Alberta 'refund' cheques

[CrzyCanuck]

We have all this extra money we took from you, how do you want us to spend it...Sheesh, stop taking it from me!!

[calf]

The university student in me says I need the money, so if it's coming my way, no problems.

The socially responsible part of me says university students need money, so they should get a break.

Also, if we've been paying too much in taxes, might as well get some of it back, right?


Then again: the money can be better spent going to infrastructure, health care, ejumakashun, etc, or even saving it for when (if) oil prices tank again.

[Dirty Mr. Clean]

The online Survey is at the following link:

Click here!

[Eagle Eye]

Originally posted by CrzyCanuck@Aug 26 2004, 09:07 AM
We have all this extra money we took from you, how do you want us to spend it...Sheesh, stop taking it from me!!

A lot of the 'extra' money didn't come from us it came from oil and gas revenues. Seriously I don't think Alberta needs a large tax reduction (maybe something small), I would rather see the extra money going to infrastructure, advancing the Alberta Economy (investing in technology, ect) and of course health care.

[Bingo]

Odd survey ...

left me without the option I wanted.

I don't want a refund now, but lower taxes going forward. I was skimming through it, but I didn't see that option.

[Fuzzy McGillicuddy]

Everyone will have their hand out for this one, including me:

show me the money

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I don't understand why refunds and rebates are always the first thing to come out of Ralph's Team. (Other than the obvious) I think most people are prone to blowing it on a big screen TV made in Japan more than help the local economy like Ralph intended it to be.

I'd rather see the money go towards health and education, or general quality of life things like parks. Finally, just make sure we can all earn gobs of money in the future - nurture business and industry.

[Cowperson]

Alaskans have gotten an annual cheque for a long, long time if I'm not mistaken, also from oil and gas revenues.

Cowperson

[CrzyCanuck]

Originally posted by I-Hate-Hulse@Aug 26 2004, 03:28 PM
I think most people are prone to blowing it on a big screen TV made in Japan more than help the local economy like Ralph intended it to be.

You needed gas in your car, to drive to the store to but that TV, and then it was delievered to your house. . I see four people that needed jobs to get you that tv.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally posted by Cowperson@Aug 26 2004, 03:35 PM
Alaskans have gotten an annual cheque for a long, long time if I'm not mistaken, also from oil and gas revenues.

Cowperson

I've heard that before as well. Not sure if it's a good idea or not, seeing as natural resources are a finite commodity (not to mention volatile in price).

I'd rather use it for R&D in the manufacturing or tech sector (or something along those lines). Invest it in something instead of throwing out a bunch of spending money.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by CrzyCanuck+Aug 26 2004, 09:36 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (CrzyCanuck @ Aug 26 2004, 09:36 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-I-Hate-Hulse@Aug 26 2004, 03:28 PM
I think most people are prone to blowing it on a big screen TV made in Japan more than help the local economy like Ralph intended it to be.

You needed gas in your car, to drive to the store to but that TV, and then it was delievered to your house. . I see four people that needed jobs to get you that tv. [/b][/quote]
I'd buy gas and have my car regardless of whether Ralph dishes me $2000 or not - so those two don't count.

As for the "store" and the "delivery boy" - in the context of the economy, would you rather have 2 high paying medical / biotech jobs here or 2 minimum wage jobs?

Or a good quality of life and good career prospects that attract hi wage earners into your province over 2 guys earning $5.75 an hour?

I know what I'd pick if I was trying to build an economy and tax base.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally posted by calf@Aug 26 2004, 03:08 PM
The university student in me says I need the money, so if it's coming my way, no problems.

The socially responsible part of me says university students need money, so they should get a break.

Also, if we've been paying too much in taxes, might as well get some of it back, right?


Then again: the money can be better spent going to infrastructure, health care, ejumakashun, etc, or even saving it for when (if) oil prices tank again.

Sorry, no offense intended, but I'd prefer to see the money as oppossed to having more of my tax dollars going to university students.

