Editor, The News:
Re: All paying more (Letters, March 16).
Thank you, Jon Peters, and also Anne Rostvig, for your attempts to calculate the extra cost of the HST over the previous tax system.
However, you are both way off base and it clearly shows the misunderstanding by many about the HST, a misunderstanding constantly encouraged by opponents to the HST.
Google HST B.C., click on HST in B.C. and then on the quiz link asking how much we know about the HST.
Nearly 20 per cent think that we pay more for consumer goods such as electronics, furniture, previously owned houses and new houses under $525,000, which is just not true. They all stayed the same, as is the case for many other goods.
And the GST was already charged on most goods and services.
The generally undisputed fact is that the added PST is charged on about 20 per cent of household expenditures.
Therefore, Mr. Peters needs to multiply his $18,571.43 by five to come to 100 per cent.
In other words, in order to be costing an extra $1,300 in taxes per year, not for the average household, but for each “average wage earner,” his or her household expenditures will have to be $92,857.15.
So please stop listening to all the rhetoric, do your own search for the real facts and revisit your opinion on the HST before it is too late.
In addition, consider the tremendous cost of reversing to the previous tax system. Even if there is some savings under the old system, our children and perhaps our grandchildren will still be paying off those costs.
Walter Verwoerd
Maple Ridge
<h4>Difficult to accept</h4>
Editor, The News:
Re: Are you done yet? (News Views, March 16).
In part it is because of the News Views editorial in the March 16 edition of this newspaper, which encouraged supporters of MLA Marc Dalton to get out and campaign against the recall, and also because of the letters that continually appear in the Maple Ridge and Mission papers that attack character and misrepresent circumstances as facts, that I now feel the desire to contribute myself.
I have always believed the letters to the editor sections of newspapers are to be a place to share “opinions” and not a forum to portray those “opinions” as facts.
The proponent of the Maple Ridge-Mission recall states in his application letter, that Mr. Dalton “ ... refuses to represent the clear wishes of his constituents, in the Legislative Assembly.” This comment is untrue.
Wilfred McIntyre is wrong in assuming that all constituents must feel as he does. I know that there are many people very pleased with Mr. Dalton and what he has been able to accomplish for Maple Ridge-Mission during his short time in Victoria as MLA.
Wayne Clark, (who’s letters are continually found on the pages of the local newspapers), on March 9, refers to MLA Randy Hawes, Dalton and Gordon Campbell as “thinking they are above the law.” This indicates to me that he is suggesting they have done something illegal. A dangerous implication, I suggest.
It has been commented by many of the recall supporters that they are operating totally on their own. I have trouble accepting this when I see numerous recall canvassers on the list, (which is available to the public online at electionsbc.ca) are strong NDP supporters, such as none other than Coun. Craig Speirs, who was recently nominated as a federal NDP candidate, as well as Mr. McIntyre, (the proponent of the recall) a past vice-president of the IWA.
Also on the ElectionsBC website for all to see is the letter for this recall application and all other recall applications in the province. I find it hard to believe that no collaboration has taken place when all of the letters are almost worded entirely the same. Only a coincidence? Also hard for me to accept.
It is also known that Moe Sihota, president of the NDP, has said that their members can be aggressive in campaigns, but can’t say it is an NDP effort and that they should set up as many participants in canvassing as possible.
Considering that Corisa Bell (the person to spearhead the recall effort here) does not even live in the Maple Ridge-Mission riding, those previously mentioned in this letter, the inconsistencies by recall canvassers in their reasons for targeting Mr. Dalton, Mr. Campbell has resigned and the fact that an HST referendum is to take place soon, it is difficult, with common sense in mind, to accept what the people who are out to unseat Mr. Dalton say.
It is equally difficult to understand the purpose of all the energy and expense this recall attempt and is using, other than to suspect self-serving motives on the part of the recall petitioners.
Craig Rudd
Maple Ridge
<h4>Just stop</h4>
Editor, The News:
Re: NDP behind recall: NDP supporters (The News, March 18).
I have no intention of signing the petition, for my own reasons. However, I think that the process has been abused by the petitioners.
Recall is intended for politicians who knowingly lie, cheat, or steal from others or the government and refuse to resign. As far as I can tell, Mr. Dalton hasn’t lied, cheated, or stolen from anyone, let alone the people of British Columbia.
Stop wasting my time and, more importantly, my tax money running a recall campaign that goes against the spirit behind the initial enactment of the recall legislation.
Nicholas Smith
Maple Ridge
<h4>So what</h4>
Editor, The News:
Re: Dalton will not attend debate (Letters, March 16).
Mike Murray, how can you support the “I’m with Marc” campaign. What has he ever done for Maple Ridge?
The only time I have seen him he has been glad-handing people at social events.
Does he have nothing better to do than promote his public image?
So what if some NDP members are involved in the recall process. Does their NDP membership exclude them from expressing their democratic concerns? If that is so, then your definition of democracy is very different from mine.
We all know that the HST is close to bankrupting individuals with limited income, limiting the resources for people wanting to purchase homes, automobiles and services and generally reducing the purchasing power of everyone in B.C. How can anyone, except big business, which will benefit from lowering corporate taxes, support this tax?
In any case, NDP members have every right to organize, facilitate and support efforts to unseat an MLA who does nothing to advocate for the needs of his constituents, who supports his party even though the directions it takes are detrimental to the riding he serves and who puts his political ambitions before the needs of his constituents.
I have never belonged to a political party, even though I am known for being political. But the actions of Mr. Dalton are inspiring me to join the NDP.
Bonny Klovance
Maple Ridge