When government taxes us claiming its for a certain need, all the while knowing only a portion will actually reach the so-called need, that’s a Tax Grab. That’s reaching into our pockets and snatching our money

A commentary by Alan Forseth
Kamloops, BC ~~ April 12^th, 2019

What is a tax grab, the Armchair Mayor asked today, in an editorial, where he also commented that ‘TAX GRAB’ is such a nasty term.

I’ll now present an edited version of his editorial, but I also encourage you to read the full commentary (CLICK HERE).  Now let me begin by stating I’m not sure if he’s playing the devils advocate, or sincere in asking ... or just stirring things up for a reaction.  Regardless, here is some of his commentary, upon which I will comment:

I’m curious to know what a tax grab is. We throw it out there right and left whenever we get mad at being taxed for something ... the new federal carbon tax now in effect in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick, as well as the current high gas prices in BC. Together they’ve renewed debate over the B.C. carbon tax, which isn’t part of the federal tax.

The carbon tax is being characterized as a tax grab .... right-wing columnists are particularly indignant about it ... while they rail about it being a tax grab, they don’t say what a tax grab is, other than it being plain they don’t like it.

Calling something a “tax grab” sounds as if ... government is ... reaching into our pockets and snatching our money for the fun of it, or maybe because they just like being mean.

NO MEL ... that is not what many of us, who use the term “Tax Grab” are referring to. But rather than speak for others though, I’ll just speak for myself.  To me a Tax Grab is anytime the government states they are taxing us, and wanting us to pay a fee, for what they indicate is for a specific purpose.

It just so happens that the Carbon Tax is one of those things.  Oh, pardon me, it’s now more politically correct to refer to it as a tax on pollution.

Where does that money go however?  Well in most instances it simply goes into a black hole called general revenue.

Taxes on alcohoil and tobacco are called sin taxes.  Those products are taxed much higher than other retail products because of the harmful effects they have on those who partake in them. 

Does all of that money however go to the extra care needed by say, the Health Ministry, for when individual gets sick with cancer and lung disease?  NO – it goes into general revenue where a much smaller amount of what is collocated is spent caring for those with cancer.

People that become alcoholics from excessive drinking, or a pre-disposition to becoming an alcoholic, also cost the medical system more ... they are a high financial expense for needed addiction recovery services, mental health services, and more.

With new extra taxes on legal pot, where is that money going?  Not into the same services I just mentioned -- which are necessary for those addicted to alcohol and tobacco products.  Instead they go into General Revenue where again a much smaller portion of what is collected goes into the Health Ministry ... and the Ministry for Mental Health and Addictions.

WHERE DOES THE REST GO YOU ASK?

Well as far as I can see it doesn’t go towards paying down the debt and it doesn’t go towards providing the services required and necessary, and it certainly is NOT doing a single thing towards reducing carbon emissions; which continue to rise no matter what the government says.

NO, instead it goes towards programs the government can pat themselves on the back for doing.  Many times, but not always, they’re ones which often in the past people did for themselves, or raised money within the community to support and provide (hence no rake off by government to pay for administration and wages)

The government gives grants towards Boy Scouts and Girl Guides ... community service organizations ... reforestation and raising of salmon by school children.  These and many more --- all with flashy Media Events to announce the governments largesse.

Or the money government reaches into our pockets for our money, and then uses it for announcements and media events to let us know they are buying new beds for seniors’ housing and long-term care facilities ... washrooms on the side of the highway at the few remaining rest-stops they haven’t closed ... and even to announce they’ve funded a playground / playground equipment at a school.  Aren’t schools SUPPOSED TO HAVE THOSE THINGS?

All the while the costs of what government takes from us, or as Mel called it, reaching into our pockets and snatching our money, is leaving us poorer and poorer.

When government taxes us claiming its for a certain need, all the while knowing only a portion will actually reach the so-called need, that’s a Tax Grab. That’s reaching into our pockets and snatching our money.

Far too often Mel, that is what government does, and it’s done far too long!

You also went on to say that, “I don’t know of any examples where a government has collected money for no reason at all. There are countless examples of our taxes being poorly used, but that’s entirely different.”

Maybe not for no reason at all Mel, but definitely they have taken more from us than what was needed, or for what they claimed was the intended purpose!

You said that the carbon tax has a very specific purpose ... a price on pollution.  And you then continued with the following comment, “And rebates on other parts of the household budget are supposed to make it neutral or even better”.

If the carbon tax is being rebated back to us, and as justin trudeau indicated, more in some cases than was paid by individuals, how is this TAX GRAB supposed to work? 

How can a tax on pollution, that is rebated back, somehow magically lower carbon emissions and levels?  And better yet, who is paying for all of the costs to administer this TAX GRAB, Ooops I mean a tax on pollution?  They can’t simply be coming out of thin air. 

It’s no wonder justin trudeau’s ‘sunny days’ are adding BILLION AND BILLIONS in deficits and debt.

What is a Tax Grab you asked Mel ... it’s all of the above.  It’s taking our money and wasting it ... it’s taking our money and using it for other purposes other than what was intended ... and it’s taking our money so that government can many times glorify itself.