Enough is Enough

Why are Canadians so ready to line up and give away their hard earned money? Is it because we have lost the desire to be independent and now want to be looked after by the State? I wish I knew because I’d like to tap into the incredible power that would be unleashed if a tax revolt arose amongst the usually complacent and obedient citizens of Canada. Can you imagine if the ordinary “Janes and Joes” of our society decided that they had finally reached the point where the straw breaks their backs. We must be getting close to it if you consider that the disposable income of a family in the 60’s was more, in relative terms than that of the families in year 2008. A man could go to work and bring home enough money so that his wife could stay at home and raise the kids. They could pay off a mortgage and drive a decent car without being on the verge of bankruptcy. The family could own the latest technology such as a radio and a TV without going into debt. They could also go on vacation for two weeks a year and enjoy hearty meals every day of the week. This is a lifestyle that would still be possible today if people didn’t have the massive taxation burden on their shoulders. In our current era unless one of the spouses makes over $150,000 a year it is rare to see a family that has only one parent working. Even at this salary the person most likely will pay upwards of 40% of their gross in personal income tax. This now leaves us with approximately $90,000.00 to support the household. A mortgage on a reasonably sized house for 4 people is at a minimum going to cost somewhere in the range of 20,000 to 23,000 a year and food for 4 people would cost around $12,000 a year. Roughly another $6,000 annually for insurance, heat, hydro and water leaves the family with $41,000. Two cars, usually a necessity in today’s suburban world will more than likely eat up at least another $12,000 a year and the fuel to run them is estimated to cost you at least $6000 during the same time frame. With $23000 left we’re whistling Dixie but wait there is still another tax bill from the government. Remember the GST (5%) and the PST (8%) on just about everything you purchase including the items of necessity previously mentioned above. We will leave out the land transfer tax you paid and the tax on the lawyer’s fees that you paid when you purchased the house because it was a one-time cost but remember this happens every time you purchase a house and can run into the area of $10,000+. Property tax is around $4000 a year on average unless you live in downtown Toronto or Essex County and estimating the combination of GST & PST @ 10% another $9000 + 4000= 13,000 reduces the net income of this family to $10,000 a year or 7% of gross pay. When my Dad was earning $10,000 a year in the early 60’s his disposable income (using the same estimates as above) after expenses was closer to 15%. When the Liberals impose this extra PST next year it will further erode a family’s earnings by another 8% on items previously exempt. I am urging a tax revolt by all citizens because I am tired of paying such a large chunk of my money to a bunch of incompetent fools who do nothing but line their own pockets and give away massive amounts of it to people who choose to earn nothing. Enough is enough.