My OperaIf I were PM......
Friday, February 2, 2007 6:37:31 AM
I would do the following:
- Legalize Marijuana for anyone 14 and older , let stores from the local mom and pop to Canadian Tire sell it and all the fine accessories that go with it, seeds, bongs, pipes, hash etc. I would then use the "Tax Money" (5% tax) money to fund health care, like build new hospitals, fast track foreign Doctors so they can get Canadian Credentials sooner so they practice sooner. I would also prohibit the provinces from taxing "pot" or trying to raise the legal age.
- Clear the records of anyone who has been charges with possession of drugs.
- Taxation would be taken away from the provinces.
- Lower the voting age to 14.
-Take away Health Care ( Liquor, gaming, ferries, labour as well )from the provinces. This way no middle man and with increased tax revenue from various sources. (which I will mention shortly). I think the provinces are really doing a piss poor job as is our current federal government on this matter.
There also would be no monthly medical premiums that Ont, BC and very rich Alberta charge. Everyone would get a federal medical card so it could be used in every province or territory.
I would also bring in universal Dental coverage so people when they go to a dentist can just use their "Federal Health Card".
Ambulance rides would also be covered.
- Universal Child Care for any family that makes under 75,000 a year in combined household income and nominal charges for those who make more.
- Extra fitness activities no matter what age,whether you are one or a hundred, like for soccer, hockey, football, Gymnastics, Karate, Tai Chi, Skating and Swimming lessons etc would be either a 100% tax right off or free.
- No jail time for minor crimes but focus on rehabilitation instead. Properly fund and make sure there are enough places for people to rehab. If you go to rehab no jail or criminal record. I would also see to it there is housing and job training, job finding and any other programmes these people need when they get out.
- Jails would close under my watch. There are better alternatives to jail unless you commit a violent act.
- Young offenders act would be changed so no one under 14 could be charged period. I would prohibit youths being raised to adult court. However I would start community programmes to help youths out and try to get them on the "right track". Mentoring and various programmes to help them. Kids need someone to talk to or look up to if they are not getting it at home and a lack of a good role model is what hurts kids and causes them to feel "lost". Camping trips and working with animals is good rehab in my books as it lets people bond with one another or animals so they can get some self worth and feel like they are contributing.
- Those 15 - the day before they turn 18 would have a choice of getting fined, jail or community service. Not the community service as we know it now but go to rural areas, poor areas and help build houses, pave roads, lay sewer pipe etc they would get free accommodation , food and 12 bucks an hour. This way they would get to see the country, meet new people, learn about new cultures, learn some life lessons and maybe find a trade or career they might like. This would of course be done on the summer break from school.
Joining Cadets or the Navy/Army/Air Force reserves until they turn 18 would be another option instead of jail.
Unless you are a murderer, rapist, child molester, commit a crime with a gun or commit any other violent crime, sending someone to jail, regardless of age, does not really accomplish anything.
- Even though the SCOC gutted section 43 of the criminal code, I would remove it completely.
- I would also add extra funding for people on welfare so they can get free bus passes, job training and any other resource they need to help them get their lives back on track and more money for rent and food so they could live like people.
Yes unlike right wing governments I have a heart and care about people, who cares what they may or may not have done in the past, if people need help they would get it under my watch. You cant change the past, you can come to terms with it but you can change the future with the right help via social programmes etc.
- I would also ban automakers from selling any vehicle in Canada that does not get 40 mpg. I would pass legislation that by 2012 no fossil fuels vehicles can be sold in Canada. They would have to be hybrids, electric, solar, hydrogen, propane, natural gas etc.
Of course they would bitch especially the former big 3 (GM, Chrysler. Ford) but if they wanted to sell vehicles in Canada they sure in hell would get it done. We have the technology, do not be fooled into believing otherwise, we just have gutless politicians who are too scared to really do anything. It is big oil and politicians in the pockets of oil and auto is the reason we are still running vehicles on filthy dirty dinosaur fossils.
- People who buy hybrids, smart cars, mopeds, electric mopeds would be tax free and get a one time 2000 dollar tax deduction.
-Windmills, Tidal power, Solar power would be greatly expanded. People would get tax credits for converting to geo thermal,solar panels etc. All new houses, apartments, buildings would have to be a lot more energy efficient than they are now and use Geo Thermal heating, have solar panels and a windmill.
- Transit companies that need buses would get a generous tax deduction if they switched from diesel to electric trolley buses like they have in Vancouver and Edmonton where applicable. Non diesel/gas buses as long as they were clean would get the same breaks.
-Environmental education would be taught in the class rooms right from Kindergarten on up.
-All post secondary education would be free as would books for courses. Plus free transit passes.
- Ferries that are extensions of highways, like southern BC, inland ferries and the east coast etc would be free.
Now you may ask, how much my vision would cost? or where the money would come from? Well here is my answer.
