The General Chit Chat Thread 2

[metro.]

Students on strike? For what reason, Burk?

Sorry I missed that.

Because the government is has decided to greatly increase the universalities' tuition fees.

What percent?

[Burkingam]

Students on strike? For what reason, Burk?

Sorry I missed that.

Because the government is has decided to greatly increase the universalities' tuition fees.

What percent?

They will go from $2168/years to $3793/years.

[i_am_otep]

That's only for Quebec, right?

[Burkingam]

That's only for Quebec, right?

Correct.

[metro.]

~70% I see why you're pissed.


Also, it's singular year in that case. Not trying to be an ass.

[Bob2004]

Sounds like what the UK government's done. University tuition fees here are going from £3,365 to up to £9000 a year, which is ridiculous. We had mass protests all over the country because of it, culminating with 50,000 students protesting outside parliament during the vote, and they went ahead and did it anyway. It's a good thing it only affects new students starting this September, and not existing students, or I'd have to drop out of university, because there's no way I could afford it.

[metro.]

Sounds like what the UK government's done. University tuition fees here are going from £3,365 to up to £9000 a year, which is ridiculous. We had mass protests all over the country because of it, culminating with 50,000 students protesting outside parliament during the vote, and they went ahead and did it anyway. It's a good thing it only affects new students starting this September, and not existing students, or I'd have to drop out of university, because there's no way I could afford it.

Yeah, I saw those, I agree both with the students and the government.

There's something to be said for gradual progress.

[1000mAh]

their cameras do have thos telescopelegs(?)

It's called a Tripod, and it's not just Japanese people, it's for people that want to take pictures in general.

This. It's used to keep the camera steady at a required angle. Mah, you make amusing assumptions.

duh, I'm a Finn how the hell could I know a word like 'tripod' and I'm not a camera man

[TiYlER]

I've actually never used a tripod for still photos. I use one all the time for video though. The best ones (when excluding dollies and cranes) have fluid heads for excellent control of pans and tilts.

[Burkingam]

Both, the government and the students are trying to play the "economy" card. The government is arguing that universities' finance are doing very bad right now and they can't finance them more because the government's budget also a faces a 300M$+ deficit, while the students are arguing that it's good for the economy if more people have access to higher education, because people with a university diploma tend to make more money and are less likely to be unemployed and so they think it will pay for itself.

I don't know that neither sides have demonstrated to be right and frankly it wouldn't change my opinion either way. I think is that the government should be working to improve the standard of living, and while I understand that a strong economy plays a very big role to reach this goal, I don't think that's all that matters. Assuring that everyone have an access to higher education is also an important point. It's not like there are not better ways the government could help its finances. Perhaps for example they could ask Hydro-Quebec (a state owned company with a monopoly on electricity) to sell it's power at the prices it is worth, with is a lot more than what we are paying right now.

[Bob2004]

Well, the big issue is that if the number of people going to university drops as a result of higher fees, then in 10-20 years time, the country would face a really serious problem with a lack of skilled workers. Unskilled labour is not all that useful in developed countries, where the majority of jobs are in the service sector - and most of the ones that aren't are usually fairly technical, or skill intensive.

Here in the UK they are at least changing student finance along with it, so it's still possible for everyone to go to university - you'll just be saddled with massive debt the rest of your life. I'm guessing they're doing the same in Canada? I can't imagine doubling tuition fees without ensuring it is still possible for everyone to attend uni if they want to could end any way but badly.

[Burkingam]

Yes, they increased our loans and bursaries program but the general consensus seams to be that they didn't do it enough, though I don't know enough to judge by myself.

I'm tired of hearing the government use the same two arguments to justify themselves: that students payed a larger percentage of the universities' budget in the 70s and that quebecois universities are the less expensive in Canada. Both arguments fail to address whether it's a good idea or not to raise the tuition fees. An appeal to tradition and an appeal to majority, apparently it's the best they can come up with and I hear them again and again and again like a refrain.

[metro.]

It is honestly depressing thinking about having to support the Baby Boomers pensions by the time I'm working a real job.

[pingryanime]

...dammit stop reminding me of things like that.

[metro.]

...dammit stop reminding me of things like that.

Now try to get a high paying job so you're near the top tax bracket and 50% of your income is taken by taxes

[pingryanime]

Don't rich people pay less tax in the US? or is it just where I am? At least I know I'm always hearing people bitch about richbpeople not Paying their share of taxes.

[rathoriel]

Students on strike? For what reason, Burk?

Sorry I missed that.

Because the government is has decided to greatly increase the universalities' tuition fees.

What percent?

They will go from $2168/years to $3793/years.

god hates the french ;P

[Bob2004]

Yes, they increased our loans and bursaries program but the general consensus seams to be that they didn't do it enough, though I don't know enough to judge by myself.

I'm tired of hearing the government use the same two arguments to justify themselves: that students payed a larger percentage of the universities' budget in the 70s and that quebecois universities are the less expensive in Canada. Both arguments fail to address whether it's a good idea or not to raise the tuition fees. An appeal to tradition and an appeal to majority, apparently it's the best they can come up with and I hear them again and again and again like a refrain.

Yeah, here the reason is to save government money, and the justification is that it will actually make it cheaper for students. But since the money has to come from somewhere, that doesn't really make sense - if both parties are paying less, then who's paying more?

In reality, student loan repayments will be smaller, and the minimum salary you have to earn before you start paying it back is higher, but the loan itself is far bigger, and you have to pay it back for much longer.

And to think, 40 years ago, university used to be completely free in the UK. We seem to be going backwards.

[metro.]

Don't rich people pay less tax in the US? or is it just where I am? At least I know I'm always hearing people bitch about richbpeople not Paying their share of taxes.

Oh maybe, I dunno. The Ultra Rich pay less taxes yes, but not the wealthy.

[Nikkoru]

Don't rich people pay less tax in the US? or is it just where I am? At least I know I'm always hearing people bitch about richbpeople not Paying their share of taxes.

Oh maybe, I dunno. The Ultra Rich pay less taxes yes, but not the wealthy.

Though you wouldn't guess it if you hear some politicians and talking head bitch endlessly on the taxes "Job Creators" are burdened with. You could almost believe in their Sisyphean struggle rhetoric if you watched cable news, rather than looking at the relative tax rate for the last 50 years or individual and corporate profits.

Yes, they increased our loans and bursaries program but the general consensus seams to be that they didn't do it enough, though I don't know enough to judge by myself.

I'm tired of hearing the government use the same two arguments to justify themselves: that students payed a larger percentage of the universities' budget in the 70s and that quebecois universities are the less expensive in Canada. Both arguments fail to address whether it's a good idea or not to raise the tuition fees. An appeal to tradition and an appeal to majority, apparently it's the best they can come up with and I hear them again and again and again like a refrain.

Attacking students is a safe bet, few actually vote - and there is a larger population of older voters who grew up in a period where university and college educations were unnecessary and relatively scarce. These people seem more than willing to throw someone's kid under the school bus to be "fiscally responsible". At least that's how I viewed the similar politics taking place in Ontario since the 1990's.

At least that's my theory, going after post-secondary students seems to be a matter of course for governments trying to save a buck everywhere.