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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2014-09-03, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, September 3,2014 www.seaforthhuronexpositorcom Seaforth Expositor PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 RO. Box 69, 8 Main Street Seaforth Ontario NOK phone: 519-527-0240 fax: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositor SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher neil.clifford@sunmedia.ca MAXWELL BICKFORD Advertising Rep. max.bickford@sunmedia.ca DIANNE MCGRATH Front Office seaforth.classifieds@sunmedia.ca WHITNEY SOUTH Multimedia Journalist seaforth.news@sunmedia.ca MARIE DAVID Sun Media Group Publisher Grey Bruce Huron Division 519-364-2001 or 519-372-4301 SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 YEAR $50.00 (47.62+2.38 691) 2YEAR $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) SENIORS 60 WEEKS $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 120 WEEKS $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT RO. Box 69 Seaforth ON NOK IWO For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519-527-0240 Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. Canada' editorial Deep in the heart of taxes "Tax me, I'm a Canadian:" It might as well be our national motto. Average Canadians spent 42% of their income on all forms of taxation last year and didn't start working for themselves, instead of governments, until "Tax Freedom Day" on June 9. According to the Fraser Institute, the average family earned $77,381 and paid $32,369 in taxes in 2013, 41.8% of its income, compared to 36.1% for food, shelter and clothing combined. That's right, we spend more on taxes than on the necessities of life. Canadians who own homes, for example, might think paying off the mortgage is their big- gest expense. But they're wrong. It's actually paying income taxes, payroll taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, gas taxes, surtaxes and taxes on taxes imposed by federal, provin- cial and municipal governments. Since 1961, the average family's total tax bill has increased by 1,832 per cent, dwarfing increases in shelter costs (1,375%), clothing (620%) and food (546%). Cynics might suggest the fact Canadians spend 42% of their incomes on all forms of taxa- tion, simply means our governments have 58% more to go. Critics of the Fraser Institute's annual report on taxation levels say it ignores the fact many of the taxes Canadians pay go to fund things like medicare, public education and pensions which directly benefit them. In other words, much of the money we pay in taxes comes back to us in government services. But that raises the second issue surrounding Canadian taxation levels, which is whether we are getting good value for the taxes we pay. Are hospitals getting less crowded or more crowded year after year, is it harder or easier to find a family doctor or specialist, are schools cleaner or dirtier, public education better or worse? Indeed, one of biggest issues about taxation levels in Canada is their transparency or lack of same. Canadians understand they have to pay taxes. What they don't understand is why govern- ments constantly hide from them how their own money is being spent. Spent by governments which, given the size and cost of their public sectors, clearly believe, in the famous words of George Bernard Shaw, that "a government which robs Peter to pay Paul, can always depend on the support of Paul." Indeed, that's the problem. No harm, no foul Well, it can't be denied, folks are still dumping water on their heads and others are still freak- ing out about it. Come to think of it, Whitne it seems people are Huron always finding some- thing to freak out about these days. The thing that gets me though, is most of things they find offen- sive, upsetting or infuriating are... really none of their business. As each generation becomes more immersed in the social media phenomenon, they seem find more and more reasons to share their opinions on anything and everything. The scary thing is, by making comments over the Internet, no one is really ever held accounta- ble for their words, even when those words are meant to be hurtful. Now, I'm not saying no one has the right to have a voice, but many need to put more thought into the proper time and place for making their opinions known. Better yet, most need to take a minute to think about whether the opinion even needs to be shared in the first place. I started thinking about this when I posted my own Icebucket Challenge to the Expositor Face - book page. As I began to upload the video to my personal profile, I was sud- denly embarrassed at what some people might say. A lot of my friends and acquaintances had been consist- ently bashing the trend, citing everything from wasting water to simple attention -seeking Col umn y South Expositor stupidity. Did I really want to be just another per- son on which to toss their frustration? But then I got to thinking, what the heck business is it of anyone if I choose to dump a bucket of cold water on my head? How do my actions affect them negatively in any way? I've always tried to live by a simple policy - if it doesn't directly affect me, it's really none of my business. Don't get me wrong, I'm only human and there are a lot of things that seriously annoy me on a daily basis. I generally have a lot of opinions and most likely, too many. But if what I feel would do noth- ing but hurt, embarrass or insult someone, what's the point of sharing it? Why say something just to cause harm? Wouldn't it feel better to stay positive, instead of constantly dwell on the negative? Seems like life could be a lot less stressful that way. The same can be said not just over social media, but in real life as well. If everyone started concentrat- ing on the important things, and less on the harmless things, the world could be a lot less angry of a place. The husband is wearing an ugly shirt? So what? Your neighbour doesn't mow his lawn enough? Who cares? Maybe we all need to learn to concentrate on what's good in the world and try to keep the negativ- ity to ourselves. get Rim www.chronicle-online.com Get all of your news, sports and more. Serving West Elgin and surrounding area SEAFORTH HURON EXPOSITOR — HOURS OF OPERATION MONDAY: 9:00 - 5:00 • TUESDAY: - CLOSED • WEDNESDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • THURSDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • FRIDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • SATURDAY & SUNDAY: - CLOSED ADVERTISING DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 2:00 • PHONE 519-527-0240 • FAX: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com