Talk to the Goat
Long. Post.
Need. To breath.
This is such a novelty to be the first to comment here since your adoring fans fight over each other to comment truthfully, eloquently, or just plain adoringly. With nothing else left to comment.
I personally it's difficult to really figure out how the 1% drop really affects individuals. Sure, we all pshawed at the 1% -- like Ontarians would really notice it. But it is still better.
I really think there's only so much the government can do. Of course, the roads should be smooth, and Canada does have an incredible hospital support for the public -- Canada is living closer to idealism than rest of the world already.
And I also think it's incredibly eloquent of you to come up with such profound thoughts and social issues when simply purchasing airmail envelopes (like, wow, what I wouldn't love to live in your head just for a moment... and I think a moment would be enough). But (playing the Devil's Avocate) what about burned-out doctors or brain drain (most skilled professionals working outside of Canada)? What about the poor attitudes some patients get because there's way too much needy people and not enough help anyway? What about that? Would the Tax increase help?
I think the airmail thing is a total scam. So are the express rates that mail order houses try to get you to spend. It all comes at the same time. Meaning, whenever the postal service feels like delivering.
Yu make an excellent point about these bogus tax cuts. But when services are cut back that conservatives notice and feel, things will change. Let them ruin their BMWs in the potholes and we'll hear them crying. Bastards.
I love the Dollarama store! I agree there are just some things that you shouldn't pay more than a Loonie for!
I think if you are poor enough that 1% will make a difference - After all - if you normally spend $10,000 a year on GST payable items, that's $100 more you have to spend on dollar store stuff. Or for those of us with more, a nice meal out.
Since the GST was brought in essentially to pay down the debt incurred by the liberals, the tax cut shouldn't affect services at all - I assume they are paying less interest these days like the rest of us.
I don't think airmail envelopes make a difference if you aren't sending something overseas. In the old days, letters could go by ship or air, ships being slower. Using the airmail sticker or envelopes was important -not sure it makes a difference now.
ahh, the lovely pound shops (that's the uk version) I love 'em - so much cack in one place - and you can always find something to buy there.
But yeah, the penny thing is a total pain in the 'arris.. until you take the bags to the bank and realise you've managed to save enough for something you wanted but couldn't justify buying..
That's when the 1% means something - whatever country you're in.
Dollar stores are nice and they really sell those self adhesive envelopes for those of us that hate licking the envelopes? I am going to have to really look next time I buy envelopes.
I'd be wary of the airmail envelopes...I know if you send something UPS in an overnight envelope, even if you choose "ground" on the form, they will send it by air and bill you the difference.
Somehow your taxes pay for health insurance for everyone. Go figure. We pay our taxes, and for health insurance on top of that. Enjoy your penny...It will probably get increased soon enough.
Wow, never pondered that. I remember airmail envelopes in the states several years ago but haven't seen them in quite some time... I think most US mail goes by air anyway, sometimes by FedEx, sometimes by UPS, etc.......
I do remember as a kid and sending off for "free" stuff from the back of cereal boxes, etc...I would always beg my mom to send it airmail because I just knew that treasure would be coming back to me much more quickly. I think I would start watching the mailbox 2 days after I mailed it....(I waited alot).
As far as the tax thing goes. It would be nice to think that 1% is going to aid people that need it. But I know that in my area I've learned that most of the politicians pocket the money anyway...
However, I do LOVE the different things that catch your attention.. makes reading your blog soooo entertaining......
Good choice on the self adhesive envelopes...I wouldn't lick anything that came from the dollar store.
Did you hear about the toothpaste recall from dollar stores? That's some toxic shit!
