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                People always say that two things are for certain: death and taxes. We complain about taxes all of the time. But, at the end of the day, you have to pay them. For a government to operate they require funds and where else are they supposed to find those funds? Well, in Crown Corporations for one, except these look like they’re going to be sold off in a bid to have a quick influx of cash as opposed to putting the rates up – we have low cell phone rates compared to almost any other province – so even an increase in rates Sask would continue offering cheaper services than elsewhere in Canada.

                People always seem to be concerned about themselves, which is fine, you worked hard for your money. I did too. Over the past five years I was the only reporter here three separate times; I was working crazy hours to ensure the paper had content because if I didn’t do it, it wouldn’t get done.

                I understand working hard because I grew up on a farm. My dad was out the door in the morning before anyone else even thought of waking up to go out to the field, then he’d be out late into the evening, stopping only if there was a break down or for family suppers, which were quite often out in the field on the tailgate of a truck. It being a family farm we helped out: driving the grain truck, rolling peas, cleaning out bins, etc… But, school and the two sports we chose to play were commitments that came first.

                My parents put an emphasis on education and being well rounded, which included being able to work hard. That meant physically or mentally, so in anything my sister and I choose to do, we work hard.

                I grew up in a small community, the type that Saskatchewan is built on, you know it, you’ve lived it. You help each other out. So, no matter how hard you worked, you always had time to help someone else. We didn’t have cattle, but our family often helped out at friends’ brandings, because that’s what you did.

                So, today when I look at taxes, I want to see mine going to help people in need. I want to see what I pay going towards things like ensuring low income individuals are able to have a funeral for their loved one, that travel for people with disabilities in residential care is possible, and that education and healthcare are a priority.

                Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a job that pays the bills, there’s lots of people out there that work two jobs at minimum wage – sounds like working hard to me – and yet they have a tough time keeping up. So, we need to be giving people a leg up and not casting them to the side saying it’s their own fault. It’s not. It’s the economic system we live in where the all-mighty dollar is more important than our fellow man.

                Ultimately, I understand it’s a poor economic climate and that cuts need to be made in the budget, but why not cut funding for that bypass in Regina – put it on hold – or roads in general? I can drive on poor roads, we’ve all done it before, but by taking away these other services we’re essentially kicking already struggling people in the gut. They’re already having a tough time, why are we making it harder?

                After all, Saskatchewan was built on people helping people; so, why are we not being true to our nature?