“Vote a ‘self-inflicted wound,’” (Chilliwack Progress, Aug. 30.)Cute phrase describing the so-called misguided actions of the majority of B.C. voters who demonstrated that they have had enough of the deceitful way the Liberal government brought in the HST. Had they followed their promise of “No GST” before the last election instead of arrogantly bringing it in almost immediately after, there would have been no ‘self-inflicted wound’. Had they listened to the immediate outcry from the citizens protesting the HST when it was first introduced, there would have been no ‘self-inflicted wound’. Had they read the writing on the wall when the results of Zalm’s petition was announced and scrapped the tax idea immediately, there would have been no ‘self-inflicted wound’, and no need to pay Ottawa back their investment. Looking for someone to blame for all the blood-shed, look in the mirror Messrs. Penner and Falcon. Arrogance comes with a price. It is your mess from Day 1, and it’s high time you stopped blaming others.
As for the business groups crying salty tears that they will no longer be able to enhance their profit margins at the expense of the many small businesses who are suffering because of the HST hurts their businesses, cry somewhere else. Your nice HST nest egg came at the expense of others – pensioners on fixed income, single mothers, restaurants, hair salons, home reno businesses etc. That many your own customers are left with less disposable income resulting in either increased debt or having to do more with less obviously has no relevance to you. Not all of use who can ill afford to add to our tax burden are eligible for HST rebates.
Move on and quit whining!
Ken Pugh
Chilliwack