Has Gordon Campbell dealt himself a winning hand?
Campbell Gambles BC's Economy on HST Politics
Vote pushed back a year; who in their right minds will buy a condo now?
Bill Tieleman's 24 hours/The Tyee column
Tuesday September 21, 2010
By Bill Tieleman
"If you're playing a poker game and you look around the table and can't tell who the sucker is, it's you."
- Actor Paul Newman
Premier Gordon Campbell thinks B.C. voters are suckers.
And when it comes to the Harmonized Sales Tax, Campbell wants to deal you in for a poker game
where the premier gets to:
- pick which rules apply;
- play the game when he thinks he can win;
- spend your money to get him better cards; and
- decide himself who won the game and how to divide the pot.
Oh yes, the stakes you are playing for: $2 billion a year, forever.
Welcome to Campbell's Gamble -- or HST Hold ‘Em -- where the premier always deals his hand from the bottom of the deck.
If you play, expect Campbell's pair of deuces to easily beat your royal flush, because the only rules are his own.
The poker game is actually a province-wide vote on the HST.
Campbell was forced into that when Fight HST, the group I helped start, did what was previously thought impossible -- win a citizens' initiative petition signed by over 10 per cent of registered voters in all 85 B.C. ridings in just 90 days.
The government had only two choices -- introduce the HST Extinguishment Act proposed by Fight HST leader and former B.C. premier Bill Vander Zalm -- into the B.C. legislature or hold an
That ballot requires more than 50 per cent of all registered voters -- not just those who turn out -- to vote to kill the HST, plus two-thirds of all ridings voting more than 50 per cent -- and if passed, the act only goes to the legislature for introduction, not passage.
But with his party polling at just 23 per cent -- half its winning 2009 election percentage -- and his personal approval rating of 12 per cent the worst in Canada, Campbell had to do something drastic or face open B.C. Liberal revolt.
Campbell's solution -- dealer's choice.
Hold the vote Sept. 24, 2011 but say he will respect a simple majority vote of those who turn out as "binding."
But the problems with Campbell's Gamble are enormous.
Crazy gamble with economy?
First, how does the premier get to override the law? Campbell is neither following the existing Recall and Initiative Act nor B.C.'s Referendum Act, which allows binding votes.
And why hold a vote in a year, except to buy the beleaguered Campbell political time?
Why make consumers pay a tax they hate and want eliminated immediately for another year?
Who in their right mind would buy a newly built home and pay seven per cent more tax on every dollar over the $525,000 exemption when the HST could be gone in a year? On an $825,000 condo the seven per cent extra tax on the remaining $300,000 is a cool $21,000 more -- worth waiting for the lower price.
And who would do a $100,000 home renovation and pay an extra $7,000 HST when the tax could disappear in a year?
Why force businesses to deal with great uncertainty about the future of the HST, making long term investments and plans impossible?
Bob Rennie, the real estate marketing mogul, says Campbell's "insane referendum" on the HST will hurt sales.
"We need certainty," he said. "Gordon Campbell, for everything amazing that he has done for my province, is the worst salesperson on the planet. Seriously."
Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association CEO Peter Simpson agrees.
"I'm hearing from builders that this is the slap on the other side of the face," Simpson told the Tri-City News. "Waiting a year I don't think was the appropriate course of action."
And Helmut Pastrick, chief economist for Central 1 Credit Union, also condemns the delay.
"When you have this kind of uncertainty regarding tax policy, it's typically quite negative for economic activity," Pastrick told CTV News.
What electoral financing laws will be used?
Will the government spend millions, plus millions more from HST-supporting big businesses to try and buy votes?
What is the campaign period for those laws? From now till Sept. 24, 2011?
Why would voters trust the government and Elections BC -- currently run by an acting chief electoral officer appointed by the B.C. Liberals instead of a CEO picked with all party agreement -- to draw up a fair question?
When will we see that question? Soon or just before the vote?
If British Columbians did vote to kill the HST, when would it happen? In 60 days? Or after the five year agreement ends in 2015?
How can Finance Minister Colin Hansen rule out any HST refunds when the citizens initiative that passed with 557,000 signatures had proposed legislation giving refunds?
Nobody but a sucker would play in this poker game.
And there's one more reason why to stay away from the table -- look at who thinks it's a great idea.
The very same big business coalition that went to the B.C. Supreme Court to try and throw the entire HST initiative out because it would create instability is now saying Campbell's Gamble a year from now will ensure stability.
