Ontario Budget Introduces Health 'Premiums'

Read the Toronto Star tomorrow, I have a letter to the editor that is going to be printed on this subject.

I believe that healthcare is one of the the most important things Canada stands for. Millions of people around the world and even in the great USA would love to have our system, but they don't want to pay taxes to pay for it.

Does anyone know what the term "You have to pay the Piper" means ????

Someone has to pay the bill. It's all a matter of how, who and when.

This is not rocket science, folks.

Compare our system with others and it stands up pretty good. It just needs proper funding and good administration.



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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

Whatever. Why does our health care system cost so much? Why not try to reduce costs. And why another tax? Couldn't they just increased the income tax? Oh right _then_ he'd have to admit they raised taxes. What a liar.

Well, the real problem is federal downloading, BUT, THIS AMOUNTS TO NOTHING MORE THAN A TAX ON THE POOR AND MIDDLE-CLASS.

-Chiropractors, Eye exams, and physiotherapists is cut completely. That's a disgrace....but at least they're not trying to close hospitals like Harris did.

Apparently, no serices will be witheld, but unpaid fees count as a tax penalty. Great.

And what about a drug plan for the poor and middle class?

Well we wouldn't want to talk about the $100 Billion in tax cuts that Martin made would we? Cause it wasn't the working class that got any was it? And now they don't have enough to pay for health care, quick everybody act surprised.

How much did Davis cut in Ontario, do you think it helped the economy, is any working person doing better, can anyone still add and subtract? Start cutting out the tax breaks for big business and get rid of those free for the rich trade treaties.

I should have said Harris instead of Davis.

Heathcare one of the most important issues of our time? Please! Educate yourself would you. The largest problem that Canada (and Ontario) faces is competition. Global, economic competition. As Canadians, we are smarter, faster and more efficient that most any other country in the world. Yet, our governement (feds and provincials) still make it hard for big and small businesses to operate here. If you think that these latest provincial tax levies will not serve as a proxy to drive business and populations out of Ontario and out of Canada, think again. As a loyal Canadian, and a working class citizen (yes, I get a paycheck), I am disgusted again by this countries inability to break away from its socialist ties and think geoeconomically about our competition, and more importantly, where we are going as a nation. We are sunk. And I am moving. Farewell Canada!

Big business has always got more than their fair share and if they want to leave Canada then "good riddance" I say. You can go with them too if you want Anonymous. We've got lots of Conservatives and Liberals that you can take with you too!

GOOD! LEAVE! Everyone is still afraid of the communist bogeyman, eh? What`s wrong with taking care of your own citizens? You want to see people go without health care? In the US there are 50 million people with NO COVERAGE. Another 100 million pay premiums, but are 'undercovered' which means that if your HMO feels you got sick one too many times within a certain period, then you`re not covered. That`s right- Canadians are some of the most innovative people in the world, and just think what we could accomplish if we CONTROLLED OUR OWN DESTINY AND QUIT GIVING IT AWAY TO THE AMERICANS FOR A CASE OF MOLSON`S! Our corporate taxes are lower than the US, our dollar is worth less, and our PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM always meant that companies investing in Canada paid less in benefits, thereby having some serious cost advantages!!! But of course, that`s STILL not good enough! To have social and economic justice, you need governments to intervene in the markets somewhat, and erect social programs and laws to protect people! Anything less is CORPORATE FASCISM!!! Ratifying the Romanow Report is AFFORDABLE! But the corporate fascists are PURPOSELY trashing our system! Gee, while we`re at it, let`s get rid of speed limits. Then the richest guys with the fastest cars can go as fast as they want and cause accidents! Let`s scrap pollution laws too! TOO SOCIALIST! Drinking water is not a right anymore- in the name of 'progress and entrepreneurial spirit' let`s give Exxon-Mobil ownership of the 5 Great Lakes! I know, let`s contract election processes out to private corporations!!! This vote brought to you by Lougheed Martin.

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Dave Ruston

There is the problem that our federal Liberals under Paul Martin cut so much out of our social programs and provincial transfers that made it seem impossible to keep healthcare properly funded.

The Romanow report was completely unnecessary if the feds kept to their agreement to fund 50% of healthcare and now we are reaping the results. The provinces have to make up the shortfall, and I have always had a problem with getting rid of OHIP premiums. They were never a hardship on my family, and we are not in the higher categories as anyone that knows me is aware of.

I think anyone that can afford $300 to $900 a year should pay into such an important part of our safety net. Those that earn less than $20K are exempt, and that probably pisses off the federal conservatives and liberals simply because they are for big business, and big business surely wouldn't give the lower income folks a break.



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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

I was cheering as I read that Dave. And to Anon yes, please go to the land of capitalism (notice I didn't say plenty), and DO take the others with you because you don't want to leave all that competition behind, where would that leave you? I agree with the good riddance part too. I am not one of those Canadians that just believes corporate wealth coming to Canada is going to benefit me or my country. HUGE LIE IF NOT MYTH. I think it's plain enough that it just benefits corporate wealth.

Liberals use fear to weasel money out of taxpayers then use that money to fund groups who will feed into their promotion of bigotry and fear in order to get re-elected, a sad fact of Canadian politics/media but it works.

Jim, I read your letter in the Star, good job! Short and well, not so sweet, but you made the point and perhaps a few people will get it. But the tax situation has to be explained, it isn't that the average person isn't paying enough, it is the corporation that don't pay any or very little, that is where the imbalance sits and many people don't get that. This is an issue for election also, which party is going to increase corporate taxes?

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If I stand for my country today...will my country be here to stand for me tomorrow?

Here are a few numbers that sheds a little more light on healthcare costs and taxes. It is an editorial in the Toronto Star, and it makes perfect sense.

Read the article here:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Conten ... 8350116795



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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

Why were gross amounts before deductions used instead of net amounts after taxes?
Why were the affects on seniors more clearly defined?