The Federal finance minister seems to have a simple message for his provincial couterparts: I'm not paying for your stuff anymore!
Anyone raising taxes is something that I and many others are bound to resist...but there's a subtlty to this that cannot be ignored.
Transfer payments are a way for provinces to have their cake and eat it too. They get to spend money, without the political concequences of having to raise their taxes themselves to pay for it.
On the federal side, it's a lose-lose situation. They have to face their voters about the level of taxation that they are charging, and they don't even get the credit for spending the money for programs! All they get is grief about it never being enough.
Let's keep it simple, shall we? Let the provinces raise money to take care of their responsibilities, and let the feds do the same. Let's not blame the feds for not wanting to be dumped on for the indefinite future.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
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3 comments:
It makes total sense to me that if Sask wants a daycare program, they should fund it provincially, not with my federal taxes. Why should I pay for a social program without any say in it? Especially a social program in another province!
Hi,
You have a good blog, and its good to see some Conservative Canadians! I especially liked your title, as its true, commen sense isn't so common anymore, especially amongst moon-bats.
By the way, my name is Michael, and I am the editor of Western World Politics, an un-apologetically socially and politically conservative blog, which offers opinions and commentary on world and current affairs. We have recently moved to our new address of:
http://thewwp.blogspot.com
We are currently running an article entitled "Canada; Strong and Free?" which you may find interesting. If you wish to link to us, we always return the favour, as we are keen to build up working relationships and links with like minded bloggers. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at the contact e-mail address on our website.
Regards
Michael, Senior Editor, Western World Politics
Sorry, been absent for a while, but I wanted to respond to a couple of the comments.
Steve: I've never cared who first proposed an idea...if it's a good idea, so be it. Should I oppose something that makes sense simply because the Liberals said it first? Haven't they stolen enough Conservative policies? Regardless, the Libs forgot an important part of the equation, that is, reducing the federal taxes to give the provinces room.
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