At first I was skeptical … as I usually am: an article this summer in the journal Canadian Perspectives viewed the current economic crisis in the context of Class Warfare.
Robert Chernomas, Professor of Economics at the University of Manitoba and a member of the Council of Canadians board of directors, cited statistics that showed in the U.S., “the annual loss for a full time median-wage earner in 2006 was $1,400. For a typical household with two wage earners, the loss was more than $2,500.”
In addition, he pointed out, Statistics Canada had reported after examining figures in this country ”median income did not rise at all over 22 years of Conservative and Liberal governments. Yet during the same time, the Canadian economy grew in real per capita terms, by more than half.”
Hmm!
Something did not seem right … but I was still skeptical. After all, I thought, The Council of Canadians is kind of lefty, right? Even though Statistics Canada is clearly not. Hmm!
BC’s Throne Speech brought Chernomas’ perspective back to mind: the federal Conservative government and its friendly BC Liberal allies sure seem to be in an undeclared, but co-ordinated, Class War against Canada’s and BC’s middle class.
And our seniors and the poor will be civilian collateral damage.
The primary weapons in this war will be the HST, combined with massive government service cuts … forcing citizens to pick up more of the cost for essential services (health, education, housing) and BILLIONS more in consumer taxes on even the very basics: haircuts, telephones, many groceries, etc. etc even funerals.)
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out all this will impact low and middle class wage earners (especially young families) more than the very wealthy. (The red herring this Throne Speech is the promise of full-day kindergarten to be implimented next year: more likely their next broken promise.)
And the Throne Speech … along with the government’s business mouthpieces, like the BC Chamber of Commerce, The Mining Assocation and the BC Employers Council … have even boldly acknowledged and admitted the governments’ plan (war) will be good for them.
So big business will do better, make more, their executives will carry away bags of bonuses, while the people who do their labour will keep less and pay more for almost everything. And if you think most of their prices will drop as a result of their corporate tax savings under thew new structure … you’re dreaming.
The war is on.
In fact, the Throne Speech, and the Premier himself on the radio recently, have boasted BC has the second-lowest taxes in the country. If that’s true (the Premier wouldn’t lie, would he?) how he also say that without the HST, all these business will move to other provinces? Where taxes, he says, are already higher? Huh???
But instead of bringing BC tax rates UP to the levels or even just a bit closer to the other provinces … and increasing taxes on the very wealthy (those making annual salaries of six and seven figures) , and oil companies, banks (still reporting PROFITS in the BILLIONS), resource and other industries still doing very well, despite the recession, Victoria and Ottawa have decided to sock to those who have so much less and can barely hold things together: the middle class, seniors and the poor.
What’s the goal? Economic recovery … but on the backs of the middle class …. those already struggling …. not those at the top: who are still smilingly buying million dollar condos in Whistler or Vancouver, rolling out in new top of the line autos, playing at the most expensive golf clubs and living lifestyles most of us dream of when buying our Lotto tickets.
How ironic that so many of that same middle class voted for the Liberals, based on promises and positivity that was discarded so soon after the votes were counted. And now, “their” government has turned on them.
The Throne Speech spells out clearly the destruction and pain that lies ahead for them (along with the NDP’s traditional supporters, of course) and yet, brazenly and openly promises benefits to the very rich and large business corporations that bankrolled the Liberals in the last election.
Harv Oberfeld
15 responses so far ↓
1 Gary E // Aug 26, 2009 at 2:07 am
People call me foolish when I rant about this Harv. Maybe they’ll listen to you.
A revolution needs to start and start right now. It’s time to take back our province.
These rich buggers are going to be very surprised when we the workers have no money to buy their goods.
(Response: A peaceful revolution, of course, led by a new centrist fiscal but center left social party that would have ethics, credibility and atttract those free-enterprisers who will never vote NDP no matter how bad the Libs get. BC is ripe for that. h.o.)
2 Patrick Bell (Not the MLA) // Aug 26, 2009 at 2:19 am
Kick the government out after 18 months
General Strike
revolution
LEGISLATE NO MORE LYING LEADING INTO ELECTIONS!!!!
or else…:-(
3 Leah // Aug 26, 2009 at 3:12 am
It always amazes me to hear the wealthy talk about how to “fix” a bad economy by kicking the crap out of the middle class. Who the hell do they think is holding up the rich, and the poor? It’s OUR taxes that are paying for both ends of the economic spectrum!
