The return of health care premiums, well, maybe that would have been felt more softly if the premiums had never been lifted in the first place. The health services that were cut when the premiums were stopped, chiropractic, physio, will they be brought back? (Hahahahaha.)
"Sin taxes" on booze and cigarettes? If you are into either of these "sins" I guess you'll have to suck it up and pay more. Myself, I think I'll add a third or fourth batch of wine to my autumn workload, maybe start making beer too (because I am admittedly sinful), and I quit smoking when the price of a smoke went to the unbelievable price of $2.50 a pack (smiley face inserted here). Has the government ever considered what would happen if people didn't drink or smoke? They already get gobs of revenue from these products. Everyone has a tipping point, a place where they say that's it, no more. It's a bit of an oxymoron. We are bombarded with ads for products to help us quit smoking. We are shunted outside into the hinterlands in order to light up. We are fined if we pollute our children by smoking in a car. Our bars and restaurants have taken a hit due to the low tolerance for drinking and driving. Not that these are bad policies but what happens when success is achieved? When everyone becomes saintly? What will they tax then to make up for the shortfall? Hmmmm. You "sin", you pay, but please, please, accept shunning but do not stop sinning!
The additional tax on fuel - just try to avoid that little bomb from blowing up your household budget. Alberta is a big place. If you work, you drive. If you shop, you drive. If you farm, you drive. If you conduct business of any kind, you drive. If you visit friends, you drive. If you see a doctor, you drive. If you have propane, diesel or gas delivered to your farm, it's driven to you. If you order a pizza, someone delivers it. If you attend a sports event or concert, you drive. If you don't walk, bike or drive your own car you take public transport or a cab. You get my drift here... On top of that every product you need or wish for arrives to its selling point by truck. Your mail and your parcels (on-line purchases) arrive by truck. There's almost no corner of life that will not be touched by this increased fuel tax. It will bit by bit eek up the price of virtually everything, necessities and luxuries alike.
Thank you Mr. Premier for "solving" Alberta's fiscal problems. People on fixed incomes, people whose jobs have been lost or cut back due to the current oil price crisis, people on low incomes, people like you with high incomes, all people will pay and pay and pay some more. And corporations, the non-people, will they be hit? Well sure, they're in business and they too will be affected by higher fuel prices. But they can pass it on. Everyone who can pass it on will pass it on until it hits those who have no way to pass it on. Guess who that is...?!
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