Monday, October 17, 2011

Billionaires back Occupy Vancouver and Occupy Wall Street protests against growing income inequality!

Billionaire Warren Buffett isn't bluffing - mega-rich should pay higher taxes!

Unlikely Ally of Occupy Movement: Billionaires

The world's richest offer their surprising two cents on widening wealth disparity and Occupy Wall Street's relevance

Bill Tieleman's 24 hours/The Tyee column
Tuesday October 18, 2011
By Bill Tieleman 
"There has been class warfare going on. It's just that my class is winning. And my class isn't just winning, I mean we're killing them." 
- Warren Buffett, world's third richest man
When billionaires complain about the growing income inequality between rich and poor, you know that the Occupy Vancouver protest that started Saturday just makes sense.

When the third wealthiest man in the world -- Warren Buffett -- says the United States government should stop "coddling the super rich" like him and raise taxes on millionaires, you know something is dramatically wrong.

When Bill Gross, who runs the world's largest bond fund -- the $1.2 trillion Pacific Investment Management Co. -- says that the Occupy Wall Street protest is an unsurprising reaction to the class war started by the rich against the rest of us, you know this is not situation normal.

And when Laurence Fink, who runs BlackRock Inc. -- the world's biggest asset manager, with $3.7 trillion invested -- says protestors spreading the Occupy message around the world have a point, look out.
  
"These are not lazy people sitting around looking for something to do," Fink says. "We have people losing hope and they're going into the street, whether it's justified or not."

Canada's one per cent issues

While B.C. Premier Christy Clark and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty were quick to say things are totally different in Canada than the United States, they are dead wrong.

The more than 4,000 protestors who gathered outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday disagree, and for good reason.

The Occupy Wall Street movement points out that one per cent of the United States' population -- the mega-rich -- own a disproportionate 40 per cent of that country's total wealth. That's why this protest is aimed at helping the other 99 per cent.

But our country is not very different. A recent study found that just 3.8 per cent of Canadian families control 67 per cent of total household wealth.

Other studies have shown that Canada's top one per cent took home a massive 33 per cent of all income gains between 1997 and 2007.

Mega-rich wisdom

That's why we should listen when mega-rich managers like Buffett, who made $40 million in 2010but paid only 17.4 per cent income tax on it, Fink, who made $23.8 million last year, and Gross, who gave $33 million to charities last year and is worth $2.2 billion, warn about the gap between rich and poor.

"Class warfare by the 99 per cent? Of course, they're fighting back after 30 years of being shot at," Gross said on Twitter Oct. 12.

Fifty-billion-dollar man Buffett wrote a surprising editorial in the New York Times on Aug. 14, calling for a tax increase on the wealthy: "While the poor and middle class fight for us in Afghanistan, and while most Americans struggle to make ends meet, we mega-rich continue to get our extraordinary tax breaks.

"For those making more than $1 million -- there were 236,883 such households in 2009 -- I would raise rates immediately on taxable income in excess of $1 million, including, of course, dividends and capital gains. And for those who make $10 million or more -- there were 8,274 in 2009 -- I would suggest an additional increase in rate," Buffett wrote.

Those dismissing the Occupy Wall Street movement, which originated from Adbusters culture jamming magazine based right here in Vancouver, are foolish.

The very wealthiest men in America aren't just worried about income inequality -- they are preoccupied with it.

.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Warren Buffet would vomit if he knew about B.C.

Philip Neves said...

The irony Bill is that none of the super rich in Canada would ever make such comments. The super rich here would continue to accumulate wealth even if the 99% low income people had nothing to eat. That says something about how classy a guy Waren Buffet really is.

But I digress. Where is the prime minister in all of this? The people of this country have taken to the streets and told him that the system isn't working. He should stand up and try to fix it. Say something to ease their concerns. Or do these people only matter at election time?

Ken in Victoria said...

