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4 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, Feb. 22, 1978 Editorial Comment es a EERE a "DUMBNIKS NEXXy JME VE $H/PP pIPPLES 70 KANADA, VE 571K 70 HOCKEY PLAYERS ~ChatterBox by J. Peter Hvidsten THE TAXMAN The taxman cometh, and the taxman taketh away. Yes, it's that time of the year that every working Canadian dreads. It's time to file your income tax returns, and if you are like countless thousands of other Canadians, you'll be digging deep into your bank account within the next few weeks to make up for a shortage in tax payments. For others it is a time to rejoice. This minority will receive a cheque from the government for overpay- ment. Awe, to be on the receiving end for a change. But if you think you have a tax problem....look what the government has to contend with, The taxman predicts that his fellow Canadian will rip-him-off for an estimated $2 billion dollars this year. How could such a thing happen, you ask? Very simple. You just don't pay. A Toronto newspaper recently interviewed John, a general handyman, and found that last year he had earned approximately $18,000. During his nine years in this capacity John has never paid a penny of income tax. According to John, because he has never paid income tax, he can't start paying now. "They'd (Revenue Canada) nail me if I ever started paying now, so I'll just keep on going until something happens," he said. "If I get caught, I'll run!- There is no way I'll pay it, that's for sure." But John is just one example of how the govern- ment gets ripped off for taxes. Revenue Canada says that they are pretty sure of where the money is, but not sure of exactly where all of it is. They point out that the highest potential for non-compliance with income tax laws is among the self-employed or those whose income doesn't come from regular salary. This means that people who operated corner stores, small retail outlets, farms or work any number of odd jobs to supplement their income are the people ripping the taxman off. These are the small ones. It is criminals, prostitutes and drug runners who may have untaxed income that makes up a large part of.this $2 billion dollar figure. Another popular way for avoiding income taxes is by not dealing in cash. This method of cheating the taxman from his fair share is quickly becoming the rage. . Bartering, a method of dealing many years ago is once again becoming. popular. According to an economist, 'income taxes are avoided through barter arrangements which don't get into the marketplace at all. . He says bartering is most prevalent in farming communities, where it is not uncommon for people to trade work for work or goods for goods. For example, painting a house in return for fixing a car - a side of beef for a side of pork - a bag of groceries for a new shirt and tie or some building materials in exchange for plumbing work. These types of dealing are impossible for the government to track down. Right here in Scugog Township there are probably hundreds of people ripping-off the taxman every day. We are all "theives" in our own little ways.....the secret is not to get caught. : Each week for the past year I have been trading a fresh copy of the Port Perry Star for a fresh cup of coffee.....and until the taxman stoppeth me, I will continue to rip-off the taxman. LICENCE TAX Speaking of taxes.....don't forget that you have until Tuesday, February 28 to purchase your 1978 licence plates. That means only six more days in which to purchase your stickers before you gamble on being charged a hefty fine if caught on the road without em. . . Now whether you feel that a licence plate or sticker fee is, or is not a tax, one thing is for sure. This year's prices for the privilege of driving your car on the province's highways is extremely high. In fact, Ontario's plate fees this year are the highest in ~ Canada. If you are one of the millions of people that have not yet purchased your stickers, you will probably end up waiting in long lines if you leave it until next week. . Best move would be to get out and do it NOW. Let's face it.....we have to buy them if we want to drive our vehicles, so why put it off any longer. They're not going to get any cheaper by waiting until the last day. See you in the lineup. : . oN MUHAMMAD ALI Little known boxer Leon Spinks scored one of boxing history's greatest upsets last week by defeating Muhammad Ali. Ali, the undisputed champ of the ring, was unable to endure the 15 rounds of tireless attack by the young Spinks. "For boxing fans it was a sad day. Ali was boxings greatest showman. He had breathed life into a dying sport by deféating Sonny Liston over 13 years ago and until this past year a marvel in the ring. Whether you're an Ali fan or not; you'll have to admit that it will be a long time before another boxer with the wit and agility possessed by Ali will enter the ring. ; ' We'll miss you, Muhammad, & EZ A=: iy A A AANA AANA RRR Thanks a lot Over the weekend two events took place in Scugog Township which deserve a bit of a mention. I: The first was the conclusion of the week-long Bow! . for Millions, with the proceeds going to assist the Big Brothers of this area and their work with the Little Brothers; young boys who for one reason or another find themselves without a father. : The second was Snowarama, a 100-mile snowmo- bile trek with pledges going to help make life a little easier for crippled children across Ontario. During an age when it is all too easy to become negative and cynical, events such as the two mention- ed deserve a few positive words of praise. There are people today who care intensely about the plight and problems of those not so fortunate, and through their time, their efforts, their energy, and their money, they work hard to make our society a richer and better place for all of us. Many of them work behind the scenes, so to speak, out of the public eye. To those who organized these events, and to those who dipped into their wallets to support them, a word of thanks is due. Snowarama and Bowl for Millions are but two of many, many worthy activities and events that take place all year long. themselves actively involved in their community is a lengthy one. And all of the causes for which they work so hard are equally as worthy. All too often their efforts pass without notice, or at best get only a casual mention. It is one thing to simply donate to these worthwhile causes, but maybe we would all appreci- ate the efforts of those who actually do the work, if we stopped for a moment and thought about what life would be like for many in our society if the organizers, the volunteers and the canvassers all said '"to heck with it". 'No end in sight last week. The ten leaders of the provincial govern- ments accompanied by small armies of cabinet ministers and senior staff sat down with Prime Minister Trudeau and a small army of his cabinet ministers for a much publicized conference on the state of the nation and how to cure our many economic problems. When all the chin-wagging was over, when the dust finally settled and the television lights and cameras were packed away, most impartial obser- vers were saying that precious little of substance had been accomplished. And they were right, of course. What is now distressingly clear about these get- togethers of first ministers is that the problems are so complex, about all they seem tobe able to do is agree ~ that they are unable to reach agreement. And Canadians, especially those who are among the million mired in unemployment, or those strugg- : ling to keep their chins above a crushing rate of inflation, must be wondering just why the top politic- ians would bother to get together in the first place. When Rene Levesque walked out of the conference on the last day, and then called it nothing more than a pre-election extravaganza designed to bolster the fortunes of the federal Liberals, it became painfully evident that the host of current Canadian problems : will remain with us until the issue of Quebec in confederation Is resolved, one way or the other. i: One cannot blame Levesque for his performance. # Heisa politician; the leader of a party which wants to | take Quebec out of the present system. They more o fuel he can add to his arguments for doing so, the i¢ better will be the chances for his party in Quebec. Give him any opportunity, especially one like a first ministers conference, and he will torpedo the concept of federalism every chance he gets. That's the way the game is played, and Levesque is a master player. Which brings us to the real issue confronting Canadians; and that is the referendum on the future of Quebec within Canada. How much longer can the rest of. Canada go tottering along, riding a razor's edge The politicians can talk about schemes to develop hydro projects in Newfoundland and heavy oll extrac- tion plants in the west; they can tell us to "buy Canadian'; and they can: promise to reduce their provincial spending, and these things may help "alleviate the problems. But at best they are cosmetic solutions, when what is really needed is radical surgery. And that must start with an immediate grandstanding and the politicking are one thing; but dragging the entire nation down is something else again. The time has come for Levesque to put his cards on the table and get on with the referendum. The patience of Canadians everywhere is running very thin. . The list of people who get. They wheeled their way into the nation's capital that is causing economic uncertainty and stagnation? resolution of the political issue in Quebec. The