What has your country done...for you...

[Bluecat]

It is nice to know that your country is helping other countries but at the end, do you care that much about that?
Don't you care more about what your country has done for you?
Besides making you want to leave it (for some)...

[Bluecat]

Well, it seems not much...

[Texpat]

Let's see paid for my school, 100% first 12 years, 90% for the next seven.
Gave me the opportunity to visit 30+ countries.
Paid health care 100% since Jan 83 for me and family. 75% the last 2 years.
Paid me enough over 24 years to accumulate savings to be comfortable. Pension included.
Provided me a target-rich environment like TD.

That's enough for now.

[SEA Traveler]

It was a 2 way street for me. With 35+years of service to my country, I, like Tex have had 12 years of basic education paid for 100% by the government, another 4 years of undergrad schooling paid for by a generous military benifit package, and a good part of my graduate studies paid for by the government. I am provided a reasonable health care package for myself and family, and as a result of my employment with the government have been to many countries of the world... And now, my son is being offered similar opportunities to serve, get educated, and travel on the governments money.

[AntRobertson]

Recently?

Well they've been kind enough to take $6,000 off of me for my student loans.

[Bluecat]

Ok, mine paid for me up to the time I finished university (90% of the costs at least)
And same for my son.
And I also visited quite a few countries afterwards but they were not that involved anymore...

[November Rain]

Paid for my schooling (I never went to University, but they wouldn't have paid for that). Gave me free healthcare while I was there. Allowed me to have a passport, so I could travel.

[Dalton]

Took my driver license for speeding and drunk-driving + 30 days in the can and a 17.000dkk fine...as a extra toppings....

[Marmite the Dog]

Got rid of those horrible Welsh mining people.

[barbaro]

It was a 2 way street for me. With 35+years of service to my country, I, like Tex have had 12 years of basic education paid for 100% by the government

Almost all, perhaps all, developed countries provide elementary and high school education that paid for.

There are many reasons for this: you want to have a high literacy rate. More education means less likely to commit crimes.

It's a two way street.

No offense, but get the first 12 years for free, is not really something to boast to the government about.

Property taxes provide a lot of the funding to local schools as well as the state (not the feds).

Here is the problem.

Affordability for education after the first 12 years. Education costs have gone up over 100% in the last 7 years. Student loans are putting too many young people into too much debt, that will take too long to pay.

You sound like another spoiled Baby Boomer, Yank.

[sabang]

My country generously afforded me the platform to let me pay shitloads of tax, and keep a whole bunch of drug dealers, wasters and assorted slime well fed.

[Jet Gorgon]

Alright, Sabang!
Yep, free school til grade 12, although I kept dropping out in 10th grade (I had my own agenda). But, my mom paid for that thru taxes, so theoretically not free, just as I now pay taxes for alot of services I do not use, but do not gripe about paying for them anymore (like I have a choice).
Chance to go to uni as a high school dropout (if you pass the stupid test and do well in your freshman year, you can continue). I did and I did. Interest-free student loan until six months after graduation when the gov turned the loan over to the big bank and big interest rates.
A "free" healthcare card (well, only $54 a month) that permits me to sit for free in an emergency ward hallway for six hours waiting to see a doc before I die. I pay for all dental and any drugs I might one day need, unless I become a welfare case.
Free libraries (mine is partly funded by our American neighbour, Mr Bill Gates, and I donate many books), nice parks (no drinking, no dogs, and other nos).
My sis gets med benefits now, but guess she deserves them after paying those dues for 30 years.
Freedom? Boy, so many laws here, I just don't really know what that means anymore.

[Texpat]

Where's Ray? He must be busy compiling his list.

[November Rain]

^ Where does Ray come from? I'd always thought he was American (no, seriously!), but recent posts have proved me wrong on that one.

[SEA Traveler]

Recently?

Well they've been kind enough to take $6,000 off of me for my student loans.

so was it an interest free school loan that they provided to you? if that is the case then not all that bad of a deal.

[SEA Traveler]

No offense, but get the first 12 years for free, is not really something to boast to the government about.....You sound like another spoiled Baby Boomer, Yank

Milk, there was no boasting about the 12 years of elementary, middle and high school education. I was an honest and direct response to the question asked. as for being a baby boomer??? yes, but not a spoiled this boomer work and con tributed to build all that the post boomers get to enjoy.

[raycarey]

Where's Ray? He must be busy compiling his list.

thanks for your interest. honestly, how much time do you sit around wondering about me? i have to admit it's a bit creepy.


anyway, the govt. paid for the first 7 years of my education. i also got a grant from a state govt. many years later.

the local, state and federal govt. also plowed the snow from my streets, paid the cops, and did all the other things they do because citizens pay taxes.

i can travel to many countries without a visa because i'm american.

[AntRobertson]

so was it an interest free school loan that they provided to you? if that is the case then not all that bad of a deal.

Oops no, apologies I phrased that badly. What I meant was that I've just had to make a $6,000 repayment.

They do now offer interest free I believe, but only for those resident in New Zealand and whose cunning financial plan for the last few years hasn't been: 'Student loan? What student loan...?'

[barbaro]

No offense, but get the first 12 years for free, is not really something to boast to the government about.....You sound like another spoiled Baby Boomer, Yank

Milk, there was no boasting about the 12 years of elementary, middle and high school education. I was an honest and direct response to the question asked. as for being a baby boomer??? yes, but not a spoiled this boomer work and con tributed to build all that the post boomers get to enjoy.

Thanks for the response SEA traveler,

Are you on Social Security?

[Boon Mee]

Where's Ray? He must be busy compiling his list.

Top of ray's list is Hanoi Jane!

[Hootad Binky]

When I came back from Thailand with a screaming infant, Canada gave me:

- free licensed full-time infant daycare, so I could work
- full healthcare for both of us
- free dental for my son
- citizenship for my son

I've been working full time and paying taxes within three months of getting back, but still I get a GST (good and services tax) rebate every year, an extra $100 month for day/childcare expenses and an income tax child benefit of $262/month. My son is still in subsidized full time licensed daycare, and will start French Immersion at the local award-winning school within eighteen months. Also clean air, many parks, little traffic and no noise.

And spring is coming...

[Marmite the Dog]

and will start French Immersion at the local award-winning school within eighteen months.

Will he learn Latin too?