Tax time ponderings of government

“We hear claims about responsibility and transparency, consultation, sharing information and taking things seriously. But they sound like buzz words.”

One sure signs of spring is the tax return. As I once more get ready to ‘do’ my taxes, I am faced with the same two questions: What is a fair tax? How wisely are our taxes spent?

There seems to be a general consensus that our taxation system is not fair, as we believe that the rich and big business can find ways to avoid paying their fair share, while those with a lower income must pay or be penalized. Those with money have the means to use a tax system which seem to favour them, and they use it to their advantage. The apparent unfairness of tax system is certainly the view of Canadians for Tax Fairness and Global Alliance for Tax Fairness.

One obvious example of unfairness are the hidden taxes, which we experience in taxation on goods like alcohol and gas, fees for almost everything and sales tax. As they are not income-based, they place the greatest burden on those on low income.

As for wise spending, the evidence is clear that governments are far from responsible stewards of the money entrusted to them. Indeed, their financial decisions are often on the stun side and their actions in the use money reckless. A few recent news item reveal some examples. There are the matters of money paid for travel nurses, the federal offer of money for wind energy projects not yet sanctioned and the mismanagement of money promised to military veterans. Auditor Generals reports always highlight cases of the misuse of money or failure to live up to commitments.

What is really worrying is the size of our debt. Our provincial debt is $17 billion and we spent a billion dollars annually on interest. What would bankruptcy look like? Canada itself currently owes a trillion dollars to its creditors, there doesn’t seem much help there.

How did it all come about? What can be done about it? Governments consist of elected members, and ultimately this collective is responsible for fair taxation and wise spending. But there is no way to ensure or enforce responsibility.

What if there were penalties for individual members of government for reckless and wasteful use of public funds? If the money had to come from from their own pockets, would they be more prudent? Take Muscat Falls. Would members of the Williams government invest in such a project?

In the end there is no accountability. Governments rarely admit mistakes and can act as if infallible. We hear claims about responsibility and transparency, consultation, sharing information and taking things seriously. But they sound like buzz words. Elected members do very good for themselves, including a comfortable pension.

It is easy enough to criticize but would any of us do a better job? Why do those elected seem to change when they take their seat in the House? Most of them were formerly involved in community affairs, helping others and freely giving of themselves as volunteers do, and perhaps inspired by dreams of a better world.

There seems to be a disease which is prevalent among “professional” politicians. It has various names, and my choice is “entitlement”. One of the symptoms is an inflated ego. Listening, consulting, cooperation are in short supply , and government knows best. One of the outcomes is a lack of trust in politicians.

Another factor which affect individual members is the party system. The power of political party is almost cultish. If you disagree with policy or with the leader on certain issues you will be ostracized or expelled. Democratic principles are not forefront in those bodies which represent democracy. In fact, the welfare of the party becomes more important than the welfare of the people, especially in an election.

Even though it is only four years and they are elected, those in government as a majority can, in effect, have too much power and control which they can use for their own advantages and our disadvantages.

Considering the enormous responsibility of governing this province, elected members should be required to read a detailed and in-depth study of our history. They would learn about the damage that successive governments have caused over the centuries. It may help a current government learn from these mistakes, although it’s unlikely.

Everett Hobbs Conception Bay South