Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
The NDP wants you to pay for its operating costs, with your taxes. No choice.
The PC party does, too, with your donations. You choose.
Let’s be clear. You already pay political parties through a system that refunds costs such as signs and advertising after elections. Candidates have to receive 10 per cent of the votes cast to qualify. Every province does this.
But what the NDP proposed four years ago and what it is poised to try again is different. This is a vote tax. The payment will be an annual handout based on old election results. You may change your party preference but regardless the tax-backed cheques just keep flowing. Some call it welfare for political parties.
The PC party wants to earn your support. We are willing to work for it. We are not too tired to fundraise. In fact, we think it’s our responsibility.
Voting is an individual exercise. It’s deeply personal. Some of us even think it’s an important and valuable right. But others don’t feel that way. This detachment will only worsen if political parties stop engaging Manitobans and become wards of the state.
Listening to and including Manitobans in the political process of policy development, organizational work and yes, fundraising, are all part and parcel of building relevant political parties.
The NDP lazy levy makes that work less urgent. It rewards past results but not ongoing effort. At election time and between elections, it is for individual Manitobans, not the government, to decide which political party they want to support with their time and money.
The NDP feels entitled to an unearned handout.
The Progressive Conservative party is committed to earning your support the Manitoba way by reaching out and asking for it. We will not accept the vote tax.
BRIAN PALLISTER
Progressive Conservative
Leader of the Official
Opposition
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition September 27, 2012
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The NDP wants you to pay for its operating costs, with your taxes. No choice.
The PC party does, too, with your donations. You choose.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
The NDP wants you to pay for its operating costs, with your taxes. No choice.
The PC party does, too, with your donations. You choose.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 2 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Posted by:Bill the Needle
September 28, 2012 at 5:49 AM
Andy, It is MPs, not MLAs, that start out at around $160,000 a year. MLAs get much less.
If the PCs can do it with donations, the NDP should be able to do it. Think of all those rich socialists in Winnipeg!
Posted by:Andy9
September 27, 2012 at 8:34 AM
Not only should we not pay for politicians "operating costs", but why pay them at all? Their gold-plated pensions, their "travel allowance" (read "slush fund"); etc. etc. A reasonable stipend for services rendered is all they need. We'd be better governed by enthusiastic volunteers than these fat-cat career M.P.s just in it for the moolah.