Middle Class Entitlements

Likewise, in Just Trust Us, another book that is part of The underground royal commission Report, author Patrick Boyer laments what universal social programs have done to the Canadian character:

….The past decades, marked in part by the growth of government and also by changes in the expectations of Canadians, have witnessed the crossing of a subtle yet real threshold, from dependency into a new state of false dependency. That is, we have shifted from being a healthy and interactive community to one that is dependent on unsustainable programs and structures that do not reinforce our national self-reliance or our personal self-governance, or even our sustainability within the natural environment. This crossover marked the transition from a collective character of frugality, which had ensured financial accountability in the past, toward a culture of expectations and an indifferent acceptance of irresponsible government. The consequence is that when it comes to governing our country, on most matters we seem to be not only very busy, but also quite baffled.

….When social security payments are made to all citizens regardless of need, as happens with universality, the result is a total welfare state.

Are Universal Social Programs Sustainable?

In previous chapters of this course, we have asked you to reflect on the taxes you pay to sustain government programs. Please take some time now to reflect on the benefits you receive from government via universal social programs. Is there a balance for you? Do you feel we, as a nation, can continue to pay for universal social programs? Would you rather sacrifice the principle of universality, keep some more of the revenue that is taxed from you, and take a bigger role in ensuring for your own security? Let your views be known in the discussion forums.

For Further Study

Books

Days of Reckoning

Taking or Making Wealth

Guardians on Trial

A Call to Account

“Just Trust Us”

Videos

Days of Reckoning

The next module in this course is an examination of the growing role of government in the Canadian economy and the consequences of this.