Choices Ontario

In Eastern Ontario, the Conservative sit at 57 per cent support, while the Liberals are at 25 per cent support - Ipsos-Reid Poll released Jan 27th, 2011

Eastern Ontario polls show Dalton McGuinty isn't popular.  McGuinty hasn't been popular in Eastern Ontario his entire mandate.  It might be a case of jealousy for the local boy, but I think the Liberal's own charges of avoid Tim Hudak, you just get another Mike Harris are boosting the numbers in Eastern Ontario.

Eastern Ontario wants more common sense.  We are still shaking our heads wondering what the heck happened to our responsible Tory government eight years ago.  We voted the heck out of great reps like John Yakabuski and Lisa McLeod.  But somehow Dalton and his gang took over.

They promised us no taxes and gave us the Health Tax Premium super duty tax us to death and save health care tax.  Then they pointed to hospitals under construction and said, look what we are doing!  Healthcare must be improved under Dalton after all those years of Harris because the hospital has a crane on the roof.  Never mind the wait time, we gave you a shiny new waiting room and lots of new beds we won't staff, so you wait and wait and wait...  It doesn't cost our healthcare system a thing if you wait.  And thats good, because we spent all the money on cranes and eHealth.  And LHINs.  And all kinds of not front line staff.  Healthcare must be better, our administrators are making tons of cash, so they must be good.

See why we voted for our singing MPP in my riding.  Substance over optics.  We want common sense.

BUT

In the heart of the province, the huge pit of cash and humanity, the City with a hockey team that needs not win to be rich, wanting to grab an NFL team, a bauble of a Major League Baseball team, substance is so lame.  We want to feel good, not be good.  Green energy that costs too much, its all good, I feel good.  Hospitals that don't have staff but shiny closed wards.  Not surprisingly, the polls in Toronto show McGuinty gaining support.

Because the Optics of Mike Harris are more damning to Torontonians  than the substance.  Mike didn't make everyone feel good about nothing.  He worked hard to make sure we could feel good about something.  That we had pride in ourselves.  Kick some butts to get everyone moving.  Point out that we, as individuals, have responsibilities for our own lives.  No one is entitled, but everyone has the same opportunity.

No sir, now we got all kinds of government help we never asked for.  All day babysitting.  Never mind the entrepreneurs that were filling that need and supporting their families with their labor, government can do better.  After all, it costs more, it must be better.

Oh yes, if it comes to costs more, then we must have the best outcomes in this province.  Don't we?  This fiscal year alone we have spent north of $20 billion more than we were taxed.  Incredible considering the level of taxation in the province.  We are tottering on the abyss.  Those with the ability to easily move their businesses or employment are fleeing for better ports.  Leaving lost jobs and tax revenue in their wake.  California and Illinois are on that path.   Michigan too.

Soon the hands out will exceed those pockets to supply the entitlements.  Common sense says that is bad.  And its been eight years.  Surely this can't be the fault of Mike Harris.

Ontario, you have a choice this year.  The path you are on, or the path that was actually working.  You felt the pain before, but you were getting healthy, like a good exercise program.  Now you are snug in your snuggie with all your government entitlements, good old comfort food and mindless tv.  You think you are feeling good, but friends are talking about intervention.

We need to support our provincial personal trainer, Tim Hudak, and get back in shape.  Because our healthcare sucks.  And our lifestyle will make us sick.