YOU SAID IT: Bit of budgeting advice

BIT OF BUDGETING ADVICE

Re: Rate hikes and debt? Ottawa’s $10.8B infrastructure gap: Here’s what you need to know, June 10

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As a taxpayer and someone who has “budgeted” much of my life (from necessity and because I was raised in a one-income family and learned to), I wonder why it is so difficult for politicians to spend within our means.

We keep hearing about “government spending” when, in fact, it’s taxpayers’ spending. Having said that, it’s time for all levels of government to stop funding things that don’t benefit the city/province/country as a whole. Stop handing over our tax dollars to special-interest groups and wars in other countries. Stop bringing in more people; our housing, health care and social assistance are all in crisis because the Liberals continue to flood the country with people we can’t handle.

Infrastructure should be the first priority, especially when money is tight. Taxes and fees that are collected for specific services should only be spent on that service. Water fees on water infrastructure. Don’t have a lot of snow one winter? Take the leftover in that budget and keep it for next year, when we may have more than normal snowfall.

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If we don’t have it, then don’t spend it, and stop playing with the books. The concept is pretty simple, and, if we stick to it, no level of government should be in the red.

As for the city, build the damn incinerator; it was studied decades ago, and, had it been built then, it would have cost a fraction of the projected cost now, and it would provide the city with energy.

Maybe it’s time for politicians to get out of the way and for Canadians to be put first for a change.

SANDY JOHNSTON
GREELY

CHARLES A CLASS ACT

Whether you are a supporter of the monarchy or not, King Charles III certainly has shown himself to be a class act who, after his parliamentary speech, took the time to reach out and shake the hands of so many Canadian admirers.

His Majesty, even while facing his mortality in his cancer battle, continues with royal duties by visiting Canada to show the Crown’s support for us during these troubling times.

PETER J. MIDDLEMORE SR.
WINDSOR, ONT.

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