I miss my Canadian socialism and want more of it here in the USA

[Saddle Bronc 124]

In Chicago, and most suburban Chicagoland municipalities, residents and business owners are required by law to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses. Do I extrapolate, and suggest that this is the law of the land throughout the USA? I guess this is indeed the land of individual initiative and personal responsibility. Sigh. How droll.

When I grew up, I never heard of such a thing.

Where I grew up, in Canada, we had these nifty orange sidewalk clearing gizmos to do the deed. Residents shovelled their private driveways, of course, but our commie politburo took care of the public thoroughfares, including the sidewalks. Oh how I yearn for true Communism again!

Not the case in Western Canada (specifically Calgary). Sidewalk had to be maintained (cleared) by the house owner (and in spring/summer, in areas with a grass-patch between street and sidewalk, that grass-patch had to also be mowed by the resident).

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Not the case in Western Canada (specifically Calgary). Sidewalk had to be maintained (cleared) by the house owner (and in spring/summer, in areas with a grass-patch between street and sidewalk, that grass-patch had to also be mowed by the resident).

The mind fogs when you reminisce.

[scandal 951]

Not the case in Western Canada (specifically Calgary). Sidewalk had to be maintained (cleared) by the house owner (and in spring/summer, in areas with a grass-patch between street and sidewalk, that grass-patch had to also be mowed by the resident).

Interesting. My experience was in Ottawa.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

My experience in Kingston was that on the downtown streets the City cleared the sidewalks. In suburbia, the home owner did.

When I lived in St. Catharines and Chatham, the business owner/home owner/renter were responsible for clearing snow off of the sidewalks in front of their properties whether they were downtown or on the outskirts, as well as putting down the necessary sand and/or salt. The city usually published a nice 'reminder' notice in the paper at the first snowfall - and you just had to miss getting your mail delivered one time to realize that you really did need to shovel your walk and sidewalk. I had an elderly neighbour next door so all of us in the immediate neighbourhood shared the task of shovelling the snow off of her sidewalk and walkway.

Edited February 10, 2010 by Kathryn41

[NVC FAN :( 18]

real eyecatching topic. Instead of forcing everyone that was born and grew up in the us to conform to your idea of perfection, why not just go back to canada. The history of this nation and the citizens that remember and want their children to grow up like they did.

I guess my point is , why try to shove this down everyones throat. simply return where these ideals are the norm and accepted

[one...two...tree 2,762]

real eyecatching topic. Instead of forcing everyone that was born and grew up in the us to conform to your idea of perfection, why not just go back to canada. The history of this nation and the citizens that remember and want their children to grow up like they did.

I guess my point is , why try to shove this down everyones throat. simply return where these ideals are the norm and accepted

I feel the same way about those street sweepers. Somebody shoved one down my throat when I wasn't looking and I'm paying the bill with my taxes. Oh and all those street lights, and benches, and parks...and maintenance guys who keep the park pedicured...and libraries (who needs them?)...and don't get me started on public schools or utilities. I'll crawl back into my hole now.

[scandal 951]

real eyecatching topic. Instead of forcing everyone that was born and grew up in the us to conform to your idea of perfection, why not just go back to canada. The history of this nation and the citizens that remember and want their children to grow up like they did.

I guess my point is , why try to shove this down everyones throat. simply return where these ideals are the norm and accepted

You're new here. Fresh meat

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

No it is npot the law of the land in most areas. Chicago, being very socialist itself, feels it can tell business owners that they have to pay employess to claen city sidewalks for no cost to the city. This is where socialism usually leads...totalitarianism. The government forcing people to do things at their expense. Canada on the other hand cleans the sidewalks very well. Most US cities do not mandate such things and the either clean the sidewalks themselves or let people decide for themselves. Mandating it has nothing to do with individual freedom...or freedom at all.

Incidentally, I was in Canada this morning. It is still open for business, and I presume you know where it is...Take I-94 EAST keep driving.

[DanielParul 50]

I am in Kolkata, India right now. This city is chaos personified. Total fuсking anarchy. Everyone does what they want, if they can afford it. No regulations - none that can't be bought out anyway. This city has whored its soul out to the rich. The result isn't nice. No, not nice at all. The result is ugly. It's sad and depressing. Except for the tiny little enclaves which serve as the playground of the wealthy. Those are like wow. Super awesome. But that is what makes the rest even more sad.

Give me socialism any day.

Figures, Bengalis are communists.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I am in Kolkata, India right now. This city is chaos personified. Total fuсking anarchy. Everyone does what they want, if they can afford it. No regulations - none that can't be bought out anyway. This city has whored its soul out to the rich. The result isn't nice. No, not nice at all. The result is ugly. It's sad and depressing. Except for the tiny little enclaves which serve as the playground of the wealthy. Those are like wow. Super awesome. But that is what makes the rest even more sad.

Give me socialism any day.

Weren't (or aren't) most Indian cities chaos incarnate whatsoever form of government is in Delhi or state capitol?

[trailmix 77]

No it is npot the law of the land in most areas. Chicago, being very socialist itself, feels it can tell business owners that they have to pay employess to claen city sidewalks for no cost to the city. This is where socialism usually leads...totalitarianism. The government forcing people to do things at their expense. Canada on the other hand cleans the sidewalks very well. Most US cities do not mandate such things and the either clean the sidewalks themselves or let people decide for themselves. Mandating it has nothing to do with individual freedom...or freedom at all.

Incidentally, I was in Canada this morning. It is still open for business, and I presume you know where it is...Take I-94 EAST keep driving.

Should read Canadians clean the sidewalks very well. We have no one here in Calgary cleaning our residential sidewalks, as someone mentioned, they don't even plow residential roads except the main ones.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Should read Canadians clean the sidewalks very well. We have no one here in Calgary cleaning our residential sidewalks, as someone mentioned, they don't even plow residential roads except the main ones.

Accurate.

[Psoas10 17]

No law about cleaning our sidewalks of snow where I live. Of course if we had snow, then we would have bigger problems.

[scandal 951]

No it is npot the law of the land in most areas. Chicago, being very socialist itself, feels it can tell business owners that they have to pay employess to claen city sidewalks for no cost to the city. This is where socialism usually leads...totalitarianism. The government forcing people to do things at their expense. Canada on the other hand cleans the sidewalks very well. Most US cities do not mandate such things and the either clean the sidewalks themselves or let people decide for themselves. Mandating it has nothing to do with individual freedom...or freedom at all.

Incidentally, I was in Canada this morning. It is still open for business, and I presume you know where it is...Take I-94 EAST keep driving.

Thanks as always Gary for explaining the way things REALLY work in your wonderful matter of fact yet oh-so-personable way.

You truly are a superior being in all things. I, like, totally cower to just be in your mere presence.

Peyton Manning is not a god. You, sir, are a god.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks as always Gary for explaining the way things REALLY work in your wonderful matter of fact yet oh-so-personable way.

You truly are a superior being in all things. I, like, totally cower to just be in your mere presence.

Peyton Manning is not a god. You, sir, are a god.

Thanks