Chronic Expectations
He is 84 years of age, enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1944, attended training camp, was deployed to Holland as part of the Allied occupation until 1946 after liberation from the Nazis. He served two years, 60 years ago, with the Canadian Armed Forces during the SecondWorld War.
He suffers now from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic sinusitis. Not, for his age, an entirely unexpected situation.
His wife is a retired schoolteacher, and their combined income in retirement is $45,000. According to 2010 figures by Statistics Canada representing 2008 values, the average two-earner family income is $63,900, while for singles it is $24,900. The average for retired couples over age 65 is $55,900.
Therefore, this particular retired couple earns less in superannuation, CPP and Old Age Pension than the average. Yet there are families with children who earn less than $45,000. Presumably, like most retired couples, their home is paid for and their expenses routinely minimal.
The wife's medical insurance pays for most health-related costs. But not for a new set of dentures her 84-year-old husband recently required, at $2,700, or for the hearing aid he now requires which will cost about $4,000. When younger, he worked in the real estate market and says now his finances would be in better shape but for plunging interest rates in the 1980s.
He has requested assistance of Veterans Affairs to help with their $3,500 a year costs for casual employment of a housekeeper and a handyman. Veterans Affairs does have a program specifically for these types of expenses, but after reviewing his qualifications he was informed that with their combined income of $45,000 he is disqualified. It is not revealed whether this is after- or before-taxes.
But he feels hard done by, claiming that during winter training exercises in Brantford and CFB Borden, he can recall, being troubled with breathing problems, ear infections and constant colds. After leaving the army he had bouts of pneumonia and pleurisy, and he is also asthmatic.
All maladies that may reveal a poor constitution, not necessarily that his enlistment and training had anything to do with these conditions.
But he is upset and feels dreadfully neglected by Veterans Affairs for refusing him the assistance he feels is due him. Veterans Affairs has disclosed that there are 218,000 Canadians who receive support from the department; veterans, their survivors and current Canadian Forces personnel.
This man says he has voted for the current Conservative-led government, and is disappointed: "They spend all sorts of money to send (Defence Minister Peter) MacKay all over the world, but they can't follow up on us. What the hell is wrong here? I don't think I should have to beg."
Nor do taxpayers feel he should beg.
The man speaks with some umbrage: "I have to ask my wife for everything, which is a little demeaning". Is it really? His wife pulls the purse strings perhaps, but are not familial expenses a family affair? He has a grown daughter, don't adult children offer to assist their parents financially if and when required?
This man is upset and unhappy about his financial situation. He begrudges having to go to his wife to purchase needed items. Yet appears to have no hesitation in expecting the taxpayer to pony up...?
He suffers now from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic sinusitis. Not, for his age, an entirely unexpected situation.
His wife is a retired schoolteacher, and their combined income in retirement is $45,000. According to 2010 figures by Statistics Canada representing 2008 values, the average two-earner family income is $63,900, while for singles it is $24,900. The average for retired couples over age 65 is $55,900.
Therefore, this particular retired couple earns less in superannuation, CPP and Old Age Pension than the average. Yet there are families with children who earn less than $45,000. Presumably, like most retired couples, their home is paid for and their expenses routinely minimal.
The wife's medical insurance pays for most health-related costs. But not for a new set of dentures her 84-year-old husband recently required, at $2,700, or for the hearing aid he now requires which will cost about $4,000. When younger, he worked in the real estate market and says now his finances would be in better shape but for plunging interest rates in the 1980s.
He has requested assistance of Veterans Affairs to help with their $3,500 a year costs for casual employment of a housekeeper and a handyman. Veterans Affairs does have a program specifically for these types of expenses, but after reviewing his qualifications he was informed that with their combined income of $45,000 he is disqualified. It is not revealed whether this is after- or before-taxes.
But he feels hard done by, claiming that during winter training exercises in Brantford and CFB Borden, he can recall, being troubled with breathing problems, ear infections and constant colds. After leaving the army he had bouts of pneumonia and pleurisy, and he is also asthmatic.
All maladies that may reveal a poor constitution, not necessarily that his enlistment and training had anything to do with these conditions.
But he is upset and feels dreadfully neglected by Veterans Affairs for refusing him the assistance he feels is due him. Veterans Affairs has disclosed that there are 218,000 Canadians who receive support from the department; veterans, their survivors and current Canadian Forces personnel.
This man says he has voted for the current Conservative-led government, and is disappointed: "They spend all sorts of money to send (Defence Minister Peter) MacKay all over the world, but they can't follow up on us. What the hell is wrong here? I don't think I should have to beg."
Nor do taxpayers feel he should beg.
The man speaks with some umbrage: "I have to ask my wife for everything, which is a little demeaning". Is it really? His wife pulls the purse strings perhaps, but are not familial expenses a family affair? He has a grown daughter, don't adult children offer to assist their parents financially if and when required?
This man is upset and unhappy about his financial situation. He begrudges having to go to his wife to purchase needed items. Yet appears to have no hesitation in expecting the taxpayer to pony up...?
Labels: Canada, Economy, Human Relations
posted by Pieface @ 7:03 PM
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