tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post4077396859284322247..comments2024-03-20T09:32:16.592-04:00Comments on Michael James on Money: The Average Canadian Family’s TaxesMichael Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10362529610470788243noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-8203121970103203322016-08-29T08:47:21.484-04:002016-08-29T08:47:21.484-04:00@Stephen: The figure is actually 1939%, but I agre...@Stephen: The figure is actually 1939%, but I agree this is intended to sensationalize. The frustration for me is that excessive public spending is a real problem. We need to focus on the root of the problem. Even if the Fraser Institute succeeds in forcing governments to reduce taxes, we'll just get more debt or they'll cut the services we need most. The real enemy is the vast waste that comes from employing the people who contribute little.Michael Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362529610470788243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-41050157601091752212016-08-28T21:23:58.899-04:002016-08-28T21:23:58.899-04:00Another thing they do is sensationalize the growth...Another thing they do is sensationalize the growth in taxes since 1961 saying it is a 1600% increase roughly. While that is true, it makes you think that we are taxed 1600% more, when really it is just tracking the grown in dollars. They don't account for inflation at all, which makes up for most of that growth.Stephen Weymanhttp://www.howtosavemoney.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-82723279524567079202016-08-27T12:06:08.922-04:002016-08-27T12:06:08.922-04:00I had occasion to observe administrative processes...I had occasion to observe administrative processes while my dad was in the hospital 3-4 years ago. I was amazed at the number of times a form was handled, stamped, etc. by staff before it was done with. The manual nature of their processes in this day and age shocked me.JM Cotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08574571973522162569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-12190063065939461662016-08-27T08:55:43.513-04:002016-08-27T08:55:43.513-04:00@MJ: I have close ties to a number of civil and pu...@MJ: I have close ties to a number of civil and public servants. What you're saying jives with their views. RBullnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-35720692267574252942016-08-26T11:16:11.318-04:002016-08-26T11:16:11.318-04:00@RBull: If the public service workers I've me...@RBull: If the public service workers I've met are any indication, you're right that meaningful reviews of productivity and value are rare. I recall that during the period when many public servants were made to reapply for their jobs, those affected seemed to view the process as arbitrary. They didn't seem to believe their competence level would make a difference. Maybe they were right.Michael Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362529610470788243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-91271284650111070632016-08-26T11:06:38.249-04:002016-08-26T11:06:38.249-04:00Michael, you make some good points which I have to...Michael, you make some good points which I have to agree with. Breaking this comparison into quintiles for example could be more meaningful for families to review. <br />I'm also for government becoming more efficient with our tax dollars, and would advocate a serious review of all employee productivity and value and most importantly take action where warranted. I suspect that rarely happens and is made more difficult in such a strong union environment. I am okay with the amount of taxes I've paid while working and in retirement but believe we should be getting more value in terms of service delivery, capital infrastructure investments and little to nothing should occur in debt interest costs. If not lower my taxes. RBullnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-67357880598036827082016-08-25T14:19:12.330-04:002016-08-25T14:19:12.330-04:00@Deborah: Good point. It's easy to take heal...@Deborah: Good point. It's easy to take health care for granted. Of course, we could stand to improve efficiency in health care. I've been told by insiders that hospitals employ an amazing number of people who never have any contact with patients.Michael Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362529610470788243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-57016751046307563312016-08-25T14:06:26.061-04:002016-08-25T14:06:26.061-04:00The Fraser Institute also ignores that the taxes p...The Fraser Institute also ignores that the taxes paid provide universal health care, surely as much a "basic necessity" as food, shelter, clothing. Contrast that with the US$433 per MONTH that my US employer paid for my health insurance in April 2013 and the equal amount I paid for my husband. This "great" plan, by the way, had a $1,000 deductible, with a $30 co-pay (payment by me) for every office visit, plus 20% "co-insurance" (more payment by me) for every procedure, from removing moles to knee replacement. Even living in BC, a province with an insurance "premium" for health care, I'm grateful every day for the care provided to us!Deborah S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15078216183644544899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-61148162458881830082016-08-25T11:36:26.596-04:002016-08-25T11:36:26.596-04:00@Alan: There's always some way to torture the...@Alan: There's always some way to torture the numbers to suit a given point of view.Michael Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362529610470788243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-8494874175376581142016-08-25T11:25:20.475-04:002016-08-25T11:25:20.475-04:00Using statistics to sway public opinion is always ...Using statistics to sway public opinion is always fun.<br /><br />I agree with your views on the Public Sector as well.Big Cajun Man (aw)http://www.canajunfinances.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-81716297126542510082016-08-25T08:58:05.897-04:002016-08-25T08:58:05.897-04:00@Fernando: That book is a classic.@Fernando: That book is a classic.Michael Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362529610470788243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-19054586395012994632016-08-25T08:14:07.024-04:002016-08-25T08:14:07.024-04:00Perhaps someone just read https://www.amazon.ca/Ho...Perhaps someone just read https://www.amazon.ca/How-Lie-Statistics-Darrell-Huff/dp/0393310728<br /><br />Like you, I'm all for more efficient use of our tax dollars, but using subterfuge to make one's case doesn't sit well with me...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13692259403489890253noreply@blogger.com