Speaking of ‘sharing' - time for politicians to let Albertans keep more of their own money

A few questions for Alberta's Lt.-Governor Lois Hole, arising from her remarks at the Legislature on September 1st.

It's true that Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Lt.-Governor Lois Hole are both supposed to be above politics. But when they themselves choose to make political statements, they are no longer exempt from questions, criticisms and responses. Mrs. Hole talked about "sharing," and advocated spending more tax dollars on the arts and other government programs.

Are "sharing" and "spending tax dollars" the same thing?

If Bob takes money out of Peter's wallet and gives that money to Paul, is Bob sharing? Or is Bob violating Peter's autonomy, dignity, freedom and choice?

What if Paul has less money than Peter? Would Bob then be justified in taking some of Peter's money and giving that money to Paul? Or would that still be stealing, regardless of the good intention to help Paul?

If Bob takes $10 from Peter and gives the $10 to the Salvation Army, neither Bob nor Peter is sharing. Sharing, by definition, is done voluntarily, using one's own time, money and other resources. Forcing others to pay for your agenda - no matter how good that agenda may be - isn't sharing.

If forcing Peter to pay for the charity of Bob's choice is a bad idea on a small scale, why would it become good on a large scale? As an individual, Bob would be a thief if he stole Peter's money secretly, or Bob would be a robber if he extracted Peter's money through force or with threats. Why would this change if Bob is the government?

These are questions which generate angry e-mails, filled with accusations of lack of compassion. "You don't care about Paul, or about his misfortune and suffering" is what the outrage boils down to. But the issue isn't whether or not Paul needs help. The issue is whether Albertans themselves are smart enough and compassionate enough to make their own choices about how much to give, to whom, and in what way - or whether politicians should make these decisions on our behalf.

Regarding the arts, of course they should be funded, because they enrich our lives. But how should they be funded? Should Albertans enjoy the freedom and dignity of deciding themselves which forms of art, music, literature and entertainment they wish to pay for, and how much they wish to spend? Or should politicians make these choices on our behalf? The question is relevant, because government has no money of its own. The only money spent by government is money it first took from taxpayers. The arts should be funded by Albertans themselves, without the "help" of politicians and bureaucrats making these choices for us.

If Mrs. Hole was advocating sharing in the true sense of the word, I applaud her sentiments. Those who have been blessed with skill and talent and the ability to earn lots of money should share their good fortune with people who are less fortunate.

However, if Mrs. Hole meant that even more tax dollars should be spent on government programs, I must disagree. This current fiscal year, Premier Klein's Tories are spending 86% more on government programs than they were eight years ago, in 1996-97. Alberta's population growth and inflation in the past eight years don't come anywhere close to 86%. Alberta spends more, per person, on government programs than any province in Canada.

While spending by politicians is up 86%, most Albertans have not enjoyed an 86% increase in their household budgets since 1996. An Alberta family with children earning $35,000 is required to pay $1,056 per year in health care premium taxes - all of which goes into general revenues - in addition to provincial taxes on income, property, fuel, insurance, etc. While swimming in billions and billions of tax dollars, Premier Klein continues gouging families with this $1,056 in extra taxes.

Perhaps it's time for politicians to start sharing - simply be letting Albertans keep more of the money for which they work so hard. Scrapping the deceptive and regressive health care premium tax would be a good way to start.