6 - Sunday, December 10, 1989-~ North Shore News Closer look at Michael Wiison’s GST snake oil NOT WISHING to bore you, | bad privately vowed to give the Gouge and Screw Tax a short rest. But everywhere these days I find folk talking about nothing else — and asking what they can do to strangle the rnonster at birth. There’s a quick answer, but more of that anon. Let's first — in round figures — look a little closer at the GST snake oil that Michael Wilson and his obedient hucksters like Mary Coflins are hustling to the ignorant peasants. The archaic 13.5 per cent Manu- facturers’ Sales Tax — which HAS to go if Canadian exports are to compete in the U.S. market — would yield $18.5 billion in 1991. The GST would bring in $24 billion, the difference of $5.5 billion being kicked back in tax credits and relief to help lower in- come groups. Hence the ‘‘revenue neutral’’ boast. Now, just for fun, let’s abolish the worst feature of the GST: the new nine per cent tax on almost all SERVICES, from haircuts and dry-cleaning to meals out, airfares (horrifying, you might say) booklet entitled ‘‘Tates from the Tax Trough,” just issued by the Na- tional Citizens Coalition. Cali the NCC’s Vancouver office, 276- 2423, for a copy. What can YOU do about it all? Just sign and mail a handwritten note to your MP saying in your own words ‘‘Dear Mary (or Chuck): If you support the GST, I will never vote for you again.”" Simple messages usually work best! and neutering the pooch. Right away you eliminate the $5.5 billion in kickbacks to the poor. Paying nine per cent instead of 13.5 per cent on goods only, they’d be bet- ter off than now and the GST rev- enue required could drop back to $18.5 billion. Right? Most folk spend more on goods than services, making it unlikely that the goods-alone portion of the GST would be less than 60 per cent — probably higher. So a nine per cent goods-alone tax would pro- duce at least $11.1 billion of the *‘revenue neutral’’ $18.5 billion target, a shortfall of at most $7.4 billion. Still with me? That shortfall, however, wouldn't add any red ink. Ignoring for a moment the $39.9 billion in interest charges, this year’s budget has a $9.4 billion SURPLUS of revenue ($112.4 billion) over true operating costs ($103 billion). Next year it’s projected to rise by $2.5 billion. So the tax on SERVICES, as distinct from goods, is NOT needed to balance the operating budget, but merely to pay debt in- terest that should rightly be covered by spending cuts. Which means, as you guessed. that the Mulronevites plan to “*gouge and screw’* us with a SERVICES tax solely in order to continue avoiding their politically uncomfortable duty: a ruthless slashing of waste, extravagance and all other expenditures that br- ing taxpayers in general no return whatsoever. )-xamples totalling nearly $5 billion — all official, obtained under the Access to Information Act ~ are given in a fascinating Sundays, 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. week- days. Sample them! ... And pro- mising lots of laughs is Carson Graham Theatre's ‘‘Terror at Teen High,”’ a spoof of 1950s B movies tomorrow through Friday, Dec. 11-15 at 8 p.m. — tickets at the door. their many good causes — and they (the cakes, not the causes) are going fast ... Second act of the Reform Party’s three-ring B.C. circus happens tomorrow, Monday Dec. 11, when Deborah Grey, its first elected MP, speaks at a 12 noon potluck lunch in the Ker- risdale Legion — call 688-8090 or 925-2097 for any remaining $5 tickets ... Capilano District Scouts have high hopes of their first ever Christmas tree sale, on now through Dec. 23 at Woolco Garden Shop in Cap Mall, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. whe ate TAILPIECES: For the best Christmas cake bargains in town find a Kiwanian neighbor, but soon. Local Kiwanis Clubs are again selling the king-size Yuletide treats at $14.50 to raise funds for WRIGHT OR WRONG: The REALLY ignorant person is one who doesn’t know something you yourself learned just yesterday. cate acerere vee NEWS photo Mike Wakefield “THANKS A MILLION, CHIEF”’,..Retiring North Van District Fire Chief Archie Steacy (right) receives a special award plaque from Canadian Oxy transport manager Terry Litchfield for his involvement in hazardous materials emergency response planning and training. Change of attitude FTER LEARNING that the number of teenagers infected with the AIDS virus has almost doubled since last vear, it comes as a surprise that premier Bill Vander Zalm would dismiss the opinion of the majority of British Columbians that his government isn’t doing enough to fight the disease. “‘The average British Columbian hasn't the time or capability’’ to decide if their government is conducting effective AIDS education, he told reporters, adding that his government is doing a more effective job than elsewhere in the country. Vander Zalm was responding to a gallup poll which revealed that of all provinces, more British Colum- bians believe their government isn’t doing enough to combat AIDS. The premier’s outlandish statements even contradict those made by his own deputy of health, Stan Dubas, who called the alarming trend among teens ‘‘a serious situation” that ‘‘reinforces the need for some dramatic educational moves addressing lifestyle choices.”* But Vander Zalm doesn’t seem to think this is mec- essary. He has repeatedly refused to release an anti-AIDS video his own government created, and, B.C. is the only Canadian province whose medical plan will not pay for AZT, the only government-sanctioned AIDS treatment. While education cannot guarantee an immediate change in behavior, it remains the greatest weapon in curbing the spread of AIDS. Becavse health falls under provincial jurisdiction, the struggle against AIDS can only make strong head- way with dedicated leadership from the government — this must start with the premier himself. Publisher .. Peter Speck Managing Editor ___ Barret! Fisher Associate Editor Noel Wright Advertising Director Linda Stewart North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an incependent Subutoan newspaper and qualitied under Schedule 113, Parag‘aph It} of the Excise Tas Act. 1s published cacn Wednesday, Friday and Sunaay by North Snore Free Press Lid and distiputed to every coor on the North Shore Second Class Mail Regtstraton Number 3885 Subscnptions North and West Vancouvat, 525 pet year Maing tates available on request. Submissions are welcome Dut we cannot accept responsibility tor unsolicited matertal including Manuscripts and pictures which snould be accompanied oy a stamped, aGdtessed envelope SUNDAY © WEONESDAY » FHIDAY 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 59,170 (average. 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