The Fraser Institute and other apologists for the wealthy elite are fond of telling Canadians that around this time of the year they can finally stop working for the government and start working for themselves. They call it Tax Freedom Day.
The implication is that any money we pay in taxes goes to benefit only someone in government. They conveniently forget to mention that without taxes we would have no roads or streets unless we were prepared to pay a toll every time we used them.
We would have no policing services unless we were prepared to hire security guards. We would have no airports, harbors, public parks …
Read Also
Topsy-turvy precipitation this year challenges crop predictions
Rainfall can vary dramatically over a short distance. Precipitation maps can’t catch all the deviations, but they do provide a broad perspective.
There would be no public schools so we would be “free” to educate our children at our own cost. We would have no public health care so we could be “free” to pay exorbitant private health-care insurance premiums or else go without health-care coverage. There would be no welfare programs for disadvantaged people who would be “free” to cast themselves upon the tender mercies of charity or turn to crime to survive.
These are but some of the “freedoms” we would enjoy if the wealthy elite would have their way. While I don’t approve of the corruption, patronage and inefficiencies prevalent in some of our governments, I am grateful to be living in a country where government is, relatively speaking, more compassionate toward its citizens than most.
I believe we must remain vigilant that we are not deceived by those who hide behind the “freedom” terminology while seeking to enhance their wealth and power.
– William Dascavich,
Vegreville, Alta.
