Save the GST Club?

[SamStranger]

Flarhety calls the Liberals the "Save the GST club", I thought that was funny. Anyways, what u guys think?

[scribblet]

I think its a hoot that the party which actually campaigned on getting rid of the GST, now wants to keep it. Its all idealogy and trying to bring down the CPC. The liberals will support anything which might make the CPC look bad, they will even try to create a situation; never mind what might be good for the country or you and me.

[Riverwind]

The poll should have had 'Raise it another 2% and decrease income taxes' as a choice.

The GST cut is bad economic policy.

[Leafless]

The GST as always been a method of subsidizing manufacturers and government.

When combined with the PST results in a .85 cent dollar.

Get rid of both taxes completely.

The country cannot afford the current trend of subsidizing EVERTHING in this country.

[Riverwind]

The GST as always been a method of subsidizing manufacturers and government.

What planet are you on? Government has two primary mechanisms for raising revenue: taxing consumption or taxing income. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages but when you look at the big picture taxing consumption is better for the economy.

[geoffrey]

The GST as always been a method of subsidizing manufacturers and government.

What planet are you on? Government has two primary mechanisms for raising revenue: taxing consumption or taxing income. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages but when you look at the big picture taxing consumption is better for the economy.

That's a fundamental lie. Economically, consumption taxes are the worst sorts. They raise prices, decrease consumption and lower profit for businesses.

Now if your argument is that consumption taxes encourage investment, then your right. But that investment is going to be worth next to nothing when those businesses are making less money.

Income taxes have far fewer downfalls, and aren't regressive like GST. You can raise and lower income taxes signficiant levels before any major effect on the economy or any key economic indicators. GST can have a major impact with a change of only one or two percent.

Think of this for a second. The 2% decrease on GST, which is charged on nearly everything besides grocery type goods, is a 2% decrease in the cost of most goods. It negates inflation for a year, putting workers a year a head of the apparent 'inflationary pressures'. The darkside to that claim is that the cut would like lead to more inflation if the BoC can't manage the economic growth following.

[Hicksey]

There was one choice dubiously absent: No! Get rid of it altogether!

We are taxed to death. At no point and under no circumstance should any country ever be able to tax at an overall rate of more than 40% cumulatively between all levels of government.

If they can't do it with that much of our paychecks then they should get more efficient or start cutting the fat.

[geoffrey]

Just be happy you don't live in Europe Hicksey, we aren't taxed more than most countries.

That doesn't change the fact that we ARE massively over-taxed none the less.

[Hicksey]

Just be happy you don't live in Europe Hicksey, we aren't taxed more than most countries.

That doesn't change the fact that we ARE massively over-taxed none the less.

Well if the taxation level here qualifies as highway robbery to me, then those in Europe are getting bent over and getting a collective screwing. However, that doesn't make me lucky to be taxed as much as I am. That just gives taxpayers in Europe a bigger axe with which to grind.

[shoop]

Yeah, I find it very interesting when people talk about the 'fat that needs to be cut'.

There will be program cuts in this budget. There will be howls of protest over whatever cuts are made.

Where do you see the *fat* that needs to be cut?

Well if the taxation level here qualifies as highway robbery to me, then those in Europe are getting bent over and getting a collective screwing. However, that doesn't make me lucky to be taxed as much as I am. That just gives taxpayers in Europe a bigger axe with which to grind.

[Black Dog]

I think its a hoot that the party which actually campaigned on getting rid of the GST, now wants to keep it. Its all idealogy and trying to bring down the CPC. The liberals will support anything which might make the CPC look bad, they will even try to create a situation; never mind what might be good for the country or you and me.

I dont know when most of the CPC supporters here fel off the turnip truck, but the game is called politics. The goal for those in power is to keep it, the goal for those who aren't is to seize it. Partisan mudslinging was not invented on January 27, 2006.

That's a fundamental lie. Economically, consumption taxes are the worst sorts. They raise prices, decrease consumption and lower profit for businesses.

Because at the end of the day, that should be our first concern. If true, why are consumption taxes a favorite of pro-business, right-of-centre ideaologies?

Now, generally speaking, consumption taxes are bad for people, especially lower incomes. But the GST is different: since most essentials (such as food) are exempt from the GST and low income people recieve a GST credit, any cuts to the tax will benefit those who spend the most.

[Riverwind]

That doesn't change the fact that we ARE massively over-taxed none the less.

What crap. We are not MASSIVELY over taxed. We get many important services in return for those taxes. The so-called 'waste' in gov't spending does not add up to a huge percentage of total gov't spending.

[Hicksey]

That doesn't change the fact that we ARE massively over-taxed none the less.

