Drago, You must not be considering the taxes you pay on gas and other consumer goods. Argue if you want but the fact remains, no one has given so much to so many as America has. Moreover, the vast differences in population alone makes your comparison irrelavant and, America took in alot more poor immigrants than Canada has over the past 200 years. Again, with all due respect, if it wasn't for America, Canadians woulldn't be enjoying their libertiies and freedoms. It was American energy and finance that stood against the Soviets. Just one more point, Canadian law has outlawed freedom of speech in churches, is there anything more basic to freedom than that?

The man said to the Universe
"Sir, I exist"
"Still" the Universe replied
"That fact has not created in me
a sense of obligation" ....Stephan Crane

I am 59 years old, I have had a heart attack, heart surgery, back surgery, and a broken neck in the past 3 years. I do not qualify for any more insurance other than what I already have which by the way, I pay alot for. I do not get any govt subsidy or disability. I am not wealthy by any sense of measurement. But ya know what, that's life, there are no guarantees, no entitlements, and no expectations of others paying my bills.
To those who want to whine about some percieved entitlement, to those who want to consider themselves a minority or a victims, that is your choice. This old Marine ain't buying it... Semper Fi

Bigtrader, Is it not written that the poor will always be with us, and is it not written that a man should give as it is purposed in HIS heart, and is it not written that a person that won't work (when he is able to of course) doesn't deserve to eat? I also recall reading that a person that doesn't take care of his family is worse than an infidel, no?

my source of income is from trading, I havn't worked in over 5 years do to injury/illness. My wife is the primary breadwinner at this time and the medicals bills are stacked up but I pay what I can. My intention is to pay it them all. As a result my lifelong outstanding credit rating is shot. My income throughout the years has been avg to slightly above. Like most, we had good times and bad times. Always, have we lived within our means and payed our own way, saved and put our 2 kids through school. I have made plenty of bad choices in my life including career choices but I own those choices and the ramifications therein. It is not the responsibility of others to pay for my poor choices.

Where in the scriptures you quoted does it say anything remotely indicating the gov't should take one''s money and give it to another? Giving is both a privelege and a moral imperitive, it is not however a statitory obligation devised by some guilt ridden govt beaurocrat.

Drago, time and writing skills prolly limit the expression of our stated thoughts, and you are correct that this isn't a pissing contest.

Of course by necessity there needs to be some form of social order which invariably will cause most individuals to conform to a manner of behavior that is acceptable to the greater good, and that will prevent us from acting out from our most base natures and ego centric frailties. Balance of course is the key and not allowing a centralized govt to assume unreasonable level of power over the citizenry.......... Don't ya just love our tea party movement? it is non violent (so far) but in your face, it has attracted a diverse and growing populace, and most are far from being ignorant red-necks. It is America reminding our bloated beurocrats that they work for us and demanding that we are a constitutional republic of the people, by the people, for the people. It is purely American not by nature but by design.

Bigtrader, Is it not written that the poor will always be with us, and is it not written that a man should give as it is purposed in HIS heart, and is it not written that a person that won't work (when he is able to of course) doesn't deserve to eat? I also recall reading that a person that doesn't take care of his family is worse than an infidel, no?

my source of income is from trading, I haven't worked in over 5 years do to injury/illness. My wife is the primary breadwinner at this time and the medicals bills are stacked up but I pay what I can. My intention is to pay it them all. As a result my lifelong outstanding credit rating is shot. My income throughout the years has been avg to slightly above. Like most, we had good times and bad times. Always, have we lived within our means and payed our own way, saved and put our 2 kids through school. I have made plenty of bad choices in my life including career choices but I own those choices and the ramifications therein. It is not the responsibility of others to pay for my poor choices.

Where in the scriptures you quoted does it say anything remotely indicating the gov't should take one''s money and give it to another? Giving is both a privilege and a moral imperitive, it is not however a statitory obligation devised by some guilt ridden govt beaurocrat.