Ontario Effective Income Tax Rates

[financialnoob]

Precisely!
And when such an official (mayor, premier, prime minister, etc.) gets voted out, the next dude coming in will immediately revert everything back to the old ways, usually with a vengeance.
Therefore the only true solution is voter awareness and voter action.
If the voters accept and agree that the "gravy" needs to be cut and consistently make voting decisions based on that, it will have a true long term impact.
As you say, it is always easy to cut the low hanging fruit of expense accounts etc.
It takes deeper analysis, political will and shrewd administrative capability to reduce overall public sector compensation without cutting services (or with minimal cuts).
And it cannot be done without voter support.

I agree with all of that. I only wish people truly understood that there are actual costs to things like freedom and democracy. We see people dying for these things overseas, yet many North Americans take it for granted.

The thing about freedom and democracy is that it gives control of the country to the people. It's a very serious responsibility, yet few even realize that. I loved that Team America song about how freedom isn't free. If only it were $1.05.

Agreed - the only trouble is that the only ones who seem to be doing this are the fringe minority lobby interests, rather than those who are looking out for the greater good and that benefits the majority of the population. The left wing in this country is terrible for pandering to these "activists" at great expense to the rest of us.

This is the second cheap-shot at the left I've seen from you and neither made much sense. I say that as someone in the middle who has voted left and right depending on the candidate.

It always cracks me up when someone on one side blames the opposition for doing what all political parties do. Minority lobby interests are not exclusive to the left-wing. It's especially funny considering how many Tory staffers have become lobbyists after leaving the party. It's practically a stepping stone to becoming one. In fact, the Conservatives have even hired a few former lobbyists for their campaign. Everyone is guilty of it.

[jmalias]

Apologize?? and Retract?? Who are you, my Father?

Theres a lyric in an old rock song.....when I was younger.

" tax the rich.
feed the poor,
till there are,
no rich no more"

I think it was by AREOSMITH

Not that old, I had a boss many years ago that played this song to much, you made me look, even had a listen on youtube

cut and paste time
A Space in Time is the seventh album by the British blues-rock band, Ten Years After. It was released in October 1971. A departure in style from their previous albums, A Space in Time has more of a pop feel to it. It also contains their biggest hit, I'd Love To Change The World, the third track on the album. It is a song protesting capitalism and war, and features a speedy, 30-second guitar solo by lead vocalist Alvin Lee.

They are still touring the world (minus Alvin), no early retirement for these guys.