You are protesting… what?

So, here in Calgary we currently have a bunch of protesters marching around. Waving signs, camping in our parks, and complaining about… wait, what are they complaining about?

So far, I have seen them spew hate upon rich people, government, capitalism, oil companies, and banks. Ok, I understand that in the United States, the government spent 550 billion bailing out a few rich guys that just kept on giving themselves bonuses. I can see that that is a problem. But, here in Canada, that didn’t happen! So, what is your problem?

If I had to pick one word to summarize what these people are protesting, I would have to go with capitalism. There are a few other things that they dislike, but capitalism is one of the more common threads. Now, frankly, I find this ridiculous!

I support the right to free speech, and of the right to protest. But protesting something without any (valid) alternative is insane at best! Let me explain. While definitions vary, the simple idea of capitalism is that companies can go out and make profit. Anyone is free to make a profit and is entitled to most of it. The government can tax it, within reason, but cannot take it away or give it out to everyone else.

Now, aside from the fact that you would remove basic freedoms by removing capitalism, let’s look at the alternatives. Socialism? That would work… until someone had to pay for it. You see, socialism looks great on paper, but is near impossible to pull off long-term. It sounds great, you know, all the government benefits, services, and assistance. But guess what! The government doesn’t make that money themselves. They get it from us. Some amount of socialism is necessary, but an entire nation based upon it? The companies would just fold up and move. The rich people would find someplace else. And the fact is, we need them. Rich people make the majority of charitable donations, not poor people. Rich people give out scholarships and donate to universities. Poor people don’t. Take away the rich, and not only do you lose out on many things, but then the people receiving the social services get to pay for it all on their own. And that wouldn’t work, would it?

What other alternatives are there? Well, there is always communism. Everyone gets to have an equal share of profit and property. Wait, that sounds exactly like what these protesters want! But there is a problem. Communism never works. Again, it relies on the government. Entirely. And let’s face it, government is never perfect. China is a communist country, but how many Canadians want to throw everything down and move to China? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Alright, so now what? Well, it is worth noting that Canada is NOT an entirely capitalist country. If we were, we would not always be shutting down private health care or giving out so many services to people. We have a balance between the two. It is a balance that allows the very poor people to collect from others, while still not becoming a tyrant towards the rich. The rich still pay far more in taxes. In fact, 0.7% of Canada’s population, pay over 19% of all our income tax. And 5.7% of Canadians, those who make $100,000 or more a year, pay 44% of all income tax. So why are you complaining about the rich? It isn’t like that 5.7% is using all that federal tax or needs the services! Guess who gets a lot of it? The poor! (statistics courtesy of CRA)

In my mind, Canada is a great country. Not perfect, but great. I support the right for the protesters to protest, but I think they need to think for a while first. If you can’t give an alternative that would work better than what we have, then don’t complain about what we have. Rich people sometimes cheat, lie, and misuse their wealth. But so do many people. You demand ultimate freedom, but want to take away the freedom of the rich. You demand money and services, and yet hate upon the people that supply much of the money that gives you those services. Figure out what you are REALLY protesting, if anything, and maybe then people will care. As it stands, you are only a waste of time and money: using our public washrooms and camping in our public parks. Get real or get out.

AverageAlbertan

Tags: alberta, calgary, canada, capitalism, government, money, occupy wall street, rich, socialism

Justice ignored when Muslims are involved?

Since when did Canada become a country whose laws only applied to white men and women? Alright, perhaps “only” is an  exaggeration, but nevertheless, a recent incident in Toronto to one of my favourite journalists brings a disturbing fact to light: Muslims get special treatment.

Let me just say that I am by no means trashing Muslims. I love Canada, including all of its citizens. I am more than happy to share this country with anyone, regardless of race. What I have a problem with, in fact, is how the white people are behaving. More specifically, how P.C. Tom R**** (name blocked for personal reasons) and the Toronto Police Department do not do their duties when Muslims are involved.

The incident I early referred to occurred on Sunday, July 31^st. David Menzies, or “The Menzoid” as he is sometimes called, was taking pictures with his new camera in Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, along with his nine-year-old son. During which, he encountered a furious woman in a hijab, who apparently picked him out of all the other citizens with cameras. She yelled at him and then hit him. David and his young son were then surrounded by approximately 20 Arab men and ordered to give up the $1,200 camera. He grabbed his son and fled to four nearby police officers.