I think I've paid more than my fair share of taxes over the years, it would be nice to have a windfall once in a blue moon.

[calf]

One further question: where's this $1000 figure coming from? I like it, but is there any merit to it?

Cap'n - oh, I didnt mean send the money to all university students. Not what I meant at all. Everyone should get a cheque (if they've been paying taxes), but as a university student, it would definately help out a whole lot.

[JohnnyO]

I took the Survey.

I think the big three in order for me are Infrastructure (Expand CTrain and clear up congestion), HealthCare (our city needs a new hospital in the south) and Edumacation (new areas need schools), I would also like to see us develop some other industries and not be so reliant on Oil and Gas. (but then again Oil and Gas are paying my bills)

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by plett22+Aug 26 2004, 03:41 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (plett22 @ Aug 26 2004, 03:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Cowperson@Aug 26 2004, 03:35 PM
Alaskans have gotten an annual cheque for a long, long time if I'm not mistaken, also from oil and gas revenues.

Cowperson

I've heard that before as well. Not sure if it's a good idea or not, seeing as natural resources are a finite commodity (not to mention volatile in price).

I'd rather use it for R&D in the manufacturing or tech sector (or something along those lines). Invest it in something instead of throwing out a bunch of spending money. [/b][/quote]
The cheques have been issued to every man, woman and child in Alaska since 1980.

In 2003, the cheque was for $1,107.56.

It is called a Citizens Dividend.

Send me the money!!!

Cowperson

[Lurch]

Alaskans do get a refund every year, but they are a little nuts about it. The Alaska government is in a position where they can no longer really afford the 'dividend' but residents would rather see them raise taxes and still dish out the money rather than just cut the money.

My choices for the bounty Ralph lucked into would be to invest it in long-term growth such as infrastructure, R&D, etc. Norway, a country quite similar in size and economy to Alberta, has a fund of $100 billion for when the oil revenues dry up to kick start some diversification. If you want an eye opener, keep in mind the only thing separating Alberta and SK economically is oil revenue - if we p*ss it away it's pretty easy to see where we'll end up, and Ralph seems bound and determined to p*ss it away.

[photon]

A tax cut isn't really the best idea with that since it's "temporary" (oil prices won't stay high forever).. once that money goes away, taxes have to go back up. I like the dividend idea, though I'd rather see the money go into infrastructure first.

Or save it all and invest it, and spend the interest. Get a big enough investment and you don't have to pay taxes.

K-12 education is also a good area to invest in IMO.

[moon]

Give me the money.

I don't care about it going to infrastructure, health care or education. I want that money to be in my hands. If people want to improve those areas then they are more then welcome to use their money to do so.

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by Lurch@Aug 26 2004, 04:05 PM
Alaskans do get a refund every year, but they are a little nuts about it. The Alaska government is in a position where they can no longer really afford the 'dividend' but residents would rather see them raise taxes and still dish out the money rather than just cut the money.

My choices for the bounty Ralph lucked into would be to invest it in long-term growth such as infrastructure, R&D, etc. Norway, a country quite similar in size and economy to Alberta, has a fund of $100 billion for when the oil revenues dry up to kick start some diversification. If you want an eye opener, keep in mind the only thing separating Alberta and SK economically is oil revenue - if we p*ss it away it's pretty easy to see where we'll end up, and Ralph seems bound and determined to p*ss it away.

I would agree that once you start, its virtually impossible to stop. Not the fault of government. Its the fault of citizens who come to view it as an entitlement.

Send me the money.

Cowperson

[Tron_fdc]

I'd gladly give up $1000 a year if that meant no more pot holes, overpasses on major roads, smaller lines at hospitals, and some sort of fund set up in case of a major drop in the price of oil and gas. I realize some of the above is a municipal expenditure, but I would be more than OK with the Provincial govt giving money to the cities in Alberta. (Except Edmonton, of course, which should be paved over)

Simply handing out money to the citizens of Alberta is terribly short sighted and extremely foolish IMO. Think long term, and invest it.