I am a senior citizen. So is my dog, in human years. If I do not kill the HST, the HST will kill me.
I do not care about the funeral tax. Just cart me off to Victoria and dump me on the lawn in front of the parliament buildings. Let me be a waning beacon, warning an aging population of things to come.
The truth: senior citizens are taxed to help industries to be more competitive.
A panel of fat cats, appointed by the B.C. Government, tells us that a seven per cent reduction in taxes to business will generate economic growth and employment.
The truth: There has been no growth to the economy, business has not forwarded savings to the consumer and people have been taken off employment benefits and forced to fend for themselves.
The truth: Campbell's government knew that peddling the HST would not benefit business or the consumer. All these high-flown promises of economic riches were a smoke screen to sell their snake oil to fill his coffers.
If the reduction of the seven per cent tax to business were really the good thing bestowed, why then not ax the tax without shifting taxes to consumers, especially to consumers on a fixed income?
Back to me and my dog.
My doctor told me to be more active and get out of the house. "Take in a sporting event, go to the movies, go camping, join a gym, walk to the museum or art gallery," he said. On my way out of his office he reminded me, "do not forget to take your vitamins."
When I came home, my wife had supper ready. Pizza. Believe it or not, pizza is a meal for us once in a while, not a snack food, especially when watching a sporting event. Pizza and beer.
My wife reminded me that the dog has to have a check-up at the vet before they will renew his prescription. My dog is on $100 medication a month to curb his seizures.
One day they will take my driver's license away because of old age. Then, I pondered, I have to take the public bus service or a taxi to get around.
Finally, when I sat down, grabbed the newspaper and turned on cable TV to watch the sporting event, I realized that all the above activities were taxed with HST. That is money out of a senior's pocket. No wonder that some seniors have to choose between filling their prescription, put food on the table or being active for their health as told by their doctor.
What really makes me mad is that I cannot voice my frustration with friends.
They stopped coming to Timmy's when their coffee got taxed.
Paul Krukow
Prince George
