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Upcoming Referendum

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Elmware, Mar 5, 2015.

?

Do you approve of this?

  1. Yes, I think we'll have better roads and bus services.

    14.3%
  2. No, We'll just get burned by Translink as usual.

    71.4%
  3. Not sure

    14.3%
  1. Elmware

    Elmware Full Member

    Vote Yes or No to paying an additional 0.5% sales tax for fuck all!

    That right, the same bus company that is full of empty promises (Like the so-called price lock on fuel that would put a freeze on bus fare for five years, only to see a fare increase two and a half years into this) and mismanages their funds (Like giving themselves a nice pay raise) wants to add an additional 0.5% sales tax, so they can have even more funds to mismanage.

    I say "No" to this bullshit!

    Giving them more money isn't even going to improve fuck all! But then again, they will only find another way to try and suck it out of our pockets. Even people who don't ride the bus will pay, and even if they do add or improve bridges, the fuckers want to toll them all anyways. And the worst part is that only locals pay the tolls.
     
    the mechanic likes this.
  2. Joe

    Joe Full Member

    Elmware, I'm planning to vote NO as well, not because I'm against transit upgrades, but because its a bad plan, will cost far too much, and shifts the burden on the working and middle classes to pay for it. If this plan goes ahead in its present form, it'll be tax tax tax, with no end in sight. Everyone will pay long into the next century. Plus, the proposed skytrain to Arbutus won't go all the way to UBC as many had hoped, nor does it appear that Translink ever wants it too. Like you said, its just a gravy train for TL executives and their corporate friends. Two final points, Vancouver badly needs a real bike plan an Interstate Highway system and much improved road system, which the plan does not address. No matter how competent the drivers, or modern the busses, it won't solve the congestion problems in places such as Vancouver or Surrey unless the roads are significantly improved. Whether we like it or not, packing the roads with even more busses won't solve our transportation problems because even a bus needs better roads to drive on.
     
    Stuntman and the mechanic like this.
  3. milquetoast

    milquetoast Senior Member

    That's false. The official plan for the UBC Line is split into 2 phases. The first phase is to Arbutus with a B-Line direct to UBC. Phase 2 is the completion of the line.

    According to the powers that be, unofficially there is also a good chance that if the 10 Year Plan is approved, they might just build the entire line in 1 phase.
     
  4. the mechanic

    the mechanic Active Member

    ... just love your beautiful opinion on this topic, Elmware!

    ... of course "no" is the only way to vote. i mean, who in their right mind says "yes" when someone asks you to pay them something for no reason? there's a word for those who do, that word being "chump" ...

    ... this referendum is nothing more than an insult directed at everyone by the government. just ignore it and all the media hubbub that's going along with it ....
     
  5. Elmware

    Elmware Full Member

    I also remember when the GST was introduced to Canada. Many merchants had to purchase new cash registers because the ones they had at the time only worked with one tax, instead of two. If this BS referendum goes through, then now they will have three taxes to deal with. I believe this could mean for merchants to either upgrade software to handle a third tax, or even replacing cash registers all over again.
     
    the mechanic likes this.
  6. the mechanic

    the mechanic Active Member

    ... wow, you nailed it, Elmware! the government is clearly at war with business. and this proposed tax is yet another example of the crown using the private businessman to collect a tax for them ...
     
  7. Stuntman

    Stuntman Full Member

    I don't support the transportation plan mainly because any new bridges will be tolled. Tolls on bridges are just a money grab for companies collecting the toll. They put tolls on bridges because it is a bottleneck and can get a lot of drivers because of a lack of alternate routes. There are road improvements all over the Lower Mainland that aren't tolled. Long stretches of Highway 1 have been improved without tolls. If you drive on the highway without having to cross the Port Mann, you are benefitting without having to pay a toll.

    Tolls also cause traffic to divert and cause more congestion on existing routes that have no tolls. It unfairly penalises those drivers whose existing routes go over non-tolled bridges. Drivers who can take an alternate non-tolled route will more likely take the non-tolled route creating more congestion there.

    If you are going to build a good transportation system, then build one that can move people well throughout the region. Everyone benefits from a good transportation system and not only people who drive on new roads. When you build new roads, you alleviate congestion on other roads and benefits drivers on those previously congested routes. Also, goods get transported throughout the region. Even if you don't drive on new roads, chances are some of the goods you buy do. I would be willing to pay taxes to improve the transportation system in the region regardless whether or not I personally drive much on any of the improved roads.

    I would support tolls if I feel there is a need to divert traffic away from certain areas of the region. Putting tolls on improved roads is counterintuitive to me. You build a better road to carry more people and then you put a toll that encourages people to drive elsewhere.
     
  8. the mechanic

    the mechanic Active Member

    ... i can think of two other ways the government has attacked business recently ...

    ... the elimination of the penny forced business to totally revamp how they sell cash goods. as well, the government's increase in the minimum wage is also an attack on business -- one which will benefit government in the form of increased income tax! the greedy motivations of those slimy serpents in government are so easy to see ...
     
  9. Cindy Taylor

    Cindy Taylor Guest

    The Government is doing this scam using TransLink, they are doing this by overcrowding Our City, this in turn benefits Real State Companies and hence the government with taxes, as a consequence trafific increases and all control is lost, now with the TV ads they are injecting fear in people to convince evryone that giving more money for TransLink will be of some benefit for all, but make no mistake, the solution is NOT more money, au contraire, the solution is more control over the Goverment and make them see that the number of modern population should be controlled and kept to a comfort level in which People can live and not suffer with overcrowding, We should decentralize the Goverment Departments and send them with their numerous workers out of the most populated City to rural Camada, The government is a body of administrators who work for You and for Me, They don't Own Your money, since when and employed worker dictates and submits the boss in to oppression? Together We can and We should get rid of this public enemy number One, The Liberals had done much damage, is time to go or to obey the people who elected them. Or what is this? From public servan to dictatorship? I don't think so!
     
  10. I'm not joking!

    I'm not joking! Junior Member

    What happen to the money from fares and advertising? Does TransLink uses that money for expanding or they just pocket that money in some account abroad?
     
  11. the mechanic

    the mechanic Active Member

    ... uh, Cindy, we actually ARE dealing with a dictatorship regime. keep in mind that the present premier of BC was not duly elected for EITHER of her two terms in the position ...

    ... speaking of which, if the "no" vote prevails can we expect them to hold the referendum AGAIN in kelowna just like they did when christy lost in her own riding in the last provincial election?
     
  12. ExCuSMe!

    ExCuSMe! Guest

    Did You notice that Richard Walton is the Mayor for The District Of North Vancouver and at the same time the Chairman of the Board for TransLink? See? Conflict of interest!!!! that is illegal!!!!
     
    the mechanic likes this.
  13. the mechanic

    the mechanic Active Member

    ... i'm so glad the government decided to undertake this referendum because it's such an unmitigated DISASTER for them ...

    ... and it also tells us that they're having serious money problems which is delightful to know as well! ha ha ...
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2015

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