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Economic Stimulation?
Thinking about all the processes of the economy where taxes apply makes me feel ill:
- Gathering raw materials for the product - all employees are taxed on their income and so is the business
- The assembly plant - all employees are taxed on their income and so is the business
- The wholesaler - all employees are taxed on their income and so is the business
- The storefront - all employees are taxed on their income and so is the business
- The purchaser - taxed on the income they will use to purchase the product then they are taxed sales tax for purchasing a product.
Worse yet is depending how much spending power you have you will be taxed more or less than the next guy/business. What’s even worse than all that these are not small tax rates we’re talking about. Looking at the Canada Revenue Agency income tax brackets shows what Canadian’s and Canadian businesses are truly being taxed. And if you don’t pay your taxes you get audited (paid for by the tax payers) and if you face a hearing in court (paid for by the tax payers) and your found guilty you go to jail (paid for by the tax payers).
If you calculate it out every product that is produced and sold is being taxed for more than half of it’s final sale value. That’s HUGE earnings for the government.
Aside from our tax situation we have gas prices shooting sky high also. What particularily perturbs me about gas prices is that gas must be moved by transport and thus the price of gas is subject to — you guessed it — the price of gas. No wonder the gas market is out of control. And as with anything else the higher the price the more tax you pay. And you know what else depends on the price of gas? Just about everything! So if you’ve been following the news you know as well as I do that there’s been no hurricanes, oil spills, or wars, or any other reason for gas prices to jump 7 cents twice within a two week period. So it appears that our economy is facing artificial inflation where everything will cost more and more but people will continue to have less and less to spend on stuff.
Not to point fingers or anything but our federal majority (Ahem! Stephen Harper and his Conservatives) seems to have it in their heads that economic stimulation lies in giving breaks to the corporations so they can produce more-and-more while leaving the burden on the everyday Canadian tax payers. Well this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone but in an economy like this people cannot afford to buy all the stuff these business are producing thus all the government is doing is fattening the paychecks of corporate executives. But what should the government care? They still get their cut right! In fact, it makes sense for them to push the people who are close to that highest income tax bracket into it because they can tax them more than they would be able to tax Joe Shmoe pizza delivery driver who might (highly unlikely — but for the sake of this example) get bumped into the second income tax bracket with handouts from the feds the way corporate execs are receiving them. So I’m not questioning the governments motives. Their motives are crystal clear. I’m questioning their morals. It is NOT moral to steal from the poor to give to the rich. The feds are progressing Canada ever closer to the great economic divide the states has been subject to where there is the rich and there is the poor. There will be no more middle class. The rich will continue to get richer and the poor will continue to get poorer. And as gas prices get higher and higher groceries will be one of the many things which will face prices jumps and I’m certain there are already people who are starving themselves just to afford gas to get to work. Tell me that makes sense?
These points don’t even begin to touch on everything that is wrong with our economy right now but I’m going to leave it there for now just to give you all something to think about.
Diary of a Player
Well I had the pleasure of picking up a digital copy of Brad Paisley’s Diary of a Player this past weekend and it was a refreshing read for someone who alternated back and forth between reading software engineering forums, survival manuals, and intense musical theory books. For anybody who has any interest in Brad Paisley at all this book tells the heartwarming story that is Brad Paisley’s life. Good for a lazy weekend read if your interested. Check it out!
What should I read next? Garth Brooks biography or the second Hunger Games novel? Hmm. We shall see!
Passed my nemesis of a course
On July 15th 2011, I wrote the Data Structures and Algorithms exam for the last time (of 4… ouch!).
New Job
On May 23rd 2011 I finally had a way to leave a horrible position and move on to what has been my dream job as a Problem Solver / Software Engineer at Patchcord.ca Inc. Better yet — I received paycheques from two employers during my transition month of June. Win!
New Guitar
On December 4th 2011 the unthinkable happened. Jen and I had to helplessly watch in horror as my acoustic guitar fell to the floor and snapped it’s neck. After much reading and investigation as to whether it could be fixed it came down to the fact that the guitar would never be the same so I was forced into an early upgrade (not to say I’m complaining). Our home’s humidity is closely monitored now with the new CF Martin guitar sitting in our living room.
Patchcord Christmas Party
On November 25th 2011 Patchcord staff and their counterparts celebrated the upcoming holidays by hardening our livers for the drinking season to come. We had many laughs (and debates) and enjoyed many drinks and snacks.
Two years
On October 31st 2011 Jen and I celebrated our second anniversary. It certainly feels like we’ve been together much longer (but in a good way). I’m very blessed to have such a wonderful girl as my partner.
New home
On October 14th 2011 Jen and I took possession of our first home together. I still can’t believe how beautiful our first home is. We’re both very happy and proud to say there have been no domestics… yet. :P
Brown’s Annual Canoe Trip
On August 26th 2011 the Brown’s had a repeat of last years canoe trip with the added presence of Trevor, Jenny, and Jen! This years canoe trip marks the beginning of a new family tradition and I think I speak for all of us when I say I can’t wait until next years already!
First vehicle
On August 23rd 2011 I bought my first vehicle. A brand new 2011 Ford F-150. It’s a sweet ride! I couldn’t be happier with my choice.
