Erasing History, Why so Selective?

April 3, 2023April 13, 2023 ~ Loreeebee ~ 2 Comments

I find it extremely annoying and disconcerting that people want to eradicate historic people and events. History is based on facts, some good and some not so good, but none that should be erased to make us feel better about ourselves. Hopefully, we have evolved enough to avoid repeating the same politically incorrect transgressions. Selectively erasing history should not be an option.

Canadians (some) Demanding all Traces of Sir John A MacDonald be Removed

Sir John A MacDonald has been on the literal hit list in Canada lately. Schools, buildings, streets, statues, bridges, and the like are being renamed because of the belief that his federal policies were suspect when he was our Prime Minister. As our very first Prime Minister, he was instrumental in our country’s development and deserves a place in our history.

I find this obsession to erase history frustrating and ridiculous. Where do we draw the line? Who decides who was bad, really bad, bad enough to wipe them out?

What About O.J?

These feelings of disgust were re-awakened yesterday afternoon when I was watching football and O.J. Simpson’s name came up. Inducted into the football hall of fame for his prowess on the field, he is still idolized and celebrated often by commentators and fans.

I don’t know about you, but I was totally dismayed that O.J. literally got away with murder. Twice. Talk about a travesty of justice. Yes, he was convicted in a civil suit, awarding money to the families of his victims, and spent some time in the clinker, but still got away with murder in the criminal courts.

What’s the Difference?

The point of this rant? Why is there a difference between the way we are willing to acknowledge the historic actions or behaviour of Sir John A and O.J? Why does O.J. Simpson continue to be idolized and revered when Sir John A. MacDonald and other historic figures are getting toppled from our graces, shunned, with all traces of them discarded from our lives?

Life Lessons Instead of Erasing History

Learning from our mistakes should be considered valuable life lessons. We should be taught to move on and refrain (hopefully) from repeating the same mistakes. That doesn’t mean the lessons or mistakes didn’t happen and shouldn’t be acknowledged. Life lessons get chronicled in our brains, or, in some cases, our journals or diaries.

In Conclusion

It seems to me that we are offended by everything and everyone these days. If our ideologies are threatened (??) we demand all traces of the offender removed from society. If we can accept the accomplishments and talents of one man without judging him on his lifestyle, ethics, or morals, why can we not accept the valuable contributions of others?

I believe that history is in the past; we learn about people, places, and things and decide how to incorporate the good from the past into our futures. Every country in the world can dredge up unsavory actions of their leaders and heroes. It’s how the indiscretions are dealt with that should decide the success and health of the country moving forward.

Well, I feel (somewhat) better after this rant, but I would like to hear from others. Am I wrong? Or just easily offended.

Forgiving Student Loans

February 28, 2023March 15, 2023 ~ Loreeebee ~ Leave a comment

Are you in favour of forgiving student loans? Joe Biden is trying to do just that in the USA. That means Justin Trudeau won’t be far behind if Biden gets his way, especially with federal elections looming (2024 for the US, 2025 in Canada). Is this move a bid to win votes?

The Advantages of Forgiving Student Loans

The advantages are somewhat obvious, especially to those eligible for the program. Paying off (or at least reducing) the massive debt owed by students will certainly boost their economic status.

The Disadvantages

A Divisive Move?

Some feel this move will be divisive, just what any country does not need right now. The students (or former students) whose decisions on what degree to aim for and where to go were based solely on their economic status.

I am one of those. I would have loved to go to university to pursue a career in accounting or teaching. I could not afford it, nor could my parents afford to help out. As the fifth of six children in our family, I was only eligible for a small student loan and no grant. Instead of following my dreams at an out-of-town university (there was not one in the small town I grew up in) I lived at home and went to our community college. I still barely managed to afford this choice, with a student loan to pay off as a graduation gift.

Did these facts make me work harder to achieve my diploma in medical laboratory technology? They sure did. Does that mean I don’t see the need to help some students deserving of forgiving student loans? No, but I would like to see lots of conditions so two steps forwards don’t result in four steps backward for the economy, inflation rate, healthcare, and so on.

Will the Rate of Inflation Rise More?

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (in the US) believes it will:

There could also be some stimulating impact, as the debt cancellation could free up borrowers’ cash flow, and the additional spending may create more tax revenue.

However, at the same time, this is also likely to be inflationary.

