A Reverse Modest Proposal

Despite continued evidence of rapidly rising income disparity (the rich are getting richer, the rest of us poorer), yesterday the Finance Minister floated the idea that we tax the rich too much (I can't believe it either!). Lower taxes for the richest 1% of Canadians, Flaherty claims, are needed to keep them in Canada. Canada's scions of wealth, the Bankers quickly supported the idea. All this while the price of basic goods and necessities is increasing, and the provision of public services such as transit, day care, and infrastructure is ignored by the Harper government.

Really how much more do top income earners need? If times are really so tough for them despite their rapidly rising income and wealth, I say let them leave. Let them chase opportunity. Let's start by giving Jim "give-the-rich-a-break" Flaherty and his corporate welfare buddies a one way-ticket to "fight the Pretenders in Spain," or "sell themselves to the Barbadoes" (see Swift below), or some other tax-free zone. If they can't stand Canada's attempt to kept some kind of income equity amongst Canadians, I say have a nice trip!

Alternatively, in the spirit of Jonathan Swift, may I make A (Reverse) Modest Proposal. Instead of eating the poor, as Swift's satire has suggested, we should eat the rich, and relieve the rest. Though as Swift noted, "I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country." Still, by eating the rich, we could do them all a favour, by stemming their inifnite greed, and save the country from their insatiable need for more money.

After all fat cats are the best eats, "a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout." Umm, roasted bankers....