Times Advocate, 1994-7-6, Page 4Page 4
Times -Advocate, limy 6, 1994
9
Publisher: Jim Beckett
News Editor: Adrian Harte
Business Manager: Don Smith
Composition Manager: Deb Lord
Advertis'rg; Barb Consitt, Theresa Redmond
/News; Fred Groves, Catherine O'Brien, Ross Haugh
Production; Alma Ballantyne, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson
Robert Nicol, Brenda Hem, Joyce Weber,
Laurel Miner, Marg Flynn
Tnrsportation: Al Flynn, Al Hodgert
Front Office & Accounting.; Norma Jones, Elaine Pinder,
Ruthanne Negrijn, Anita McDonald
CCAIlk
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An argument for "real" price tags
f there ever was a tax that
needed an overhaul [and most do] it
would have to be the hated Goods and
Services Tax.
Although the federal government is
now firmly addicted to the revenues it
generates, it is not surprising the Liber-
als want to see the hated tax revised in
some way.
It isn't that the tax is unfaven
though most -ail -plain about being
taxedpn their income and again on
what'. ft - but it is more that the GST
is a hard blow to face at the cash regis-
ter,
Even after three years, many are still
not mentally prepared for the total that
flashes up on the- screen when both the
PST and GST are added on. Way, way
back when the PST was only seven per-
cent, it was a minor inconvenience to
shell out a dollar or two more on a
small bill. Being asked to pay a total of
15 percent more just seems unfair, de-
spite what we were all told about the •
defunct Manufacturers Sales Tax.
Paying 300 on a $2 item isn't so bad,
but paying a $30 premium on a $200
item, or $300 more on $2,000 hurts.
Consumers are understandably nervous
when shopping for furniture, applianc-
es, or cars.
A 15 percent surcharge is also bad
public relations for the tourism industry.
Many visitors to this province are
shocked that the low ticket prices on
most items aren't "real".
The problem with the GST is that per-
ception is reality. Other countries have
equally stiff retail taxes, but most are
hidden in the price. Our age-old argu-
ment for having the tax as a separate
item on the bill is that it discourages
governments from hiding small increas-
es. Unfortunately, this is negated by the
fact that it is now a whopping 15 percent
surcharge.
The GST may be inconvenient in PST -
free Alberta, but in Ontario and Quebec,
the one-two punch of both taxes is tak-
ing its toll.
A 10 -percent overall tax, plus addition-
al income taxes isn't really an answer.
We all know that our governments
should seriously be planning ahead to
decrease taxes and put our economy
back into the hands of consumers. In
the real world, however, we might -find
we're a lot better off and happier with
our sales taxes included in the price - so
that what you see is what you get.
A.D.H.
Your Views
Letters to the editor
Travelling seniors ripped o
... hands off the seniors, they
have already paid for all their
"
health and pension benefits.
Dear Sir,
The recent cuts in OHIP coverage for travellers
outside Canada, are at hest a typical governmental
rip-off. If 1 wish to go to the US for two or three
weeks vacation, OHIP should be prepared to pay
thc same benefits they would if I had a problem in
Ontario. I hve been paying into OHIP for a number
of years now and I am entitled to the sane benefit
wherever 1 am. The sante can be arguer for seniors
wintering 'down south'.
dt i"s wrong for the provincial government to take
the casy path and penalize legitimate travellers who
have already paid the dues for all the benefits they
receive. I suspect that the costs incurred by seniors
wintering in thc south, over and above what the
treatments would have cost in Ontario, are negligi-
ble compared with fraudulent And other costs. Sink
holes for taxpayers dollars such as Americans com-
ing over and using friends or relatives health cards,
people getting multiple welfare cheques, immigrants
coming over legally and illegally and being given
immediate and long-term welfare assistance, people
getting elective surgery in the US and on and on and
on, soak up far more dollars than seniors.
So I say hands off thc seniors, they have already
paid for all their health and pension benefits.
Yours sincerely,
John Sanderson, Exeter
1
Hold that thought...
By Adrian Harte
National pride, a rare commodity
There's a first time for every-
thing, only I always seem to
take my time with them all.
I've been in this country for
20 years now, and it took me 17
before 1 crossed the U.S. border,
and it wasn't until thc other
week I went up the CN Tower.
Maybe I waited too long, •agd
maybe thc Over is past its
prime.
The occasion was the visit of
several of my relatives from
England. Thc main attraction of
the trip was my sister's wed- .
ding, but upon visiting Toronto,
they dccided they simply had to
go up the tallest frac-standing
tower in the world. My vote
had been for Ontario Place, but
you can't boast about something
no one back home in England
hasn't heard about.
Even on a cloudy Saturday,
the view from the tower didn't
disappoint. The Skydome even
obliged by closing during the
game in'progress below. So
why did I, as a host Canadian,
• feel so embarrassed?
Frankly, I felt thc tower itself
was not up to snuff as a world-
class tourist destination. Thc
A View From Queen's Park
By Eric Dowd
The reviews are in and they have raised
doubts about Liberal leader Lyn McLeod's
ability -to win votes on TV in an Ontario elec-
tionexpected next -year.,
McLeod, New Democrat Premier Bob Rae
and Progressive Conservative leader Mike Har-
ris took part in a televised debate that was the
first held outside an election campaign.