This is a very good article that reflects the opinion of the so called 99%. The people in the 1% group are human and should want a better live for all. Many are interested in supporting charities. Paying taxes allows Government to help those in need. Right wing policies are against the teachings of Jesus. However, most on the right claim to religion followers.
I trust the political leaders in our province and country will read the tea leaves and govern themselves accordingly.

Anonymous said...

Indeed so called 99%. But if there is such discord amongst this group, why not effect change, such as electing the NDP to federal goverment? The turnout in the last federal election was a dysmal 42%.

Also consider just who are the Occupy People representating? Certainly not 100% of the 99%. Not even 20%.

Look at the scope of protestors. Most left wing. groups such as the Communists of BC and the Iran People's Party. Hardly representative of the middle class in Port Alberni and in Chetwynd.

Also consider that not all Big Money is bad.

Locally, many large Vancouver corporations do particpate in charitable things. Jim Pattison for example had led the way for a new hospital in Surrey, Finning had donated equipment to help clean up Stanley Park.

What exactly have the Occupy groups done for charity work?

RonS said...

"What exactly have the Occupy groups done for charity work?"

I find that rather ironic. Most people who are donating time and what little money they have are from the shrinking middle class. Just giving money I'm sure makes the wealthy feel better. But just donating money won't fix the problem. There has to be fair tax policies in place that don't change on the whim of a government trying to stay elected.

Instead of the government working for the rich, they should work for everyone and show that they are everyones government not just the government of the wealthy and multi-national corporations.

I am starting to hear on blogs and through talking with others that it's time for some serious action.

By that I mean people are starting to talk about overthrowing the government. Never have I heard it spoken about so openly and as often.

Watch out Crusty, there is more than a train coming down the tracks!

Anonymous said...

Harper is a dictator and Campbell is his favorite henchman. Together they plotted to dismantle BC.

BC didn't have a premier. Our supposed premier, Gordon Campbell worked for Harper. Campbell used very dirty tactics, lied, deceived, thieved and twice cheated to be re-elected.

Why is it, Canadians can save 50%, by shopping in the U.S.? Why do Canadians gas up in the U.S.? Something very wrong in this country. Instead of fixing this for his citizens, Harper is adding to this ripoff.

Why does Harper thieve our tax dollars, to give to the wealthiest corporations in the world?

As a P.M., Harper is a total failure. His own selfish goals, come first, and to hell with the citizens. We are just to thieve from....By both Harper and Campbell.

Anonymous said...

"Harper is a dictator and Campbell is his favorite henchman. Together they plotted to dismantle BC."

And let's say Pierre Trudeau and Paul Martin were dictators too, eh?
ALso includde Mike Harcourt and Glen Clark.

"BC didn't have a premier. Our supposed premier, Gordon Campbell worked for Harper. Campbell used very dirty tactics, lied, deceived, thieved and twice cheated to be re-elected."

and whose fauly is that? The many people who stayed home in 2009 and didn't bother to vote NDP in mass droves, causing a low voter turnout.

"Why is it, Canadians can save 50%, by shopping in the U.S.? Why do Canadians gas up in the U.S.?"

Too much taxation in Canada and BC. And yes some of that originated with the NDP when they raised the PST.

"Something very wrong in this country. Instead of fixing this for his citizens, Harper is adding to this ripoff."

and so is anyone else who doesn't bother to vote.


"Why does Harper thieve our tax dollars, to give to the wealthiest corporations in the world?"

and why does the NDP allow Big Unions a seat at their conventions?

As a P.M., Harper is a total failure. His own selfish goals, come first, and to hell with the citizens. We are just to thieve from....By both Harper and Campbell.

Yeah so? Had a chance to vote him out, but the majority wanted him to stay. Democracy sucks when you lose.

Anonymous said...

"find that rather ironic. Most people who are donating time and what little money they have are from the shrinking middle class."

Which is not represented 100% by the Occupy Movement in Vancouver. Look at them.

