Strike two this week for the McGuinty government. After backing off their proposed "fat tax" on cheap meals (about as appetizing an idea as a day-old cheeseburger), they gambled on a "dream tax" on lottery and gaming winnings - and lost again. That suggestion got hammered on the talk radio circuit for all of twenty-four hours, before the finance minister folded his cards and said it's not under serious consideration.

But don't think this is the last tax initiative to come out of this government. McGuinty and company are also talking about user fees, road tolls, and higher fees for services like driver's licences. Makes you wonder: what's left to tax Well, if you think about it, there are plenty of creative ways to separate taxpayers from their money.

How about user fees for sidewalks All those shoes wearing down the pavement. All those people spitting out their gum and making those ugly black marks. The only difficulty would be in setting the rates. Should children pay less than adults because they have smaller feet, or pay more, because they chew more gum

Then there's the air we breathe. Why not tax that too Considering how many people gasp for breath in Toronto, especially when they receive their property tax bill, something really should be done. Encouraging people to breathe less by taxing each exhalation and inhalation would increase the amount of air available to all - and bring in millions for the government.

Or what about a window tax It would be a progressive tax - the more windows you have, the nicer your view, the more tax you pay. Rich households, which are bigger and tend to have more windows, would therefore pay more tax. Heck, the government could probably get the NDP's support on this one.

Think these taxes sound ridiculous Think they could never happen Think again. The window tax was actually imposed by King William III of England in 1696 and wasn't repealed until 55 years later. It didn't just hit the rich - it resulted in many British shopkeepers bricking up their windows. Yet another classic case of taxes hurting business and the economy.

Here in twenty-first century Ontario, more taxes aren't the answer either. Premier McGuinty has to get a handle on spending, which is approaching levels not seen since the deficit days of Bob Rae. He has to tackle government waste, like outrageous salaries and perks at OPG, Hydro One and the LCBO. And he has to just say no to corporate welfare, and stop throwing hundreds of millions of tax dollars at automakers and failing steel plants.

Siphoning more money from taxpayers won't get Ontario back on track. Governing responsibly will. And for Premier McGuinty, that means keeping his election promise not to raise taxes and not to run a deficit.

That's why the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has started a Pledge Petition, asking the Premier to keep his word. To date, thousands of Ontarians have signed online, or sent in petition coupons by mail. There are just over two weeks to go till Budget Day, so we're spreading the word even further so all Ontarians can have their say.

To sign the petition asking Premier McGuinty not to raise taxes or run a deficit, CLICK HERE and make your voice heard!

Just think - if we speak up now, maybe all Ontarians will breathe a little easier after May 18.