I find election campaigns very frustrating. People are very passionate about their politics and their views, which is good, but I find sometimes opinion gets in the way of facts and results. There are many things that sound good on the surface, but in reality aren't good at all. A little research and understanding the outcome of those decisions goes a long way.
Here's an example: There is a small activity you can do that gives you instant relaxation. Some people think it makes you look cool or powerful as well. As a side benefit, it will suppress your appetite and you'll lose weight. This sounds great! What is it as I could stand to lose a few pounds?
The activity is smoking. And it kills you. Great idea, lousy outcome. If I want to lose a few pounds, I'll opt for something that actually works, like jogging. Not as easy, but a much better result.
These are the things that politicians rely on - I'll tell you something that sounds great to get elected, but once I implement it the result might not be so good. There was a promise in a previous election to reduce interest rates on credit cards. If you are carrying a balance on your card, this sounds pretty good.
The problem is, if you force the banks to lower rates, they won't be willing to give a credit card to someone they see as a risk - like the person carrying a balance on their credit card. The higher rate is motivation to keep the balance low. The outcome? Some people who had credit cards won't qualify for one any more. Bad result for them, even if the intention was good.
All of the promises we get from politicians come with a price tag. The call for more money always comes with a call to raise taxes - on someone else. A recent Nanos poll asked people how to raise revenue for government. Thirty-eight per cent said increase taxes on the top one per cent, while 25 per cent said increase corporate taxes. Sounds like a good idea, but what is the result?
Numerous studies show that raising corporate income taxes negatively impacts economic growth. Yikes, that doesn't sound good, especially considering both B.C. and the federal government reported more income than planned last year with lower corporate tax rates. Lower taxes, more income, better result.
So let's tax the one per cent folks instead! They need to do more! Except they already do more than their share already.
For the 2013 tax year in B.C., people making over $250,000 represented 0.75 per cent of the population, earned 10 per cent of the income and paid 20 per cent of the total tax bill.
And like anyone else, they will look for ways to save paying the increase.
Want proof? People will drive a long way to save even two cents a litre on fuel. There are five gas stations in Point Roberts and three in Tsawwassen. Last time I looked, there weren't enough people in Point Roberts to support two gas stations, let alone five.
What sounds great on paper, or in a promise, might not be what you hoped for. I don't believe in telling anyone how they should vote, all I ask anyone is think past the promise and consider the outcome. The result affects us all. Brad Sherwin, MBA has over 25 years' experience in marketing, public relations and business strategy. He is currently the director of marketing for a national non-profit organization.
