So everyone is talking about Stephen's big idea to cut the GST by 2%, then a higher rate phased in over a number of years. Do I think this is crazy? Yes. Like it says in the article "a family of four earning $60,000 a year would pay about $400 less in taxes". But, the previous sentence, to me, is the most important. $4.5 billion would be removed from the system. That's nothing to laugh at. And that amount being yanked from the system would go up if Stephen has anything to do with it.
Remember a bright-eyed, bushy tailed and
not so silver-tongued Premier named Mike Harris. He TOLD people that if they want tax breaks, he's give 'em to us. Remember how that worked out (been to a hospital lately?). Taking money out of the federal system when the federal system is ready to collapse on any number of fronts - heathcare, daycare, basic infrastructure, Kyoto compliance, etc. - is a STUPID IDEA. What we need is a more comprehensive, open and honest program of spending on social projects! Canada has this unique little quirk: we love our welfare system, yet we get pissed of when we find out we actually have to pay for it in order to for it to work.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't agree with Martin either. I think a reduction personal income tax is 'same crap, different pile' reactionary politicking.
I really don't want taxes to become the central point of this election. Not only is it irrelevant when we consistently put up multi-billion dollar surpluses year after year, but it excludes what I think are real issues. It also pushes the fringe parties out further where they don't have a chance to inject some real issues into the debate. But hey, that's just me, and no one reads this anyways...
CBC News: Harper vows to cut GST
