This was not Canada’s intended destiny, Ms. Smith said. “All the way back to the very beginnings of Canada … we were a radically free-enterprise and small-government nation – more so even than the Americans. ‘Better British liberty,’ our ancestors proudly declared, ‘than American equality.’
“Good heavens, where did that spirit of liberty disappear to? What we now tout as traditional Canadian values and virtues – unearned entitlements, paying people not to work, paying provinces not to succeed (and not to secede) – all these were unthinkable to the stalwart people who founded and built Canada. Today’s celebration of the easy ride … [is] the complete antithesis of [Canadian values and virtues].”
Good. Then you agree the Monarchy is no different and should earn a living instead of being subsidized by citizens.
ReplyDeleteEarn a living? Her Majesty is in her mid-eighties and exhausts courtiers a third her age with her work schedule. She spends hours just dealing with the mountains of dispatch boxes sent by her various ministers. The Prince of Wales runs a variety of charitable causes. Virtually all of the male members of the Royal family have served in the armed forces.
ReplyDeleteThe Queen has more than enough private money to sustain herself and family, she is paid through the Civil List to conduct public functions, just like any other Head of State of a major country. Most of this money goes to salaries and maintenance. Event this payment is to be shut down in a few years, to be replaced by money taken from the Crown Estates (a for profit business entity). The office of Prime Minister actually costs more than the Civil List.
You seem to have a rather old fashioned Hollywood version of the monarchy. The current Royals are the furthest thing from high-end loafers.