To the Editor,
Re: Tax increases too taxing, and Taxes better in Port Alberni, Letters, Nov. 21.
Richard Berg and the city manager may both be correct on their taxing facts.
If CBC is also correct in reporting that Conservatives showed government wages and benefits are 48 per cent higher than private sector, could we lower tax by levelling the field?
Should private sectors whose taxes employ government earn less than their employees?
Is the public sector a large voting block that funds labour?
If contractors can save more than five per cent during holidays by hiring downsized experienced loggers, does this paint a target on seniors’ backs?
Compare steelworkers’ three-day bereavement with government’s six weeks and one day annual sick pay to 18 days.
Socialist strategy was to enable government workers to exceed private sector remuneration and then demand parity with them. Did this work as well as Reagan’s trickle down theory?
Can export workers that must compete on the world market demand any more than industry can afford to pay?
Port Alberni’s low rent is a magnet for the province’s socially assisted and most retirees (except government employees) don’t have indexed pensions. If city council wants to turn this town into a retirement community, will they and the premier freeze all city and Crown corporations’ wages until the public sector catches up?
Should user fees cover the operating expenses for Echo Centre, AV Multiplex, McLean Mill, etc.?
Should churches at least pay the same property tax as homeowners?
RJ Frankow,
Port Alberni