On Politics

So, now that the introduction is out of the way, let's start discussing some real topics. Here are my thoughts on some of the major happenings of 2011. I would love to hear comments as to whether you agree or disagree. Here goes:

Rob Ford: Oh, where to start? First he promises to stop the "gravy train", then proceeds to claim the deficit at City Hall is around 800 million and claims that everything needs to be cut, then he goes after the police, fire department and libraries to cut their budgets. He also tried to sell the zoo, cut funding for any and all arts programs in the city and wanted to privatize every city service in order to save money.

Then what does he do? He takes even MORE money out of the city coffers through stupid decisions. First, killing the Transit City plan. There was money committed from the feds and province and construction had already started for new street car lanes. But NO, this mayor can't accept anything that he feels will disturb car traffic. So, what is his alternative? A public private partnership to build a new subway line. When that failed he went begging to the province for more money. When that failed, well... ... ..the city was left with nothing.

Then there was the plans to kill the land transfer fee and the automotive fee when you buy a car. Now, I'm not a huge fan of extra fees or charges here and there, but when you claim to be so short on money that you need to chop 10% off of police and library budgets it doesn't make any sense at all to take millkons of dollars of potential revenue away. And who cares about a couple extra hundred dollars when you are spending hundreds of thousands on a new house? I didn't know that Mayor Rob Ford was on the payroll of big real estate companies and developers.

Then Ford and his brother Doug wanted to waste a ton of money on building a ferris wheel, mega mall and a monorail by the waterfront. Umm, we have all seen that Simpson's episode, yes? Anyway, those millions are needed elsewhere and why pull out of and completely destroy a unilateral plan already in place with the province and the feds? On top of that, there is no flood prevention plan in place yet for the portlands where all this fancy stuff would be built. Let's take our time and develop the waterfront properly and not make it tacky Niagara Falls #2, eh?

In all honesty, I think a lot of people in the GTA would grudgingly accept a small property tax hike over the looming doom and gloom cuts to services and possible user fees.

http://www.sellhomestoronto.com/updatenews4.htm

^This chart makes it clear that tax rates are lower in Toronto than Ajax, Pickering and many other GTA cities/towns. I think it is time to increase them a wee bit in order to save this fair city from starting a slow decay cuts bring. After all, we don't want to be Detroit North.

Finally, I believe in the adage "you must spend money to make money" and I think it is true when governments are concerned. Conservative politicians seem to have the idea that cutting costs and leaving everything in the hands of big business will sort out all our problems. Well, what is the incentive for big business to give money back to the community. Hasn't happened yet. Isn't it better for governments to spend money to make a city like Toronto as attractive and vibrant as possible to attract business, tourists, sporting events etc.? Isn't it better to show the world how absolutely amazing your city is and make people want to go and spend their money there than let the city slowly rot and decay through attrition and gradual cuts of services? Investing in transit, affordable housing, libraries, arts and the police make the city cleaner, safer and happier and give outsiders a reason to visit and businesses a reason to set up shop in that place. To me, that's what Toronto should be doing, but then again, I'm no politician.

Ok, long post over. Let's get the conversation started with comments.