Comment 65514

By d.knox (registered) | Posted July 04, 2011 at 14:26:43

Great photos, WRCU2.

I have a problem with someone who makes his living from the poverty industry telling me that I shouldn't worry about how much I'm paying in taxes.

I know that all of my taxes don't go to the people who "through no fault of their own" rely on social assistance. But I don't want someone who makes a great living living off these people telling me not to worry my pretty little head and think instead about how much more these people need.

They have enough to live. Enough. Not great, but enough. So enough. There are some barriers to work, yes, but there are also people who are able to work who do a cost benefit analysis to see if it's worth their while getting a job or if they are better off continuing to rely on other people's tax deductions. Being on welfare is a sustainable life, especially if augmented with some bottle scavenging, a little pan, and a few visits to the many food banks in the core.

We don't have a perfect system, but honestly, don't try to tell me that Hamilton is better off because we have a thriving poverty industry. What is the cost of putting off so many people who can't stomach downtown. What is the cost of maintaining a city core with people who can't attract decent stores and businesses. What is the cost of sending people with money out of the city to do their shopping? What is the cost of sustaining a reputation as a city to be avoided?

There are many, many, many great things about Hamilton, but increasing the social assistance rolls isn't one of them. Hamilton is already very attractive to poor people. Enough already.

Oh, and Hi, Grassroots.

Comment edited by d.knox on 2011-07-04 14:28:23

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