Short-sighted voters lead to bad politicians.
No matter where you live, the 'short sighted' voter can be found. He or she is effecting, in a negative fashion, how our government is administered. There is no doubt they exist. How do we know? By simply observing the decisions or strategies of politicians, one cannot help but notice someone is catering to this demographic.
The 'short-sighted' voter is a reactionary person who is easily swayed. Their opinion is typically based on two concepts. Firstly, the party in power is always wrong and in need of change. Secondly, which can override the first concept, the promise of tax cuts or other fees seen as taxes will draw positive reaction. Unforntunately, the short-sighted voter only takes such an announcement at face value and does not take into account the repercussions of reduced government income.
The latest of these examples came when Stephen Harper and the Conservatives initiated their 2% reduction of the GST two elections ago. At face value, politically a great strategy. Offering to reduce "taxes" gets the short-sighted voter's attention. Offering to cut the GST could only be seen as a perfect election stance. Easy to understand and easy to explain, especially to the 'Short-sighted' voter. When the smoke clears however, there can only be one response to such a concept. Jim Davies, who teaches economics at the University of Western Ontario in London, said it best "Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid".
An overwhelming number of economists have agreed reductions in income taxes would be far more effective in the 'real' world. It is even hard to believe our Prime Minister, an economist, would agree to this policy as a good idea behind closed doors. Slashing the GST is just something that can be spoon fed to the public during an election. Hence the reason why the Tories committed to reducing the excise tax on fuel during 2008 election.
Given our current economic outlook and the fact Canada will go into deficit status trying to boost the economy, the extra 1 Billion in revenue (from gst) would come in handy.
Examples even exist closer to home of the 'short-sighted' voter. Cont'd Here
Comments (7)
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Michael, it appears you may exhibit characteristics of the 'short-sighted' voter. Your response was very much reactionary and blaming the government seems to identify your ignorances.
As for my tax policies, I would like to see a system that is based solely on a comsumption tax. Let me start off with more of my money, then let me decide what I buy and how I am taxed.
You can't have lower income taxes AND lower consumption taxes aAND maintain many of the quality government programs the we all benefit from.
And by the way, unless you had ZERO TAXES, the underground economy would keeping truckin along.
Because someone has to pay for the roads you drive on,for the healthcare services you use ONLY TO MENTION A COUPLE OF REASONS!
Only a GD Conservative would believe you can run a country without having someone pay taxes.
CONservatives run the country into debt then the Liberals HAVE TO make some cuts to bring down the dept and just when we get the books in order along comes another CONservative VOTE BUYING regime to drive us into debt again AND AROUND AND AROUND SHE GOES!!!
These CONservatives ranted and raved about Paul Martin getting the books in order by cutting money to the provinces! JUST YESTERDAY these CONservatives said they were looking into cutting payments to the provinces!!!!
GO FIGURE EH?
I see you like twisting around what was said! I did not say I loved paying taxes I DID say paying taxes was necessary!
IF IT ISN'T then how about YOU explaining where you'd get the money from to run the country!
HINT: Money doesn't grow on trees!