It never fails to amuse me that when it comes to giving an increase to the general population, like an increase in boosting the CPP, that our politicians always have a justification as to why this cannot be done at this time.
The timing is not right, we are still coming out of an economic downturn, and this would have an adverse effect on jobs and on and on.
Yet when it comes to enhancing their pay scales, giving out bonuses or upping their pensions, the time no matter how bad, always seems to be right and they have a myriad of reasons why this is so.
Have they considered that if you put more money in the general population's hands, they will spend more and thus generate tax revenue for the government?
Maybe, if they would lead by example and hold out on their raises, bonuses and gold-plated pensions, it would be easier for the public to accept their multitude of reasons why it just cannot be done now and see that it's not just the general public and those living on fixed incomes that have to tighten their belts.
While our provincial politicians reduced their wages by five per cent (which is just a token), they have upped their expense accounts by 10 per cent (tax free). How commendable.
As for the fantastic wages, huge bonuses and gold-plated pensions there are changes coming to bring these back into line, but has anyone noticed that it is not until after the next federal election so that those in power now get to reap all the benefits prior to retiring or getting ousted?
John D. Grant,
Kelowna