What crap. We are not MASSIVELY over taxed. We get many important services in return for those taxes. The so-called 'waste' in gov't spending does not add up to a huge percentage of total gov't spending.

IMHO I've already given too much. But if you don't think we're over taxed you're welcome to call up Revenue Canada and offer up more of your own paycheque.

[shoop]

Hey, respect the rules of the forum and keep the personal attacks to yourself.

To try and justify the Libedrals flip-flop on the GST as politics and to attack supporters of the

Government as "hicks" goes to show why the Liberals deserve to be out of power for a long, long time.

I dont know when most of the CPC supporters here fel off the turnip truck, but the game is called politics. The goal for those in power is to keep it, the goal for those who aren't is to seize it. Partisan mudslinging was not invented on January 27, 2006.

[Riverwind]

IMHO I've already given too much. But if you don't think we're over taxed you're welcome to call up Revenue Canada and offer up more of your own paycheque.

There are people who think that they are overtaxed if they have to $1/year - that does not make that opinion right or even reasonable.

[Hicksey]

IMHO I've already given too much. But if you don't think we're over taxed you're welcome to call up Revenue Canada and offer up more of your own paycheque.

There are people who think that they are overtaxed if they have to $1/year - that does not make that opinion right or even reasonable.

I think anything over 40% cumulative is over-taxed.

[Black Dog]

Hey, respect the rules of the forum and keep the personal attacks to yourself.

You call that a personal attack? Sensitive much?

To try and justify the Libedrals flip-flop on the GST as politics and to attack supporters of the Government as "hicks" goes to show why the Liberals deserve to be out of power for a long, long time.

First: if you're going to put a word like hicks in quotes, make sure you're quoting someone. Second: please point out where I defended the Liberals' broken promise on the GST. My comment was a general one directed at what I see as false naivete on the part of many CPC supporters on this board on issues ranging from the flag debate to this one. I've been seeing a lot of tut-tutting about how the opposition is playing partisan politics, when the CPC played the same game when they were on the other side of the floor.

[shoop]

Did you really whine about correctly quoting somebody just after asking about my sensitivity? Wow, that is really sad. Or is sensitivity only allowed on your part?

You attacked somebody for going after the Liberals flip flop on the GST. You then took the opportunity to accuse CPC supporters of feling off the turnip truck (I even used your same atrocious grammar so you don't get all pedantic).

Why exactly did you attack the CPC supporter for pointing out the Liberal flip flop on the GST? Why didn't you give an example of the *partisan game* the Government played while in opposition?

You call that a personal attack? Sensitive much?

First: if you're going to put a word like hicks in quotes, make sure you're quoting someone. Second: please point out where I defended the Liberals' broken promise on the GST. My comment was a general one directed at what I see as false naivete on the part of many CPC supporters on this board on issues ranging from the flag debate to this one. I've been seeing a lot of tut-tutting about how the opposition is playing partisan politics, when the CPC played the same game when they were on the other side of the floor.

[geoffrey]

Why are you two bickering instead of discussing the topic? There is a Private Message function.

--

Riverwind,

"What crap. We are not MASSIVELY over taxed. We get many important services in return for those taxes. The so-called 'waste' in gov't spending does not add up to a huge percentage of total gov't spending."

We are massively over taxed. Government spending in Canada is around 30% of our GDP. Think of all the the stuff you've lost because of the taxes you pay. Think of those that are barely making enough to get by yet pay taxes upon taxes.

Does that 40% of your paycheque provide you with as much in your life as the other 60%? Chances are no.

So yup, we are over taxed. Ever since we switched to tax and spend mode, there is a nature to tax as much as possible, then spend the procedes on whatever seems like a good idea.

The real way government should be run is with a spending cap, defined essiential programs it needs to provide, and then tax only what that costs.

[Black Dog]

Did you really whine about correctly quoting somebody just after asking about my sensitivity? Wow, that is really sad. Or is sensitivity only allowed on your part?

Uh...see, you attributed something to me which I did not say and attacke dme on that basis. That's caled a strawman. I just calle dyou on it. That's not sensitivity: that's called "calling b.s. when I see it."

You attacked somebody for going after the Liberals flip flop on the GST. You then took the opportunity to accuse CPC supporters of feling off the turnip truck (I even used your same atrocious grammar so you don't get all pedantic).

Again: I "attacked" somebody for taking umbrage with politicians for laying politics, which seems to be a new tactic of CPC supporters here.

(BTW: you can bet I'll be going over your posts with a fine-tooth comb from here on out to catch any of your spelling mistakes and lord them over you.)

Why exactly did you attack the CPC supporter for pointing out the Liberal flip flop on the GST? Why didn't you give an example of the *partisan game* the Government played while in opposition?

I already explained why. Try to keep up.