There is a saying that goes "be glad you don't get all of the government you pay for." Where I live and work there is a major debate and a lot of finger pointing and fear mongering about a proposed property tax cut back. I work for a small local government who will be directly affected by said cut, by some 25% OR SO THEY CLAIM. Granted the special session to decide the referendom that will be presented to the voters has yet to happen but much has been made ado of the loss of services and jobs. As I've mentioned I work for these bozos. They waste more than enought money every year to cover the loss but the waste is never what gets cut. If you have a choice between cutting one fat assed decision maker who never makes a decision or 5 people who do things for the same price you would obviously cut the five, right?
Whats more is they are, as I understand it, planning on rolling back property taxes two years. How in the hell did we grow 25% in two years? And you can bet your bottom dollar that there are plans to make that money up somewhere else, there always is. It is all an illusion that government cares. They won't just GIVE UP money. Not a chance.
Gee, do I sound pecemist?ic
That's deep. From envelopes to Aids in Africa. You rock!
Funny how a simple box of the wrong item can open up such a discussion. Smart post - but they always are.
I haven't seen an airmail envelope for years, but in the "old days" they used to be very thin paper - and I was told they were lighter. You were also supposed to write on the very light-weight paper for your letters, too.
You certainly are a deep thinker. I have a headache now. 
While other people around me were elated over the 1% GST decrease, it made me very nervous. 1% may sound like one percent but it makes a big difference when its needed and not there.
I'm wholey convinced that Steven Harper is a robot. Just look at his hair! It doesn't move. EVER.
It's amazing what millions of pennies can do!
I'm a spendthrift too and get this ridiculous rush every time I save a few cents on things. I gotta get a hobby.
Let me know what you discover with the Air Mail experiment. I have long wondered about them and their necessity. When I was in middle school I had a pen pal in Germany (found as the only other kid who was also visiting their Grandparents in the retirement village in FLA the week that I was). We exchanged letters for a few years and I would always be trekking to the store to pick up some special air mail envelopes. It always felt exciting to need the striped envelopes and I always wanted the promise of more exotic pen pals!
If anyone ever tells you that they are the most analytical person in the world, they are wrong. Tell them to email me. I will totally vouch for you.
Who knew there was so much philosophy around going to the dollar store? You are a true Renesance Woman.
I hang on to pennies and periodically dutifully roll them into wrappers and take them to the bank to deposit in the kids accounts. What the heck, right?
If you'd like to use up those air mail envelopes, you can send me something. I'm sure it would be faster to fly the letters over Lake Ontario than drive them around it. Although it would probably be better for the planet if they went by truck. Your call.
I love Dollar Stores, but they piss me off when their stuff is more than a dollar. We have a huge one near us that has nothing in it over a loonie. You pay one loonie for anything in the store and they have some great stuff too. (along with the usual crap of course)
I bought a complete set of melamine dishes (setting for 12!) including all the serving dishes/bowls, and paid about $50 with taxes. (here in Alberta we don't have PST, only GST)
As for our postal system, pfftttt! Major rasberries to them. It costs more to send a parcel to Ontario from here than it does to the States! Bastitches.
I was at the $ store the other day and they wanted 19.99 for a garbage pail. Correct me if I am wrong, but does it not say Dollar Store in your title?
Good read, Thanks!
It seems ironic to pay for social conscience with non essential consumerism.
You should have also purchased a potato masher and a fender unbender.
I remember when mailing things use to be fun! Now it is so expensive and such a hassle that I always put it off for as long as I can.
When I first read 15% sales tax I was floored (it's 8.37 % or so here in NYC). Then I remembered you have socialized medicine there. Damn. I'd be THRILLED to pay 20% sales tax if it covered my health insurance (you'd choke if I said how much it costs every month!)
This was a wonderful post - I love when you start off 'every day' and then wrap around to a more philosophical issue.
Great post, Jay. I never thought of it like that, but I've been out of the country for over 20 years, so.
However, feel free to send me a letter, but use light paper! Canadian post is worse than Swritzerland in terms of postal costs!
Holy shit! 14% tax and it was 15%. I guess I can't bitch about our 8% tax which is one of the highest in the US.