"The provincial government's decision to send the HST to a referendum is a step towards the certainty the business community has been seeking," Phil Hochstein, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, wrote in the Vancouver Sun.
The B.C. Chamber of Commerce, the Mining Association of B.C. and others involved in the lawsuit have similar good things to say about the initiative they tried to kill.
And with major B.C. Liberal Party donors like the ICBA in the premier's cheering section, smart poker players will see that this game is fixed
.
30 comments:
Campbell , Hansen and the bogus, BC Liberal government, gives the BC people, a feeling of revulsion. They are in the lowest form, of the human species. Harper, has shamed this country, with his lies, corruption, and his dirty tactics. Canadians are losing their pride of country. However, Harper's preaching of global governance means, Canada will no longer be a country. Harper fits right in with, Campbell and Hansen's, low characters of, deceit, lies, and cheating to win. Don't forget, Bauman may have been under threat, of losing his job. Anyone opposing Campbell and Hansen, always loses their jobs. They are famous for their, hate, spite, malice and vendetta's.
If an NDP government delayed major taxation decisions a year the big business types would be howling!
The low quality of business leadership is shocking.
You pointed out that there will be massive HST dollars on new homes, but there is one more massive tax on buying homes, new or uses. It is the tax on the relator fees.
If I am correct, to sell a home (used or new) for $500,000, the relator rate is:
$7000 flat fee (first $100,000) and then a percentage of the remainder over $100,000.
12% on 7000 is $840 plus 12% on 2% of 400,000 is $960 For a total HST tax of $1800.
The realtor makes $15,000 in fees, then collects $1800 more in HST, and then must justify a business expense to collect back an HST rebate. What amount of business expense would the realtor be able to write-off in order to collect all $1800 back? So who keeps the rest?
My heart bleeds for Reny's whining, NOT.
The monthly income of the average senior in this province is around $1000 to $1300 per month, more then 10 times LESS then RENY makes on the sale of one, $500,000 property. Shameful.
And lying, stealing, psycho Gordo and his mentally ill 'goose steeping' band of Liebrals are stealing from the people who are least able to fight back.
My mother spent her last years in a care home. Her meals started as well balanced and nutritious. Gordo's care for her went from the former to a meal that consisted of either a frozen chicken pot pie that she could not chew ( no teeth ) or a processed cheese sandwich on white bread.
It was all that we could afford (government run) and is a prime example of what Gordo has done to this province.
@Anon 10:57 re: canadians losing pride of country
The old molson commercial, my name is joe, where he can proudly sew his countries flag on his back pack, no longer applies :(
Bogus referendum.
Campbell promises to accept any 50% +1 vote.
The rules actually say otherwise.
And let'snot forget, the next premier will not be bound by this verbal promise, which is contrary to the rules.
I guess you need one last lie to retire on, eh Gordo!
Seeing as you used a gambling analogy for this article, I have to wonder how rigged the games on Playnow BC are. I know I wouldn't waste a nickel on any of their games.
The BC Liberal MLAs need a good dose of recall, and the sooner the better.
PJ, I have a bone to pick with your comments as well. You are correct in saying that under your assumptions and with the HST you will be paying more tax on Realtor commissions. But, your assumptions are flawed. Realtor commissions are not set in stone, in fact they are completely descretionary. Have you heard of a little thing called negotiation. Under the HST, realtors can now claim all of the tax they pay to run their business against their income and apply for various rebates. You could easily negotiate a lower commission on the basis that they should be lowering their rates to reflect their lower cost of doing business. Furthermore, it's up to you how much you want to offer for a house. If you don't want to pay extra because of HST then lower your offer to account for the increased tax rate. If the HST really has the negative effect that naysayers are predicting, you should have no trouble getting a desperate Realtor and a motivated buyer to budge on commission and price. Lastly, I'm very sorry to hear about your Mom having a negative experience. My mom is a teacher and has suffered as a result of cut backs as well. I don't agree completely with which areas Gordon Campbelle chose to cut funds from, but without making difficult and controversial cutbacks, in 10 years your Mom if still alive would have encountered the same issues as a result of a depressed economy. An excess of people using and abusing social services and a huge population of union workers who believe they should constantly get pay raises, despite the fact that they have not improved their skills or education nor their performance at work, will cripple the economy if appropriate cutbacks are not made. If that happens, everyone will suffer. Furthermore, if you read the quote and referenced article with Bob Rennie, you will see that he isn't complaining about the HST, he appears to support it and Gordon Campbell. He is merely saying that the next year will be uncertain for buyers and sellers and that Gordon Campbell should have better explained and sold the BC people the HST based on it's many economic merits and not tried the tough love approach.
