Opinion of Canadian "Equalization Payments"

[12th Doctor]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equalization_Payments#Canada

When I first heard about these, I actually thought they were a joke used to make fun of the Quebecois... I couldn't believe this was for real.  So basically, three of the provinces pay for all the other ones.  Great system... if you happen to live in a "distinct society".

[Franzl]

A very similar system called the "Länderfinanzausgleich" exists in Germany.

Rich states "donate" a share of their tax Euros to struggling states.

5 states wind up paying for the other 11.

[Matt Damon™]

What would happen if this were implemented in the US?

[Franzl]

What would happen if this were implemented in the US?

civil war

[Meeker]

Ted Stevens and Robert Byrd approve.

[Matt Damon™]

We have states that pay $1.40 for every dollar they get back from the feds already. Why would equalization payments caused civil war?

[Hash]

Newfies needed them, now Ontario needs them.

[Franzl]

We have states that pay $1.40 for every dollar they get back from the feds already. Why would equalization payments caused civil war?

civil war was more of a joke...

But believe me, there would be a big uproar if any direct system of redistribution were implemented. Most people are simply too lazy to think about exactly where their tax dollars go right now. And of course...the whole concept of redistribution seems "un-American"

[Matt Damon™]

Populism is in style right now, Franzl so it could be sold as an anti-recessionary measure. I'm not advocating it, just seeing how badly it'd muck up things.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Similar systems exist in most democracies and I'd argue that American politics would be a lot less corrupt if a formal system of regional redistribution existed there as well.

[Matt Damon™]

I'm curious. Why would formal regional redistribution make things less corrupt?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I'm curious. Why would formal regional redistribution make things less corrupt?

You know how things work at the moment, don't you?

[Matt Damon™]

And even with formal redistribution payments how do you plan on stopping them from voting for pork anyways?

[12th Doctor]

We have states that pay $1.40 for every dollar they get back from the feds already. Why would equalization payments caused civil war?

Equalization payments are handed out for the expressed purpose of aiding "less fortunate" provinces, and maintaining "distinct societies, not just in Quebec, but also in the Maritime Provinces, is often used as justification for doing it (We can't make these people move, their lifestyle would be lost forever!).  It would be almost as if we actually paid people to stay in Appalachia so that that way of life could be preserved.

The Federal monies in the U.S. are structured totally differently and just usually end up benefiting certain states accidentally (there just so happens to be more poverty, or more need for highway funds).

The irony is that Canada is supposed to be a Confederation.

[12th Doctor]

Actually, in a way, Canada is still a Confederation, but a kinda Reverse Confederation.  The weaker provinces welch off the stronger ones, and in turn have zero responsibility to the rest of the country, because they are distinct provinces in a joke of a non-federal system.

[MaxQue]

Actually, in a way, Canada is still a Confederation, but a kinda Reverse Confederation.  The weaker provinces welch off the stronger ones, and in turn have zero responsibility to the rest of the country, because they are distinct provinces in a joke of a non-federal system.

Much of our Confederation is a joke. We have a constitution who is not signed by all the provinces.

[Hatman 🍁]

Actually, in a way, Canada is still a Confederation, but a kinda Reverse Confederation.  The weaker provinces welch off the stronger ones, and in turn have zero responsibility to the rest of the country, because they are distinct provinces in a joke of a non-federal system.

Much of our Confederation is a joke. We have a constitution who is not signed by all the provinces.

pffft; Quebec doesn't count

[MaxQue]

Actually, in a way, Canada is still a Confederation, but a kinda Reverse Confederation.  The weaker provinces welch off the stronger ones, and in turn have zero responsibility to the rest of the country, because they are distinct provinces in a joke of a non-federal system.

Much of our Confederation is a joke. We have a constitution who is not signed by all the provinces.

pffft; Quebec doesn't count

We are around 20% of Canada population. I know than they don't vote the good way, but I sense an improvement for that.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

On the surface it seems ridiculous, but any grouping must have means to preserve unity if that grouping is worthwhile to all parties.

South Carolina might never have seceded if Massachusetts were writing it's legislature a check every month.

[Хahar 🤔]

Canada was designed from the start to be more centralized than the United States. The Fathers of Confederation gave everything they considered important to the federal government and left the unimportant things to the provinces. They were designed to be more or less equivalent to counties, not states.

[Hatman 🍁]

Canada was designed from the start to be more centralized than the United States. The Fathers of Confederation gave everything they considered important to the federal government and left the unimportant things to the provinces. They were designed to be more or less equivalent to counties, not states.

Little did they know, education and health care would be as important as they are now .
They wanted a centralized country to avoid what they saw in the U.S. with the civil war.

[Jacobtm]

It's Canada, who's surprised?

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

In the US, the federal government happily gives California only 80 cents back on the dollar of taxes while the state of California is running a $40 billion deficit, and has the 3rd highest unemployment rate.

[Matt Damon™]

No, it's your guys fault for all the propositions that mandate spending but don't say a word about where to get it from.

[Matt Damon™]

Let's not forget mass immigration whether illegal or legal causing massive strains on social services while we're at it.