Topic: Ontario Get Together

I'd better write it on my calendar before my chemo brain forgets!

Is it 2:00 or 12:00?  There seems to be some confusion about time.

That is what I thought.

Hey Pretty, thanks for the invite....it sounds like fun!  I'll be there with a flat chest, upholstered with purchased silicone stuffing, which hopefully will help me to blend right in.  If anyone needs an extra set of chestal equipment, I can bring a set along, from my skinny post-chemo days.

I was walking to work this morning (downtown Toronto) and saw a bus gassing up:  a free bus to the fabulous Vaugham Mills shopping mall.  I was thinking....hm...I should *do* that sometime.  What a co-incident!

It will be nice to meet all you trouble-making rabble-rousers.

Cheers,

 K 

PiP;  Troublemaker indeed!!!

OT but apropos:  Isn't it a shame that our neighbour never thinks twice about its citizens paying for a war that is costing billions, but has a real problem caring for the health of those same citizens.  And as for the last two posts over there:  I thought it was the previous government that stomped all over the Constitution.   Hmmmmmm.......That thread is really turning political, I'm afraid.  Too bad, it was such an interesting discussion.

Yes, I just don't understand their math.  Taxes or premiums?  Job benefit or more real pay?  No wonder they are in such a financial and medical crisis.

I'm grateful too, to be here.  But I get a bit humble when I realize that we're all in the same boat, in many ways, and many of them wish there was another way.  We may be getting a skewed reaction, that the most vocal are the most conservative  For some, that constitution is part of their DNA, (maybe literally!)....In the same way, we feel passionately about our health care system...we really do.  What I don't understand is: that some of them have just been touched by this terrible disease, and they still don't see how horrible it is for some of their sisters to be financially devastated on top of the physical devastation. 

I think it boils down to a couple of things:

1.  A fervent belief in a free, non-regulated market economy, regardless of how it actually impacts society as a whole.

2.  A continuing fear of socialism as a result of past American/Soviet mutual hatred and competition, as well as McCarthyism.

Many forward-thinking people are well over those fears, but others aren't, just as racism continues 150 years after the Civil War.  And now they're fearing Hispanics.

Many, IMO, are very inward-looking.  Those are the ones who don't learn about the rest of the world in school, they don't travel outside the country very much (think George Bush!!), and they are indoctrinated at an early age (and throughout their school years) that the American way is the right -- and only -- way.  Thus anything from other countries is automatically suspect.

The U.S. continues to believe it should be the world's "manager" -- hence its humungous defence (offence?!!) budget.  If only some of that money would be put toward providing healthcare.......  I actually think that is the real reason every other first world country can afford universal healthcare -- considering that the UK has been heavily involved in Bush's Iraq war, it's now having to put the brakes on some of its NHS services.

Just my (late night) thoughts!

Barbe, are you KRAZY????  Oh boy, it's like poking the Beast with a pointed stick! 

Hi Ladies, I don't come here very often anymore but would love to join you on August 9th.  I live in Oakville if anyone from this area (Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga) wants to go but doesn't have a ride.

Thanks PIP, I look forward to meeting you too.  I feel kinda out of it not being here much anymore so I really appreciate the comment.

Hey PIP they didn't bite! I'm really surprised! I've been looking over my shoulder all day. Do you think they're forming a secret attack?????

I can't think of anything that will break through to them.  I suspect the last post saying that those against reform are the ones who have good coverage and aren't afraid of losing it.  I bet they would change their minds pretty quickly if they were on the other side of the fence!