Edgy wrote: "Many of the people of Europe who are paying for Greek spending and debt have not learned that lesson.

Canada is also living beyond it's means only it is not to the same extent as Greeks due to having richer resources."

Human greed knows no bounds. Canada is a country of one tenth the population of the USA and yet we try to have the same standard of living as our neighbours to the south. We are able to come close simply because we are , for now, resource rich. Our productivity level is not nearly as high; our manufacturing sector pales in comparison and our technology is borowed from the USA.

Canada does not get the economies of scale that our neighbour enjoys. They have 350M pepole to consume their goods & services and to contribute taxes to support all levels of Gov't. We try to support massive gov't spending with 35M taxpayers.

The flaws of democracy are starting to become evident, particularly in a relatively small country like Canada. The gov't can't simply be all things to all people as it is strugling to be. It is a s simple as running your household budget. There is only so much money and it has to be budgeted on a priority basis. All resouces are scarce, not just natural resourecs. We simply can't afford many of the gov't programs and beurocracies that we have created to satisfy special interest groups. But as long as our system of gov't remains unchanged politicians will continue to do what will buy them votes with little regard for what it cost or how efficient or necessary they are.

Yes Canada, Greece and it seems the USA are living beyond their means and there will be a day of reckoning sooner or later.

As for the idle no more /Tersa Spence issue, it is another example of special interest groups demanding a bigger share of the pie. Does the Federal gov't already give the Native reserves enough money if it were used as intended? Some reports seem to suggest that is true but who knows for sure? One thing for sure is that there needs to be a proper and public accounting of every penny. What we have seen at Attawapiscatt is scandalous if not criminal. Just the fact that they would object to a gov't appointed manager not only highlights their arrogance and sense of entitlement but casts suspicion on their motives.

Many people are pointing at some of the gov't scandals, misuse of funds and corruption as an excuse for the possible misuse of funds and corruption on Native reserves. Two wrongs never make a right and this is a hollow arguement.

The fact is that gov't spending and beurocracy is already too big. We can not afford it. Clearly we need less beurocracy within gov't and less gov't spending, not more.

But in response to Edgy, will humans ever learn to live within their means? I doubt it.

Will politicians of any stripe or race. including First Nations, start making decisions that are not based entirely on self interest and greed? I doubt it.

Is Democracy the best system of gov't that can be devised. I hope not.

SN