We pay a lot of taxes when we purchase something, on our pay cheques etc. That money is not well spent. Too much waste. Most things like Healthcare, Liquor, gaming, would be federalized and run properly under my watch. There would be no waste like there is now.
- For starters a 20% "Junk food" tax would be applied to fast food, candy bars, pop and all that other unhealthy stuff and be funnelled for the most part into Health Care, as that is where the heavy use of medical resources would be caused from. Obesity causes, cancer, heart attacks, diabetes and is just as bad if not worse than smoking.
- Provinces would not be able to charge a gas tax, however i would implement a straight 20 cent a litre tax for gasoline and use that for roads and environmentally friendly projects. Here in Vancouver area with the unelected GVRD and Translink board in addition to the feds, province and city have 5 levels of government and they all tax, that is too much. Bridges, roads etc would be federalized.
- No more tax breaks for corporations including the oil patch, no more subsidies and the oil patch their fees paid to drill or remove the dirty filthy antiquated fossil fuels would increase substantially and that money will be used for infrastructure, health care, military, social programmes and clean technology.
- The whole banking business will be changed. No more gouging people while they make so much profit, same for oil companies. They would be put on notice to shape up or ship out. Banks wil have to pay a new 25% surcharge tax on all those gross profits and that will be used to help the people of Canada. If they do not like it, well tough.
Fines for polluting violators would go up 1000 fold whether it is Oil, Forestry , mining etc. Plus all work will be stopped until they paid their fine or cleaned up their mess, if not the Ceo/president can sit in a cell until it is done.
The grants, tax breaks and funding cut off from big oil and other industries like big auto,would go to companies and people that work and develop green technology.
Better yet, I would federalize the oil industry and force them to clean up their act and mess. But under my watch, there would be no need for the oil industry by the time I get the country on track.
- The money from Marijuana tax (5%) would go to health care.
- Labour would be taken away from the provinces as well. There would be a universal nationwide Labour act with a minimum wage of 12 bucks an hour and 15 for northern areas and the territories.
- There would also be 16 statutory Holidays in a calendar year. Darwin Day would be added as one as would Terry Fox Day.
- The CWB would remain as is.
- Mp's who wished to cross the floor would have to run in a by election.
Well that is a brief summary of what I would do.
Some may think I am nuts but really this country needs a change and someone like me who is honest and tells it like it is would get the job done. Politicians now a days seem to be under the control of large corporations and we need someone who is not afraid to stand up to those corporate thugs.
Whether you agree with my post or not, at least unlike a lot of politicians I am honest. So fortunately or unfortunately I will never be pm, but hey ya never know........
- Legalize Marijuana for anyone 14 and older , let stores from the local mom and pop to Canadian Tire sell it and all the fine accessories that go with it, seeds, bongs, pipes, hash etc. I would then use the "Tax Money" (5% tax) money to fund health care, like build new hospitals, fast track foreign Doctors so they can get Canadian Credentials sooner so they practice sooner. I would also prohibit the provinces from taxing "pot" or trying to raise the legal age.
- Clear the records of anyone who has been charges with possession of drugs.
- Taxation would be taken away from the provinces.
- Lower the voting age to 14.
-Take away Health Care ( Liquor, gaming, ferries, labour as well )from the provinces. This way no middle man and with increased tax revenue from various sources. (which I will mention shortly). I think the provinces are really doing a piss poor job as is our current federal government on this matter.
There also would be no monthly medical premiums that Ont, BC and very rich Alberta charge. Everyone would get a federal medical card so it could be used in every province or territory.
I would also bring in universal Dental coverage so people when they go to a dentist can just use their "Federal Health Card".
Ambulance rides would also be covered.
- Universal Child Care for any family that makes under 75,000 a year in combined household income and nominal charges for those who make more.
- Extra fitness activities no matter what age,whether you are one or a hundred, like for soccer, hockey, football, Gymnastics, Karate, Tai Chi, Skating and Swimming lessons etc would be either a 100% tax right off or free.
- No jail time for minor crimes but focus on rehabilitation instead. Properly fund and make sure there are enough places for people to rehab. If you go to rehab no jail or criminal record. I would also see to it there is housing and job training, job finding and any other programmes these people need when they get out.
- Jails would close under my watch. There are better alternatives to jail unless you commit a violent act.
- Young offenders act would be changed so no one under 14 could be charged period. I would prohibit youths being raised to adult court. However I would start community programmes to help youths out and try to get them on the "right track". Mentoring and various programmes to help them. Kids need someone to talk to or look up to if they are not getting it at home and a lack of a good role model is what hurts kids and causes them to feel "lost". Camping trips and working with animals is good rehab in my books as it lets people bond with one another or animals so they can get some self worth and feel like they are contributing.
- Those 15 - the day before they turn 18 would have a choice of getting fined, jail or community service. Not the community service as we know it now but go to rural areas, poor areas and help build houses, pave roads, lay sewer pipe etc they would get free accommodation , food and 12 bucks an hour. This way they would get to see the country, meet new people, learn about new cultures, learn some life lessons and maybe find a trade or career they might like. This would of course be done on the summer break from school.
