Dear Editor: In his July 23 letter to the editor, Ken Timewell makes many unsubstantiated state- ments, one of which is that “these people” — the Fraser Jnstitute and its supporters — seek, as their “ultimate goal... to destroy the public sector, undermine government and democracy, dercgulate the economy and allow the rich and powerful further freedom to profit at the expense of both the environment and society in general.” Tam one of the “these people” to whom Mr. Timewell refers. | am a sup- porter of the Fraser Institute. I seek to deregulate, to some extent, the economy, and I do want the freedom to create profit. Contrary to Mr. Timewell’s assertion, I fail to sec how creating more free- dom for the individual neces- sarily undermines democracy and destroys the environment. { deo demand accountability and I am opposed to inctfec- tive redistribution of wealth. But he is wrong in asserting that, because f demand accountability, 1 do nor see the wisdom in, or have the jon for, helping oth- my fair share of tax most British Columbians off and otherwise, pay a great deal of tax, both personally and through my unde corporate inves eral income provincial income tax, federal excise tax, federal goods and services tax, provincial sales rax, federal large corporations tax, provin- cial large corporations provincial capital tax, muni pal property t miscella- neous uasi-government levies and, if | happen to buy a nice car (like say a car-pooling environmentally friendly mini- van), I pay a provincial luxury car purchase tax, and if I buy a house, I pay a property pur- chase tax; and so on. In adding up “all of these taxes, I have paid well in excess of 60% of my total income, to the var- ious levels of government that are out there, over the last several years. Isn’t this enough? Would it be unreasonable for me to north shore news MAIL BOX Freedom to make money fetiered think that its too much? In any event, is it unreasonable to demand ascountability te these taxes, particularly when zm to be so poorly managed and possibly even abused? Are my tases ceally helping those who need help? Is th: level of today’s historically high level of government reg- ulation and spending reaily achieving the objectives intended to achieve? These are not unreasonable questions. We read, see, and hear, day in and day out about govern- mental back room dealings, double speak, sweet heart deals for unions and pet bus nesses (bankrupt pulp mills, trucking companies trom Kelowna, car makers from Germany just to name a few) not to mention Bingogate, Hydrogate and Gambling- gate. Layer this with giving well over half your income to the government, day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year. As it any wonder that peo- ple are going to demand more choice, innovation — and accountability. trom) govern- mene And in making these demands does it really mean that “these people” want to undermine democracy or destroy the environment: or that they do not want to help the unfortunate? I think not. ‘Fhey just want competence, fairness and ho esty. Eric Carlson West Vancouver Augus Come Feel the Power of The Dynamics! August 15 2pm to 4pm Let the music flow through your body and capture your soul with The Dynamics, a ten piece Rhythm & Blues powerhouse! Open 7 Days a Week Daily 9:30am-6:30pm Friday 9:30am-9:00pm www.lonsdalequay.com Tel. (604) 985-6261 123 Carrie Cates Court at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver Festival Sponsors Wednesday, August 11, 1999 - North Shore News — 9 Dr. Ramona Penner & Dr. Kyra Roeck have moved. Effective August 16/99 their new office is located at 1315 St. Georges Ave., North Va (comer of 13th & St. Georges) New Patients Welcome