Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Well, there weren't any mishaps with the hammer yesterday, but it was definitely loads of fun. Today is election day here in Canada and many people are on edge. I have decided that I am not going to watch any of the television coverage as it will just make me extremely agitated. My friends and I believe that, unfortunately, the Conservatives will win. The only thing saving us is that it will be a minority government. A lot of people are "sick of the Liberals," and think the shit the Conservatives are feeding them is great, but if they even stopped to consider everything that was being said their thoughts may be different. For example, the Conservatives have claimed they will cut taxes and increase spending...okay, then where does the money for the spending come from? We aren't exactly floating in extra cash. We're in debt! Also, Steven Harper wants to change the abortion legislation. That is fine if you are pro-rape baby carrying. What happens if a woman gets raped? She will not have the choice to terminate the pregnancy that was conceived violently and de-humanizing act. Could you imagine ggrowing up knowing you were a product of a rape? You may not find out, but then again, you may. And what would the expectant mother feel? This could lead to some serious mental break downs and if the Conservatives are worried about people with disabilities, then don't you think they should ensure their society would be healthy? Also, the Conservatives want to revert the gay marriage law back to it's original status. Why?! I mean, they're not hurting anyone. The point is not that he is taking away abortions or gay marriages, the point is he is taking away the right to choose. If you want to marry someone of the same sex, who bloody well cares?! My God, it's been happening since humans...well, were humans. Look at the history. It's only been recently that society has decided to construct stupid stigmas and stereotypes around that shit. Not to mention, Steven Harper's gang wants to cut university courses that he believes are economically unsound. For example, if you wanted to enroll in history or archaeology, you better find a different discipline if they win because he's getting rid of those. Oh yeah and he thinks that Sociology is "cute." Say good-bye to Statistics Canada then if you want to get rid of sociology, who do you think generates those stats? Sociologists! He also wants to put 1200 dollars into Day cares. Oh good, but that is only in one year. What would you like them to do with that? Buy a box of crakcers? He also does not believe in "social handouts," so good-bye Ontario Disability Pension. If they get rid of that, or reduce it, I will not be able to continue going to university. I would not be able to pay my bills, buy groceries or afford Jetta. So where does that leave us? Hmm, let's see, the student can't continue going to school because you cut her funding...so, she can't get a job...which puts her back even further than when you were assisting her for a short while. Now's she's really become a societal "burden!" At least I was trying to do something with my life. does anyone realize that most disabled people are unemployed because they can't afford to go to university or college and without such diplomas or degrees they can't get jobs. Most disabled people can't work minimum wage jobs. Could you see a blind person at the back of McCrappies flipping fries? Yeah that is safe. I can't work as a casheer, fast food employee, server at a restaurant...or anything like that. They are not accessible. So, in order to ensure I am independent like the government wants me to be, I have to go to university, and if they take away the ODSP pension, well then you can forget it. Anyway, I guess that is my rant for the day. I injured myself in swim practice today so I have to go find some more ice.
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I'm in fact not Jess, I'm her friend Ashley, but I wanted the opportunity to respond to your views on disability support.
Making a statement to the effect that disabled people in general are lazy and looking to work the system to get what they can is a great misconception, and one which I am disappointed to find a person who has a disability perpetuating. It is this myth which encourages the residualist style welfare system which has grown stronger in Canada over the past fifteen years or so. While I agree that ODSP is not an effective program, and that a vocational rehabilitation system would be much more effective for those of us who are capable of employment training, disability support is vitally necessary for those who are, and will always be, unable to work at conventional jobs. Shall we return to the days of sheltered workshops, when the non-lazy variety of us worked for $1.50 an hour? In Canada, we pride ourselves on supporting a collectivist community, where we support the weakest and strongest of our members, and this would be virtually impossible without the current disability support system.
I certainly accept your points on the liberal developments in society - no one wants to revoke women's rights, and send disabled people deeper into poverty. But such things can happen as a result of federal actions, in spite of the best intentions. The provincially controlled welfare systems in Ontario, for example, became weak and ineffective as a result of changes to the Canada Health and Social Transfer, money provided to them by the federal government. Thus the federal government plays a crucial role in determining what services are provided provincially.
In terms of university education, in Canada we believe ourselves to have a strong post-secondary education system, where students can study the best quality material, no matter what field they choose. I know of many who are already studying in "cut-down" programs - in dangerous buildings, with under-paid professors, while students of privileged programs such as business and engineering work in ergonomically sound environments, with the best of everything.
My point is that whenever we analyze the decisions made by governments, and how they will affect our country, it is necessary to take our own social circumstances into consideration. For example, those of us who have the privilege of our families' financial support can not posibly comment on the lazyness of others who do not, just as those of us who are white can not judge the situation of those of us who are not. When making generalizations about who does not work hard enough, or which educational choices are the best, caution must be exercised. If it is not, before we know it, the whole country will believe the disabled are lazy, and those of us without the privilege of family wealth will find ourselves thrown further into the role of second-class citizens, which we so often occupy.
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