GST Ads

[capricorn]

But so many of them either deal with their accountant who is proactive enough to inform them of changes, read the newspapers, and/or receive these notices directly, that the TV ads come across as a waste (unless, of course, the real target market is voters).

Regardless of the party in power, the GST cut would have been advertised. Whether it's vote buying or a genuine attempt to keep Canadians informed is a toss-up. You'll always find someone to gripe one way or another. What's the big deal here?

[jdobbin]

Take comfort in the fact that you will be gouging your customers for the 1% instead of reducing your fees, as you admitted here elsewhere.

I said my fees don't change. They are are what they are and I'm upfront about it. Fees such a taxicabs, vending machines and a whole of other services takes the GST out of the fee rather than add it on top.

The right wing can't seem to believe that the GST is not universally passed on. Many businesses are not gouging, they are just increasing their prices according to inflation. It is easier to do this when it appears the price doesn't change.

[jdobbin]

This is a selfish way of viewing the GST cut. I thought Liberals such as yourself advocated working for the good of all Canadians.

Multiply all those Canadians who occasionally purchase expensive items and the result is very healthy for our economy and our standard of living.

It has been shown quite a few times that the billions in GST reductions would have been better for taxpayers in general and larger than what they would see on average with a GST cut. I thought the Tories were about fairness. That is very selfish of them.

[jdobbin]

Yep, you're right. Far better to just hand over wheelbarrows full of money to your favourite ad companies for nothing in return. The old unmarked envelope shuffle made so famous by the Chretien government.

It was terrible. Why are the Tories using government ads for political purposes as well?

And what about those polls that the Tories thought were so terrible and said they would never be ruled by? Harper tried to embarrass the Liberals with an inquiry. That inquiry came and but him right on his exposes hypocrisy when it was revealed his government blew away the Liberals when it came to polls.

Then, in an example of breaking his bid to be transparent, they held on to that poll report and revealed it on a day they hoped would put the story on the back pages... Mulroney's visit to the Ethics Committee. Is it any wonder they are behind the Liberals in the Decima poll?

Edited January 4, 2008 by jdobbin

[runningdog]

This is a selfish way of viewing the GST cut. I thought Liberals such as yourself advocated working for the good of all Canadians.

Multiply all those Canadians who occasionally purchase expensive items and the result is very healthy for our economy and our standard of living.

Selfish??? The only way you can capitalize on the con tax cut is to SPEND. Reducing income tax is a MUCH better idea.

[jdobbin]

Regardless of the party in power, the GST cut would have been advertised.

Did the last GST cut get a TV campaign?

[Michael Bluth]

Why? Because we have been telling our clients for 2 months now about the appropriate changes through conversation, email, newsletters etc...

This is not to say that there are not business people living under a rock.

Perhaps not all business people can afford such advisory services....

[capricorn]

It has been shown quite a few times that the billions in GST reductions would have been better for taxpayers in general and larger than what they would see on average with a GST cut.

What really matters is how the average consumer/voter views the GST cut. The GST cut affects all consumers equally and is very visible.

I thought the Tories were about fairness. That is very selfish of them.

In general, Canadians don't pay attention to what pundits and analysts think. Fairness is bringing a tax cut that affects all Canadians equally. Coupled with a reduction in personal income taxes that benefits all Canadians makes sense to the average taxpayer. Why would Liberals be opposed to tax reductions?

[capricorn]

Did the last GST cut get a TV campaign?

Who cares? That's ancient history.

[Michael Bluth]

In general, Canadians don't pay attention to what pundits and analysts think. Fairness is bringing a tax cut that affects all Canadians equally. Coupled with a reduction in personal income taxes that benefits all Canadians makes sense to the average taxpayer. Why would Liberals be opposed to tax reductions?

Fairness is making sure all Canadians are away of the GST cut.

Even those who can't afford the advisory services of the ilk of msj or those who have "live under a rock" as has been so sanctimoniously stated.

The GST cut definitely makes sense to many Canadians. I hope the Liberals listen to the chattering classes and inclue an increase to the GST in their election platform.

[capricorn]

The right wing can't seem to believe that the GST is not universally passed on. Many businesses are not gouging, they are just increasing their prices according to inflation. It is easier to do this when it appears the price doesn't change.

Increasing prices to reflect inflation sounds reasonable to me. Who cares about appearances when rational people can make sense of price increases for rational reasons. Let the consumers decide what they are willing to pay for a given product or service. They're not all all dummies you know.

[Michael Bluth]

Let the consumers decide what they are willing to pay for a given product or service. They're not all all dummies you know.