A business group wanted the debate for its
conference. A premier normally is reluctant to
share a platform with rivals, but Rae is re-
nowned for his gift of the gab, has experience
in leaders' debates in the 1987 and 1990 elec-
tions and is so low in the polls he grabbed a
chance to outshine competitors.
Hams was in a leaders' TV debate in 1990,
when he was virtually unknown, and at that
time at least was ab to make his opini s, al-
most single -mind Iy for tax -cutting, simibly
and relentlessly.
The biggest question mark was over McLeod,
the first woman leader because it was her first
leaders' debate on TV. In effect is was a sneak
preview tt►hat might happen in an election
famotrdisplays listing tempera-
ture, air pressure, wind speed
and direction weren't working,
and even the digital clocks were
blinking the wrong time like
cheap VCRs after a power cut.
You would think that with
charging $12 for an elevator
ride a thousand times a day,
someone could be hired to keep
all the light bulbs screwed in.
Even though the elevator rides
took only a few seconds, it inex-
plicably took ages for the next
car to arrive for the next passen-
gers. Where was it in the mean-
time? 1 can understand that
only so many people can be al-
lowed up top at a time, but if
there's a lineup 20 minutes long
to get back down, why can't
they oblige?
Joanne and 1 abandoned our
plans to take a reasonable $2.25
ride to the Space Deck. We
would have had to wait too
long. Even thc outdoor observa-
tion deck was closed for renova-
tions.
',visited the Eiffel Tower in
1986 when it was being com'
pletcly refurbished. Thcy made
every effort to keep it as open as
possible, and kept all displays in
working order. Its long lineups
are understandable: the eleva-
tors are over 100 years old and
are rather sluggish.
I only wish the CN Tower
people put as much effort into
their main attraction as they do
into their latest laser tag game
or the 3-D theatre below.
What is it about our Canadian
psyche that allows us to ignore
the fact that people from thou-
sands of miles away really do
want to sec our tourist attrac-
tions, and want them to live up
to their every expectation?
Why do we not realize that
those people will come away
with a very definite impression
of our country by how well we
maintain a building that is seen
by thousands a day - even when
it is under renovations?
The success of Canada Day
celebrations across the country,
and right here in Exeter on Fri-
day made me feel a little better.
1 only wish my relatives hadn't
already gone back home. Why
is it we always do so well when
no one is watching?
campaign.
Some TV debates have had substantial im-
pacts. Tory premier William Davis got in a
slanging m„ tch with Liberal.leader Robert Nix-
on on TV in the 1975 campaign and lost some
composure and stature, which helped lose his
majority.
Tory premier Frank Miller's refusal to debate
the other leaders on TV in the 1985 campaign
implied he was afraid of being compared and
helped undermine confidence in and bring
down the Conservative dynasty.
McLeod in her debut appeared likable and
comfortable, assets that should not be underrat-
ed, because voters like to feel at home with a
leader.
But she spoke almost exclusively in vague
generalities and offered few specifics- about
the only one was to get rid of the annuarling
fee for corporations. She had few facts o? statis-
tics -'and no memorable lines.
Nor was the Liberal leader aggressive enough
to switch the debate to issues -of her own liking
Leaders debate issues on TV
or impress her own stamp on it and it turned
very much into a clash over left and right wing
ideologies between Rae and Hams.
In McLeod's defence. almost all the ques-- _
tions were about business and economics and
in an election the leaders will be asked a lot
more about social policies, which are her
stronger suit.
Individual assessments of who won or lost
TV debates tend to vary widely, but experience
has shown many viewers' verdicts are shaped
by what they read later in newspapers. The
newspaper assessments are mostly critical of
McLeod.
One newspaper concluded 'Rae and Harris
clashed with rival visions. McLeod tried to oc-
cupy the middle ground, but ended up side-
lined.'
Another felt 'Harris delivered his anti-
government message. McLeod neve? landed a
punch. Her offerings contained little that was
• concrete. She talked of setting the tone for
growth and giving the economy a chance to
breathe.'
A third paper said 'Rae clearly considers Har-
ris the bigger threat and accorded him the larg-
__ershare of his attention. Harris succeedod_in_. _
setting the terms of discussion and his oppo-
nents are talking his issues.
'The event was a disaster for McLeod'. She
was breathtakingly dull in both material and de-
livery. Listening to her at a podium is like en-
during the drone of an air conditioner.'
Another found Hams 'demonstrated an abilii
ty'to present his policies effectively. Harris for
the first time as a leader with a platform looked
b...like he could actually win an election.
'McLeod seemed to be without plan or plat-
form. She did not demonstrate strong leader-
ship qualities and was stuck delivering mono-
logues of mush on how the Liberals would
govern.'
Luckily for McLoed, this was only a test run
seen on TV by comparatively few. For the real
debate in the election she will need to arm her-
self with policies worth talking about and act
less ladylike.
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