The theme seems to be “reduce operating spending, increase capital spending”. We’ll see how that will blow over with the opposition.

    • MyBrainHurts@piefed.ca
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      17 小时前

      Okay, but the person to whom I’m responding wanted to save money by taxing them. So, what services would you cut to be rid of the people who are paying for those services?

      • patatas@sh.itjust.works
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        15 小时前

        The problem with the existence of billionaires is really the wealth inequality itself, not the number of dollars in their bank accounts.

        Inequality is what gives the ultra-wealthy their outsized influence in the political economy.

        Dollars are not scarce items; the government can issue currency essentially at will. Taxes aren’t there to fund services. They exist to reduce inequality.

        So yes, tax the billionaires. And if they leave: we’re better off that way too!

        • MyBrainHurts@piefed.ca
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          15 小时前

          Sorry, I seriously disagree with about all of this.

          Inequality is what gives the ultra-wealthy their outsized influence in the political economy.

          This is about Canadian politics. We have strict rules and limits on donations, advertising and support. Like anything, could probably be better but it’s a pretty fair balance.

          the government can issue currency essentially at will.

          Apologies but this is childishly ignorant. Look to most countries in South America about the consequences of doing so. Inflation is very real and reducing the value of the Canadian dollar hurts those who can afford it least.

          Taxes aren’t there to fund services. They exist to reduce inequality.

          Absolutely not. Being equally poor without teachers, doctors, roads, defence, I mean my God.

          tax the billionaires

          We do. You let me know how much you think we do currently, how much more you would like.

          And if they leave: we’re better off that way too!

          Who needs hospitals, schools, emergency responders etc anyway? At least we won’t have dumb ol’ rich people anymore!

          • patatas@sh.itjust.works
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            11 小时前

            You’re welcome to disagree - but everything I said is factual. If there’s something you don’t understand, I’m happy to explain - just ask.

            • MyBrainHurts@piefed.ca
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              10 小时前

              the government can issue currency essentially at will.

              Okay, sure, this is technically true. In the same way that technically, you can drink bleach it’s just a very bad idea.

              • patatas@sh.itjust.works
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                10 小时前

                It’s literally how we dealt with the first phase of the Covid pandemic. Was keeping millions of Canadians from being evicted a bad idea?

                • MyBrainHurts@piefed.ca
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                  10 小时前

                  Covid, and emergencies like it, are entirely the point of fiscal responsibility!

                  In an emergency, you can max out your credit. If you do that on the regular, for non emergencies, not only will you end up paying an absurd amount of interest, but you won’t be able to borrow more when the next emergency happens!

                  • patatas@sh.itjust.works
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                    10 小时前

                    Great ok so we at least agree that issuing currency is not the fiscal equivalent of drinking bleach, and that there are good and bad reasons to do it.