GraphicMatt
Looking forward to a FRESH START for Toronto
The city only receives between 6 and 12 cents of every tax dollar you pay as a Canadian living in Ontario. The municipal level is not where we should be looking for tax relief.
And why the anti-tax sentiment? Are we American? If anything we should be taxed more! This city, province and country could be a hell of a lot better without this fear of taxes. It's not merely a coincidence that the countries with the highest tax-rates (Sweden, Finland, Norway etc.) also tend to have the most competitive economies and the best quality of life in just about any ranking that comes out. Fact is, Toronto is one of the wealthiest places in one of the wealthiest countries in all of the world and we can afford to be taxed more. The fact that people care more about taxes than the quality of their city/province/country is pathetic.
Even under your faulty logic, we have the most capitalistic society in the world as our major trading partner which is awfully convenient. Oh and we have oil, natural resources, produce luxury goods, etc. too... hmm... Mind you, what does taxation level have to do with resources? If anything, shouldn't the exportation of greater resources mean less taxes for the people?Socialist countries depend heavily on more Capitalist society to fund their lifestyle through purchase of luxury goods, oil, natural resources for industrialization etc.
FYI, they are also a VERY CONSERVATIVE fiscal policy in terms of 'spending' ( by the continuous national surpluses)
Those countries are rich not because they tax, but because they understand that expedient spending is neccessary due to limited resources.
(They didn't bail out their auto sector)
Greece's problems go well beyond their socialism. Something like $30billion/year in taxes aren't paid by Greeks. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Then there's the whole issue about the Euro and European monetary policy. Let's not get in to that here.On the other hand... look at 'GREECE' in all accounts a very' socialist country..... what a disaster... without any real exports to fund their lifestyle.
Explain what stronger unionization has to do with being taxed less. Fact is, their "pragmatic" approach would be incredibly idealistic here.Socialist Scandinavian countries have very different policies than North American 'socialists' . They have a much more pragmatic approach, including less MUCH less militant unions.
There's no such thing as comparing apples to oranges when it comes to nations. Any country can pursue any policy direction it pleases.They didn't bail out their auto sector (saab) during the global financial crisis.. instead, decided to fund childhood education.
You're comparing apples to oranges....
That's a blanket statement if I've ever heard one and one that I doubt you can back up, especially in any comparison of class mobility in capitalist countries. Also, "poor" is relative. Poor in Canada would be worse than poor in Norway but certainly better than poor in South Africa. If you're poor in Norway you can still go and get a university education and you probably have a standard of living that the "poor" in other countries only wishes it had. The same person in Canada, assuming they even got out of high school, would be looking at around $50,000+ to go to university. Which person do you think really has the better chance of doing well in life?One more thing,
under a socialist type regime.... if you're born poor, you'll remain poor... heavily dependant on the government and very few opportunities to enhance and advance your wealth. Want examples? Italy, France?
Do you honestly still believe in the American Dream? Income disparity in the United States is huge. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer.
The glory days of Americanism in the 1950s with massive infrastructure investments in interstate highways, etc. was built on the back of 90% income tax brackets for wealthy Americans.
But I can assure you that the NDP don't have the right policies or vision to run a city (as it has shown) nevermind a country.
When it comes to the problem with Ford, here's an urbanistic metaphor.
Toronto, pre-Ford mayoralty
Toronto, post-Ford mayoralty
It does seem odd that I pay the most tax money to the federal government, the least to the city, and the rest to the province.The city only receives between 6 and 12 cents of every tax dollar you pay as a Canadian living in Ontario. The municipal level is not where we should be looking for tax relief.
Oh, well, as long as you're assuring us I guess we have to take your word for it.
Of course, if you want to go beyond soundbites and accepted 'wisdom', a little research would quickly demonstrate that the Tories are much more irresponsible with the public purse than the NDP has ever been. But don't let facts get in the way of your opinion.
That might get you a whole twenty votes if you ran for office.If anything we should be taxed more!
Just because i'm 'right' of the dippers, doesn't mean i'm off the boat 'right' of centre...
And I'm glad I did not mention a single time that I was a Tory, but as a true dipper... every retort must include a demonising catogorization.. for your own justifications....