The ongoing labour strife has got me thinking about what we want from government and what government should provide through our taxes. Should the government offload costly services into so-called business ventures to ease its deficits? Can we afford the same services we've always had?
Rural communities can be impacted heavily when services are lost. Seniors and those on fixed incomes, too, are often hurt when services are cut. While thinking about this, I sent a letter to the Victoria Times Colonist newspaper. It was published on the 2nd of October:
Contrary to what the media and government may say, the post office did not “lose” $841 million last year.
The cost to taxpayers for this service can be debated as to whether it is worth it or not, but the services are there for the public good. Commodifying them is simply a way for governments to fudge their figures. Just like B.C. Ferries, services like the post office, should not be seen as a money maker or loser.
We don’t say the Armed Forces lose money.
We don’t say the RCMP, water works, or highways lose money.
Services have a cost. Whether we are prepared to pay for them is the question, not whether they are profitable.
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