Political musings as we near Monday Election Day

Certainly I am no politician or economic expert but as we prepare to go to the polls with the likelihood of more of the status quo in another minority Conservative government,  I reflect back with dismay at all of the political rhetoric over the past weeks.  Canadians seem to be far too easily swayed by promises of more “candy” for those with their hands out, instead of the “broccoli” necessary for building a solid foundation with minimal debt and deficits and a focus on the fundamentals.

Hands are out everywhere – students, schools, musicians, artists, hospitals, government employees, and a plethora of special interest groups waiting for the vote-buying rhetoric and promises of the Libs/NDPs to send more money their way.  Reality check folks.  Government spending can only come from (the already) stressed, hard-working, and over-taxed Canadians.  Increase corporate taxes?  Sure, Corporations only exist to make a profit right?   That will either send more jobs off-shore or result in higher priced goods for consumers as the taxes are tagged back on to the price of their goods.   More Government involvement in industry?  Somehow I don’t think that replacing Corporate profits with with the largess  of self-serving government bureaucracy would be beneficial.   Higher personal taxes?  Just a 2% increase in personal taxes will rob the typical working person of at least another $1000 annually.  Think this will affect charitable donations?  Spending?  Family budgets?  When will people realize there is only so much money to go around and the easiest thing for Governments to do is spend “OPM”…other peoples money?  Do you think they can deliver on billions more of spending and not increase taxes even more?

With our considerable debt and annual deficits, we would be in serious trouble if we ever had a major catastrophe (think Japan-style earthquake).  Nothing left in the “emergency” account.  With aging infrastructure (sewers, bridges, roads, etc.), an embarrassing military (what an uphill battle and outcry to replace our handful of 25 yr old CF fighter jets!),  a declining health-care system, pension concerns, and many more vital areas, surely our mandate should be to get our “house in order” first!

Imagine running a household the way some politicians would run the country.  Household income of $100,000 but living way beyond means with annual expenditures of $125,000 (deficit) and a $500,000 mortgage, $50,000 of auto loans, $10,000 credit card debt.  A recipe for disaster.  How long could a family sustain this kind of finances?

Personally, I don’t “like” any of the politicians.  But, when I go to the polls I will cast my vote for the party I think will deliver on the greatest good for all of us by creating an environment that will attract and encourage business,  free enterprise and the arts (more jobs and bigger tax-base), make me proud to have a modern military to fulfill our obligation to us and the rest of the world, keep us secure by updating our antiquated and backlogged justice and penal system, properly fund our pension system, and keep my taxes internationally competitive and as reasonable as possible allowing me (not the government) to decide on what it is important and necessary to spend my hard-earned money on.

Politically correct?  Probably not, but just my .02 worth.   Ryan Guthrie.

Community concerns via letter to local police and mayor

Greetings to the fine men & women at DRPS.  I started doing your survey then realized I have no issues with regards to crime, safety, and most of the issues addressed therein.  As a long-time Pickering (Ontario) resident and one of the “silent majority”, I feel you are doing a commendable job for the most part.

Having said this, I would like to point out two areas I think need serious improvement, neither of which were mentioned on the survey – litter and dogs (of which we are also owners).  Instead of having an officer sitting in their cruiser watching for some hapless motorist ”rolling” through the plethora of stop signs (an absolute over-abundance) or some otherwise conscientious motorist doing 58 in a 50 zone, both of which are just a fact of life these days, I think more effort needs to be spent in these two areas.   Just look around at the litter/garbage strewn calously around and in evidence everywhere.  I can’t tell you how many times I have seen kids drop their refuse, motorists dump their lunch bags (visit any shopping centre parking lot), and dog-owners either leave their dogs mess or having picked it up, toss the bag on the grass.  It is absolutely disgusting.    I wonder if your priorities are in the right place?

I would be most interested in knowing how many fines have been handed out for littering/dog fines over the past few years in contrast to the number of motor vehicle infractions.  Certainly, HTA tickets are the “low lying fruit” i.e. easy pickings, but aside from a tax grab and intense aggravation to a motorist with a momentary loss of attention, what really is the impact on our society of minor HTA violations?  Will getting a $100 ticket really prevent a motorist from ever speeding again, especially with the already low speed limits posted.  Is there not a tremendous potential tax revenue in fining those that use our public areas as their personal garbage disposal?

On the subject of stop signs, does there really need to be so many especially considering the harm to the environment caused by cars constantly stopping/starting, the excess of gas, and the loss of time?  Would a yield sign not serve a better purpose?  Roundabouts?  The number of times I need to stop (and needlessly as rarely any traffic to justify) just for a short trip in our neighbourhood is really pointless.    Thanks for listening and a reply would be appreciated.

Ryan Guthrie