The only thing that makes me smile is that one day, at some not-too-distant point in the future…the wealthy will also become poor, and hungry. Once the golden goose has been killed (the middle class), the entire farm yard will die.
Mind, the wealthy would never believe that as they enjoy their lifestyles of extremes. A total impossibility to them – a looming reality to us.
(Response: I’ve never bought that theory that the rich will one day pay. They too often own the governments, the courts, the system .. and never feel the real pain that oridinary families do in tough times. What I marvel at, though, is their ability to convince middle class people to vote for those who will protect the interests of the rich, the lobbyists and major contributors who financed their campaigns … with the middle class too often paying for it all. h..o)
4 Slimey Limey // Aug 26, 2009 at 3:56 am
Hit it out of the park again Harvey.
Same story with most right wing governments, Thatcher, Reagan, Mulroney,both Bushes, the Socreds and probably Harper if it wasn’t a minority government, all preaching fiscal disipline, privatization, lower taxes and dergulation which conveniently takes care of those that bankroll them with massive transfers of public assets eventually leaving their parties, respective juridstictions and populations in a shambles with the taxpayers stuck with the bills when they and their toadies get rumbled. Just a wee bit of research by voters with the three monkey syndrome into recent right wing patterns, these jokers shouldn’t have made a second term. Want to guess where the greatest place on earth will be if the public accounts are honestly audited.?
(Response: You mentioned several right wing governments, but I don’t think most middle class voters trust the NDP either. They are seen as the party that really cares about the poor, seniors, union and working class, and various minorities … but once again go after the middle class to pay for the rest (witness Vision Vancouver: highest property tax increase ever and and a $600,000/unit social housing. No way to win votes for NDP. Nuts!) Really think only something completely new will boot the Libs. h.o.)
5 spartikus // Aug 26, 2009 at 4:11 am
A peaceful revolution, of course, led by a new centrist fiscal but center left social party that would have ethics, credibility and atttract those free-enterprisers who will never vote NDP no matter how bad the Libs get.
I’d stake the NDP’s ethics and credibility vs. the BC Liberals any day. If those “free-enterprisers” choose to vote on perception rather than actual statistics, then they don’t deserve to be in business. And they probably won’t be for much longer.
(Response: Yes, but the problem is not what you or I might agree on … it’s the proven modern reality: the NDP has hit a wall with those centrists needed to carry a majority ..and that plays in the Libs favor, despite all the deceit, lies and broken promises over and over. h.o)
6 Al S // Aug 26, 2009 at 4:31 am
Harv, you are right. We need a new middle of the road party that does not kneel at the knees of either big business (Libs) or big labour (NDP).
I’ve seen both and am fed up with both.
And there currently exists a huge political vacuum out there.
7 Powell river persuader // Aug 26, 2009 at 5:34 am
Well well well,Harvey,have I finally made a convert out of you of the travestry of the HST…
A little late off the mark but welcome aboard!
Speaking of breaking news…..Well,not exactly breaking news,I busted the story 5 days ago…..
Read it here
http://powellriverpersuader.blogspot.com/2009/08/breaking-news-looks-like-another-broken.html
Cheers-Eyes Wide Open
(Response: Not really. I still don’t necessarily oppose the HST, IF certain sectors are protected or exempted. But I do oppose tax increases only on consumers, PILED ON in conjunction with all the other burdens being placed on the middle class, seniors and the poor through funding and service cuts, while the very rich and big corporations have their taxes lowered. h.o.)
8 bob // Aug 26, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun, August 26, 2009 — “Consumers will please bend over. Government will work to help mitigate negative impacts.”
Could it be that VP has finally had enough and will now shed his BC Liberal lapdog ways in favour of watch/guard dog? maybe.
Will the corporate media finally take its role as the fifth estate seriously? doubtful.
9 Lynn // Aug 26, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I laughed out loud when El Gordo said it will force businesses to lower their prices. That simply doesn’t happen. Businesse owners will continue to make record profits (which during the last 5 years have been historical). They have done this by increasing product costs and lowering wages. Furthermore if what El Gordo is saying is true why isn’t Business yelling from the top of their money heap-” stop telling me how to run things?” Very few are. I my opinion he is saying it in an effort to sell the HST to us. Funny how the budget cuts to health care and education statements were made just before the HST statement was made. It is all PR to sell this stupid tax. I don’t mind paying more tax for social programs provided I am receiving value which I am not. We are not out of the reccession and frankly it will take some time before we are. Bringing in another highway robbery tax at this time makes no sense to me what so ever. My take home pay is not travelling very far and hasn’t for close to 10 years. This recession is much worse than the educated idiots are letting on. We simply cannot allow this additional burden to happen. Like I have said before, El Gordo has to cut the fat in his own backyard first before he comes hat in hand asking for more money from me.
