I just want to ask why Dr. Brown seems to think his "National Service" programme is such a great and novel idea. In Ontario, Highschool students haev to comeplete 40 hours of community service for them to GRADUATE. Why would he imposed this sudden volunteer program to people 24-30? I was in a f/t career at 24.....and volunteered as much as I could but at the time, I barely had time to myself, let alone time to volunteer as much as he is suggesting...also, between 24-30 aren't people starting families and working f/t?
Is this some kind of ploy to vacate young Bermudians from their home?
On the other hand I find it hard to understand that wealthy countries exist that don't provide healthcare or insurance coverage for it's children. Bermuda may think itself fist world but is backwards on so many counts.
And on an island where people need to be air vac'd out for practically every single thing, the government's HIP coverage doesn't cut it in the least. there's is an additional fund for major medical stuff like this...so I am assuming this woman doesn't even have HIP coverage.
I'm going home where my butt and my my childrens' butts are/will be covered by our provincial plans and I will (*try to*) never complain about the high taxes that fund this and other social programs again.
Oh, and I know this is a ridiculous question, but where is this baby's father and his family in all this???!!!
Ok, so at first my thoughts went towards: "why is this woman having a baby if she doesn't have a job?" and then I got a little mad because she's asking everyone else to pay for her medical bills....
But then I thought wow - I'm still proud to be a Canadian...why do you think they sent her and her baby directly to Sick Kids in Toronto - instead of Boston? Not only is Toronto Sick Kids a world renowned hospital, it is also a Canadian hospital, where we don't ask for insurance or payment up front....
I am wondering, however, if this woman does not have insurance, how is she affording all the plane fares and hotel stays?
Specifically this part: Over time some guest workers have grown to feel less welcome here and many leaders of international business have become frustrated because they cannot get their way all the time the way they may have been able to in the past and/or because they do not have as much control over Government's decision making. Clearly there has to be a balance, but right thinking minds must prevail and common sense should be the order of the day.
There's a lot to this loaded issue. Every country has a duty to safeguard the interests of its people and Bermuda should be no different. It is always wise to examine an issue from the other person's perspective.
I remember being a student in Canada and having to pay an international student's premium. Basically we paid more for the same education than the Canadian students. What this did was let us know that we could be there but we must pay for the privilege of being able to better ourselves by being in someone else's country. This also let us know that Canada was all about Canadians first. Bermuda should be no different, but many guest workers don't like the fact that Bermuda is protecting the interests of its people when the very country from which they come does exactly the same thing. I call this Bermudianphobia!
a) The tutition for Canadian students is lower because the universities and colleges are partly subsidized by our tax money. People who don't live in Canada are not paying taxes in Canada and therefore do not get to reap the benefits of getting a reduced tuition. We do the same for any international student, not just Bermudians. (I've had to argue this point before...)
b) some would argue that because international students pay more money, there are more seats reserved for them year after year regardless of their academic standings and that Canadian Students have to work harder to get into the top schools because of this.
Water is at a premium here - well, not this winter! We have PLENTY! But usually, you have to conserve water like a bandit. Which isn't bad (I'm a tree-hugger), but that, coupled with the world's smallest water heaters (that often don't heat up water ENOUGH) and you get to have 30 second showers. In the summer, if there's a drought (called a 'water shortage' here), you literally have to turn off the water, soap up, turn it back on to rinse, and then you're done. That's IT. In the winter, you have to decide between doing the dishes and havinga shower (in a 1 bedroom apt, I am pretty lucky to have my own water heater!) to highlight this point, I only turn on the hot water when i have a shower or fill the sink for dishes...no need to temper the water with cold water...
Yes, well, unfortunately, Bermuda isn't the only place kicking it's people while they're down...
the words "Harmonized" and "Taxes" should never be uttered in relation to each other...and this HST crap needs to go back from where it came....UNBELIEVABLE!
It already has boken loose my friend....you don't get all the news in the papers.
And, once again, who is supposed to be regulating this stuff so it doesn't explode like this? The BMA...yes, I think that's them...BAICO, BNTB, what's next?