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CP:
Politicians have, in the past, used that old bs phrase of 'cutting taxes' to get you to vote for them. Now, Stephan Dionne, has come up with a new wrinkle on that old lie : Tax your heating oil and anything else you burn to move your food and everything else that you have always had in your life... but, he'll lower your income taxes.

CONSIDER THIS from a one person who has bothered to do the homework:

When a politician's lips move, I know he's probably lying. Mr. Dion says his carbon tax will be revenue neutral. So, I went online and found a carbon calculator and keyed in the annual energy consumption for our household and learned we produce 17 tons of greenhouse gas. Fully 60% of this usage is for electricity which we use to heat our home.

I have already improved insulation in my walls and replaced my windows and doors; use the new 'twirley' lights and ensured that my appliances are all Energy Star products. In the past 20 years, these measures reduced my electricity usage from 24,000 Kw Hrs per year to 16,000 Kw Hrs per year last years. What is my reward for this improved efficiency? My power bill is unchanged from what it was 20 years ago. But, my power bill would attract a carbon tax of $104 in year one of Mr. Dion's plan and $ 416 in year four. My power bill would rise from $166 per month to $210 per month in year four.

Since I live on a fixed income consisting of CPP and Old Age Security, my income tax bill runs at less than $200 per year. So, for my household, Mr. Dion's 'revenue neutral' carbon tax will cost me $416 per year less income tax reductions of about $10 per year.

Revenue neutral? In a pig's eye! This is a tax on seniors living on fixed incomes. Well, Mr. Dion, you haven't got a snowball's chance in hell of ever getting my vote. I hope everyone else takes five minutes to run the same calculations I did and vote to send this joker to the political boneyard.

Jon C. Coates - 70 Ridgevalley Rd. - Halifax, N.S. - B3P 2J9

Factual data substantiating this:

16.96 tons

60% of this is for electricity or 10.4 tons/year

@ $10/ton in year 1 = $104 or $9/mo

@ $20/ton in year 2 = $208 or $18/mo

@ $30/ton in year 3 = $312 or $27/mo

@ $40/ton in year 4 = $416 or $40/mo

= Income tax paid is $110/yr.

DON'T BUY INTO THE CARBON TAX !

Since the days of the caveman I suspect that "family" has always been an important issue for human beings. The maternal instinct is obviously one of the main factors in the development of the family unit but it alone cannot sustain, nurture, protect and strengthen the "family". It has to be a joint effort if the odds are to be biased towards success. That is not to say, single parent families cannot be successful however, it is considerably more difficult and it takes a special type of person to be able to cope with the pressures and still come out on top.
What is this "family" stuff all about anyway?
If you are fortunate enough to be a member of a strong family network you will know what I mean when I say "unquestioned support". When there is a need for assistance, understanding, protection, advice, empathy etc it is family that can and will provide these things at a moment’s notice. Yes, it is usually stronger within the immediate unit but it is there in each relative at some level in a strong and vibrant family. Enjoying the special moments in each of the family member’s lives is another bonus within the family unit. Graduations, marriages, retirements, birthdays, along with the laughter and tears shared within a family setting will create memories that can last a lifetime.
Once you understand how the family is founded and what it is all about, there then comes the individual commitment each family member must make. Committing to make the survival and strength of your family uppermost on your priority list. Not to take for granted that the family is there for you if needed but to be thankful and grateful for everything positive you derive from them. To give back to the family when relatives need you and to be able to do this when it is required, not only when you feel you can. It takes all family members to work at making the family successful and, when it happens there is nothing comparable that will provide you with more happiness and contentment.
Recently we lost a member of our `family’ and it was a very sad day for everyone. Yet when I think back on that day I am so proud of our entire family as they came together and grieved while at the same time supporting and protecting one another.
As I look back over the years I can now see much more clearly the role my family played in each and every stage of my life and I thank God for this.
Remember there is nothing more important than FAMILY.

The other day I took my grandsons to the park with no toys and only an old Fedora of which the oldest (5) was wearing. Regardless of the lack of props we proceeded to travel through time on the playground over the next hour. We sped off to Egypt as Indiana Jones searched for the Lost Ark of the Covenenant while battling all types of evil foes at the top of the slide platform. Captain T steered the ship with the wheel at the top of the steps and quickly abandoned ship (using the large slide) when the going got tough. I, of course, was dispatched to recover all manner of treasure while at times being an able and trustworthy assistant and at other times an enemy that required defeat and removal to an out of the way place. From time to time Indy's whip became a "light saber" from Star Wars fame and even the power of the Force crept into our quest for the elusive Ark. Once we had destroyed all foes and found the Ark it was time to leave the slides and climbing rails and proceed to the baseball diamond adjacent to the playground. Here we joined a baseball game in progress with batters, fielders and players on the bench. Although the rules differed from the traditional game it nevertheless was just as exciting as players not only hit the ball but had to run to the bases while eluding the pursuing fielders. As hard as I tried, for some reason, I never seemed to be able to win the race but you know it didn't matter. My status never changed and I remained Whitby Grampa win or lose. At the end of the hour and on our way home the words "I love you Grampa" was all I needed to hear to know I was OK and able to travel far away places another day.

The accomplishments of the people who have lived, worked and built the USA and Canada over the last 200 years are truly remarkable. In this short period of time these two nations have grown into the envy of most of the world. Our standard of living is second to none when you measure against other countries of our size and populations. The innovation, resiliency, work ethic and patriotism have set these people apart from any other in history. While the Roman empires of the past, and others like them had many of the same characteristics, their societies did not contain the basic freedoms and human compassion of those that are prevalent in North America right up to today. It is then such a shame that these things are not celebrated as they should be. Instead when you pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV news the ratio of positive to negative is generally 90% to 10%. Of course the news industry is now a business and the lofty ethical standards that once drove their reporting have now been replaced by the proverbial bottom line. Certainly the crime and relative “bad” things have to be reported, but is this all that has to be brought to our attention? Instead of feeling proud of ourselves, our country and our accomplishments instead you get the feeling that we are all going to “hell in a hand basket”. The op-eds are worse as they have free rein not only to criticize but to denigrate and destroy as well. The generations before us have laid the groundwork for every individual in our country to have two most desired and precious things. They are not government entitlement’s, they are not free health care or any other handout. These two things are freedom and opportunity. With these two things the generations before us built a strong and vibrant nation. Sure we have problems and we will solve them but let’s not address them through fear, guilt and negativism and let’s always be proud of what we, as a people made up of many cultures, have accomplished.