Trusting the common sense of the average man is anathema to the Liberal Party of Canada. Part of the mythology of the 'Natural Governing Party' is that Canada is best served by a nanny state with the Liberals in their rightful place of benevolently leading those who can't decide for themselves.

[msj]

Perhaps not all business people can afford such advisory services....

Sure, and they would have received the notice from the government in the mail.

[msj]

Fairness is making sure all Canadians are away of the GST cut.

Even those who can't afford the advisory services of the ilk of msj or those who have "live under a rock" as has been so sanctimoniously stated.

The GST cut definitely makes sense to many Canadians. I hope the Liberals listen to the chattering classes and inclue an increase to the GST in their election platform.

Not to be personal or anything but I am thinking that maybe you're right about the TV ads.

Given your apparent lack of reading comprehension of my earlier post where it is clear that the government has sent out notices to businesses that have a GST number.

At least I thought it was clear enough, but maybe I need to come up with some kind of TV ad and reenact it for you?

[gc1765]

Even those who can't afford the advisory services of the ilk of msj or those who have "live under a rock" as has been so sanctimoniously stated.

If they are living under a rock, how are they going to listen to the radio?

Seriously though, the cut to the GST has constantly been in the news. If you didn't know by now that the GST has been cut, radio ads won't help you. But I'm sure if there is anyone in Canada who doesn't know it yet, they will figure it out next time they go to the store...

[Michael Bluth]

Given your apparent lack of reading comprehension of my earlier post where it is clear that the government has sent out notices to businesses that have a GST number.

So the living under a rock comment was pure arrogance?

At least I thought it was clear enough, but maybe I need to come up with some kind of TV ad and reenact it for you?

You have the wit of your average accountant!

[msj]

So the living under a rock comment was pure arrogance?

You have the wit of your average accountant!

No, it was merely an opinion.

I'm a realist. I know there are people who will not read the tax notices they get.

Nor do they watch the news or read newspapers so they may not have heard about the change.

Some people also will do all of this and will still not see the GST ads.

But their customers will eventually notice and tell them to charge the proper rate or they are going to buy elsewhere.

I suppose we will just have to disagree to what extent these type of people need to be hand fed by the state.

[Michael Bluth]

I suppose we will just have to disagree to what extent these type of people need to be hand fed by the state.

I agree that it is hand feeding and shouldn't be necessary. Unfortunately, there are people who will be reminded by these ads.

My intent wasn't to illustrate that the Government has a valid reason for running this ad campaign rather than the partisan purpose ascribed by the original poster.

[capricorn]

But their customers will eventually notice and tell them to charge the proper rate or they are going to buy elsewhere.

msj, this is a great point. Empowering the average Joe to take charge over those who would take advantage.

[jdobbin]

Who cares? That's ancient history.

Just like it would likely pass without so much as yelp if the Liberals proposed equal income tax cuts to a rise in the GST. The analysts would support that right along with the media. Only the Tories would be purple in the face.

[jdobbin]

What really matters is how the average consumer/voter views the GST cut. The GST cut affects all consumers equally and is very visible.

In general, Canadians don't pay attention to what pundits and analysts think. Fairness is bringing a tax cut that affects all Canadians equally. Coupled with a reduction in personal income taxes that benefits all Canadians makes sense to the average taxpayer. Why would Liberals be opposed to tax reductions?

That's what I what I thought when the Tories raised income taxes. I thought they were opposed to raising taxes.

A revenue neutral switch from income tax cuts to a rise in the GST would go over well. More people would get a larger income tax cut than vice versa.

Edited January 5, 2008 by jdobbin

[Michael Bluth]

A revenue neutral switch from income tax cuts to a rise in the GST would go over well. More people would get a larger income tax cut than vice versa.

Please propose it Liberals.

Yeah, of course more people would get a larger income tax cut if the Liberals raised the GST to cut income taxes.

But everyone would pay more GST.

[sharkman]

That would be a sweet campaign promise, man. Dion's handlers would never let him say it though.

[capricorn]

A revenue neutral switch from income tax cuts to a rise in the GST would go over well.

Yeah. Good luck in trying to sell this to Canadians who have no revenue but who live on social assistance or disability pensions. Whatever happened to the Liberal ideology of caring for the disadvantaged?

[jdobbin]

Yeah. Good luck in trying to sell this to Canadians who have no revenue but who live on social assistance or disability pensions. Whatever happened to the Liberal ideology of caring for the disadvantaged?

Don't people on disabilities and social assistance already get the GST rebate? How did that change?

The Liberals did more for the poor by raising the income tax deduction than the Tories have ever done with the GST cut. The GST cut is pure politics. It isn't a rational tax cut.

Edited January 5, 2008 by jdobbin