"Just giving money I'm sure makes the wealthy feel better. But just donating money won't fix the problem. There has to be fair tax policies in place that don't change on the whim of a government trying to stay elected. "

So what is fair? Discuss it at the next NDP policy session. Get support for your idea of a fair tax system.

"Instead of the government working for the rich, they should work for everyone and show that they are everyones government not just the government of the wealthy and multi-national corporations. "

agreed, and the NDP should they become government should toss out their leanings towards Big Labour.

"I am starting to hear on blogs and through talking with others that it's time for some serious action."

You can start by participating and voting in the civic elections. Then move on to provincial party volunteering in the NDP.

"By that I mean people are starting to talk about overthrowing the government. Never have I heard it spoken about so openly and as often."

Oh puhleez. That's nothing new, and what exactly would be the replacement?


Watch out Crusty, there is more than a train coming down the tracks!

Lie across the tracks when it comes.

Anonymous said...

I just come here now to find out what the PAB are saying. It is the closest we will get to a "clear and transparent government"

Anonymous said...

The droners like Neil Macrae on monday and addled addler on tuesday and some guy in the Nanaimo Daily news tell us there is no message nothing is happening all is well. Shame on the mainstream droners.

Anonymous said...

The big problem I have with 99% is that you see me as the enemy. I make $225,000.00 a year and the 99% movement feels that they have a right to my money. Well here is the thing - I work for my money. I put in 12 hour days 5 days a week. I employ people and use all sorts of other small businesses... People like me keep the economy going. But according to you I am the enemy. I haved worked so incredibly hard to get where I am harder than most of you can imagine. I have no degree, I am an immagrant and you want my money... I have given this country so much and you want more? Stop and think about who you persecute and why you do it.

Anonymous said...

First of all:

The majority certainly did not vote for Harper. Shall we get this straight right now? 39% of voters gave Harper a majority, that is certainly not democratic. Let's not even get into the argument about how many of the people that don't bother voting have just given up because they know their vote DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.

Okay, number two:

The only shame we have is that we did not stand up and say NO to a 39% majority. Now 39% of the voting population decides 100% of the policy, how is that a democracy? We can easily switch to Alternative Vote, and if you look at polls of second choice, you would notice that Harper would likely not even have a government, it would have likely been NDP minority.

So, now, what are your useless arguments against Harper? Shall I continue?

This new crime bill is going to at least double our prison population over the next 4 years. This will mean that within the next few years, Harper will have a great excuse to privatize our prison system. Just wait and see. It is glaringly obvious when he didn't even account for these new demands in his Budget.


The sad thing is, nothing much would be different with the liberals. Even more sad, neither the NDP or the Green party have ever mentioned the fact that we could take control of our money supply from private corporations and fix the whole debt problem to begin with... What did I say? Yes over 90% of Canadian money is created out of thin air by private banks as loans. All this interest, usually about the same as the principle or more once fully paid, goes to private corporations. The Bank of Canada could easily be controlling our money supply, as is mandated by law.

Imagine the wealth of Canada if all the interest from creating money went to a corporation that is OWNED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA?

The sad thing is that no party has ever mentioned this in recent years. This means that the people must speak up! Oh wait, they did... at Occupy movements around the world (which, coincidentally, all have the same type of debt-based monetary system).

Do you think this idea is new? NO! This is why Canada and America were founded! We were sick of borrowing all our currency from England at DEBT. Well guess what? Since then, they have taken it all back and then some. Good job.

This is no joke. If you argue it, you are ignorant. Do your research. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Wed. October 19 Bill Boring said Gregor will regret leaving tents on the art gallery lawn because those wealthy visitors at the ritzy hotels will be offended. He just doesn't get it.

Anonymous said...

"The majority certainly did not vote for Harper. Shall we get this straight right now? 39% of voters gave Harper a majority, that is certainly not democratic. Let's not even get into the argument about how many of the people that don't bother voting have just given up because they know their vote DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.

