Deforest City Blues: Is it the summer of your discontent? Pt 7

We are masters of consumption. We have been groomed well for the job since the 1940s.

Though our homes and cars are likely our largest expenditures, making us the target of many applicable taxes, I’m sure (if we are willing to admit it) our monthly budget books are filled with a long list of other habitual costs, thus making us an even bigger target for any consumption tax (e.g. the HST) or eco-fee.

Groceries, TV cable, phone bills, entertainment, restaurant meals, makeup, clothing, items for the house (e.g., plants, pets, art work, out-door furniture, ottomans, etc.), and other ‘wants’ and needs, etc., etc., don’t come cheap and taxes add up, thus making for a real summer of discontent for some people in Deforest City.

Oh, what should we do if not reduce the size and cost of our homes and cars and many other essential and non-essential items?

I’d recommend we should at least educate ourselves about taxation and its benefits so we know more about where our money goes.

Then we should make a better effort to reduce spending in order to escape fees and levies and taxes. Then pay down debt, and save money for tough times ahead.

From a personal point of view, i believe that peace of mind and relative calm is connected not only to our financial well-being but also to our social, emotional, intellectual, even spiritual well-being.

Personal finances may only be a small piece of the pie but it has certainly been getting a lot of press lately. The other areas of our lives surely deserve as much attention and if they received it perhaps the next time a new or higher tax comes along (and it will, it surely will) many people won’t see red as quickly or blame whatever level of government is closest at hand.


We should be prepared for more costs and subsequent fireworks from some observers because the North American lifestyle is a totally unsustainable addiction and a humble retreat and recovery from continuous consumption may be a very healthy option.

In closing allow me to say the following:

This is 2010 and many Londoners, like many other North Americans, have developed an overblown sense of entitlement during the last 50 - 60 years.

Mention the HST and you’ll hear, “Shite!”

Mention an eco-fee, you’ll hear, “Shite!”

Mention the government and you’ll hear, “Triple shite!”

I say the HST is a consumption tax and if you want less tax then consume less.


I say the eco-fee might pay for some of our recycling costs and if you want fewer charges then use fewer resources.

I say we get the government we deserve.

I also say we are entitled to city council’s best effort and the same from MPs and MPPs, but it means we must also put forth our best effort within a modern society.

And we must think - what is our water resource entitled to?

Our best effort to conserve, perhaps?

What is our air entitled to?

Are not our forests, fish stocks, lakes, oceans, farm fields, and other countless natural resources entitled to our best effort as well?

Have we been giving anything close to our best?

We seldom talk about reparations to the environment our generation has squandered and abused.

We seldom discuss the cost of environmental repair and who is responsible.

Still, we’ll bitch and moan and write 100s of words about a $2 eco-fee on a bag of cement.

How long will we continue to believe that we’re entitled to so much from our surroundings while giving so little back in return?

Until the last strike of our environment’s clock? To our last breath?

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