Taxation Vectors and Democracy

by Erik Andersen

Thoughts to ponder when considering just how much effort should be devoted to the task of returning democracy to our country and province. By not voting and not seeking to address wrongs one abdicates the privilege of expecting justice in its broadest sense.

 

This morning on the "Leg" conversation on "The Early Edition" the conversation included mention of the anger of citizens. Remarks suggested zero comprehension of what was driving this anger.

 

After 700,000 people in this province, on a non-partisan basis, demonstrated their disgust over the state of democracy in BC, there still are people scratching their heads about why there is anger.

 

Deceits and irresponsible borrowing/ spending, without reference to legislative process, are good places to start.

 

Over the last decade our national/provincial tax system has systematically reduced corporate taxes (latest just took effect because it was included in the last federal budget) and increased personal obligations by switching to a user/consumption tax/fee design.

 

Extending this tax vector it projects toward a social model where each person will be responsible for his or her per capita share of all expenses, including those imposed by contractual agreements that citizens have zero say over. P3s, F 35s and other agreements for example.

 

This outlook is one where the individual becomes a commodity with zero personal financial sovereignty. The extreme, as in an Orwellian world, would be where the individual would be forced to go to a global auction process to secure a contract for work that may even call for "key money"  to close a deal.

 

This is what the fight is about and so far good results are hard won, but not impossible to get. Here in BC we have won the Referendum challenge but in keeping with the undemocratic character of our governments, they have predictably responded with road blocks and outright denials.