Welcome to Harperville: “Smoke and fire, definitely, down your pants”

[“There is no Plan B, so if you feel the heat a-risin’ up your pant leg, a weak, short-sighted economic plan for 35 million people in a warming climate may be one reason.” GH, Jan. 13, Welcome to Harperville]

Please note: In Canada, the minority of people live in Harperville. And the minority is getting smaller.

“Once again Stephen Harper has overstepped his role as prime minister. He dreams up outlandish ideas about pension plans and doesn’t consult the MPs we elected to tell him what to do.” So begins a recent letter to the editor by Paul W. in the London Free Press (Feb. 6).

Paul neglects to mention that after Mr. Harper dreamt about making Canadians live a few more years before collecting their old age security cheque in order to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest of Canadians, he announced his intentions in Switzerland, i.e., thousands and thousands of miles away from any loyal subjects who also might have an opinion in the matter. Paul should add, "What a weaselly move!" However, he does go on to say that our PM should “throw in the towel” because he’s lost the respect of his party members and “those of us unfortunate enough to have voted for his party.”

I’d be happy to hear what you think about delaying the OAS. Perhaps you’re a senior who feels you’ll really need it when the time comes, i.e., at age 65, and can’t afford any delay. Perhaps you’re a Conservative Party member who is willing to sacrifice a few years of OAS so that Corporate Canada can get more tax breaks in order to do whatever corporations do with tax breaks. Explain to me what they do, if you can.


[“Been thinking about your pension? Save up - now”]

Personally, though I enjoy my lovely little pension now and will apply for OAS when the time comes, I know that public pensions are under pressure, are under funded, and lengthy discussions will be needed about how to maintain the future health of retirement supports. I also know that pensions are supported, in part, by government revenues (also under pressure), so that is likely where the PM’s dreams should first be directed.

Any PM who dreams about taking money from the elderly to support the wealthiest in Canada is just blowing smoke and fire up your pants.

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Thank you to Paul W.

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