I would like to end with on last thought. There seems to be a lot of speculation that there is some conspiracy around the HST and that it's a cash grab by the Liberals. One has to ask themselves though "Why, if Gordon Campbell pays taxes and his family and kids and friends all pay taxes, would he support legislation that would increase their taxes without a real economic justifications. He wouldn't, he has no motivation to, it just doesn't mak sense. So, before you leave an ignorant comment condemning the HST and the Liberals, read up on the HST from impartial sources snd you'll probably discover that it's not as bad as you think and waiting a year to vote could provide enough time to test the theoretical expectations of the HST.
While I don't agree with Bill's opinions about the HST, he at least raises some valid questions and has written them with proper grammar.
However, that is more than I can say for you "Anonymous"
Firstly Anonymous, learn how to write English properly. Your grammar is atrocious and filled with useless commas and apostrophes. Now onto your comments. You say Campbell revolts the people of BC. Well he doesn't revolt me and neither does Harper. What revolts me is politicians who don't understand fiscal policy (a.k.a pretty much every NDP Member.) Campbell and Harper have both utilized effective long term fiscal policy to strengthen the economy of our province and our Country. That is more than I can say for most NDP leaders whose solution to every problem is to spend all of our money, plunging our economy into massive debt, without any regard for the long term economic impacts of such policies. If the NDP were elected, they would probably raise minimum wage to give people more money, not considering that it will make the cost of every little thing more expensive and nullify any benefit to minimum wage earners.
You say Cambell and his partners are liars and cheats. Well to that I say "so what!!" What politician isn't a liar and a cheat, it goes with the territory. All politicians have goals they want to achieve and the only way to achieve those goals is to get elected or stay elected. In Campbell's case, he is trying to wrestle the economy away from people who feel they are entitled to everything for free just because they live in Canada and union workers who get paid way too much for too little work. Now this doesn't apply to all unions. Teachers, Nurses and some others were unfairly treated. But, in my opinion teachers and nurses should be part of professional organizations, not trade unions. It's insulting to their level of education and achievement to be considered in the same category as a janitor. If it takes a few lies to achieve those goals I don't really see the problem. I'm not sure if you remember, but I recall an NDP Premier nicknamed Glenokio because he told so many lies his nose was growing. To make matters worse he lied and sewered our economy. Which is worse to you? A liar who makes the economy of our province better or liar who makes it worse. I personally prefer the former, but to each their own.
2:37
Of course, everyone will be paying the HST. However, Campbell gave him self a 53% wage hike, and the ministers 29% increase. So, the HST won't hurt them, one little bit. Ida Chong, ate her way through, $6.000 for her dining out. The HST won't hurt her either. Campbell ripped the tax payers off, when he charged the BC people, for his trip to Spain, for his Bilderberg meeting. Many citizens, have only, $1.000 to $1,300, per month to live on. That wouldn't even pay, a governing officials booze bill. BC is a morass of corruption. Campbell and Hansen, have put BC, into the billions of dollars in debt. There aren't enough citizens, in jobs anymore, to pay the high costs of corruption.
Thank you Anonymous for your concise comment about my comment. At least I have the intestinal fortitude to put my name to my comment.
You sound very much like one of the Lieberal hacks paid to make comments on these sites.
Or perhaps you are a realtor.
From what I am hearing, you are saying that older people deserve no better then to make sure they die in an inhumane manner. I believe they call it culling or as Hitler believed, cleansing the human race.
As you probably know, Gordo's family is really not on his radar. Cheating men do not care about anyone but themselves. Besides, they probably don't pay as much taxes as I do (not making a living-wage) because they have the 'transparent' write-offs that Gordo put in place.
And to your comment 'An excess of people using and abusing social services and a huge population of union workers who believe they should constantly get pay raises, despite the fact that they have not improved their skills or education nor their performance at work, will cripple the economy if appropriate cutbacks are not made.'.
So help me out, cutting socials services to those that built this country, paid their taxes, worked hard to build this democracy, and took very little from the economy deserve to have their services cut in their final years.
