Are Canadian Politicians illiterate...

WHO SAYS CANADIAN POLITICIANS ARE ILLITERATE?
A commentary on the article by columnist Jeffery Simpson
“In a world of rights we ignore our responsibilies.”
Toronto Globe & Mail – 23/01/2009

By Victor Drummond ©
January 2009

In his article Jeffery Simpson makes this observation of Canadian Politicians:-

“Obviously, no Canadian Politician today has the command of language or the depth of thought to explore these ideas as Mr. Obama did in his sober, beautiful inaugural address.”

Just what idea(s) is Mr. Simpson speaking of? What command of language or depth of thought does he feel is missing?

Illiterate: -- displaying a marked lack of knowledge in a particular field.

Yes in terms of associating their duty, to treat all Canadians fairly, with their responsibility to actually do something about it – there is no doubt our political leaders are definitely ILLITERATE.

Further careful reading of Mr. Simpson’s article reveals he is impressed by the novel idea that rights are inherently linked to responsibilities’. This R&R association has been sadly neglected by both individuals and government authorities -- especially in Canada.

As Mr. Simpson observed:- “But there has been very little discussion in democratic societies lately of “responsibilities” that ought to be tied to “rights” and from which a different concept of government flows.”

Is he saying Canadians and our politicians have allowed the Canadian government to degenerate into a “you come first after me” self centered lot of greedy and incompetent louts?

Politicians who would waste taxpayer’s money, and their own time, plotting ways to legally seize power without giving Canadians an opportunity to express their preferences by way of a vote?

Politicians without the sense of responsibility, and/or capability, to attend to the nations business while the world economy is creating financial havoc across the land.

And what is he saying about the average person these days? He addresses this aspect in the following quote:-

“These days “rights” talk is often about what the state owes us by way of protection against itself or in affirming obligations that the state must fulfill toward us: whereas talk of “responsibility” reminds us of what we owe to each other, what we owe the society that incorporates us, what we owe the country of which we are a part, and the world of which we are a member.”

It appears obvious to me Mr. Simpson is saying the average person, in a democratic society such as Canada, is only thinking of themselves and their personal rights but totally unaware or totally indifferent to their responsibilities towards anyone else.

My own observation after posting over 130 articles to this blog page -- each one informing the reader of the unjust, unfair, punitive taxation of honest, hard working Canadians on the basis of. phantom income – I am obliged to agree with Mr. Simpson.

Canadian’s have barely responded to the plight of fellow Canadians who have been taxed into financial oblivion by a defective piece of Canadian tax legislation. e.g. our taxable benefit legislation.

Our federal politicians, from the prime minister, and opposition party leaders, members of parliament all the way down to the Income Tax Chief Appeals Officers, have not recognized their responsibility to correct unfair, abusive laws/practices and responsibility to treat all Canadians equally.

Accolades heaped upon President Barack Obama, by Mr. Simpson, regarding the R&R aspects in his inaugural address, are more than justified.

The United States government has recently recognized the abuse and injustice of taxing their citizens on income they never received, and they have put stop to it. Ref:- www.reformAMT.org

Furthermore they have initiated compensation to those taxpayers who have already become victims of that defective Alternative Minimum Tax, (AMT) legislation.

So far Canadian federal politicians have failed to recognized their responsibility to Canadians who are being abused in an identical way.

And if Mr. Simpson is saying our politicians are ignorant of their responsibility to defend the right of all Canadians to fair treatment and therefore technically illiterate in this respect – I am obliged to agree with him.

It will take a revival of awareness, in all Canadians, of their responsibility to defend their own rights and the rights of fellow Canadians, at the voting polls before our politicians will see the light.

Keep that in mind when the next federal election arrives.

Victor Drummond ©

Which Country Can..

WHICH COUNTRY CAN BEST AFFORD TAX FAIRNESS
CANADA OR THE UNITED STATES?

A commentary on the taxation of phantom income
In Canada versus the U.S.

By Victor Drummond ©
January 2009

The big day has finally arrived. The United States of America have inaugurated their very first non-white president:- Barack Hussein Obama.

January 20 2009 is indeed an historic day that will be recorded in the world’s history books.

President Obama has taken control of the world’s most powerful nation in the midst of a world wide economic downturn that shows no sign of abating in the foreseeable future.

Canada, by comparison is in relatively good financial condition with a national debt per capita less than half that of the United States.

The following data is from an article by journalist Harvey Enchin, that appeared in the January 21st 2009 issue of the Vancouver Sun Newspaper.

