I wouldn't get too worked up, I think Spender was being just a little tongue in cheek. I'd have to agree that a government pension plan that you paid into all your working life and are now receiving benefit from is not even close to being on the dole. You paid for it.
I knew private health insurance in the US was expensive but did not realize how expensive. What you were paying for Blueshield would be more than The federal and provincial taxes payable on a $65,000 yearly gross income in Ontario with health care already included iCalculator | Ontario Salary example for $65,000.00 . Being retired I am drawing my government pension and company pension but still not paying for healthcare.
Bob
My health insurance SINCE Obama's health care bill was coming, has almost doubled 2 years running.