Your mother is a teacher, and unless she is an administrator, she is A UNION MEMBER. Are you now complaining that the very parent that has given you some status in this world is part of the group that '. . . will cripple the economy if appropriate cutbacks are not made.'
Using part of your statement 'So, before you leave an ignorant comment condemning the people of this province, read up on the HST from truthful sources snd (actually spelled a n d) you'll probably discover that it's as bad as everyone thinks and waiting a year to vote could provide enough time to completely destroy this province and it's economy.
And to your slimy comment about skills and education, I am well educated, but I use my education for the betterment of the people, (called me stupid what am I thinking) when I should have aligned myself with the self-serving 'too big to fail' business community whose only commitment is to rape, plunder, and move on.
May I refer you to those that ARE accountable for the collapse of the economy, the 'too big to fail', the Ponzi schemes, the GREED of the rich and famous. May Gordo and his 'goose stepping' band of thugs join those that have been jailed in the USA.
It won't be soon enough.
If you wish to respond to my comment, have the guts to put a name down, any name, make it up, but alas, that is the pen of the coward.
Thank you Anonymous for your concise comment about my comment. At least I have the intestinal fortitude to put my name to my comment.
You sound very much like one of the Lieberal hacks paid to make comments on these sites.
Or perhaps you are a realtor.
From what I am hearing, you are saying that older people deserve no better then to make sure they die in an inhumane manner. I believe they call it culling or as Hitler believed, cleansing the human race.
As you probably know, Gordo's family is really not on his radar. Cheating men do not care about anyone but themselves. Besides, they probably don't pay as much taxes as I do (not making a living-wage) because they have the 'transparent' write-offs that Gordo put in place.
And to your comment 'An excess of people using and abusing social services and a huge population of union workers who believe they should constantly get pay raises, despite the fact that they have not improved their skills or education nor their performance at work, will cripple the economy if appropriate cutbacks are not made.'.
So help me out, cutting socials services to those that built this country, paid their taxes, worked hard to build this democracy, and took very little from the economy deserve to have their services cut in their final years.
Your mother is a teacher, and unless she is an administrator, she is A UNION MEMBER. Are you now complaining that the very parent that has given you some status in this world is part of the group that '. . . will cripple the economy if appropriate cutbacks are not made.'
Using part of your statement 'So, before you leave an ignorant comment condemning the people of this province, read up on the HST from truthful sources snd (actually spelled a n d) you'll probably discover that it's as bad as everyone thinks and waiting a year to vote could provide enough time to completely destroy this province and it's economy.
And to your slimy comment about skills and education, I am well educated, but I use my education for the betterment of the people, (called me stupid what am I thinking) when I should have aligned myself with the self-serving 'too big to fail' business community whose only commitment is to rape, plunder, and move on.
May I refer you to those that ARE accountable for the collapse of the economy, the 'too big to fail', the Ponzi schemes, the GREED of the rich and famous. May Gordo and his 'goose stepping' band of thugs join those that have been jailed in the USA. It won't be soon enough.
If you wish to respond to my comment, have the guts to put a name down, any name, make it up, but alas, that is the pen of the coward.
Campbell on the Referendum timing:
"I’m going to move an amendment to section 14, as follows: “If required, initiative votes shall be called by the government for a date not earlier than three months and not later than ten months after the select standing committee refers the initiative petition and draft bill to the chief electoral officer, pursuant to section 13, above.
“The rationale behind this is that I think there are times when it’s important for us to act expeditiously. Again, I think the principles behind this bill are those of providing the citizens with full access and full accountability of their public institutions and indeed of some of their public policy. I believe the amendment allows us ample time to put a properly constituted referendum before the public.”
July 7, 1994 BC Hansard, afternoon debate
Hey Bill any word on the Betty Krawczyk,court case today?sorry I'm a little off topic but the picture of campbell just reminded me of how low a puke will go for a vendetta against one of our seniors,such a little arrogant piece of work,although I could think up a million other derogatory names!
Of coarse if we had the STV system in place this HST mess would would never have happened.??
If we had won the STV referendum in 2005. Bill doesn't like to talk about STV and HST at the same time for that reason but he will happily point out that an STV win in 2009 would not have stopped Campbell being a dictator for the current term. What would life be like if in 2005 Campbell had said "50% + 1 is good enough for me, bring on real democracy" ?
