Year of Numbers
It is now twenty-oh-eight. I spell it out because that is how we have said the years prior to twenty-nought-nought. (i.e. nineteen ninety-nine). The number of the year is 5%.
I am referring, of course, to the GST. More precisely, I am referring to the amount that the GST tax cut will actually help the average Canadian. 5% of the help Canadians actually need is so close to zero percent that it does not actually do anything. 1-2% decrease in a sales tax helps nothing, unless you can afford to buy something worth $1,000,000 and thereby save between $10,000 and $20,000.
A Decrease in GST of 1%
If you spend $1 you will save $0.01
If you spend $10 you will save $0.10
If you spend $100 you will save $1
If you spend $1,000 you will save $10
If you spend $10,000 you will save $100
If you spend $100,000 you will save $1,000
If you spend $1,000,000 you will save $10,000
Child Poverty in Canada
Eight years after the deadline is significantly late. Child Poverty in Canada was to be eliminated 9 New Year’s days ago.
Do the math — 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.
Why don’t we just re-write the page of definitions again, so that the history books will praise us and our generosity? Liberals and Conservatives alike are to blame for dropping the ball and letting everyone down.
Looking for the Root Cause.
I would suggest that the problem is largely systemic and the fact that the problem exists at all reflects on our society as a whole. Violence is should not be attributed to one cause or another cause, but to the linkages of societal patterns which manifest themselves down through generations. (Societal Linkages: Consider the fact that North Americans abhor the idea of raising a family in an apartment whereas this is not an issue for many Europeans.) Why is it that Montreal had no murders last year and Winnipeg has had two already this year? (I really want an answer for this one, especially from a Conservative.)
Physical violence makes the news and is sexy but when violence utilizes the sword of poverty people are appalled until commercial break. Then the fascination of the market place overwhelms.
Lowering tax rates for low income earners will not fix the problem. They do not have enough money to make the difference significant. And this goes throughout the provinces too. The NDP in Manitoba is not a socialist party, they are a Social-Democracy. (Whereas I would be a Democratic-Socialist.)
My Suggestion
Eliminate taxes for everyone who falls below the poverty line. Someone not able to afford adequate food, shelter, clothing and other essentials does not need to be taxed. The Basic Personal Amount should equal or exceed the poverty threshold.
