Kudos to the United States for practicing democracy on the issue of gay marriage. Eleven states had a question about gay marriage on the ballot during the last presidential election. No matter which side of the fence you sit on this issue, at least Americans had the chance to speak. For too long Canadians have allowed unelected judges decide how our society is to be structured.
Past Liberal Governments have been the worst at this, particularly on this issue, but usually on any issue that has the potential to lose too many votes. This has led to the primacy of the courts in Canadian politics. What you can't get a majority of people to vote for, get the courts to do for you. We have seen this type of "political action" on gay marriage from the left, and now the right is getting into the spirit.
The Ontario version of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation wants to sue the Ontario Premier, Dalton McGuinty, for breach of contract for his health care tax hike and wants the courts to rule on whether he has broken the Taxpayer Protection Act. If he is found guilty, what happens? Does he just pay a fine and go on governing? Is there jail time? Does the government fall?Is this really in our best interest?
From an Ontario taxpayer's (which I am not) standpoint it may be, but for democracy, it isn't. The people should have primacy in a democracy, and this "stunt" further erodes the power of the people, especially if it works.
I believe that people should have to learn from their mistakes, and take a bit of perverse pleasure of all my left leaning relatives suffering in Ontario, particularly a certain loud, left leaning uncle of mine. Of course, he will probably blame the McGuinty promise breaking on the previous conservative government. Some people don't like to leave their comfort bubble.
I will be watching this story with interest. It is about a lot more than taxes.
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