… total U.S. federal debt stands at $10.6 trillion, or about $37,316 per capita. Canada's debt is $457 billion, or $13,760 per capita. Throw in Canada's pension liabilities and accounts payable and the amount rises to $581 billion, or $17,520 per capita, still less than half the American burden.

For the past seven or eight years both countries have endured flawed income tax legislation which frequently resulted in innocent, hard working citizens, being levied huge income tax on phantom income, e.g. money that only existed in theory but not in reality. The flawed American legislation has the title:- “Alternative Minimum Tax”, (AMT).

Taxes levied on fictitious income were unfortunately real and caused many victims in both Canada and the U.S. to lose their life’s savings, go bankrupt and/or even lose their homes.

News media in the U.S. alluded to the AMT tax, on phantom income, as being a contributing factor in the suicide of two American taxpayers.

Two grass-roots lobby groups formed in the U.S.A. to appeal to the U.S. government for correction of this unjustified and unfair tax.

One group is named:- “The Coalition for Tax Fairness”, (CFT) and the second group is called:- “Reform AMT”

In October 2008 the U.S. Congress passed a bill amending their defective AMT legislation thereby putting an end to the taxing of phantom income in the U.S.A. and in addition providing compensation to those taxpayers who had already paid such taxes and/or related penalties.

In February 2008 Canadian victims, of our equally defective taxable benefit legislation, have likewise formed a grass-roots group called:- “Canadians for Fair and Equitable Taxation”, (CFET).

The declared purpose of CFET is to lobby our Canadian government to amend their flawed taxable benefit legislation and put an end to the taxation of phantom income in Canada.

So far none of our federal political party leaders have so much as mentioned this on-going atrocity.

Why are any, and all, of them willing to standby -- doing and saying nothing about the financial decimation of ESPP/ESO victims while figuratively wringing their hands and vocalizing loudly about the plight of Canadians who have recently lost their employment and others facing loss of employment.

If their incentive, to raise a commotion on the behalf of Canadians now being victimized by world economic condition is due to genuine concern for the plight of their fellow Canadians, they would not keep silent while many other fellow Canadians are likewise financially ruined by an outrageous tax policy.

They may not be able to do much about the plight of Canadians in financial distress, due to the world economic state, but they sure can do something to relieve the on-going financial distress of those Canadians deliberately taxed into financial ruin by their own government.

Until the taxable benefit situation is corrected, and those victimized by tax imposed on phantom income are treated fairly, all the noise they make about distress due to current job loss is hypocrisy to my ears.

The foregoing comparison between U.S. debt per capita, versus Canadian debt per capita, plainly tells it the way it is.

Canada can much better afford to be fair to our victims, of phantom tax, than can the U.S.A. government afford to do the same.

Yet the U.S. government has revoked all such taxes and related penalties while Canadian Politicians continue to turn a blind eye and deaf ears to this identical tax atrocity which is still on-going in Canada.

If this issue is not corrected in the next federal budget then a federal election would be welcomed by me and I would look for a new slate of candidates, with a more developed sense of decency and fairness, to run for office.

Victor Drummond ©

Canada's Tax Fairness..

CANADA’S FAIR TAX POLICY – LOTTERY
A commentary on one of the most hit and miss systems of income
Taxation one is liable to find anywhere in the world.

By Victor Drummond ©
January 2009

If you are looking for a country where you will only be levied income tax on real income you can check Canada off of your list.

Not only do Canadian tax laws leave you liable to be levied huge taxes on phantom income but when you appeal this unfair tax you may – or you may not – have your appeal approved.

According to the article by journalist DEAN BEEBY titled “Tax Breaks for Canadians inconsistent: audit” – which appeared in the Globe and Mail -- on-line News – January 17 2009 – the chances of having your tax appeal approved depends as much on the location of the tax appeals office – as it does on the merits of your tax circumstances.

Apparently there have been a number of gaffs committed by tax authorities all the way through Canada’s personal income tax system and especially in the so called Tax Fairness program.

For example the following quote from the DEAN BEEBY report just about says it all:-

“Under so-called “fairness provisions” dating from 1991, the Canada Revenue Agency, (CRA), can waive interest and penalties for taxpayers who through circumstances beyond their control have not been able to pay their taxes or have been late.”

That is a “fairness” action? It sounds more like a penalty imposed on taxpayers who have managed their finances well and paid their taxes on time.

In my opinion Canada’s personal income tax legislation has been designed by lawyers to maximize the legislation complexity and guarantee no one will get a fair deal without the assistance of a tax lawyer.

