Skip to content

Let’s raise the GST but reduce other taxes

Every time I turn around, there are signs of increased costs, fees, taxes, premiums and interest rates on the horizon.

Every time I turn around, there are signs of increased costs, fees, taxes, premiums and interest rates on the horizon.

Call it what you want — an increase in premiums or an increase in taxes — but it costs more. Keeping track of the increases cost more. Hyper inflation will increase the interest rates, which will mean it costs more.

How about bringing our GST back to seven per cent and not increasing my taxes, not increase my EI premiums and not bring in more fees and higher interest rates? Better yet, make it a hidden tax and I will just submit 6.54 per cent of my net and life would be simpler.

I am not a big fan of the GST, but I did like the simplicity of it in day-to-day living.

You still had to decide which account to use or whether leasing, renting or buying was the best option, but the GST did seem to be fairly applied.

My Ford meant $1,400 for the government while my buddy’s Ferrari meant $14,000 for the government.

It might have been an illusion, but my $300 suit netted the government $21 while the other guy’s $3,000 suit netted the government $210.

So when you hear some wealthy person say “only little people pay taxes,” you believe that they still had to pay taxes on their coffee or wine like everyone else.

Mr. Prime Minister, raise the GST and then reduce the tax rates. Raise the GST and leave interest rates down.

I would rather pay two per cent more in GST than increase my mortgage rate by two per cent.

I would rather pay two per cent more in GST than pay double for milk, bread and apples.

I am hoping that our politicians can talk about the future costs of our current situation and past expenses.

Let us explore the issues and come up with a plan rather than responding to crisis as they arise.

The current mantra seems to be: “It is easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.”

I, for one, would like to see a real plan and if that means reinstating the seven per cent GST rate, then so be it.

No one really expects a painless recovery, but it would be nice to have an honest discussion about what to expect.

I would at this moment vote to reinstate the seven per cent GST if it would mean that my taxes would remain static and I would not have to worry about double-digit interest rates when I go to renew my mortgage after the global recession is over.

Can we at least discuss it?

Garfield Marks

Red Deer

Editor’s note: The letter writer will represent the Liberals in Red Deer during the next federal election.