The debate, however, has now moved well beyond a dispute over the price of education in Quebec. The larger question being posed is of what kind of society we want to be. While this existential problem is important for a people to grapple with, it will not be solved by our citizens taking to the streets. The real answer can be found in Quebec’s finances.Now some may be confused why I would be angry, afterall I have written several posts on this blog that say that indeed austerity is needed, and it is. It's needed for everyone. However, the austerity and cuts proposed are not for everyone now are they journalists? They are centered on the wrong generation.
As Mr. Bouchard stated last week, there is a limit to the burden taxpayers can carry with respect to paying for social services. In Quebec, although we seem incapable of accepting it, we reached that limit some time ago.
Worried about their bleak futures and the debt that they have been saddled with by previous generations, many students are furious – and they are justified in their anger. But more of the same, which is what they propose, is not the answer.
Quebec will not escape the fiscal hole it has put itself in by continuing to dig deeper and passing the buck once again to the next generation. The only solution to our troubles is to change our economic and financial model, and in the short term at least, this means cuts.
So, instead of pointing the finger at the culprits who have created the situation journalists have decided to focus their attention on the angry students who while justified to be angry, simply are not providing all the answers. Their solutions won't work. Their ideas are crap, etc.
Well no fucking shit, journalists. Have you forgotten that these students are not paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to come up with solutions? Instead of saying the students don't have perfectionist proposals why are you instead not asking where is the justice? Why are you instead not asking why it's had to come to the point where now world-wide there are riots in the streets? Why is it so hard to point the finger at those responsible for the waste in the first place?
I've got some news for you journalists, its not the "cuts" this generation is angry about. Its that the "cuts" are aimed squarely at them while the generation who benefited from the fudged numbers laughs all the way to the bank. I think if those in power were honest about the situation, there wouldn't be any riots. If the responsiblity was shared, then maybe an entire generation wouldn't feel like they're getting fucked. But it's not shared, now is it?
If "austerity" is to be accepted by populations around the world, it comes with a price. The price is the leaders and people who have created the need for austerity must admit they are guilty, that they fucked up, that their economic policies don't work, and that big problems face every man, woman, and child on this earth. But they're not admitting that. Instead they say this generation is just too damned "entitled" while savoring their own sacred entitlements as untouchable.
Honesty and responsiblity. The policies don't matter, its not the "policies" people are angry about. It's the completely unfair and disproportionate way the policies are being implemented. Yes, austerity is needed - that includes for the baby boomers, and that includes for the leaders.
NO MORE RED CARPET G8/G20 SUMMITS.
OAS AT 67 FOR EVERYONE - NOT JUST THOSE YOUNGER.
NO MORE ENDLESS WAR.
NO MORE BAILOUTS.
NO MORE.
You want some compromise? Then compromise.
And to the journalists, do your damn jobs. Stop blaming those who were born in to this shit show for not having all the answers, instead why don't you ask those in charge why they don't have all the answers? They're getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to have the answers, so why don't they?
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Richard Fantin is a self-taught software developer who has mostly throughout his career focused on financial applications and high frequency trading. He currently works for CenturyLink
Nazayh Zanidean is a Project Coordinator for a mid-sized construction contractor in Calgary, Alberta. He enjoys writing as a hobby on topics that include foreign policy, international human rights, security and systemic media bias.
You know, it was always easier to make the weakest ones guilty, but I am afraid this is not the case. It is too obvious that students cannot be responsible for their quite logical anger. Have you ever thought of the amounts of cash being spent on education segment…so how come the debt is getting bigger and bigger when profits are obvious? It does not make any sense to me. Maybe the problem is in people who are responsible for the money management. Stop wasting money and be prepared to help students, dear government of the US. We need educated nation!
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