Well once again there is discussion about one particular political party suggesting a raise in taxes. And once again, the 'tax cutting' crowd is all over them.
You know the last time I looked, our health system; our education system; our justice system; our road system; our garbage collection system; our police, fire fighting, and ambulance systems are all funded by public funds. There are a lot of services we rely on and have been traditionally supported by taxpayers.
I don't like paying taxes any more than anyone else. But I see there is a need for public service providers to have sufficient resources to discharge public responsibilities. I think the 'tax cutter crowd'as usual is so 'wrapped up' in their ideology they never acknowledge an essential role for government in these vital areas of our society.
This 'tax cut' preoccupation seems to have started with the beginning of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan's periods of office. Our world has become a 'less caring' society because of that. Private sector (usually non-governmenta agencies) have had to 'pick up the slack'.
Whenever next election comes I will support any party that recognizes the reality that taxes may need to be adjusted to support public services.
Showing posts with label taxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taxes. Show all posts
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
anti HST grouping in Ontario and BC and Other Stuff
It 'pains' me to see progressive political forces in BC and Ontario aligning themselves with traditonally more conservative forces. It's an unholy alliance.
Some time ago I happened to run into a government MLA in Ontario. He reminded me that there will be a HST-credit system similar to the GST credit. While the amounts paid to low income earners may not be as much as it should be (I certainly agree it should be more), the practice of paying (non taxable) credits to low income folks is good public policy.
Some time ago I happened to run into a government MLA in Ontario. He reminded me that there will be a HST-credit system similar to the GST credit. While the amounts paid to low income earners may not be as much as it should be (I certainly agree it should be more), the practice of paying (non taxable) credits to low income folks is good public policy.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Has It Come to This. Canadian Politics in 2009
I think I read something today about one of Canada's political leaders has denied an intention to have an 'adult discussion with Canadians' on how to get our public finances out of debt.
If this is true it is a regrettable state of affairs in our great country. Realistic analysis of the size of our public deficit and debt clearly points to the necessity of increasing government revenues. Governments' main source of revevnue is taxation and other fees charged for public services.
Yet political leaders of all stripes have 'swallowed' all the anti-tax line first propagated by people like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher and embraced by Canadian politicians like Michael Harris and Stephen Harper.
Our country has become less caring since the early 1980's as government have withdrawn from many of our innovative social programs.. all in the interest of reducing taxes. Our public sector's ability to effect real social and economic change is limited due to successive, and in some cases, really unnecessary tax cuts.
Taxes pay for health care, education, transportation infrastructure, welfare, emergency protection etc. etc. THese are important to society and should be properly funded...which is NOT happening now thanks to widespread preoccupation with 'cutting taxes'.
If this is true it is a regrettable state of affairs in our great country. Realistic analysis of the size of our public deficit and debt clearly points to the necessity of increasing government revenues. Governments' main source of revevnue is taxation and other fees charged for public services.
Yet political leaders of all stripes have 'swallowed' all the anti-tax line first propagated by people like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher and embraced by Canadian politicians like Michael Harris and Stephen Harper.
Our country has become less caring since the early 1980's as government have withdrawn from many of our innovative social programs.. all in the interest of reducing taxes. Our public sector's ability to effect real social and economic change is limited due to successive, and in some cases, really unnecessary tax cuts.
Taxes pay for health care, education, transportation infrastructure, welfare, emergency protection etc. etc. THese are important to society and should be properly funded...which is NOT happening now thanks to widespread preoccupation with 'cutting taxes'.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
My Views on Consumption Taxes Like HST
Sales taxes are essentially unfair but necessary for the reasons
outlined below.
They are 'consumption taxes'.. the more you consume a good or service
the more you pay. They are unfair as the tax paid represents a greater
portion of a person's disposable income if the person is at a low income
level. They unfairly penalize lower income earners.
However, some argue it's a good tax as high income earners pay a lot of
consumption tax as they consume more goods and services (including what we
might call luxury goods and services).
Also a consumption tax may cause a desireable change of public/consumer
behaviour. That is why the carbon tax idea was good public policy
What some governments do (federal does although it is not good enough),
is (either on the income tax form or via periodic payments), is pay flat
credits to people. Low income Canadians receive quarterly payments from the federal government called GST credits. They don't compensate for all GST paid but certainly provide some help.
Ontario government is planning on giving grants to every person to help with the transition to the HST.
Quebec, and some of the Atlantic provinces have a HST.
Finally many opponents of the HST are right wing conservatives who
dislike government doing anything in our society. They mistakenly believe
things like health care; education; welfare; emergency services don't cost
anything. Governments need revenue to pay for these activities. It pains
me to see federal and provincial NDP politicians agreeing with the likes of
Stephen Harper, Michael Harris etc.(I could add as wll most of the crowd who are on
or who phone talk radio stations)
outlined below.
They are 'consumption taxes'.. the more you consume a good or service
the more you pay. They are unfair as the tax paid represents a greater
portion of a person's disposable income if the person is at a low income
level. They unfairly penalize lower income earners.
However, some argue it's a good tax as high income earners pay a lot of
consumption tax as they consume more goods and services (including what we
might call luxury goods and services).
Also a consumption tax may cause a desireable change of public/consumer
behaviour. That is why the carbon tax idea was good public policy
What some governments do (federal does although it is not good enough),
is (either on the income tax form or via periodic payments), is pay flat
credits to people. Low income Canadians receive quarterly payments from the federal government called GST credits. They don't compensate for all GST paid but certainly provide some help.
Ontario government is planning on giving grants to every person to help with the transition to the HST.
Quebec, and some of the Atlantic provinces have a HST.
Finally many opponents of the HST are right wing conservatives who
dislike government doing anything in our society. They mistakenly believe
things like health care; education; welfare; emergency services don't cost
anything. Governments need revenue to pay for these activities. It pains
me to see federal and provincial NDP politicians agreeing with the likes of
Stephen Harper, Michael Harris etc.(I could add as wll most of the crowd who are on
or who phone talk radio stations)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
About My 'Business'
Hey all..if you're reading this and live in Canada and need help in having your income taxes prepared feel free to email me at gorandmar@rogers.com or phone 613-225-8297
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