To the editor:
Re: Barely a Whimper at the Gas Pumps, letter to the editor from Ian MacLean, Dec. 30, 2015 Kelowna Capital News.
In reading Ian’s letter I couldn’t help being reminded of how all politics are truly at some level deep and personal, and by this I mean very generally the following. That which we seek to blame or even change is as much a reflection of ourselves as it is about others.
More specifically, in reference to the “pigs at the trough” or the “greedy bastards,” I need to ask where is the greed in your life since, we are all rich or poor depending on who we dare to compare ourselves to?
That notwithstanding, I am reminded of an interesting favourite quote: “I don’t believe in millionaires but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.” (Mark Twain). Moreover, to assume that all government officials care only for themselves is perhaps as cynical, if not no different than assuming all families are interested in only their own immediate family’s well-being.
Nevertheless, in respect to Ontario paying 88 cents/litre, I have lived in Northern Ontario, Thunder Bay for approximately 10 years and I can’t recall the last time I saw gas that cheap. I am here [Kelowna] visiting for the holidays and did notice your gas was between three to five cents cheaper than ours, at least as of the 24th of December when I left.
As well, previously we lived in Toronto and I visit and keep in touch with family there where 88 cents/litre is certainly not a current or average recent going rate.
Nevertheless, Ontario like B.C., is quite large and generalizations of any type are apt to convolute any comparisons of sort. That being said, numerically all this can be easily verified, as can the taxation variations that differ sometimes substantially between provinces let alone municipalities, as a large portion of gas prices are tax based.
In closing, thank you for your time and to be clear in no way am I suggesting that prices do not need to be monitored or altered but exactly how or why is just as important.
Best wishes 2016 to all in between as well as those at whatever extreme.
Roger De Sousa, Thunder Bay Ont.
