Gov’t must co-operate

Why do we hear constant broad criticism without specific constructive suggestions from the new Conservative leader? Mr. Scheer is new to his job as PC leader, but follows the very unpopular Harper, who constantly blamed everyone else for his agenda failure.

This is not good enough. Canadians want to see co-operative progress in government — not partisan conflict like in the U.S. It is possible to disagree on government policy or projects, but work to cooperate for improvements. We want to see conflict resolution rather than fighting words played publicly, deadlocking governance. PC constantly plays the public through the media. The latest criticism of tax change is an example.

Canadians want to see changes to remove inequality. The minister has proposed changes to eliminate welloff professionals forming corporations that give tax advantages not available to individual workers. Investors and corporations have special tax breaks that increase the load of taxation on workers, who pay taxes before they get their cheques.

The PC continually supports the upper classes and one per cent by constantly preaching tax cuts. When taxes are cut for the richer people, the workers pay more through additional consumption taxes (provincial and federal sales taxes, service fees, etc.), or public services are cut.

The PC policy is always to cut government services and privatize, transferring blame and responsibility. The wealthy do not want to acknowledge responsibility to contribute to the public services that helped them make their money. After privatizing social services, they push for incentives and subsidies to private corporations to guarantee their profits.

We see this demonstrated in the U.S., the public frustration with the game that always makes working people the loser. There are European examples that work much better, where workers and management cooperate for a more equal share in what everyone produces together.

Don Ryane

Lethbridge