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Somebody needs to hold politicians accountable

February 02, 2010 16:02

I wanted to comment on Ray Suutari's letter in the Jan. 14 edition of the Weekend Herald.

As someone who "rants against taxes" I have been and continue to be willing to identify government spending that I would be willing to see cut. I would start with the billions in stimulus spending that, at best, artificially propped up our economy and that I fear our children are going to end up paying for, potentially in many ways.

Abraham Lincoln said, "Government should only do for people, what people can't do for themselves."

I believe government at all levels has long outgrown this idea and continues to grow both the size of its workforce and the size of its spending all the while taking on responsibilities that used to belong to the people.

While I fully recognize that taxes are required for health care, police, roads, national defence, social assistance and other very necessary programs I also recognize that huge amounts of our tax dollars are going to grants, special interests and other items that serve the needs of the few at the expense of the many.

I refuse to recognize that "higher taxes in various forms are inevitable". I believe we need to rein in government spending increases and I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Suutari that we have long enjoyed living beyond our means.

I think there is some truth to Mr. Suutari's comment that the enemy may be us but I think the traits among us that are concerning are the apathy and acceptance with which we treat the poor financial control we are receiving in many areas of our government today. We need to demand better and hold our elected representatives accountable for what they do with our money.

Rob Holliday,

Alliston

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