…or more specifically to my Member of Provincial Parlament, Laurel Broten.  I wrote this a few weeks back when the 2009 Ontario budget was tabled.  Interestingly I CC’ed my City Councilor, Peter Milczyn and his is the only office to respond as yet.   I’d like to think that Ms. Broten’s office is simply indundated with similar hate mail, but I can’t see this being the case.  I’m sure I was relegated to the ‘shitpile’.

I encourage feedback/debate on this issue. Enjoy.

Ms. Broten,

The latest Ontario budget amounts to nothing more than a tax grab at the worst possible time.  Is there really a good time for a tax grab? Your Premier has effectively lost my vote. I have lost all confidence in the party’s ability to effectively lead, and manage the business of the province of Ontario.

With specific respect to the harmonization of the PST and GST: It sickens me to think that in an economic recession, the depths of which many of us have not ever experienced, that the current government has the balls to even suggest hiking taxes in such a manner.  Sugar coating it with refunds and exempting certain areas makes it no less palatable. This will directly, and negatively affect the middle class, especially in Toronto.  If you want to see a return to spending, and a healthy retail economy why would you dare to take money directly out of the pockets of those who actually fund that sector?!  And forget the automobile industry… I’m buying used next time. Sure, you’ll get your tax but in order to save money I’ll have to find something less expensive. Was considering a Honda or Toyota too, you know the ones built right here in Ontario?

Coupled with Mayor Miller’s tax increases, and horribly thought out tariffs (garbage collection, land transfer tax, vehicle registration, etc) you are essentially pushing out the middle class and hitting us where it hurts the most. In the last 4-5 years my expenses have increased well beyond my pay increases, and I do not live beyond my means.  My expenses have increased because you are taking money from me. I am so pissed off at the political state of this city, province, and in fact this country, that am I exercising extreme restraint in this letter by not spewing expletives.  For to tell off this government like that would not be effective.

I will speak at the polls, and so will the rest of Ontario. Can you see the writing on the wall?  Goodbye Liberal leadership in Ontario.

I have not voted Conservative for one simple reason – Their beliefs with respect to religion in government. I believe religion has no place in government and the separation of church and state should be strictly enforced.  However, at this time I am willing to overlook the conservative religious agenda as I firmly believe that this is the WRONG time to attempt to take MORE money of out MY pocket.  My raise last year?  Gone. My raise next year? Gone, thanks to your budget.  What the hell am I working for?  Dalton McGuinty’s spending spree? The mismanagement of this provinces finances?  Why isn’t anyone in government ever held accountable for this kind of thing?  If cities were listed on the stock market they’d never make a dime because nobody would invest; you’d be stupid to.

Another government will win an election based on a favourable economic policy.  This is not favourable to me, the average Torontonian.