David explained his story, and that he wanted to press assault charges. An older couple from Syria approached and said that they were willing to act as witnesses, having seen the entire ordeal. This couple also understood Arabic, explaining that what had been spoken by the Arab crowd was far from pleasant. The main officer took their statements, and then went to talk to the Muslim woman, still cursing. After a few moments he came back, and said that no charges would be laid.

NO CHARGES?!? This woman assaulted an innocent man for doing a completely legal thing in a public place. Two eye witnesses have backed that story up. Oh, and may I point out that the police videotape Yonge-Dundas Square? That’s right – it is one of the places in Toronto that is constantly under surveillance. The police have the evidence already!

Look, I have complete respect for all Muslim women, and I think it is great that they have chosen Canada as their home. However, Canada is not the Middle East. We have rules, and I would expect ALL people, regardless of our racial, cultural, and political differences, to abide by them. I think the Toronto police need to get some things sorted out fast, as this is not the first time a Muslim has escaped justice because of being a Muslim (Tamal Tiger incident in 2009, anyone?).

AverageAlbertan

Tags: Justice, Muslims, Police, Toronto

Why I won’t go “paperless”

So, I recently read an article in the newspaper about how a large amount of people are going “paperless.” To be more specific, they are using technology such as the internet, Ipad, and Kindle in place of newspapers, books, and magazines. I agree that these things are fabulous, not to mention quite easy to use. But frankly, I will always stay with good ol’ paper.

Call me old fashioned if you will, but I still like to hold the book I am reading in my hand, and not a laptop or other piece of metal. I like having my textbooks or reference manuals in front of me, and not stored in a hard drive. Kindle has, just recently, released university textbooks that one can rent and use as an e-book. I know, I know, it does save money sometimes. But it just isn’t the same!

There is a completely different feel between the two things. Something about picking the newspaper up off the driveway in the morning, scanning through the various, albeit often uninteresting, articles while sipping coffee makes it more satisfying for me. I spend plenty of time working on my laptop, I don’t want my leisure time to be spent staring at it as well!

It is true; there is an environmental benefit to reading the news online instead of the newspaper, or reading an e-book instead of a hardcover. However, I just don’t like it. It doesn’t feel natural for me. There is a complex connection between me and paper that won’t let me forget it, won’t let me go “paperless.”

AverageAlbertan

Tags: Books, life, Newspaper, Paper

Social Media – Worth it?

Alright, so it seems everyone uses some form of social media these days. Some, such as myself, spend very little time involved in it. Others spend the majority of their free time and more surfing the likes of Facebook and Twitter, checking recent blogs, and finding out what their plethora of barely-know-you friends are doing. My question to both kinds of peopleis this: is it really worth it?

The good: In all honesty, social media is probably one of the biggest achievements of the 21^st century. It allows people to reconnect with family members and old friends, assists in events such as the uprising in Egypt, and overall it opens up aspects of the world that many would never have been aware of. No newspaper, television show, or book could ever reach the heights that social media has. That sounds all fine and dandy.

The bad: Social media, unfortunately, has the habit of bringing the words “too good to be true” into my mind. There is no way something can be so great and not have a downfall of sorts. As I pay more and more attention to those around me, I realize the simple fact that the downfall of social media is that it IS too good. It is so good in its purpose that people become addicted to instant news updates, tracking their favourite celebrities, and talking with friends all night.

I mean, are hundreds of texts and tweets a day really necessary to keep up good relationships with your friends? My opinion in that regards might be ever so slightly biased, having never sent a text message in my life, but I fail to see how one must depend upon texts, tweets, and Facebook updates in order to have a successful social life. Which brings me to my previous question: is it all worth it?

The Point of it All: Spend a week, or even a couple of days tracking how much time you spend using all forms of social media. After doing so, let me know what you think. Is that time “well wasted,” as some might say, or is this phenomenon removing precious hours out of what little one has to begin with?

AverageAlbertan

Tags: life, social media, the internet