New Math

It is well understood amongst certain people that there are significant differences in the types of education that are available to Canadians. It is also understood that these differences are directly related to the social standing, class or wealth of the individual's family. What I had never really understood until the last week or so, is that want-to-be politicians are also given access to a different type of education. I think that is unfair. I that all Canadians should have access to the same sort of mathematics that are taught to want-to-be- be politicians. If nothing else it would help me understand what they were thinking.

It was quite delightful last week to have all of the country's premiers agreeing that the federal government needs to correct the equalization formula - which would mean that Alberta and the other Western provinces might have access to more financial support for their struggling economy. So often it appears as if there is discord within the confederation and that the premiers cannot agree on anything. It was quite reassuring to see all of those men and one woman (The Hon. Caroline Cochrane of the NWT) agreeing to support their fellow provinces. There was, however, one little fly in that ointment. None of the provinces suggested that they would be giving up anything that they were already getting. None of the provinces even suggested that they might be willing to pay more into the federal coffers.

There are, of course, continuing demands for increases in federal funding. For example, all of the provinces are saying that their health care systems are in crisis and the only solution is for more federal money. Virtually every other line in the federal budget has similar demands - more money for ships for the navy, more money to stimulate trade, more money for post-secondary education etc. At the same time that some of the opposition are demanding increased support for various sectors - they are also suggesting that taxes are too high and that the government needs to both reduce taxes (especially in the corporate sector) and reduce spending (except in areas THEY think are important).

It has been a long time since I went to school and math was never my best or favourite subject. I know that there are now different ways of teaching math - perhaps even better ways. But I think 2+2 still equals 4. I am quite sure that if fewer people contribute to the total revenue and if more people receive money from that same revenue - there is a problem. Quite simply, at some point, you have to recognize that you cannot spend what is not there - or at least you can't do it without going into debt.

But clearly, my mathematic skills are rusty, out of date and no longer apply in the 21st century. If politicians think one can both spend more money and reduce taxes I need to go back to school and learn this new type of math.

I wonder where or how I sign up for these courses.?