Close X
Sunday, September 22, 2024
ADVT 
National

Calgary Man Writes New York Times' Most Popular Comment Of All Time

The Canadian Press, 30 Dec, 2015 01:54 PM
    The most popular comment ever made on the New York Times website was penned by a Calgary man.
     
    Bob from Calgary, as he is identified on the site, received some 7,040 recommendations for his comment on a 2010 column about wealth and privilege written by Paul Krugman.
     
    The newspaper, which fields some 9,000 comments each day, says Bob's is the top post "of all time."
     
    The runner-up, posted on a story about the mass shooting in Charleston, S.C., drew roughly 5,489 recommendations.
     
    In his comment, Bob praises Canada's public schools, universal health care and banking system and says his tax bill is only two per cent higher than it would be south of the border.
     
    He also says he doesn't feel Canadians are in any way less free than their American counterparts.
     
    "My household makes just over $250,000 here in Canada. One of the best bargains I get for my money is living in a place where I and everyone I know sends their kids to public schools because they are really good," his comment reads. 
     
    "We end up with few criminals, because students learn how to be productive good citizens in schools."
     
    Other "bargains" of living in Canada include health care "whenever you need it without worry about not being approved," modernized infrastructure and public universities "where my children and the children from all types of households can go to and graduate with a big debt, but not a devastating one," he writes.
     
    Paid maternity and paternity leave also "ensure that parents and kids bond and families have some time to look after one another," he says.
     
    "Lastly (there are more, but I have to get back to my work), we get governance. This includes a banking system that is there to support the economy, not end run it to make a few $$," he says. 
     
    "With all of that said, I have to say that along with this, I enjoy one of the freest countries on earth. Our business freedoms are as extensive as the USA. We are free to hunt and own guns (aside from assault weapons and who needs those anyways). In fact, I have lived in the U.S.A. and I have to say, I can't see any freedoms there that we don't have here."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    As Vancouver Grapples With Housing Crisis, Here's How Europe Has Tackled Vacant Homes

    As Vancouver Grapples With Housing Crisis, Here's How Europe Has Tackled Vacant Homes
    The City of Vancouver has hired a consultant to analyze census and electricity consumption data. Here's a look at how Europe has tackled vacant homes.

    As Vancouver Grapples With Housing Crisis, Here's How Europe Has Tackled Vacant Homes

    High Winds Force Gondola Closure, Hundreds Stranded Overnight On Grouse Mountain

    High Winds Force Gondola Closure, Hundreds Stranded Overnight On Grouse Mountain
     Hundreds of people spent the night stranded on Vancouver's Grouse Mountain as high winds forced the resort to shut down its main gondola.

    High Winds Force Gondola Closure, Hundreds Stranded Overnight On Grouse Mountain

    B.C. In Recovery Mode After Latest In Series Of Storms Sweeps Through Region

    B.C. In Recovery Mode After Latest In Series Of Storms Sweeps Through Region
    Powerful winds and wet weather toppled trees and downed power lines over the weekend, cutting off power for thousands of Vancouver Island residents.

    B.C. In Recovery Mode After Latest In Series Of Storms Sweeps Through Region

    Liberal Deficits Could Hit $25 Billion And Still Honour Their 'Fiscal Anchor'

    The new government is suddenly talking about the debt-to-GDP ratio, promising repeatedly to keep it on a downward track every year until the next election.

    Liberal Deficits Could Hit $25 Billion And Still Honour Their 'Fiscal Anchor'

    Nardwuar Tweets That He's Been Discharged From Vancouver Hospital After Stroke

    Nardwuar Tweets That He's Been Discharged From Vancouver Hospital After Stroke
    The eccentric Vancouver native posted a message to his Facebook and Twitter accounts on Saturday to announce he was leaving the hospital's stroke unit.

    Nardwuar Tweets That He's Been Discharged From Vancouver Hospital After Stroke

    Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi Says New Rules, Standards Will Speed Up Funding Flows

    Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi Says New Rules, Standards Will Speed Up Funding Flows
    Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi says those big objectives are threefold: grow the economy, create jobs and make the country more sustainable.

    Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi Says New Rules, Standards Will Speed Up Funding Flows