Ah yes, let's consider some of the arguments against Campbell's method of dealing the cards.
"Premier Gordon Campbell thinks B.C. voters are suckers."
Well, they are so why not take them for a ride? Isn't that the way you think the game should be played, Bill?
"If you play, expect Campbell's pair of deuces to easily beat your royal flush, because the only rules are his own."
Exactly the type of government you champion, right Bill?
"Why force businesses to deal with great uncertainty about the future of the HST, making long term investments and plans impossible?"
That's a good specific question, with the same answer as the more generic "Why deal with unstable FPTP governments and their polarized whims when Proportional Representation is a possibility?"
"Nobody but a sucker would play in this poker game."
Bill, you're the sucker because you actually play this game. Not only play in it but actively deceive others into playing blindly on your word that this is the best game to play. You are several times the villain that Campbell is.
HST is the biggie and while it's easy enough to list other wrongs that the Liberals have thrust upon us, the list is finite. On the other hand, one simple issue, the BC-STV, has infinite implications because it allows our dictatorship to continue potentially forever. But what do you care? You're no more interested in democracy than Campbell.
My conscience is clear because I work to stop the Liberals and NDP from being complicit in each other's crimes. I don't condone our current system by being a part of it.
You can't say the same yet your conscience stays clear because you don't realize what a disgrace you are to basic intelligence. With people like you as leaders, it's no wonder we don't make any progress as a civilized society.
Just wanted to say thank you Bill for all your great work on the anti-HST petition and recall.
It is so inspiring to see a re-energized electorate.
And really enjoyed the article, had some very good laughs.
Also love the new recall strategy, having a contest among the ridings. Can't wait to get started!
There has never been a government as corrupt as Campbells Liberals. His popularity is the lowest in Canada. He will have to be careful now and not get pissed on our high ways.ICBC will get him. Maybe not.
You remember ICBC where the management were filling their pockets selling autos? Then Campbell and his cronies had to take $750 million from this publicly owned auto insurance company. Don't lower the rates.I guess he can't take anymore so he will now have the police soak the hell out of drivers . ICBC costs will go down and guess where the
extra money will go.
Angela had a lot to say. I suspect she is on Campbells payroll Maybe she would comment on Campbells performance.
The wild stock salmon,private hydro companies.destroying our rivers for spawning salmon No access to the contaminated fish in the foreign owned fish farms,selling BC Hydro to foreigners,allowing logging co's to clear cut then Campbell allows them to not reforest but go into real estate, What bothers me is why would anyone in government from federal to municipal sell public or crown assets to the private sector They too have a rotten reputation.Only a low life would do this so they must be getting reimbursed under the table.
We have less and less decent paying jobs in BC but the shareholders say that's ok
Get Donald Trump to tell Gordo "you're fired"
received via email today - author unknown
Psalm 2009 — FIRST BOOK OF GOVERNMENT
Campbell is the shepherd I did not want.
He leadeth me beside the still mills and shops.
He restoreth my faith in the New Democratic party.
He guideth me in the path of unemployment for his party’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the bread line,
I shall fear no hunger, for his Olympic promises are with me.
He has anointed my income with taxes…HST being the latest
My expenses runneth over.
Surely, poverty and hard living will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will live in a mortgaged home forever.I am glad I am Canadian
I am glad that I am free.
But I wish I was a dog ….
And Campbell was a tree.
Amen.
As you requested Anon 7:58, Gordon Campbell is unbelievable. Literally. I wouldn't believe him if he told me the Earth is round. But that's not really surprising, if you're in politics you're probably fabricating the truth.
I don't approve of what he accomplishes but his performance is amazing. How do you fool so many people into following you? In the entire Liberal party there must be one person who could lead them and be trusted to be honest.
Then again, maybe not. Maybe being Liberal means we will steal from the poor at every opportunity and that's why they admire Campbell. Perhaps his biggest lie is that he is not even Liberal, his values are more Conservative.
The problem with our system is that at the time he came to power, the Liberal machine was stronger than the Conservatives. Why vote with your conscience if it produces a poor result? Third and fourth party voters know the agony of being forced into making a choice they don't want.
Basically, Campbell did the same thing. By declaring himself a Liberal he avoided the result he didn't want, being in a Conservative Party with no power. And that's the key to his choice working for him, the difference between being a political force and a voter.
The elitist leaders have the power while the voter has none. With his power he can do whatever he wants and he does it well. No matter that he acts criminally or unethically. He's not bound by the same laws as you and I.