A key concern about the debt forgiveness program is its inflationary impact in an environment where inflation has been persistently elevated for over a year.

Shifting the Burden to Taxpayers

The Conservative argument is that forgiving student loans would simply (and unfairly) shift the debt from the students to their federal government. And we all know taxpayers pay for government debt. Unfortunately, when money gets funneled into one program, other programs suffer. So, students like myself that struggled to pay for their own education will now pay taxes so others do not have to pay for theirs.

Biden’s Proposal for American Students

Biden’s proposal says borrowers with an annual income of up to $125,000 or households with a combined income of up to $250,000 are eligible to apply for $10,000 to reduce their current student debt. However, those currently with an outstanding debt of less than $10,000 will only get reimbursed for whatever their balance is. According to the Congressional Budget Office, up to 43 million applicants will qualify for at least partially forgiving student loans.

The Canadian Version

In Canada, the National Student Loans Service Center (NSLSC) implemented its own version for forgiving student loans. Sort of. They, from April 2021 to March 31, 2023, eliminated the interest accrued on student loans. However, any interest accumulated before that date is still owed. This interest elimination was recently extended permanently after April of 2023.

In November of 2022, some Canadian provinces lowered maximum payments to 10% of household income from 20% and changed their zero payment income thresholds. To apply for their Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), log into your NSLSC account. So far, only students from New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan are eligible. Hopefully, other provinces will follow suit.

Conclusions

I believe, and I realize this may sound selfish, that the majority of our taxes should be for improving the core services our citizens rely on. Stuff like roads and infrastructure, garbage collection, snow removal, and especially our flailing healthcare system.

Since graduation years ago, we (hubby and I) paid lots of tax dollars to raise three now self-sufficient children in a comfortable lifestyle. We chose to have three children because we believed that if we worked hard we could afford to feed, clothe, protect, entertain, and yes, educate them.

Of course, like most other citizens, we continue to pay taxes too.

Now seniors, we have reached the age where affordable, efficient, and available healthcare is more of a priority to us than forgiving student loans.

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Moderation is Key, or is it?

July 13, 2022July 11, 2022 ~ Loreeebee ~ 4 Comments

Do you believe “moderation is the key” or do you live by the “you can never get enough of a good thing” motto? Hubby and I differ in our opinions here.

Too Much of a Good Thing

When you find a “deal” do you (or are you tempted to) buy more than you need? From food items to household products to clothes, I like to buy only what I need when I need it, especially things I have never purchased before. I like to test drive items before I buy in multiples.

Someone else in this household, however, (did I tell you we are empty-nesters?) is like “oh, these jeans are on sale, maybe I should get three pairs so I won’t have to buy any for years.” If I did this I would probably forget I purchased the other two (identical) pairs. Shoes are another item hubby buys in bulk, shoe boxes line his closet, all with the same shoes in them.

The only time I admit to (perhaps) going overboard is when I’m perusing the garden nurseries. In that case, I can never get enough, and too much doesn’t occur to me. Especially plant sales or clearances. I love to nurture sad-looking plants, as most on clearance racks are, back to health.

Things in Moderation

Many things are said to be best in moderation.

Red wine comes to mind for me. I regret drinking more than two glasses when the resulting pounding headache the next morning reminds me I had too much. I can however handle more than two margaritas, especially the “skinny” variety I love concocted with Bubly and no triple sec.

House cleaning is something else I practice in moderation. My mother was a clean freak, me not so much. I do enjoy a clean house, especially the smell of a clean house. I enjoy it even more so when someone else has done the cleaning. Way back when my sons were young and I was working two full-time jobs (because that’s what you do when you work outside the home and are a mom too) I had a cleaning lady. Tuesday afternoons I would come home to an awesome-smelling, clean home. What a treat that was! The biggest problem with that arrangement is that I would run around tidying up the house Monday evening…in moderation of course.

Sitting still is yet another thing I do only in moderation. I can sit and read a good book, or watch a good movie on TV, occasionally. I’m not very good at sitting through an entire movie though without getting up to throw in a load of laundry or folding said laundry.

Fortunately for me, and my waistline in particular, I enjoy junk food in moderation. Very sugary stuff I am not that fond of as sugar gives me a sore throat. Treats like ice cream and dark chocolate though are my favourite indulgences.

What do you enjoy in moderation or excess? Please share!

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