Alberta Election Thread - Election Day April 16 2019

[Bootsy]

Originally Posted by Muta

PST is something this province should be considering, regardless of party. It is a consumption tax, and if it can help reduce or prevent taxation in other areas, it's something worth discussing.

How about we get a government that doesn't spend like a bunch of drunken sailors first? Show the public they can be more efficient and respect the taxpayers money.

If we can a government that the public trusts is doing its best to spend within its means and we still have trouble balancing the budget then a PST is an easier sell. While some people will always be against a PST, more people will be open to one if a legit effort is made to restrain spending.

As it stands the majority of people don't trust the government to be responsible with spending and see an added tax as a way for them to take more money from them only to continue on with their current ways.

While i do think it may take a sales tax to gets us back in the black, I see no effort from the last few different governments to reduce spending.
We get a government that shows that effort , then lets talk a PST. If not then no way a PST should even be brought up.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Bootsy

How about we get a government that doesn't spend like a bunch of drunken sailors first? Show the public they can be more efficient and respect the taxpayers money.

You're going to be disappointed for a lifetime, my dude

[GGG]

We already added the PST. The non-revenue neutral Carbon tax is a pst. The NDP has just chose to spend it like idiots.

Kenny’s pledge to kill it while fighting the feds is moronic. Just exempt exports and lower other taxes and cut the useless spending.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Perhaps the next government needs to provide subsidized financial planning services for all Albertans so that debt levels can be managed better at an individual level. Part of this could also include subsidized re-training for new industries or different veins of existing industries.

It should be part of school curriculum for junior high and high school students

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

It should be part of school curriculum for junior high and high school students

This would have been far more welcome by the UCP than announcing GSA legal protection rollbacks. However it's all about priorities when Conservatives are appeasing the religious right

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by peter12

Yeah, and he's already made some pretty big gaffes with respect to some of his candidates, potential RCMP investigation, being an opportunist ****, etc... He's got a ton of rope to hang himself and he probably knows it.



I feel bad for Notley. I honestly think that she is the most realistic of all the potential leaders. She's got grit, intelligence, and honestly, represents the best way for Alberta as a culture. Plus she's a real federalist and doesn't play populist card comfortably, which in this day, is pretty invaluable

Okay, I get that peter being back isn't an April fool's joke, but I can't say I ever imagined the day where he'd be backing the left-wing candidate in an election. You getting soft on the west coast, sir?

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Originally Posted by Muta

PST is something this province should be considering, regardless of party. It is a consumption tax, and if it can help reduce or prevent taxation in other areas, it's something worth discussing.

Reduce taxes in other areas. You guys crack me up. Please show me the reduced taxes in a province that already has a PST.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by brocoli

The further this election moves along, and more so this province I'm becoming more on board with a PST. I see it as the best possible option to slow our growing debt. I'm just waiting for one of the 2 parties to be open about it.

If is was an HST I think it would make even make more sense. I'm okay in principle but not with a straight up sales tax, it needs to be a rolled in with the GST.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by transplant99

But as Ralph showed, sometimes doing the unpopular but necessary thing really does work in the long run. Both in real world effectiveness as well as political popularity.

I don't see that sort of approach flying today. Attitudes towards debt - personal and public - have changed. With going on 20 or so years of low interest rates, people just don't worry much about debt anymore.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

Reduce taxes in other areas. You guys crack me up. Please show me the reduced taxes in a province that already has a PST.

Nah. It's pretty easy to understand my point was that a PST would help solve our province's debt woes, and would reduce the immediate need to raise personal taxes instead.

[Slava]

I don't know if it's been covered here already, but the Alberta Party plans for collecting taxes in Alberta and all this are just plain ridiculous. They're getting taken apart on Twitter for their scheme, and it strikes me as though they never really thought this through or had anyone with any expertise give this a review.

So, I don't know what we're left with here. The UCP financial plan doesn't look all that horrible. The NDP financial plan has been just plain terrible. The Alberta Party is demonstrating their lack of experience and expertise. And I guess those are the only parties in any conversation. I guess, as the old saying goes, in a democracy we get the government we deserve but this seems rather cruel.

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don't know if it's been covered here already, but the Alberta Party plans for collecting taxes in Alberta and all this are just plain ridiculous. They're getting taken apart on Twitter for their scheme, and it strikes me as though they never really thought this through or had anyone with any expertise give this a review.

So, I don't know what we're left with here. The UCP financial plan doesn't look all that horrible. The NDP financial plan has been just plain terrible. The Alberta Party is demonstrating their lack of experience and expertise. And I guess those are the only parties in any conversation. I guess, as the old saying goes, in a democracy we get the government we deserve but this seems rather cruel.

Who collects the Carbon Tax?

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Muta

Nah. It's pretty easy to understand my point was that a PST would help solve our province's debt woes, and would reduce the immediate need to raise personal taxes instead.

Right, just like the not campaigned on Carbon Tax reduced the need to increase personal taxes, corporate taxes, and the discussion for a PST?

Oh wait.....

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Also, what on Earth are you talking about, Slava? There's a plan for some new method of collecting taxes in Alberta? Please provide a link, because that's a very confusing statement.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Who collects the Carbon Tax?

Sure, but does this mean you're in favour of hiring a pile of new bureaucrats in the province to handle all this? There are more drawbacks, but let's not suggest that we just decide to do this and make a whack of money as a province.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Also, what on Earth are you talking about, Slava? There's a plan for some new method of collecting taxes in Alberta? Please provide a link, because that's a very confusing statement.

Yeah sorry, I should have linked this initially: https://www.albertaparty.ca/standing_up

[stone hands]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

It should be part of school curriculum for junior high and high school students

I really think this too. Ingrain it into kids heads at a young age that you should be saving for retirement and living within your means. Figure out what a budget actually is. Buy things in cash with money you actually have instead of debt for plastic toys to use on the weekend. Its honestly amazing that we had so many years of people with high school or less education making 6 figures and everyone is broke or defaulting on their debt.

Seriously, teach kids that the idea that "oh, i can afford that, it's only x dollars every 2 weeks" is actually horrible. How many people realize when they sign on for a "0 dollar galaxy s10" they're really spending like 2000 instead of 1200 for the phone?

Kind of a tangent

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Slava

Sure, but does this mean you're in favour of hiring a pile of new bureaucrats in the province to handle all this? There are more drawbacks, but let's not suggest that we just decide to do this and make a whack of money as a province.

Well I don't know the answer to the question but I would imagine we already have a group of bureaucrats collecting the carbon tax.

Not sure how big of an increase it would require to also collect other taxes.

I don't generally support an increase in the size of government but having the ability to control the flow of capital is a huge bargaining chip in our upcoming fight within confederation.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Slava

Yeah sorry, I should have linked this initially: https://www.albertaparty.ca/standing_up

That's more a position statement than anything, but what particularly about it upsets you? I am curious. It would seem that the Alberta Party is demanding the same equitable treatment that Quebec would be receiving, plus the ability to collect and distribute the Alberta personal income tax portion within Alberta and without doing it directly through the Feds.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Right, just like the not campaigned on Carbon Tax reduced the need to increase personal taxes, corporate taxes, and the discussion for a PST?

Oh wait.....

Wrong again, Slimer! That tax was a poorly executed cash grab that didn't work exclusive of reducing other taxes.