Wrong. The majority of voters who did vote, did by majority on a riding by riding basis vote for more Conservative candidates than did opposition resulting in that Conservative candidate winning the seat. Therefore under our system, The Conservatives won the most seats and also goverment.

Would this poster say the same thing if the NDP received 39% of the vote and yet became government?

Imagine the wealth of Canada if all the interest from creating money went to a corporation that is OWNED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA?

You'd end up with a system similar to what existed in the Soviet Union, there would not be any incentive for success. The Soviet Union's Communist government did exactly that, distribute the wealth but removed any incentive for many people to succeed, resulting in a collapse of the collective system there.

Example: Why doesn't Bill here take the profits off his work, and distribute to the poor in the DTES? I do not mean charity, I do mean just taking that money earned, and after paying his bills, take the rest and distribute to the needy (the basic communist Russia model)? He doesn't because he like everyone else wants to succeed and is materialistic. Also like anyone else he is greedy to some degree.

Do your own research. Learn basic economics and political fundamentals. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

The majority certainly did not vote for Harper. Shall we get this straight right now? 39% of voters gave Harper a majority, that is certainly not democratic

A larger percentage of the vote voted for the NDP than BC Liberals, but yet the NDP won a second term of government in 1996.

Was that democratic?

SB said...

The very rich ones speaking know the next level of class warfare within USA could grow far worse relatives of mine in USA are concerned about where things are going much more so than ive ever heard from them before, here we simply need to have a fair set of rules bleeding a middle class dry will not help small business , the person who commented on making 225,000 a yr and worried about people wanting to take his hard earned money I work more than 60 hrs a week make less than 1/3 of what you do and i work as hard as anyone i do not want your money just a level playing field as far as taxes we should all share evenly in costs to run our governments business from the kid at a burger joint to CEOs .

NeoDude said...

In over 2 and a half years of reading this column I have never had the opportunity to say the following.

In all sincerity Bill, I agree with what you have said here 100%.

Perhaps another indication of how widespread the support for the Occupy movement is, when it can bring together two people whose opinions are such polar opposites.

NeoDude said...

"Wrong. The majority of voters who did vote, did by majority on a riding by riding basis vote for more Conservative candidates than did opposition resulting in that Conservative candidate winning the seat. Therefore under our system, The Conservatives won the most seats and also goverment."

Anon 10:21 (and other times), you know who you are. Your ignorance is on display again. Not that you're smart enough to understand, but you failed with the same argument before so it's kind of foolish to upchuck it again isn't it? Nobody, except possibly Bill, would make such a ludicrous argument and expect to be believed. Please learn from your past errors, idiocy and faulty logic are not virtues. When you finally come to the realization that you are deluded in assuming people lend any credence to your BS, you will mercifully stop wasting our time and retreat to the comfort of the marketing arm of the NDP which thrives on the senseless propaganda that you continually regurgitate. My only request is that you do so quickly and quietly.

Anonymous said...

Indeed so called 99%. But if there is such discord amongst this group, why not effect change, such as electing the NDP to federal goverment? The turnout in the last federal election was a dysmal 42%.

....so claims anon 10.32

Some homework for you, go and look up the real voter turn out in the last federal election! Then you can spew your nonsense with some semblance of reality.

Oh and just some advice. People with no money cannot participate in charity giving, even though they may want to. Yup, something so basic to realize and figure out, but I don't expect any right winger to be able to do that.

Bill Tieleman said...

To NeoDude - thanks - most appreciated. Good to see we have some common ground somewhere, not that I doubted it.

While I don't expect too many more 100% agreements with you I do hope to at least bat a respectable .300 or more with my columns with you - that makes me a star in baseball - but not journalism.

Anonymous said...