His smarmy look at photo ops disgusts me. Perhaps the only smile scarier than his is that of Stephen Harper and the only Canadian politician scarier than Harper is Stockwell Day.
I have no use for any of these jerks. But you don't have to change your thoughts about me being on Campbell's payroll. I can't understand what would make you believe that from my first post. It's quite reasonable to be opposed to both Campbell and Tieleman at the same time.
Oh Angela - still fighting the lost Single Transferable Vote battle because you can't believe you lost in a fair referendum?
Blame me if you like but don't continue to believe in myths that democracy flourishes under STV or even ProRep but is a dictatorship under FPTP. Take a hard look at Ireland - but you don't want to.
As to me being a worse villain than Gordon Campbell - I doubt that anyone who reads this blog can believe you wrote that. Of course, being anonymous, it's easy to do without consequence.
And because this is a free speech blog I let you slag me - but you convince no one.
Oh Bill - still avoiding facts? There are 3 STV battles. 2009 was a loss but 2005 was a win despite your arguments to the contrary. But were they fair? In many ways yes, no argument each side had equal opportunity to present their case. But how many people didn't hear either side, didn't even know there was a referendum because they long ago tuned out politics? And can you blame when they see the results of our current system? Almost forgot, the 3rd battle. The issue is only dead when it's no longer discussed. FPTP has to go and unless you can find a better alternative to STV then you might as well concede there will be a future battle.
Blame you? Well you were the leader of the No side and what is it I said of Campbell? How do you fool so many people into following you? To be fair there are many others who could be "blamed". But it's not about blame as much as your hypocrisy, sorry that you don't seem to be able to comprehend, or are you simply spinning a Liberalesque tale to cover your mistakes?
As to your myths, democracy can be successful only when politicians are reasonable. I'm not saying that any electoral form has a direct effect on a politician's moral fibre, we can only hope that eventually the unwanted ones decide not to pursue a political career. Under FPTP? Not a chance, it begs for the greedy to seek power. It may take time under PR but first of all it needs to be in place.
I've heard your take on Ireland ad nauseum. Look at it this way, there are two groups of people, the politicians and the voters. Politicians want more power, that's why they held referendums to change from STV to FPTP. Oops, voters said no. Twice.
I'm quite sure there are a handful of Tieleman dissenters that read this blog at least occasionally. Convince anyone of your misdeeds? Well, you're kind of a love him or hate him kind of guy. It's comparable to recall, not likely to happen but worth the effort just in case.
And I have no problem slagging you in public as well. In fact, I talk about you with my friends all the time. I have yet to meet anyone who disagrees with my opinion. I guess we just hang in different circles. You enjoy supporting the NDP while helping Liberal tyranny, I gravitate towards political parties interested in a change for the better.
Oh do tell us all Angela - we're dying to know which party you are gravitating towards for change for the better.
Green?
And why is it the party that you dare not speak its name?
But glad to know I'm of at least conversational value!
For the moment, yes the Green Party can count me as a supporter but I fear that as they gain prominence they will lose some integrity and become as slimy as Liberals, Conservatives and NDP. However, I actually misspoke and I thank you for the opportunity to correct myself. I should have included candidates not affiliated with a party. In fact, I am more likely to vote for an independent than any party. Last year in my riding, 3 candidates supported BC-STV. Any one of these would have been a change for the better. They show an interest in co-operative governance rather than adversarial. You might have guessed but in just in case you couldn't figure it out, none of the 3 were Liberal or NDP.
We have been doing the HST dance for well over a year now, and I have yet to hear or read any proponent of this tax defend it with factual information. All we get are theory, wishful thinking and political partisanship.
There were six business associations that joined forces in an attempt to derail the initiative through the courts which failed. Did any of them or any of their members come forward and state categorically how much the HST would save them and how much they would be reducing prices? The answer is a big fat NO. And why? Because it is a fabrication created to con the great unwashed.
I am not a political guru, by any sense of the word. But, that dammed HST, and the provincial budget tax hikes... are certainly costing me more. I dread the winter, with the high utility bills. (I live in the north). My income, has stayed the same, for 11 years. Just before the HST came through, food costs went through the roof. The only way I can cut back, is food and utilities. I sold my car, before the HST, I couldn't afford to run it. Insurance went up, gas is too expensive. My house insurance went up. The only items that are not taxed, are basic foods. Where the budget doesn't get you, the HST does.
