- Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Hamilton - June 30, 2017, at Bayfront Park, Pier 8, 57 Discovery Drive, Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 8K4
- 8 Upcoming Events...
Recent Articles
- Review: Canadada: Take Twoby Ryan McGreal, published June 26, 2017 in Reviews
(4 comments)
- It Takes a Village to Raise a Gardenby Karl Andrus, published June 26, 2017 in Commentary
(0 comments)
- Drive In The Drive-in Againby Kevin Somers, published June 26, 2017 in Entertainment and Sports
(0 comments)
- Helping Make Change Happen in Stinson Neighbourhoodby Adam Chiaravalle, published June 23, 2017 in Commentary
(2 comments)
- Durand Neighbourhood Association Celebrates 45th Anniversary with a Party in Durand Park on June 24by Christopher Redmond, published June 21, 2017 in Events
(0 comments)
- Let's Go Dutch Part IX: Intersectionsby Kevin Love, published June 21, 2017 in Special Report: Cycling
(2 comments)
- Meet Me at the Bell Towerby Laura Farr, published June 21, 2017 in Commentary
(0 comments)
- Let's go Dutch Part VIII: Busy Streets Do Not Have to be Unsafeby Kevin Love, published June 13, 2017 in Special Report: Cycling
(5 comments)
- A Better Manby Doreen Nicoll, published June 08, 2017 in Healing Gaia
(0 comments)
- You Can't Spell Streets Without Treesby Chelsea Lowes, published June 07, 2017 in Events
(1 comment)
- The Burden to Prevent Needless Traffic Fatalitiesby Adrian Duyzer, published June 06, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
(5 comments)
- It's Not Just About How Much the Rings Costby Cameron Kroetsch, published June 06, 2017 in Commentary
(22 comments)
- Everyone Deserves Safe Streetsby Ryan McGreal, published June 06, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
(4 comments)
- Crawl Into the Buildingby Kevin Somers, published June 02, 2017 in Entertainment and Sports
(4 comments)
- Let's go Dutch part VII: Stop Killing Children!by Kevin Love, published June 01, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
(20 comments)
- Minimum Wage Increase a Modest But Welcome Policy Changeby Ryan McGreal, published May 31, 2017 in Commentary
(7 comments)
- Josh Weresch: Singer-Songwriter a Voice for Those who Need Their Stories Toldby Doreen Nicoll, published May 25, 2017 in Healing Gaia
(0 comments)
- Celebrate Cycling in Hamilton with Bike to Work Dayby Alex Ricci, published May 23, 2017 in Events
(0 comments)
- Carouselby Timothy R. Trebilcock, published May 23, 2017 in Commentary
(0 comments)
- Criticism is Essential but False Fact Claims Don't Helpby Ryan McGreal, published May 15, 2017 in Media
(11 comments)
Article Archives
Blog Archives
Site Tools
Feeds
By A Smith (anonymous) | Posted March 04, 2012 at 23:20:16 in reply to Comment 74998
Here is something that will blow your mind...
From 1990Q3-1995Q3, Canadian real GDP averaged 1.75%.
Since that time, we have focused on being lean and mean. Low deficits, low welfare and corporate tax cuts.
What have these changes done for economic growth. Well, since 2000, real GDP has averaged only 1.57%. It gets better, from 2005-2011, real GDP averaged only 0.89%.
Meanwhile, we have more people accessing food-banks and record household debt.
In the U.S., the story is similar. From 1990-95, prior to welfare reform, real GDP averaged 2.62%. Since 2000, it has averaged only 1.78%. And from 2005, it has managed only 0.89%.
You said this a while back...
"that's because morality is not, and should not I think, be part of economic decision-making. "
Okay, then how about pragmatism?
If it can be seen that higher welfare leads to better GDP growth (and likely lower health costs), isn't that a good reason to help the poor?
Permalink | Context