If this is socialism, bring it on

Re Larry Brelsford's letter of Feb. 20:

First of all, I just want to say that we have been vacationing in Myrtle Beach for 11 years and love your city. We like the climate, the great restaurants and hotels, and the friendly people. We haven't encountered long line-ups or slow service. We have even heard that some hotels are giving discounts to Canadians, because, yes, our dollar is pretty low right now.

My grandmother was an American and we have many relatives and friends in the U.S.

One thing I do object to in his letter is his blaming our low dollar on our “very liberal social and financial policies.” Let me say that our Canadian banks are, and have been, very secure. We didn't experience the financial crisis eight years ago anywhere nearly as bad as other G8 countries, and our economy was the best of the G8 coming out of it. We were not part of the sub-prime mortgage fiasco either.

Our low dollar is mainly the result of the decline in the price of oil and commodities, as well as the declining of the Chinese and Japanese economies, not to mention the rise of the American dollar, thanks to your growing economy under your great president Barack Obama.

As for our social problems ... what social problems? According to the United Nations General Assembly World Happiness report, Canada is ranked 7 out of 10 as one of the best countries in which to live. They quote due to, among other things, our low crime rate and health and social support. Canada was also ranked as one of the top trading nations because of our free trade policy.

We elected in November, by majority, a wonderful, new, young, liberal prime minister, Justin Trudeau, who has already acted on many of his election promises, such as working to legalize marijuana, allowing death with dignity, welcoming thousands of Syrian refugees and giving women more of a voice in government. One half of his cabinet members are well-qualified women.

Our federal government is also working with the provinces to lower the cost of drugs by having a national pharmacare program.

We allow therapeutic abortions in all but one province, respect women's, veteran's and gay rights, have equal pay for equal work, have a decent minimum wage and if you show up at any of our hospitals you will get treated and not turned away.

If any of our politicians were to denigrate prisoner of war veterans, handicapped persons, women or persons from another culture they would be promptly voted out of office, not celebrated.

We are by no means perfect, and yes we pay higher taxes, but I feel we are well compensated, so if this is socialism ... bring it on!

Just sayin'

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 8:20 AM with the headline "If this is socialism, bring it on."