To the editor,
I read with interest the feedback on Stephen Kimber’s question, “What now?” (June 11, Upfront).
The notion that previous governments have not done enough for the poor due to their support for the rich is misguided.
While I agree more needs to be done for those struggling, let’s not forget the hundreds of millions of dollars that corporate and private enterprises donate each year to not-for-profit organizations. These donations would not be possible if these companies were not able to thrive. Government would not be able to continue funding services for charities and social programs without the revenue they receive in part from corporate and business taxes.
There has to be a balance between what a government can be expected to do and what it can afford. While I did not support the current government at the ballot box, I will take a wait-and-see approach to see if the new government will be able to fulfill all its promises and live up to its expectations. Undoubtedly it will have to do it with the support of the business community, if we are to continue to prosper as a province.
—Chuck Boyd, Halifax
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This article appears in Jul 16-22, 2009.
The money they donate comes largely from the shrinking middle class. I don’t think the government needs to do more for the poor, just less for the rich. Maybe if the rich quit squeezing us out, we could manage on our own.