it not affordable for most Swedes to raise a family on one income - it's virtually unheard of. The daycare is provided, and the citizens are expected to use it, and work. There are sectors in Canada that are pushing for government sponsored daycare. It scares the living daylights out of me. Yes, there is an urgent need for quality, affordable childcare. Yes, I would support that even if it meant slightly higher taxes for me. HOWEVER, universal government sponsored daycare has the potential be a scary thing - especially if it takes wrong turn somewhere and results in less liberty.
Sure, there are horrific cases of neglect and abuse on a parental side, but giving up our liberty hasn't solved the problem. It hasn't gone away. It happens here. It happens in Sweden. It happens to homeschooled kids, and it happens to kids in the school system. It is now illegal to homeschool in Sweden (although it was still legal when Dominic Johanssen was taken). From my perspective, this is a huge move backward and it is infringing on parent's right to raise their child as best as s/he/they see fit.
no subject
Yes, I did cherry pick a case because it's so shocking and horrendous - it's an extreme example of what can happen in a society that has given up so much in exchange for such and extensive social net. We're not talking a bit of a social net to help people get by in their time of need. We're talking one of the most comprehensive most far reaching social nets in the world. And what they've given up in exchange for this is enormous. Their data collection on the citizens, for example, is much more invasive. The right to personal privacy, and to live slightly outside the box has been curtailed. It even impacts the parenting. Not only is it not affordable for most Swedes to raise a family on one income - it's virtually unheard of. The daycare is provided, and the citizens are expected to use it, and work. There are sectors in Canada that are pushing for government sponsored daycare. It scares the living daylights out of me. Yes, there is an urgent need for quality, affordable childcare. Yes, I would support that even if it meant slightly higher taxes for me. HOWEVER, universal government sponsored daycare has the potential be a scary thing - especially if it takes wrong turn somewhere and results in less liberty.
Sure, there are horrific cases of neglect and abuse on a parental side, but giving up our liberty hasn't solved the problem. It hasn't gone away. It happens here. It happens in Sweden. It happens to homeschooled kids, and it happens to kids in the school system. It is now illegal to homeschool in Sweden (although it was still legal when Dominic Johanssen was taken). From my perspective, this is a huge move backward and it is infringing on parent's right to raise their child as best as s/he/they see fit.