PJ. Since you used two letters from the English alphabet as your name to ensure everyone knows your true identity, I will match your level of boldness. It was hard to choose between BJ, just because it's funny and BS because that's what you're full of. I love how everyone who doesn't support the NDP on this blog is automatically on the "Lieberal" (clever play on words) payroll, but anyone who supports the NDP or at least hates Campbell is a defender of the people. What a joke. More like defender of your own ill gotten union paycheck. I'm not a Realtor.
" you are saying that older people deserve no better then to make sure they die in an inhumane manner. I believe they call it culling or as Hitler believed, cleansing the human race." What? Where did I say that. I sympathize with your mother's situation. No one should have to live on frozen dinner, unless it's Lean Cuisine, which is actually quite tasty and nutritious, but I digress. I also stated that I didn't agree with Campbell's choice of cut backs, only that I believe cut backs are necessary. What about your responsibility to your mother. Why didn't you bring her better food. Why didn't you save to support her in her old age, rather than blame the government. Did you pinch pennies to ensure she would be comfortable, probably not, or at least not as much as you could have. Maybe you did, I don't know, but there are too many people in this province and country who blame the government because they don't have enough money, when really the problem is their poor use of the money they make. My girlfriend’s parents immigrated to Canada 15 years ago. With only one parent earning minimum wage of +/-$7/hr they were able to support, clothe, shelter and feed their daughter and save enough in 3 years to buy an apartment with 50% down. So don't say you can't afford anything, you can, you're just not willing to sacrifice anything.
"Besides, [Campbell's family] probably don't pay as much taxes as I do (not making a living-wage) because they have the 'transparent' write-offs that Gordo put in place." You can hire an accountant too, the same write offs and rebates are available to you, if you don't take advantage of them, it's your fault. You say you don't make a living wage, I would love to know how much you make, and how much you think a "living wage" is. I'm willing to bet there are many places you could cut costs and make your money go farther, but you probably don't.
"So help me out, cutting socials services to those that built this country, paid their taxes, worked hard to build this democracy" People who work hard usually aren't on welfare. I'm referring to people who have never worked a day in their life, but think they deserve free money and handouts from the Government.
"Your mother is a teacher.. is A UNION MEMBER. Are you now complaining that the very parent that has given you some status in this world is part of the group that '. . . will cripple the economy if appropriate cutbacks are not made." Yes, she is part of that group, but not by choice. She hates the union. Why, because she works hard, puts in more hours than most teachers, but makes the same as the laziest teacher. The Union rewards laziness, by giving un-earned job security. She should make more because she does more and performs better and that lazy teacher should be fired. That is how a real market works.
"read up on the HST from truthful sources snd (actually spelled a n d) you'll probably discover that it's as bad as everyone thinks and waiting a year to vote could provide enough time to completely destroy this province and it's economy" I have read up on the HST from many sources, bias an unbias. What have I found? Ignorant people complaining about the HST who haven't taken the time to understand its purpose. Go read some blogs. Half of the people complaining think they're going to pay HST on a used home sale, which is wrong. They will pay property transfer tax, like always. Sure their closing costs may be different, but again those are largely negotiable and in your power to change.
"And to your slimy comment about skills and education, I am well educated, but I use my education for the betterment of the people" I never said you were stupid or uneducated. I said people shouldn't get pay raises if they haven't done anything to deserve them.(Like get educated, or perform better, gain useful experience) The problem is if you're in a union, you get raises just for showing up. This again rewards laziness and decreases motivation to perform better.
By the way, what exactly are you doing to better society, other than complaining on internet blogs. It's easy to criticize those in power, but not easy to make a difference. I'm in business and my company is involved in the community and probably contributes more to those in need than most of the people whining about paying a couple extra buck in HST on their restaurant bill. I'm paying the HST too, I'm not part of some conspiracy to steal from the common man, I don't work for Gordan Campbell, but I do think he's doing a better job than any NDP politician would have or will do in the future.
"May I refer you to those that ARE accountable for the collapse of the economy, the 'too big to fail', the Ponzi schemes, the GREED of the rich and famous." This doesn't even make sense PJ. How does a Ponzi scheme have anything to do with Gordon Campbell. What does Gordon Campbell's personal greed have to do with anything. Do you think the HST matters one way or the other to his personal finance, not at all.
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