Mr. Speaker, I do not know if it is or it is not. I am not advocating that we embrace the U.S. system. In fact, as I said in my speech, we do not agree with it. It is the wrong system.
My point was that the U.S. economy produces so much more wealth per person that it is able to fund public health care to a greater degree than Canada. I think my friend across the way should pay attention to that fact. Whether the administration eats up 30% or whatever is irrelevant to this debate.
My point is that the government is anaesthetising itself with happy talk about the growth in our economy. The truth is that one of the ways we are subsidizing the growth in our economy is by allowing our dollar to sink, producing a feeling of good times, but at the same time not preparing our economy in the proper way to take advantage of the new economy. We are allowing the government to cruise, perhaps through to another election campaign, sacrificing the best interests of Canadians in doing so and making us poorer in the long run.
My friend across the way must acknowledge that if he is going to be completely upfront and forthright with Canadians.