Even then most appellants -- who pay for legal assistance -- will end up sending good money after bad. This has been the case with two members of the tax victims group:- “Canadians for Fair and Equitable Taxes.”, (CFET). Ref:- www.cfet.ca

Members P.J. and B.I. both paid a large sum of money to have a lawyer present their appeal for the revoking of taxes levied on income that never happened, (Phantom Income).

Their appeals were both denied. Why? Likely because they had some property and/or financial assets that could be seized and/or wages that could be garnisheed.

Or they may just have merely lucked out on the location where their appeal was heard.

On the world stage Canada has been looked upon as a well organized, democratic country with competent people in scientific, medical, financial, technical, fields – even a world leader in some of these fields.

What a disgrace our income tax system has become -- in the past decade -- where tax fairness appears to be nothing more or less than the luck of the draw.

It sure makes Canada’s government look like a bunch of bumpkins who can not properly organize the operation a lemonade stand let alone a decent tax system for the entire country.

Canada’s government continues to tax our citizens on phantom income even though the U.S. government has amended their equivalent phantom tax legislation in October 2008.
Ref:- www.reformAMT.org

Canada’s federal political party leaders currently have a golden opportunity to correct this blight on Canada’s image -- and reputation -- by assuring the next federal budget includes a commitment to correct our defective taxable benefit legislation and compensate those honest, hard working Canadians who have already been victimized by it.

If the U.S. government can do it – so can Canada’s government.

When this money is put back into the hands of its rightful owners it will do more to restore consumer confidence and stabilize Canada’s economy than twice that amount if given to failing business operations.

If you prefer to see Canada as a real world leader – contact your Member of Parliament and notify him, or her, you want this problem corrected within the next federal budget.


Victor Drummond ©

CANADA'S UNREACHABLES..

CANADIAN UNTOUCHABLES
Observations comparing Canada’s Federal
Political leaders to the U.S. A. team of incorruptible
Federal Agents created and headed by Special Agent Eliot Ness.

By Victor Drummond ©
January 2009

During the 1920’s and early 1930’s the United States of America was the playground of notorious gangsters such as Al Capone, Bugs Moran, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, John Dillenger and Bonny and Clyde.

These underworld characters engaged in such fund raising enterprises as the mere robbing of banks to operating a country wide chain of illegal gambling parlours, houses of prostitution, and hide-away pubs where illegal booze was readily available.

It was unavoidable there would be clashes between these hoodlums over territorial and competition issues.

Gang wars and individual incidents of one gangster killing another were relatively common.
The 1929 Valentines Day Massacre, however, tops the list of gang war killings.

The U.S. government was caught in a tight spot. The gangsters had money and influence and the best politicians and lawyers money could buy. Most attempts to arrest and convict gang leaders and/or gang members ended up with the gangsters going free – and their victims going to the cemetary.

Deciding to fight fire with fire the U.S. government decide to create a special group of law enforcement agents which could not be intimidated, bribed or coerced to bend from their assigned gang buster duties. Their assignment was to put the gangsters out of business any way necessary.

The person delegated to head up this task force of incorruptible people was a special agent named Eliot Ness. As it turned out Mr. Ness was exactly the right man for the job.

Eliot was honest, decent, fair minded and courageous, and above all determined to bring the criminals to justice. Alive if possible or dead if necessary.

Eliot Ness, and a co-worker, Oscar Fraley wrote Eliot’s autobiography -- published in 1947 --in which the many encounters Eliot Ness -- and his team of incorruptible law enforcement agents had with gang members -- are lucidly described.

This autobiography is titled “The Untouchables”.

The book came to the attention of comedian Lucille Ball, who, with her husband Desi Arnez,
had formed a TV corporation under the name of Desilu Productions.

Desilu Productions obtained the rights to create a series of weekly television programs – based on the book – and use of the name – “The Untouchables”.

The Untouchables were a hit TV series consisting of 118 episodes broadcast weekly from 1959 through 1963.

Has anything like the American rampage of gangsters and the need for special law enforcement agents to counter them ever happened in Canada?

There have been a few outlaw gangs in Canada – such as the Boyd Gang – but they were caught and put out of business by our regular law enforcement agencies.

However it seems some of the gangster traits have been picked up by our Federal Politicians.

For example the gangsters all had one belief in common, e.g. Because I have the power I also have the right to take something I want from those who owe me nothing.

