[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

I know this sounds trite, but maybe the issue is where we spend as well. I know when this argument comes up the first thing people point to is healthcare, education, roads and of course we all want those things.

But the truth is there are a lot of programs funded by the government that could be eliminated. There are subsidies to businesses that could be eliminated or reduced. I haven't got the specifics and no, I won't be spending hours to dig through. But there is no doubt in my mind that these inefficiencies spending on these things exist. Governments are continually spending on handouts to business and funding pet projects that really have nothing to do with delivery of services and cuts could be made.

I agree.

The fact of the matter is that we have to analyze both sides of the ledger because we cant keep relying on Royalty windfalls but there is also a limit to how much we can increase taxes, especially during a time of economic uncertainty as we are in now.

So we have to look at our spending.