Editor:
I have read that Transportation Minister Blair Leckstrom is negotiating funding of the 11 kilometre Skytrain extension Coquitlam Evergreen Line with the Translink mayors in private closed door sessions. HST habits hard to break?
It is also reported that the funding for this huge project will come from more taxation, possibly additional increased property taxes, possibly a vehicle-levy tax, more tolls on major arterial roads or another layer of carbon taxes and who knows what else these geniuses might dream up.
Well, we overburdened lower mainland taxpayers, especially south of the Fraser river, resent paying more exorbitant taxes for capital projects that most of us will never use.
These big spending politicians with other people's money just don’t get it at all. We voters don’t want more spending and more taxes. We want the opposite: restraint, fiscal responsibility, pay down the debt. Look around the world, and you will see the trouble and devastation many regimes have caused with deficit spending.
Forget this Evergreen Line until better financial times arrive. Let's pay for the past big spending projects before we get overwhelmed with more debt. One major earthquake could render 80% of the existing Skytrain inoperable for years and at great expense to reconstruct. With nothing but debt in the rainy day fund, what then?
We won’t stand for more layers of deceptive carbon taxes. B.C. is the only jurisdiction in North America with this phoney, contrived carbon tax. They should be getting rid of it, not adding new layers. It will be opposed just like the HST and the Liberals will wear it to the next election. I must admit my confidence level with the government on most issues is very low and waning fast.
If the Liberals are going to treat us like this, why should we vote for them? We might as well take our chances with the NDP, who probably wouldn’t tax us any worse.
Maybe one term with the NDP will give the Conservatives time to organize their new coalition party.
Austerity and caution is what’s needed and this voter will promote the party that demonstrates the will to manage our business responsibly.
Roland Seguin, Langley