It's funny how when you have an enormous idiot running your province, that somehow a lesser idiot seems suddenly more palatable. Or could it be that we were so desperate to exorcise Satan from our provincial legislature that we were driven to embrace any candidate whose party colour was not orange, and whose last name was not Harris or Eves.
Let's review some of the key initiatives that the Liberals have embraced or at least hinted that they're looking into since they rode into the Ontario Legistlature by storm.
They announced a few weeks ago that they have taken a cue from Alberta and are considering requiring holders of Ontario Drivers Licenses to be re-tested at regular intervals to keep their license. I'm not talking about people who have violated the Highway Traffic Act or raked up a lot of speeding tickets, I'm talking about everybody. Can you say "pure cash grab"? I knew you could.
They've also hinted at the return of photo radar. I don't need to explain to any Ontarian how bad an idea that is. We've sampled that nonsense before.
The health minister has also implicated that they are investigating the development of privately funded hospitals to work within the public health care system. Boys, you can't have your cake and eat it too. NDP leader Harold Hampton, a former Attorney-General of Ontario, says this could be bad news for private corporations who think they may be interested in funding hospitals in Ontario, as they could be legally liable for injuries or deaths in these institutions. Oh boy. We'll be able to sue hospitals in Ontario just like they can in the States. Yippee.
In other news from the Ontario Ministry of Health, we find that they are moving on two fronts to remove fast food from schools and food courts, and also increase the tax on tobacco. Boy do I feel like a hypocrite on this one. The smokers have been lamenting for years that they are being victimized and I can pretty safely say that I've laughed. Now removing fast food from schools I'm all for. Most kids don't know how to make healthy food choices on their own and pulling french fries and that other crap off the menu is probably going to increase the overall health of the younger generation and probably see a reduction in healthcare spending. But food courts in malls!?!? I don't know whether they plan to actually promote healthier eating, or whether they just intend to raise the tax. The word is that that the "under $4 food purchase" tax exemption is going to be axed in the next budget. There are lots of people who live to be a hundred eating McDonalds four days a week, and there are people who die at twenty on a macrobiotic diet. I would say this is a pure tax grab again.
What never ceases to amaze me through it all, is the dexterity with which these elected officials concoct these ridiculous stories to rationalize taking more money from us. First of all, we're already taxed to death. And second of all, why not just take the #@!@ money from us instead of coming up with some clever cover story about how you are going to use the money for some noble cause.
I'm not really mad at McGuinty. And in hindsight, I was never really mad at Harris or Eves either. I am frustrated with the level of apathy in North America in the area of politics. These clowns do this stuff because they can get away with it. They can enact these ridiculous laws and levy these ridiculous taxes because nobody cares enough to stand up, get in their face and say "I will not stand for this abuse!"
If the people of the Province of Ontario ever successfully got the point where we cared about what happens in the legislature, and stood up for what we believe to be fair and just, it wouldn't matter whether we had an NDP government, a Liberal government, or a Progressive Conservative government, or hell.. even a Rhinoceros Party majority.
If we'd get off our lethargic fannies and start putting some feedback into these people or - God forbid - go down to the legislature and make some noise - these people would realize that they don't live in a bubble and can't simply pass frivilous legislation to line their own pockets.
It's time we caged the rage folks. This nonsense should not be allowed to continue.
Posted by netnomad at April 9, 2004 05:54 PMWow, you turned on the Liberals faster than Ollie North could say "I have no recollection". I suppose the next step in your political evolution would be to wave an American flag and extol the virtues of Bush.
Though, I suppose Ontario is an example of what an "Anyone But....." election campaign will leave you with. American's beware.
Posted by: D at April 13, 2004 07:44 PM
