We were able to get an apartment in what I later learned was a transient residence, mostly doing duty as MQs for the local RCAF squadron. Dad got a low end, low paying job as a clerk at City Hall. Then came a round of serious illnesses, and my mother had had enough. We went back to England (by now I was 5) and Dad went back to his old job at the Midlands Electricity Board, as an architect.

But, crazy thing, the siren call of Canada was still heard. Just before I turned 8 we headed back to try again. Success this time, and there began a long climb (with a lot of moving) that eventually landed Dad in the highest non-elective office in the Calgary city government.

So, tho I am a long way from those times now, I well remember my Mother’s oft repeated mantra when I was growing up: “We can’t afford that.”

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Edmonton, Alberta. Both times. In 1966 we migrated to Calgary.

Or that a TV show host should earn many times more than a dozen teachers?

Is fame really worth that much to us?

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Not fame. DiCaprio gets paid what he gets paid because of how much money he generates for the Studios. Actors who don't generate as much get paid less.

So, the question should really be if you think emergency workers, policemen, firemen, nurses and teachers should get paid more, by how much are you willing to have your taxes raised to pay for it?

(I pay very high property taxes to cover the police and teachers, high insurance premiums to pay the nurses, and make large donations to the volunteer fire department.)