Bring it on
The economic downturn has thrown into stark relief that our political democratic process is broken. Politicians squander our long-term future: Why take a decision today if you can hand it off to the next elected bunch? Let’s not make decisions based on what’s best, let’s make them based on what will appeal to the electoral base.
Italy, Greece and now Ontario are relying on technocrats to do what the politicians are incapable of doing. Bring on the technocrats (Ontario’s Challenge ‘Unprecedented’ – Feb. 16).
Martin McMahon, Kelowna, B.C.
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Until all public-sector workers are paid a free-market rate, they will continue to be overpaid (and over-benefitted). I suspect that the implementation of this one change alone, cost-wise, could equal the impact of all the Drummond report’s 362 recommendations.
Dennis Jordan, Huntsville, Ont.
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The separate Catholic school system is a wasteful duplication of services that Ontario can’t afford. If Quebec and Newfoundland can get rid of public funding for Catholic school systems, Ontario can, too.
Amy McConnell, Toronto
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Don Drummond’s points, while valid, aren’t new to anyone with any insight. We have perpetuated a provincial health-care system with increased spending and not enough accountability, and it is putting the province into the poorhouse. As a health-care provider, I have firsthand knowledge of what has evolved with prior attempts at “reform.” Spending has increased, while overall access to care and quality of care have not improved significantly. There is still obvious waste which, unchecked, contributes to rising cost.
After corresponding with the Ministry of Health last summer, I was “reassured” that the Auditor-General’s report would be examining whether or not we get our money’s worth. Even if this is true, whose responsibility is it to affect any change or ensure efficiency? To date, it hasn’t been done by anyone.
Might I sum up the solution to the problem in five simple words: real accountability, increased efficiency, now.
David Hughes Glass, MD, Kincardine, Ont.
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Now we have the big, long, painful list of how Ontario might cut expenditures. Where is the corresponding list of how we might increase revenues? Let’s have the whole conversation.
Robin Wardlaw, Newmarket, Ont.
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As far as I can tell, former TD bank economist Don Drummond didn’t recommend a bank tax. How then will bankers be able to share the pain with us? Perhaps they could consider donating a chunk of their bonuses – or encourage Dalton McGuinty to institute a financial transaction tax. Both would have an immediate effect on reducing the debt.
Now, where do I send my consultant’s invoice?
Barry Healey, Toronto
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Blowing a joint
Gary Mason suggests that legalizing marijuana will produce policy complexities (Legalize Weed, Yes, But The Demon’s In The Details – Feb. 16). Here are just a few: 1) Marijuana makes people with some mental illnesses more prone to psychosis. How will we protect vulnerable people from this harm?; 2) Marijuana smoke is as damaging to physical health as tobacco smoke; 3) Because raw marijuana has been accepted as a “medication,” anti-smoking regulations must be strengthened so they can be applied even to those who claim they are taking medication; 4) Legal marijuana will become a gift worth billions to Big Tobacco. The industry will devote its vast resources to obfuscating research on health effects, resisting regulation, targeting youth and maximizing marijuana’s addictive qualities; 5) Roadside tests must be developed to detect and prosecute drivers impaired by marijuana.
We need careful preparation before we jump on this bandwagon.
Judith Anderson, Burnaby, B.C.
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Re Paul McCartney Quits Smoking Pot To Be A Better Parent (Feb. 16): Maybe Sir Paul is just trying to get back to where he once belonged.
Douglas Cornish, Ottawa
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Green exit strategy