I hear a lot about people saying that those turning out to the Occupy Vancouver (etc.) only represent a small portion of the 99%, I agree. But I would also like to point out that many of the 99% didn't turn out because they can't afford to miss work, myself included.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:21 (and other times), you know who you are. Your ignorance is on display again. Not that you're smart enough to understand, but you failed with the same argument before so it's kind of foolish to upchuck it again isn't it? Nobody, except possibly Bill, would make such a ludicrous argument and expect to be believed. Please learn from your past errors, idiocy and faulty logic are not virtues. When you finally come to the realization that you are deluded in assuming people lend any credence to your BS, you will mercifully stop wasting our time and retreat to the comfort of the marketing arm of the NDP which thrives on the senseless propaganda that you continually regurgitate. My only request is that you do so quickly and quietly.

So who is "we"?? Do you represent everyone? No you do not.

Figure this one out:

If the larger share of the popular vote in 1996 went to the BC Liberals, and the NDP became government, was that democratic?

There was a 61% voter turnout in the last federal election, and yet Hsrper's government was elected. He received 31% of the total votes cast Was that democratic?

Why don't you stop your BS (and stop your "I'm better than you are" crap) and whining about voting, and just get in there and vote??

Your BS about Canada being a dictatorship is wearing thin.

Come up with an alternative right here and right now that will actally work.

Anonymous said...

I hear a lot about people saying that those turning out to the Occupy Vancouver (etc.) only represent a small portion of the 99%, I agree. But I would also like to point out that many of the 99% didn't turn out because they can't afford to miss work, myself included.


Not exactly a correct statement since the protest occured on a Saturday when many more people have the day off than they do during the week.

NeoDude said...

To Anon 11:02 (formerly Anon 10:21)

Three questions and a request.

1) 1996 - obviously an excellent example of a faulty democratic process, thanks for helping make my point.

2) Last federal - see question 1 response.

3) You misunderstand (as usual). Voting is a great idea. It is the recipients of those votes and the resultant manifestation of their power that is the problem. I could vote, sometimes I do but never for anybody that has a chance to get elected so what's the point?

Have you heard of Occupy Vancouver?
I don't think it will succeed as it is now but it may spawn a serious uprising. It will take force to remove the criminals from government and major corporations. And it may require force to oust the replacements as well but keep on fighting until the 1% and maybe even the 2nd % give up and accept their fair share and no more. Then we can talk about rebuilding a democracy properly. (Art Gallery - north side, see you there)

Anonymous said...

1) 1996 - obviously an excellent example of a faulty democratic process, thanks for helping make my point.

No it isn't. it is an example of how our system works.

2) Last federal - see question 1 response.

Same thing. Shows how our system works.


3) You misunderstand (as usual). Voting is a great idea. It is the recipients of those votes and the resultant manifestation of their power that is the problem. I could vote, sometimes I do but never for anybody that has a chance to get elected so what's the point?

So you don't vote for anyone that
has a chance to get elected. So obviously you hate the voting system and yet never vote for someone who could actually win. A loser voting for losers.


Have you heard of Occupy Vancouver?
I don't think it will succeed as it is now but it may spawn a serious uprising. It will take force to remove the criminals from government and major corporations. And it may require force to oust the replacements as well but keep on fighting until the 1% and maybe even the 2nd % give up and accept their fair share and no more. Then we can talk about rebuilding a democracy properly. (Art Gallery - north side, see you there)

Occupy Vancouver? It is a textbook example of how not to organize. There's no clear message, and you have groups there that do not relate to the imbalance of super rich over dirt poor. Also there are many differences between the scope of rich over poor in the United States and Canada. There's no clear concise direction from that group, and they do not represent the majority of the 99%ers.

One Occupy persons said in the media that it will continue until as he said:

"The rich are poor, and the poor are rich".

NeoDude said...

To Anon (anytime) - not even worth trying to figure out which one you are.

Amazing how you can try to justify your thoughts. I swear if I told you we were living on the 3rd planet in rotation around our Sun you would insist it was actually the 7th because it's proper to start counting from Pluto, unless of course you still believe the Sun revolves around us.

