Dear Editor,

The only idiocy I read in your column is that of which you have penned. Believe it or not, like Flaherty or not, the man is right.

Want proof - get out of the office and spend a couple of weeks in China, preferably a industrial town, village, or city. You will see just how right he is. China does not have a welfare or UI system for it's population, it looks after it's population, but you must work. If it is a menial task that you are working in, it is up to you to find a better position, but this is done while you work.

It does have it's disadvantages, those working, do not think of working out of the box, they do not want to get fired, nor replaced, because the next job could be worse one the government will find for you.

Check their populous/unemployment ratio, it will give you some insight.

There are no free rides, and nor should there be in Canada. To see healthy individuals doing absolutely nothing but collecting government funds, and handouts, when we have to import immigrants to do the work our people refuse to do is nothing short of insane.

Think of the government's coffers as a credit card, if you have less going in than what is going out, you go into debt. Non workers pay no taxes, contribute nothing to their cost of living and maintenance, and you subscribe as that is well and good. Education, medical, are all costs, which someone has to pay for, his name is the taxpayer. Your non productive souls that you stand up for so strongly are nothing but a burden, collect - receive - is what they are about. We cannot afford them.

How feeble a existence you preach, depend on others for your comforts, depend on others to subsidize your existence, what a feeble excuse for existence you preach.

Yes, my grandparents immigrated to Canada in the late 1800's - they worked or starved, no one came to their aid, yet they survived. That has been the mandate of our family history; provide for oneself, it should be yours as well.

Change your tune and be a responsible Canadian, not a claimant. Preach responsibility, not socialistic nonsense, or maybe you should take your pay cheque and give it to some poor, healthy, young soul outside your office, so he can have some of perks you believe should be had by all. Go for it!

Donald Shaw