That means salary cuts, pension contribution cuts at the MLA level. Just like we ordinary folks live with during economic tough times. Do that El Gordo and maybe, just maybe I may be on board with new pocket dipping.
(Response: I couldn’t have said it better. What many people don’t realize, in a globalized economy, there are benefits from keeping wages low and even keeping unemployment high … because that puts pressure on both those seeking jobs to work for less, and on those already working to keep wage demands low … while profits soar and management enjoy very high salaries and lucrative bonuses. And how low can our workers’ wages go? Like China, India or Bangladesh? The offset used to be higher levels of government services here for families and workers etc. (health, education, parks, recreation, HPO aid) .but now the’yre taking more and more of that away. h.o.)
10 Richard // Aug 27, 2009 at 2:57 am
Wow…I watched question period today and was shocked at how the liberals got up and cheered, laughed and clapped celebrating yet another lie. They got away with it and they’re laughing at the middle class. Gotcha!! I get to dole out an extra 2 grand a year and maybe more and they’re laughing about it!!
I do hope that the NDP takes a new path and starts representing the interests of the middle class in BC.
(Response: That would be very interesting. But they have many people within the party who think they should move even further left. h.o.)
11 Patrick Bell (Not the MLA) // Aug 27, 2009 at 6:19 am
First…I like Lynn. Good post
Here is the problem with globalization and the whipping out of the Western World middle class..
People here have had it good for too long and they know what living the good life is all about…you take that away and you better bring in marshal law….
Cause it’ll get ugly…
12 crh // Aug 27, 2009 at 4:38 pm
The fight to keep middle class is on going. The classwar in the USA is slowly beginning as folks realize that Obama is not representing them as they thought he would. For instance, California. The billions in debt on their books has given Shwarzenegger reason to cut, cut, cut. Layoffs, wage reduction, education at all levels. Obama will not come to their aid. Yet Trillions were spent bailing out Wall Street, claiming systemic failure if they don’t. What about systemic failure of humanity? Obama is choosing to let the citizens of Carlifornia move into the streets in droves. The dire situation in California is a direct result of years of stroking big business and the rich. I believe that what is happening in the USA will happen here in Canada. BC, being run by the rightest of wings will be one of the first to go down.
13 Norman Farrell // Aug 27, 2009 at 7:32 pm
It is easy to understand why the lapdog MLAs stand, cheer and applaud Dear Leader. It is only two years since 41 provincial politicians, mostly Liberal, were rewarded with retroactive pension rights worth about $800,000 each. I too would stand up, slap my hands together and bark for that kind of reward.
For a reminder of how mean spirited these jerks are, spend 10 seconds here:
http://northerninsights.blogspot.com/2009/08/on-other-hand.html
14 Crankypants // Aug 30, 2009 at 8:05 am
It is the typical struggle, “us versus them”. Those that have want more and those that haven’t want some. The problem is those that the have nots have no voice, and that includes the middle class. We have no lobbyists nor political influence to get the ear of government. We are just a vehicle of added funds that the government can access much the same as their ATM. Our only input is our vote once every four years.
The HST is just a bad version of the GST. It is just a shift of taxation from large viable businesses to John Q. Public. I have heard and read the arguments put forward by proponents for the HST, and none have been convincing to me. They all serve up a best case scenario based on theories that are suspect at best. The reality is that all consumers will be making up the 1.9 billion dollars that the businesses will be saving. No more, no less. There will be no price reductions on the majority of products that the general public purchases on a regular basis. I guess we can take satisfaction in the fact that we have helped increase the profits to big corporations and the bonuses of their CEO’s.
15 Kim // Sep 5, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Thanks h.o. for a thought provoking blog. Thanks too B.C. Mary, Laila, B. Teileman, Grant G. and everyone else for confirming that I am Not the crazy conspiracy theorist. We need to act soon, our children live on the brink of slavery, on OUR watch. Over my dead body.
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