Now for what to do with those air envelopes. I bet you could get some pretty glitter pens from the Dollarama and decorate them very nicely, they would no longer qualify as a air envelope. They would be art envelopes! Just think your art could be traveling all over the country!
First, what I find totally fascinating is how the US postal workers can't quite get the concept of the Canadian 'zip code'. Apparently a mixture of letters and numbers just simply screw with their mind. [I dare not use the plural of mind since I don't think the postal service has more than one company wide], but I digress. I can't tell you the number of times I've mailed to Canada only to have it come back simply because they didn't get that 'zip code' thing.
Second, I applaud you for the fact that you have your money ready by the time you get to check out. Why is it when those that don't use debit or credit cards to pay wait UNTIL they have their purchases rung up BEFORE they even START to pull out their billfold/checkbook to pay....I mean, they ARE STANDING IN LINE right...they DO KNOW they are going to have to pay for their stuff when they get up there...........HELLO!!!
[stepping down off soap box]
agreed. that one cent is really not doing me any good - i'm just as happy to toss it in the coffer for social programs and health care. actually, i prefer to do that!
also : i am going to steal the phrase "that puts the lump in my mashed potatoes".
solid. gold.
Well, I know that a 1 cent increase on stamps brings in $1 billion in revenue for our post office so.....
I don't think the air mail envelopes matter a bit though. Not when you're mailing them through the post office (not UPS or Fed Ex- then it matters).
bring back chretien!
he never went to bush's feckin ranch!
he's got that going for him too.
Marsha - of course people in line have no idea how much their purchases will cost! The lady in front of me had to put stuff back because she only had $12. Hello!?!?! You're at the dollar store - buy less than 12 items!
Here the GST is only 6% (that goes to the federal government) and PST, which is 8%, which goes to my province.
whenever i have written a letter that will go to a different country I always use a regular envelope and simply write "VIA AIR MAIL" on the lower left-ish corner... Seems to work just fine. I have NO idea if air mail envelopes are only designated for air mail. If it says "VIA AIR MAIL" on the lower left hand side for you, I would presume one could cross that out and be fine. I should hope the blue and red stripe design doesn't completely determine the whole thing... that would just be silly!
Hmmph - I'm stumped on the air mail envelopes. You bring up a good point. It might be good to "test" it, and see what happens if you send one of these to a neighbor. Just a thought.
Blogexplosion hit!
Pow!
I'll be in O Canada on Friday evening. Hurrah!
Later, gorgeous...
And I thought that the 7% they charge us in KY was outrageous.
We have a wicked huge Dollarama not far from us ... and everything is $1. No more, no less. It rocks!
I'm still PO'd that we pay a 6% sales tax instead of a 4% sales tax in Michigan--and that 2% hike came over a decade ago. How did Ontario get up to 15%?
Christ...why work if the government's confiscating your hard earned dollars?
Around here the only true $1 store is the Dollar Tree. I actually buy some groceries there, they have major name brands of canned foods and stuff like pasta but it's first come first buy as they really good brands don't last long.
You have to have one of the brightest minds and most vivid imaginations around . I love to come visit and see what off-the-wall idea has sparked your lastest post
That was incredibly well put!
I still hate the Dollar Store though.
That's why I don't mess with politics because my opinions tend to be less nostalgic and wistful and more into stark-raving lunacy when it comes to government.
Dollar stores drive me spare. I usually find that anything I buy there is false economy - doesn't last as long, or perform as well, as another more expensive one. Oh well. Airmail envelopes used to be a big part of my life. Here you can buy a pre-paid 'aerogramme', esentially a light-weight sheet of paper with an address label on one side that you write on and then fold up and mail. Cheap, and good for when you have more to say than would fit on a postcard. Back in the day of snail-mail correspondence air-mail envelopes and lightweight paper really made a difference to how many pages you could write (and send) for the minimum amount of $. not so relevant these days. Now I feel old. *sigh*
I just checked on the Canada Post site - any letters going to the States or International MUST have VIA AIRMAIL/PAR AVION on the address side of the envelope below the return address printed in black or blue (on a sticker)
The dollar store envelopes maybe don't have the French? and are therefore unacceptable. Honestly - I haven't bothered with the airmail thing for years and as far as I know my stuff gets where it's going anyway.