Joining Cadets or the Navy/Army/Air Force reserves until they turn 18 would be another option instead of jail.
Unless you are a murderer, rapist, child molester, commit a crime with a gun or commit any other violent crime, sending someone to jail, regardless of age, does not really accomplish anything.
- Even though the SCOC gutted section 43 of the criminal code, I would remove it completely.
- I would also add extra funding for people on welfare so they can get free bus passes, job training and any other resource they need to help them get their lives back on track and more money for rent and food so they could live like people.
Yes unlike right wing governments I have a heart and care about people, who cares what they may or may not have done in the past, if people need help they would get it under my watch. You cant change the past, you can come to terms with it but you can change the future with the right help via social programmes etc.
- I would also ban automakers from selling any vehicle in Canada that does not get 40 mpg. I would pass legislation that by 2012 no fossil fuels vehicles can be sold in Canada. They would have to be hybrids, electric, solar, hydrogen, propane, natural gas etc.
Of course they would bitch especially the former big 3 (GM, Chrysler. Ford) but if they wanted to sell vehicles in Canada they sure in hell would get it done. We have the technology, do not be fooled into believing otherwise, we just have gutless politicians who are too scared to really do anything. It is big oil and politicians in the pockets of oil and auto is the reason we are still running vehicles on filthy dirty dinosaur fossils.
- People who buy hybrids, smart cars, mopeds, electric mopeds would be tax free and get a one time 2000 dollar tax deduction.
-Windmills, Tidal power, Solar power would be greatly expanded. People would get tax credits for converting to geo thermal,solar panels etc. All new houses, apartments, buildings would have to be a lot more energy efficient than they are now and use Geo Thermal heating, have solar panels and a windmill.
- Transit companies that need buses would get a generous tax deduction if they switched from diesel to electric trolley buses like they have in Vancouver and Edmonton where applicable. Non diesel/gas buses as long as they were clean would get the same breaks.
-Environmental education would be taught in the class rooms right from Kindergarten on up.
-All post secondary education would be free as would books for courses. Plus free transit passes.
- Ferries that are extensions of highways, like southern BC, inland ferries and the east coast etc would be free.
Now you may ask, how much my vision would cost? or where the money would come from? Well here is my answer.
We pay a lot of taxes when we purchase something, on our pay cheques etc. That money is not well spent. Too much waste. Most things like Healthcare, Liquor, gaming, would be federalized and run properly under my watch. There would be no waste like there is now.
- For starters a 20% "Junk food" tax would be applied to fast food, candy bars, pop and all that other unhealthy stuff and be funnelled for the most part into Health Care, as that is where the heavy use of medical resources would be caused from. Obesity causes, cancer, heart attacks, diabetes and is just as bad if not worse than smoking.
- Provinces would not be able to charge a gas tax, however i would implement a straight 20 cent a litre tax for gasoline and use that for roads and environmentally friendly projects. Here in Vancouver area with the unelected GVRD and Translink board in addition to the feds, province and city have 5 levels of government and they all tax, that is too much. Bridges, roads etc would be federalized.
- No more tax breaks for corporations including the oil patch, no more subsidies and the oil patch their fees paid to drill or remove the dirty filthy antiquated fossil fuels would increase substantially and that money will be used for infrastructure, health care, military, social programmes and clean technology.
- The whole banking business will be changed. No more gouging people while they make so much profit, same for oil companies. They would be put on notice to shape up or ship out. Banks wil have to pay a new 25% surcharge tax on all those gross profits and that will be used to help the people of Canada. If they do not like it, well tough.
Fines for polluting violators would go up 1000 fold whether it is Oil, Forestry , mining etc. Plus all work will be stopped until they paid their fine or cleaned up their mess, if not the Ceo/president can sit in a cell until it is done.
The grants, tax breaks and funding cut off from big oil and other industries like big auto,would go to companies and people that work and develop green technology.
Better yet, I would federalize the oil industry and force them to clean up their act and mess. But under my watch, there would be no need for the oil industry by the time I get the country on track.
- The money from Marijuana tax (5%) would go to health care.
- Labour would be taken away from the provinces as well. There would be a universal nationwide Labour act with a minimum wage of 12 bucks an hour and 15 for northern areas and the territories.
- There would also be 16 statutory Holidays in a calendar year. Darwin Day would be added as one as would Terry Fox Day.
- The CWB would remain as is.
- Mp's who wished to cross the floor would have to run in a by election.
Well that is a brief summary of what I would do.
Some may think I am nuts but really this country needs a change and someone like me who is honest and tells it like it is would get the job done. Politicians now a days seem to be under the control of large corporations and we need someone who is not afraid to stand up to those corporate thugs.
Whether you agree with my post or not, at least unlike a lot of politicians I am honest. So fortunately or unfortunately I will never be pm, but hey ya never know........
