Canadian taxpayers are being burdened with too many issues to bear

By Lethbridge Herald on July 15, 2023.

Editor:

The debate over how much government is the “right” amount is as old as the first tribal camping party.

 In today’s world, where the Three Bears of local, provincial, and federal governments seem intent on milking the tax-paying herd for all it’s worth, a certain level of discomfort has settled in.

Whether the issue is crumbling infrastructure, failing health care, or skyrocketing crime, everyone has a favourite overlord to blame.

Basically, there are simply too many issues being faced by beleaguered taxpayers who feel they have no milk left to give. This should be a concern for every elected official in the country. 

Only, it’s not.

All you need to do is witness the amount of gas-lighting going on to get the impression that “all is well, nothing to see here folks, now move along before we up the parking rates.”

 I respectfully submit that the problem is a combination of education and communication. 

With a vested interest in adding more staff, and an insatiable appetite to use taxpayers’ money to offer services that can be effectively provided by the private sector, perhaps government is not the objective arbiter of public spending we have been led to believe.

Nowhere do I see anyone arguing credibly that we need more government because they are the most economical, timely or efficient of public service providers. 

Instead of debating whether government should be measured by the pound, or even by the dollar, here is a novel concept: 

How about government by independent assessment for performance? 

That way, beleaguered taxpayers could decide objectively if they are getting full value for money. I know, this sounds radical but if anyone can show me another way taxpayers can be assured more government spending is genuinely beneficial, rather than self-interested, then we have no need. Until then, I don’t see any prospect of a place of comfort for Goldilocks and her over-taxed and underwhelmed parents.

Dale Leier

Lethbridge