Things sure are more expensive nowadays...

[dennilfloss]

Last time I had a cobbler make me a pair of orthotic shoes was around 14-15 years ago and I had to pay $300. That pair is no longer good (sole is worn off - you can see the cork -, leather has dried up and holed in flexing areas). This afternoon I got a phone call from a lady working for essential services at City Hall and she told me that she got the faxed estimate from my cobbler for my new shows. When she told me the price, I had to sit down: $1200!:shocked:

That's like 2-3 weeks of labour full time. I know he is making them from scrap but still... At any rate, this will be approved and the city will pay for them providing my family doctor faxes them a slightly longer explanation as to why I need them (hockey game during my teen years, compound fracture, did not heal properly, right leg now 1" shorter, no orthotic show means limping, scoliosis and major back pain).

Normally, I need to make a visit to my physician before he writes such letters (so he can get paid by the government too) but, as luck would have it, the bus drivers are on strike in Ottawa. My doctor is now located on the other side of the city and that would mean a ~$25 fare each way. I explained this to his secretary/receptionist and he'll phone me tomorrow.:thumbsup:

Damn that's a lot of money for a pair of shoes. I feel like O.J. Simpson.😱

 

[joesmoke]

Unless those are gucci loafers, i say no go.

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: joesmoke
Unless those are gucci loafers, i say no go.

The government is paying for them.

 

[apac]

Back up, why exactly is "the city", aka me, paying for your new orthotic shoes? Why wouldn't insurance cover this?

 

[Slew Foot]

Get them made in a chinese sweatshop for 50 cents.

 

[Slew Foot]

Originally posted by: apac
Back up, why exactly is "the city", aka me, paying for your new orthotic shoes? Why wouldn't insurance cover this?

You're in Canada, health insurance is you 🙂

 

[Newbian]

For $1,200 I hope the shoes have a built in fleshlight.

 

[dennilfloss]

Originally posted by: apac
Back up, why exactly is "the city", aka me, paying for your new orthotic shoes? Why wouldn't insurance cover this?

Most other stuff (e.g. precription medicine, rent, basic living expenses) is paid for by the provincial government (I'm permanently disabled) but for whatever reason, it's the city of Ottawa who pays for such items. Must be an intergovernmental agreement of some sort.

 

[joesmoke]

Originally posted by: Newbian
For $1,200 I hope the shoes have a built in fleshlight.

<scribbles furiously in "business ideas" notebook>

 

[dennilfloss]

Originally posted by: Newbian
For $1,200 I hope the shoes have a built in fleshlight.

I prefer using shoe shine to keep the leather moist, thank you.

 

[dennilfloss]

Originally posted by: joesmoke

Originally posted by: Newbian
For $1,200 I hope the shoes have a built in fleshlight.

<scribbles furiously in "business ideas" notebook>

Max(hardcore)swell Smart?

 

[zzuupp]

Originally posted by: dennilfloss

I prefer using shoe shine to keep the leather moist, thank you.

:laugh:

well played, sir.

 

[dennilfloss]

Cobbler just phoned me. The shoes are approved so the city will pay the bill. He'll phone me again shortly after Christmas so I can go get my feet measured. 🙂

 

[TallBill]

I bought a burrito yesterday.

 

[Insomniator]

I would love to have a burrito but they are too expensive these days.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Originally posted by: TallBill
I bought a burrito yesterday.

but did the taxpayers foot the bill?

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot

Originally posted by: TallBill
I bought a burrito yesterday.

but did the taxpayers foot the bill?

Probably. Everyone is getting a bailout these days.

 

[pontifex]

wth? why do they cost so much?

 

[TestedAcorn]

Originally posted by: TallBill
I bought a burrito yesterday.

I bought a volcano taco today.

 

[Imdmn04]

Why does the Canadian government pay for personal expenses?

I am gonna move to Canada and ask for a PS3 at work.

 

[imported_Imp]

What the ? One or two pairs of orthotic shoes?

Last time I went to a foot clinic the past summer, they priced one pair of orthotics for $500 with the second pair half or a third that price. The shoes specifically designed for them would be less than $200. Did you find the most expensive place😉...

Luckily I don't have that big of a problem, just flat feet. To avoid to lifetime upkeep of said orthotics, I opted to go with $40 over the counter inserts.

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
Why does the Canadian government pay for personal expenses?

I am gonna move to Canada and ask for a PS3 at work.

Health expenses.

Like, my mom consumes on average 2500$ worth of perscription pills a month, a little over 5000$ in the states/month for her MS/Epilepsy, the government program (trillium) pays for these, and due to this she can continue to work to a degree and contribute, as well my father and my brothers can all work or attend school rather than take care of her and have to go on welfare. That investment in one person can aid 5-7 of us.

Things like this are why the idea that healthcare is useless welfare is so grey, because it can have far reaching affects.