A Constituent response to an email from Deb Matthews, MPP for London-North-Centre

Hi Deb,

I appreciate your response and I know you are more or less forced to support whatever comes down "from your party leader". I understand what McGuinty is doing in order to appease a few coffee drinkers (according to your exempted products). When it comes right down to it, people of this province still perceive it as a money grab

and one of my clients put it about as clearly as anyone possibly could. He owns a large company in London and he and his associates have been looking at this in detail. Here is what he said: "This HST is going to put money in my pocket, which is fine with me, but the 100+ people that work for me are all getting screwed." After further discussion he mentioned that larger companies, like Telus, and those that support political campaigns, will most likely support the HST, but the average taxpayer and those who simply have a job, in the end will get it "in the end!"

People are becoming so much more aware of how big business operates and how politicians are being swayed by them to "transfer" funds from the average person to the wealthy. This has been going on for years in a subtle way . . . and now it is just plain blatant. These motherhood issues about "attracting businesses" and "ensuring jobs for the future" mean nothing to over 95% of us, including some of us who own businesses. Honestly, did Toyota come to Woodstock because they heard HST was on its way? Will Ford at Talbotville come back because of HST? Get real!

Some people in this province who are very naive, and perhaps caring too, are buying into this snow job . . . but quite a significant percentage are seeing it for what it really is.

It is no wonder that young people, who are not all stupid by the way, are losing trust in politics and politicians and are chosing to ignore the deception and the games being played. Has anyone every wondered why their respect for our MPP's is on the downswing?!

I have done the math and any possible gains for me as a businessman will be more than wiped out by the 8% increase in the products and services that I pay for and the loss of income created by those who chose not to use my services because of the increased cost. I wish you all the best in trying to keep a clear conscience.

Bill

PS. I am passing this on to a few hundred people and I can guarantee that a good percentage of them have woken up to the same reality I have.

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Dear Friends,

I know you're interested in what's happening with the harmonized sales tax (HST) and so I'm happy to tell you about some new exemptions.
The McGuinty government listened to Ontarians when they gave us their thoughts on items that should be exempted from the HST and we've now exempted regularly printed newspapers and some prepared foods. Qualifying food and beverages, like your morning coffee, are ones that are ready for immediate consumption and sold for a total price of not more than $4.00.

These new exemptions join a list that includes books, children's clothing, children's footwear, car seats, diapers and feminine hygiene products.

Thanks for this chance to pass along an update and please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any comments or questions. It's important to me.

Sincerely,

Deb