Taxing nonexistent, (phantom), income by a government is about the equivalent of a gangster taking money from a business owner for protection. They both take something for nothing – because they can.

And likewise our government leaders are all but immune from action by those who are empowered to enforce the law – because they are the law makers.

The original “Untouchables” were a group of extraordinary people with above average intelligence, honour, justice, fairness, integrity, and courage.

Qualities difficult to detect in Canada’s cadre of current political leaders.

Victims of Canada’s defective taxable benefit legislation have sent appeal after appeal to all levels of Canada’s government over the past eight years. To no avail.

Attempts -- by individual victims and more recently by a group of victims, and supporters, named Canadians for Fair and Equitable Taxation, (CFET), -- to reach our Prime Minister, and/or the elected Members of Parliament – have not produced results.

Our defective taxable benefit legislation is still on the books and those Canadians, eligible to be victimized, are still on Revenue Canada Agency’s hit list.

Even the most outspoken news journalists have not responded to requests, by CFET, to speak out on behalf of Canadians victimized and abused by this insidious legislation.

The fact the U.S. government has now, (Oct. 2008), amended their equivalent defective Alternative Minimum Tax, (AMT), legislation and have revoked all taxes levied on phantom income, has not phased our Canadian federal politicians one iota.
Ref: www.reformAMT.org

Consequently I am obliged to accept the following conclusion:- our federal politicians are definitely NOT Untouchables in any way that matters.

Instead of fighting for the restoration of the RIGHT of all Canadians to fair and equalized taxation – they hide behind their MP/PM immunity and pretend there is no problem.

So far as victimized and abused Canadians are concerned their elected representatives are merely UNREACHABLES.

Keep that in mind when you next have opportunity to vote for the person to represent you in Canada’s House of Parliament.

Victor Drummond ©

IF IWERE YOU..

IF I WERE YOU – I WOULD WANT ME FOR A FRIEND
A commentary on the similarity between Canada’s Political leaders
and the parable of the “GOOD SAMATIN”

by Victor Drummond ©
January 2009


As the story goes a certain man was travelling alone between two middle east cities.

On a lonely stretch of the road he encountered a group of thieves who robbed him, beat him and left him for dead.

Shortly afterward a Pharisee, (politician), came along.
He saw his victimized countryman and then ignoring the poor man went on his way.

Likewise a bit later a Scribe, (a highly educated writer), passed by.

He also saw his victimized countryman,
And like the Pharasee he ignored the poor man and went on his way.

Not long after a foreigner, (a Samaritan), happened upon the scene. He immediately attended to the victimized stranger’s wounds, lifted him onto his mount, (donkey), and brought him to a local inn, (Hotel).

He paid for a room where the victim might rest while he recovered, and informed the hotel manager that he would pay for all the victims expenses while recovering from his injuries.

Which of the characters in this story would you vote for if they campaigned in your riding to be elected to represent you -- in our nation’s government -- and manage Canada’s internal/international affairs?

If you have been following this blog page you are well aware of those honest hard working Canadians that have been victimized by Canada’s defective taxable benefit legislation.

Our Pharisees have all been made well aware of the financial devastation this insidious piece of legislation is currently inflicting on our honest, hard working, countrymen and has been for most of the past decade.

And just like the Pharisees -- in the parable -- they are all ignoring the plight of their countrymen and keep merrily on their way.

Likewise most of our scribes, (journalists, talk show hosts, and media producers), -- who have been made aware of this outrageous tax situation -- have also ignored the plight of their victimized countrymen and gone merrily on their way.

There have been a few journalists, however, who by raising their voice – via articles they produced and published in which they condemned the practice of taxing their countrymen on phantom income -- have shown the qualities of the Good Samaritan.

A group of victimized Canadians have organized a protest group named:- “Canadians for Fair and Equitable Taxes”, (CFET).

Within this group are a number of Canadians who are not themselves directly affected by this tax issue – but -- who feel they should not just sit there and allow this outrage to continue.

I am among this group of supporters and I have been endeavouring -- by way of this blog page and all other decent means at my disposal – to have this tax atrocity corrected.

But unlike the Pharisees and Scribes, and Canadians that have no compassion I care
about my country, and my countrymen.


If unfamiliar with the phantom tax issue -- in both Canada and the United States of America -- visit:- www.cfet.ca and www.reformAMT.org

While at the CFET website sign the petition you will find there and thereby do your part to have this issue corrected in Canada – as has already happened in the U.S.A.

So if I were you I would want me for a friend. Can you say the same?

Victor Drummond ©