No matter how you look at it, we are constantly governed by broken promises of a handful of people elected by a minority of the population.

I know you don't like facts but that is one of them. Get over it. It's hard enough fighting the media for the truth, must we do battle with your moronic analysis as well?

I guess so, I can smell your response coming already. I'll go get my scoop.

Anonymous said...

"To Anon (anytime) - not even worth trying to figure out which one you are."

Amazing how you can try to justify your thoughts. I swear if I told you we were living on the 3rd planet in rotation around our Sun you would insist it was actually the 7th because it's proper to start counting from Pluto, unless of course you still believe the Sun revolves around us.

Well if you believe in counting from Pluto, that is your right.

Amazing how you can play junk psychologist. You might have a spot open for you on a daytime talk show. Maybe Anderson will take you as a 3rd guest.

"No matter how you look at it, we are constantly governed by broken promises of a handful of people elected by a minority of the population."

So what is your solution? You still don't have any idea of how representative democracy works, despite it being in existance for a very long time.


I know you don't like facts but that is one of them. Get over it.

You seem to not be able to get over what you don't like (judging from your "I'm better than you" attiude).


It's hard enough fighting the media for the truth, must we do battle with your moronic analysis as well?

Do "we" have to battle with your idiotic and moronic analysis?


I guess so, I can smell your response coming already. I'll go get my scoop.

Do what yu have to, and I would do something medically about that incontinence of yours. Accidentally pooping in a digtal public place without underwear on is very embarrassing for you isn't it?

and after you've cleaned up your own mess, try to learn a little about how democracy works.

and "we" still haven't seen any workable alternatives from you yet.

Anonymous said...

TO THE CITY OF VANCOUVER:

What if we all for one day stopped working and I mean everyone from every sector every occupation walked off the job for one day...then the entire system stops..that is how much power we really do have. Capitalism only works if we have a willing work force that keeps feeding the machine...

FREE ASSEMBLY IS GUARANTEED IN OUR CONSTITUTION - with respect to the policing costs why don't you start taxing the foreign investors who come here and buy real estate and collect the taxes from them?

I am in support of this movement for the following reason:

1. I, am currently spending over 65% of my net income on rent leaving me with nothing to invest into a retirement fund so fast forward 35 years from now I will be facing the city of Vancouver and demanding housing because I could not invest enough money to retire with due to the high costs of rent and living AND politicians that did not have the wherewithal to create policies around foreign investments and taxing the shit out of them. As long as I continue to live in this province I can never retire as I spend OVER 65% of my income on a rental apartment leaving nothing to invest with.

MY BUDGET TOTAL INCOME $2000.00 PER MONTH I HAVE A GOVERNMENT JOB AS WELL

$800.00 PER MONTH RENT or $400.00 bi-weekly
$593.00 FOR BILLS (STUDENT LOANS, CREDIT CARDS) or $293.00 bi-weekly
$300.00 A MONTH FOR FOOD or $150.00 bi-weekly
$150.00 FOR BASIC CABLE, INTERNET, PHONE or $75.00 bi-weekly
$50.00 PER MONTH FOR HYDRO or $25.00 bi-weekly
=$1,890.30 BASIC NEEDS or $943.00 bi weekly

***Leaving me a grand total of $107.00 to live on*** You will notice that I have not included a bus transit pass nor any discretionary monies. Just to cover the basics I am already in the hole which leaves me no money to invest into a retirement fund***Now that you have seen what I have to endure every month times that by all those people protesting for a fair and equitable system. Do you people really think that this is right? I am working just to keep a roof over my head and going nowhere fast.

