BC HST Referendum vote...

RE: Referendum vote- the HST in BC.

"Disclaimer: I'm not a political fanatic, or even highly knowledgeable/educated

in the ways our Government works or operates, but I am a voter and have a humble opinion,"

If you're interested, keep reading… if not, at least read the question

that will be on the mail-in ballot.

Here's the question:

Are you in favour of extinguishing the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax)

and reinstating the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) in conjunction with the GST (Goods and Services Tax)?

You better read the ballot carefully, before you vote.

Seems like the question is clear enough, eh?

‘"Yes" means you don't want the HST, and prefer the PST/GST system.

and "No" means you do want to keep the HST.

Kind of backwards IMHO, so there must be a deliberate intention. What that intention is, I don't want to guess, I just hope it's honourable.

I think we all know, that no matter which way the vote goes, we… the BC voters will pay.

But I can't help but wonder: If the final result is No… we keep the HST, and they MAY keep their promises of lowering it by a whopping 2% by 2014! Oh, and we'll save all that money that they already spent to set it up, and the cost of changing everything back. If we get a Yes vote, and the HST is to be repealed, will our leaders be vindictive & punish us,? ( ie: for standing up, challenging their decision, speaking up, wanting to heard and even asked, sometimes…) Will they spite us for our resistance?

You can read many articles for and against the HST so you'll have to make up your own mind...

Note: the "Voter's Guide" you should have received by now, was not prepared by Elections Canada (unbiased), but by our BC Government.

Here's some of the reasons why I'm voting YES…

- the way it was forced on us, after promised otherwise. (I hate being lied to!)

-Our Union (United Steelworkers) supports the Yes vote.

- some things I have to pay more for because of the HST: USED adult clothing purchased for less than $100.00!! Funeral services (haven't had to use them… yet *knock on wood*), restaurant meals and Veterinarian services which are just some things taxed more under the HST!

- Some things I should start buying 'cause with HST there's less tax on them... like BOOZE! Diapers (does that includes adult sizes?) Or a car over $55,000.00 (wonder what the trade-in value is on my '93 Cavalier...oh wait... it'll be cheaper to keep fixing it).

- I don't have children under 18 anymore, and I'm not a senior (no extra crumbs for me).

- the Pro-HST will have a lot more $$ to promote the HST (from Corporate donations), while the Anti-HST side seems to have limited funds and will need to rely on people power… (which is how we even got the Referendum in the 1st place.) Hmmm…. feels like the upper class vs the working class peasants.

- I haven't noticed any savings this past year (since the HST -July/10) when I buy my groceries, pay my bills, and we won't talk about the price of gas (with our Carbon tax- I suppose I could hitch-hike to work).

-I've asked a few small businesses if it's working for them, and get mixed answers (they're not convinced it's better).

- I didn't trust Campbell and feel the same about his replacement- Christie Clark

I don't know that going back to the PST/GST system is the best solution either, but those are the only choices we get. What I do see is how our leaders and their methods, are setting examples for other business and corporations to follow, (or is it the other way?). "We have no intention of " doing xxxxxx. Then after a short period of time they do it anyway. Take it or leave it… ultimatums, instead of debate, negotiations and information. Stalling tactics, ignoring the voices of the ones that speak out and challenge them, or worse casting them out.

Instead of embracing challenging questions and working on solutions, it seems our Government is determined to make us accept their decisions- at any cost (that comes later…)?

We are the people that have to pay for those decisions and the attached costs, whichever way the vote goes…

I hope that there is a substantial response to this Referendum vote, that in itself should tell our leaders something.

Perhaps the powers that be, do know what's best (for them), but I doubt I'll run into them shopping at our local Thrift shop - buying used clothing (under $100.00- of course). *muttering & shaking my head*

P.S. If you'd like to buy the button above, contact me.