A very interesting debate. From an "old fart" who now collects CPP and OAS I'd like to make a few comments:
1. Social Security Programs provide a great comfort to those, who for whatever reason (haven't the ability to save because of low wages, poor health, bad luck in investing, etc.) are unable to acquire enough for a decent retirement. I recall my father-in-law back in the 50's retiring after 45 years with the Canadian Post Office with $60.00 a month pension, and having to take in boarders just to survive.
2. I believe that governments realize that society is changing i.e. moving to the right, and they will not always be able to provide the necessary funds for retirement. They also see that most corporations are no longer interested in taking us from "cradle to grave". This is why they provide incentives to invest in
RRSP's, which are the best investment you can make in Canada.
3. I have always found it strange that many people, including myself, will go to great lengths to learn whatever is needed to be successful in their occupation, yet, they will act on a whim to invest the money they earned from their occupation, with a bare minimum of effort and understanding, and afterwards wonder why they lost money. As governments and industry are now leaving it up to us to create our own retirement incomes, it is becoming increasingly important to learn the art of investing. l believe that success in investing comes from a lifetime of study and personal trial and error, so the sooner you start the better.
4. I think too much of anything can be a bad thing, including capitalism and government. Alberta's practise of industry working in partnership with government has done a lot for the province, especially with regard to oil and gas development. However, allowing the clearcutting of an old fir forest eg. Porcupine Hills, encouraging large international pig farms, etc. is not my view of responsible government or industry.
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