2. There must be a plan implemented immediately to offset the increasingly unaffordable rentals costs for those who are renting;

3. The decisions to build a new roof on GM place was done without consulting the citizens of this province;

4. I am pissed off that I cannot live a decent life even though I work full time and pay taxes and in general abide by the rule of law in this province;

5. I am not looking for a handout but I want a more fair and equitable system to be in place so that we are not exploited for the right to profit;

6. I want a rental system to be enacted so that the renters do not pay more then what a mortgage holder would pay which would be the 25% to 35% of total net income across the board;

7. I want Rich Coleman to be fired for incompetence and failing to protect the rights of renters and who continues to be in the back pocket of the HollyBurns and other developers;

8. I do not live to work I work so I can live;

9. I want every single one of you to stand up and have a spine and start tacking these issues and support the cause of which some of you are based on the your salary and the cost of living here you are the 99%;

10. I want policies to be enacted whereby for every condo that is built a rental is built similar to the policies that Quebec has thus having a surplus of rentals and keeping the rental market at a reasonable rent;

11. Tax all foreign nationals that hide their money in real estate;

I AM THE 99% AND I WANT MY TAX MONEY TO BE SPENT IN SUPPORT OF OCCUPY VANCOUVER.

I would appreciate a response as to what you are prepared to do for those who are struggling just to live here.

Anonymous said...

TO THE CITY OF VANCOUVER:

"What if we all for one day stopped working and I mean everyone from every sector every occupation walked off the job for one day...then the entire system stops..that is how much power we really do have. "

You would not be able to get around on transit, you would not be able to get money from an ATM, nor would you be able to go to the corner store. If you end up being injured, there would be no hospital open for you and you may have serious complications.

If there was a fire, the fire department would not respond.

Local service providers would turn off their servers, thus no internet or cell phone service.

You would not be able to get gas for your car.

"FREE ASSEMBLY IS GUARANTEED IN OUR CONSTITUTION - with respect to the policing costs why don't you start taxing the foreign investors who come here and buy real estate and collect the taxes from them?"

They are taxed. It's called property tax.

"I am in support of this movement for the following reason:

1. I, am currently spending over 65% of my net income on rent leaving me with nothing to invest into a retirement fund"


If you are spending 65% of your monthly income on rent, you are in an apartment that is too expensive for you to handle. Unless you are in a temporary low income condition.

MY BUDGET TOTAL INCOME $2000.00 PER MONTH I HAVE A GOVERNMENT JOB AS WELL

Then $800 for rent is 40% of income not 65% as you insist.

$800.00 PER MONTH RENT or $400.00 bi-weekly



$593.00 FOR BILLS (STUDENT LOANS, CREDIT CARDS) or $293.00 bi-weekly
$300.00 A MONTH FOR FOOD or $150.00 bi-weekly
$150.00 FOR BASIC CABLE, INTERNET, PHONE or $75.00 bi-weekly
$50.00 PER MONTH FOR HYDRO or $25.00 bi-weekly
=$1,890.30 BASIC NEEDS or $943.00 bi weekly

I would remove the following:
- Credit cards (owned and operated by large bank based corporation)

- Adjust Basic cable only $40.00.
- $25.00 for month to month cell phone plan

(new cost $65.00, so far $860.00 with hyro $50.00, $910.00)

That leves you with $2000 adjusted costs with $1020, not $150.00.

***Leaving me a grand total of $107.00 to live on***

You can have $900 to live on.

"enacted so that the renters do not pay more then what a mortgage holder would pay which would be the 25% to 35% of total net income across the board;"

Many people pay much higher precentages for their mortgages and are one cheque way from losing their house.

9. I want every single one of you to stand up and have a spine and start tacking these issues and support the cause of which some of you are based on the your salary and the cost of living here you are the 99%;

Join the NDP. they have all the solutions.




I AM THE 99% AND I WANT MY TAX MONEY TO BE SPENT IN SUPPORT OF OCCUPY VANCOUVER.

I would appreciate a response as to what you are prepared to do for those who are struggling just to live here.

I am one of the 99% but you do not represent my own views.