In Socialist Toronto, Books Read You

This week, Toronto City Council endured the longest meeting in their history.  Spanning over 22 hours, 168 socialists, labour union leaders, and lobbyist argued, complained, and in some cases ridiculed Rob Ford over the city's proposed service cuts and privatization of other services.  The message I got from these people was very simple - DO NOT CUT ANYTHING.  Apparently, these people believe that Toronto does not have a spending problem.
I am shocked and also amused at these people and their disapproval for the current Mayor of Toronto and his attempts to fix many of the spending issues we have had since the election of David "the Swiffer King" Miller.  Where were they when Miller decided to spend $400 000 to build $0.25 public pay toilets (if you do the math, it is going to take 1.6 million flushes to pay off these shitters)?  Or those wonderful gourmet food stands that no one wanted, but apparently we needed? How about the cities decision to create a  $60.00 Vehicle registration tax?  Wasn't the city taking the money out the hands of hard working Torontonians and giving it to a wasteful council?  I guess these people thought that this was fine.

After researching this further, I have come to a few conclusions about our city

1. There are 169 annoying people in Toronto (Adam Vaughan is one of them)

Sure does!

Whether you are a crying 14 year-old girl, or a Grandmother with a bad haircut, if you were one of the 168 people that decided not to go to work and instead go to this speak or cheer at the last city council, - you are annoying.  I don't mind you coming and speaking your mind at the council, what do I mind is when people bring sock puppets, write songs, or do really bad impressions and expect people like me to take you seriously.  I wont.

Not only are you all annoying, you are absolutely selfish.  Instead of proposing ways the city may cut some "grease", the only option I tend to hear continually is "tax the rich"...which leads me to my next point

2. Tax The Rich(er than me)



Over and over again we hear the same thing, "share the wealth", "tax the rich"... it never seems to end.  But here is one thing people never seem to notice, when one says that the rich should be taxed, he is talking about those that are richer than himself.  A person who makes $30 000 will consider a person that makes $60 000 rich; however, if you ask him if he thinks he is rich,  he will disagree and state that a person who makes $120 000 is rich.  Whenever someone states that the rich should be taxed, they are considering people that make more than them, and do not place themselves in the "rich" bracket.  I bet if these people were placed in the rich bracket, they wouldn't be so supportive towards taxation.
And here is another thing... the rich don't pay taxes!  They have enough accountants to find loopholes in our system so that they do not pay; instead, it's the middle class that is forced to pay the taxes that fund these services.

3. Toronto Does Have Too Many Libraries

"and so they told me there is no 'H' in Italy..."

That's right, I said it! While the Toronto Libraries are some of the most frequented in the world,  the city has far too many establishments for its population.  The city of Toronto has 99 locations!  That is 12 more than New York (87), 22 more than Chicago, and 27 more than Los Angeles  (72) - all cities with a greater population than ourselves.  I feel that city is wasting a crap load of money on many of these buildings when they can do something things that can save them.
One way the city can save is by becoming digital.  By having a great deal of your resources available online, Torontonians are able to access the libraries services from home 24 hours a day.  Another way the city may save is by placing an extra emphasis on school libraries.  Every school in Toronto has library that is barely used.  The city should find ways that the school library resources are more available to the public.

4. The City Should Review The Funding of The City Arts/Theatres

Indie...the new emo

The city should seriously consider reviewing its funding for many art programs that run throughout Toronto.  I am a big fan of the arts and believe that they have a strong influence in the city's culture; however, any conservative that has gone to any recent art exhibit or theater show knows that these programs are not the most welcoming.  People that do not fit in or agree with the "artists" opinons or views are placed in uncomfortable situations where they are not only not welcomed, but also openly chastised and criticized.  City of Toronto funds should go towards programs that encourage all people to be involved regardless of race, gender, or religious or political beliefs.

So here is my two cents
Flush out

Rob Ford....Show me some Pride

I wouldn't call myself a man that stands up for gay rights or take a stand on the legalization of gay marriage- I just do not care enough.  However, I also feel that if something doesn't affect me in anyway, I don't believe I have a right criticize.  Who am I to judge if two guys or two gals want to express their feelings for each other in such an intimate way? I like to take a libertarian view with this issue - as long as you do not bother anyone, enjoy yourself.

What does bother me is when people go and ruin a perfectly good career on stupid decisions such as the recent one by Toronto mayor Rob Ford.  For the last four-to-five years, I have been following Mr. Ford and have had supported him throughout his rise in Toronto politics.  For the most part I have always agreed with his views and his opinions, but his refusal to attend the Pride parade is not one of them.

I am going to give Mr. Ford the benefit of the doubt and believe that he has an annual tradition with his family that he feels that he must attend, and I also know that he is a very busy man that must cancel numerous events that occur throughout the city.  However, by refusing to attend this parade he has created a lightening rod for his opponents to pounce on and label him as a bigot and homophobe.

Ford promised to be a mayor for all of Toronto and this parade gives him an opportunity to prove it!  By not attending the parade, he will further alienate homosexuals and prove what his naysayers have been preaching - it's not like the liberal and gay community have accepted him since he announced his nomination against Smitherman.  For this week, let's just hope that he makes the right decision and stands beside the LGBT community during Pride.  Finally, Should Mr. Ford attend the event, let us also hope that the gay community makes the right move and accept their mayor and applaud his decision to attend.

Flush out