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10 THE HERALD Wednesday March Raising income tax no alternative to the GST Oakville symphony returns to JET Taxes I dont know about you but Im as sick of talking about them as I am of constantly wat ching them go up During the whole twoyearlong debate on the GST we have wrestled wiih the problem of the fairest least- painful way of financing Canada Most people during that debate have pointed out that they think the feds spend too damn much money anyway and thats one reason taxes are high Well they get no argument from me there and I was pleased with spending cuts an nounced December and again in the recent budget As Ive been saying if were go ing to carve down the deficit then spending cuts alone wont do it And if we dont hack the deficit you can count on high taxes and high interest rates and lousy economic conditions for a long long time But is the GST the right way to go Obviously not everybody agrees One of them is a university pro called Neil Brooks and a few days ago he came out with a report saying that all we have to do is nudge up income tax rates a tad and all our cares will fade away Actually there was a lot more to the report but thats the impres sion most people were left with I noted with interest that the Georgetown and Acton newspapers for example heard about Neil Brooks and then asked why a GST which looks flawed and destructive was needed If the Brooks report makes so much sense then thats a good question to ask Well I got a copy and I read it I even had a chance to talk to Mr Brooks as we debated taxes for a few minutes on national TV And as usual I found that things were not exactly as they first appeared to be The altemativetotheGST plan would see personal taxes rise by billion as the existing federal manufacturers tax is replaced by higher income taxes Then thered be 3 billion more in taxes on booze smokes and gas Brooks would also balance the books by increasing corporate taxes by a further billion which is not a small amount Now taking more than billion out of the pockets of con sumers directly by paycheque deductions is not exactly a small increase Consumer prices would fall to the extent that the savings from eliminating the old tax were passed on But wouldnt we be courting recession with a hit that big to individual purchasing power At least under the GST proposal income taxes would remain the same while the price of some things dropped car appliances while the price of others rose vices for example What other problems might there be with the Brooks report For one there is no system of tax credits to help make lower income people better off Wilsons GST credit plans to send cheques to these folks four times a year star ting this coming December For another there s the natural disincentive of far higher income taxes People walk away with their paycheques already gouged and chewed so thinking about higher rates can also get you questioning the wisdom of say working over time At least with the GST you Clothing Mens ladies Childrens ALTERATIONS REPAIRS 8771598 get a choice you can buy a mink coat and pay lots of tax or buy a cloth one and pay less The GST hits the big spenders not the savers or the hard workers Then theres that corporate tax hike of billion The whole idea of the GST is to remove a tax burden which makes our products more expensive and less competitive out there in the world Lord knows that with a billion deficit we need to sell all the stuff we can bringing new cash to Canada Wont a new billion tax on businesses wipe that hope out Finally lets never forget the lessons of the past One of those lessons came in 1982 when the economy turned bad and we had a recession A lot of people lost their jobs and stopped paying income tax At the same time demands on the government purse went up as more folks claimed unemployment payments And almost overnight the deficit just In many ways were still suffering now from events then So when Brooks says he has an alternative to the GST and its ed only on income taxes I start to worry The economy cant stay good forever A downturn will naturally come And when it does we be cooked again if we relied so heavily on just income taxes So all is not exactly as it ap pears We need tax reform not more of the same Id personally rather have a higher spending tax if I could get lower income taxes Id like to have more money in my paycheque and then decide how was going to get taxed through my spending The Brooks alternative would have Big Brother making all the choices for you I think the professor should go back to the books And I have yet to hear a GST alternative RECYCLING Iionl orlreiilldouur pari Please Remember to Recycle This Newspaper Georgetown 8779896 MARYS Dressmaking Alterations NOW OPEN GRAND OPENING SPECIAL 10 OFF UNTIL MARCH DRESSES LADIES SUITS BLOUSES ALL FABRICS INCLUDING LEATHER THE OLDE BANK MAIN ST S 8736028 Classical music fans will soon be treated again to the sounds of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra and guest soprano Joanne Kolomyjec The concert is Sunday March 25 at in the John Elliott Theatre During the romantic evening the Oakville Symphony will per form Tchaikowskys brilliant Fifth Symphony and accompany Ms Kolomyjec in favorite anas and exerpts from The Merry Widow and Offenbachs Tales of Hoffman Refreshments will be served after ward in the gallery The Oakville Symphony is a talented group of community musi cians dedicated to musical ex cellence Over the past 20 years it has grown into a thriving organiza tion boasting over playing Free film is inspirational For those looking for an even ing of inspirational entertain ment the film Fanny Crosby will be of interest to you Fanny Crosby a blind woman of the past century tasted tragedy in her personal and work life Still she was able to find the courage to write the songs that inspire us to day Fanny Crosby wrote songs such as Blessed Assurance The film will be presented on Fri day March at Bethel Christian Reformed Church starting at 7 30 p The film will be presented by the Acton Chapter of the Toronto Christian High School No admission will be charged although a freewill of fenng will be appreciated to defray costs For information call John at members This is the groups se cond visit to the John Elliott Theatre Joanne Kolomyjec guest artist is one of Canadas most sought- after singers She has entertained with all of Canadas major sym phonies and future engagements will find her with the National Ballet National Arts Centre and Canadian Opera Company Ms Kolomyject has received numerous awards and grants from both the Canada Council and On tario Arts Council This not tobemissed concert is sponsored by the University Womens Club of Georgetown Tickets are 50 in advance at the door and are available at Youngs Pharmacy Main Street Georgetown or call or LOOK GOOD FEEL GREAT Male and Female Memberships Available 1 Month Trial Membership I 1 WORK THAT BODY STREET For All Your Fine China Silver Crystal MAIN ST MILTON 8780050 WILLOW LANE I 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