Jay: So what, they can't have their billfolds out or their checkbooks ready to write that check?? NOOOO, we have to wait until it's ALL rung up before we even START to get these things out of their pockets or purses.
the airmail thing is a crock. I agree with Mr. Buckley.
Can you pay for your shipping charges with hockey pucks in Canada?
This is pretty off topic, but do you ever notice that when you're at a "dollar store" or thrift shop or something of the sort, (I've typed this about a million times trying to come up with the best phrase) you uh... for lack of a better way to say it, you become a penny pincher?
If I'm at Goodwill or something, and I see a shirt that is $5, I still think the price is high. High for a thrift shop at least. But if I were at Walmart or another crappy department store, $5 is a steal. What's up with that? $5 is $5!
Conservatives always attempt to increase their popularity with promises of tax cuts. In reality the only people the tax cuts really benefit are their wealthy friends who make millions. Amounts where 1% means something.
Here in the US I wonder how the tax cuts the conservative candidates are all promising will help us erase the massive deficit created by our ongoing adventure in the Middle East
I sweat that I have NEVER given envelopes that much though in my life.
As for the GST. It made no difference to me. I was paying $1.06 instead of $1.07 We have no PST in Alberta. There are benefits to being out here, too back the current government are ... nevermind
I'm not in the mood to scroll through these comments, so this may have been said.
The thing is that if that penny sits in your pocket, the next 99 people who go through that Dollarama might have the same problem. That's 100 pennies, sitting in people's pockets, somewhat useless. A dollar.
Let's say that those folks are avid Dollarama shoppers, as you seem to be, and then go back tomorrow. Another dollar. This adds up.
And it isn't good for the economy. Ultimately the government wants that penny to work its way through the economy, making it stronger.
So, it follows that, if the government knows this (undoubtedly they do), then the benefits certainly outweigh the negatives. Essentially, we live in an electronic age where cash is considerably less important, and interact allows for small purchases like this to be done electronically. And in that case, during one of your walks you might hit the Dollarama for your envelopes, the Macs for a Coke and some Doritos, the Blockbuster for a movie, and suddenly you are getting close to a dime. Not those ten pennies you throw into a dish when you get home. So, they are trying to do what's best for Canada.
And, to be fair, no one is paying that $5 billion dollars. Really its just $5 billion dollars that they won't pass down to us in services. Unfortunately, some of that might be bad (some hospital might not get that second MRI machine) and some might be alright (chop out a useless wing of the bureaucracy, and there are plenty of those).
Personally I love the Conservatives. Particularly because of their steps to reform both the judiciary (who has spun out of control with their power) and the Senate (a hugely useless body).
Great Scott! I almost spit when I saw the 15% tax.
I remember, in the past 5 years, people getting upset that our local sales tax went up from 6% to 6.5%. Of course, down here in the US we don't have "free" healthcare.
Which begs the question -- just how free is it when (and I still shudder to think of it) you throw 15 cents to the government every time you spend a dollar? Not even our restaurant sales taxes are that high. In this particular state (Texas) there are no sales taxes at all on groceries.
Then again, our property taxes are outrageous!
I admit I'm coming at this with no experience and little knowledge of how Canadian government and healthcare works. I'm not saying that anything about US govt. is superior. I'm just curious.
hahaha you're hilarious, our own little postal drama. You should be a writer for TV networks.
wait, did i read you correctly?
you have a walmart in canada?
what is the world coming to?
I've always thought that the red and blue borders on air mail envelopes gave the illusion of speed.
G.
Commenting by HaloScan
