Everyone must pay fair share
Re Reasons why I love taxes — and so should you, Mallick, May 1 Heather Mallick is so right. Governments are supposed to tax and spend and that is the foundation for the degree of civilization that we have attained.
But then she says each Canadian should contribute a few dollars more. No. You and I pay enough. The real trouble is that, since the 1970s and ’80s, the one-per-cent have been paying less and less of what should be their share.
In 1968, governments were flush with money and spending it on good things. Now, governments are crying poverty and cutting back. Right-wing governments, which include Liberals, have worked with their business and banker friends to open up huge tax loopholes for the wealthy, reduce corporate tax rates and ignore the vast quantity of wealth stashed in tax havens.
If all that money were put back in the treasury and fair shares passed on to our provinces and municipalities, the financial drought would end.
The conspiracy of the rich and powerful to suck wealth from every possible source, regardless of harmful effects, is the reason for the terrible prospects that face us, from climate change and poverty to loss of clean drinking water. Jenny Carter, Peterborough I have some wonderful news for Heather Mallick. Just like her, I love to pay taxes and it’s about to get even better.
With the latest Ontario “balanced” budget, the provincial debt will now be $312 billion, and the federal Liberals are doing their best to ensure that the current $677-billion federal debt continues to grow.
Just like Mallick, I own part of that lovely debt and I get a bit giddy just thinking about it. If our trusted politicians have no problem passing that debt-load on to their children and then on to their children, I certainly have no hesitation doing the same. Steven Clift, Whitby A gold star to Heather Mallick for her column on taxes and why she loves them: “In Canada, tax is the price we pay for civilization.”
Taxes are how every democracy pays for its necessary functions. Political manoeuvres such as the need to make everyone happy so you can win the next election can lead to a government run on constant campaigning rather that good government. We have seen enough of that. Virginia Edman, Toronto I totally agree with Heather Mallick that taxes are essential for a livable city.
However, she is thinking like a parent of a millennial when she finds it amusing that a young woman had to be rescued by a firefighter for reasons of her own volition.
Let’s put the tax dollars to good use where they’re needed most. Christina Colalillo, Toronto On Mallick’s overall intent to support the idea of taxation I have no issue. Where I do have some concern is when taxes pay for the acts of someone like Marisa Lazo who knowingly or unthinkingly either ignore posted warnings, or put common sense aside.
If a person acts in a manner that puts them in danger, should the resulting costs not be billed to that person? Ron Gibbens, Richmond Hill Thanks to Heather Mallick for saying she loves paying taxes because of all the benefits we receive from them.
As a fan of a balanced economy, which is half private and half public spending, I’d say we need to increase our taxes slightly.
Currently, the economy is 45-per-cent public spending and 55-per-cent private spending, which gives Canada the most balanced and healthiest economy in the world.
If we increase public spending to make up 50 per cent of the GDP, Canada would have an even healthier economy. And there would be more money to manage our communities. Max Moore, Community Commonwealth Association, Toronto
“The conspiracy of the rich and powerful to suck wealth from every possible source, regardless of harmful effects, is the reason for the terrible prospects that face us, from climate change and poverty to loss of clean drinking water.” JENNY CARTER PETERBOROUGH